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

Chapter 825 Huang Tao helped find an expert

Fang Qingye pressed the speakerphone button, and Ma Huateng's gentle voice came through the phone after it connected: "Qingye? What made you think of calling me?"

“Pony,” Fang Qingye said, gazing at the shimmering river, her voice tinged with amusement, “Teacher Ma and I are fishing in Hangzhou, discussing a business deal that could potentially reshape the industry. We feel that without you, we can’t catch any fish.”

After a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, Ma Huateng calmly replied, "Could it be something in the aerospace field?"

"Ha, Pony, you really are a prophet."

"Haha... What's so hard to guess? You two recently acquired a satellite company and you took control of a rocket company... Now that you're together again, what else can you talk about but this?"

“That’s right,” Fang Qingye continued, “We want to cooperate and bring you in too, to create a Chinese-style Starlink together.” He briefly explained the idea.

"Sure," Ma Huateng readily agreed. "Shall we schedule a time to discuss this in detail?"

"Sure, come to my nursery when you have time. We can drink tea, admire the flowers, and chat." Fang Qingye extended an invitation.

"Okay, I happen to be going to Shanghai in a couple of days on some official business, and I'll stop by your nursery on the way... Is it convenient for you, Teacher Ma?"

“Yes,” Jack Ma said, leaning closer to the phone. “I’m living a leisurely life now, just in time to steal a moment of peace from my busy schedule.”

"Hehe... then it's settled!"

"OK."

……

Shenzhen, Tencent headquarters.

Ma Huateng put his phone back in his pocket, stood by the window gazing at the tall buildings outside for a moment in thought, then walked back to his desk and pressed the landline shortcut key: "Have Haifeng come to my office."

A few minutes later, Lin Haifeng, co-head of the investment and M&A department, knocked on the door and came in.

"Mr. Ma, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, sit down."

The two sat down in the sofa area, and Ma Huateng said, "I just received a call from Fang Qingye. He invited me to participate in an investment he and Jack Ma are making."

He briefly explained their plan to establish a joint venture and enter the aerospace field.

After listening to the analysis, Lin Haifeng said, "Tuofang Technology's acquisition of OKMicro Aerospace and Alibaba's controlling stake in LandSpace are both investments, though not large in amount, they have a significant impact on the industry. I originally thought they were making their own plans, but I didn't expect them to join forces and even approach you."

"Do you know why they did that?" Ma Huateng smiled.

Lin Haifeng pondered for a moment and immediately replied, "One of them controls the 'star,' and the other controls the 'arrow.' To use an old saying, they are inseparable. Cooperation is inevitable if things are to go smoothly, especially since they have a good personal relationship. As for approaching you, it's probably because they are deadlocked over the control and equity distribution of the new company and need a third party to balance things out."

“That’s right. Jack Ma is known for his high profile and assertiveness; Fang Qingye appears humble and low-key on the surface, but in reality, he is a very opinionated person who is not easily persuaded. As the saying goes, two tigers cannot share one mountain.”

"Therefore, they also need you, this 'tiger'."

“Haha…” Ma Huateng laughed, habitually pushing up his glasses. “Actually, Tencent also needs to get involved. If they really turn it into a Chinese version of Starlink, then the future communication links of QQ and WeChat may have to rely on the ecosystems they control, such as Alibaba, Ele.me, and ByteDance… It could easily form a closed loop. At that time, we will be in a passive position.”

“I suspect that when Ma Yun heard that Fang Qingye was acquiring the satellite company, she also realized Fang Qingye’s purpose and immediately took action to seize LandSpace—if Fang Qingye has bullets, he wants guns,” Lin Haifeng added.

"Yes, they are all experts... We at Tencent were too slow in this step," Ma Huateng said with a sigh.

Lin Haifeng didn't respond. It's often said that Tencent's DNA is "good at imitation," a fact the company never admits, but many privately have to tacitly acknowledge. "Alright," Ma Huateng returned to the main topic with a serious expression, "Haifeng, you're in charge of strategic investment, so prepare a good plan—since they've approached us, we must fully fight for our interests!"

"I see."

"We don't necessarily have to dominate this new company, but we must do our utmost to ensure Tencent's strategic security and future influence."

"Okay, I'll gather the information and get ready right away," Lin Haifeng said, standing up.

Fang Qingye also bid farewell to Jack Ma and returned to Shanghai from Hangzhou.

My fishing luck wasn't great today, but at least I caught two crucian carp, so I didn't come back empty-handed.

Bai Ou also returned to Shanghai. She had spent a few days in Beijing on official business, mainly to find experts in the aerospace field to serve as consultants for Fang Qingye's company.

After dinner, the two took their child for a walk in the villa area, where Fang Qingye recounted in detail the matters discussed with Jack Ma while fishing in Hangzhou.

"Hmm... Let Ma Huateng join? Create a three-way balance of power? That's a good idea!" Bai Ou said with a sweet laugh. "Besides, Ma Huateng is low-key, steady, and easy to get along with."

"Hehe, that's just on the surface. He'll definitely spare no effort for Tencent's interests," Fang Qingye said calmly.

"Alright, you've finished talking. Now I'll give you a report on my official business in Yanjing," Bai Ou said in a playful tone.

“Ye Zi, we’ve contacted Professor Yang Weikang. He’s very interested in our development of China’s ‘Starlink’ and is willing to serve as an advisor.”

"Who is Yang Weikang? Which research institution is he a professor at?" Fang Qingye asked curiously.

"You don't even know Yang Weikang? He's a retired expert from the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, an outstanding satellite orbit designer in our country, and the one who designed the lunar orbit for Chang'e-1!" Bai Ou rolled her eyes at him and said.

"Wow, that's a pro!" Fang Qingye exclaimed in surprise. "How did you get in touch with him?"

“Didn’t you say you wanted talent like that… Yanjing has the most resources in this area. We definitely can’t hire anyone currently employed, so we can only look for retirees,” Bai Ou explained. “I saw Taozi in Yanjing.”

"You saw Taozi? Huang Tao? You were looking for her?" Fang Qingye was very surprised.

It turns out that after graduating with a PhD from Columbia University at the beginning of this year, Huang Tao ultimately chose to return to China and join the newly established Digital Currency Research Institute of the People's Bank of China, specializing in innovative work on digital currency and financial technology, which is a perfect match for his major.

“Well… I’m not familiar with the aerospace field at all, and I don’t know anyone there… Huang Tao’s family has connections in Yanjing, so I thought about it and asked her for help. She’s the one who helped me get in touch with her,” Bai Ou said.

"Oh……"

"Peach gives your plan a thumbs up! She says you're going to be China's Elon Musk!"

"Hehe, I don't have Musk's abilities. He not only has Starlink, but also Starships, returning to the moon, and colonizing Mars... I'd be lucky if I could create a Chinese version of Starlink," Fang Qingye laughed.

"Peach said to take it one step at a time... Anyway, you're still young, younger than Musk."

"Huh? Isn't he even more handsome than Musk?" Fang Qingye joked.

"Yes! That's what Peach said too." Bai Ou nodded affirmatively.

"Alright, stop praising me. Otherwise, I might really get carried away and lose my bearings... When I go to Beijing on a business trip, I'll have to thank her properly."

"Hmm." Bai Ou glanced at Fang Qingye again, but didn't say anything more.

(End of this chapter)