Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”President Cheng, I never would’ve thought Qian Du Map’s commercial operations center would be outdone by DiDi Dache’s planning department. This proposal of yours is brilliant. I’ll take you to see the boss.”

Liang Zhixiang added with a complimentary smile before Cheng Wei could even react.

Hearing this, Cheng Wei’s face flushed. He instinctively pushed up his glasses and said awkwardly, ”Yesterday, Gaode Map updated and integrated Fast Taxi and Kuai Pao Delivery services into its function modules.”

’Gaode Map?’

Liang Zhixiang paused, slightly stunned.

Qian Du had numerous business lines. Although he was a vice president there, he wasn’t in charge of Qian Du Map, so naturally, he hadn’t heard about this industry development the moment it happened.

After all, it had only been 24 hours since Gaode Map’s update.

”Alright, I understand.” Liang Zhixiang felt a sudden pang of disappointment. He had thought it was Cheng Wei’s original idea, but it turned out to be a competitor’s strategy.

Privately, the heads of Junlian Capital and Today Capital had spoken with Li Yanhong about kicking Cheng Wei out of the picture.

The three investment firms’ combined shareholding of 58.2% was far higher than the 34.3% in Cheng Wei’s hands.

Moreover, DiDi Dache hadn’t adopted a dual-class share structure when it was founded. During each funding round, Cheng Wei had also failed to sign any concert party or voting rights proxy agreements with investment firms like Qian Du, Junlian Capital, Gao Ling, and Haina Asia.

Because of this, Cheng Wei had, in reality, already lost control of DiDi Dache.

To put it bluntly, Cheng Wei’s professional skills were all focused on business development. Thanks to his background with the Huagong Iron Army, he could hold his own against Cheng Weixing in the subsidy wars and battles for market share.

If it weren’t for Senlian Capital backing Fast Taxi—giving it whatever money and user traffic it needed—DiDi Dache might not have been in such a passive position.

But when it came to management skills, organizational abilities, strategic insight, and decision-making, Cheng Wei was found lacking in every respect.

This was the main reason Junlian Capital and Today Capital wanted to replace him.

Cheng Wei was capable, but not exceptionally so, and his skills weren’t well-rounded.

Currently, Li Yanhong was still considering whether to join forces with Junlian Capital and Today Capital to kick Cheng Wei out of his CEO position at DiDi Dache.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—Liang Zhixiang raised his hand and knocked.

”Come in!” a deep male voice called from inside the room.

Liang Zhixiang led Cheng Wei inside.

The moment Li Yanhong saw Cheng Wei, his heart sank. ’Is this guy here for more money again?’ he thought.

”President Li, hello.” Cheng Wei leaned forward slightly and greeted him with a smile.

”President Cheng, please have a seat,” Li Yanhong said with a faint smile.

Although he didn’t particularly care for Cheng Wei, he still had to keep up appearances.

”President Li, Gaode Map updated its app version yesterday. They added ride-hailing, food delivery, and group buy functions to the product’s homepage. Gaode Map users in places like Hang City, Jinling, Luzhou, and Yanjing can all use the online ride-hailing service now.”

Cheng Wei got straight to the point.

Hearing this, Li Yanhong’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing as he contemplated the deeper meaning behind Xiao Jun’s move.

The core need of digital map users is travel, but travel is often accompanied by related needs like eating, drinking, and entertainment. By integrating food delivery, group buy, and ride-hailing services, users no longer need to switch apps. They could complete a whole closed-loop series of actions on a single platform: ’Check Route → Browse Group Buys → Order Delivery → Hail a Car.’

Although Qian Du Map had its own commercial monetization methods, like its Map API and other UGC services for business listings, it was instantly inferior when compared to Gaode Map.

Li Yanhong had been a top scholar in the national college entrance exams of the 1980s and was a top student from Peking University. He was far from stupid. After a moment’s thought, he understood the key to it all.

So, he looked at Cheng Wei and said, ”I understand what you’re getting at. Developing these product features will take time. I’ll have President Liang notify you when we’re ready.”

The implication was clear: Qian Du was definitely going to copy Gaode Map’s strategy!

Using map navigation as a user traffic gateway, they could leverage local life services to extend user session times and increase monetization efficiency. This would not only enhance user stickiness and open up new profit models but also create a positive feedback loop: Traffic → Scenario → Monetization.

The more Li Yanhong thought about it, the more excited he became. He felt increasingly certain that investing in DiDi Dache had been the right move.

”Thank you for your support, President Li.” Seeing Li Yanhong agree so readily, Cheng Wei couldn’t help but sigh in relief; the heavy weight on his chest was finally lifted.

’Fast Taxi has Gaode Map, and now DiDi Dache will have Qian Du Map. Who will win and who will lose is still anyone’s guess.’

After receiving Li Yanhong’s promise, Cheng Wei was instantly filled with confidence and stood up to take his leave.

After seeing Cheng Wei out of Qian Du, Liang Zhixiang turned around and went back to Li Yanhong’s office.

Knowing his boss as he did, he was sure Li Yanhong had more instructions for him.

”Victor, regarding the group buy and food delivery businesses, is it better to build our own or to integrate third-party services?”

Li Yanhong asked out of the blue as he looked up and saw Liang Zhixiang walk in.

Liang Zhixiang understood his meaning. Frowning, he considered it carefully for a few moments before boldly replying, ”Build our own!”

’Qian Du Map is one of the group’s core businesses. If we integrate third-party services, wouldn’t we just be doing all the hard work for someone else’s benefit?’

”My thoughts exactly.” A smile spread across Li Yanhong’s face, the corners of his mouth turning up.

Under Chen Yansen’s influence, Li Yanhong had developed a keen interest in the strategic layout of the local life services industry a full year earlier, wanting to build a ”Location + Consumption” super-scenario.

「Elsewhere.」

Chen Yizhou of Renren Network sat on a sofa, a broad smile on his face as he made his offer: ”270 million US dollars.”