Microsoft's headquarters is not like a company, but it feels like a university campus. The park is very quiet, with buildings surrounded by woods, lawns and flowers. The forests are dense, with many large pine trees that are thick with embracing each other. The birds like the grass and fresh air in the park, and the forest is full of chirping birds.

The buildings in Microsoft Park are all very low, usually three or four floors, and the buildings are usually covered with white walls and large dark green glass windows, which are very harmonious with the green environment. There are 35 such buildings with a total construction area of ​​more than 4 million square meters.

At this time, in the office of EO Steve Ballmer in Building 34, Ballmer was greeting Hastings, who had just entered the room, to sit down.

Hastings didn't say much nonsense and directly said the purpose of the trip: "Steve, you also know the trouble we Netflix is ​​in now. Now Century Peak has already held 14.5% of Netflix's shares and has become Netflix's largest shareholder; and they have issued a $35 acquisition offer, but we don't want to sell the company to him, so we need a White Knight."

In recent days, Zhang Ran's acquisition of Netflix has been very popular, and Ballmer is naturally clear about Netflix's situation: "Zhang Ran's sneak attack on Netflix this time was very decisive. He made a floating profit of nearly 100 million US dollars in the secondary market, and the situation is very good. Moreover, the popularity of the Century Peak brand and market reputation have been greatly improved. I have to say that he has taken a very high step."

Hastings shook his head and said, "No, as long as Zhang Ran is not allowed to get control of Netflix, even if he makes a profit of one billion, he will lose!"

Ballmer was stunned and felt that this was a bit incredible. Even if he made a profit of one billion, he would lose. This was too exaggerated! He couldn't help but ask, "Why do you say that?"

Hastings smiled and said, "At first I thought Zhang Ran just wanted to do streaming media, but recently I wanted to understand what he wanted. What he wanted was the output port of the movie industry? Cinemas, TV, computers, mobile phones, and DVDs. Which of these ports are the most important? TV and DVDs. Hollywood film companies can not have cinemas, but there must be TV stations and DVD distribution companies. Zhang Ran is a Chinese. He cannot own a TV station in the United States. With streaming media, not only can you watch it on a computer, but you can do on-demand on TV, it is equivalent to owning a cable TV station. As long as you have Netflix, Zhang Ran has obtained several output ports for TV, computers, mobile phones, and DVDs. For Zhang Ran, as long as you cannot complete the acquisition of Netflix, he will lose strategically!"

Ballmer was very surprised after hearing Hastings' description: "It seems that Mr. Zhang is really far-sighted, but it is really his misfortune to meet your opponent. You have seen through him!"

Hastings gritted his teeth and said, "It is my misfortune to meet such a shameless opponent as Zhang Ran!"

In recent days, rumors about Netflix discrimination against women and Hastings discriminated against women have been flying all over the Internet, especially on Ly. There are all kinds of rumors about Hastings. After reading it, Hastings almost got angry. He knew that this was definitely Zhang Ran's trick. If Zhang Ran was in front of him, he might have made two old punches on Zhang Ran's face.

Hastings saw Ballmer's surprise, took a breath, calmed his anger, and said, "Whether it is an acquisition or a counter-acquisition, the most fundamental thing is the funds. Now Netflix has just completed the acquisition of Blockbuster. The funds in his hands are almost exhausted and he has been carrying huge debts. Now is Netflix's most difficult time. Zhang Ran took advantage of the time when our funds were cut off to make a time difference. Although we have launched the poison pill plan, the shark repellent clause, and the golden parachute, as long as he continues to raise the quotation, we can't stop it at all, so we need Microsoft to be our white knight!"

Ballmer nodded without comment.

Hastings knew that companies that were willing to do whatever they wanted to do for their friends without seeking their own interests. The White Knight is not an angel. To let Microsoft be the White Knight, the other party must benefit from it. He adjusted his sitting posture: "Netflix and Microsoft can complement each other. Netflix is ​​now transforming into streaming media and is very strong in film and television. Cooperating with inversion, Microsoft can integrate film and television resources into bo services. More importantly, Netflix now has 11 million paid users. With these user resources, Microsoft can better compete with Apple."

Ballmer asked, "What about your specific plan?"

Hastings said: "Netfly issued 40 million shares to Microsoft at a price of US$50. After the additional issuance, Microsoft's shareholding ratio will be 28.5%, becoming the largest shareholder; Zhang Ran's shares will be diluted to 10%, so it will be difficult to pose a threat to Netflix."

Ballmer frowned and said, "Netflix's stock price is only $27 now, and it is caused by the recent acquisition war. In fact, it is a little over 20 yuan, and the $50 acquisition premium is too high."

Hastings immediately said: "Zhang Ran is now quoting $35, and I estimate that $45 is his limit. If Microsoft quotes $50, it can easily defeat him. $50 sounds like a high, but I have absolute confidence in Netflix's future. In less than a year, Netflix's stock price will exceed $50. Netflix is ​​transforming into streaming media and will be completely transformed into an Internet company in the next few years. Now Netflix and Blockbuster's online users are 11 million, and they are increasing at a rate of hundreds of thousands per month. I believe that by this time next year, online users will be close to 20 million. An Internet company has 20 million paid users. What a terrifying data!

Ballmer pondered for a few seconds and said, "I think it's OK, but this matter needs to be passed by a board resolution. In this way, we will hold a board meeting next Thursday. What do you think?"

Hastings breathed a sigh of relief and said, "No problem!"

At the same time, the flight Zhang Ran was on landing steadily at Washington National Airport.

The cabin door opened, and Zhang Ran was the first to walk down, with October sunshine above his head. Under the bright sunshine, the beautiful scenery of Washington was completely visible. Zhang Ran took a breath and secretly prayed in his heart that everything would go smoothly in his trip to the United States.

The person who came to pick up the plane was Li Yunming, a contact person in North America who acquired Century Peak. He got into Li Yunming's car and the two drove towards downtown Washington.

"Mr. Zhang, the hotel has already made a reservation for you. After arriving at the hotel, you will have two hours of rest time. At 7 o'clock in the evening, you will have dinner with Mr. Allen Larsen at the Primerib Steakhouse. He is our consultant for lobbying and public relations this time. He needs to exchange opinions with you." Li Yunming drove while introducing the situation to Zhang Ran.

Zhang Ran nodded: "Okay, I do have a lot to exchange with Mr. Allen Larsen."

Li Yunming was very talkative. On the way to the hotel, he vividly introduced Zhang Ran the latest public relations battle.

After the car drove for a while, Li Yunming suddenly said, "Mr. Zhang, this is the famous K Street!"

Zhang Ran looked up and saw that the legendary K Street was different from what he imagined. Both sides of the street were large imitation European-style buildings, with not too high floors, not much different from ordinary American streets. The only difference was that there were many gold signs engraved in front of the door of high-end office buildings with the words "Xiao-some consulting or public relations company" engraved, and they were all professional lobbying companies.

Yes, K Street is a lobbying street, and many famous lobbying agencies are located on this street. If Wall Street is the financial center of the United States, then K Street represents the changing American political center. When it comes to K Street, American media likes to say that if you don’t understand K Street, you don’t understand Washington, and you don’t understand American politics.

According to statistics, there are about 17,500 lobbyists in Washington, and most of them are concentrated in K Street, who have profoundly influenced the legislation and decision-making of the US government and Congress.

Seven years ago, there was a thrilling lobbying war here. In order to get China to join To, hundreds of multinational companies, including Boeing, formed a super luxury lobby with hundreds of people, and launched an unprecedented lobbying war. From Congress to the state legislature, hundreds of lobbyists ran around. The entire lobby took nearly a year to public relations, spent $112 million, and finally allowed China to join To.

The power of these lobby companies is that their lobbyists are extraordinary. Many of them are politicians who have been living in Washington for many years, including former congressmen, former government officials and their former aides. With their familiar government networks and connections, they can easily hit the nail on the head. For example, Bob Doll and George Michel, who are under the lobby company under the name McPherson Hand, their original identities are both major leaders of the Congressional Senate Majority Party. Doll also competed with Clinton in 1996 to compete for the throne of president.

The lobbying company Aikin Gangbo Law Firm, they hired this time, also has deep connections in Congress. Their political donations in 2006 covered more than 30 members of Congress; and Allen Larsen, who was going to have dinner together, was the former deputy secretary of state of the United States. After leaving office in 2005, he became a senior partner of Aikin Gangbo.

Not long after, the car drove to the Marriott Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. When he got out of the car, Zhang Ran saw the iconic dome of the Capitol at the end of the street. Pennsylvania Avenue is a street in downtown Washington. Because the White House and Congress are both located on this street, this street is considered a political avenue, similar to Chang'an Street in Peking.

Because Zhang Ran may need to come to Congress to meet with foreign investment committee members, clarify his position, and living here can save a lot of time.

After settling down at the hotel, Zhang Ran washed up, changed into clean clothes, turned on the TV, and watched the news.

At half past six, Li Yunming came over and knocked on the door and informed Zhang Ran that it was time to go to the restaurant to have dinner with Allen Larsen.

From the upstairs, Li Yunming drove to a steak shop called theprimerib on K Street. He told Zhang Ran that the steak in this shop is the most popular in the entire Washington area.

Zhang Ran and the others had just parked their cars outside the restaurant. The waiter waiting there immediately greeted him and walked up, opened the car door, waited for Zhang Ran and the others to get out, and then parked for them.

Entering the main hall of the restaurant, a waiter came over to greet Zhang Ran and the others. After asking about the situation, he immediately led Zhang Ran and the others to the seat, and enthusiastically opened the clean napkins for them, carefully filled the ice water, and handed the menu respectfully. Alan Larson had not arrived yet, and Zhang Ran and the others were not in a hurry to order the dishes, asking the waiter to wait.

Zhang Ran looked at the environment of the restaurant, which was decorated luxuriously without losing the classical style. The tableware was all silver, the seats were all genuine leather, and the decorative paintings hung on the surrounding walls were mostly precious authentic works. Li Yunming whispered that there are many government officials in the restaurant now, including the deputy finance minister.

Almost five minutes later, a man in his fifties and white-haired came in. Li Yunming immediately told Zhang Ran that Allen Larsen was here.
Chapter completed!