Chapter 531: Merge with Dianping

Dianping organized an industry summit in Kyoto, booking the most luxurious venue and mobilizing almost half its resources.

However, to the attendees, this display didn’t seem grand but rather seemed a bit desperate.

Simply put, Dianping knew that despite the negative news surrounding group-buys, they couldn’t claim the top spot and had to use ostentation to ‘prop up’ what was lacking, to forcibly claim the leadership position.

But when the forum concluded, a flood of news spread…

Large chain brands would definitely flock to them, at which point Dianping’s position would be firmly secured.

“Heard the news? The boss of the group-buy is also coming.”

“Of course I heard, if President Jiang isn’t coming, we of Lashou wouldn’t be here either.”

“I don’t quite understand his thinking, sending a city manager would have sufficed, personally showing up is like giving the competitors free publicity.”

“Maybe it’s about the financing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rumor has it, Alipay and Tencent have sent delegations.”

“Looks like they’re teaming up against the group-buy.”

“Not sure about the specifics, but Dianping must have made a killing with this one.”

The first evening of the conference was a welcoming cocktail party, an informal scene for discussions.

Luo Ping and Robin of Lashou, Kang Jingtao who had been ousted from Shanghai, Chang Jian Song of Nuomi Group, and the CEO of Wowo Group, Bao Renwei, were all present, discussing non-stop.

These men weren’t exactly friends; they had been competitors over territories before this.

Yet, in business, both substance and face matter, so none would tackle each other offline.

Especially Chang Jian Song who made a conceding gesture at the party allowing others to proceed first.

“Smoking’s banned indoors, let’s step outside for one, shall we?”

“Sure, let’s do it.”

“Yo, Huazi, I’ll join you.”

Each picked a cigarette and wandered around the hall before entering another banquet hall that was unoccupied.

This was both for ease of smoking and for private discussions.

However, as they entered, they hesitated without lighting the cigarettes because they were stunned.

Not for any other reason but because they realized this hall was arranged almost identically to the next, especially the sign up front which also bore Dianping’s logo.

But the sign was different—it read “Dianping’s National Chain Brand Franchising Signing Conference.”

The date, interestingly, was just after the forum in the evening.

Seeing this, they all felt a chill, thinking Dianping really had a brazen move.

They planned to sign former chain Brand partners of the group-buy directly in front of the media and peers, creating a buzz and tying all conversation threads together to maximize effect.

Just imagine, after broadcasting the forum following by the signing event, how would the already on-edge merchants react?

Everyone knew that the group-buy had been soothing merchants this whole week; now, it would be all for naught—a building shattered at its load-bearing walls with a single hammer strike.

“That’s harsh.”

Kang Jingtao lit a cigarette and took a deep drag: “Dianping must have hired a public opinion master, group-buy is now like mud that’s stuck—it’s dirty whether it is or isn’t.”

Hearing this, Robin and others said nothing but continued smoking while staring at the backdrop, lost in thought.

When group-buy first entered Shanghai, attacked by Lashou and Nuomi, everyone thought they were doomed, but they survived by signing key contracts upfront.

Later, when third-party payment platforms went live, everyone was ready to devour group-buy which again managed to push rivals out of the top four cities by signing key contracts first.

Everyone thought the market was settling, but now group-buy seemed truly on the brink.

They finished their cigarettes in silence, all suddenly feeling an urge to bring Jiang Qin here to see for himself.

“Has President Jiang of the group-buy arrived?”

“Haven’t seen him yet.”

They wandered around the venue and checked the registration desk only to find that Jiang Qin hadn’t arrived yet.

It wasn’t just them; many at the party were waiting for Jiang Qin—the bosses of other group-buy sites, capital representatives, journalists, and major group-buy industry partners.

Everyone knew group-buy had been under severe stress this month.

If it were just their mistake, then they’d only have themselves to blame, or it’d be a lack of capability.

But the current crisis was clearly caused by targeted actions from others, a feeling of indefensible powerlessness—unclear if Jiang Qin could withstand it.

As Kang Jingtao and others ‘accidentally spilled’ the news, everyone’s eyes widened, some even sneaked a peak at the adjoining banquet hall.

Once the signing event was confirmed real, everyone thought of Jiang Qin, wondering how awkward or embarrassed he’d be tomorrow.

“Looks like Jiang Qin has arrived.”

“Where?”

“At the entrance, look there quickly!”

Amid whispered conversations, over a hundred people in the venue turned their eyes to the entrance, looking intently as a young man slowly walked into the ornate hall.

He was in a suit, striding confidently, tall with arched eyebrows, showing no signs of anger or dejection but rather an indifferent expression, revealing no emotions.

Following him was a man from the Kyoto station, Yao Shengdong, walking one after the other to the registration area.

Many there saw Jiang Qin for the first time, thinking he looked very young.

Remarkably young, to have climbed to the industry’s peak amid many competitors, nearly becoming a unicorn—truly causing a deep impression.

But that was then, just then.

“Sir, would you like something to drink?”

“Apple juice, please, in a champagne glass.”

“Ah? Um…oh, okay.”

A waiter quickly brought the apple juice in a champagne glass, handing it to Jiang Qin.

Jiang Qin took the glass and stepped into the crowd, noticing many eyes on him, then whispered something, his face wearing a mock-smile.

This expression was easy to read—in simple terms, everyone was waiting to laugh at group-buy.

At that moment, the iron lady of Dianping, Chen Jiaxin, and their boss Zhang Tao stepped forward and shook hands with Jiang Qin.

“President Jiang, better seen than heard.”

Jiang Qin smiled slightly: “You’re fortunate, got a free look at a face worth over six million.”

“?”

Before Zhang Tao and Chen Jiaxin could respond, more people like Chang Jian Song of Nuomi and Shen Yang, and the boss of Wowo, Wang Binliang, crowded around.

Everyone held their drinks and shook hands with him, their expressions friendly and words courteous.

Regardless of the current state of group-buy, Jiang Qin’s strength had once conquered them; in this respect, he was to be respected.

Especially Dianping’s boss, Zhang Tao, even though he was actually older than Jiang Qin, still slightly lowered his cup.

“Do you have time, President Jiang? We’ve prepared a meeting room; some folks want to talk privately.”

“Privately? Sure.”

Zhang Tao gestured invitingly, and Jiang Qin was led to a small private meeting room on the east side of the hall.

Yang Xueyu and an old acquaintance of Jiang Qin’s from Tencent, Peng Sheng, were seated inside.

“President Jiang, long time no see.”

“Long time, President Yang, and President Peng.”

Jiang Qin sat on the opposite sofa, looking at both.

Yang Xueyu broke the silence: “Recent public opinion hasn’t been favorable to group-buy; I assume it’s been troubling for you, President Jiang. Peng and I are here to offer a solution.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“You’ve seen the media, the stars we’ve invited; the moment the forum ends tomorrow, Dianping will become the hottest group-buy site.”

Yang Xueyu pursed his lips: “And group-buy, you know what the outcome would be, President Jiang.”

Jiang Qin looked at him quietly, signaling him to continue.

“In a new industry, everything is unstable; even a slight stir can destroy a company, especially once public opinion solidifies, it becomes hard to change.”

“What do consumers and merchants think of group-buy currently? It’s fragile, it’s unstable, it’s hard to trust.”

“I know you’re powerful; honestly, every time I saw you in Shanghai, I would break out in a cold sweat. You are the strongest businessman I’ve ever met, no doubt.”

“But let’s face it, in the domestic business environment, how can you survive without allies? Think about it—if you weren’t always fighting alone, how could you have been brought to this point by public opinion?”

Jiang Qin laughed: “Theoreticians talk too much. Get to the point.”

Yang Xueyu pursed his lips again: “Merge with Dianping, accept Tencent’s investment, but don’t worry, operations will remain independent. Group-buy will still be yours, but we will support each other in business to achieve a win-win situation.”

“You mention ‘win-win’, and I get a headache.”

“Why?”

Jiang Qin looked out the window: “You probably don’t know me well enough. In my world, ‘win-win’ never means two people win; it’s only me winning twice.”

Peng Sheng couldn’t help but speak: “President Jiang, with public opinion at this stage, how can you win twice?”

“I’m more worried about you guys winning twice. But I want to know, if I agree to your proposal, what benefits do I get?”

“We will announce your merger with Dianping at this forum, and also announce Tencent’s investment, eliminating any rumors of financial troubles!”

Jiang Qin picked up a teacup and took a sip: “What’s the price?”

Yang Xueyu sat up straight: “Group-buy will be led by Dianping, focus on community group-buys only.”

“…”

“Think about it.”

Jiang Qin leaned on the sofa, silent for a moment then spoke: “Honestly, since ’09 I’ve never considered you as competitors, but today you finally seem the part.”

Yang Xueyu looked at him: “What do you say, President Jiang?”

“Do you know how to eliminate the impact of public opinion?”

“Ah?”

“It’s simple actually. Just present an even more explosive event to divert attention, then while it’s hot, recreate your public image—like copy-pasting a document, the old one disappears.”

Yang Xueyu was stunned and exchanged a look with Peng Sheng.

Jiang Qin put down his teacup: “President Yang was right. There’s no going solo in business. Even as handsome as I am, I can’t control everything.”

“Since President Jiang understands, then this matter is easier to discuss.”

“No, what I mean is, you seem mistaken. Who said group-buy was ever going solo?”

“?”

Jiang Qin put down his teacup, adjusted his suit, ignoring their puzzled looks, turned, and left the meeting room.

The summit’s party didn’t last long as many had other private engagements to attend—like foot washing or karaoke, the real business end.

But as people left, many saw Jiang Qin standing outside the hall, puffing on a cigarette, then suddenly, as if breaking down, he viciously smashed a wall.

Seeing this, everyone exchanged glances.

Because everyone had just seen Dianping invite him into a dedicated meeting room, likely an intense confrontation, hard for such a former unicorn to accept.

Witnessing this, everyone sighed.

Internet commerce is indeed like a bubble—you can rise high overnight but also collapse just as fast.

“Boss, has everyone left?”

“Really?”

Yao Shengdong nodded, pocketing his camera: “Aside from Dianping’s people, almost everyone else has left.”

Jiang Qin tossed his cigarette butt away. “Damn, if I walked any later, I’d get lung cancer.”

“What about us? Just now, Kang Jingtao from Lashou Network came over wanting you to get a foot massage.”

“Screw that, let’s head back to the hotel. Your boss is a super jealous type.”

After saying this, Jiang Qin turned and walked down the steps towards the parking lot.

Meanwhile, Yang Xueyu and Peng Sheng left the conference room and met with Chen Jiaxin and boss Zhang Tao.

“How did it go?”

Yang Xueyu shook his head. “No deal.”

Chen Jiaxin frowned deeply. “We pushed him to this point and still no deal?”

“No, but he said something odd.”

“What do you mean?”

“He told me that to eliminate bad press, we need to create new press and establish a new public image. He also said… group buying has never been a solo fight.”