Just as AT&T began spinning off its more than 20 subsidiaries in January 1982, the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against IBM, which began in 1969, is on the foreseeable withdrawal schedule.

It is widely assumed that this point in time is most likely to be January 1982 as well.

In the 13 years that the sword of Damocles has hung over IBM's head, the blue giant can be described as trembling.

Even the last CEO, Frank? Carry, who split the entire company's business in two, moved resources other than mainframes to the General Systems Division in Atlanta, Georgia, in response to a possible DOJ spin-off decision.

After entering the 1980s, the US Department of Justice became more and more aggressive towards AT&T, which had assets of 100 billion US dollars, but it softened its attitude towards IBM, which had assets of 10 billion US dollars.

Especially after Reagan took office, there were signs that the top brass of the Blue Giant began to reassure that they were safe.

The acquisition of 20 percent of Intel's shares is a manifestation of the computer industry's giant getting rid of the shackles and testing the reactions of all parties.

Now on COMDEX, IBM's senior management can't hide their ambitions, and they want to buy Yuan Computer Company, a small fresh meat in the industry.

Tang Huan, who happened to hear this, immediately felt very funny.

In his opinion, IBM, which was released by the U.S. Department of Justice, is like a tiger out of a cage in terms of momentum, but it is a pity that in 30 years in Hedong and 30 years in Hexi, its teeth are no longer so sharp.

Seeing Tang Huan's appearance with extraordinary momentum, the entourage beside him even looked at him with a sneer. This IBM executive with a mouth full of running trains. Immediately there was a feeling of being on my back. Unhappily, he asked, "Who are you?" ”

Tang Huan casually pointed behind him, "Aren't you planning to buy Fangyuan Computer, I am Tang Huan, the boss of this company." ”

"It's you." The other party nodded, and said confidently and slowly: "The conditions are very simple, Apple Computer companies that have been listed can be used as a reference." ”

Don on the sidelines to see this scene? Estlic couldn't bear to continue to look at the embarrassment of his own side being so ignorant and arrogant. I was just about to step forward to play a round and expose the matter, but I was killed by Bill? Lowo pulled it gently.

See Don? Estlic looked at himself suspiciously, Bill? Lowo smiled meaningfully and pointed in a low voice, "Let them fight, maybe your personal computer department will be more valued than ever, and your suggestions will be heeded more often." ”

Since the first COMDEX, Tang Huan pointed at Sheldon? Adelson, taking advantage of the long-accumulated contradictions between large companies in the computer industry. After successfully bringing in their top leaders to increase the gold content of the exhibition activities, the CEOs and CEOs. I rarely come to the scene in person.

Tang Dynasty? The group of IBM executives led by Estlic really aroused Tang Huan's interest at first, but when he saw that the other party's knowledge was nothing more than that, he became bored.

"Anyway, thank you for your optimism on the value of Fangyuan Computer Company. Actually, I'm quite interested in IBM. Tang Huan waved his hand noncommittally, which was quite implicit.

"What do you mean 'you are also quite interested in IBM', do you still plan to buy us IBM, not to mention whether we agree or not, just these tens of billions of assets, are you qualified to care?" This person was choked and rolled his eyes, and just wanted to think about it, but saw that Tang Huan had already turned his attention to Tang? Estlic's side.

"Old friend, do you feel that my personal computer business is becoming more and more prosperous?" Tang Huan greeted him warmly.

Tang Dynasty? Estlic glanced at Bill, who was going to watch the show next to him? Luo Vo, my heart said that this Tang Huan is not the kind of simple person who likes to waste foaming stars senselessly as you think, no, people directly transferred the firepower.

"When you say booming, don't you mean those Japanese companies' second-generation Fangyuan computers that are compatible." For Tang Huan's faint condescension, Tang? Estlic was naturally very unhappy, and immediately laughed sarcastically, "I don't know, when will the price war between Fangyuan computers start?" ”

"This kind of possible disputes belong to the subsection, and I am a person who does business, and what I pay attention to is sincere cooperation and equal interests." Tang Huan waved his hand disappreciatively, "If IBM wants to produce a second-generation Fangyuan computer that is compatible, it's not impossible for us to sit down and have a good talk." ”

"Our own IBM-PC is good enough, how can we have time to pay attention to your second-generation Fangyuan computer." Tang Dynasty? Estlic snorted and turned to leave.

Seeing the IBM group retreating one after another, Tang Huan snapped his fingers, "These guys who came to spy on intelligence, don't you know how annoying they are?" I don't buy anything, I don't talk about it, and I still stand here in a big way, blocking other real customers. ”

Amid the laughter of the crowd, Chambers whispered, "Don? Estlic also observed carefully, I just got the news that those Japanese manufacturers who have obtained the authorization of the second-generation Fangyuan computer compatible machine, in contact with customers, the quotation of some models is already lower than our similar products. ”

"There's no need to be overly nervous, this price squeeze won't have a negative impact on us for at least a year." Tang Huan smiled lightly, "Apple's AppleII has begun to have a weak successor, I estimate that it will be good to have a tie with IBM-PC next year, and it will be just when these Japanese partners with great cost advantages rush forward." The larger the market share of Fangyuan computer platform, the more revenue of Zheru Software will be. ”

Speaking of this, Tang Huan turned around and looked at the booths of Zheru and Fang Yuan Computer, and smiled with great ambition, "We just need to continue to do a good job of characteristic computers, just the industry computers in front of us, multimedia computers in the medium term, and portable computers are enough to fight for a while." ”

……

TANG HUAN'S CURRENT PRIORITY IS TO ACQUIRE PACIFIC BELL, SO HE DIDN'T STAY ON COMDEX FOR LONG AND RETURNED TO SAN FRANCISCO FROM LAS VEGAS.

Although Tang Huan did not deliberately exert influence, EA, Fangyuan Computer, Zheru and its satellite companies Adobe, Autodesk, etc. Still sucking the eye on COMDEX. Continues to play a leading role in the industry.

Thereinto. The PS-2400 series of personal workstations equipped with Photoshop and AutoCAD has become a big hit, and there is an endless stream of people who come to consult.

The momentum of the entire camp of the second-generation Fangyuan computer is also a beautiful scenery on COMDEX.

In addition, the email server system ZeroneExchangeServer launched by Zheru made people in the industry understand that the network and communication mentioned by Tang Huan in his speech at COMDEX are by no means ordinary empty talk.

Merely. The actions of Silicon Valley nouveau riche are too efficient, which makes more and more followers feel unbearable.

……

On Tuesday, December 1, 1981, Tang Huan's acquisition of Pacific Bell, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T, was completed in the low-profile manner he requested.

This is the largest asset Tang Huan has bought so far, and in order to prevent too much attention from the outside world from interfering with his plans, he has carefully chosen to avoid the public eye.

In other words. Tang Huan himself also felt a lot of pressure.

But with such a large amount of capital operation, how can the media easily let go of the opportunity to report. They dug heavily into the details of the deal announced by AT&T.

Among the more than 20 subsidiaries owned by AT&T, Pacific Bell is the largest, with assets of up to $14.5 billion, known as the crown jewel of the Bell system.

AT&T retained 20 percent of the shares, and the rest was sold to Tang Huan. Among them, Galaxy Communications made a one-time payment of $10 billion, and the outstanding balance payment was deferred.

In the eyes of AT&T, Pacific Bell is just a piece of candy in his pocket, which he can sell if he wants, and has nothing to do with others, as long as the shareholders support him.

And on the matter of being forcibly dismantled by the US Department of Justice, the media gloated and deserved their voices, which has always annoyed and feared AT&T.

Tang Huan's request for a low profile is exactly in line with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company's wishes, and he will honestly make a fortune in silence, so as not to be roasted on the fire.

……

Completed in 1925, the 140 New Montgomery Building is home to Pacific Bell's headquarters, and the topmost office is ready for the new owner.

One of the reasons why this company is so expensive, and the kind of fixed assets it contains, is one of the reasons.

After getting Pacific Bell, there are many things to deal with, such as trivial things such as the fact that Bell's name and trademark are not authorized to continue to be used, and major things such as the future development direction of the company.

For the former, Tang Huan directly waved his pen, and Pacific Bell changed it to Pacific Communications; For the latter, Tang Huan has long had a series of goals, which is also the motivation for him to make this acquisition.

Pacific Communications now has only two major shareholders - Galaxy Communications and AT&T.

In order to reduce his work burden, Tang Huan put the two shareholders of Galaxy Communications - Warren ? Warren Buffett and Motorola's Christofor? Galvin, invited into Pacific Communications as executive director.

Tang Huan almost did not make any adjustments to the original structure of Pacific Communications, because there was no problem with the operation of this company, but the original parent company, AT&T, held the mentality of making a little bit of money, so that he had an opportunity to take advantage of.

One of Tang Huan's main actions was to set up a high-level value-added service department under the existing system of Pacific Communications, and make it directly responsible for himself.

There is no doubt that this value-added service department will be the executor of the implementation of Tang Huan's new plan, such as CallerID - caller ID, email services, etc.

Pacific Communications' business scope is not limited to California, but covers the west coast of the United States, and even includes a Nevada Bell subsidiary in Nevada, where Las Vegas is located.

After buying the things, of course, the first thing to do is to personally check the family background, Tang Huan spent more than two weeks, running around the country, to complete this grassroots research work.

He didn't feel anything, but the escort was tired and half dead, and while secretly complaining, he also sincerely admired, "The so-called Silicon Valley nouveau riche is so misleading that it makes people feel as if they don't have to work." But in reality, this boss is an energetic workaholic. ”

After knowing the situation of Pacific Communications, Tang Huan held a meeting at the headquarters again to arrange the company's next work.

Chuck Smith, CEO of Pacific Communications - Chuck Smith? Smith was an executive during the Bell era, and Tang Huan was quite satisfied with his abilities.

One thing I have to mention is, Chuck? Smith is a black man of African descent, which is relatively rare among American business executives.

For the caller ID implementation scheme brought by Tang Huan, Chuck? Smith raised his hands in welcome, and even felt that AT&T's previous official statement that "I believe Pacific Bell will develop better and better under the leadership of the new team" is not so ridiculous.

But for the free email service proposed by Tang Huan, Chuck? Smith expressed clear opposition because he believed that the business would not only be losing money, but also that the future would be very uncertain.

Chuck? Smith's worries were not unreasonable, Tang Huan naturally didn't think about it, he smiled and waved his hand, "Then set up a new company to test the waters of this business." If you don't have the courage to try, you won't know where the road is going. Pacific Communications cannot fix itself in the traditional business model and do not want to forge ahead. ”

They were discussing, their subordinates were reporting, and people from Time magazine came to visit.

Tang Huan bowed slightly, he listened to the public relations consultant Regis? McKenna mentioned that there is a debate within Time about whether to make himself the 1981 Man of the Year.

Because, they also like another target - LechWa?? SA - Lech? Walesa, who led the 1980 strike at the Lenin shipyard in Gdansk, was so popular that it was echoed across Poland and was imprisoned.

At this time, Poland still belonged to the Eastern camp, and the figures who engaged in strikes in socialist countries naturally attracted the attention of the West, and some people in Time also favored them.

But the problem is that in this year, Tang Huan, who sells personal computers everywhere and speaks for himself, is also extremely influential, and the career plans of a large number of young people in the United States have changed, and new characteristics have emerged in the Silicon Valley economy.

Tang Huan even advertised the British royal wedding, which was broadcast live to hundreds of millions of people around the world, which is extremely whimsical, and this kind of activity ability is even more breathtaking.

Whether to serve politics or cheer for technology, "Time" is really a bit of a dilemma.

Seeing that the time is getting closer and closer to the end of the year, "Time" decided to interview Tang Huan nearby first, and then make a choice. (To be continued......)