Chapter 94: A Historic Moment

“My friend, what brings you here?” Seeing the man sitting opposite him, sipping tea with a mix of anxiety and helplessness, Huang He couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“I’m here to take care of some business,” replied Pony, his tone indifferent, and then he fell silent.

“Oh, are you here to negotiate with the Forty Thieves as well?” Huang He asked in surprise. Pony’s internal affairs hadn’t been resolved yet, so how could he be interested in the Forty Thieves? That didn’t make sense; there was no such story in history.

“Something like that…” Pony evaded. He certainly couldn’t say he wasn’t here for the Forty Thieves, but to intercept Masayoshi Son.

Pony had arrived two days prior and immediately tried to arrange a meeting with Masayoshi Son. Unfortunately, the old fox didn’t seem interested, merely having his secretary send a formulaic reply about scheduling, and then nothing further.

Pony couldn’t take it anymore, but he didn’t know where Masayoshi Son was staying. He could only locate the legendary office of the Forty Thieves, hoping to catch Son there. He’d heard today Son was touring West Lake with Big Horse, and Pony simply had no choice—he was driven by necessity.

“Oh, may I ask what kind of business?” Huang He pressed.

“Investment,” Pony replied helplessly, unable to dodge the question.

“Oh? So you’re optimistic about the Forty Thieves and plan to invest in their company?” Huang He was truly astonished now. Had his butterfly effect so greatly disrupted history that Tengda was preparing to acquire the Forty Thieves? That couldn’t be; Tengda was barely surviving. Where would they find the funds to buy the Forty Thieves?

“No… not exactly… actually…” Pony stammered, unable to explain himself.

“No matter, the fact that we both have our eyes on the same company is fate. After all, if we weren’t truly optimistic, how would the two of us, as bosses, personally visit?” Huang He sighed.

“Yes, yes!” Pony could only echo, unsure what else to say.

“To be honest, in China, there are only two internet companies I consider must-invest opportunities right now!” Huang He smiled. “If I could invest in both, the returns in the future would easily multiply tenfold!”

“Oh? So the Forty Thieves is one of the two?” Pony’s interest was piqued. He was here for Masayoshi Son, not the Forty Thieves, but to his surprise, this wealthy stranger saw such investment value in the company, which was still in its grassroots phase.

Then he thought: Masayoshi Son, who ignores him, tours West Lake arm-in-arm with Big Horse of the Forty Thieves; obviously, in Son’s eyes, the Forty Thieves surpass Tengda. Was he not even as good as the grassroots?

“Exactly!” Huang He smiled. “I’m very optimistic about their business—an online trading platform. It’s one of the most important future applications for the internet. Plus, with China joining the WTO, trade will only increase, and the potential for an online trading platform is limitless. I’m very bullish!”

“I see,” Pony nodded. He found Huang He’s reasoning sound, but he had no interest in online trading at the moment.

“And what’s the other company?” Pony asked curiously.

“Oh, the other is Tengda!” Huang He replied without hesitation.

“Tengda!” Pony was instantly overjoyed to hear his own company’s name mentioned. He hadn’t expected his company to be so highly valued in another’s eyes, especially by someone who didn’t know his identity. Such praise was absolutely objective!

In that instant, Pony’s goodwill toward Huang He soared.

“That’s right, Tengda!” Huang He confirmed.

“But Tengda’s situation isn’t good right now,” Pony sighed.

“No way!” Huang He was surprised. “I know QQ and OO are competing for market share, and there’s been a small setback with voice features, but that shouldn’t affect the larger trend or the market size of both.”

“That’s true, but Tengda has had a rough week. The voice feature still hasn’t launched, and active users have dropped by over a million…” Pony abruptly stopped himself mid-sentence.

“I actually lost control and revealed secrets I shouldn’t have!” Pony thought, frustrated. “But it doesn’t really matter if this person knows, unless he really wants to invest in Tengda…”

“Wait, maybe he does want to invest in Tengda!” Pony’s eyes brightened. He quickly said, “Since you’re so optimistic about Tengda, are you interested in investing in us?”

“Well… of course!” Huang He was momentarily stunned but quickly admitted it. As Pony had guessed, Huang He’s desire to invest in Tengda was persistent. After all, with OO and QQ locked in competition, he’d have to spend several billion in vain; buying Tengda outright would be much more worthwhile.

“So, may I ask how much you’d like to invest in Tengda, and what share would you want?” Pony pressed.

“Why do you ask?” Huang He’s expression turned guarded. “Friend, that’s my business secret. Sorry, but I can’t discuss such matters with you.”

“No, please listen… Actually, I am…” Pony took a deep breath and then confessed, “Actually, I’m Pony, chairman of Tengda Computer System Services. If you’re genuinely interested in investing in us, we can talk right now!”

“You’re Pony? Is that true?” Huang He feigned shock and delight, continuing the act.

“No, I think since you mentioned Tengda in front of me, you must have already recognized me, right?” Pony asked calmly.

In truth, Pony wasn’t sure; he was only guessing. He felt there couldn’t be such a coincidence, and the other’s mention of Tengda seemed a bit too deliberate.

Though he seldom appeared in the media, it was still more than Huang He, who never appeared. If the other party really intended to acquire Tengda, he would certainly have researched its chairman.

So Pony took a gamble.

“No wonder you’re Pony—admirable!” Huang He nodded approvingly. “In that case, let’s discuss the acquisition of Tengda. I can offer one hundred million…”

A creak sounded as the door opened, abruptly ending their conversation, for Big Horse entered with Masayoshi Son.

Though this was supposedly the headquarters of the Forty Thieves, it was in fact a four-room apartment, with the living room facing the entrance and serving as the reception area.

Thus, as the two entered, four pairs of eyes met in an instant.

Jack Ma, Pony, Masayoshi Son, and Huang He—if someone were to take a photo at that moment…

And so, Leng Zhiruo pulled out her latest Tianxing camera phone and captured this historic scene.