Ordinary Road 2010

Also announced are the corrective measures taken against the stewardess case.

These include disabling the driver's ability to tag and comment on passengers, strengthening the protection of personal information of both parties, and strengthening the authentication of drivers.

That is to say, it is guaranteed that when passengers get on the bus, they will meet the driver who registered the account. When the driver takes the order, he cannot judge whether the other party is male or female, beautiful or ordinary.

In short, the ride-hailing business has given up the "social attributes" they have always advertised, and returned to the essence of picking up and dropping off passengers.

Well, from a legal point of view, it should be called "shared rides". Neither the platform nor the drivers provide operational services to passengers. This concept has become widely known after the popularization of the flight attendant case.

In addition, Dudu also announced that it will suspend receiving ride-hailing orders between 10:6 pm and [-]:[-] am.

There are many other measures, and the more creative one is that Dudu actually raised some questions for discussion, probably to show that he is really sincere in establishing a solid and orderly security boundary.

Will netizens buy this statement?

Of course not!

Even if the netizen's memory is only seven seconds, Dudu Shunfengche went offline for rectification and then went online too quickly this time, even if he wanted to pretend to have amnesia, he couldn't do it.

In any case, Liu Qing pushed the ride out again under the pressure, because it is okay to be scolded, but the business cannot be lost.

Liu Qing is still shrewd, she specially instructed: "Let the public relations team prepare emergency plans."

Chapter 539 Burning money is a road of no return

"Liu Qing doesn't want us to take any advantage."

When Lin Yi said this, his mentality was relatively relaxed, because in fact, traveling thousands of miles had already taken advantage of this.

Dudu's public relations handling of the flight attendant case was very quick and powerful. It is said that many companies are studying and studying this "excellent case".

However, the reputation of Dudu Taxi and Liu Qing himself will inevitably be affected, and some users who are deeply dissatisfied with this will leave the platform without looking back.

In view of the fact that domestic Uber and Dudu have become a company, they only have the option of Wanli travel.

Moreover, Li Moyan’s promotion for the company on the previous program, the safety concept of Wanli Travel has been widely recognized. In the words of some online comments:

"This girl looks more trustworthy than Liu Qing."

Liu Jianni commented: "Liu Qing is a little anxious to choose to go online again now, because the turmoil of this matter has not completely passed, and they will definitely be criticized on the Internet, saying that they look ugly."

"But she still chooses to do this. It seems that the pressure on the ride-hailing business is really great."

Previously, Dudu Taxi offered a reward of 100 million yuan in order to chase the murderer, but the team that salvaged the body asked for the money but the company refused to accept it, and the lawsuit will still go to the court.

In short, it's a chicken feather.

Li Moyan frowned and said, "But their substantive rectification measures are actually quite limited, and they haven't solved all the potential safety hazards."

Lin Yi said cheerfully: "It's normal for her to be a little nervous. This seems to be the first time that Dudu has suffered from us since the merger of Kuaidu and Kuaidu, right?"

"Although the opponent has changed from Cheng Wei to Liu Qing, in the current situation of the two companies, she is definitely not willing to give in to us in any way."

"But strictly speaking, this opportunity is actually brought to her by her own flaws, rather than us tripping her up."

"Whether it's a company or an industry, when it develops to this level, it's only possible that internal problems first occur, and no one can knock it down from the outside."

Now Liu Qing’s Xindudu and their Wanli Travel’s latest valuation add up to more than 300 billion U.S. dollars, which is already huge.

In fact, according to the experience of the United States, the two companies do not have to be at odds with each other. Aren’t Uber and Lyft unable to do anything to each other?

But obviously, Liu Qing did not intend to do so.

Lin Yi also has no plan to shake hands and make peace, otherwise the two of them should sit together to discuss reducing the subsidy now.

For the sake of the war, there is no BAT like in 2014, and Ma Jack can jump out to make peace for them.

Because there are already too many chips on the table, including BAT's own.

Liu Jiannihui reported: "Tudu Taxi has almost explored the possible business scope of taxi-hailing software in 2015, and now there is very little room for Liu Qing."

"After this hitchhiking incident, Liu Qing may have figured out that competing in business is unlikely to produce the results she wants, or that it's not convenient for her new Dudu to do any more actions recently."

"So she turned the battlefield back to what she is familiar with, and it is said that they are already seeking the next round of financing."

In fact, Liu Qing is not short of money, the company's book funds are very abundant, but the purpose of financing is not just to ask for money.

Besides, no one thinks too much money, right?

Wanli Travel's last round of financing was at the beginning of the year, and Dudu Kuaidu was after the year, but it was only US$10 billion at that time. Its official last round of financing was actually US$24 billion in the middle of last year.

Moreover, after the merger with Uber China, the valuation of the other party should be significantly improved. The current situation is very favorable for Liu Qing.

Lin Yi asked: "Do you think we can still do a round of financing now?"

Liu Jianni replied: "It's not a good time for us, but I suggest we better do something."

“The former Dudu Kuaidu, the new Dudu, and even Uber during Kalanick’s time, they can finance one round or two rounds a year, as long as the price is right, they want all of them.”

"We don't have to be too constrained, especially before this round of investment in Factory A, we are still in a relatively dangerous position."

"And at this time, the most direct meaning of going out to raise funds is to grab money from Liu Qing's bowl. If we raise more money, she will take less money. One goes up and down."

The shareholder structure of Wanli Travel is actually relatively simple. There are a few major shareholders who are clear, but Liu Qing's side is quite different.

Her new Dudu has undergone two mergers, and its shareholder lineup is so complicated that many people in the company may not be able to figure it out. Otherwise, Cheng Wei would not have been kicked out in a daze.

"I agree to continue financing. Since Liu Qing can compete with us in terms of business, we can naturally compete with her in terms of funds."

"The only thing worth noting is that the more financing we absorb, the weaker our own control over the company will become."

"The more you rely on financing to determine the outcome of the industry, the more serious the capitalization will be. In the end, it must be investors who decide the ownership of the company, not the entrepreneur himself."

"Perhaps this is Liu Qing's plan. After all, no one is better at balancing the interests of different sources of capital than her."

Liu Jianni commented pointedly: "Burning money is a road of no return. Now that we have come so far, we can only move forward."

She seems to be reminding that the way of constantly introducing new investors and using their money to subsidize the market started from Lin Yi.

Of course, Lin Yi himself would not have such thoughts, no one knows better than him, even without his presence, this scene is unavoidable.

This matter cannot be explained, and he simply said: "Tell me about your plan."

Liu Jianni said: "At this stage, there are very few mainstream venture capital institutions that have not invested in the ride-hailing industry."

"Among the remaining institutions, as long as they are market-oriented, they should be able to see Xindudu and see us. These will be the focus of our competition with Liu Qing."

"Of course, another important part is to continue to dig among the existing shareholders. After all, their financial strength exceeds most institutions in the world."

"Actually, I thought that there is a company that is very suitable in terms of willingness and strength, but the other party also happens to be a shareholder of Liu Qing."

"So we may have to think of a way to let him make the choice we want between us and Liu Qing."

Lin Yi didn't bother to guess, and asked directly: "Which one is it?"

Liu Jianni replied: "Softbank has always been very optimistic about the taxi-hailing industry. Although it has invested in Kuaidu with Factory A, as far as I know, it still has the willingness to increase its investment independently."

"I suggest that you should go and see Masayoshi Son."

Chapter 540 The Bubble Age

Lin Yi made a special trip to the island country to see this side.

Masayoshi Son is a Japanese-Korean ancestry who once claimed that his ancestral home was in southern Fujian. The only thing that can be confirmed about his life experience is probably only Asian. It is not known whether his identity will be confused.

For contemporary young people, he may be the most famous entrepreneur in the island country. After all, the god of management, Matsushita Konosuke, and the like are too old historical terms.

The Softbank Group founded by Masayoshi Son is famous for its investment business. One of the most classic cases in China is to give 2000 million US dollars to Factory A and get thousands of times the return.

Softbank has a close relationship with Factory A and Ma Jack himself, so Wanli Travel directly invested in the last round of financing. This is the first time Lin Yi has seen the richest man in the island country.

Sun Zhengyi also studied at a university in the United States, so his English is very fluent.

"Welcome Lin Yi. I've been looking forward to meeting you. It's great to have you here this time. You look younger than I thought."

Lin Yi said very modestly: "I was rude. I should have come to visit when I was negotiating with Factory A before. Mr. Ma Jieke has always praised you as a truly wise person he has met."

"The reason why it has been delayed until now is not because I intend to be contemptuous. It's just that the competition between Wanli Chuxing and Dudu Kuaidu, that is, the current Xindudu, has been very anxious, so I can't get away from it."

The cultures of East Asia are relatively similar. No matter which country Sun Zhengyi is from, his experience in the world will not cause any misunderstanding.

The so-called knowing the elegant meaning by hearing the strings, he saw that Lin Yi had taken the initiative to mention Liu Qing's new Dudu so quickly, so he didn't waste any time in greeting.

"If that's the case, then you made a special trip to see me this time, presumably you have something to discuss?"

Lin Yi cheered up and said, "That's true. I'm here this time for the next round of financing that Wanli Travel has launched. I hope to get the support of SoftBank Group and you."

Sun Zhengyi was not surprised, because although Lin Yi didn't talk about it in detail before he came, he also revealed it in advance.

"Wanli Travel's last round of financing led by Factory A was completed at the beginning of this year, and it has only been a few months now."

"I've seen your financial statements. The current capital reserve is relatively safe. Will it be rushed to start financing at this time?"

Lin Yi naturally wouldn't mention Liu Qing's pressure at this time, he replied in a regular manner:

“As you may know, after the last round of financing, our two main competitors, Dudu Kuaidu and Uber China, merged.”

"So the industry structure we are facing has actually undergone important changes, and the intensity of competition between the two parties has increased since then."

"We believe that in this situation, enriching the capital reserves is the key for Wanli Travel to be able to maintain its competitiveness in the event of any changes."

Sun Zhengyi was noncommittal, and he asked: "You just mentioned the new Dudu after the merger. I think you should know that this is also a company that we and A factory have invested in."

"This company has just changed a manager. What do you think of Liu Qing and the new company after the merger?"

Lin Yi became vigilant in his heart. He knew that Softbank was already a shareholder of Dudu and Kuaidu after the merger, but he didn't expect Sun Zhengyi to bring it up in person.

In the matter of Liu Qing kicking Cheng Wei away, does this person in front of him also have his share?

"Ms. Liu Qing and I actually don't have much contact. When she was still at Goldman Sachs, she met us twice and peddled her industry merger plan."

"Judging from what she has done since entering Tudu Taxi, she basically followed her original thinking, striving to achieve the integration of the taxi-hailing industry, and then obtain excess profits through monopoly status."

"But I think that Ms. Liu Qing's business understanding of taxi-hailing software is still biased. Otherwise, there would not be such a big disturbance recently. You must have heard of this."

"In a word, I don't deliberately belittle her because she is my competitor, but I sincerely believe that Wanli Chuxing has its own advantages, whether it is Dudu or Uber China, we can handle it."

Sun Zhengyi smiled and explained: "Don't misunderstand, and don't have any worries. I don't want to compete between you and Liu Qing."

"Actually, I don't think the current competition between you Wanli Travel and Liu Qing's Xindudu is completely necessary."

"As if the U.S. market is big enough for two ride-hailing companies, Uber and Lyft, if you're willing to give up the high subsidy costs, I think you can survive together."

"Of course, I'm not trying to make peace between you. I can't feel the competitive environment you are in, so I don't want to interfere with your management."

"The only thing I want to put forward is that I am optimistic about you, and that does not prevent me from continuing to be optimistic about Liu Qing and her new Dudu."

Lin Yi smacked his meaning, and asked back: "Has Liu Qing already looked for you?"

There was a hint of appreciation in Sun Zhengyi's eyes: "Yes, and I have promised to participate in the next round of financing she is promoting."

This guy has a big appetite.

Lin Yi finally confirmed that Sun Zhengyi meant to take both sides. If so, he had to ask one more question:

"Will you place some emphasis on us and Liu Qing?"

Sun Zhengyi waved his hand heroically: "Not at all, you can rest assured that how much I will give you and how much I will give her are two completely independent decisions."

"I know you may have doubts, and I don't mind opening the skylight with you."

"Because I am very optimistic about the concept of online car-hailing and shared travel. Not only us, but all investors who have made bets have expressed with real money that this may be the biggest wave in the O2O field."

"What is before you may be the opportunity to become the next Factory A and Majack, and Softbank will naturally not stand by."

"In short, I don't care who wins between you and Liu Qing. I just need to believe that the potential of this industry has not been fully tapped and the room for growth has not peaked."

"Not only do I want to invest in you, I also hope to invest in Uber and Lyft at the same time. This matter has also been communicated."

Sun Zhengyi seems to be frank, but he still has reservations. He did not explain that Softbank can attack in all directions because it is preparing a fund of unprecedented scale.

But Lin Yi just knew it.

He thought about it, and the SoftBank Vision Fund, which has a total amount of 1000 billion US dollars, seems to have been established in 2016. No wonder Masayoshi Son has such a big hand.

Softbank was able to raise such a fund, of course it was taken advantage of, but it has also gained a reputation and a sense of presence for so many years relying on investment miracles like Factory A.

Now the entire ICT entrepreneurial circle is booming, and with the unprecedented prosperity of the venture capital industry, countless unicorns emerge every year, and there is an atmosphere of fanaticism from top to bottom.

Now Masayoshi Son probably would not have imagined that when the industry goes down a few years later, this $[-] billion fund will face huge losses.

But those have nothing to do with Lin Yi, and he has no obligation to remind Sun Zhengyi to pay attention to investment risks, and even if he does, he may not be able to persuade him.

Softbank’s investment style has always been aggressive. It invested 2000 million US dollars in Factory A that year, purely because Ma Jack felt that he could not spend the 4000 million he opened, so he repeatedly declined and only wanted half of it.