Chapter 688: Time Warner

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After Warren Buffett fell silent, Howard, who was sitting next to him, picked up the conversation. Hearing this, Wang Zheng immediately understood... The play meat is coming.

"Of course, such a big thing, if I don't know, I'm afraid I'm too sorry for the position of chairman of 'Shennong Technology'!" Wang Zheng nodded.

"Obviously, this is an alliance against 'Shennong Technology'. But I don't seem to see the slightest anxiety and worry on Mr. Wang's face?" Howard said as he stared at the man opposite.

"Mr. Howard, anxiety and worry don't solve the problem. And I can't get the leaders of Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to change their decisions. In addition, from the perspective of development, the participation of more high-tech enterprises is also beneficial to the development of the 'artificial intelligence' industry. After a pause, Wang Zheng smiled faintly, "We, 'Shennong Technology', welcome more competitors." This will keep us on our toes and stay ahead of the curve in the development of 'artificial intelligence'. ”

"With all due respect, although Mr. Wang's 'Shennong Technology' is indeed a world leader in the research and development of 'artificial intelligence'. However, Intel and AMD have strong research and development capabilities in computer hardware such as CPUs, memory, and graphics cards; Microsoft and Apple also have more experience in the development of operating systems; Amazon, Google, and Facebook have always been the world's top in big data and artificial intelligence software before the emergence of 'Shennong Technology'; and IBM's hardware integration, server, and mainframe computer research and development have always been among the top in the world. When these companies integrate their own strengths, I believe that 'artificial intelligence' is not something difficult for them to break through. ”

Wang Zheng looked at the other party with the same expression, and said in a calm tone: "Then does Mr. Howard have any better proposals?"

Howard, who couldn't see the slightest clue from his face, frowned slightly, but he didn't let this disrupt his rhythm and train of thought.

"I think Mr. Wang should consider bringing in a few partners with strong backgrounds, capital and R&D strength. And it's a partner with a Western background. After all, 'Shennong Technology' can't be confined to China forever without setting foot in the huge Western market. With Mr. Wang's wisdom, he should understand that in this world full of implicit trade protectionism, if a purely foreign-funded high-tech enterprise wants to enter an unfamiliar market, it will not succeed without giving up certain interests, winning over more allies, and localizing!"

Wang Zheng smiled and did not rush to reply.

"I'm curious who Mr. Howard refers to as a company with a strong background and R&D strength?"

"IBM or Microsoft. Of course, Mr. Wang has a better partner, and we can all act as intermediaries to liaise on our behalf!"

"Aren't they all part of the AI Alliance?"

"Why does Mr. Wang knowingly ask!"

Hearing this, Wang Zheng smiled faintly. In terms of Western values, as long as there are sufficient interests, there is nothing that cannot be abandoned, and this includes, of course, the already unreliable AI alliance.

"I want to know what the 'Berkshire Hathaway Company' wants from this cooperation as a middleman?" asked Wang Zheng after a moment's silence.

"Shennong Technology, Taoyuan Ji and Meixin Food Group each have 15% shares!"

Howard Buffett's tone was solemn, and his eyes were shining as he stared at the young man opposite and said seriously.

After listening, the corners of Wang Zheng's mouth curved slightly. Under the concerned eyes of Buffett's father and son, he reached out and picked up the teacup on the table and drank it slowly.

Howard frowned, and was about to speak when he was stopped by his father next to him.

"Wang, as long as you agree to the deal, Berkshire Hathaway can pay $15 billion in cash and 9% of the company's shares for this 15% stake. In addition, I know that 'Hyundai Cargo Group' is looking to acquire 'MSC' and I can help with that. Also, your 'Time Group' is involved in the entertainment and cultural industry, so if you are interested in 'Time Warner', I can help you acquire it." ”

Wang Zheng's hand holding the teacup suddenly stopped, although it quickly returned to normal, but this obvious pause made the opposite Buffett father and son understand that he was moved.

After putting down the teacup, he stared at Warren Buffett sitting opposite with deep eyes, and Wang Zheng was not surprised that the other party knew about the acquisition of 'Mediterranean Shipping by Modern Freight Group'. After all, although this matter has not yet been talked about and is rarely reported in the press, it is not a secret that is difficult to explore for the big men who wield power in the world. But the last transaction mentioned by the other party greatly surprised Wang Zheng.

"Time Warner?"

Wang Zheng's pupils shrank, and he tried to maintain a calm tone.

"It's the world-class multinational media company that owns Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Fortune Magazine, Life Magazine, CNN, HBO, DC Comics, C TV Network, Warner Bros. and many other world-class influential companies, and its business territory spans the publishing, film and television industries! Warren Buffett smiled.

The green tendons on Wang Zheng's forehead jumped, and although he tried his best not to show the clues on his face, he knew that he was indeed moved.

Time Warner's assets, each piece is attractive gold!

Warner Bros., one of the Big Six in Hollywood, owns "Harry Potter series", "The Matrix series", "Superman series", "Batman series", "The Shawshank Redemption", "Inception", "Blade Runner", "Spartan 300 Warriors", "Watchmen", "Sherlock Holmes series", "Hangover series" and other classic films. Copyright and derivative sales are a huge profit every year.

Warner Cinemas, with more than 1,000 theaters located outside the United States. DC Comics, a giant that stands tall with Marvel, has well-known superheroes such as Superman and Batman.

TBS has 80 million U.S. viewers, 78 million U.S. viewers and 151 million international subscribers in 212 countries and territories, BO has 36.7 million U.S. viewers and 12 million international subscribers in 50 countries, and HBO is the most abundant cable movie channel in the United States, with famous TV series such as "Band of Brothers", "Game of Thrones", "Seaside Empire" and "True Blood".

With 64 magazines and 268 million readers, Time Warner accounted for 4 of the top 5 best-selling magazines in the United States, including the famous "Time" and "Fortune".

Time Warner is also the world's largest CD and DVD manufacturer.

This Fortune 500 media company, which has more than 200 branches around the world, has too many valuable assets at its disposal.

However, after remembering Time Warner's assets in his mind, Wang Zheng's brows couldn't help frowning.

Warren Buffett, as a reputable investor and a world-class billionaire, has a top influence in both American politics and business. This can be seen from the fact that he was able to get the personal question of the then US President Obama after his illness.

But no matter how influential Warren Buffett is, it's unlikely to change the rules of the game. How can a powerful media channel like CNN, which can influence hundreds of millions of viewers and influence the election and political situation in the United States, be bought by a foreigner? Especially a citizen of China who competes with the United States in all aspects.

At the beginning, even media tycoon Murdoch had to give up his Australian citizenship to join the United States before he had the opportunity to buy 21st Century Fox and form his own Fox television network, Wang Zheng did not think that he was more fortunate than Murdoch as a white man.

"Mr. Buffett, as far as I know, U.S. law prohibits non-U.S. citizens from owning both newspapers and television stations. Moreover, I am still a Chinese!"

"I understand Mr. Wang's concerns. U.S. law is indeed insurmountable. If Mr. Wang gives up the Turner Network, one of Time Warner's three divisions, and Time Warner's publishing business, there will be no problem with other films, television, music, theaters, HBO cable networks and DC Comics. ”

Hearing this, Wang Zheng couldn't help frowning.

If that's all there is to it, Time Warner is undoubtedly less attractive to him by nearly half. Of course, with the sheer size of Time Warner, even half of it is still a piece of fat with a 'golden light'.

"As far as I know, AT&T is also pursuing Time Warner, and not only did they come up with a high price of $85.4 billion, but they also got through Time Warner management!"

Buffett smiled, "Counting Time Warner's debt of up to $22 billion, ATT will have to pay $107.4 billion to complete the acquisition." This means that ATT is saddled with $180 billion in debt. Not all shareholders and management are willing to take on such a large amount of foreign debt. In addition, this merger and acquisition case will also encounter antitrust investigations from US political circles. Because those with political ambitions are clearly reluctant to allow the channels of influence of public opinion to be too concentrated in a few monopolies. Therefore, in the case of the failure of the 'Conscat's merger with Time Warner Cable in 2015', the prospects for ATT's merger are not optimistic. ”

After thinking for a moment, "If it's just HBO pay channels and Warner Bros. Entertainment, it's not enough for me to pay for the shares of Shennong Technology, Taoyuan Ji and Maxim's Food Group!"

"What if you add Kraft Heinz Foods?"

Kraft Heinz is the world's fifth largest food and beverage company formed by the merger of two world-class food giants, Kraft and Heinz. Although Wang Zheng didn't know much about it before. But when preparing to meet with Warren Buffett, Wang Zheng inevitably needs to understand his detailed family and career information, and the acquisition of Heinz, and the promotion of the Kraft Heinz merger, as well as the tacit relationship between the other party and the Brazilian investment giant 3G Capital, are of course not to be missed.

Moreover, with Buffett's control of 27% of Kraft Heinz's shares, more than 24% of 3G Capital's major shareholder status, he is indeed qualified to say what he just said.

However, neither Kraft Heinz nor Time Warner was enough for Wang Zheng to give up his shares in 'Shennong Technology', 'Taoyuan Ji' and 'Maxim's Gourmet Group'. Because the former has the crucial Shennong Research Institute, the middle involves Shennong's animal-type and plant-based supernutrient solutions that cannot be known to the outside world. Only the latter does not have too many taboos, but now Maxim's Gourmet Group is in a period of rapid growth, and it is not the best financing period when there is no shortage of funds.

"I'm sorry!"

Although he was very moved, Wang Zheng still shook his head regretfully.

"Mr. Wang, we have shown enough sincerity. Moreover, in terms of value, both Kraft Heinz and Time Warner far exceed the value of the 15% stake in Shennong Technology, Taoyuan Ji and Maxim's Gourmet Group. Either way, it's a big deal for you. But now you're saying no. Don't you think you're too greedy?" Howard couldn't help but say.

After his eyes quickly swept over Warren Buffett, who couldn't see his joy and anger, Wang Zheng fixed his eyes on Howard.

"Greedy?"

Wang Zheng shook his head.

“… In your opinion, Time Warner and Kraft Heinz are indeed valuable gold assets. Indeed, they are basically the top in their respective industries, and they should belong to the top companies that everyone is vying for. … But in my eyes, although they are excellent, in my eyes, they are not as good as any of the Shennong Technology, Taoyuan Ji and Maxim's Food Group groups. ”

Wang, the value of a company can be comprehensively judged from its services, management system, leadership, market prospects and other aspects. However, in the absence of enough time to conduct a detailed investigation, the revenue level and profit ratio of an enterprise are more accurate data to judge whether an enterprise is valuable and valuable. So, if you can convince me with enough revenue figures, I think I can lower my request. Warren Buffett began.

After listening, Wang Zheng thought about it for a while, and then nodded. Revenue figures, or financial statements, are very important for a business. But it's not something that's completely secretive.

Secretly asked the 'neuron mastermind' to upload the 2016 financial statements of 'Taoyuan Ji' and 'Maxim's Food Group' to his mobile phone, and then found and opened it.

"As much as I believe in the credibility of both of them, there are some things that need to be emphasized. These two financial statements are our company's internal secrets, so please keep them confidential after reading them!"

"In the name of God and the honor of the Buffett family, I assure you that you will keep this information a secret absolutely!"

Warren Buffett said solemnly.

Howard Buffett on the side nodded equally seriously.

"Please!"

After agreeing, Wang Zheng handed over the mobile phone.