Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

14: Chapter 14: Alliances and FortressesThe sudden emergence of xinghuo no. 2 and Lingmou 1 was like a storm sweeping through the global technology market, shattering the existing industry landscape.

As the former hegemon, Lingyun Technology was the first to bear the brunt, feeling a bone-chilling cold and an unprecedented crisis of survival.

Lingyun Technology headquarters, top-floor strategic conference room.

The atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip water.

Around the massive oval conference table, a group of executives led by Chairman Chen Yonghao sat rigidly, each of their faces clouded with gloom.

On the projector screen were the explosive sales data of xinghuo no. 2 and the accolades from major tech media regarding its ”technological hegemony.”

”Everyone, speak up,” Chen Yonghao’s voice was low, carrying a trace of irrepressible exhaustion and agitation.

He was in his fifties and had been at the helm of Lingyun Technology for nearly twenty years, yet he had never felt so powerless.

”This fire from Spark Technology has already reached our eyebrows! Market share is slipping away every day, and our high-end product line has almost stalled! If we don’t think of a way, the Lingyun Technology brand will be ruined in our hands!”

Silence filled the conference room.

Price cuts? They had already cut prices, but in the face of xinghuo no. 2’s epoch-making technology, simple price cuts were like scratching an itch through a boot.

Accelerate R&D? Easier said than done!

Their internal assessment was that the technology Spark Technology displayed was at least two years ahead of the industry.

”Chairman Chen,” a vice president in charge of strategy spoke up, biting the bullet, ”Relying solely on our own strength, I’m afraid... it’s difficult to compete in the short term.

Spark Technology’s technological accumulation is developing at an... unreasonable speed.”

How could Chen Yonghao not know?

He rubbed his brow, a flash of determination in his eyes.

”Since we can’t defeat them alone, then let’s unite with forces that can be united!”

He slammed the table.

”We cannot sit and wait for death! Immediately launch the ’Hezong’ plan!”

The so-called ”Hezong” plan was to unite with other industry giants who were also impacted by Spark Technology.

A few days later, in a secluded private estate, three giants met.

In addition to Chen Yonghao of Lingyun Technology, there were two others:

One was Gao Wenbo, founder and CEO of ”Winghang Technology.”

Winghang Technology specialized in professional-grade drones and flight control algorithms and had deep roots in industrial applications, but it was being squeezed just as hard by Spark Technology in the consumer market.

He was about forty, from a technical background, with a slightly stubborn personality, and was quite dissatisfied with this ”barbaric” disruptor like Spark Technology.

Another was Sun Zhengting, chairman of ”Aurora Vision.”

Aurora Vision was a world-renowned optical imaging giant; its camera modules and image processing technology were unrivaled, and it was a core supplier to many drone companies, including Lingyun Technology.

Spark Technology’s strategy of self-developing core components (especially the image processing chip from Spark Communications) directly touched Aurora Vision’s interests.

Sun Zhengting was nearly sixty, a veteran industrialist who valued industry order and rules, and harbored resentment toward this upstart that ”broke the rules.”

”Chairman Chen, CEO Gao, we all know the situation,” Sun Zhengting spoke first, his tone steady yet sharp.

”Spark Technology is coming on aggressively; they don’t just want the market, they want to overturn the technical foundations we rely on to survive.

If we continue to fight on our own, I fear we will be picked off one by one.”

Gao Wenbo pushed up his glasses and added, ”Their computer vision obstacle avoidance, the ingenuity of their algorithms, far exceeds our current level.

And the image transmission and battery management... it simply doesn’t look like something a company that has only been making drones for a year could achieve.”

Chen Yonghao looked at his two partners in misfortune and threw out his proposal: ”Therefore, I propose! Let our three companies jointly invest to form a joint venture!

Consolidate our top R&D talent, technical patents, and supply chain resources, set aside our prejudices, and jointly develop a new generation of drone products!

There is only one goal—to defeat xinghuo no. 2 head-on in terms of technology!

Project codename—’Hunting Star’!”

Gao Wenbo and Sun Zhengting looked at each other, seeing the motivation in each other’s eyes.

Fighting alone had no chance of winning; joining forces was the only way out.

”I agree!” Gao Wenbo stated.

”Aurora Vision can contribute our latest optical technology and imaging algorithms,” Sun Zhengting also nodded slowly.

”Good!” Chen Yonghao felt reinvigorated.

”As for the market, we must hold our ground until our new product comes out!

I propose that all drone products currently on sale under our three companies cut prices across the board by 15% - 20%!

Even if we suffer temporary losses, we must drag down Spark Technology’s expansion and buy ourselves time!”

An alliance led by the industry’s three major giants, aimed at ”encircling and suppressing” Spark Technology, was secretly formed.

The triple pressure of capital, technology, and market began to quietly close in on Spark Technology.

However, Su Chen could still handle the pressure from competitors in the open.

What really made him feel like he had thorns on his back was the viper hidden under the fog of capital—Zhou Tianyu.

After successfully raising his stake to hold 5% of Spark Technology’s shares, Zhou Tianyu finally revealed his fangs.

Through a formal letter, he proposed to the Spark Technology board of directors that, in accordance with the ”Company Law” and the company’s articles of association, as a shareholder holding more than 3% of shares for over 90 days, he had the right to nominate a director to join the board and participate in corporate governance.

In the Spark Technology board conference room, the atmosphere was equally tense.

Su Chen, Lin Wan, Shen Nanpeng, Liang Zhen, and Zhao Feng, representing early investors, were gathered together.

”This is an overt plot,” Shen Nanpeng said, looking at the formal letter sent by Zhou Tianyu, analyzing it calmly.

”He fully complies with the legal procedures for nominating a director.

If we forcibly refuse, he will use this as a pretext to question corporate governance, or even file a lawsuit, inciting the emotions of small shareholders, which would be very unfavorable for us.”

Liang Zhen added, ”Once his people enter the board of directors, our core technical roadmap, financial data, and future plans will all be exposed to him.

The consequences would be unimaginable.”

Zhao Feng frowned, ”Su Chen, this is tricky.

That guy Zhou Tianyu has very insidious methods.

If he gets on the board, we won’t have any peace in the future.”

Su Chen was silent, his fingers tapping the table lightly.

He absolutely could not allow this viper to enter Spark Technology’s core decision-making circle.

If he couldn’t block it head-on, he would have to use wit.

”Liang Zhen,” Su Chen raised his head, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

”I remember there is a clause in the articles of association regarding ’suitability review’ for director candidates, right?”

Liang Zhen immediately understood.

”Yes, Mr. Su.

The articles of association stipulate that the nomination committee under the board of directors has the right to review the qualifications, integrity, and potential conflicts of interest with the company regarding director candidates.”

”Very good.” Su Chen’s mouth curled into a cold arc.

”Then launch the ’suitability review’ procedure.

Shen Nanpeng, please cooperate with Liang Zhen to dig deep into the background of Tianqiong Capital and its affiliates, especially whether there are any forms of undisclosed related-party transactions or interest transfers between them and Lingyun Technology or other competitors of ours!”

A counterattack against Zhou Tianyu quietly unfolded.

The legal team led by Liang Zhen and the financial investigation team coordinated by Shen Nanpeng used every legal means to conduct a carpet-bombing background investigation on Zhou Tianyu and the Tianqiong Capital he controlled.

A week later, the Spark Technology board nomination committee gave a formal reply: After review, the director candidate nominated by Mr. Zhou Tianyu was not approved because the capital behind him, Tianqiong Capital, has a potential major conflict of interest with the company’s main competitors, and his serving as a company director is not conducive to safeguarding the overall interests of the company and all shareholders, and does not meet the ”suitability” requirements for directors stipulated in the articles of association.

The reply letter was worded rigorously, with sufficient basis, and was completely within the framework of the law and the articles of association.

When Zhou Tianyu received this formal reply, he was in his office with a view of the entire city’s night scene.

He didn’t explode with rage, he didn’t even have any extra expression, just quietly looked at the document for a full ten minutes.

However, those who knew him knew that this was a sign of his extreme anger.

The custom fountain pen in his hand was unconsciously squeezed until it creaked, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He, Zhou Tianyu, had been traversing the capital market for many years; when had he ever received such ”humiliation”?

He had invested with real money (even if it was grabbed at a high cost) and asked for a board seat according to the rules, only to be blocked by the other party with such a ”high-sounding” reason!

”Good, very good.” He finally spoke, his voice sounding like it had been fished out of an ice cellar, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

”Su Chen... you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

He slowly stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the bustling city beneath his feet, his eyes flashing with crazy and sinister light.

”Since you blocked me outside the door, don’t blame me for tearing down your door, along with the whole house!” He whispered to himself, a more vicious plan taking shape in his mind.

He picked up an encrypted phone and dialed two numbers in succession.

The first one was to Chen Yonghao of Lingyun Technology.

”Chairman Chen, I heard you formed a ’Hunting Star’ alliance?

Isn’t it too slow to just catch up on technology?” Zhou Tianyu’s voice was full of temptation and agitation.

”Causing them some trouble in the capital market, dragging down their funds and energy, wouldn’t that be more helpful to you?

Perhaps, we can... cooperate?”

After thinking carefully, Chen Yonghao decided to cooperate, so he replied, ”Okay, let’s set a time to talk in detail.”

The second call was to a special team he had secretly assembled.

”Launch the ’Mole’ plan.

At all costs, send our people into Spark Technology’s R&D department, especially the core project team led by Wang Ming.

I want to know all their technical secrets, especially their next R&D direction!”

The viper of capital and the trapped beast of technology reached a dangerous alliance at this moment.

A more secret and deadly sniping against Spark Technology had already unfolded in the shadows.

Outside the seemingly solid iron wall of Spark Technology, dark currents were surging, and murderous intent was everywhere.