Chapter 292

In October, Yan Li returned to Jingcheng and signed an investment agreement with JD. om.

Yan Ye Capital invested five million U. . dollars in JD. om, acquiring an 8% equity stake; the funding amount and shareholding were not disclosed publicly.

But Yan Li's status as a shareholder of JD. om required extensive promotion.

The original terms had been 7. million U. . dollars for 5% equity; now, after negotiation, it was reduced to five million U. . dollars—better than the terms offered to today's Capital, the first investor.

Besides Liu's desire to bring in a new shareholder to balance today's Capital, Yan Li had also agreed to help make introductions and lend his public support.

In terms of capital volume, Yan Li didn't rank highly; perhaps his personal net worth wasn't low, but his cash flow was far behind those of investment firms, family offices, and private equity funds.

Therefore, compared to most investors, what Yan Li had most valuable wasn't his money, but his resources, connections, and personal influence.

As an entertainment magnate, Yan Li possessed celebrity media resources that countless companies could only dream of.

Meanwhile, Yan Li, known for his social finesse and vast information network, had connections far beyond ordinary reach.

Yan Li's years of social engagements hadn't been wasted.

With a halo, social grace, and an intelligence network to back him, Yan Li was born to be a 【broker】.

He often spoke of some intermediary, but sometimes he himself played the role of intermediary—and an elite one at that.

Especially in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Shandong Province, Yan Li was exceptionally well-connected; he couldn't claim to have friends everywhere, but making introductions and bridging connections was never difficult for him.

Then there was Yan Li's fame and public image.

Although his personal lifestyle was controversial, his rise from nothing to a nine-figure net worth in just a few years made him a representative of young entrepreneurs, widely recognized and praised for his business acumen and vision.

All of this was crucial for JD. om, which was still in its expansion and startup phase.

JD. om was an e-commerce platform; first and foremost, it needed visibility—without attention, there would be no traffic.

Liu wanted to promote himself, but his profile was too low; no one paid him any mind.

Yan Li promoting JD. om was far more effective than Liu's own desperate attempts at publicity.

Moreover, JD. om's self-built warehouse and logistics network required Datong various channels—it needed to know the right people and gain access to their circles.

Previously, Liu's wife's family had some background, but it was no longer useful; even if it were, Yan Li's assistance would benefit JD. om's development even more.

In short, Liu could resist the temptation of capital, but not the temptation of Yan Li's resources.

He was even willing to relax the original 5% equity cap, offer a relatively "low" price, and promise future financing conveniences—all to get Yan Li to exert more effort.

This was also why Yan Li had made a special trip back to Jingcheng to help JD. om hold a launch event—he needed to help promote it.

Over the past two years, Tudou. om had grown rapidly; as an investor and major shareholder, Yan Li wielded considerable influence in the internet and investment sectors.

This time, investing again in the internet sector and staging a high-profile launch event drew many media reporters to attend.

Yan Li and Liu, who had already signed the contract privately, went through the motions of signing documents again in front of the media cameras.

This kind of launch event lacked the flashy theatrics of entertainment events; after the signing ceremony, it went straight to journalist Q&A.

"Mr. Yan, why did you invest in JD. om? Are you bullish on the e-commerce industry?"

"Of course."

Yan Li nodded: "As the internet develops, it becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives; e-commerce is an undeniable future trend."

At this stage, e-commerce hasn't exploded yet, but anyone with even a little insight can see its potential.

Yet the internet is currently in a phase of Baihuaqifang, with opportunities everywhere; e-commerce is also complex, requiring diverse resources and capital, so many can't afford to enter, and thus actual participants remain few.

"Then why choose JD. om? Taobao is doing well—what unique advantages does JD. om have?"

Another journalist asked. Yan Li smiled: "I chose JD. om simply because of Mr. Liu."

"In my view, investing means investing in both projects and people—and the latter matters even more."

"A capable, visionary founder, paired with a sound business model, forms the foundation of a successful enterprise."

"..."

Yan Li lavished praise on Liu—not out of flattery, but because they had prearranged it: he was to help Liu "debut."

JD. om wasn't like Tudou. om; it wasn't Yan Li's strategic focus, merely a partner, and his equity stake was small—he couldn't afford to devote excessive energy to JD. om.

Meanwhile, Liu of JD. om was more assertive and cautious than Wang Wei of Tudou. om.

He didn't want to become Yan Li's puppet!

He only wanted Yan Li's help with promotion and traffic—not to be permanently tied to Yan Li's image in the public eye; instead, he planned to emulate Yan Li, stepping into the spotlight himself as the company's leader and spokesperson.

Thus, both sides reached an agreement, much like a celebrity in entertainment bringing up a newcomer: Yan Li would step forward and make Liu famous.

When Liu became famous, Yan Li would save himself effort; and Liu wouldn't have to worry about Yan Li using his influence to seize control.

Of course, this made Liu look like Yan Li's junior.

But Yan Li intended precisely that—to create this impression so he could claim moral credit toward JD. om; this would benefit both his personal equity and related collaborations.

Liu didn't mind at all; compared to Yan Li, his current wealth and experience truly made him the junior.

Yan Li provided money and effort, helped him enter the circles, and publicly praised him; their ages were close—what was wrong with calling him elder brother?

Frankly speaking, most people couldn't even get the chance to do so!

On this basis, Yan Li not only promoted Liu but also deliberately let Liu answer questions about JD. om, giving him more exposure.

Of course, Liu alone still lacked weight, so Yan Li occasionally answered as well.

"JD. om's direct sales and authentic products significantly reduce the risk of counterfeits and deliver higher-quality service to customers."

"Its self-built logistics system likewise enhances user experience; compared to other platforms relying on third-party logistics, JD. om offers faster and better delivery."

"JD. om is still in its early development stage; comparing it to Taobao is meaningless—each has its own model. The Chinese market is vast, and competitors aren't necessarily locked in a zero-sum game."

"..."

Liu had originally planned to latch onto Alibaba and take a shot at Jack Ma—this was common in the internet and fiercely competitive industries.

I'm the best; my rivals are idiots!

But Yan Li said JD. om wasn't ready to challenge Taobao yet—the gap was too wide, and it would only invite humiliation.

Besides, JD. om had him now; the early traffic was sufficient, and it was also a chance to let Liu gain more visibility and build his name.

Once Liu's reputation grew and JD. om showed real results and potential, then challenging Alibaba would carry greater impact and yield better results.

Beyond that, Yan Li simply didn't want to get dragged into the e-commerce battle.

He had no grudge against Jack Ma; in fact, they might even collaborate in the future.

If Liu wanted to attack or belittle, he could do it himself—Yan Li wouldn't interfere or appear.

So during this early phase of closeness between Yan Li and JD. om, he didn't want Liu to clash with Jack Ma; once Liu stood on his own and was firmly tied to JD. om in the public eye, Yan Li wouldn't care if he fought Taobao to the death.

…

After more than two hours, the launch event ended; Liu, feeling the effect was strong, was exhilarated.

Yan Li, who had seen big events before, remained calm, patted his shoulder, and said: "You go ahead and handle things—I'll host a dinner tonight to introduce you to some people."

Yan Li was busy with many affairs; as soon as the launch event ended, he prepared to take Liu into his circles.

Among them were several well-connected intermediaries; Yan Li would connect them, so even if he wasn't present, they could still help JD. om through his influence.

Liu understood—he wasn't a greenhorn just starting out, he simply lacked the connections and circles Yan Li commanded.

"What do I need to prepare?"

"Nothing. I've arranged everything. By the way, how's your drinking capacity?"

Yan Li and Liu hadn't met often, and they'd drunk together before—but only in business settings, where everyone held back; he truly didn't know Liu's limits.

"Whiskey? Start at one jin. Push a bit, one to two jin is fine."

Liu was from Su City, Jiangsu Province—known as China's liquor capital, famous for distilling; his drinking capacity was naturally strong.

"Perfect."