Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

Chen Yansen sat in a private room at Jingzhao Prefect, sipping tea while he waited.

”Boss, I don’t think we need to be an OEM for Xiaomi. If you’re worried about overcapacity, it’d be better to just reduce the workers’ overtime. The monthly salary for workers at the Orange Phone Factory could be cut by another thirty percent and still be competitive in Shencheng City.”

Gao Weilin advised softly from the side.

”Yuncheng, what do you think?” Chen Yansen smiled and turned to Song Yuncheng.

”We could absorb some of the excess labor and production capacity by manufacturing peripheral products, like headphones, phone cases, data cables, and power banks.”

Song Yuncheng’s eyes darted around for a moment in thought before she offered a new solution.

Currently, most of Orange Mobile Phone’s official accessories were provided by third-party suppliers.

”That’s a good idea. I’ll have a word with Old Cao tomorrow. However, we still need to pursue the OEM business. Since Xiaomi won’t agree, we’ll approach Meizu. I’m sure Huang Zhang would be more than happy to license our patents for fast charging, battery management, memory-clearing algorithms, and camera algorithms.”

Chen Yansen said with a smile.

Although he praised Song Yuncheng verbally, he had actually discussed the same solution with Cao Dahua last week.

”Boss, why didn’t you mention these things just now?” Gao Weilin asked, looking confused.

In his view, Chen Yansen had only mentioned licensing the memory-clearing algorithm. ’If he’d added a few more technology patents as bargaining chips, Lei Yijun might have agreed.’

”Because it would have been useless.”

Chen Yansen said with a faint smile.

The fact that Lei Yijun could reject his proposal twice, even under the influence of his Spiritual Power, proved that the issue wasn’t a lack of preconditions. Rather, Lei Yijun was fundamentally resistant to this kind of partnership; he was far too guarded.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a royal blue suit with a down jacket draped over it walked over.

He first looked up at the private room’s name, and only after confirming it several times did he interrupt their conversation. ”President Chen, I’m... Xiao Jun.”

Xiao Jun had wanted to introduce himself as the COO of Gaode Map, but then he remembered. ’I was sidelined by Cheng Congwu long ago, and I lost that COO position over half a year back.’

Chen Yansen looked up at the sound of his voice and sized up Xiao Jun.

The man was in his early forties with a medium build. There was a hint of dejection in his features, but his gaze was frank and his eyes were sharp.

’This is a man with drive!’

Chen Yansen assessed silently.

He had already investigated Xiao Jun’s background. His undergraduate degree was in radio electronics from Yan University, and he had a master’s in business administration from Tsinghua. He understood technology and management, but he was a bit lacking in experience when it came to power struggles.

”Please, have a seat! I’ve only invited you today, President Xiao. Let’s just have a casual chat.”

Chen Yansen smiled, pushed a teacup in front of Xiao Jun, and personally poured him a steaming cup of hot tea.

”President Chen, I can get it myself,” Xiao Jun said, quickly steadying the cup as a sign of respect.

Looking at Chen Yansen, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth in his heart.

”I heard you were the one who decided on the name Gaode?” Chen Yansen put down the teapot, opening the conversation with practiced ease.

”Yes! Back then, Gaode was a division of Datong Industry. It was spun off to compete with Siwei Map for Toyota’s pre-installed navigation system contract.

”As for why it’s called Gaode, a friend just happened to have a shell company under his name called Gaode. We used the name to save time and simplify the process...”

Without realizing it, Xiao Jun inadvertently recounted Gaode’s entire startup story to Chen Yansen.

”President Xiao, you hold 3% of the equity. Calculated at a price of 12.8 US dollars per share, once Senlian Capital completes the acquisition, you’ll receive over a hundred million in cash. I wonder, what are your plans for the future?”

Chen Yansen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then asked.

”I’ll probably become an investor. After all, the domestic internet industry is developing rapidly, and there are many opportunities.”

Xiao Jun answered after a moment of serious thought.

”Take a look at this.”

Chen Yansen picked up a document from his right side and tossed it in front of Xiao Jun.

Xiao Jun said nothing, simply picking it up and flipping it open.

It documented the investment projects that Hou Jun and Cheng Congwu had secretly collaborated on between 2010 and 2012, including the cultural tourism development of Phoenix Ancient City.

Xiao Jun’s scalp tingled as he read, a chill washing over him as if he’d been plunged into an icy cellar. It was exactly as Chen Yansen had told him on the phone.

’Hou Jun and Cheng Congwu never had a falling out!’

’Their goal in doing all this was to kick me out of Gaode Map’s management team.’

”People with a finance background are mostly like this. Once the product is launched and the business matures, they naturally go after the person who’s strongest on the business side. President Xiao, would you like to take charge of Gaode again?”

Chen Yansen first teased him a bit before asking directly.

In his eyes, Xiao Jun was exceptionally capable and had a deep understanding of both the product and the business. Unlike Cheng Congwu’s bombastic style, Xiao Jun could handle management while also driving the optimization and upgrading of the product’s technology.

’Making him the CEO of Gaode Map was definitely the best choice.’

’Perhaps Yu Yongfu, the CEO of UC Browser, would also be a good candidate, but after considering all factors, Chen Yansen still chose Xiao Jun.’

’Anyway, if he doesn’t meet my expectations, I can always just replace him.’

”President Chen, are you saying you want me to be the CEO of Gaode Map?”

Although Xiao Jun had already suspected it, he still looked astonished when Chen Yansen actually said it out loud.

”That’s right! Don’t you find it interesting?” Chen Yansen asked with a smile.

Xiao Jun laughed out loud as well.

’Indeed. Hou Jun and Cheng Congwu had put on an act together to drive him out of Gaode, but now Chen Yansen was inviting him back.’