Chapter 389 Exchange of Interests and Wooing

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"Bruce, it's rare to see you call me. ”

"Stephen, as a friend. Always call often to care. ”

Stephen Bryan smiled, "That's right. How have you been in Hong Kong lately? The Thunder Fund and the Mango Fund have made a lot of money from the oil and gold markets one after another. ”

"It's earned some. But when it comes to happiness, you should be even happier. As a client of the Thunder Fund, Goldman Sachs has earned 60 percent of its profits this time! I'm just working for you. ”

"40% is a lot of money. Moreover, you make a total amount, and we are only a small part of the investment. But despite this, Bruce, on behalf of Goldman Sachs, I am very grateful for working with you. And I look forward to more in-depth cooperation in the future. ”

"For example?"

"For example, the listing of Google and Ruby, the asset-backed securities of the matrix, convertible bonds, and so on. We are willing to cooperate with the Kwok Consortium for any finance-related business. ”

Guo Shouyun's pupils shrank, and after a moment of silence, "I have a business here that raises $3 billion, and if Goldman Sachs is interested, I can hand it over to you." ”

"Oh, of course we're interested. However, I'm more curious about how you're going to spend the three billion dollars?"

"Unocal Oil. ”

"You want to buy it?"

"That's right!"

"With Unocal's size, $3 billion is not enough!"

Unocal is the ninth largest oil company in the United States, with total oil and gas reserves reaching 1.76 billion barrels, of which oil accounts for 38%. It has oil and gas extraction assets and projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Texas in North America, as well as Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and Bangladesh in Asia. The company also supplies natural gas to Thailand for power generation and has thermal power plants in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. But because the efforts in exploration did not pay off, Unocal lost money year after year. Today, it has a market capitalization of $11 billion and net debt of $2.68 billion. So, it wasn't difficult to acquire Unocal.

"Didn't I make a lot of money in oil futures, and I just used it to buy it!"

"Considering the premium, the acquisition of Unocal would require at least $15 billion. And from what I know of you, you're not the kind of person who would choose to buy it all. ”

"Stephen, you still know me. But you also know my relationship with Merrill Lynch, so you still have to take care of Stan O'Neal somewhat. ”

"Hehe, as far as I know, that guy is very wary of you entering Merrill Lynch's board. ”

"I believe that as we get to know each other, enmity will turn into friendship. ”

"I don't think so. But let's be honest, you could have invested in Goldman Sachs in the first place. Then we'll be colleagues. ”

"I want to, too. However, Goldman Sachs' share price is too high, and there are not too good opportunities. After a pause, Guo Shouyun's eyes flashed, "Stephen, you know that I am very interested in the shares of Universal Studios Osaka, so you can make an offer?"

"$900 million, I think that's a fair price!"

Stephen Bryan is also very good. After Guo Shouyun threw out a $3 billion quid pro quo, he naturally lowered the conditions.

"No problem. I'll arrange for someone to sign a contract with you as soon as possible. ”

"Okay... That's right, Bruce. I watched your lecture at Chinese University in Hong Kong. Really, very exciting. ”

"But half of the media in the United States is saying that I am talking nonsense!"

"You are also a media person, so you should understand that if there is no argument, no one will watch the news at all. … Regardless, though, your predictions about the future of the internet are very influential in high society. So now Wall Street investors are showing a lot of interest in Silicon Valley Internet companies. Especially your Google and Ruby. ”

Stephen had something to say, and Guo Shouyun could naturally hear it.

"Stephen, when Google and Ruby went public, Goldman Sachs was certainly one of the underwriters. ”

"Bruce, you know sometimes promises aren't entirely reassuring! Also, there's a lot of interest in Google. For its future, I personally recommend that you try VC. ”

Guo Shouyun is not a fool, he can hear that the capital circle of Wall Street, or Goldman Sachs, is a little impatient for Google's coveting. If it weren't for the $3 billion financing business they threw out this time, then letting Goldman Sachs invest in it would definitely be an exchange condition for them to transfer their shares in Universal Studios Osaka.

"Stephen, you know that my offer to Google is not low!" Guo Shouyun said slowly after a long groan.

"Bruce, Goldman Sachs has always been generous with its investments in the future. ”

After hearing his relenting words, Stephen's tone suddenly became excited. Google's rapid development, as well as its clear profit model, have quickly made it the darling of Wall Street capital circles. It's just that all the shares are in the hands of Guo Shouyun and the two founders, making it impossible for many consortia to start. Now, Goldman Sachs has finally seized a glimmer of opportunity through hard work.

"I have trust in Goldman Sachs' capabilities. However, I would like to see this matter discussed after the acquisition of Unocal by Unocal Corporation. ”

Stephen was stunned for a moment and quickly reacted. Judging by Guo Shouyun's tone, it is clear that helping him acquire Unocal is a condition for Goldman Sachs to take a stake in Google.

"That's fine. But I hope that if Google is not the only one that is financing Goldman Sachs, we will take 50% of your shares!"

"Yes!"

"Looks like we can sign a deal!"

"I'll have Corey Frévert, CEO of Enron Pacific Oil, meet you. In the matter of the acquisition of Unocal, he worked with Goldman Sachs on my behalf. ”

"Then no problem!"

After a pause, the corners of Guo Shouyun's mouth curled slightly, "Seriously, Stephen." You are the most astute financier I have ever met. So... Have you considered working for me?"

This completely unexpected question instantly stunned Stephen Bryan.

"Bruce, this joke is boring. ”

"I'm not kidding. At Goldman Sachs, Blank Finn is the real leader, and you have to work under his leadership, even though you are capable. If you come to Phoenix, then the position of CEO is yours. ”

"What about William Chang?"

"Zhang's abilities are limited, and he is no longer suitable for the growing Phoenix. Moreover, I also have new positions that are more suitable for him. After a pause, Guo Shouyun continued seductively in his tone, "In addition, do you know why I have to invest in Merrill Lynch?... Because I'm going to buy it. ”

Stephen Bryan was silent for a while, "Bruce, Merrill Lynch is not something that can be acquired with money. ”

"Of course. But if I can get Merrill Lynch's shareholders to grow their wealth by 20 percent a year, or more, I'm sure they won't be struggling with money. ”

Hearing this, Stephen Bryan suddenly thought of the Thunder Fund. Its ultra-high level of profitability is indeed hard to refuse.

Thinking of this, his originally calm heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Something called heartbeat began to sprout from the bottom of my heart.

"What about Stan O'Neal? He's not that easy to deal with!"

"His purge of Merrill Lynch some time ago has touched the interests of many people. If they can't fundamentally change Merrill Lynch's bloated and huge landscape and improve its profitability, do you think these people will tolerate him?... From ancient times to the present, reformers have always stood on the edge of the precipice, and if they do not succeed, they will become benevolent. And judging from Merrill Lynch's situation in the past 002, although his reforms and purges were effective, they did not succeed immediately. How much patience the Merrill Lynch board of directors still has, I think you know better than I do with your experience. ”

"It's hard to reform Merrill Lynch's current situation, but wouldn't it be even harder to merge Phoenix and Merrill Lynch and then reform it?"

"I'm confident in your abilities! And, if the two merge, I'm the majority shareholder, and with my support, you're already invincible compared to Stan O'Neill. At least don't worry about board constraints. ”

"I'm glad you think so. However, I am very happy at Goldman Sachs, and I have no plans to change jobs for the time being. ”

"I think you should think about it. After all, if you miss this opportunity, it is likely that it will not be there again in the future. ”

"I'll think about it seriously!" Stephen Bryan's words came again after half a ring.

"Don't keep me waiting too long. ”

After the words fell and said goodbye to each other, Guo Shouyun hung up the phone.

As Phoenix's assets became larger and larger, William Zhang's lack of ability became more and more apparent. As is usually said in Chinese history, he is more than enough to keep and not enough to be enterprising. With the rapid development of Phoenix, the mismatch in ability is becoming more and more apparent. Moreover, even with the support of Guo Shouyun, it is difficult to really subdue talented elites such as Patti Sellers, Michael Moretz, and Paul Lehman. Therefore, changing the coach has become a choice that Guo Shouyun has to make.

Shopping malls are like battlefields, there has never been a warm vein, and if you don't want to drag down the development of the enterprise, a qualified leader is a necessary condition. Of course, after working together for three years, he will not wronged the old courtiers, and the options that should be given will not be less. In the future, William Chang will also become the manager of the 'Chinese Charity Relief Fund' under his name, and he will also be one of his staff.

Compared with Phoenix's change of coach, the only thing that made Guo Shouyun a little reluctant was Google. According to the original plan, he planned to wait until the pre-IPO PE round, then disperse interests, win over allies, and lay a good foundation for Google's next development. But it seems that his speech at the Chinese University of Hong Kong catalyzed the urgency of various investment institutions for Google shares.

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