Chapter 310 It’s all about profit
Although the operating system was a collaboration between the two companies, some of the software on the desktop was developed by Maple Leaf Computer's own engineers.

According to Fang Hexuan's usage requirements, this set of simple office software including Word and Excel was made public with the launch of Maple I.

As far as he knew, Microsoft currently had no idea of ​​developing office tools. At least in the financial statements, Fang Hexuan did not see any related project plans.

Since the current GUI effects are very general, the functions of these two software are also very simple.

For example, Word can only be used for typing, setting font size, and simple typesetting.

As for Excel that Buffett mentioned, you can input numbers and English, do simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and finally output and print.

Even so, it is enough to make many business people's eyes light up.

There are many smart people, but the one who is most sensitive and shocked by this software is naturally Mr. Gates.

It wouldn't be that difficult for Microsoft to develop it themselves, but why didn't Microsoft think of it?
After watching Fang Hexuan's manual operation demonstration and experiencing the device himself, Gates had already come up with the idea of ​​having Microsoft set up a similar project.

Although he was sure that these two simple office software had been patented, Gates didn't care about that. After all, Fang Hexuan was also a shareholder of Microsoft.

He took the initiative to approach and say hello in order to test whether the two companies could cooperate in developing subsequent versions.

With the emergence of many PC brands, the potential of this market is unquestionable.

Gates believed that if Microsoft could not put its own operating system and software on as many computers as possible, the company's future would almost certainly be in jeopardy.

If Maple Leaf is willing to cooperate, the two companies will join forces and will definitely be able to take the biggest piece of the pie, at least in the office software market.

Although he has not read "The Art of War", Gates still understands the importance of speed and seizing the initiative.

"Charles, I'm very interested in Maple Office. Is there any chance that Microsoft and Maple Leaf can work together on development?"

Fang Hexuan looked at the bespectacled guy in front of him. The shrewdness and greed in his eyes were quite consistent with the later generations' impression of Gates.

"Bill, friendship is mutual. To be honest, since I became a shareholder of Microsoft, I have not been invited to participate in the next two rounds of investment. This really makes me sad."

Gates pretended to be confused and said:
"Charles, you know, when we signed the contract, I clearly stated in the terms regarding follow-up investment that if it is a strategic investment that affects the life and death of the company, Microsoft can make its own decision without the consent of shareholders."

"There were two rounds of investment. One was from UnitedHealth, an insurance company that has close ties with the Seattle City Government, and the other was from an education grant fund under the Federal Government's Department of Education. Their participation is a matter of life and death for Microsoft. Besides, your shares have not been diluted too much."

Fang Hexuan knew that what he said was the truth, but the feeling of being schemed against by him was not very pleasant, so he brought it up.

"Haha, I support the cooperation between the two companies on the office software project in principle, but I just hope to have the opportunity to participate in Microsoft's third round of financing."

Gates adjusted his glasses, smiled slyly, and nodded readily.

"Of course, I promise!"

The two sides shook hands in the presence of Frank Cary of IBM, and the simple game ended.

After saying goodbye to the two of them, Fang Hexuan exchanged views with several local venture capital giants in Silicon Valley.

These people were also optimistic about the prospects of Maple Leaf Company and, not surprisingly, all expressed their desire to invest.

Fang Hexuan was not disgusted. He had just arrived in Silicon Valley and needed to make friends, not enemies. These venture capitalists had a great influence in Silicon Valley and could influence many startups and even programmers.

If he completely rejects these people, then when he wants to invest in other people's projects in the future, he may not necessarily fail, but he will definitely encounter a lot of obstruction and siege.

Here, having money doesn’t necessarily mean you can invest in good projects. Everyone has money, so why should the founder take your money?

In addition to money, there are definitely other factors at work, such as circles.

Silicon Valley, the most innovative place in the world, has long been a situation of shared interests, with you in me and me in you.

There were not as many people staying for lunch as there were for the cocktail party last night, and many people had already left early.

But Fang Hexuan did not rest, he also wanted to meet with the people from Wall Street one by one.

In fact, anyone or anything in this world that has anything to do with money can hardly escape the eyes of those on Wall Street.

Since Fang Hexuan's sudden rise and wealth two years ago, he has been targeted by various Wall Street companies.

This group of people was so interested in how others made money that they once spent several months studying Fang Hexuan's entire gold futures investment process.

After much research and comparison of a large amount of data and information, he finally came to the conclusion that Fang Hexuan must be God's favorite and had incredibly good luck.

But they were not resigned to this. From then on, all of Fang Hexuan's business activities, including the establishment of companies, investment in enterprises, and activities in the mainland, became the objects of their tracking and analysis.

In particular, well-known Wall Street giants such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Lehman Brothers are increasingly interested in him.

Among them, greedy rentiers like BYD, BMW, DreamWorks, Wanda, and Maple Leaf Computer all want to get involved.

Again, Fang Hexuan is not averse to foreign investment.

As long as it does not affect his holding and is beneficial to the company's development, whose money is not money?
He talked with representatives from five companies, including Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, BlackRock, Fidelity, and MetLife, in a hotel conference room for about an hour.

Given the short time and many targets, it was impossible to discuss specific details. Basically all we talked about was the intention to invest and accept investment.

When it comes to specific details, we will negotiate with each company one by one.

In addition, the two investment banks, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, were very interested in the hundreds of billions of dollars held by Fang Hexuan. They hoped to help manage part of the funds, but Boss Fang simply refused with a "hehe".

Just kidding, when it comes to investment practice, he is not professional, but when it comes to opening the third eye, who in the world can compare with him? The Son of the Planes is not just talking.

Fang Hexuan’s own investment team is fully capable of performing the roles of Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, so why should he pay them management fees for nothing?
Apart from this requirement, Fang Hexuan can discuss everything else.

In summary, Fang Hexuan promised them that they would play a role in his company's future financing or listing.

In turn, when he needs to conduct business or acquire certain assets in the United States, these five companies may have to use their connections to assist him.

These are what should be expected, and both sides are well aware of them, so the atmosphere during the entire meeting was quite harmonious.

(End of this chapter)