Chapter 191: Governor of California

……

"But California's energy crisis...!"

"Don't worry, Wendy. California's energy crisis won't last forever. Otherwise, 40 million people in California should riot!" Guo Shouyun stood up after interrupting the other party with a smile, "Let's go, it's almost time!"

Although Wendy was still a little worried in her heart, looking at Guo Shouyun's confident look, she inexplicably felt safe and an indescribable trust. Over the past year, this man has always been able to solve all sorts of tough problems.

……

Hanshan Villa, now it has become a regular place for Guo Shouyun to entertain friends and hold banquets. Like tonight, it is a gathering of many celebrities and gentlemen from the California political and investment circles.

"Everyone, let's raise a glass and celebrate this collaboration between LinkedIn and you!" Guo Shouyun said with a smile.

"Cheers!"

"Please!"

David Rubenstein, CEO of Carlyle Group, Tim Draber, CEO of DFJ, Mitt Romney, COO of Bain Capital, Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, and Steve Schwartzman, CEO of Blackstone Group, jointly held the goblet in their hands.

In the just-concluded LinkedIn Series B financing, these five companies used $450 million to get a 20% stake in LinkedIn. Carlyle Group and Blackstone have the largest stakes at 5% each. DFJ and Bain Capital each received 3%, and SoftBank received 4%.

In other words, in this round of funding, LinkedIn is valued at $2.25 billion. It exceeded the value when Guo Shouyun and Merrill Lynch talked about cooperation. And it's close to the original $1.2 billion multiple.

Of course, this is not surprising. When LinkedIn is not listed, it has different values in the eyes of different people.

After this round of financing, Guo Shouyun's stake in LinkedIn has also dropped from 86% to 71.67%, and he still firmly holds the absolute controlling stake in the company.

"Mr. Guo, when does LinkedIn plan to go public?"

After taking a sip of champagne from his glass, David Rubinstein asked. At the same time, his words also focused the attention of other people on Guo Shouyun.

"The initial goal is to wait for LinkedIn to exceed 100 million registrations, and of course wait for the general environment to improve. Guo Shouyun said.

Everyone nodded, and when investing, they already understood LinkedIn's detailed development plan, as well as profit models and channels. At the current pace of LinkedIn's development, 100 million registered people is estimated to be three to four years, which is not too long.

"Regarding Google and PayPal, does Mr. Guo have any plans to raise money?" said Steve Schwartzman.

"Of course. Google's Series D funding round is already on the schedule, but the timing has not yet been determined. As for PayPal, there are no plans to raise funds for the time being!"

Hearing this, many people showed disappointment on their faces. They prefer to invest in PayPal over Google because PayPal has a clear profit model. Google is still an Internet concept, and after the NASDAQ crisis, it is unlikely that the concept alone will get a high amount of financing in a short period of time.

"Guys, don't worry. As long as Google and PayPal finance, you will definitely be on the cooperation list. Guo Shouyun said with a smile.

"For Mr. Guo's generous commitment, I feel it is important for us to have another toast. Son smiled.

"We look forward to working with Mr. Guo again. ”

"Cheers!"

After taking a sip of champagne, after noticing a few people walking in from the door, Guo Shouyun's heart moved, and he immediately said, "Everyone, I'll miss you!"

"Mr. Guo, please take care of yourself!"

"Thank you!"

handed the unfinished glass to the waiter next to him, and after straightening his clothes, Guo Shouyun strode towards the front with a smile on his face.

"Governor Davis, welcome!"

Looking at the young man who enthusiastically stretched out his right hand to him, who had just achieved a huge reputation in the American commercial street, the sorrow on the face of California Governor Michael Davis also diminished a little.

"Mr. Guo, it's a pleasure to receive your invitation. ”

"You're welcome. It is my pleasure to have you here. After a polite word, Guo Shouyun recruited the waiter, took two glasses of red wine from it, and handed one to the other party, "Mr. Governor, are you still worried about the energy crisis in California?"

After glancing at him, Michael Davis nodded. There is nothing to hide from such a well-known thing.

"Energy traders like Enron and Dalizhi deserve legal sanctions, having stolen more than $30 billion in wealth from California. All this money that should have developed California's infrastructure, provided more benefits to the homeless, and provided much-needed loans to well-developed businesses, but now it's all in the pockets of the greedy people in Houston for them to splurge on alcohol, drugs~, women, yachts, and private jets. ”

Guo Shouyun's hateful words quickly triggered Michael Davis's hatred.

"They're just a bunch of robbers, thieves. But this damned country, allows this blatant theft. ”

"Doesn't the Energy Trading Association agree to cap electricity prices in California and surrounding states?" Mr. Guo said tentatively.

"They have long been bought by Jeffrey Jilin and Kenneth Lee. How is it possible to limit the price of electricity?"

"That's bad news. Guo Shouyun sighed, "In order to prevent the loss of data inside the server caused by power outages, we have to invest more money in hardware, which exacerbates the cost of enterprise development." In addition, Silicon Valley is located in California, where there are the largest and largest electricity consumers in the United States and even the world, if the power supply can not be stabilized, it will greatly affect the development of Silicon Valley and California's economy. ”

"Mr. Guo's concerns are exactly what I am worried about, but as Governor of California, I will do my best to solve the problem of power shortage as soon as possible. ”

Guo Shouyun nodded, "I heard from some friends that you plan to use state finance to subsidize Pacific Electric and Natural Gas Company?"

"Hmm!"

After glancing at him, Michael Davis nodded.

"With all due respect, if you do this, you'll probably incur serious criticism. After all, the government's use of fiscal revenues to subsidize a private enterprise violates the spirit of American business and is beyond the government's authority. If it's serious, you yourself even...!"

"Is it true to lose the governorship?"

Guo Shouyun nodded.

"If you lose, you lose, and it's really not fun to be in front of a governor who can't solve the electricity needs of 40 million people in California!" Michael Davis laughed at himself.

"As a native Californian, I don't want to lose an honorable governor. After a pause, Guo Shouyun said, "If you support, maybe I can provide some help to the current energy crisis!"

"Oh?"

Facing the other party's concerned eyes, Guo Shouyun continued: "You must also know that I just used all the assets in my hands to issue a $3 billion asset-backed securities through Merrill Lynch. ”

"Of course. Mr. Guo's genius in business is probably known to the whole world. ”

Guo Shouyun smiled, "I plan to use the $3 billion to acquire Pacific Power and Natural Gas, as well as Southern California Edison Power, and the two companies to deal with this crisis together." Plus, I have some investments and some money from writing, which should make it to the moment California's energy crisis ends!"

Michael Davis's eyes flashed with a gleam, and he is naturally not a fool to be the governor of California. Guo Shouyun made it clear that he hoped the state government would approve or help him buy Pacific and Southern California, two of California's largest electric service providers.

Michael Davis nodded nondeniably, "Why did Mr. Guo suddenly become interested in the public service industry?" Shouldn't a top computer science student like you pursue high-tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, or Amazon?"

"Mr. Governor, I personally enjoy a challenge. An unfamiliar industry that piqued my interest even more. ”

"Mr. Guo is well aware of the current state of California's energy crisis, and you... Aren't you afraid that after failure, all three billion dollars will be wasted and you will go bankrupt?"

"Of course I'm afraid. But I'm only 20 years old now, and I still have a lot of opportunities to do it all over again. Even if I fail this time, I am confident that I can succeed again!"

Michael Davis looked at the young man in front of him who seemed infinitely confident, and after a while, he nodded slowly and sighed: "Mr. Guo's age and talent are really enviable. ”

By the way, I have great admiration for Mr. Governor's efforts in the California energy crisis and your ability to build California over the years, so I hope you will serve as a director of Pacific Corporation after you retire from politics. ”

"Pacific Company?" he didn't remember that Guo Shouyun had such a company.

"This is the new name I intend to take after the merger of Pacific Power & Gas with Southern California Edison Power. ”

Michael Davis's pupils shrank, "Mr. Guo is really confident!"

"The reason why I am confident is also related to Mr. Governor!"

"Something to do with me?"

Guo Shouyun nodded, "Because I understand that you are a political leader who truly cares about the citizens and businesses of California!"

Michael Davis smiled dumbly, "Mr. Guo's compliment is really shameful. However, if it is really something that is good for the development of California, I think I will support it!"

"This is the best news I've heard tonight. … To you!"

"Ding...!"

With the crisp sound of collision, Michael Davis and Guo Shouyun seemed to have reached some kind of tacit understanding.

As the initiator of today's banquet, he is also the protagonist. Guo Shouyun definitely can't always stay in one place. After talking to Michael Davis again, he began to talk to the guests with his glass.

Because of his recent fame, the quality of the visitors to this banquet was very high.

"Headmaster Hannes, Mr. Hammond. I didn't expect you to be there too!"

Reed Hastings smiled and nodded, as the founder of Netflix, he is naturally no stranger to the company's major shareholder, that is, Guo Shouyun.

"I am also a graduate of Stanford University. It's just nine years ahead of you!"

"No wonder. Nodding knowingly, "Headmaster Hannes, Mr. Hammond is glad you're here tonight. ”

John Hannes, president of Stanford University, and George Hammond, executive director of the Stanford University Endowment Fund, is also vice president of Stanford University.

"I certainly can't miss the invitation from the best student in the school!"

George Hammond nodded in agreement and smiled, "Bruce, do you have time to give a talk to the Stanford students?

"Of course, it is incumbent upon my alma mater to be in need. However, there have been a lot of things recently, so I'm afraid that I won't be able to spare time for a while. ”

"It's okay, the doors of Stanford are open for you. By the way, thank you for your donation to the school. George Hammond said.

This year, Guo Shouyun donated 5% of the required donations from his two charitable foundations to the Stanford University Endowment Foundation with $5 million. In two thousand and one years, that's not a small amount.

"You're welcome, Stanford is an excellent school. As a graduate of it, I have an obligation to make it better. Moreover, I will continue to contribute to the school in the future!"

George Hammond and John Hannes' eyes lit up and a smile of surprise appeared on their faces.

Seeing this, Guo Shouyun smiled in his heart. He did this not just for charity, but for investment. You must know that Stanford University is the top university in the world, and the students who come out of it are all over the world, and most of them occupy a high position in various industries. This vast network of people has unimaginable energy.

Guo Shouyun, who has been nurtured by Huaxia's "Four Iron of Life", is deeply interested in this.