Chapter 344: Negotiating with a Tiger

As a group-buying website, our current model isn’t attractive enough for Alibaba.

Once the financial license issue is resolved, the group buying market will see a reshuffle. Platforms like lashou.com and letao.com might not survive Alibaba’s scrutiny.

A university student’s startup might thrive locally but stands no chance at the national level.

Everything changed when Jiang Qin’s rewritten proposal was opened.

They might overlook a small group buying site, but claiming to hold the college market nationwide and representing Linchuan commercial circle caught them off guard.

The person in constant contact with Sun Zhi was Wang Qianqian, a project manager at Alipay.

She was puzzled receiving Sun Zhi’s email as she had already clearly denied the proposal, but the persistence surprised her.

However, upon opening the email and seeing the attachment’s name, she realized she underestimated their offer.

So she forwarded it to her superior, patiently awaited a meeting which led to a dinner invitation.

“President Pang, with Zhihu controlling our national university cities, partnering with us promises a smooth future.”

“But I’ve checked Jiang’s Zhihu; it’s only in twenty-one cities. That’s far from national coverage; a bit exaggerated, isn’t it?”

“Is it? I only received news about the twentieth city.”

Jiang Qin smiled at the woman opposite him: “Not an issue. Zhihu entering universities nationwide is bound to happen, and I hope to forge a new future together.”

The woman, Pang Rui, newly assigned to the Alipay project and likely to be named CEO, was known to be amiable.

Pang Rui was all smiles during the meal, not bothered by Jiang Qin’s boasting.

Jiang knew she was a tough one because you could never tell which part of your pitch interests her.

“So, what do you mean by saying you control the most explosive market brand of the future?” Pang suddenly asked.

“The proposal briefly mentioned a project called ‘Linchuan First Station.’ It aims to market local brands through the internet, which are about to go viral.”

“Another pie in the sky?” Pang was confused.

Jiang coughed, “Like Zhihu entering universities, sweeping the national market is certain. I expect results by the second half of the year, then it’s crucial to attract users for Alipay.”

“We haven’t even secured a license yet, and you’re planning our future steps?”

“I was smiling thinking about it. Think, Ms. Pang, you enter national university markets through Zhihu, gaining a heap of users who prefer online shopping while our Linchuan businesses will promote using Alipay.”

Pang stopped eating, “What’s Alipay offline payment?”

Jiang gestured a square with his fingers, “Imagine, something electronic, like a barcode, one scan and it beeps, transferring the money to the vendor.”

“…”

“Where did you learn this?”

“I guessed.”

The atmosphere became tense, Pang lost her smile, and Jiang’s bravado faded.

Silence fell; Wang Qianqian kept her head down, unsure which of Jiang’s words hit the mark.

“I really guessed. Did I guess right?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about; sounds fantastical.”

Jiang pursed his lips, “If I ran Alipay, that’s exactly what I’d do.”

Pang cautiously asked, “Mr. Jiang, I’ve always had a question about you. Could you answer it?”

“Please ask, Ms. Pang.”

“Before coming here, I read your profile. You started Zhihu in ’08, paused at its peak to do group buying, becoming famous in Linchuan, then paused again to continue Zhihu. Many don’t understand why; were you waiting for something?”

Jiang nodded, “You noticed. I’ve been slowing down, waiting for Alipay.”

Pang laughed, “Pushing banks to change is hard; where does your confidence come from?”

“It’s not confidence in you, but in this flourishing era.”

Pang felt strangely intrigued.

This young man was gambling his future on a deal about Alipay’s direction.

What does it mean?

Zhihu isn’t nationwide, the brands he mentioned just left Linchuan, and Alipay can’t bypass banks yet.

He’s trading what he doesn’t have for what Alipay lacks.

It was Pang’s first negotiation like this, a gamble on unrealized potentials.

“A twenty-year-old student covering an entire city is impressive, but do you base every step on gambles?”

“I admit, there’s a gamble in every step, but I’ve bet right every time.”

Pang wiped her mouth, deep in thought.

The national college market Jiang mentioned seemed feasible, considering the data from Wang Qianqian.

College students are key for Alipay.

For future promotions, Zhihu is indeed an optimal platform.

His claims about the brands going viral nationally seemed far-fetched, yet Pang sensed it wasn’t just hot air.

The proposal included a marketing strategy for a herbal tea brand which, to her experienced eye, seemed poised for national fame.

What would Alipay need to contribute? Just a top-tier partnership and some promotional fees.

Crucially, with no other capital backing the group buying site, nurturing then acquiring it could put Alibaba ahead in both community group buying and e-commerce.

Plus, a highly concentrated campus social site is a significant asset.

As the potential CEO, Pang wasn’t just interested in the items listed in the proposal.

Jiang had talent; digesting his capabilities would also be prosperous.

“Talking with you is fascinating, Mr. Jiang, but let’s not dive too deep. Let’s discuss the promotional costs. What are you expecting?”

“I’m not interested in money. Making the strategic partnership between the group buying site and Alipay a top priority is my goal. You decide the amount, Ms. Pang.”

“Alright, then let’s toast to a successful collaboration,” Pang raised her glass.

Jiang lifted his, drank in one gulp, and grabbed the only item he had eaten at the banquet, the tiger skin phoenix claws.

At eight in the evening, in Qingdao’s Hilton Hotel, Sun Zhi’s jaw dropped as he heard about the previous night’s negotiation.

Was the real gamble exchanging the unrealized for the nonexistent? How audacious.

“But boss, why did you only eat one tiger-skin phoenix claw and even emphasized it?”

“Because I was negotiating with the tiger itself.”

Holding a beer, Jiang leaned against the window sill, the neon lights outside casting colorful glows in his eyes.

Why did Alibaba initially refuse Jiang’s collaboration outright?

They thought entering the group buying market too soon might support a dud, eventually dying in market competition.

“I’ll wait, when everyone’s exhausted their options, I’ll buy the best one.”

Now, using the college market as leverage, Jiang forced Alibaba’s hand early in entering the group buying market, exposing himself to potential risks.

But he had no other choice.

Being confined to Linchuan for a year was his tactic of awaiting Alipay; among all third-party payment options, only Alipay and WeChat Pay represented the future.

However, WeChat Pay wouldn’t emerge for another three years; Jiang couldn’t wait that long nor would the market grant him that time. So, Alipay was his only option.

But since group buying sites slightly compete with e-commerce platforms, once he gains momentum, someone might rejoice in saying, “The pig we raised is finally fat, let’s celebrate the New Year!”

But if you think of slaughtering me, ask if my nine-tooth rake agrees.