Monopoly is the nature of businessmen, just like those American filmmakers a few decades ago, in order to avoid the oppression of capitalists, ran to Hollywood to develop, and finally embarked on the monopoly road of production, distribution, and vertical integration of theaters, now the vested interests in the personal computer industry, prompted by a sense of crisis, naturally have to join forces to deal with IBM, which has the ability to invade the industry and dominate the rivers and lakes.

After exchanging some suggestions further, Tang Huan casually asked, "What about Steve?" ”

The MAC project team moved from the original Apple office building to a larger office not far from here, and his energy was mainly focused on there. Makula smiled happily, "So it's a lot cleaner here." ”

"I hope he doesn't have to be close to each other, and AppleIIE is still waiting for him to charge into battle." Tang Huan made a joke, got up to say goodbye, and flew to Seattle, intending to see how busy Microsoft was on the spot.

……

Of course, Tang Huan didn't greet Gates in advance on this trip, he deliberately used the excuse of passing by to make a surprise attack, in order to get the most authentic information.

And the fact is just as Tang Huan imagined, when he came to the Microsoft headquarters, he immediately stirred up the chickens and dogs here, and Gates, Allen, and Ballmer, who were panda-eyed, were entertained in a panic, and they didn't dare to care about their rudeness of not being invited.

The reason why the three of them are so groveling is not only because of Tang Huan's identity and status at this time, but also because a large part of Microsoft's current business is built on the platform built by Zheru and Fang Yuan. It is not an exaggeration to say that there is a request for others.

Meet these Microsoft souls. Although he looked tired. But he looked high-spirited, Tang Huan couldn't help nodding secretly, people in the stage of micro-end are always full of energy.

After greeting for a while, Tang Huan changed his words and said with a smile: "This time I came to Microsoft, I feel that the staff team has grown a lot, don't you take me to visit?" ”

As soon as I heard this. A look of embarrassment flashed across Gates' face. Microsoft is such a big place, and in a hurry, some secret projects have not had time to hide.

Moreover, the DOS developed by Microsoft for IBM has progressed to the stage of internal testing, and IBM's engineers are still here, which is really inconvenient.

He had the heart to refuse, but every time he went to Zheru in the past, he was warmly entertained there, and he was rude and reciprocated. Everyone is still having a good time playing together.

In desperation, Gates quietly gave Allen and Ballmer a look. Let them do some precautions, and drag Tang Huan's footsteps and start from the least important places, hoping that some secrets can avoid Tang Huan's sharp eyes.

Since Ballmer joined Microsoft, the company has expanded rapidly and now has hundreds of people.

And no matter how secretive Gates is, compared to what he saw on his last visit, Tang Huan still found a lot of differences.

For example, as you can tell from the documents you see inadvertently, Microsoft has begun to pay attention to software engineering management.

In this regard, Tang Huan bluntly quipped: "It seems that you have introduced a lot of advanced work experience through cooperation with IBM." ”

"The tremendous pressure from IBM makes this process not only a painful torture, but also a kind of transformation and progress." Gates replied with deep feeling, "It also made me more and more aware that it is inevitable that you can go ahead of everyone first." Microsoft, like other small companies in Silicon Valley, was a ragtag army that lacked discipline and organization, but through IBM's guidance, it is now working towards a regular army similar to the Zheru team. ”

For Gates's heart-to-heart communication, Tang Huan cooperated with emotion, but the speed under his feet is not slow, he stopped and turned for most of the circle, and found a lot of interesting phenomena, Microsoft is also trying to develop word processing software, spreadsheet software and other products, and there is an obvious tendency to enter the field of office applications.

This is not simple, it means that Gates, who has always believed that system software such as BASIC is the main theme of the software industry, has begun to change its concept, and Microsoft's business philosophy and scope will also change.

In other words, Microsoft, as it did in the original time and space, has come to the starting line of the software empire.

Interesting, after Tang Huan muttered in his heart, he continued to walk around, reached the eighth floor, and then was shocked to find that the office area at the end of the corridor in front was actually guarded by an iron fence.

"Is this a financial powerhouse?" Tang Huan raised his finger and said.

Judging from Tang Huan's light-hearted expression in the past ten minutes, people have obviously discovered a lot of doorways, and if they try to cover it up, they will laugh and be generous.

As a result, Gates explained in a humble way: "In addition to language tools like BASIC, Microsoft is also developing another product for IBM, and because it needs to use several prototypes of them, it adopts such security measures according to the requirements of the other party." ”

"In the end, it's a big company, the work process is really standardized, and it's really a good example to learn." Tang Huan complimented.

Gates smiled helplessly, and secretly complained in his heart, "If you want to learn, it's not that simple." Let me tell you, IBM also required a layer of barbed wire on the ceiling, and even the safe for storing documents was specially provided by IBM. ”

"By the way, this product is the disk operating system of IBM personal computers." Tang Huan turned his head and asked Gates, seeing that he was surprised, he explained with a smile, "Fangyuan Computer has my design ideas in it, and I am naturally familiar with the corners and corners of this field, so it's not difficult to guess, isn't it?" ”

Gates smiled noncommittally, apparently acquiescing.

In fact, in the original time and space, Microsoft, which cooperated with IBM, did not sincerely keep it secret, after all, cooperating with the blue giant is a thing worth boasting about, at least it can improve the image of a small company, but in order to prevent legal risks, it has to be concealed.

Now Gates lets Tang Huan stand outside the iron gate and observe casually, which can explain this problem.

Soon, however, someone dressed differently from a Microsoft employee came over. Ask Gates what's the matter.

"Nothing. Just want to see it. How long will it take for you to come and chase us away? Gates shrugged.

"Then please abide by our agreement and don't bring unrelated people here." The guy on the other side, who was five big and three thick, said unceremoniously.

Tang Huan shook his head with a smile, walked away, and waited for Gates to catch up before asking, "Now that DOS has reached the final internal testing stage, right?" ”

"PersonalSoftware's spreadsheet software VisiCalc and Peachtree's financial software have already been completed first." Gates was right. But the implication is to admit it.

In order to cover his ears and steal the bell at the level of legal risks, he is not too tired to talk around like this.

Although Tang Huan doesn't know much about the 1.0 version of MS-DOS, he is expected to definitely not surpass CP/M.

In Tang Huan's view, before and after the release of IBM-PC, Microsoft and Gates will be two completely different styles, so while the other party still has the consciousness of being a little brother, he plans to stay in Seattle for two days to slice and study well.

Gates and others welcomed this. The toughest phase of DOS development has passed, and they're not as anxious as they used to be. Just relax and learn from Tang Huan's successful experience.

The Gates family is a Seattle upper-class person, and his grandmother set up a $1 million trust fund when he was born, and Paul's father is the associate director of the University of Washington Library, and his privileged family has allowed them to attend Lakeside School, a well-known private school in the area.

Therefore, these two locals entertained Tang Huan, which was simply a one-stop process of eating, drinking, and having fun.

Tang Huan was noisy, and in the end, the four simply set up the table and played bridge, Gates and Ballmer were in a group, Tang Huan and Allen were in a group, and the scene quickly entered a stalemate.

Compared with eating and playing stupidly, Tang Huan prefers this way because he can see a lot of things from it.

For example, Gates and Ballmer cooperated very tacitly, and most of the time they suppressed Tang Huan and Allen's group at the poker table.

For another example, Gates is aggressive by nature, and he doesn't know what it is to take it when he sees it or retreat bravely, and the card wind is full of attack power.

When the game ended with Gates and Ballmer winning, Gates was clearly not satisfied with the advantage he had gained, so he invited the battle: "We'll continue tomorrow." ”

This is a feeling that the rich man who has won a net worth of two billion dollars is very cool, but it is not enjoyable.

Tang Huan laughed, "Of course there is no problem." ”

However, this plan did not materialize the next day, and Tang Huan was talking about the trends in the software industry at Microsoft. Estlic, who made an uninvited visit in a hurry, didn't know if it was yesterday that an IBM engineer sent a message.

"Ha, I didn't expect Tang to be here." Tang Dynasty? Estlic feigned a greeting.

"I'm here to talk about cooperation, are you here to accept the project?" Tang Huan imperceptibly tentatively said.

"This is a trade secret and has nothing to say." Tang Dynasty? Estlic's vigilance was quite high, and he was not fooled.

Gates, who was caught in the middle, was in a dilemma, how could the two of you get together here at Microsoft, if you fall out, it might be a problem.

Fortunately, God did Gates a favor, and after the assistant sent a fax, Tang Huan got up and said goodbye.

……

Stephen, 35 years old this year? Spielberg has already become one of Hollywood's great directors with 1975's "Jaws" and 1977's "Contact of the Third Kind".

He grew tired of filming Raiders of the Lost Ark from June to September 1980, and his desire to make autobiographical films of his childhood grew stronger.

So, Spielberg told the playwright Melissa Mathison about the main content of "Night Sky", which had been announced to be canceled. Matheson, ask him to develop another plot based on this.

Melissa? It took Matheson eight weeks to write the first draft, titled "E.T. and Me." Spielberg was very happy with it.

Next. Melissa? Matheson wrote two more versions. Spielberg also offers his own ideas.

Just now, Spielberg met with representatives of Columbia Pictures, the former maker of "Night Sky," and discussed the script with great anticipation.

But the other party made it clear that he was not interested in such "a cowardly Walt Disney movie".

It's really hurting my self-esteem, isn't it because the performance of the movie "1941" directed by me in 1979 was not satisfactory and disappointed Columbia and Universal Pictures, then it wouldn't be so powerful.

Spielberg, who was in a somewhat depressed mood, sighed and planned to use his personal connections. From his own Bole - Sid, president of Universal Pictures? Hinberg asked for help.

At this time, Andy, President of Luen Am? Albert suddenly came to the door, much to Spielberg's surprise.

Seeing Spielberg's expression, Andy? Albert couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart, there was no way, what the big boss personally ordered, did he dare to run errands in person without condescending to dignity?

After the pleasantries, Andy? Albert got straight to the point and said, "Stephen, you should know something. Luen Mei has a new owner, that is, Mr. Tang, who recently made a fortune of more than $2 billion on the NASDAQ. He wants to ask you to direct the film, I wonder what you think? ”

Spielberg subconsciously clenched the folder in his hand and asked, "So, Lianmei has already selected the script?" ”

"Nope." Andy? Albert shook his head, "Mr. Tang trusts your talent very much, what he means is that as long as you agree, you can find a script now, or if you have a suitable script in your hand, then it will be easy to shoot directly." ”

Sure enough, I met a rich man, and his style is so unrestrained.

Spielberg wasn't surprised, though, as he had had such an experience a long time ago.

"I do have a ready-made script here, why don't you read it first." Spielberg suppressed his excitement and handed over the script.

What a coincidence, Andy? Albert muttered in his heart, quickly took it, and looked at it solemnly.

After reading it, he clicked his mouth, not knowing how to comment, but he couldn't help but be disappointed in his heart, can this kind of Disney-style movie have a market?

Since the failure of "Heaven's Gate" and the loss of all his money, Andy, who has taken the main responsibility? Albert became more cautious.

Of course, he won't say his opinion directly, after all, Spielberg is the boss himself, maybe letting the two meet in person will save a lot of trouble.

See Andy? Albert was silent for a while, and Spielberg's heart was half cold, and it seemed that he was going to be given a cold reception again.

"It's a pretty creative script." Andy? Albert sloppily looked at him, and then said, "Stephen, why don't you talk to Mr. Tang face to face, he originally meant this." ”

"Of course there is no problem." Spielberg, who has no choice at the moment, nodded, Colombia has clearly refused, and although the United States did not immediately express its position, it does not mean that there is no chance.

……

Although the movie "1941" was not performed well, so that even Spielberg's aura was eclipsed a little, Tang Huan knew that in a few months, Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" would be released and a great success, and it would regain the trust of Hollywood commercial film investors.

If you calculate it carefully, Spielberg has a deep relationship with Universal Pictures.

When he was still in college, he got a job as an unpaid intern from Universal Pictures, and then met a nobleman. Hinberg appreciated and promoted, and soon had the opportunity to become an independent director, until he rose to prominence and fame.

In Tang Huan's opinion, since Sid? If Hinberg and Universal dare to make money and come to RA for trouble, then they must be prepared to bear the consequences. Although it finally came home, the account has not been smoothed out, and it will continue to be calculated.

What if you can get from Sid? It would undoubtedly be an extremely pleasing thing for Hinberg to snatch Spielberg from his hands and then let Universal lose the blockbuster movie "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" that belonged to him.

So, when Tang Huan saw the script that was still titled "E.T. and Me", he didn't look like Andy? Albert was disappointed, but relieved that this was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

"Now that we have a ready-made script, let's shoot it directly." Tang Huan looked very happy.

"Don, I must make a statement." Spielberg coughed lightly and reminded, "Mr. Albert, President of United States, seems to have reservations about this script, and the box office may be really bad in the future." ”

"It's okay, I love the childlike nature described in this work." Tang Huan waved his hand disappreciatively.

Although Tang Huan was willing to do what he wanted, seeing that he admired the script very much, Spielberg couldn't help but feel like a confidant, and the smile on his face couldn't help but become more and more sincere.

"Since Albert is a little worried, then we will follow the independent producer method that Lianmei is used to, and only be responsible for distribution." After Tang Huan pondered for a while, he made a decision. "Stephen, did you set up your own production company? If not, we'll form a joint one, and I'll invest another $10 million in the film, but the merchandise production and video game adaptation rights will be reserved for Hasbro and EA. ”

Seeing that Spielberg was dumbfounded when he heard this, Tang Huan laughed, "Aren't you scared by my greed, then these authorizations will be limited, and the one with the highest price will get it." (To be continued......)