Chapter 96: Direct Confrontation

"Siemens was the world's first company to launch digital cordless telephones; we began R&D very early—this is Siemens' glory, not some company's!"

Frankel, the newly appointed manager of Siemens’ digital cordless telephone division, emphasized to Germany’s ARD television: Siemens was the world’s first company to develop this device.

"But Shenzhou Digital Cordless Telephone was the first company to announce it!"

" Shenzhou ?!"

Hearing the ARD reporter’s words, Frankel sneered, "Sorry, I’ve never heard of that name. Which company developed it? Oh, the one that sponsored a rookie footballer?"

After laughing a few times, Frankel grew serious. "I don’t know why this collision happened, and I’ve never seen a Shenzhou phone—but I’ll say this: professional matters belong to professionals. Siemens’ digital cordless telephone is a German product, representing professionalism, technology, and quality—not something a minor star’s endorsement can sway users’ judgment!"

"Then, Manager Frankel, do you believe Shenzhou will become a rival to Siemens’ digital cordless telephone?" the ARD reporter asked again.

"Rival?!"

Frankel couldn’t help but let out a snort, finding the question absurd. "Siemens’ digital cordless telephone targets global landline users, not any single company. Let’s make a bet—I don’t think Shenzhou will sell a thousand units in Germany. We’ll launch in Europe on the same day as Shenzhou !"

Frankel pointed his finger at the camera lens, as if issuing a challenge to Shenzhou , his eyes brimming with dominance—as if a single charge could crush his opponent utterly.

Siemens’ digital cordless telephone was about to launch, and Frankel intended to create some buzz. In truth, Siemens had been caught off-guard: originally planning to launch a new brand for its digital cordless division, it had been forced by Shenzhou ’s sudden appearance to delay branding and instead use the Siemens name to compete directly.

Yet Frankel felt little concern for Shenzhou —even the momentum generated by Ronaldo’s sponsorship, he believed, would ultimately serve only as fuel for Siemens’ victory.

"You’re certain Shenzhou won’t sell a thousand units in Germany?!" the ARD reporter pressed, now intrigued.

"If Shenzhou sells more than a thousand units in Germany, I’ll…" Frankel had been about to say he’d withdraw Siemens’ digital phones from Germany, but changed course: "I’ll apologize to Shenzhou and acknowledge it as the world’s first digital cordless telephone!"

"But I see no need to even consider this—whether in brand recognition, user acceptance, sales channels, or marketing teams, Siemens is the world’s best. Which German would choose any other brand over Siemens?"

Frankel spread his hands as if hearing the most ridiculous question imaginable, yet his tone carried an implicit threat: he didn’t explicitly demand retailers choose between Siemens and Shenzhou —but he made it clear they should know whom to partner with.

After the interview, Frankel headed toward the office of Siemens’ CEO, Feng Bile. Before entering, he straightened his clothes and knocked.

Inside sat a refined middle-aged man: Feng Bile, Ditou handling documents, gestured for Frankel to sit.

Feng Bile was one of the rare Siemens CEOs not trained as an engineer—he held degrees in law and economics.

A different captain steers a ship in a different direction; since Feng Bile took command, Siemens had become more active than ever, striking globally—not merely establishing subsidiaries in emerging markets like China and Brazil, but spending heavily to acquire rivals. Since his appointment, Siemens had swallowed nearly four hundred companies, large and small.

This was the style of corporate leaders in this era: Feng Bile, like Welch of GE, Gerstner of IBM, and Inamori of Japan, all operated the same way.

Yet to be mentioned alongside those giants, Feng Bile’s methods were ruthlessly sharp—Frankel, for one, held deep reverence for this CEO.

In Feng Bile’s eyes, every Siemens business unit must rank either first or at least third globally; if it ranked fourth, the division faced "processing"—either broken up and sold or dissolved outright. In short: Siemens did not tolerate dead weight.

Under Feng Bile’s system, Siemens dismantled or dissolved departments annually, forcing staff to leave. This Zhenshe was immense for managers like Frankel—none dared show discontent, lest they and their divisions be next.

"The digital cordless telephone division is vital to Siemens. This market is highly profitable and long-lasting. If we capture it, Siemens could gain over seventy million new users within a decade, generating over ten billion dollars in revenue."

"Beyond direct sales, digital cordless users will also drive demand for Siemens’ telecom, switching equipment, and communication devices. Do you understand my meaning?"

Feng Bile spoke softly, calmly, almost gently—but Frankel dared not relax.

"I understand. Siemens’ digital cordless telephone will not lose!" Frankel quickly affirmed.

Feng Bile nodded, tapping his pen on the desk. "The market is now seeing a new generation of mobile communication devices—mobile phones. They may replace big phones and become the new mainstream communication tool."

"Siemens is preparing to enter this industry. If all goes well, digital cordless telephones and mobile phones will form Siemens’ Communications Equipment Division. I want you to be its first general manager."

Frankel struggled to remain composed, but joy flashed across his face. Becoming general manager of Siemens’ Communications Equipment Division meant joining the ranks of top executives overseeing home appliances, energy, transportation, healthcare, and industrial software—his path to higher management, even possibly succeeding Feng Bile as CEO, now lay open.

Watching Frankel leave, Feng Bile returned to his documents. He saw no risk in the Siemens- Shenzhou clash: Frankel wasn’t a top-tier professional manager, but he held every advantage—timing, location, resources—and as a local power, how could he lose to an outsider?

Frankel didn’t believe it—and neither did Feng Bile. It was like telling an elephant it couldn’t defeat an ant; even the elephant wouldn’t believe it. Feng Bile had anticipated rivals, but never Shenzhou Digital Cordless Telephone.

Frankel’s interview quickly spread across Europe. Already fueled by Shenzhou ’s exorbitant sponsorship fee, the story now exploded further as Siemens declared its intent to drive Shenzhou out. Media across sports, entertainment, and tech amplified the drama, stoking public curiosity to fever pitch.

From Europe, the news reached Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, then mainland China. The public, still debating Shenzhou ’s astronomical endorsement fee, erupted in shock upon learning Siemens would launch its digital cordless phone on the same day.

Zhong Lifei, editor-in-chief of "Football Club" magazine, only saw the Siemens news after exiting the Hanxi City train station with his editorial team.

Seeing the headlines, the magazine staff exchanged glances. How could another major story emerge so quickly? Siemens was a Fortune 500 giant—Li Dongling High-Tech stood no chance against it.

"Chief, should we still go to Li Dongling High-Tech’s headquarters?" one staffer asked Zhong Lifei.

"Of course we go. We’re already here—why skip the interview? We’re a football magazine; other matters don’t concern us!"

Yet Zhong Lifei knew: if Shenzhou Digital Cordless Telephone failed in Europe, it would become a black swan event in football.

Sponsorship deals and player endorsements would be questioned: if the world’s biggest sport spent fortunes on ads and lost everything, who’d dare advertise?

Not just advertisers—fans might doubt football’s influence. Merchandise: jerseys, shoes, posters, even "Football Club" magazine—sales would plummet. But they’d already come. Zhong Lifei had no retreat.

…

"Maybe we shouldn’t have taken this endorsement. If Shenzhou fails, Ronaldo’s commercial image will be ruined!"

Overwhelmed by European media coverage and Siemens’ pressure, Ma Dingsi began regretting it. If Shenzhou Digital Cordless Telephone sold poorly, Ronaldo would be branded a "toxic endorser"—like a box-office poison star—no one would hire him again.

Ronaldo, still training in the gym, said nothing, continuing his drills.

Pita spoke up: "Regret is useless now. Tomorrow is Shenzhou ’s launch day. Ronaldo, you must perform well in tomorrow’s match. If Shenzhou ’s sales collapse, we’ll issue press releases: Shenzhou ’s sales have nothing to do with Ronaldo!"

"I know."

Ronaldo clenched his teeth. Since accepting the exorbitant fee, ridicule from the football world never stopped. Now, with Siemens’ attack, the mockery grew louder. A fire burned in his chest—he’d vent it all on the pitch tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)