He put a piece of braised pork into his mouth and chewed it slowly.
"Zhang Zhendong What he wants most now is for me to respond. If I respond, he will have material to continue scolding.
I didn't respond, so he performed a one-man show by himself, and no one listened after two days of singing."
Su Wantang is still a little worried:
"But what he said was so unpleasant, such as 'not being ethical' and 'breaking market rules'... if these words spread, it will bring bad reputation to you."
Zhao Chen smiled, "Wantang, in the business world, reputation is not achieved by others' praise, but by results.
When I invested in Yunnan Agriculture, some people said I was crazy when I gave up Voting Rights.
I invested in Bubble Mary, and some people said that I broke the rules. When Bubble Mary comes on the market in two years, what will these people say?"
He paused. "They will say - Zhao Chen has really vicious eyesight."
Su Wantang looked at him and said nothing.
Zhao Chen put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Besides, one of the things Zhang Zhendong said is right - if you have money, you can indeed do whatever you want.
But this is not my fault, it is the rule of this market. The one with the highest price gets it, which has always been an iron law in the business world."
He picked up the tea cup and took a sip. "Just because I don't respond doesn't mean I don't do anything.
Tomorrow, let Liu Mingyu issue a brief statement - 'Henglong Group's investment behavior is legal and compliant, respects the rules of market competition, and thanks all parties for their attention.'
That's all. Don't say a word more."
Su Wantang nodded. "Okay."
Zhao Chen picked up the chopsticks again, picked up a piece of fish and put it into the Su Wantang bowl:
"Eat. Don't let such trivial matters affect your mood."
Su Wantang smiled, "You have a big heart."
But what Zhao Chen didn't tell Su Wantang was that this Weibo from Zhang Zhendong actually did him a favor.
Zhang Zhendong clearly wrote the details of Zhao Chen's interception of Bubble Mary in Weibo:
Give up Voting Rights, buy Mololoy Overseas Copyright at a 500% premium, and get Wang An within three days.
After seeing these details, ordinary investors feel that Zhao Chen is too cruel.
But knowledgeable people look at it and think something completely different.
Zhao Chen's cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw that it was a message from Shen Jue:
"Zhang Zhendong Weibo I saw it. You are cruel enough. But give up on Voting Rights, that's great.
In the projects you invest in from now on, the founders will have to use you as a benchmark - Zhao Chen doesn't want Voting Rights, so why should other investors?"
After Zhao Chen finished reading, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly. He replied, "Director Shen knows his stuff."
Shen Jue replied instantly, "It's not that I know my stuff, it's that you are too good at playing. Zhang Zhendong is scolding you, but he is actually advertising for you.
With his scolding, all China start-up companies know about you - there is an investor named Zhao Chen, who invests less money than Voting Rights, and the premium is still high.
Do you believe that starting tomorrow, the founders of at least a dozen companies will come to you?"
Zhao Chen thought for a while and replied with one word, "It seems I have to change my personal phone number."
Shen Jue posted another one:
"Just be ready to answer the phone. I'll book the next good project after Bubble Mary first. Give me priority."
Zhao Chen smiled, "Definitely."
He put away his cell phone, picked up his teacup, and looked at the night scene outside the window.
Shen Jue is right.
Zhang Zhendong scolded him, giving him an advertisement worth tens of millions.
Give up Voting Rights - this is "breaking the rules" in the eyes of investors.
But in the eyes of entrepreneurs, this is great sincerity.
What founder wouldn't want to find an investor who puts in the money and doesn't do anything else?
Zhao Chen not only did nothing, but paid a premium, helped buy the IP, and promised not to reduce its holdings in three years.
You can't find this kind of person even with a lantern.
The harder Zhang Zhendong is scolded, the more popular Zhao Chen becomes in the entrepreneur circle.
Because entrepreneurs will think that the person who can make Zhang Zhendong jump like this must be really good to the founder.
Otherwise, why would Zhang Zhendong be angry? Are you angry that Zhao Chen gave you too much money? Are you angry that Zhao Chen gave up Voting Rights?
Zhao Chen put down the teacup and silently thanked Zhang Zhendong.
But thanks is thanks, and he won't respond.
It is much more useful to let Zhang Zhendong perform a one-man show than to quarrel with him.
Early the next morning, Liu Mingyu followed the instructions of Zhao Chen and issued a brief statement:
"Henglong Group paid attention to the discussion on the Internet about Bubble Mary's investment matters.
The company hereby declares: This investment behavior is legal and compliant and strictly abides by relevant laws, regulations and market rules.
Henglong Group respects market competition and thanks all sectors of society for their attention and supervision."
After the statement was sent out, Liu Mingyu called Zhao Chen:
"Zhao Zong, the statement has been sent. But there is a situation - Zhang Zhendong's Weibo has been retweeted more than 10,000 times, and the comment area is very noisy."
Zhao Chen asked, "What's the noise about?"
Liu Mingyu said, "There are two factions. One faction supports Zhang Zhendong, saying that you break the rules and bully others because of your money.
The other group says that there is nothing wrong with what you have done. Business competition is inherently about the one with the highest price, and Zhang Zhendong cannot afford to lose."
Zhao Chen thought for a while, "Which faction has more?"
Liu Mingyu smiled bitterly, "About half and half. But among those who support you, many are founders of start-up companies.
They said that your 'give up Voting Rights' move is so beautiful. This is the person who truly understands entrepreneurs."
Zhao Chen smiled, "Then there's no rush."
Liu Mingyu hung up the phone, looked at the statement on the phone screen, and sighed.
He has been a board secretary for more than ten years and has met various investors.
But this is the first time I have seen someone like Zhao Chen. Being scolded and trending, he can still say with a smile, "Let the bullets fly for a while."
Zhang Zhendong's Weibo has been fermenting online for two days.
On December 31, things took a dramatic turn.
An account certified as "Blue Elephant Capital partner" sent a message Weibo:
"After reading Zhang Zhendong's article, I want to say a few words.
Zhao Chen invests in Bubble Mary, gives up Voting Rights, and acquires IP at a premium. What is this called?
This is called the greatest respect for entrepreneurs.
As early-stage investors, we talk about "empowering entrepreneurs" every day, but when it comes time to invest money, who doesn't want this or that?
Board of Directors Seat, veto power, financial station... Zhao Chen Don't want anything, just invest money.
This kind of person is a truly good investor. Mr. Zhang, it is understandable that you are angry.
But you say Zhao Chen 'breaks market rules', I disagree. He is creating new rules - rules that are more friendly to entrepreneurs."
After this Weibo was sent out, the wind direction began to change quietly.
More and more entrepreneurs are starting to speak out in the comment area:
"It would be great if every investor was like Zhao Chen."
"Don't invest Voting Rights. This is true trust in the founder."
"Zhao Chen gave up on Voting Rights when he voted for Yunnan Agriculture. This is not the first time. He really does what he says."
Zhang Zhendong probably didn't expect that the article Weibo he scolded Zhao Chen would eventually turn into an advertisement for Zhao Chen.
Such a reversal made him injured again.