Reborn in 08, a heretical cultivator starting a business

Chapter 221 Fatal Crisis: Alibaba's Decisive Strike Against Vipshop!
Wang Jian and others joined Alibaba to work on Alibaba Cloud computing.

Although it hasn't been formally approved as a project, it's somewhat related to cloud computing.

If I join Future Cloud Computing directly, and Alibaba is shameless enough to use this as a pretext to sue these people for violating non-compete agreements, I will be in a somewhat passive position.

Even if you win the case in the end, it will still be a lot of work and effort.

You could join Future Cloud Gaming, where you'll be working on cloud gaming, not cloud computing.

It doesn’t matter then!

Wang Jian's team previously joined Alibaba to work on cloud computing, which leans towards e-commerce.

Wang Jian's team has now joined Future Cloud Gaming, focusing on gaming!

Alibaba doesn't even have a gaming business, let alone cloud gaming, so you can't even file a lawsuit if you want to.

I'm making cloud games, what does that have to do with your cloud computing?

Moreover, Alibaba even shut down its cloud computing business, so there's even less chance for them to do anything.

Even if cloud gaming and cloud computing are both located in the same office building in the future.

Both R&D teams share resources and work together to advance the project; it doesn't matter to either side.

The emergence of cloud gaming adds another layer of security to an already low-risk operation.

Of course, for added stability, Wang Junshan also implemented a third layer of protection.

Wang Jian is not serving as the president or director of Future Cloud Gaming, but rather as a senior advisor!

The position of consultant is quite delicate.

He does the work of a research and development director, earns the high salary of a research and development director, but his role is that of a senior consultant.

Alibaba wants to sue, but it can't.

If you can get through the two-year time limit, then there will be no problem at all, and you will be directly promoted to the position of President and Chief Scientist of Future Cloud Computing!

Soon, the two news stories caused a sensation across the internet.

[Alibaba abandoned its cloud computing project, and Wang Jian, the vice president poached by Jack Ma from Microsoft Research Asia, was forced to leave Alibaba.]

[Dr. Wang Jian joins Future Cloud Gaming as a Senior Consultant!]

The news caused an uproar across the internet:

"Alibaba is really useless. They actually killed cloud computing, which has really ruined Wang Jian's life."

"Yeah, they poached Wang Jian from Microsoft Research Asia to develop Alibaba Cloud, but then Alibaba stopped developing cloud computing. Isn't that just playing them for fools?"

"Exactly, Wang Jian even resigned from his position as vice president of Microsoft Research Asia. Jack Ma is really inhuman."

"According to inside sources, Alibaba not only played with him, but also accused Dr. Wang Jian of being a cloud computing fraudster who swindled Alibaba's research funding!"

"Holy crap, is this for real? Alibaba is so shameless!"

"Fortunately, there is Future Cloud Computing, otherwise Wang Jian would have been in big trouble."

"Seriously, avoid Alibaba. If even a big shot like them gets scammed, who else wouldn't?"

"We also have to understand Alibaba. During the financial crisis, Alibaba suffered the most, even more than Baidu and Tencent. It was also hit hard by Vipshop. Cloud computing is so expensive, so Alibaba had no choice but to give up."

"Yes, by abandoning cloud computing, Alibaba has strategically scaled back. But if it doesn't pursue cloud computing, Alibaba might be overtaken by future technologies in less than three years."

"It is very possible that the financial crisis reduced Alibaba's market value from a peak of 1500 billion RMB to 300 billion RMB, which is probably not even as valuable as Vipshop."

"That's for sure. Alibaba is accelerating its decline, while Vipshop is experiencing explosive growth, and the gap will only widen."

"By the way, what is cloud gaming? And what does it have to do with cloud computing?"

"I don't know, but I estimate that in the era of cloud gaming, servers won't crash so frequently."

"Holy crap, that's great! During the spring season, I was so frustrated playing CrossFire that I couldn't even log in, I was almost crying!"

……

Alibaba headquarters.

The faces of the high-ranking officials were ashen.
"Wang Jian just left Alibaba and immediately joined Future Technology with his team. That's really decisive."

"But the way he did it made Alibaba the focus of ridicule."

"Look at the online comments, what are they saying?"

"To say that Alibaba is accelerating its decline while Vipshop is experiencing a full-blown explosion is really..."

"There's nothing we can do. Wang Jian came to Alibaba specifically to work on cloud computing. Since we gave up on cloud computing, his departure was entirely expected."

"That's true, but it's really hateful to join Future Technology, help them with cloud computing, and become their biggest competitor."

"That's right. Once cloud computing is truly realized in the future, with its support, Vipshop and community group buying will experience explosive growth, and Taobao and Tmall will be no match for them. Wouldn't that be the end of the world?"

"Yes, Wang Jian can leave Alibaba, but he absolutely cannot join Future Technology. I suggest that the legal department immediately sue Wang Jian using the non-compete agreement."

"When Wang Jian joined Alibaba, he must have signed a contract, right?"

"The agreement was signed, but it was circumvented by future technologies."

"Our non-compete agreement mainly restricts e-commerce and payment. Wang Jian joined cloud gaming, which is not within the scope of the restriction."

"Cloud gaming is bullshit. Everyone knows it's just a gimmick. In reality, Wang Jian is working on cloud computing. Cloud computing is within the scope of non-compete agreements, right?"

"As long as our investigation confirms that Wang Jian was involved in the research and development of future cloud computing, we can still file a lawsuit!"

"That's even more difficult. Don't forget, we rejected Alibaba Cloud Computing. It was rejected at the board meeting, and it never even got started."

"That's right. Alibaba has given up on cloud computing, so it's not really competition, and a lawsuit wouldn't work."

"Moreover, there's the added protection of cloud gaming, and Wang Jian is only a senior advisor... There are three layers of obstacles. Any one of them makes our chances of winning slim, and with all three layers combined, we're bound to lose!"

"Are we really going to let Wang Jian openly help Future Technology with cloud computing, making him our sworn enemy?"

Zhao Deyu, director of Taobao Mall, was furious.

"What else can we do?"

Jack Ma sighed: "More importantly, our Ali has to save face."

"We were in the wrong regarding Dr. Wang Jian's matter, and we have let him down."

"They used the pretext of working on cloud computing to get Wang Jian to resign and poach people to join the company, but then they turned around and killed the cloud computing project."

"If we sue them again, it wouldn't be morally justifiable. Would we ruin Alibaba's corporate image?"

"If this were to happen, which top talent would dare to join Alibaba in the future?"

"This..." Everyone fell silent.

Taobao President Ning Fengze strongly agreed: "Yes, suing Wang Jian is not a legally sound decision, nor is it morally justifiable."

"Since failure is inevitable, there's absolutely no need to go through all this trouble and make Ali look bad to everyone."

"Yes, we shouldn't do things that harm others without benefiting ourselves."

After saying that, Jack Ma changed the subject: "But we can't swallow this insult!"

"Chairman, so you mean..." Zhao Deyu's face lit up with joy.

Jack Ma smiled faintly: "You've chosen the wrong opponent. We shouldn't be targeting Dr. Wang Jian; it's not worth it."

"Even if we force Dr. Wang Jian to leave Future Technology, so what?"

"They will continue to develop cloud computing in the future. They can also spend money to poach another Dr. Li, Dr. Sun, or Dr. Qian from Amazon, Google, and Microsoft!"

"Nothing can stop the future development of cloud computing, nor can it stop Vipshop from growing bigger."

"Our real competitors are Vipshop, U-Tuan.com, WeChat Pay, and Future Tech!"

"The best strategy is to tarnish the reputation of Future Technology and bankrupt Vipshop."

"Why are you ignoring Vipshop and instead bringing up Wang Jian? Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?"

Zhao Deyu's eyes lit up: "That's right, I misjudged the key enemy."

"Wang Jian is just a secondary opponent; Vipshop is the main target. It's just that Vipshop is currently at its peak and developing better and better."

"Especially during this period, Future Technology announced that it would invest 5 billion yuan in cloud computing, which made Vipshop extremely popular again."

"To the point that consumers believe that future technology is better than Alibaba, and that Vipshop is stronger than Taobao."

"People are starting to abandon Taobao and switch to Vipshop for shopping."

"Starting to abandon Alipay and switch to WeChat Pay!"

"This has led to a slowdown in the growth of Taobao and Alipay, while Vipshop and WeChat Pay have been making great strides."

"Some organizations even predict that Vipshop's daily transaction volume has now reached 3 million yuan!"

"What? Three hundred million!"

"No wonder Taobao Mall only has 700 million in sales, and even Taobao's sales are less than 4 million."

"Damn it, Vipshop's increased sales volume is all being stolen from Taobao and Tmall!"

"We must crush Vipshop, otherwise not only will Taobao Mall collapse, but Taobao itself will collapse."

"But the problem is, how do we hammer it!"

Instantly, the entire conference room fell silent.

This problem has been troubling everyone for a long time, and no one has been able to come up with a suitable solution to directly crush Vipshop!

"We need to come up with a strategy to crush Vipshop!"

Jack Ma shouted sternly, his voice echoing throughout Alibaba's headquarters.

But it was just a powerless rant of extreme resentment.

Unlike Alibaba's frustration, since Future Technology officially announced its cloud computing strategy, it seems to have gained momentum to rival BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent)!
Companies that initially did not acknowledge Mirai Technology as one of the BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent) giants are now gradually recognizing that Mirai Technology does indeed have the potential to rival BAT.

Especially during the financial crisis, Tencent's stock price was halved, Baidu's market value was only 30-40% of its original value, and Alibaba's was only 20% of its original value!
This gives future technologies the qualifications to rival BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent).

This directly led to smoother negotiations for various business operations.

Those who were initially hesitant all voluntarily accepted the lower price.

As a result, good news kept pouring in over the next few days.

On February 11th, Future Technology acquired Tiantian Dongting, a platform with 2 million monthly active users, for 8000 million RMB!

On February 12th, PPS, a platform with 2 million monthly active users, was acquired for 3 million RMB!

On the 20th, a full acquisition of Discuz was launched for 1 million!

A resounding surge forward!
On the 17th, Wang Junshan arrived at Wanwang Building.

"Chairman, you've arrived," Wang Jian said with a smile.

"So? Let me know if you need anything."

"There's nothing else needed; the group has provided all the funding, manpower, and resources."

Wang Jian smiled and said, "Currently, the R&D team is basically in place. Next, we will gradually work together and begin developing cloud computing!"

In the current state of future cloud computing, Wang Junshan is the nominal president, and Wang Jian is nominally the senior advisor for future cloud gaming.

In reality, Wang Junshan entrusted the entire future cloud computing business to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian did not disappoint Wang Junshan.

In just one week, he not only integrated the R&D team drawn from Wanwang, but also incorporated all fifty-plus people he brought with him into the R&D team.

Even the people Tang Jinghe recently recruited were all assigned there, making the best use of everyone's talents.

Li Yingqiao, the former chief R&D director of Wanwang, is now the chief R&D director of Future Cloud Computing. He is the second-in-command at Future Cloud Computing and has become Wang Jian's right-hand man.

There was no power struggle, which put Wang Junshan in a good mood.

If someone else were to take command, Li Yingqiao would definitely be dissatisfied.

But Wang Jian is the vice president of Microsoft Research Asia, and his strength and qualifications are beyond doubt. Li Yingqiao admires him greatly.

More importantly, even if you asked Li Yingqiao to work on cloud computing, he wouldn't be able to.

But Wang Jian can.

With Wang Jian in charge, cloud computing can progress rapidly in the future, and Li Yingqiao can also develop better.

"Chairman, if there really is a problem, it is that we don't have enough high-end talent."

Wang Jian then changed the subject: "Cloud computing doesn't need ordinary architects, but top-tier architects, even R&D experts. The more people like Li Yingqiao, the better. But right now, the future of cloud computing is clearly insufficient. I plan to poach some more people from Microsoft. They're all my old subordinates, their abilities are beyond question, all at Li Yingqiao's level. But the budget might be exceeded..."

Wang Junshan waved his hand: "These are minor matters. You can handle them as you see fit. As long as they are talented, money is not a problem. Go ahead and poach them!"

Being able to poach people from Microsoft Research Asia is a skill in itself.

Tang Jinghe also tried, but the efficiency was only so-so; she only managed to dig up two in a week.

But Wang Jian made his move and poached thirty-seven people in just three days!
This impressed Wang Junshan greatly.

It can only be said that a big shot is a big shot; their influence is terrifying.

Just like Mr. Liang in his previous life, when he joined SMIC, he brought with him hundreds of top engineers.

The same goes for Wang Jian.

They brought more than 50 people with them when they joined, and now they've poached another 37, bringing the total to almost 100.

More importantly, each of these people is at the same level as Li Yingqiao!
This put Li Yingqiao under immense pressure.

However, Wang Junshan was in a much better mood.

They moved the headquarters of Future Technology in Beijing directly to the Wanwang Building.

The entire Wanwang Building consists of two underground floors for data centers and ten floors of office space above ground.

Based on the relatively dense employee layout in Beijing in 2009, it can accommodate more than 5000 people.

There's no other way; office buildings in the capital are very expensive, so we have to allocate more staff.

Wanwang originally had only 1,800 people, plus about 100 people brought by Dr. Wang Jian, totaling less than 2,000 people, so four floors were enough.

The remaining six floors of office space are available for lease by Wanwang.

However, the overall economic environment was not good, and only five floors were rented out in the first half of last year, to five small companies, leaving one floor vacant.

The vacancy rate of the entire Wanwang Building is 10%, which is considered relatively healthy.

I thought I could rent out another floor in the second half of the year, but then the financial crisis hit!

Not only was the vacant first floor unrented, but the fifth floor, which was rented out, was also occupied by a bankrupt company that was in arrears with rent.

Another business, though it didn't go bankrupt, was also losing money and had to move to a lower-rent suburb, so it terminated its lease.

There's no way around it; the rent in the Third Ring Road area is just too expensive.

When the economy is good, you can grit your teeth and persevere.

The current financial crisis is simply unsustainable.

At this point, only three companies remained in the six-story leased office building.

The vacancy rate of the ten-story office building has increased from 10% to 30%!

Such things were very rare in the core area of ​​the capital city before.

But during the financial crisis, this kind of thing happened all the time.

As a result, office rents in Beijing have plummeted by 30%!

Even with a 30% price reduction, people still rent; without the price reduction, no one would rent at all!
Wanwang originally wanted to lower the rent and rent out the properties.

But Wang Junshan refused.

The first floor will serve as the headquarters of the future technology capital.

The first floor will serve as the headquarters for the soon-to-be-launched Weibo platform.

The remaining floor was given directly to Discuz, which had just been acquired by Wang Junshan!

Discuz's headquarters are also in Beijing, but they are leased.

After the acquisition, Wang Junshan moved it directly to the Wanwang Building.

This will also allow for closer integration and collaborative development with Wanwang.

Wanwang already has a quick website builder and a domain name server.

Discuz only allows for quick forum creation. Once integrated with Wanwang, it can directly use Wanwang's domain name and servers to provide comprehensive integration!
As for PPS's headquarters located in Zhangjiang High-Tech Park in Shanghai, which is a leased office building, Wang Junshan chose to maintain the status quo.

Once the company relocates to the capital, a large number of employees will definitely leave.

It would be better to stay in Shanghai and build a future technology headquarters in Shanghai.

As for Tiantian Dongting, it is located in Guangzhou, and Wang Junshan also plans to leave it for the time being.

Next, Future Technology will undergo a period of resource integration.

The newly acquired companies will be fully integrated with other business units to empower them.

Once integrated, future technologies are bound to advance by leaps and bounds!

However, just as future technologies are booming, Alibaba held another high-level meeting.

Initiated by Ning Fengze, president of Taobao.

"Old Ning, do you have any good news to tell us?" Jack Ma asked.

Ning Fengze smiled mysteriously: "I've discovered Vipshop's fatal weakness, and I can use it to discredit Vipshop!"

"Oh? What fatal weakness?" Jack Ma's eyes widened, full of anticipation.

Jack Ma now wishes he could destroy Vipshop!
"Chairman, through the International Warehouse Project, Future Technology has secured ties with twelve first- and second-tier cities, backed by more than ten major economic provinces or municipalities. Their influence is terrifying!"

"Using underhanded tactics against them is definitely not going to work; we can't take a beating."

Jack Ma nodded.

These dozen or so major economic provinces and municipalities basically cover the top-ranked economic powerhouses and first-tier cities!

This energy accounts for half of the domestic economy!

No matter how powerful Alibaba's background is, it can't do anything about it.

More importantly, only someone with a brain full of toilet water would dare to challenge such a lineup.

This is something that makes Jack Ma quite helpless.

Ning Fengze then changed the subject:
"But if we find something to do to Vipshop and deal with them legally and compliantly, then there won't be any problem."

"Whether it's the twelve first- and second-tier cities or the provinces behind them, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission can't say anything."

"Yes, if it's within the rules, then there's no problem. But what kind of fatal flaw could be used to tarnish the future of technology?"

Ning Fengze chuckled: "Home appliances to the countryside!"

"What do you mean?" Zhao Deyu asked, completely puzzled.

"It's simple. Vipshop's rapid success was due to its rural appliance subsidy program."

Ning Fengze explained in detail: "As the only online platform for the home appliance subsidy program in rural areas, Vipshop already has a 13% price discount compared to Taobao Mall and JD.com. With Vipshop's official subsidies, the discount is even greater, so consumers naturally buy more and more."

"However, the 13% subsidy for home appliances in rural areas is only available to people with rural household registration; those with urban household registration cannot enjoy it."

"So what will consumers in the city think?"

“They must feel it’s unfair and want to get the rural appliance subsidy too! They also want an additional 13% discount!” Zhao Deyu said.

Ning Fengze laughed and said, "That's right! So, what will they do?"

"Or rather, how can one enjoy the subsidies for home appliances in rural areas?"

Zhao Deyu's eyes lit up:
“They would ask someone to place the order. For example, they would ask relatives and friends in the township to place the order for them, and after delivery, transport it to the city.”

"That's right! But could there be some more sophisticated techniques involved?"

Ning Fengze patiently guided him.

Jack Ma was excited: "Based on this, some intermediaries might emerge who specialize in this kind of work. They'll help place orders, take advantage of the 13% discount on rural appliances, and then deliver them to the city. There's not much profit per item, but if they handle multiple items at once, the profit can be huge!"

"The chairman is wise!" Zhao Deyu was in high spirits.

"This behavior clearly violates the original intention and regulations of the 'Home Appliances to the Countryside' program. If we make a big fuss about this and get it exposed by the media, making it known to everyone in the country!"

"Vipshop is also to blame. Not only will its subsidies be canceled, but it will also be severely punished!"

Ning Fengze nodded: "That's right, but this matter could be a big deal or a small deal."

"To put it mildly, it's just some people taking shortcuts and being opportunistic. If it's not serious, it can be easily suppressed."

"To put it bluntly, that's fraudulent order placement and subsidy claiming!"

"They're cheating out of the rural appliance subsidy program!"

"This is serious!"

"It would be even more serious if the scale of subsidy fraud reached an extremely alarming level."

"Even if Wang Junshan has a strong background, Vipshop will still suffer serious damage!"

"As long as we make this a big deal, a huge uproar, and it gets out of control, then Wang Junshan will have a hard time."

"Vipshop will also transform from a positive example of the rural appliance subsidy program into an unscrupulous platform that defrauds the government of subsidies!"

"When the time comes, if Alibaba puts in a strong effort and uses its connections, it can completely ruin Vipshop, and even cripple it!"

Zhao Deyu laughed loudly, "Hahaha, this idea is brilliant!"

"Wang Junshan has powerful backing. If he doesn't do something reckless, no one can do anything to him."

"But Wang Junshan brought this upon himself, and Vipshop cheated on subsidies, so there's nothing we can do about it."

“If we make a fuss about this and report Wang Junshan, no one will be able to say a word against it.”

"It is our duty to report!"

"Yes, let's do it this way."

"First, contact the media and expose them."

"Old Ning, I admire you!"

Jack Ma smiled:
"Once Alibaba takes action and cracks down on Vipshop's subsidy fraud, no one will be able to do anything about it."

"When it comes to such matters that are blown out of proportion, stakeholders will protect their reputation and therefore ignore them!"

"And this is the chance to crush Vipshop, and even the chance to severely damage Future Technology!"

"Yes, as long as Vipshop goes under, Alibaba will have an infinitely bright future!"

However, some people worry: "Subsidy fraud is indeed a good breakthrough, but is that all? Can it directly bring down Vipshop? Or even severely damage Future Technology?"

Jack Ma laughed: "There's a saying that goes, 'When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down!'"

"Do you think that when the time comes, only Alibaba will step in?"

(End of this chapter)