Hearing Chen Yan suddenly bring up such an important topic, Qin Ming on the other end fell silent.

Beyond the faint and noisy singing, only Qin Ming's heavy breathing could be heard through the receiver.

He seemed to be thinking seriously.

Chen Yan did not interrupt him.

Because Chen Yan knew that Qin Ming was a wise man. He understood the implications of his words and would consider all aspects carefully.

As expected, after a period of contemplation, Qin Ming said in a firm tone, "Brother Chen. I can assure you that at least eighty percent of the core members will stay."

"And I'm confident that I can persuade Pang Wenbo to stay as well."

Satisfied with Qin Ming's response, Chen Yan nodded in approval.

He said, "Good. I trust you."

"Head back early to rest tonight, come to Tiandu first thing tomorrow morning, and meet up with us. Then, try to contact the core members you believe can be trusted and who won't leak information."

"The most important thing is to have a good talk with Pang Wenbo and ensure she will definitely stay with the company."

Hearing Chen Yan's arrangements, Qin Ming's breathing again grew heavy, and he asked, "Brother Chen. Are you planning to make a move against Zhang Yonghao?"

Chen Yan replied, "Not so much making a move against him, but rather, it's better that we keep Headline Technology in our own hands."

"The recent actions of Zhang Yonghao have disappointed me. If he stays in Headline Technology, it will only increasingly put us at a disadvantage."

As Chen Yan spoke, Qin Ming's heartbeat fluctuated along with the conversation.

Although he wasn't sure how Chen Yan could confidently secure more than 50% of the shares,

Wasn't Chen Yan known for creating miracles over the past few years?

To oust an entrepreneurial company's founder was a rare demonstration of intense audacity and strategy,

Especially for a company with a bright future of becoming an industry giant.

Qin Ming really wanted to see how Chen Yan was going to achieve this.

So much so that he lost all interest in clubbing and wished he could fly to Tiandu right now, to be part of this significant event...

...

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yan sat quietly in his study for a while.

He reviewed his plan in his mind.

Now with the support from microblogging, Chen Yan only needed to take control of Headline Technology. With these two heavyweight new media platforms, Chen Yan's influence in domestic public opinion and media would reach its peak.

Even when facing the other two giants at home, his sway in public discourse would not fall short.

And once Zhao Xuan was ready, Chen Yan and he could crush Zhao Qingtian in one fell swoop.

This was a linked series of strategies.

Now the first step was almost complete; the second was to take control of Headline Technology.

At present, the shares of Headline Technology were relatively scattered.

Chen Yan recalled the shareholding information provided by Headline Technology.

Chen Yan was currently the largest shareholder, owning 41% of the shares.

Zhang Yonghao was the second-largest shareholder with a 38% stake.

Chen Yan had practically purchased all the shares from the other investment institutions.

Only a few major investment companies still held around 8% of the shares.

That accounted for 87% of the shares.

The remaining 13% was mostly divided among the founders and senior managers. There was also a portion reserved as an incentive share pool.

Therefore, to own more than 60% of the shares, Chen Yan had no choice but to buy out Zhang Yonghao's shares and face him head-on.

This meant that their honeymoon period, lasting just six months, would come to an end as they would again stand on opposing sides.

However, Chen Yan did not feel any remorse.

After all, it was Chen Yan who had treated him with sincerity, only for Zhang Yonghao to squander Chen Yan's good intentions time and time again.

Previously, Chen Yan lacked the strength and had to declare a truce temporarily.

But now that Chen Yan had enough power in his hands, he would naturally seek retribution and settle all scores.

After all, Chen Yan did not believe that Zhang Yonghao, who had betrayed his own loyal confidant to ingratiate himself when Chen Yan became powerful, would spare Chen Yan if the tables were turned.

So, this was a war without smoke, where in the end, there could only be one victor!

As he thought thus, Chen Yan stood up and looked out at the Tiandu skyline from the study.

His suite was on the top floor of the hotel, and looking down, he saw the sprawling lights of Tiandu, shining like daylight.

The numerous lights, reflecting off each other, appeared like stars beneath his feet...

His heart swelled with boundless ambition...

...

As Chen Yan plotted to take over Zhang Yonghao's shareholding,

At Headline Technology, in the General Manager's office,

When almost all the employees had left work one after another, with only a few workaholics still toiling away, the company's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer were holding a small meeting with Zhang Yonghao in the General Manager's office.

The office was filled with smoke, hazy and choking.

Zhang Yonghao leaned lazily on the sofa, his brow furrowed as he smoked and listened to the CFO's report.

"In recent times, we've spent seven to eight billion for Douyin's overseas expansion. The effects have been quite remarkable. In every country, our market share has risen quite considerably."

"Moreover, due to the gradual perfection of our algorithms, our app has gained core competitiveness. Even without ad spending, the number of users has started to climb steadily."

"Compared to overseas, the domestic market looks bleak. We are consistently behind Slow Hand in terms of user numbers. Although our growth rate is higher than theirs, there is still a significant gap to bridge."

"Our technology and user experience are better than theirs. But they have the first-mover advantage, so our efforts to catch up are back-breakingly hard."

"The market department predicts that only when we surpass them and become the number one in the short video sector, the inherent product advantages and the boost from being the leader will allow us to pull away quickly."

"To achieve this goal, we must continue to increase ad spending."

"But..."

At this point, the CFO glanced at Zhang Yonghao and said, "Our account funds are running low and cannot sustain further spending increases."

Zhang Yonghao took a drag of his cigarette, then spoke irritably, "Is Qin Ming still unyielding?"

The CFO put down the document in his hand and nodded, "Yes. He's always been very cooperative. But when it comes to fundraising, he says it's too important and that he needs to consider and research it carefully."

"After several inquiries, he gave a slight hint that they are optimistic about the future of Headline Technology, so even if they agree to funding, they don't want to dilute their own shares."

The CFO then looked troubled and said, "If that's the case, it runs counter to our goal of gradually regaining control."

"Moreover, once agreed, we will be the ones progressively losing control."

"After all, if their shares aren't diluted and they continue to invest, but we don't have the money to match their contributions, our share will keep getting diluted, eventually leading to the loss of company control."

Hearing this, Zhang Yonghao frowned. "Haven't you directly approached Chen Yan about it?"

The CFO coughed and replied, "Mr. Chen says that these are internal affairs of the investment companies. He doesn't deal with these specific operations, and has left it to Qin Ming to handle."

Zhang Yonghao snorted coldly and harshly stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"It's just passing the buck!"

"Our company assets account for a third of his entire company. Would he really be completely uninvolved in such a significant chunk of business?"

He then took several heavy breaths, indicating his anger.

However, no matter how angry he was, it made no difference.

After all, Chen Yan was no longer the small shareholder he could easily manipulate; he was now the company's largest shareholder, wielding veto power.

No matter his temperament, Zhang Yonghao had to appease Chen Yan to ensure the company's continued development.

At that moment, Zhang Yonghao felt an immense sense of powerlessness. He even began to understand the feelings Chen Yan had when he was being obstructed.

Being constrained by the majority shareholder was truly uncomfortable!

He took a few deep breaths. Then his gaze turned to Vice President Wang and asked, "Lao Wang, what if we directly call a board meeting? Is that feasible?"

Vice President Wang, referred to as Lao Wang, pondered for a moment and then slowly shook his head, "If there's no prior agreement, no benefits exchanged, even if we forcefully push the proposal through in the board meeting, the other party might wield their veto power."

"The situation would then become even uglier."

Hearing Vice President Wang's words, Zhang Yonghao looked grim, "What if..."

"I mean, what if..."

"We convene a board meeting without informing Chen Yan, or we notify him last minute so they can't make it in time."

"Or we decide internally first, passing the decision to issue new shares or fundraise, thus creating a fait accompli. Would that work?"

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's words on this legally dubious plan, both men in the office couldn't help but take a sharp intake of breath.

The CFO voiced his surprise, "Mr. Zhang, this goes against procedures. It's illegal, right…"

At this point, Zhang Yonghao appeared relaxed as he leaned back on the sofa, saying, "It's not up to them to say what's illegal."

"It would be decided by the court."

"We'll drag it out. Economic cases like this can be delayed for years without issues. By then, we'd have spent the money, issued the shares, secured allies, and the company would have grown significantly, with a massive influence."

"What could the courts do then?"

"As for fines..." Speaking of it, Zhang Yonghao scoffed, "How much could the fine be for such an infringement level? 500,000?"

"But what's the worth of our company's shares?"

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's plan to toe the line of legality, the CFO was so astonished that he was speechless.

Vice President Wang, however, stroked his chin, deep in thought.

After a moment, he looked up and said, "I think... it's really worth a try."

"The returns far outweigh the risks."

"The only issue is that we need to find the right financing partner before executing this."

"This partner must be both influential and trustworthy, not just in terms of money."

"Now, Chen Yan has established a certain position in the domestic capital market."

"He owns several companies that all the major venture capital and VC firms covet."

"These organizations are like bloodthirsty vultures eying Chen Yan greedily. They hope to get a piece of the action."

"So if it comes down to choosing between us and them, these 'vampires' may not pick us."

"They might just sell us out."

"That would be disastrous."

Hearing Vice President Wang's words, Zhang Yonghao's eyes lit up slightly, "If you put it that way... I might actually have a good candidate in mind."

"He not only has top financial power and influence in the country,"

"But also holds a grudge against Chen Yan and won't betray us."

"He owes me a favor from before."

"Furthermore, the most important thing is... he seems to have been investigating something concerning Chen Yan."

"If we tell him about that matter, I believe he will definitely take our side…"

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's plan on the verge of illegality, the CFO was too shocked to speak.

Vice President Wang, however, touched his chin, deep in thought.

After a moment, he raised his head and said, "I think... it's really worth a try."

"The returns far outweigh the risks."

"The only issue is that we need to find the right financing partner before executing this."

"This partner must be both influential and trustworthy, not just in terms of money."

"Now, Chen Yan has established a certain position in the domestic capital market."

"He owns several companies that all the major venture capital and VC firms covet."

"These organizations are like bloodthirsty vultures eying Chen Yan greedily. They hope to get a piece of the action."

"So if it comes down to choosing between us and them, these 'vampires' may not pick us."

"They might just sell us out."

"That would be disastrous."

Hearing Vice President Wang's words, Zhang Yonghao's eyes lit up slightly, "If you put it that way... I might actually have a good candidate in mind."

"He not only has top financial power and influence in the country,"

"But also holds a grudge against Chen Yan and won't betray us."

"He owes me a favor from before."

"Furthermore, the most important thing is... he seems to have been investigating something concerning Chen Yan."

"If we tell him about that matter, I believe he will definitely take our side…"

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