Chapter 473: Things Will Proceed As Planned

I wondered what choice Ma Huateng would make.

If he chose the first option he could cleanly settle his shares and partner with Alibaba to create a rival company.

Of course it wouldn't be easy to take over the messenger market that Tencent already dominated.

But being in the early stages they could still try something and I was confident.

With Alibaba's new online shopping platform quality gaming services and Jack Ma's capabilities they could definitely win.

The second choice would be more troublesome. We'd need to redirect the Shanghai faction's attention through negotiations.

There would be some losses but the upside was breaking Ma Huateng's connection to the Shanghai faction.

The easiest option was actually the last choice.

Simply transferring Ma Huateng's shares to Jack Ma and letting him handle operations would do it.

But I hoped he wouldn't make that choice. Ma Huateng's abilities were the real deal.

Ma Huateng couldn't answer easily.

This choice would determine his future and Tencent's future.

"You don't need to give an answer right away. I'll be in China for two more days so please respond within that time."

Zhang Zidong quickly answered on behalf of Ma Huateng who sat deep in thought with a stern expression.

"Understood. Let's end today's meeting here. We'll discuss and contact you soon."

Better to step away now. I nodded and stood up.

"It was a good meeting. I'd like to continue our relationship but that depends on CEO Ma Huateng's choice. I'll respect whatever decision you make."

Just as I was about to exit through the door Manager Ma held open Ma Huateng called out softly.

"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok wait a moment."

I turned to face Ma Huateng. His eyes were still uncertain.

"If I choose the first option what do you plan to do?"

For a moment I just silently looked at Ma Huateng.

I saw him swallow nervously. I pulled up the corners of my mouth as I answered.

"Well let's think about that when we get there. I'm not sure what I'll do either."

Though I'd already made plans there was no reason to show my hand.

Ma Huateng furrowed his brow at my vague response.

Tapping my forehead with my index finger I left him with final words.

"Use that brilliant mind of yours to think about what consequences your decision might bring."

I turned again and walked away. Zhang Zidong followed me out.

"I'll escort you to the entrance."

"No need to follow. Shouldn't you be talking with CEO Ma Huateng?"

"No he needs time to think. Ma Huateng always comes up with good solutions when he's lost in solitary thought."

Zhang Zidong answered firmly.

I could tell he had strong faith in Ma Huateng.

"Do you trust Ma Huateng?"

"Yes I do."

Zhang Zidong answered without a moment's hesitation.

He truly was the man who built and grew Tencent alongside Ma Huateng.

While he might seem like someone who blindly followed Ma Huateng Zhang Zidong was essentially his strategist.

That must be why he stayed with the company for twenty long years.

Stepping into the elevator I looked at Zhang Zidong once more.

"We can go from here by ourselves."

"No I insist on seeing you out."

Despite my objection Zhang Zidong stepped into the elevator.

The doors closed and the elevator slowly began its descent.

"Are you worried? That I might have other thoughts because of this situation?"

"I can't deny that."

"Things will proceed as planned. Though whether Tencent becomes the partner or someone else depends on Ma Huateng's decision."

Soon the elevator arrived at the first floor.

Stepping out through the opening doors I turned to Zhang Zidong.

"Zhang Zidong your job now is to think this through with Ma Huateng. It was nice meeting you today. See you next time."

I heard the elevator doors closing but Zhang Zidong didn't step out.

Only the footsteps of Manager Ma and myself echoed through the lobby.

"Let's head to the hotel."

The car carrying me set off toward the reserved hotel.

After quietly observing Shenzhen's strange yet familiar scenery I called out to Manager Ma.

"Manager."

"Yes Boss."

Manager Ma turned to face me.

"Please prepare information on Zhou Yongkang. I'd like to receive it by tomorrow."

"Understood. I'll make the calls right away."

I needed to know if Zhou Yongkang was acting alone or under Jiang Zemin's orders.

Only then could I decide how to act regardless of what choice Ma Huateng made.

My concerns deepened as quickly as the scenery passing outside the window.

* * *

While Ma Huateng was lost in thought in the conference room Zhang Zidong headed to his office.

He called all three founding members to his office.

"What's up Zhang?"

The first to arrive at the vice president's office was COO Chen Yixing.

"You're here? Have a seat."

Chen Yixing who entered smiling sat down quietly after noticing Zhang Zidong's serious expression.

"Why did you call when I'm so bus…"

Xu Chenye who entered grumbling also sat silently after seeing Zhang Zidong's grim face.

"What's going on? What happened?"

Xu Chenye quietly asked Chen Yixing beside him but Chen Yixing didn't know either.

The last to arrive was Chen Yidan.

"Everyone's already here? Where's Ma Huateng?"

"Chen Yidan. Let's sit first."

Zhang Zidong spoke in a low voice as he rose from his desk.

Chen Yidan sat down with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Zidong who moved to sit on the sofa made eye contact with each person.

After a moment of consideration he parted his lips.

"You know Dream High Investment came by today right?"

Everyone nodded. Unable to contain his curiosity Xu Chenye blurted out.

"Why? Did negotiations go badly? What demands did they make to get you so serious?"

"The meeting wasn't bad."

"James didn't come himself right?"

Zhang Zidong nodded quietly.

"Right. A Korean man named Kim Mu-hyeok visited. That's not important though since he's Dream High's real owner."

"What?"

"What's more surprising is that he's also connected to Korea's HS Ventures."

Xu Chenye normally calm jumped up with a loud voice.

"What? HS Ventures? You just let him leave?"

"Sit down first. The story isn't over."

Xu Chenye stomped his feet before sitting back down.

"They've decided to let us handle TJ Soft's blood alliance and SY Soft's Mu Online China service."

"Great that's fantastic! Don't joke around! You scared me!"

Chen Yixing clapped his hands while cheering.

"This isn't a joke. I'm not in the mood for jokes. That part's good but we have a problem. This is our problem."

"Our problem?"

After taking a deep breath Zhang Zidong shared the current issues facing Tencent with everyone.

This was completely new information to them.

Until now only Ma Huateng and Zhang Zidong had shared this information.

"So you're saying our company's fate is being decided by political issues right now? Did I understand correctly?"

Chen Yidan who had been quiet until now asked through gritted teeth.

Zhang Zidong nodded.

"What are you two doing? Why is the Party getting involved in our business!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect things to turn out like this either. But… listen carefully. This was an unavoidable choice for Ma Huateng. You know guanxi is essential for smooth business operations. Thanks to Ma Huateng's father's efforts we could meet with the Shanghai faction and until now we've had no interference in our business. We all benefited from Ma Huateng. We can't say Ma Huateng did wrong now. I don't want to be that kind of bad person. I won't be."

Zhang Zidong spoke coldly. The atmosphere immediately sank.

When founding Tencent Ma Huateng could have had more shares since he invested the most capital.

But instead he shared the shares with them.

As a result Ma Huateng held 47.5% of shares while the other four combined held 52.5%.

This was the result of Ma Huateng's trust.

It was a signal asking the other four to stop him when he made unilateral decisions.

But now that was meaningless.

Because Dream High had become Tencent's owner.

"That man gave Ma Huateng three choices. Either sell his shares to the Shanghai faction for 300 million dollars or reject the Shanghai faction's investment and completely partner with them. Or… sell all our shares to someone he designates and step away from the company. Though there was a condition that we couldn't do the same business."

After hearing Zhang Zidong's words the three fell into deep thought.

How much time passed? The first to speak was Chen Yixing.

"Selling 46.5% of shares for 300 million dollars means they value Tencent at over 800 million dollars right?"

Zhang Zidong nodded at Chen Yixing's question.

"If we choose the third option and sell our shares everyone here becomes rich. Are you satisfied with that?"

Everyone here wasn't the type to be satisfied with just that.

They all shook their heads simultaneously.

"If we choose the second option we'll still face attacks from the Shanghai faction. Isn't the first choice best?"

Zhang Zidong nodded at Xu Chenye's question.

"You're right Chenye. That has the least risk. But it's also the riskiest choice."

Xu Chenye frowned at Zhang Zidong's puzzling words.

"What do you mean?"

"Think about Dream High starting the exact same business as us. If they pour their massive funds into catching up to us would that still be the best choice? I guarantee within five years we'll be gone and a company built by Dream High will have devoured us."

"We don't know that. A future where we fall behind doesn't exist in my mind."

Zhang Zidong shook his head at Xu Chenye's optimistic response.

"That's because you haven't met Kim Mu-hyeok. That man is already above us. The future we're planning was already in his head! It's not just about Dream High's money!"

Xu Chenye stammered at Zhang Zidong's intense reaction.

"No what was that Kim Mu-hyeok like to…"

"He knew everything as if he had looked inside Ma Huateng's head. That's why I'm scared. What might happen if we become his enemy."

It was the first time they'd seen such a reaction from Zhang Zidong the most rational one.

Chen Yixing and Xu Chenye exchanged bewildered looks.

Chen Yixing nodded and carefully asked.

"So you're saying we should choose the second option? What about the Shanghai faction's attacks?"

"That man said he'd block them."

"Can he do that? This is China. Not the US or Korea."

"He's a man who received a direct invitation from Hu Jintao. He must have that level of ability. If not then my judgment of people must be wrong."

Then Chen Yidan who had been listening quietly spoke up.

"You gathered us to unite our opinions and persuade Ma Huateng. You've already made up your mind."

Zhang Zidong nodded.

"Even if we clash with the Shanghai faction we must choose that man. If we become his enemy we have no future. You all know. The most beautiful flowers last ten days power doesn't last ten years. Power can change anytime but money doesn't disappear."

"If you say so it must be right. I agree with your thinking."

Starting with Chen Yidan the other two also agreed with Zhang Zidong's thoughts.

"So everyone agrees?"

The three nodded and Zhang Zidong stood up saying.

"Now let's go to the conference room where Ma Huateng is. And show him our resolve."

The four founding members except Ma Huateng united their opinions.

They headed to the conference room where Ma Huateng was with determined faces.

* * *

The next day. After finishing a simple breakfast I was organizing my thoughts over a cup of coffee.

"Boss here's the information on Zhou Yongkang."

Zhou Yongkang's information came into my hands in just one day.

"That was fast."

"It seemed urgent so I pushed a bit."

"Haha well done."

Manager Ma rarely joked perhaps because my expression looked serious.

My mood lightened a bit. With a small smile I opened the envelope Manager Ma handed over and took out the documents.

"Now let's see what kind of person he is."