Steal the enemy's base at the start and build a technological empire.

Chapter 348 Goldman Sachs' Coup

January 16, 2000, 9:00 AM.

Anderson's car, a black Lincoln, was parked downstairs at Xingchen Technology Building. The driver got out and opened the door. He was wearing a dark blue suit and a red tie, and his hair was neatly combed. He glanced up at the building as he got out of the car.

Ling Yun stood by the office window, watching him walk in.

At 9:05, Fiona knocked on the door, "Mr. Ling, Anderson has arrived."

"Let him in."

Anderson entered with a smile. "Ling," he said, extending his hand as he walked over. "Long time no see."

Ling Yun shook hands with him, gestured to the sofa, and said, "Please sit down."

Anderson sat down on the sofa and crossed his legs. He glanced around the office, his gaze sweeping over the bookshelves, the prototypes, and the patent certificates on the wall.

"Your office is decorated so simply."

"I don't need complicated decorations; I prefer things to be simple."

"That's true." He put his leg down and leaned forward a little. "Ling, I came here today to talk to you about Xingchen's future development plans."

Ling Yun sat down opposite him, with a coffee table between them. "Future plans? Weren't they already explained at the board meeting? You were there too."

Anderson picked up a bottle of water, unscrewed it, and took a sip. "The market hasn't been doing well lately, and the investors have some concerns."

"Any objections? Given the current market conditions, as a strategic investor, don't you have any patience at all?"

"It's mainly a management issue." He put down the water bottle and tapped his fingers lightly on the cap. "Some people feel that now that the company is large enough, it may need a more professional management team."

Ling Yun looked at him. "Who thinks?"

Anderson laughed. "That's what some people think. It doesn't matter who it is, what matters is how to solve it."

"What do you think we should do to resolve this?"

"For example, you could consider appointing a COO to manage daily operations. You would remain the CEO, responsible for strategic direction. This would reassure investors and make things easier for you."

Who will be the COO?

"It's not decided yet. Goldman Sachs can recommend a few candidates, and you can also make your suggestions."

Ling Yun didn't speak. He watched Anderson's fingers tapping on the bottle cap, one tap at a time.

"Ling, do you think this will work?"

"no."

Anderson's fingers stopped. Just for half a second, then he started typing again.

"Why not?"

"If you want me to resign as CEO, just say so. Don't beat around the bush."

Anderson paused for a moment. The smile was still on his face, but it looked a little stiff.

"Ling, that's not what I meant..."

"So what do you mean?"

"I just think we can discuss it together..."

"What are you discussing?"

Anderson stopped laughing. He took his hand off the bottle cap and placed it on his knee.

"Ling, don't be so aggressive. It's pointless to talk like that. After all, Goldman Sachs is a major shareholder, and you still need our support at the board meetings."

"Then tell me something interesting."

After a few seconds of silence, Anderson cleared his throat.

"Ling, Goldman Sachs is one of Xingchen's largest shareholders. We have the responsibility and the right to care about the company's development. The current market environment is not good, and investors are very anxious. We need to do something to reassure everyone."

"So they'll be at ease once I leave?"

"I didn't say you should leave, I said I'd add a COO."

"And then what? Next year, add an independent CFO? The year after, add an executive chairman to the board? Step by step, I'll become a mascot."

Anderson didn't reply. He picked up the water bottle and took another sip. He drank slowly, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Ling, you've gone too far with your words. You should also consider the investors' perspective."

"That's just how I am, I say what I mean. StarCraft has grown to its current scale, and investors have made a fortune. Aren't you satisfied?"

Anderson put the water bottle back on the coffee table. "Do you know how big those people's appetites are?"

"Know."

"Then why are you still so hard?"

"Whether I'm tough or not is my business. Whether they want the shares I hold is their business."

Anderson turned around and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"It means they want shares, and they can make an offer. The shares I have, from the employee stock ownership platform, are open to negotiation as long as the price is right."

Anderson paused for two seconds, then asked, "Are you serious?"

"Seriously."

"Then name your price."

"No rush. Let's talk again when they've thought it through."

"Ling, what exactly do you want?"

"What I want is not important; what matters is what they want."

"They want you to leave. At this stage, the company can't go any further because you're a foreigner and from an enemy country."

"Then let them come and tell me themselves."

Anderson stared at him for several seconds.

"You really are..." He shook his head, not finishing his sentence.

Anderson stood up. "That's enough for today. I'll pass on your message to them."

"Um."

"Then I'll be leaving first."

"it is good."

Anderson walked to the door, put his hand on the doorknob, and paused for a moment.

"Ling, let me remind you. This matter won't just end like this; you should think it through beforehand."

"I know."

Ling Yun stood by the window, looking down. The black Lincoln was still parked there, the driver standing beside it smoking. A few minutes later, Anderson came out, the driver threw away his cigarette, opened the car door, and the Lincoln drove away.

Lingyun had given these words to Anderson today a lot of thought.

The company is currently experiencing undercurrents. One group consists of pure capital investors from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, who are only interested in making money. As CEO, Ling Yun has helped them make a lot of money, and they probably want the company to remain stable so that Ling Yun can continue to steer this great ship. After all, as the founder, Ling Yun has enough prestige within the company, and his past achievements can prove his ability.

Dell and HP are another group. Besides making money, they also use StarCraft to balance the pressure from Microsoft. They have the motivation to control StarCraft and drive out Soaring Cloud.

But what's strange now is that those with motives haven't taken action, while those who should be maintaining stability have come out to force a change of government. Where is the problem?

Standing by the window, Ling Yun continuously analyzed the positions and motives of each shareholder. There must be some inside story between Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley that Ling Yun was unaware of. They must be able to obtain greater benefits elsewhere. Otherwise, these financial vultures would not have failed to see the benefits of Ling Yun taking charge of Xingchen and would have chosen to force Ling Yun out, first sidelining him and then driving him away.

Ling Yun wasn't stupid; he could see through such a simple scheme at a glance. They wanted to stabilize the stars while also making profits elsewhere.

Since we can't figure out where the problem lies yet, let's continue to probe the other shareholders' bottom line.