"Tsk, tsk, technology is the core competitive power."
Lu Liang, browsing through the optimized TikTok, suddenly understood why Zhang Yiming dared to make such bold claims.
If it's about technology, Byte isn't afraid of anyone.
Their use of algorithmic recomndations had reached a state of perfection to the point where many aspects were incomprehensible in how they were achieved.
For example, while Lu Liang was watching a video of a blue knitted garnt, he opened the comnt section, and the na of the broadcaster imdiately appeared at the top, with just one click leading to their page.
Another example, when a gaming video appeared, Lu Liang didn't understand the aning of 'cpdd,' but upon clicking the search bar, a line of gray text 'what does cpdd an' appeared imdiately.
A re ten-second video, coupled with Byte's algorithms, is akin to digital poison—one keeps scrolling for the montary thrill, and it's endlessly satisfying.
Unbeknownst to him, an hour had passed.
"Old Yang, what do you think?" Lu Liang put away his phone and looked at Yang Zhenyuan, who was also scrolling through TikTok.
Yang Zhenyuan remained silent for a long ti before sighing, "Thank goodness Waterlon Video chose to focus on longer videos."
What he thought was a back-and-forth turned out to be his wishful thinking; if Waterlon Video had focused on short videos, they would have stood no chance.
Perhaps there was one option to continue burning cash, luring in those who are after freebies until there was nothing left, which would be the end of TikTok.
Before introducing Byte's algorithms, Yang Zhenyuan always thought that ti and sufficient funds could bridge the gap between them.
But after adopting Byte's algorithms, he realized how narrow his view was—he found it incredibly difficult to catch up.
Lu Liang couldn't help but chuckle, "Don't sell yourself short. I reckon even Zhang Yiming didn't foresee the imnse power of short videos combined with their algorithms."
Yang Zhenyuan stayed silent for a while, his face showing admiration, "Perhaps Mr. Zhang didn't expect it, but you must have, right?"
At first, to the public, this acquisition seed like a loss for Lu Liang, since Byte, although strong, had limited power.
After much effort and many complications, in the end, Byte still obtained 69% absolute control.
That's why Luo would grumble and fiercely criticize, but the results spoke for themselves—Mr. Lu was always right.
Lu Liang replied with a faint smile, without confirming nor denying, "Let's give it a try, there's not much to lose anyway."
He didn't know precisely when TikTok was born, but he knew that from its inception to when Toutiao spent one billion dollars to acquire Musical.ly for it, it took less than two years.
One billion dollars was not just a valuation; it was cash, and even with share swaps involved, at least three to five hundred million had to be put forth.
Zhu Hu had once said that Byte's liquid assets amounted to at most two hundred million dollars, and they had already splurged five hundred million RMB on Waterlon Video.
The funds at their disposal were extrely limited; that's why Zhu Hu had to organize a gathering to facilitate the rger to avoid a cash-burning war.
So the question arose, with promoting Waterlon Video nearly draining Byte's cash flow, where did they find the funds to help TikTok acquire Musical.ly?
The answer was obvious: it relied on TikTok.
To raise three to five hundred million dollars, the valuation couldn't be less than two billion dollars, and it had to gain market approval.
Information disparity was Lu Liang's advantage.
He patted Yang Zhenyuan on the shoulder, smiling, "Just cooperate well with Mr. Zhang in the future. Maybe one day, TikTok will beco what you imagine it to be."
Yang Zhenyuan had once said that the future TikTok could be like ituan, Taobao, or WeChat.
Lu Liang was looking forward to that day, as well as to TikTok growing to break the monopoly of Shuangma Group.
Yang Zhenyuan, with a serious face, nodded vigorously; as long as Zhang Yiming would tolerate him, he vowed not to leave.
After leaving TikTok Company, Lu Liang headed to the last stop of his trip to Beijing: Huaqing University.
During his last hurried visit, he hadn't had the chance to truly explore this top national institution.
Considering faculty strength, there are a number of universities in China that are considered on par with Qingbei.
Such as Fudan and Jiaotong University in Modu, and Zhejiang University, but the status of Qingbei was unparalleled.
Even in the eyes of many Chinese, there were only two categories of universities: Qingbei and all the rest.
Lu Liang was accompanied by Wen Chao and Fang Shiyu, strolling down the shady path by the Tsinghua Pond.
He suddenly looked towards the rows upon rows of bright yellow shared bikes, "I heard you have to apply seven days in advance to get the deposit back now?"
Wen Chao said, "Ofo updated that notice last week."
Lu Liang mused to himself, "It's about to blow up."
Limitations on deposit withdrawals ant that ofo's funds were stretched thin, and their leverage was high.
To lend an umbrella on a sunny day and take it back on a rainy one wasn't the exclusive practice of banks; ordinary people also have this sense of crisis.
For ofo, it was just one spark away from disaster.
Shared bicycles are now expanding haphazardly, and even in Lu Liang's hotown, a small city far beyond the fifth tier, the sight of Little Huang bikes during the New Year's visit is enough to illustrate the point.
"I hope Old Zhu can find soone to take over," soone said.
Lu Liang and a few others circled around Huaqing Pool and prepared to head to the New Energy Research Institute on the northern campus.
Suddenly, a careless female student collided head-on with them; she bent down to pick up so materials, apologizing while bowing as if she was a scene straight out of a lodramatic TV show.
"I'm sorry..."
When she saw Lu Liang's face, she suddenly froze, hesitated for a long ti, and couldn't help but ask, "Are you Mr. Lu from Tianxing?"
"Yes, it's ." Lu Liang smiled and nodded, helping to pick up the scattered files on the ground when he saw a docunt with her na and class on it, a junior in journalism nad Xu Huiqi.
"Wow, I finally t soone in person."
Xu Huiqi's eyes widened with excitent, then she glanced at her watch with a bitter expression, "It's over, I'm going to be late."
"Mr. Lu, I hope we et again," she said hastily, waving her hand and taking off like the wind, coming in haste and leaving just as quickly.
Lu Liang's smile grew at the corner of his lips, squinting his eyes as he watched her departing figure, "Did she mistake for Daqiang?"
High-end headhunters often appear in the guise of prey, and he did not believe in so-called coincidences.
Such a coincidence to run into her, to recognize him, and also such a coincidence that Lu Liang saw her class and na.
A female student from a top-tier university majoring in journalism hardly looked like soone who was easy to deal with.
The three n reached the northern campus.
They t with Zhao Jiaqun, a professor at the School of Computer Science and also the director of the New Energy Research Institute.
Upon seeing Lu Liang, Zhao's face was all smiles as he hurriedly greeted him, "Mr. Lu, your visit graces us. Sorry for not eting you further away."
Lu Liang said with a smile, "Director Zhao, you're too polite. I ca to Beijing on so business and thought to drop by."
Where there are people, there are rivalries, and elite institutions are no exception. So focus on research while others build their networks.
Zhao Jiaqun was one of the latter, which was why he could be the director of the institute, responsible for team-building and daily operations.
Lu Liang liked dealing with these kinds of people because he could satisfy their desires, and they understood his needs.
Because the 20 million dollars was not transferred in one go, only 2 million were sent in the first installnt. If he wasn't satisfied, it could beco the last installnt.
"Mr. Lu, let give you a tour," Zhao Jiaqun said, beaming as he led Lu Liang into the institute.
He introduced the project's review mbers, led by two computer science professors, four Ph.D. students, and ten masters students.
They were all teachers and students from Huaqing University. Zhao Jiaqun hoped to keep Lu Liang's interest and develop this project long-term.
Therefore, his own skills might not matter, but the expertise of his subordinates was crucial. Otherwise, it would be challenging to retain Lu Liang.
"Ladies and gentlen, I may not know much about technology, but I believe in leaving professional matters to professionals."
Lu Liang said with a smile as he presented his requirents.
Whether professors or students, he hoped that soone could deliver a satisfactory plan within three months.
He was only interested in capability, without regard to seniority.
Open to all the university's teachers and students, whoever passed the review could receive a research grant of one hundred thousand yuan.
And this was just the beginning. Tianxing Technology had several positions with annual salaries in the millions, awaiting their rightful owners.
As his words resonated, the students all started breathing quickly.
After discussing dedication for over a decade, soone was finally straightforward about benefits, and they suddenly found themselves liking Lu Liang a bit more.
The point of studying was to achieve sothing,
And success was often equated to salary,
The higher the annual inco, the more successful one was considered to be.
Lu Liang's face showed a satisfied smile as he liked the crowd's reaction.
He did not trust in seniority or so-called experience; instead, he felt that young people had more imagination and creativity.
After all, the computer industry had only been developing for a decade or so, so the notion that the older one gets, the wickeder one becos, did not apply here.
Twenty-sothings and those just over thirty were in the pri of their careers.
Moreover, through the rger of TikTok and Waterlon Video, Lu Liang deeply understood the benefits of having technology on his side.
He wasn't concerned with short videos; that was not his interest, but new energy was crucial for his other endeavors to thrive.
In-car systems were one of the core elents of new energy, and this technology, even if it cost one billion or ten billion dollars, he would see it developed.
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