Chapter 224: 224: Pig Teammate
"Mr. Han, the web novel authors contracted with Shengda Literature have a very high recognition and loyalty to our website."
"Because we have the most paying readers, which means higher subscription income."
"The benefits we offer web authors are also far greater than our peers."
"Most of the industry's top authors write their novels on our website, and the celebrity effect tends to attract many newcomers."
"Getting these top authors to leave would not be easy."
"At least I can say that currently, nobody is capable of doing so."
"And for the next ten years, nobody will be able to do so."
"As the industry develops, Shengda Literature will become even stronger, and no one will be able to shake our status in the industry."
"I'll say it again, the issue of an inflated market value does not exist with Shengda Literature; in fact, I even think that the market value of over six billion undervalues our strength."
Qiu Wenyu spoke with conviction.
"Mr. Qiu is right, a market value of over six billion is underestimated, it should be at least seven or eight billion. Thinking of acquiring it for five billion is simply a fantasy."
"In my opinion, a market value of over ten billion wouldn't be excessive either, considering we are the industry leaders."
"If you insist on five billion, there really isn't any point in discussing further."
"That's right, such an insincere offer doesn't warrant further discussion. We might as well disperse now and not waste everyone's time."
"In short, the acquisition price of 6.5 billion is the bottom line, otherwise there's nothing to talk about."
The shareholders echoed Qiu Wenyu one after another.
They wanted to maximize their profits in departing the scene.
As for what happens to Shengda Literature afterward, that was no longer their concern.
Hearing these words, Han Jun shook his head and sneered.
These people really dare to ask for it, a market value of seven or eight billion or even ten billion.
Do they really take him for a fool?
As for the purchase price of 6.5 billion, that might be worth considering further.
After all, the value of Shengda Literature is immense, and it's very important to Penguin Group, so acquiring it at this price wouldn't be a loss.
Anyway, his offered price of five billion was just a negotiating price.
But he did not plan to give in, at least not today.
Only when negotiations came to a dead end would he consider giving in, and even then, not by that much.
In any case, the goal was to acquire it at the lowest possible price.
"Mr. Qiu, you just said that the web's top authors' loyalty to your site is high because they make more money and the benefits are good."
"This is not an advantage at all. As long as there's money, those authors will still leave."
"As for the celebrity effect you mentioned, it's not worth mentioning either."
"If other websites poach most of your top authors, then the celebrity effect will no longer be on your side."
"So, as long as there's money, destroying Shengda Literature would be easy. Any so-called dominator can fall to the ground."
Qiu Wenyu gave a faint smile and retorted.
"Mr. Han, the scenario you mentioned isn't likely to happen. Our company is the strongest in the web literature industry, and if anyone tried to compete with us like this, we would have ways to cope," Qiu Wenyu said, frowning slightly.
"Haha, I fear you might not be able to cope."
"Shengda Literature became the industry leader not just because of your management skills but also due to your accurate predictions of the industry's development trend, largely because there was no major capital involvement."
"Had there been major capital invovlemen these past years, Shengda Literature would never have been able to dominate the web literature industry."
"I can tell you the truth—if Penguin Group cannot acquire Shengda Literature, we will either acquire other companies or establish our own web literature website."
"We've set our sights on this market, and I think you should know our Penguin style very well. We aim to be the best, and Penguin intends to be the industry leader in web literature."
"Mr. Qiu, you have developed Shengda Literature into an industry overlord, and even to the extent that the online literature industry has developed today, you have made a great contribution," Han Jun said.
"I have great respect for you personally."
"I hope that we can become collaborators rather than competitors."
"If we are competitors, believe me, you won't want to see that situation."
"In the face of our Penguin's powerful capital, think about it, can you withstand it?"
As he spoke, a surge of momentum rose within Han Jun, and this presence overwhelmed the entire room.
That was the power of big capital.
Shengda Literature was just a small online literature company with a market value of just over six billion, equivalent to a mere fraction of Penguin's market value; the gap was far too wide.
Hearing Han Jun's words, the expressions on the faces of Qiu Wenyu and the others changed.
If Penguin were to enter the online literature market, they might either acquire Shengda Literature or purchase another company, or even set up their own literature website, and then turn to deal with Shengda Literature.
Given Penguin's size, dealing with Shengda Literature would be like eating noodles, wouldn't it?
Han Jun was right.
In the online literature industry, Shengda Literature could become an overlord not only because of its own competitive strength but also because of Qiu Wenyu's capabilities.
The most important reason was the absence of big capital participation.
Why was there no participation from big capital?
Because the "three melons and two dates" of the online literature industry were simply not worth big capital's attention.
With the development of the online literature market, gradual deepening, and its linkage with the film, animation, and game industries, there was a trend of starting to adapt online literature en masse.
The value of the online literature industry had been uncovered.
The cake of the future was set to grow bigger and bigger.
At this point, the big capital began to emerge.
If impacted by big capital, especially an assault from one like Penguin, the infusion of substantial funds into the online literature industry would undoubtedly cause a major shock.
Shengda Literature, the overlord, might well be toppled from its position.
Under Penguin's attack, even collapse was a possibility.
"Mr. Han, we at Shengda Literature still hope to be acquired by you; after all, it's better for everyone if the acquisition goes through, but five billion is a bit low; could you perhaps increase the offer?" Huang Chi, the largest shareholder, spoke first, no longer able to maintain his composure.
What he said was essentially an admission of submission.
Qiu Wenyu glanced at Huang Chi and couldn't help but let out a sigh to himself.
This guy couldn't keep his cool.
Intimidated by Han Jun, he had already given in.
You should know that in business negotiations, endurance and resolve are crucial.
Being frightened this easily meant that the subsequent negotiations would fall into a highly disadvantageous position.
Such a pigheaded ally!
"Mr. Huang, five billion is not a low offer already. If I were to acquire Yunhai Literature for two billion five hundred million and then invest another two billion five hundred million into it, I believe it would be very easy to surpass Shengda Literature," said Han Jun, his smile growing broader as he saw Huang Chi step forward.
These guys were still too inexperienced.
Hearing his words, the expressions on the faces of Qiu Wenyu and the others changed again.
Yunhai Literature ranked second in the online literature industry, just behind Shengda Literature.
If Penguin acquired and invested in Yunhai Literature, Shengda Literature might indeed be unable to withstand it.