[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment":3,"chapter-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-357":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Intelligence King of Chinese Entertainment",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260660,4411,"Chapter 357: Weibo","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-357",357,"\u003Cp>In May, Weibo officially completed its share exchange preparations and fundraising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Weibo not only brought in multiple powerful partners to safeguard the company and pave the way for its IPO, but also raised approximately $500 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>$500 million, equivalent to nearly 3.5 billion RMB, is an enormous sum for Weibo, a relatively light-asset platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s requirements for this money were simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spend it to transform our current lead into an insurmountable absolute advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this stage, Weibo has established a strong lead, but Sina Weke and Tencent Taotao have not given up and are pursuing Weibo through various means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why Weibo raised so much money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s to go to war with these two, burn cash to maintain our advantage, while escalating competition and forcing both to exit this Weibo battle through overspending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before the contract was signed, Yan Li and Weibo had already agreed on how to use the $500 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, pour money into technology!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the top priority; Weibo has always emphasized this, striving to ensure user experience and functional infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li is not from an internet company background; Weibo is still young and lacks deep technical foundations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yan Li places great importance on this and is willing to spend heavily on related R&D and optimization; he often repeats in the company, “Science and technology are the primary productive force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many Weibo employees joke that although General Yan doesn’t understand technology, he respects it more than many bosses who came from technical backgrounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Weibo’s founding, Yan Li has meddled in marketing, content, business, management, and many other areas—but never in technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only does two things: spend money and demand results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fears neither ignorance nor expertise—he fears those who are half-informed or technologically outdated, giving misguided orders based on their own assumptions; that’s deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The facts prove that without foolish bosses and superiors meddling, with the team’s technical level maintained and funding sufficient, a capable team can be forged and cultivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weibo’s technical capabilities may not be the absolute top tier of the internet industry, but against established players like Sina and Tencent, it has never fallen behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, in areas like algorithmic recommendation, mobile platforms, and system stability and security, Weibo has developed its own distinct technical advantages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, about $150 million will be invested in technology to make Weibo’s foundational infrastructure stronger, steadier, and better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, user retention, growth, and market promotion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, all platforms are competing fiercely for celebrities and KOL accounts; Weke and Taotao have both launched exclusive signing mechanisms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After extensive discussion, Weibo concluded that exclusive signing is still not suitable for Weibo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Weibo currently has too many celebrities and KOLs; if we burn cash competing for exclusives against Sina and Tencent, our cost burden would far exceed theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we cannot stand idle—both companies are constantly poaching Weibo’s talent by paying for exclusives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some will consider Weibo’s platform superiority and prospects and stay, but others are drawn by money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even doubt Weibo’s chances of victory; Sina and Tencent’s reputations still carry weight; some who feel their treatment and popularity don’t match on Weibo prefer to be a head chicken rather than a tail phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weibo cannot ignore this; it must take action to prevent talent drain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exclusive signing is unwise—then offer subsidies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After research, Weibo developed a calculation formula to determine an account’s active contribution based on traffic and interaction data, then provide content incentive subsidies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In plain terms, pay those accounts; Tencent and Weke buy out, Weibo focuses on steady, continuous flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goal is primarily to stabilize the mid-tier accounts that are wavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting paid for switching platforms is a powerful temptation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Weibo also pays; though not as much as buyouts, it’s still money—and more stable, long-term, low-risk, with better market potential and prospects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who can be poached certainly have some influence or a solid following on Weibo; being paid to switch doesn’t guarantee they’ll maintain their previous popularity and traffic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Switching risks and platform future risks must be considered; whether you’re a head chicken or a tail phoenix, survival comes first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This subsidy incentive will greatly counter Weke and Taotao’s poaching—and even reverse-poach their non-exclusive accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Weke and Taotao can copy this, but if they keep poaching while offering incentives, their costs will soar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Retaining celebrities and KOLs is one thing; more importantly, attracting new users.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Weibo users there are, the greater the benefits and influence, the more stable the ecosystem—that’s the key to keeping those celebrities and KOLs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Weibo will use ample funds for user acquisition and advertising promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond previous phone bill schemes, this time there are cash rewards, gifts, points, and other incentives to encourage new user registration and existing users to refer others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive online and offline advertising campaigns will be launched to boost public awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, make Weibo reach every corner—not just confined to the internet, but truly a platform for the entire nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, considerable funds will be allocated to product ecosystem development, commercialization exploration, and strategic investments and acquisitions, strengthening Weibo in every way to win this Weibo war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before, we had rifles and arrows; they had planes and cannons—we could only win through timing, terrain, and unity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, we not only have timing, terrain, and unity—we have planes and cannons, even aircraft carriers. We won the war of poverty; now that we’re rich, we must crush everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li convened a mobilization meeting for all mid-level and above staff at Weibo, announcing that the Weibo war had entered a heated phase and that Weibo would inevitably achieve final victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weibo employees were energized; some executives even boasted of ending the battle once and for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li and some senior leaders prepared for a prolonged war; if $500 million isn’t enough, raise another $500 million—or even $1.5 billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as always: Weibo can burn cash; Sina cannot; Tencent, facing the massive shift of the mobile era, may not be willing to burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost immediately after Weibo announced its successful $500 million fundraising, Sina’s morale halved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>$500 million!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sina’s current market cap is under $3 billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the financial crisis, all internet companies’ valuations recovered somewhat, but Sina recovered the least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason: its core business, Sina Blog, was crushed by Weibo; its new product, Weke, also performed poorly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Capital is cruel and realistic: if your prospects are good, everyone praises you; if your prospects are bad, everyone tramples you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Sina is tormented by its plummeting market cap, struggling to raise funds, and fearing wolves will seize this chance to bite it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Weibo Night at the end of last year, Sina’s senior management resolved to fight Weibo to the death; though Yan Li later outmaneuvered them several times, leaving them humiliated, their overall direction remained unchanged—they continued competing with Weibo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet less than half a year later, Sina’s senior management had to reconvene to discuss again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past few months, Sina has achieved no notable victories; overall, it’s still being crushed by Weibo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Weibo has $500 million in ammunition—like a tiger with wings, its momentum is stronger than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can Sina, unable to match Weibo’s spending, cut its losses and abandon Blog and Weke?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conference room was thick with smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sina’s CEO, Cao Zong, looked years older than a few months ago, visibly worn out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The internet bubble burst, Blog faded, Weke failed to gain traction; previously, Yan Li had countered them, turning Weke into a den of rebels nearly shut down; their hoped-for mobile counterstrategy collapsed from the start…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these crises and pressures left Cao Zong unable to sleep soundly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, two months ago, many inside Sina had already called for meetings to discuss abandoning Weke, but he had suppressed them with various tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with Weibo’s successful fundraising, he could no longer hold back—he had to call this meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Cao Zong’s expectation of heated debate, the meeting atmosphere was far more oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more silent it was, the worse it was—it meant some had become numb and lost hope in the company, perhaps even already seeking new jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Cao Zong had to actively steer the discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the half who remained silent, the other half split into two factions: one supported abandonment, the other opposed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supporters of abandonment argued simply: we can’t win, cut losses now, then restructure other businesses—amputate to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those unwilling to abandon had their own reasons: Sina had invested too much already; abandoning now meant wasting all those investments—how to explain to stakeholders?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And who could guarantee the new business would succeed? It might fare even worse than Weke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blog still has some legacy; Weke isn’t without highlights; with more funding, even if we can’t surpass Weibo, securing third place and aiming for second is still a viable path to survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zong shook his head internally—he was reluctant to give up on Weke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he understood one thing clearly: competition in social platforms is winner-takes-all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coexistence is hard; at least in today’s market, there’s no room for both Weke and Weibo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were Yan Li, he would show no mercy—he’d fully devour Weke while holding the advantage, eliminating any future threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either exit, or fight to the death—only two choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zong remained silent until the two factions could not convince each other and turned their eyes to him; only then did he speak with difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send Weibo an offer: ask if they’re willing to acquire Weke and Blog—we accept cash plus equity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words announced Sina’s complete abandonment of Weke and Blog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cao Zong was no ordinary man; he didn’t plan to run the businesses on a shoestring like the abandonment faction suggested—he intended to package and sell them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selling them would not only bring in cash to fund new ventures but also constitute a major investment boon for Sina by acquiring equity in Weibo, mitigating the negative impact of abandoning Weke—perhaps turning a bad move into a good one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… would Weibo buy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sina’s executives raised doubts; Cao Zong remained confident: “I think Yan Li will buy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weke and Blog still hold considerable technical, user, and content value—a good complement for Weibo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, if Sina takes equity in Weibo, both sides can cooperate; Sina’s various internet and media resources can integrate with Weibo, adding further strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the most crucial point isn’t what Sina can offer Weibo—it’s that if Weibo doesn’t acquire Weke, Sina will likely sell it to Tencent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tencent has money and traffic but lacks media resources and related content and users.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tencent successfully acquires Weke and Blog, it will undergo a transformative leap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weibo might not care about the benefits Sina brings, but it cannot allow Tencent and Sina to join forces and create a formidable rival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Weibo, this defensive acquisition is, in some ways, more important than a strategic one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, why not cooperate directly with Tencent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One executive asked; having been crushed by Weibo for so long, many harbored resentment and preferred to see Weibo humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zong stated his answer: “I have more faith in Yan Li; I believe Weibo will win, and partnering with the winner maximizes profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li soon learned of Sina’s plan; Budebushuo , Cao Zong’s move had indeed put him in a difficult position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weike and Blog held little value for Weibo; acquiring them was acceptable, but not acquiring them was also acceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if Sina sold these two platforms to Penguin Taotao, Yan Li could not accept that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yan Li’s mind, Penguin was a far stronger opponent than Sina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Weibo and Weike fought fiercely, Penguin Taotao had low visibility—not because it was weak, but because Penguin hadn’t taken it seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Penguin Taotao plugged its weaknesses, threatened Weibo, and caused Penguin to change its mind and increase investment, a prolonged stalemate would truly become likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least Penguin wasn’t as poor as Sina—it could still afford to burn hundreds of millions of dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>",2012,"2026-06-19T16:16:54.562Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a390751f91f0934cca5891229074d8dc5d308928d2548dcb91ba81d3296f46a6","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-358","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-356",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]