Lawrence Summers took off his glasses and wiped them: "Cheryl, I think you need to calm down for a while before making a decision, resigning is not the solution to the problem." ”

Cheryl Sandberg said, "Lawrence, this was not an impulsive decision I made. Actually, you were right that day, I am not suitable for politics. ”

"No one is born into politics. "You're the best student I've taught in years, and I spoke to Panetta on Friday, and he assured me that nothing like that would happen again." Cheryl, Rubin, who will be retiring next year, has promised me to recommend me to the president as Treasury Secretary before he retires. I can guarantee that you will be the youngest Chief of Staff of the Treasury in history, and I need you. ”

Cheryl Sandberg said calmly: "Lawrence, what happened on Friday was not the main reason for my resignation, of course, I do not deny that it was the direct cause, but more importantly, I feel more and more that life in Washington is not for me. No, I'm not trying to fool you, really isn't. ”

"Actually, for the past year, I've been asking myself what I want. Indeed, like you said, I continue to work here, and one day there may be a chance to enter Congress, to be a member of parliament or even a senator, and also to get a place in the cabinet. But is this really what I want?"

"I used to think that being here was the most effective way to realize the value of my life. But the truth is, I find the work I do every day almost useless. At the end of the previous year, the federal government was shut down for 21 days because the budget could not be approved by Congress. At the time, I thought the end of the world was coming, but almost everyone didn't care about it, and even the Dow Jones rose by 1.2% as a result. ”

"Since then, I've been questioning myself whether what I do every day is meaningful. The world changes every day, but our lives remain the same. Perhaps, elsewhere, I can do something more effective and make this world a better place. ”

Lawrence Summers interrupted Cheryl's statement: "Cheryl, I understand your feelings, but you have to understand that your work is not meaningless, we are in control of the direction of this country, and I told you that government is not an engine, but a guidance system and a brake system. Keeping the right direction and sprinting to the edge of the cliff and braking in time is the purpose of the government's existence. ”

Cheryl Sandberg smiled: "If the government could steer the country in the right direction, it wouldn't rush to the precipice at all." Lawrence, the world has changed now, and I believe that the next 30 years will probably be the most changing in the history of the world. The advent of the Internet and information technology has fundamentally changed the way people get along with each other and the boundaries between countries and cultures. I hope that I can reflect my value in this change, and I hope that through my own efforts, I can make the future world more equal and transparent. But that's something I can't do here. ”

Lawrence Summers frowned: "You're going to Silicon Valley?"

Cheryl nodded: "Yes, I've already got an offer from a venture capital firm, Lawrence, you're the mentor I've always respected the most, but I really don't want to go on like this." ”

Lawrence Summers was silent for a moment: "Can you tell me which company?"

Cheryl Sandberg smiled: "Tinder, it's a small company, but I should be able to learn a lot." ”

"The source of the fire ... Lawrence Summers silently read the name of the company several times in his mind, "Well, now that you've decided, I respect your choice." ”

——————————————

Seattle, King County

"All roofs are covered with solar panels, so even if there is a power outage, solar energy alone can sustain the energy needs for indoor ventilation and lighting. ”

"Look here, how about it? He'll be able to sense who's entering the room and automatically adjust the temperature and humidity to the person's comfort level, and of course, if you want to adjust it, you just have to touch the panel. ”

"Xanadu, open the blinds!haha, Steve, see no, it already recognizes my voice, but the error rate is still high, though, it should be able to fix it soon. ”

"And here, do you see this terminal? It can control every house within these 66,000 square feet, and the communication cable alone uses 80 kilometers, all over every corner of the house!"

Bill Gates excitedly led Jobs to visit his big house that had just been built, although he had a very unpleasant quarrel with Jobs before, he was not as moody as Jobs after all. For Jobs's visit, he still put on a warm attitude, leading the old rival to his own estate.

"My favorite thing is here, my private library. Bill Gates gently ** the solid wood railing of the staircase, which is the most old-fashioned building in the entire mansion, almost all of which are decorated with solid wood, very aristocratic style of the 18th century.

"It's not a modern décor, but the stained glass on the dome automatically adjusts the light to the intensity of the sunlight. The temperature and humidity are all the most suitable levels for book storage. ”

"Leonardo da Vinci's Leicester manuscript has been opened by me, and each page is in a different frame, the row above. By the way, I want to use this manuscript as one of the optional screensavers in in98. ”

Jobs was bored and endured Gates's show-off, and in his opinion, Gates's seven-year-old manor that had just been completed completely reflected Gates's low taste.

"Not bad, not bad" Jobs hypocritically coped, he didn't come here for Bill Gates. If it weren't for the desire to save Apple from life and death, he would never have come to see Gates in person.

"Steve, the last time you came with Amerio, you told me that it won't be long before the situation will become clear, and now it seems that you have won the war with Amerio, what about next? Is there anything you need me to help with?" Gates looked at this old rival with pleasure, he naturally understood what Jobs was looking for him, but he must let Jobs say this word himself.

The two are close in age and have been famous for a similar time, and they were once regarded as rare young geniuses in a century, and they are also rivals in their lives.

And now, seeing that this old enemy has to turn to himself, Bill Gates's heart is full of happiness, in this war with Apple, he has won the final victory!

Jobs pulled a book from the shelf: "I'm here to save Microsoft." ”

"Save Microsoft?" Bill Gates's eyes widened and he couldn't help laughing, sure enough, it was Jobs, even if he was in a desperate situation, he still put on this kind of attitude.

"Steve, I feel like your job is first and foremost to save Apple. Bill Gates said implicitly.

Jobs flipped through the book in his hand and inserted it back into the shelf, "Yes, Apple is in terrible condition, getting worse by the day." But Microsoft isn't much better, and now we have to join forces so that both companies can be saved. ”

Bill Gates laughed twice: "Do you want me to tell you what our profit was in the first half of the year?"

Jobs was unmoved: "The Department of Justice should be stationed at Microsoft in the next few days, right? If you lose this lawsuit, Microsoft should be spun up, right?"

Bill Gates smiled: "It's just the worst outcome, our legal department is strong and won't let this happen." ”

Jobs shrugged: "Maybe, but if you can't prove that there is no absolute monopoly in the field of operating systems, this possibility is always there." Speaking of which, Jobs looked up at Gates, "And it's big." ”

Bill Gates smiled and didn't speak.

Jobs continued, "I now have a solution to Microsoft's current predicament, and at least you can get enough evidence to show the Justice Department that you're not in an absolute monopoly." ”

The corners of Gates' mouth twitched: "Oh?

"Invested in Apple and committed to continue developing applications for Apple, especially the OS version of Office. Of course, no matter how much money you invest, you will only get non-voting shares, and you can retain the right to dividends. Jobs sat down, crossed Erlang's legs, and said with the old god there.

Bill Gates laughed: "Steve, you're really so imaginative, you want me to save Apple and not give me the right to vote? Do you know what you're talking about?"

Jobs showed a smile, "If Apple is finished, in the business field, you will occupy 100% of the market share, become an absolute monopoly, and Microsoft will inevitably be split." Microsoft needs Apple, more than anyone else. ”

The smile on Bill Gates' face gradually faded: "Steve, you don't have to threaten me, now Apple's OS system has only one percent share in the market, and whether Apple exists or not, it will not affect the Ministry of Justice's judgment on monopoly." ”

Jobs raised his eyebrows: "There is an essential difference between 99 percent and 100 percent, and if you can accept this result, of course you can veto my proposal." ”

Bill Gates stared at Jobs.

He had never been jealous of anyone in his life, except Steve Jobs.

Jobs tapped lightly on the armrest of the rocking chair: "If you agree to my terms, I promise that I can no longer pursue Microsoft's patent infringement against Apple." If Apple insists on fighting this lawsuit, it may receive more than a billion dollars in compensation from Microsoft in a few years, but you and I both understand that Apple will not hold out until then. Therefore, Apple needs your investment, and it needs to join forces with Microsoft to stabilize investor confidence. ”

"For Microsoft, through patent cross-licensing, it can take this opportunity to resolve the patent dispute with Apple in one fell swoop, and it can also allow Apple to continue to survive and ensure that Microsoft will not become the sole monopolist in the market, which is a win-win solution. ”

Bill Gates' face was cloudy: "I need to pre-install Internet Explorer in all Mac computers and use IE as the default browser for Macs. ”

Jobs thought for a moment: "Okay, I agree, but the investment you promised must be fulfilled within a week." ”

Bill Gates let out a long sigh, "How much do you need Microsoft to invest in Apple?"

Jobs stretched out three fingers: "Three hundred million dollars, now Apple is developing a new Mac, I need this money to open up the entire supply chain." ”

Bill Gates shook his head and said: "$300 million is too much, the board of directors will not agree, only 100 million at most." ”

Jobs waved his finger: "No, no, at least 200 million." ”

Bill Gates thought for a while: "One and a half million, if the board of directors does not agree, I will invest it myself." ”

The corners of Jobs's mouth slightly raised: "Deal!"

Bill Gates laughed bitterly twice, and let Jobs fool himself again.

Bill Gates got up and poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Jobs, "Now that the PC market is surging, the sudden rise of iCom has made everyone fall through the glasses. Frankly, even if Apple gets the money, it's still unknown whether the new Mac will be able to achieve a turnaround in sales under the pressure of iCom. ”

Jobs' face changed dramatically.

Bill Gates saw Jobs' expression and smiled: "The industrial design of iCom is perfect, I also bought one, to be honest, I don't believe that the design of Mac will surpass iCom." I heard you have a bad relationship with Zack in Matrix?"

Jobs's face was as if he could drip water: "What kind of bullshit iCom? It's a half-baked copy of the Mac! Macintosh has been an all-in-one design for more than ten years!"

Bill Gates smiled and shook his head: "Anyway, this is a very good PC. Fortunately, Apple fans have lowered their expectations for the Mac a lot, and as long as you come up with a product that isn't too bad next year, even if it's not as good as the iCom, you should be able to boost sales to the satisfaction of the board. ”

Jobs stood up and said proudly: "Mac has never been afraid of any competition, and Macintosh has been unique since the day it was born." ”

Bill Gates shrugged: "Okay, when are you going to announce your cooperation plan with Microsoft?"

As he walked outside, Jobs said, "This year's Macorld conference will be held on August 6, which is a good day to make the announcement. ”

Bill Gates took out the PDA and checked the schedule: "I have to check with my assistant again if there is time that day." ”

Jobs stopped, with a complicated expression: "If you don't have time, you can not come, just record a video material, and I will show it on the big screen on the spot." ”

Bill Gates laughed, "Okay, I see, you're the main character." ”

——————————————————————

"This is the ibook you designed?Jonny, did you take drugs when you designed it?" Zhang Chen angrily pointed to the renderings printed out on Jonathan Ivey's desktop.

Jonathan Ivey explained: "This notebook uses the same design language as iCom, and at the moment it is only a rendering, and the finished product will be much better. ”

"Jonny, you have to understand, these are two completely different products, of course iCom pro can use the same design language as iCom, but iBook is a brand new product, look at it, what are you drawing?" Zhang Chen shook the manuscript paper in his hand in annoyance.

"Cheap engineering plastics, poor colors, it's like a child's toy! Would anyone pay $2,300 for a toy?" Zhang Chen slapped the renderings on Jonathan Ivey's desk, "This plan doesn't work, it has to be done again." ”

Jonathan Ivey shrugged and gave Bob Mansfield a color: "I won, give the money." ”

Bob Mansfield took out ten dollars from his pocket and stuffed it into Jonathan Ivey's trouser pocket, Jonathan Ivey laughed, "I bet with Bob that you wouldn't be happy with this plan, but he thought this design was the closest to the iCom style, so he made a bet." ”

Zhang Chen was quite speechless, and Jonathan Ivey took out another design drawing: "You look at this again." ”

When Zhang Chen saw it, his eyes widened, isn't this tm the first Macbook Xiaobai?

"Actually, this is a concept art that I made three months ago, and then Bob saw it, and he was very interested, but there was a part of this design that the current technology could not achieve, and the most difficult part to solve was the thickness problem. Jonathan Ivey explained, "I want to control the thickness of the entire body within two centimeters, and if it exceeds this thickness, the proportion of the 13-inch TFT screen will be unbalanced." But I didn't expect that Bob they really solved this problem, and I think that with a little change, this product should be able to come out before the end of the year. ”

Zhang Chen couldn't help but look at Bob's fat body, Bob's face was colorful: "We bought all the laptops on the market for disassembly and analysis, and found that the biggest difficulty in restricting the thickness and weight of laptops is heat dissipation. In the end, we solved this problem with a few tips, you see, this is our own silent fan. ”

As he spoke, Bob Mansfield took out a small fan that was only three or four millimeters thick from his pocket, "Don't look at its small size, but it has 30 percent more airflow than all notebook fans on the market, but it is 50 percent quieter when running at full power than ordinary fans." ”

"Another important reason why we were able to keep the thickness to less than two centimeters was that we had made a revolutionary improvement to the existing notebook keyboard. Bob Mansfield pulled out another blueprint.

"The design team, together with Logitech's research institute, designed this scissor-style membrane keyboard, which is only one-tenth the thickness of a mechanical keyboard, and it doesn't feel bad when you hit it. ”

Zhang Chen's eyes were straight, the cowman, this is the cowman, he really didn't give any hints this time, just let Jonathan Ivey let himself go, but with the combination of these two people, he actually gave himself such a big surprise.

"Okay, good!" Zhang Chen said a few good words excitedly, "However, I still have a small request." ”

"In the middle of the back of the screen, I wanted to hollow out a Matrix logo, well, the kind that glows as soon as you turn it on. ”

These are yesterday's two watches, and there are two more today, so I'll sleep first, get up and then change.

(End of chapter)