Chapter 64: Why don't you believe us? Aren't we successful enough?

Li Dongling brought Yao Luoying, Hu Zixian, Zhang Ao, Gao Peng, and a group of Dongling High-Tech executives to the company entrance to welcome Li Wenjun's arrival.

"Chairman Li!"

When Li Dongling and Li Wenjun shook hands, camera flashes flickered continuously, recording this "historic" moment. On one side was the largest technology giant in the country, and on the other was the new technology star that had won a lawsuit against an overseas technology giant. The meeting of the two sides couldn't help but make people's imaginations run wild.

Li Wenjun followed Li Dongling into Dongling High-Tech. Seeing the office decoration of Dongling High-Tech, he couldn't help but nod, feeling that this was what a technology company should look like.

The appearance of Dongling High-Tech's office was quite good. Regardless of how strong they actually were, anyone who saw Dongling High-Tech for the first time would feel that this was the correct way to open a high-tech company. "People rely on clothes, horses rely on saddles" was not just empty talk.

Not knowing what Li Wenjun and the Sitong Group were up to this time, Li Dongling still took him to visit Dongling High-Tech's offices and laboratories.

Li Dongling could clearly feel that Li Wenjun was very interested in the Silver Mink mouse project.

"So, Dongling High-Tech is developing a new generation of mice?!"

After entering the mouse laboratory, Li Wenjun stood there as if his feet had taken root. Even though he only saw some superficial things, he stared at them carefully, especially the many models that were clearly different from the first-generation Silver Mink mouse. Although he couldn't see the clues, he couldn't help but ask Li Dongling.

"Yes!"

Li Dongling admitted that the Silver Mink mouse project team was developing a new generation of mice, but he didn't reveal any extra information.

The Silver Mink mouse project team was currently developing an optical mouse. Mechanical mice had excellent performance, but in terms of wear and price, they were always not very friendly to ordinary users. After long-term use, the precision would drop significantly, and they were easily damaged. Due to cost reasons, the price was also expensive.

Optical mice had appeared many years ago, but due to technical and other reasons, they had not yet become the mainstream among mice. Li Dongling was prepared to let Silver Mink mouse be the first to eat the crab of optical mice!

Optical mice needed to develop a mouse engine. If the refresh rate, movement speed, etc., could catch up with mechanical mice, then optical mice replacing mechanical mice was almost a certainty.

After all, the manufacturing cost of optical mice was far lower than that of mechanical mice. Coupled with avoiding the shortcomings of mechanical mice such as movement difficulties, the roller ball easily getting dirty, stuttering after long-term use, and being easily broken or misaligned, as long as the technology caught up, optical mice would be much easier to popularize than mechanical mice, and retail would certainly be more popular with users!

Hearing that Li Dongling was unwilling to introduce the new generation of Silver Mink mouse, Li Wenjun, although still wanting to probe a bit more, could only follow Li Dongling back to the office building.

"The Sitong Group has long heard of Chairman Li's reputation. That lawsuit with Microsoft really gave a boost to domestic brands, letting those foreign companies know that our domestic brands also have R&D capabilities.

Our President Duan also has high praise for Chairman Li. If it weren't for his busy schedule—President Duan just accepted the heavy responsibility of General Manager of Zhongguancun Technology Company entrusted by the Beijing Municipal Committee—he would definitely have come personally to meet Chairman Li this time!"

Li Wenjun first flattered Dongling High-Tech, then calmly pointed out the status of the Sitong Group and Duan Yongji today. The Sitong Group was almost the face of domestic private companies today, and Duan Yongji's status in the industry was also in a league of its own.

"The Sitong Group is the banner and leader of domestic private companies, and President Duan is a godfather-level figure in the technology industry, a role model for the younger generation to learn from!"

Li Dongling also flattered Duan Yongji and the Sitong Group, then changed the subject and asked Li Wenjun, "I wonder, what is Chairman Li here for this time?!"

"I came here this time at President Duan's request. He wants Chairman Li to go to Beijing to give a speech to peers in Zhongguancun, share some insights, and let everyone progress together!" Li Wenjun said.

It sounded like Duan Yongji intended to promote him, letting Li Dongling go to Beijing to give a speech to improve his status among peers, but Li Dongling never believed that there would be things without reason in this world.

"Visiting President Duan is the right thing to do, but going to Beijing must involve other matters, right?!" Li Dongling looked at Li Wenjun and asked.

Laughing a few times, Li Wenjun clapped his hands, "Chairman Li is truly worthy of his reputation, straightforward and frank. To tell you the truth, inviting Chairman Li to Beijing indeed involves some matters that I want to discuss with Chairman Li!"

"Silver Mink is indeed a good brand and is now a banner for our domestic technology industry. But precisely because of this, we should value it and protect it well. We cannot let it be destroyed by foreign capital like domestic brands such as Xuehua, Narcissus, Meijiajing, and Tianfu Cola!

President Duan values Dongling High-Tech and the Silver Mink brand very much and is also willing to let the Sitong Group contribute a modest effort for domestic brands!"

Listening to Li Wenjun ramble on, only the last sentence was the point. Li Dongling heard the implication in his words, but still asked, "So the Sitong Group wants to..."

"That's right!"

"Sitong wants to acquire—no, or perhaps 'strong-strong alliance' is more appropriate. Cooperation between Dongling High-Tech and the Sitong Group will certainly make Silver Mink the best brand in the domestic technology industry. Silver Mink shouldn't be limited to this place!"

Li Wenjun had a posture of earnest persuasion, trying to convince Li Dongling, as if he were heartbroken that Dongling High-Tech would delay the Silver Mink mouse.

Hearing this, Li Dongling took a sip of water, paused for a moment, and said, "Many thanks for President Duan's kindness, but regarding Silver Mink, Dongling High-Tech already has a plan. In the future..."

"Perhaps Chairman Li can listen to Sitong's conditions first!"

"300 million RMB. As long as Chairman Li is willing, the Sitong Group is willing to use Sitong Group's stock plus cash to complete a full acquisition of Dongling High-Tech at a total price of 300 million RMB. After the acquisition is completed, Chairman Li can continue to serve as the President of Dongling High-Tech!"

Li Wenjun appeared full of confidence. Opening his mouth, it was 300 million RMB. This was 300 million in 1994. In an era where the average monthly salary did not exceed 600 yuan, this was absolutely an astronomical figure.

"Of course, if Chairman Li is reluctant to part with Dongling High-Tech, the Sitong Group is also willing to change the method of cooperation. The Sitong Group is willing to invest 75 million RMB in exchange for 30% of Dongling High-Tech's equity. Dongling High-Tech's personnel and financial rights will remain independent. The most important point..."

Li Wenjun said with great momentum and a sense of victory, "Sitong Securities Company can help Dongling High-Tech complete its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange!"

After stating the two conditions, Li Wenjun didn't say anything more, waiting confidently for Li Dongling's choice. He didn't believe anyone could refuse such conditions. Either choose money or choose a listing. In the entire domestic technology industry, who wouldn't be confused when facing such conditions? Even Boss Shi had become a bit obsessed for the sake of Giant's listing.

The conditions proposed by Sitong were indeed very tempting. If it were anyone else in this era, they probably wouldn't be able to hold out. But Li Dongling looked at Li Wenjun, and there was no fanatical or excited expression on his face; his gaze remained calm. This made Li Wenjun doubt whether Li Dongling had actually heard what he just said.

Li Dongling was speculating why the Sitong Group had suddenly come to Dongling High-Tech. It definitely couldn't be charity. As for the "tomorrow of domestic technology brands," that was even more nonsense.

In fact, Duan Yongji's request for Li Wenjun to come and discuss the acquisition or investment in Dongling High-Tech was mainly to quell the Sitong Group's internal problems, and there was another matter, or rather, the matter the Sitong board of directors was most concerned about: Sitong's stock price!

Sitong now had internal problems, and Duan Yongji had also realized that Sitong's internal problems were too big. The real estate investments in Yazhou and other places were like a game of passing the parcel that couldn't be played anymore. The pharmaceutical industry Sitong invested in was a mess, and the securities industry provided a large amount of debt problems. The Sitong Group had invested in a bunch of industries over the years, but basically hadn't made any money; they were all losing money.

Coupled with Sitong's printer business, sales were not as hot as before. Although revenue was still growing, profits were constantly declining.

And Sitong's stock price listed on the Hong Kong stock market had been falling all the way since last year. Duan Yongji, who held a large amount of Sitong stock, and the people on the Sitong board of directors were anxious.

The appearance of Dongling High-Tech gave Duan Yongji a chance. He didn't expect to make much money from acquiring Dongling High-Tech. As long as the acquisition or investment was completed, the Sitong Group could use this positive news to pull up the stock price. This way, he could give an account to the board of directors and the investment institutions in Hong Kong, his position as president could remain as stable as Mount Tai, and he could also cash out his stock to make a big profit!

"I'm very sorry, Dongling High-Tech has no intention of selling equity for the time being. I am very grateful for President Duan's support for Dongling High-Tech, but I am truly sorry!"

Li Wenjun, who was waiting for Li Dongling to choose the first or second condition, heard Li Dongling's words and doubted if he had misheard. He couldn't help but ask, "What did you say?!"

"Dongling High-Tech refuses the Sitong Group's investment!"

Li Wenjun, who was originally all smiles and thought he had it in the bag, saw his face turn ugly at a visible speed, "Chairman Li, won't you reconsider?!"

Seeing that Li Dongling's mind was made up, Li Wenjun stood up and said angrily to Li Dongling, "I hope Chairman Li won't regret it later!"

What made Li Wenjun so angry was not only Li Dongling's refusal of this cooperation, which made him lose face when returning to report to Duan Yongji, but more importantly, Li Dongling's attitude toward the Sitong Group. There was no awe or even fear that others in the technology industry had when facing Sitong. It seemed that the Sitong Group was just an ordinary company here, and refusing Sitong's investment was nothing to regret. This made Li Wenjun, who had always been proud of Sitong, feel his self-esteem pierced, as if the most precious thing had been despised, which he found truly hard to accept!

After speaking, Li Wenjun flicked his sleeves and left. Seeing Li Wenjun walking out angrily, the reporters who were originally outside immediately felt that a big news story had appeared.

"Chairman Li, may I ask, did you not reach a cooperation with Dongling High-Tech this time?!"

"May I ask what project you two sides were going to cooperate on?!"

Facing the crowd of media reporters, Li Wenjun suppressed his anger, "The Sitong Group is very sincere about reaching a cooperation with Dongling High-Tech and is willing to pay enough sincerity, but... Mr. Li Dongling refused this cooperation that might make him regret for life!"

As a reporter for the local Pingyang City Daily, who favored Dongling High-Tech—Dongling High-Tech had placed quite a few advertisements in their newspaper—he said to Li Wenjun, "Perhaps there is a misunderstanding, Dongling High-Tech might have a new plan!"

Li Wenjun finally couldn't help it and looked angrily at the Pingyang City Daily reporter, "Do you think Dongling High-Tech is right?

Why do you think the already listed Sitong Group is not as good as Dongling High-Tech? Why are you unwilling to believe someone who has already succeeded?

Could it be that we are not successful enough?" ===== CHAPTER 65 =====