Chapter 471: How Far Have We Prepared?

A rosy hue spread across Zhang Zidong’s face.

“We are currently negotiating with several South Korean game development companies. However, to be honest, they’re not top-tier games. Titles like TJ Soft’s blood alliance or SY Soft’s Mu Online are already in talks with other companies. So, we targeted HS Ventures and reached out, but received no response.”

“I understand. That’s why I came here myself. I just returned from Hu Jintao’s inauguration ceremony.”

The mention of returning from Hu Jintao’s inauguration was a deliberate slip.

“…Were you invited to the inauguration?”

“Of course, how else could I attend?”

Zhang Zidong took a deep breath, his demeanor becoming even more respectful.

This is China—where relationships and connections dictate everything.

Other countries might see that as a breeding ground for corruption, but it was simply the undeniable reality of China.

“But that’s not the point right now. Don’t try to leverage your position by citing Chinese laws that require negotiations to go through a Chinese company. If I set my mind to it, I could easily establish a company by appointing a Chinese person as the representative. It can’t be your weapon against us.”

The essence of negotiation is to create tension.

I raised this issue deliberately to instill fear in them—fear that I could nullify the power they held.

“I have no intentions of that sort. If HS Ventures can bring only the games we have secured into China, we will grow faster than anyone else.”

Zhang Zidong appeared more proactive than Ma Huateng.

Ma Huateng refrained from interrupting, simply listening.

“What if HS Ventures and Tencent established a joint venture with a 49:51 ratio, distributing games through that company?”

Zhang Zidong proposed a convincing idea.

Despite the obvious temptation, he showed restraint and suggested a rational approach.

“Is that satisfactory for you?”

“For now, we need to focus on guiding the users we’ve secured to the gaming sector. Of course, eventually we’ll need to develop our own games domestically. Right now, Korean games are superior, but who knows what the future holds? We need to diversify our income now, and this is the best way to do it.”

This was a tactic frequently used by Tencent when expanding their presence.

They start with basic services and gradually increase their share.

Just as I was about to nod in agreement, Ma Huateng spoke up.

“The approach is flawed.”

Zhang Zidong turned in surprise at the sudden remark.

“It seems more appropriate to establish a joint venture with you, Kim Mu-hyeok, not HS Ventures.”

That was unexpected. Directly naming me piqued my curiosity about his intentions as I silently regarded him.

Having sorted his thoughts while I was talking with Zhang Zidong, his speech flowed smoothly.

“I believe Dream High Investment is essentially yours, Kim Mu-hyeok, am I correct?”

I shrugged, neither confirming nor denying his claim.

“HS Ventures is also a venture capital company funded by your money.”

Still, I offered no affirmation or denial.

“If that’s the case, it makes more sense for you, Kim Mu-hyeok, to set up a joint venture in the long run—not HS Ventures. You must be the major shareholder of Tencent as well.”

Truly, Ma Huateng was a genius. In that brief moment, he had pieced together my identity from mere hints.

“Is that all?”

“Not at all. The primary reason for this proposal is if you are indeed the hidden owner of Dream High, you must have close ties with the Party, which could help mitigate any regulations or pressures on us.”

“We’re already the largest shareholders of Tencent. And…”

I gazed intently at Ma Huateng with narrowed eyes as I continued.

“You’re quite close to Jiang Zemin’s Shanghai faction, aren’t you?”

“H-how do you know that?”

For the first time, Ma Huateng displayed a hint of panic.

“What’s important now isn’t that, but the fact that I have a special relationship with Chairman Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. If things go south between them, your connection to Jiang Zemin could sever as well. Do you really want me to take the lead?”

Ma Huateng hesitated in his response.

His eyes were wavering, and Zhang Zidong appeared increasingly restless.

“Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin cannot coexist. While they may seem united now, what if their relationship deteriorates in the future?”

Even if Ma Huateng attempted to connect with Hu Jintao through me, ultimately the Shanghai faction and the Communist Youth League would come into conflict.

Thus, I never considered funneling funds from Hu Jintao and the Communist Youth League into Tencent.

That could become a weakness.

“That’s…”

Ma Huateng hesitated.

“Ultimately, who you side with is up to you. I don’t plan on stepping into the light.”

He wants to use me as a shield in the confrontation. What a feeble attempt.

I crossed my arms, staring intently at Ma Huateng.

“Alright, I’m puzzled as to how this conversation took such a turn. For now, let’s get back to business.”

Zhang Zidong interjected, trying to lighten the mood.

I shifted my gaze from Ma Huateng to Zhang Zidong.

“I didn’t invest in ignorance of these facts, so let’s exclude politics for now. First, let’s focus on the business.”

Ma Huateng still seemed shaken, and ultimately Zhang Zidong led the negotiations.

“For now, let’s establish a joint venture between Dream High and Tencent at a 49:51 ratio. Of course, the 49% stake will be transferred from Dream High at no cost.”

“How far have we prepared?”

After glancing at Ma Huateng, Zhang Zidong continued.

“The homepage is completed. It can be linked directly with QQ Messenger’s ID.”

That was Tencent’s magic. The new player, Tencent, helps contenders defeat established players.

As time goes by, QQ Messenger’s user base will grow, allowing users to access all of Tencent’s services with just one QQ ID.

Creating a unique ecosystem exclusive to Tencent.

That was the future Ma Huateng envisioned for Tencent.

“So, what you’re saying is that you could launch immediately, provided we have games to service?”

“Exactly.”

I nodded at the confirmation that all preparations were complete.

The delay in launching seemed to stem from signing contracts with the game companies.

“Can we proceed with just TJ Media’s blood alliance and SY Soft’s Mu Online?”

“Yes. If we can service the two most popular games from Korea in China, it’s a guaranteed success. They’ve been proven in Korea and have also succeeded in Taiwan. Once they launch in China, we can dominate the gaming scene here.”

Zhang Zidong replied confidently.

“Then I’ll step out for a quick call. Is there a quiet place to talk?”

“Ah! I’ll lead you!”

Zhang Zidong stood up. I followed him into the adjacent vacant conference room.

“You can talk here and return afterward. I’ll go and have a word with Ma Huateng.”

Zhang Zidong bowed politely before exiting the conference room.

Once he left, I retrieved my phone from my suit pocket.

Before the first ring could finish, Hyeon-seong answered.

― Hey, Mu-hyeok.

“Are you busy?”

― You know, the usual. Reviewing incoming investment proposals and meetings.

“Can you talk now?”

― Yeah, it’s break time.

Thank goodness the timing was right.

“TJ Soft and SY Soft are both preparing to enter China, right?”

― TJ? SY? Hold on a second. Let me check.

I heard sounds of rummaging. Moments later, with rustling paper, Hyeon-seong spoke up again.

― The blood alliance is still reviewing, but Mu Online is about to finalize a partnership with Da Nine.

Da Nine operated CNNIC, the largest online entertainment website in China.

As of 2002, they had over ten million members and offered quality online gaming services alongside extensive infrastructure.

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t abandon a site like that to partner with Tencent.

“Can’t you leverage your position to obstruct their move?”

― Hmm… As the major shareholder, I could if I wanted to. But why the sudden interest?”

“Because I have invested in a Chinese telecommunications company called Tencent.”

― Oh, that one? The company providing that messaging service called QQ? They’ve contacted us several times, wanting to meet, but we don’t see any reason to engage with a Chinese company. So I ignored them.

Hyeon-seong has now properly turned into a businessman, well aware of China’s IT companies.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly.

“That’s right. But Dream High is their largest shareholder. It seems Tencent is eager to publish games this time around.”

― Really? I didn’t know that. Now I see why you brought it up. You want Tencent to be the Chinese partner for publishing the two companies’ games, right?”

“Exactly. Can you make it happen?”

Without hesitation, Hyeon-seong gave me a confident answer.

― We generally avoid involvement in management, but if you want it, we can make it happen. I’ll schedule a meeting with the executives right away.

“Thanks. Rest assured the contract terms will be better than Da Nine’s, so no worries there.”

― That’ll make it easier to discuss. Got it, I’ll handle it and text you afterward.

I could not allow Hyeon-seong to suffer losses while expanding Tencent.

“Yes. A text is more convenient than a call. So let’s proceed that way. I can trust you, right?”

― Of course. Since when do I turn down such requests? I’ll definitely push it through, so no worries there. I have that much influence.

I chuckled in response to Hyeon-seong’s confident tone.

― Let’s meet in Korea. We should have a meal when you come over.

“Sure, let’s catch up when I get back to Korea.”

After ending the call, I stared blankly at my phone.

If Hyeon-seong sounded that confident, the deal must be as good as done.

As I quietly observed Manager Ma, who had been standing vigilantly around us, I spoke up.

“Now, let’s head back and wrap things up.”

“Yes, Boss.”

* * *

Zhang Zidong returned after guiding Kim Mu-hyeok to the adjacent conference room.

With a grim face, Ma Huateng inquired of Zhang Zidong.

“What exactly does he know?”

Seating himself, Zhang Zidong replied.

“I have no idea either. How does he know you’re connected to the Shanghai faction? Very few people know about that.”

In a lower voice, Ma Huateng remarked.

“If that’s the case, doesn’t that jeopardize our entire plan? What about the investment from Naspers?”

“…Wasn’t it said that was an investment company laundering Shanghai faction’s funds?”

Ma Huateng nodded nervously.

“They explicitly pointed to that. They told me to accept their investment. Although I declined, they warned that it would be tough to do business otherwise.”

Zhang Zidong cursed under his breath.

“Damn it. We can’t accept new investments without Dream High’s agreement. I wanted to tread cautiously, but now everything is falling apart. If they already know you are connected to the Shanghai faction, they will reject any new investment outright.”

“Even if we push for it, we’ll still hold majority shares. With a capital increase, we could still secure investments…”

Zhang Zidong interrupts angrily.

“Did you not hear? The only one who can provide what we need is him. Blood alliance and Mu Online! Do you have any idea how successful those games have been in Taiwan? And you want to give that up?”

Ma Huateng bowed his head, seemingly at a loss for words.

“You said it yourself. If things carry on this way, we have no future. The future of our business is gaming. So we must prepare in advance to dominate the Chinese gaming market. Then we can take control of the global gaming scene, right? That’s what you proposed? That’s why I’ve put all my efforts into it.”

“But…”

“I told you before, involving politics in our business leads to scenarios like this. What if the Communist Party’s infighting ends in favor of the Communist Youth League? We’d be doomed. That’s why I warned you not to intervene in central politics.”

Zhang Zidong shot back sharply, causing Ma Huateng to sigh deeply.

“Ha… Let’s at least voice our concerns first.”

“I won’t hesitate. If this falls apart, I’m out of Tencent’s operations. That’s my ultimatum.”

Just as Ma Huateng was about to say something, there was a knock on the door.

The door opened to reveal Kim Mu-hyeok, raising an eyebrow.

He seemed to notice the unusual atmosphere in the conference room.

“Have you two fought?”