Huayu: From the Era of Ringtones to Becoming a Legend

Chen Bin didn't understand Lu Jiuge's meaning, and after thinking for a moment, he replied:

"My records show five million, and during that period, ten million was withdrawn twice from the ringback tone account, which was stuck with you. Did you use it?"

Lu Jiuge was taken aback, then remembered that all the company's main bank account numbers were with him.

With a sudden thought, Lu Jiuge had an idea:

"Five million is enough. I have ten million here; through a friend's connections, I purchased a technology patent that can help us get through this difficult time!"

Back in 2005, tax supervision was chaotic and not electronic, so many company owners managed their own money, spent it themselves, and kept their own accounts.

This gave Lu Jiuge a convenient excuse to spend money to buy technology patents.

"Technology patents?"

After hearing Lu Jiuge's explanation, Liu Sixi was the first to raise a question:

"Xiao Lu, are you going to switch careers and start a tech company?"

The left side is the opening that follows immediately:

"Yes, Mr. Lu, your industry is too broad; the three of us have absolutely no idea about it!"

After glancing at the two of them, Lu Jiuge reached out to interrupt Chen Bin, who was about to speak, and said with a smile:

"Don't rush me. When it comes to high-tech stuff, not only are you clueless, but I'm completely out of it too!"

Lu Jiuge turned the laptop screen towards the three of them:

"This is a technology I purchased from overseas through various channels. It can improve the sound output quality of terminal devices such as MP3 players, PHS phones, and mobile phones several times over without changing the hardware through algorithm optimization!"

"Most importantly, through this algorithm optimization, the audio output quality of digital terminals can reach studio-level standards!"

After the explanation, Liu Sixi, who knew the ropes, was the first to react and excitedly asked:

"Algorithms improve sound quality? How about compatibility? Can they really bring a phone's music output to studio-quality levels?"

Lu Jiuge nodded:

"If I hadn't been fooled by that American group, that's definitely true!"

After Lu Jiuge finished speaking, the office was silent for a few seconds.

Liu Sixi tapped his fingers on the table and spoke first:

"Xiao Lu, this technology sounds impressive. But we're a music company, not a technology company!"

"These days, people listen to music, buy records, listen to cassettes, and download ringtones! Which of these has anything to do with algorithm optimization?"

After Liu Sixi finished speaking, Chen Bin immediately replied:

"Qianxing Entertainment only has a little over five million in its account! Even the best MP3 players and cell phones can't put food on the table. We can't afford to gamble a second time!"

Zuo Wei didn't speak, but judging from his expression, he clearly shared similar thoughts with Liu Sixi and Chen Bin.

Lu Jiuge didn't respond.

He stood up, walked to the window, and stood with his back to the three of them for a few seconds.

Suddenly turning around, his fingers slammed heavily on the table:

"Will record stores still let us put our songs on the shelves?"

Liu Sixi was taken aback.

"Are music websites still giving us featured placements?"

Chen Bin opened his mouth.

"Even those damn bootleggers don't dare burn our discs anymore!"

Lu Jiuge's voice suddenly rose:

"Old Chen, read that warning letter from the telecom operator on the table to everyone. Does it say they'll no longer be ranking Qianxing Entertainment's songs?"

"Given the current situation, I'm even worried about whether I can win the bet I made with Luo Zhiqiang!"

He walked back to the tea table, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

"We have no choice now; we must forge a path forward!"

After a barrage of questions, Lu Jiuge paused, waited for the three to react for a moment, and then continued:

"Moreover, in the coming internet age, digital music distribution channels are the only way forward for the music industry!"

Liu Sixi opened his mouth, but ultimately let out a sigh:

"Xiao Lu, I'm fifty-three. I know how to turn that knob in the recording studio with my eyes closed!"

"But you're talking to me about technology, algorithm optimization, and device adaptation..."

He shook his head with a wry smile:

"That's like asking a chef to build a wok—it's impossible!"

"The most crucial thing is time!"

Chen Bin picked up the conversation:

"If we don't find a successful approach within three months, our funds will run out!"

"So, we need to poach a team from them!"

Lu Jiuge opened the homepage of a music website on her laptop:

"This team can perfectly solve all our problems!"

"A thousand mountains in silence?"

Zuo Wei glanced at the computer screen and exclaimed in surprise:

"I vaguely remember their boss, Zheng Lin; he's quite an oddball!"

Lu Jiuge nodded in response:

"That's right, Zheng Lin is proficient in audio decoding, terminal adaptation, player packaging and other technologies."

Moreover, it is currently facing dire straits, including a joint copyright crackdown by traditional record companies, a broken funding chain, and the squeeze on its survival space by Baidu MP3.

When a startup project is on the verge of collapse, and the individual is lost, in debt, and feeling unappreciated, that's the perfect opportunity for us to recruit them!

Zuo Wei squinted and thought for a moment:

"Zheng Lin is indeed a prominent figure in this industry, but he's just had bad luck! What, you're thinking of hitting on him?"

"It's not about having designs on him, it's about recruiting him!"

Lu Jiuge's gaze was intense:

"What we lack most right now is a key figure who can turn my 'Lingyun Algorithm' into a product, communicate with hardware manufacturers, and build a technical team!"

"Zheng Lin is the most suitable candidate! He understands audio decoding, is proficient in adapting to various terminal systems, and can write his own player kernel."

Most importantly, he possesses the purity of a technologist and a pursuit of sound quality, which perfectly aligns with my original intention of improving the listening experience with the "Lingyun Algorithm"!

Liu Sixi frowned:

"But according to you, Zheng Lin is in dire straits himself right now. Wouldn't it cause us trouble if we tried to poach him at this time?"

"It is precisely because we are in dire straits that our opportunity arises!"

Chen Bin seemed to be deep in thought:

"You mean, to offer timely help? To use our technology and funding, along with the breakthrough he desperately needs, to bring him over?"

"That's right!"

Lu Jiuge nodded:

"We're giving him a chance to truly realize his technical ambitions and use his expertise to define the standard of good sound!"

"The Lingyun Algorithm is his new weapon; we're a perfect match!"

After listening, Zuo Wei asked the most crucial question:

"Zheng Lin is technically skilled, but even more stubborn. I heard that last year, more than one leading internet company wanted to acquire or invest in him, offering very attractive terms, but he turned them all down!"

"Given our current situation, can we really poach him?"

Lu Jiuge nodded confidently:

"It's not just a matter of having a chance, it's a matter of having to seize it!"

He recalled the scene from his previous life where Zheng Lin was acquired by Baidu, became a marginal figure, and was eventually abandoned by Baidu.

This time, he wanted to give this genius a completely different future before everything happened.

"Old Zuo, get ready, we're leaving for Kyoto tomorrow to meet Zheng Lin of Qianshan Jingyin!"

Seeing that Lu Jiuge had made her decision, Liu Sixi and the other two did not try to persuade her any further.

Zuo Wei thought for a moment and asked:

"Mr. Lu, do we need to make any preparations beforehand for this trip?"

Lu Jiuge thought for a moment and replied:

"Tonight, focus on finding out if Baidu has contacted Zheng Lin!"