Ordinary Road 2010

Lin Yi didn't know that Liu Qing had returned to China for the time being. During this time, he was intensively communicating with Factory A, mainly Cai Chongxin and his investment team, about this life-and-death cooperation.

Although he had already lamented how aggressive Factory A was, Lin Yi found out that he still underestimated the other party's wealth.

In December, the negotiations between Wanli Travel and Factory A were still in progress, and Zhang Xuhao, whom Lin Yi met when he first went there, was obviously progressing faster, and it has been announced to the public.

How much did he get?

12.5 billion dollars!

This is a huge amount of financing that has never been achieved in the food delivery industry and the group buying industry before, and it has only been four months since the last round of financing.

Throughout 2015, it was an extremely active and prosperous year for start-up companies in the technology industry and the venture capital market, with many high-profile merger cases and record-setting financing results.

Despite this, Are You Hungry is still the top of the list, and may be second only to the $7 billion that Dudu Kuaidou received in July this year.

This financing also shows that this round of industry reshuffle marked by the merger of each group and Dianping has been completed quickly.

For two months, each group and Hungry? Before the outside world reacted, they exchanged clubs in a dizzying manner.

Of course, there are still people who are lamenting that it is not just the taxi-hailing industry that has made a lot of money this year.

It is not too early to say this.

Because although the negotiation between Lin Yi and Factory A is in progress, it is estimated that it will not be completed in 2015, and the biggest difference between them is the investment share of Factory A.

Don't get me wrong, they don't give too little, they give too much.

"Factory A hopes that they will cover this round of financing for Wanli Travel, without having to ask other institutions for extra money."

"Strictly speaking, this is not their suggestion, but a request. This is the only proposal they have proposed. If they disagree, they would rather not vote."

The style of factory A has always been domineering, and the negotiation situation reported by Liu Jianni is not too unexpected.

"What's their opinion on the valuation?"

"There is no opinion, and we basically agree with the valuation plan and results we proposed with existing investors."

Lin Yi said bluntly: "Then there is nothing to say. He may not vote, but we cannot."

"If Factory A wants to get more equity, let him take it. I probably know what Ma Jieke is thinking, and I will give it to him if he doesn't suffer a loss in valuation."

Once this issue is resolved, there will be no substantial obstacles between the two parties, so after entering January 2016, the matter has finally been settled.

Wanli Travel officially announced that it has completed the D round of financing with an amount of US$20 billion. The investors are Factory A and its affiliate company Jinfu.

Although the post-investment valuation of this round has not been announced, it is easy to find out the basic news of such a heavy financing. The media soon reported that the valuation of this round of Wanli Travel has reached 120 billion US dollars.

Not too high, only equivalent to the level of Dudu Kuaidu half a year ago.

In contrast, it is obvious that the outside world is more interested in the investor of this round, that is, Factory A, because he is also an important shareholder of Dudu Kuaidu.

Now that so much has been invested in Wanli Travel at the same time, isn’t it a fight between left and right?

Factory A is not obliged to explain its investment strategy to the outside world, but when Wanli Travel was questioned by the media, Lin Yi simply explained:

"The two strategic investors in this round are firmly optimistic about the future and development of the ride-hailing industry, so they spared no expense to support this judgment."

"As for the equity relationship you said they have with other peers, it's not convenient for me to comment on it. Please check with the other party."

Lin Yi didn't care about how far the relationship between Factory A and Dudu has come. Normally, they should have withdrawn from the other party's shareholder meeting.

This news did not go silent due to the evasion of the person involved, because soon there was another news to add fuel to the flames.

In the same month, Uber China, which was previously spun off from Uber, announced the completion of its second round of financing alone, with an amount of US$20 billion.

This is outrageous.

Although Lin Yi heard from Cheng Wei when he was in the United States, Uber raised its goal to 25 billion US dollars because of the previous financing from Dudu Kuaidu, but he did not expect that they could really reach 20 billion.

And so fast.

Some keen media have already concluded that Uber China is not the Uber global headquarters in the United States, but just a subsidiary that was spun off in the region, and has raised a total of 32 billion US dollars in half a year.

They did another calculation, and the public financing amount of Wanli Travel since its establishment in 2013 has reached 41 billion US dollars.

As for Dudu Kuaidu, counting from the respective financing processes before the merger of the two companies, the cumulative amount is also quite different.

In other words, ignoring the hundreds of taxi-hailing apps that emerged in the early days but were quickly squeezed out, the cumulative historical financing amount of only the top three companies in the industry has exceeded 100 billion US dollars!

The discovery was nothing short of shocking.

100 billion, or US dollars, even in the IT industry, there has never been such a large-scale financing in any industry before.

"What's even more frightening is that we haven't found any signs of stopping this money-burning war, because in the past year, the subsidies of the three major players have continued unabated."

"Jean, what do you think?"

Liu Qing completed her first public appearance after returning to work in late January, and it is inevitable that she will be asked about the hotly discussed topics recently.

"I know a lot of people think that this kind of money-burning competition in the ride-hailing industry is unhealthy, so they question whether there is any real profitability in this industry."

"This kind of worry is completely unnecessary, because from the perspective of investors, they are willing to keep paying for support precisely because they are firmly optimistic."

"Everyone should believe in the professional vision of the entire investment industry. This is not an attempt by one or two institutions, but a common choice of everyone."

"As for when you said it will stop, I may be a little more optimistic than you. If an industry wants to develop stably for a long time, it should be orderly. That day will not be too far away."

Today their focus is on Liu Qing's comeback, so the interviewer asked:

"Wanli Travel and Uber announced such two big news as a recovery gift when you just returned to work, it seems very unfriendly to Dudu Kuaidu."

"Do you have anything to say about that, Jean?"

Liu Qing spoke freely: "As competitors, of course they won't have any scruples because of this, and I won't pretend to think that they are targeting me."

"Wanli Chuxing and Uber are very respectable competitors. On the contrary, I think that developing together with such peers will really make the industry better and better."

"I am also looking forward to the early realization of the optimistic goal mentioned just now with the efforts of all of us."

Chapter 526 Three years after three years

"Oh!"

When Liu Qing opened the door and went in, he saw Cheng Wei sternly reprimanding a subordinate. Hearing the sound, it seemed that something had been thrown.

Cheng Wei seemed to have noticed her coming, and after a few more curses, he waved the unlucky guy to get out, and Liu Qing, who rushed forward, gave a slight greeting and quickly fled the office.

"what happened?"

"It's nothing, just a little thing."

Cheng Wei's expression just now was very ugly, but facing his most important partner Liu Qing, of course he had a different expression.

Originally, Liu Qing didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing, but she still reminded her of the scene just now:

"Will, the people below have been spreading rumors for the past two days, saying that you are in a bad mood recently, so they dare not come to you to report on work."

"I know that these two recent incidents are not good news for us, but only by calming down can the whole team have more confidence."

Everyone understands this truth, but it is difficult to restrain one's temper, especially when facing one's subordinates.

So sometimes being scolded by the leader has nothing to do with what mistakes you made, it just happens at the right time.

Cheng Wei felt slightly displeased with Liu Qing's preaching, and complained to her a few words:

"I just feel very sorry. I thought this time would be enough to make Wanli travel exhausted, but I didn't expect them to be able to come back to life with the A factory."

"Two billion US dollars is not a small amount. According to last year's consumption rate, it is almost enough to support Lin Yi for a year. Not counting Uber's consumption is even smaller."

"As for Uber, I wonder where it got its money from. Their size is only a fraction of ours. They got $32 billion twice. How much valuation is this given?"

"Unreasonable!"

"I feel a little discouraged when I think that we will have to fight this unnecessary war of attrition with him throughout 2016."

"It's been the third year since Wanli Travel initiated the subsidy war in early 2014. If this trend continues, will it be another three years after three years?"

"I don't know when I will get through it."

Cheng Wei said something in his heart and felt more relaxed, but he is not a guy who can only complain after all. Seeing Liu Qing's silent and quick manner, he adjusted his attitude and tone:

"But you are right. I will pay attention to controlling my emotions and set an example for everyone. Everyone should be under a lot of pressure during this time."

"Jean, why are you here?"

Cheng Wei finally changed the subject by herself, and Liu Qing let it go so far, and she handed Cheng Wei a report.

"This is a new round of financing plan. Since the last round of financing, we have always maintained good communication and interaction with investors."

When she said this, she paused for a moment, and after thinking about it, she still didn't add the addition of "except factory A".

"This round of financing is the intentional investors accumulated in the past six months. It was originally planned to be included in the entire pool with the next round of formal financing in June and July."

“But now that Wanli Chuxing and Uber have each taken $20 billion, the financial pressure is now on our side.”

"In order to prevent any problems, I suggest that we take this money to replenish our cash reserves first, so that we can cope with any tricks of Wanli Travel and Uber."

They had discussed this matter before Liu Qing implemented it, and Cheng Wei simply glanced at the financing amount on the plan and didn't say anything more.

"Do as you say, when will it be implemented?"

"After the Spring Festival."

After Liu Qing got his permission, he originally planned to turn around and leave, but before he took a step, he turned back and said to him:

"There won't be a second three years, I promise."

Cheng Wei was stunned for a moment before realizing that she was answering the question he just complained casually, and when he wanted to say something, Liu Qing had already left without looking back.

He thought to himself, since even Liu Qing is so confident, the top leader of his own company must cheer up.

And Liu Qing, who had just left Cheng Wei's office, was also thinking about what he said just now.

She is not an aimless person. Since she said that, she must have something in her heart. The reason why she didn't discuss it with Cheng Wei is because there is no clue yet.

Liu Qing originally wanted to make a phone call to one of his relatives, but then he thought, the New Year is coming soon, and it seems that there is a better opportunity to discuss this plan.

……

The New Year's Eve in 2016 is in early February, and the legal holiday lasts almost until Valentine's Day.

This year the company did not have a particularly urgent situation. Lin Yi naturally had to go home during the Chinese New Year, but he met Gu Caiwei before leaving Beijing.

"Are you still recording the Spring Festival Gala in Beijing on New Year's Eve?"

"Yes, there have been several rehearsals."

"Finally this year it's not you alone on the show, but the five of you GIVE ME FIVE going on stage together in the name of a group?"

"Yes, since we won the Best Female Singer of this year's Soulmate Award, few people in the circle have questioned our girl group origin."

"Why do I think that CTV invited five of you, not so much because it recognizes your bosom friend award, but because there are so many people and it looks lively?"

"Haha, you talk nonsense!"

Although Gu Caiwei categorically denied it, she always felt that with the urgency of China TV and the tone of the Spring Festival Gala, this statement sounded reasonable and a bit funny.

Lin Yi spit out casually, hesitated for a moment and suggested, "Then you are in the capital alone during Chinese New Year, why don't I stay with you?"

"no need."

Although Gu Caiwei also hopes to spend a year with Lin Yi or two, she still expresses very reasonablely:

"You rarely go back to Lin'an now. If you don't go back during the Chinese New Year, wouldn't Auntie want to blame me?"

"Besides, I'm not alone. I and a few other teammates have already made an appointment to celebrate together after the performance of the Spring Festival Gala, and then I will fly back to Yuezhou to join my family as soon as possible."

The aunt Gu Caiwei mentioned was of course Ms. Yu Xiujuan. Lin Yi knew that she had always been very supportive of her relationship with Gu Caiwei.

And those teammates Gu Caiwei and them can only be said to be colleagues, the relationship is close and distant, it is really reluctant to get together for the New Year.

However, since Gu Caiwei said last time that she wanted to keep him, the relationship between the two of them has become closer, and there is no need to engage in any duplicity and playing hard to get.

Since Gu Caiwei was so considerate, Lin Yi didn't insist, and Xiao Gu took the initiative to change the topic:

"By the way, Jiaqi has been an intern with you for more than half a year, have you taken good care of her like you promised me?"

In fact, Zhang Jiaqi didn't have a few good things to say about Lin Yi, even if it wasn't bad, it was an exaggeration, so Gu Caiwei wouldn't feel that Lin Yi had abused her because of this.

To be honest, Lin Yi had already forgotten about this matter.

He seemed to have left Zhang Jiaqi in the legal department and never asked about it again. This guy, even an intern, had never approached him before.

Lin Yi once explained the relationship between the two of them to the company's head of human resources, meaning to take care of them secretly.

Since he didn't report to him, it means that Zhang Jiaqi didn't do anything special.