Hearing Hastings' words, everyone's eyes focused on Zhang Ran. If they were really acting in concert and Zhang Ran and others did not make public announcements, it would be a violation and their voting rights would be cancelled.

When Zhang Ran faced Hastings' accusations, he still had a faint smile on his face and said calmly: Mr. Hastings, I always thought you were a smart person, but you disappointed me!" Zhang Ran shook his head gently and said, "Since I have the confidence to appear here, I dare to deny your plan for addition, do you think I will make such a mistake?"

Hastings said coldly: "Because you have no other choice, as long as Microsoft invests, you will definitely lose, so you can only delay time in this way."

Zhang Ran spread his hands and said, "If you don't believe it, then go to court to sue us, but I can tell you that you will definitely lose this lawsuit, and you won't even have a 1% chance."

Karl Icahn, who was next to him, felt like Zhang Ran was so sure, and thought of a possibility and asked: "Stock income swap plan?"

Zhang Ran was stunned, and then said with admiration: "Mr. Icahn is really amazing, and you can see the key point at once." He turned to look at Hastings and smiled: "Let me tell you what's going on. In August this year, a lawsuit was ended in the United States. The listed company sued Ti. Shengshiti violated the 5% public notice obligation. In fact, he held nearly 13% of the stocks but was not publicized, and asked the court to deprive Ti of the voting rights. But Ti defended that he did not hold these stocks, all

It turned out that Ti had signed stock income swap plans with several financial institutions, so the nominal securities holders were indeed not Ti, but these financial institutions. The lawsuit was fought until the second instance court, and the judge finally decided that these stock income swap plans could not be identified as joint actors and did not need to be publicly announced. When the lawsuit was filed, the US Securities and Exchange Commission also issued a friendly opinion letter, believing that this situation should not be considered a violation of the obligation to publicly announce it."

In July, when preparing for the acquisition, Zhang Ran and others realized that if they could not get 34% of the shares, it would be difficult to stop Microsoft, the white knight, but how to get 34% of the shares without violating the rules is a huge problem. The entire acquisition team racked their brains, but never found a solution. It was not until August s sued Ti in the second instance and finally let the entire acquisition team see the dawn of victory.

With the solution, everything else is simple.

"I signed a stock income swap plan with five European financial institutions, so we will not be considered as joint actors. Our behavior is in accordance with the law and there is no violation of the rules." Zhang Ran looked at Hastings and said mercilessly, "Mr. Hastings, you lost!"

Hastings' heart sank to the bottom of the valley at this moment. After a few seconds, he burst out laughing and said, "Zhang Ran, don't think you will win if you lose our growth plan. Don't forget that the White Knight I invited this time is Microsoft. Microsoft can make a offer to acquire and acquire % of the shares at a price of 50 US dollars. What should you do then? Can you still offer 55 US dollars?"

Zhang Ran knew that this was Hastings' last reliance and smiled faintly: "Of course I won't pay $55, I'm not that stupid, I will only pay $51!"

Hastings was surprised and shouted, "Impossible, you can't have such money!"

"Mr. Hastings, you forgot the stock income swap plan. Several financial institutions I cooperated with hold 20% of the shares, and the money was paid by them. I did not invest it. This saved hundreds of millions of dollars, so I can afford the price of 51 US dollars." Zhang Ran decided to completely defeat Hastings' confidence, turned to look at Carl Icahn, and smiled, "Mr. Icahn, you should know some information that others don't know. Please tell Mr. Hastings!"

Carl Icahn looked at Zhang Ran, then Hastings, and said: "Zhang Ran invested in two John Paulson's funds last year, which is estimated to be around one billion US dollars. Now these two funds have risen by 6oo%. By the end of the year, he can get billions of dividends. Now this money cannot be withdrawn, but he can mortgage this part of the income and obtain loans from the bank. If he insists on acquiring Netflix, he has enough funds to complete the transaction."

Everyone present trembled and they all looked at Zhang Ran incredibly, as if they were watching a monster.

The investment fund rose by 6oo%. This increase is too terrifying. What kind of fund is this?

Hastings's hand suddenly clenched, almost pulling the armrest down. He stared at Zhang Ran, staring at this terrifying opponent that was hard to figure out.

After a long time, Hastings stopped, as if he was ten years older.

Not everyone in Microsoft supports investing in Netflix, and their opposition is strong. Many people believe that DVD rental has no future, and it is difficult to have a streaming prospect. Many streaming media, including Tube, are in a loss state. Microsoft has a platform advantage. If streaming media is really promising and only needs to bundle streaming media on the indos system, then Microsoft can easily surpass its competitors.

Many people in Microsoft are not happy with the 5o USD and think that the quotation is too high. Even if Microsoft raises the price, it will increase by at most two or three USD. Zhang Ran was determined to acquire it, and Hastings could not stop it at all.

He was powerless to win the battle and lost completely!

Seeing Hastings' reaction, Zhang Ran knew that he had been defeated by himself. He looked at everyone present and smiled and said, "Gentlemen, can you give me some time with Mr. Hastings? I want to talk to him!" He looked at Hastings and said, "Go to your office and talk!"

Hastings responded, and then walked into the conference room with Zhang Ran.

Hastings's office was very spacious and decorated in a futuristic style, and Zhang Ran entered and sat straight on the sand next to him.

In fact, corporate mergers and acquisitions are not difficult. What is really difficult is integration after mergers and acquisitions, especially for companies that have formed their own corporate culture. It is even more difficult to integrate. Therefore, before each acquisition, Jack Welch first considers whether the cultures of the two companies can be integrated.

Due to cultural differences, it was difficult to integrate into the market and could only break up sadly. There were countless examples of Mercedes-Benz's acquisition of Chrysler in 1998, which was considered a match made by nature at the time. However, due to different cultures, there were huge differences in business philosophy and thinking styles between the two parties. The merged Chrysler's sales in the market were very unsatisfactory and suffered serious losses. By 2O7, Mercedes-Benz could only sell 8o.1o% of Chrysler's shares to Thurborus Capital Management Company of the United States for US$7.4 billion.

After Century Peak acquires Netflix, it will face multiple integrations. It is very difficult to integrate Netflix and Blockbuster, as well as Century Peak. In this case, a leader who is smart and strong enough must stand up to complete the integration, and Hastings is undoubtedly the best candidate.

Zhang Ran looked at Hastings and said sincerely: "Mr. Hastings, many people don't see the prospect of streaming media now, but we all believe that the future of movies is on the Internet, and the future of streaming media is bright. Why don't we work together? You and your team are very good. If possible, I hope you all can stay."

Hastings couldn't believe his ears. If it were him, he would definitely wipe out the board of directors and make a big cleanup of the management of the entire company. Unexpectedly, Zhang Ran wanted to stay by himself. This was really a strange young man. He said in surprise: "We are enemies. Are you not afraid that I will do whatever I want in the company and make the company mess?"

There is indeed such possibility. For example, Microsoft defeated Nokia through the Trojan Elope. However, Zhang Ran was very confident in Hastings. Hastings is a proud person. People as proud as him disdain to do such things. He smiled and said, "I know you are not such a person. Besides, you also have Netflix stocks in your hands. What are the benefits of destroying Netflix?"

Hastings was stunned, then shook his head gently: "It seems that you know me very well, but in fact you don't know who I am!" He raised his head, looking confident and proud: "Who am I? I am Reed Hastings, the chairman and CEO of Netflix. Netflix was founded by me and led by me. It was me who made Netflix the king of online rental business. How could I surrender to you!"

Zhang Ran thought to myself, of course I know who you are. If you had known you would have said that, I just thought it was rare. He advised very sincerely: "Why did you surrender to me? I just hope to cooperate with you. The six major film companies have monopolized the world film market for many years, like a god who is above the top, and no one can defeat them. There were countless people who worked hard, but they ended in a crushing defeat. Now it's our turn to play, and we don't have no chance of winning. Netflix and streaming media may subvert this model, break the window of Hollywood, and face the audience faster. Hastings, this will be a revolution, breaking an old world, and building a new world, and the rules of this new world will be set by us!"

Hastings did not answer and asked back, "The inspiring speech is very tempting. If I were thirty years old, I would definitely say, let's do it together! But at the age of fifty, I want to ask you, would you agree if you were from my perspective?" He continued without waiting for Zhang Ran to answer, "I know you don't know, neither do I, because we are the same people. People like us cannot become kings and will never live cowardly!"

Zhang Ran wanted to explain, but Hastings didn't give him a chance: "No need to say anything more. Zhang Ran, I have met many geniuses, but you are the most special one. This time I lost with confidence. After I went out, I resigned from the position of chairman of the board and eO. Netflix has been my ten years of hard work, and I am now handed over to you. I hope you can make it bigger and stronger!"

Seeing Hastings say this, Zhang Ran sighed and said, "That's a pity. If we joined forces, we could have changed the world. I wonder what your plans are next?"

Hastings raised his head, his eyes fell on Zhang Ran's face, and he chuckled: "I will not give up streaming, so we will meet again, but the next time you will face will not be me, but the whole Microsoft, so it is not you who set the rules, it will definitely be me!"

Zhang Ran was slightly stunned. Hastings was once known as Ballmer's successor in his previous life, but later he withdrew from the Microsoft board of directors for Netflix's exhibition. Now it seems that he is preparing to use Microsoft to start a new streaming stove. It is easy to do streaming based on the Microsoft platform, and it will be an extremely powerful opponent.

However, Zhang Ran was not afraid at all, and was even aroused by fighting spirit and said enthusiastically: "Even if I am facing Microsoft, I will not lose in streaming. I look forward to meeting you again!"

After saying that, Zhang Ran got up and walked out of the office.
Chapter completed!