I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 822 "You have satellites, I have rockets!"

The boss's methods are truly brilliant!
Zhang Yong immediately grasped Ma Yun's deeper intention: this was not just cooperation, but also a form of restraint—you have satellites, but without rockets, how can the stars go into space?!
"Professor Ma, I'll contact Yu Yongfu immediately and have him implement your instructions right away! Find a suitable private company in the aerospace field for acquisition!"

After Zhang Yong finished speaking, he took out his phone, walked to the side, and made a quiet call.

Yu Yongfu is the head of Alibaba's eWTP investment working group, which is responsible for strategic acquisitions and investments and is a core department of the group.

The call lasted for a while. Ma Yun finished her tea and was about to get up when Zhang Yong hung up and hurried over.

“Professor Ma, Yu Yongfu and his team have just compiled information based on your instructions and found a private company in China called LandSpace, which is the first private launch vehicle company in the country to obtain all the necessary qualifications. It was established two years ago and is committed to building a complete industrial chain of ‘research and development, manufacturing, testing, and launch’ with medium and large liquid oxygen methane launch vehicles as its core. I asked him to send you the company information.”

"No need," Ma Yun waved her hand. "The group has a complete evaluation process. I don't need to worry about this anymore, right? Just get it done as soon as possible!"

“Okay…I’ll call him back right away.” Zhang Yong picked up his phone and dialed again.

At this moment, Ma Yun stood up, dusted off her trousers, and walked slowly down the mountain with the others.

Just then, a melodious mountain song drifted from somewhere on the hillside:

Oh my!

Tea mountains are high and green.
Shaking one's eyes with one's hand to gaze at the clouds

I want to ask the heavens for a way out.
Herds of cattle in the Milky Way

……

……

While Ma Yun and her group were conducting research in the mountains of Guizhou Province, Fang Qingye, along with Bai Ou and others, was talking with a group of engineers in an office building in Nanxiang Town, Jiading District, Shanghai.

The other party was the core team of OKMicro Aerospace Technology, led by the company's CEO, Wang Yang.

He was slightly overweight and wore glasses.

Fang Qingye has his information: Wang Yang, born in the 80s, is a postdoctoral fellow in computer software engineering. He started his career at Huawei, where he served as a 3G RAN engineer. In 2008, he joined the Shanghai Microsatellite Engineering Center to work on satellite development. In 2014, he founded China's first commercial satellite company—Shanghai Ouke Micro Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd.

Sitting around him were his startup team, who were equally impressive.

The team consists of 14 engineers with an average of 15 years of aerospace experience, who have participated in 40 national-level satellite projects, including BeiDou Phase II/III, Yaogan-30, and the Fengyun series.

Even more impressive is CTO Hu Bin, who was previously in charge of the payload for the BeiDou-3 satellite!

This is like finding a treasure!

Fang Qingye was overjoyed inside, but remained calm and composed on the surface.

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was about the same age as him, Wang Yang felt a little uneasy.

He couldn't understand why this person, who was the chairman of internet companies such as Ele.me and ByteDance, and also a financial tycoon, would suddenly be interested in building satellites.

Isn't this crossover a bit too far?

"Mr. Wang, I've reviewed your company's information. You plan to launch a communications satellite called 'Jiading-1' next year?" Fang Qingye asked with a smile. "Yes, this satellite is the first satellite in the 'Xiangyun' satellite constellation." Wang Yang's apprehension immediately dissipated when the topic turned to technology.

"Our original plan was to launch a total of 28 satellites by 2021 to form my country's first low-orbit communication satellite constellation—the 'Xiangyun' constellation. The signal will cover the globe and provide 'space-based Internet of Things detection' services for users in industries such as cross-border transportation, oil and power, engineering machinery, marine islands, environmental monitoring, and emergency communications."

"Unfortunately... it's probably doomed." Wang Yang sighed. "The company is not profitable, funds are scarce, and the major shareholders are unwilling to invest any more."

Fang Qingye did not respond directly, but asked curiously, "28 stars, isn't that a bit few? Look at Musk's Starlink project in the United States, which claims to launch 1.2 satellites."

“How can we compare to Musk? He’s a genius in America,” Wang Yang said with a laugh.

"Why not? Why can't we build China's Starlink?!" Fang Qingye retorted.

China's Starlink?!

Wang Yang was stunned, and his companions around him also looked shocked.

After a while, CTO Hu Bin tentatively asked, "Chairman Fang... are you really planning to develop Starlink in China?"

“Of course, otherwise why would I acquire your company?” Fang Qingye said frankly.

Upon hearing this, everyone became excited. Wang Yang exclaimed, "It's not easy... China's wealthy are no longer just focused on their own small plot of land, but have finally started to think about the stars and the sea!"

He immediately realized his mistake and quickly explained, "Chairman Fang, I wasn't talking about you..."

"It's alright." Fang Qingye laughed heartily. "Of course, building a Chinese Starlink can't be done overnight, after all, we started relatively late—President Wang, you have a technical background, please develop a feasible plan based on the company's and the actual situation in China, and implement it step by step. As for funding, you don't need to worry, I will continue to invest!"

"Regarding the company's equity issue, Tuofang Technology will acquire the shares held by the other two companies as soon as possible. As for your team's share..." Bai Ou interjected at this point:
“Tuofang Technology’s continued investment will dilute your shares… If you are willing, we can acquire your shares now at a premium. Of course, we can also adopt a strategic capital increase and equity incentive plan. We can discuss the details.”

Wang Yang exchanged glances with his partners and immediately said, "President Bai, we choose the strategic capital increase and equity incentive plan."

“Okay, we’ll discuss this issue at another time,” Bai Ou replied readily.

Fang Qingye estimated that Wang Yang and his team would make this choice. If they can create a Chinese Starlink, its future value will be worth far more than tens or hundreds of billions! Holding shares in the core team will also help motivate them and deeply align their interests with the company's.

Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Mr. Wang, you've mentioned launching the Jiading-1 satellite next year—what rocket are you planning to use?"

“We plan to use the Long March 2,” Wang Yang replied, then looked at Fang Qingye: “Chairman Fang, if you really want to build a Chinese Starlink, rocket launches are essential. Musk’s SpaceX uses the self-developed reusable Falcon 9 rocket, which has significantly reduced launch costs.”

“I’ve considered that too.” Fang Qingye nodded. “I plan to acquire the satellite company first, and then solve the rocket problem… Are there any private companies in China that develop rockets?”

“Yes, there’s a company in Yanjing called LandSpace, which is the first private launch vehicle company in the country to obtain all the necessary licenses. It’s very well-known in the industry. I know their CEO, Mr. Zhang Changwu. I heard recently that their company is also short of funds and is planning to raise capital,” Wang Yang replied.

"Really? Please get in touch and tell them that Tuofang Technology is willing to invest! We can cover everything!" Fang Qingye was overjoyed upon hearing this.

“Okay.” Wang Yang took out his phone and walked aside to make a call. He returned a moment later with a regretful look on his face: “Chairman Fang, Mr. Zhang just said on the phone that Alibaba has signed an investment intention agreement with them and become their strategic controlling shareholder.”

Damn it...

Alibaba snatched it away!
(End of this chapter)