And when Roland was about to hang up, David also threw a new message to him.

"You know what? Microsoft and Yahoo have completed their merger.

Even under the influence of the dot-com bubble, their market value still exceeded 700 billion. ”

It sounds like a flirtatious word, but it's actually a lot of trouble to do.

Take AOL and Time Warner as an example, in fact, in December last year, the America Department of Commerce had approved their merger application and completed the procedure in January this year, but so far, more than two months have passed, and the two companies have not yet completed the road of integration, and they are still half-dead.

If the two companies did not have the idea of complete integration, and it was normal to consume dry up, then in later generations, Disney's merger with Fox actually took half a year.

After obtaining the approval of the Americian Ministry of Commerce in the summer of 18 and the approval of the European Commission and Huaxia in November, the merger began, and it was not until March of the following year that they officially completed the divestiture and restructuring of their assets.

In the face of this kind of example, Microsoft was able to get Yahoo in nine months, which is actually very fast.

But Roland didn't know why David was talking to him about this.

"What? Regretting selling Microsoft stock?

Do you think you can make hundreds of millions if you hold it for a while?

I'm telling you, this kind of thinking is really unnecessary.

You, like me, are now building a short position for Enron, and at the end of the year, this money will be the same as picking it up for nothing! ”

Since beating Roland to make a lot of money on the Yahoo case, the current David has actually begun to lose his business.

Holding on to his old real estate?

No kidding!

No matter what industry you have, there is no financial money to be made!

Not to mention that the bankers on Wall Street have been controlling the development of America, and the fact that 20 years later, that 'loan shark' company in the guise of technology and doing financial business is about to break the IPO history record, proves that all the problems are.

Doing business, tired and tired, at most, he will become the richest man in half an hour like selling water.

Engaging in finance, the same hard work, but the profits have doubled!

So, from then on, David, who could hear inside information, has been following Roland to buy.

Microsoft, Enron, the Internet, these have made him a lot of money.

Because of this, Roland feels that this guy is probably regretting that he threw it away early.

However, David didn't mean that at all, "Where do you want to go?"

I mention this because they made good on their promise to sign a five-year outsourcing contract with Google after the merger was completed!

From March '01 to March '06, Microsoft's MSN and Yahoo! Google's search service will be used, and for this, Google will have to pay up to $200 million a year to Microsoft, for a total of one billion dollars.

If one party defaults, the liquidated damages will be ten times the cumulative royalty, which is up to 10 billion.

At the same time as the signing of the order, John Doerr, a partner at KPCB, another Google investor, suggested that a mature person at the helm of the company's rapid expansion would require a mature person at the helm, and he recommended that the company hire Eric Schmidt, the former chief technology officer and CEO of Sun, as the company's chairman and chief executive officer.

But this proposal needs to be voted on by us, so what is your opinion? ”

"Oh......" Roland understood, "I'm fine. ”

"Are you okay?" David was a little curious, "Eric Schmidt is an anti-Microsoft coalition guy!"

John Doerr recommended him to join Google at this time, wasn't it because Google had achieved a market monopoly through Microsoft? ”

That's right!

David's meaning was very clear, he felt that John Dur was pulling people over now just to pick peaches!

For a long time, the companies that John Doerr invested in were the kind that were pressed to the ground by Microsoft, like Sun, Netscape, and Intuit, none of which could break through Microsoft's blockade and reach the other side of success.

Therefore, the two formed a bond.

In order to show the outside world his determination to fight against Microsoft, and to prove to the world that Microsoft, a company that does investment banking in the guise of technology, has no value at all, so he set up a Java fund to provide greater help to entrepreneurs who make Java products, so as to fight against the monopoly of Windows.

But the idea is beautiful, and the reality is skinny.

Microsoft is like a dragon in the game, no matter how the warriors fight, they can't find the key to clear the level.

After the acquisition of Yahoo, with the integration of computer interfaces and Internet interfaces, Microsoft, in the eyes of peers, is even more invincible to the naked eye, when 90% of the world's computers use the Windows operating system, 90% of computer users rely on Yahoo! And when MSN entered the Internet, how others developed, it was all in vain!

This is not a question of whether there is a corresponding market after the goods are produced!

It's that after the product is produced, the user can't see the problem of your product at all!

I create a website if Yahoo! And MSN is not included, so netizens know about this website?

I write a software if Yahoo! If you don't promote it with MSN, you can't spend money to advertise in cable media, right?

So, the current anti-Microsoft coalition is in an extremely embarrassing situation.

The slogan was loud and loud, but it didn't even have the ability to break through Microsoft's moat.

Not to mention going behind enemy lines and dealing a fatal blow to Microsoft.

In this way, Google, which has reached a cooperation with Microsoft and obtained priceless promotion resources, has become a top priority.

Even if David has never communicated with John Doerr and others, he can imagine that the intention of these guys to push Eric Schmidt into Google is nothing more than to take advantage of Microsoft's monopoly to quickly occupy the entire search engine market, and at the same time find monetization opportunities, let more secondary markets become their own pockets, so as to break through Microsoft's monopoly blockade.

In this case, as allies, how could they let the backstab of Microsoft happen to them?

But Roland didn't agree with David's idea, "David, how can this be considered a backstab?"

If you think about it from Microsoft's point of view, you will find that getting people from the anti-Microsoft coalition into Google is the most important thing Microsoft wants to see, because Microsoft doesn't think they have the ability to do a good job as a search engine.

Why would Microsoft outsource its search engine business to Google?

Isn't that because they don't feel that search engine services are profitable?

If there is a profit, how can they possibly do it for us?

When they felt it was unprofitable, we let the anti-Microsoft coalition people in.

For them, we're helping them disgust!

Take 10,000 steps back and say, even if the guys who oppose the Microsoft alliance succeed, it doesn't matter.

Because after they succeed, Microsoft can't just copy it?

In the presence of Yahoo! In the case of MSN, copy ready-made, that's what Microsoft should do! ”

Yes!

Roland is not worried at all, Microsoft will see his release as a betrayal!

Because in the eyes of Microsoft, he Roland is not capable of leading Google forward!

And in this case, Microsoft is still willing to hand over the business to Google, in order to let the enemy work for itself?

If the enemy fails.

That would deal a heavy blow to the enemy psychologically.

Microsoft can't let out the market, it's just a waste!

And if it succeeds......

I'm sorry, it's mine in the next second!

Anyway, there is a portal site, and it can be copied successfully!

It's a pity that Microsoft would never have thought about how hard the enemies who had been bankrupted by him were.

Not to mention the five-year trial period, even if you cut the time in half, Microsoft can't stand it!

Because when the Google Advertising Alliance appeared, it was the day of Microsoft's explosion!

And this is exactly Eric Schmidt's characteristic performance!

…………

After taking care of the company affairs without having to worry about himself, Roland returned to a quiet rural life.

After spending two weeks in San Francisco with Kate, she heads to her zoo to say hello to the swans who have forgotten about herself, feed Elizabeth's ponies, take a picture with the giraffe named after the Olsen sisters, and wrestle the new baby penguins......

Although Roland has never cared about the construction here, before the promise of sprinkling coins, this zoo close to Las Vegas was well managed by David, even if in terms of scale, the closest San Diego Safari Park to it can grind it to the ground, but as a private zoo, close contact, that is the core!

Plus, all the animals are vaccinated, so when Kate wants to pet them, Roland doesn't have to worry about accidents.

No way.

Who would have let this kind of problem, which can be solved with money, not a problem at all?

But, perhaps, it is joy and sorrow.

In the process of the two having fun, Kate's relatives also arrived as scheduled.

Because during the previous physical examination, the two of them checked all the items.

So when that happens, it can only come down to bad luck.

For this reason, Kate, who also wants to have children, was depressed all day.

And Roland......

It was false to say that he had no regrets, but he didn't get angry about it.

Not only that, but he also held his sad wife in the sun next to the jungle hut for a day.

"He may have seen that we were too happy and felt that we would not be loved after we arrived, so he hesitated."

"Forget it...... They're coming, and you're sure to like him more......" Kate didn't believe her husband's words.

"No, even if he comes, I love you more." Roland rubbed his cheek against his wife's forehead.

"Why?" Kate closed her eyes, expecting an answer.

"Because parents are true love, children are accidents!"

Roland stared at the golden wilderness and said with a smile: "Child, that is just the continuation of life, and you are the companion by my side!" ”

Such words made Kate blow her nose.

Instinctively opened her eyes and glanced up, and when she caught the dimples on her husband's face, all her emotions turned into a turn.

Wrapping his arms around Roland's neck, he lay in his arms and murmured, "Carry me back to the house, I'm hungry." ”

Without hesitation, Roland, who still maintained exercise after retirement, came to a princess hug, "What do you want to eat at night?" ”

"Whatever."

"Whatever? It's not easy to do. ”

"Isn't that the best thing to do? I love to eat whatever you do......"

…………

While the young couple is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the 73rd Academy Awards will also be held on March 25 as scheduled.

DreamWorks' "Gladiator" won Best Picture, and Russell Crowe was named Best Actor.

Julia Roberts topped the list with "Never Compromise," and the film's director, Steven Soderbergh, also won Best Director's Golden Man with another entry, "The Romance."

In addition, Li An, who had looked for Roland before, also got his wish and won the best foreign language film.

When he took the stage for the second time to hold the cup, the spontaneous excitement made tears gather in his eyes.

After all, after the release of "Riding with the Devil", he has been banned by Hollywood.

Now that he can return to the stage, it is the best news for him.

And even better news than this came directly the next day.

Maybe it's because he took a fancy to Li An's business talent, after all, "Sense and Sensibility" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" are all typical examples of small and big, but it may also be recommended by his subordinate James Shams, in short, the day after the Oscars, Universal approached Li An, hoping to cooperate with him more, and was willing to invite him to participate in his own business projects.

Although neither side talked about specific projects, this connection can already make Li An ecstatic!

…………

Of course, Li An is not the contracted director of Warcraft Film and Television after all.

So everything that has to do with him, that's up to the point.

With the end of the Oscars, Warcraft Film and Television has also won the ultimate test.

Because the time for the release of "Memory Fragments" has arrived.

On March 28, a viewing party was held in Los Angeles.

According to Roland's request, Warcraft Film and Television invited Steven Soderbergh, who just won the Oscar for Best Director, suspense masters David Fincher and David Lynch, Brian Singh, director of "The Usual Suspects", Terry Gilliam, director of "Twelve Monkeys", and the Coen brothers, the director of "Blood Labyrinth", to taste this movie on the spot.

And after nearly two hours of screening, these suspense celebrities were all impressed by Christopher Nolan's ideas, and they gave a thumbs up and gave full praise.

"Fragments of Memory is an exciting film noir! The structure of the film is full of creativity! Christopher Nolan uses superb editing techniques to make the story intricate! He accomplished everything that ordinary people would not dare to imagine! ”

"Compared to the typical revenge thriller, Fragments of Memory is filled with more imagination!"

"Memory Fragments" is different from other suspense films, it doesn't give you a sense of surprise at a certain point, because from beginning to end, your curiosity will be hooked by it!"

"The coolest movie ever! This is the most twisty suspense film I've ever seen! ”

"Engaging cinematic experience! It's worth watching multiple times! ”

"I love this movie!"

When the unanimous praise of the masters spread wildly through the media, the curiosity of the corresponding fans was also aroused.

In just three days, the number of messages under IMDb's "Memory Fragments" section has exceeded 1,000!

Don't think this number is small, for a rookie director, this kind of feedback is already very scary!

And when the audience who likes suspense films learned about this movie, small-scale film scheduling was also put on the agenda.

On April 1, two screens in two downtown theaters in Los Angeles undertook the screening work.

On April 2, screenings began in three theaters in New York City, nine times a day, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On April 3, four theaters in Houston took turns to show 10 shows a day, only a few few.

And on April 4th, this screening mode also came to Philadelphia, but the passage of time did not increase the number of films.

This is actually a very easy to understand thing, in the era of high distribution costs, unless there is the blessing of famous directors and superstars, it is impossible for small-budget films to be released on a large scale at the beginning.

If you want to distribute films in the United States, you have to make millions of copies just to meet the needs of various theaters, and for a movie that doesn't have so much investment, spending more money to make copies, isn't that a brain?

Similarly, suspense films also need to pick the audience.

At the film viewing party, so many directors who are loved by literary and artistic young people go to the platform, in order to attract these little bourgeois to the theater, and then let these guys who can make up for their brains give positive praise, so as to attract more of their kind to enter.

As for the laity who like to be refreshing?

Sorry, you're not welcome here!

And it is under this orderly guidance that the rating of "Memory Fragments" on IMDb is also constantly improving.

From more than 100 people with a rating of 9.4 for three days of release, to a rating of 8.9 for more than 1,000 people in the first week of release, and then to a rating of 8.7 for more than 3,000 people in two weeks of release, this declining score and rising number of ratings are the best commendation!

Although it was released for two weeks, the box office was less than 500,000, this kind of achievement is indeed a crotch, but the limited screen and the steadily rising exaggerated scores have aroused the curiosity of fans, and everyone wants to know, what is this movie about?

Why is it that while the master gave praise, the audience who went to watch it was also full of praise?

At this moment, everything related to "Memory Fragments" is like a cat's claw, constantly scratching the hearts of these people, and when the box office of the whole movie exceeded 500,000, Evelyn Watson, who knew that the time had come, suddenly increased the film schedule.

On April 20, 2,000 theaters in North America will be released simultaneously!

Three days later, three weekends, the cumulative box office of "Memory Fragments" reported 11 million!