Rebirth 2010: I taught Mr. Lei how to make a mobile phone

Chapter 747 Li Yanhong's Thirst for Wealth

More than two months have passed since the Forbes list was released in early May, but for Lu Qi, this period of time has felt exceptionally long.

First, his meticulously planned "acquisition of Slack" plan was jointly rejected by Bill Gates and Satya Nadella.

Slack, an instant messaging software focused on enterprise team collaboration, boasts comprehensive voice and video calling features. With 230 million monthly active users, $6400 million in annual revenue, and a recent valuation of $40 billion, it has become the most direct competitor to Microsoft's Skype business.

In Lu Qi's view, acquiring it while it was still small and weak was undoubtedly the wisest business decision.

However, Bill Gates believed that instead of spending huge sums on acquisitions, the resources should be used to upgrade Skype's features to consolidate its existing market position.

To his surprise, Microsoft took advantage of the quarterly organizational restructuring at the end of May to significantly reduce his scope of authority.

Skype's business has been placed under the leadership of Rajesh Jaha, the newly appointed Indian-origin executive vice president, while Bing search and Cortana voice assistant have been taken over by Harry Shum.

Within just one month, the scale of his business decreased by 80%, with only artificial intelligence remaining as the core sector.

If it weren't for that, he wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed with a broken bone.

Recalling how he personally tested the vehicle to obtain firsthand data some time ago, he attached numerous sensors to his body. However, an unexpected incident occurred, with some of the modules malfunctioning, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and suffer multiple fractures, especially in his legs.

The doctor recommended a recovery period of at least three months after the surgery.

Lying in his hospital bed, Lu Qi looked at his wife who had been by his side day and night, and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "At least, I'm still alive, aren't I?"

He had a premonition of this situation; it was just another modern version of the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" story.

Nadella's ability to hold back for three years before taking action is already a testament to his consideration for their past relationship.

Watching his former subordinates gradually become his peers and then rise to become his superiors, Lu Qi felt helpless about this career path that was not based on ability but on power struggles.

However, this unexpected event unexpectedly resolved his inner conflict. Rather than compromising himself in the power struggles, he decided to turn around gracefully and seek new opportunities.

The phone rang suddenly; it was Shen Xiangyang calling to discuss business handover. After the business was finished, perhaps because of his impending departure, Lu Qi unusually spoke a few more words: "My present is very likely your future. Microsoft is ultimately a foreign company, and you're here..."

“I understand,” Shen Xiangyang interrupted softly, “From Microsoft Research to the AI ​​department, someone has to stay.”

The unspoken words remained unsaid, understood between them.

"Take care," Lu Qi said briefly before hanging up the phone.

Outside the window, dusk was slowly descending.

Shortly after the phone call ended, there was a gentle knock on the door of the ward.

When he saw the person's face clearly, Lu Qi was surprised and tried to sit up.

"Don't move, don't move, just lie still." Li Yanhong quickly stepped forward and placed a simple bouquet of lilies on the bedside table.

"Dongmin specially chose this flower, saying it best suits your temperament. I hope you like it."

The Baidu CEO claimed he was in Seattle for a meeting and was visiting on the side, but in reality, upon hearing the news of Microsoft's organizational restructuring, he immediately dropped everything and traveled a long distance to come.

He knew that this was the best time to recruit this tech genius. People are often most vulnerable when they are sick, and Lu Qi's departure from Microsoft was a foregone conclusion. He would definitely become a hot commodity that major technology companies would compete for.

After all, the two had known each other for many years and had chatted many times in technical salons and forums, so it wasn't abrupt.

"Thank you for your concern. It's nothing serious, just that I need time to rest and undergo rehabilitation training. Are you sure you just came to see me?"

Seeing Lu Qi's ambiguous smile, Li Yanhong laughed, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. Like I said before, Baidu is all ready and waiting."

As he spoke, Robin Li pulled a document out of his bag. "I know you value efficiency, so I won't beat around the bush. The reason I came here is to tell you personally that, knowing about the organizational changes at Microsoft, the Baidu board of directors held a meeting overnight. This is all the sincerity Baidu can offer."

Lu Qi took the document and looked at the title "President and COO of Baidu Group" at the top. He was slightly moved. He knew the value of this position and that Li Yanhong's words of utmost sincerity were indeed genuine.

"Robin, I can't even get out of bed right now. Are you sure you want to gamble on a 'wounded player' that Microsoft doesn't want?"

"Gambling? No, this is investing."

While you were building the advertising system at Yahoo, I was writing 'hyperlink analysis' in Silicon Valley; while you were leading Bing to fight against Google, Baidu was also fighting against Google's encroachment in China.

We all share the same engineer's blood flowing in our veins.

After knowing each other for over a decade, your technical, business, and management skills and work ethic are beyond question; I am very clear about that.

Do you know why Baidu is called Baidu? Looking back suddenly...
And you, my friend, will have absolute authority at Baidu, directly managing all business groups and reporting to me alone. Just think about it: Baidu's current AI labs, autonomous driving, and information flow business will all be restructured by you.

Come to Baidu! The future of artificial intelligence cannot do without Baidu. I believe you are the only one who can lead Baidu's revival in the age of artificial intelligence.

After finishing his speech, Li Yanhong mentally gave himself a score of 120. All the rehearsals he had done over the past period had paid off, and his previous speech at the Baidu World Conference was no better than this.

Later on, Lu Qi wasn't sure if he was moved, but he himself was moved, feeling as if he were facing Zhuge Liang and should bow down in worship.
Unfortunately, Lu Qi's surname was Lu. Although he seemed somewhat moved, sitting up from his lying position and accepting the document with both hands, he didn't give Li Yanhong the answer he wanted.
"Robin, I've accepted your document. I have a habit of never making hasty decisions; I need time to consider things. At least I'll wait for the doctor's next checkup results. If I can't fully recover, I might choose a quiet life."

"You will definitely recover. I believe that Baidu's doors will always be open for you!"

"Then I'll lend you some good advice."

The two then chatted for a few more minutes about everyday matters. After all, Lu Qi was still a patient and his energy was limited, so Li Yanhong took the opportunity to say goodbye.
After seeing Li Yanhong off, Lu Qi closed his eyes wearily.

Since his injury, Microsoft has been intentionally or unintentionally spreading rumors that he is about to leave the company, which is clearly Nadella's way of "giving him a dignified send-off".

Perhaps he did something in the tech industry before, which had some influence and attracted the attention of many of the world's top tech companies, including his former employers Amazon, Apple, Facebook and other tech giants.

The lowest-ranking positions are at the vice president and CXO level.

Besides Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba also sent their own senior headhunters to approach him. Tencent offered him the position of co-president or COO, leading technology strategy and AI development. Alibaba did the same, intending to invite him to take charge of Alibaba Cloud or the technology platform to strengthen the integration of cloud computing and AI.
Even the Beyond Group, which had left a very good impression on him, extended an olive branch. The CEO of a group with a market value of trillions of dollars was something that even he found tempting.

Although he intended to use this opportunity to leave Microsoft, these new jobs came knocking on his door just a month after he was laid up in the hospital.
Li Yanhong's unexpected appearance today moved him deeply, and he could see the sincerity shown by Baidu.

Just like with work, you have to distinguish between primary and secondary matters. At this moment, what he cares about most is his own health.

Without a full recovery, any high-level management position is meaningless.

What he just said to Robin Li was sincere. If he were to fall ill and not recover, he would choose to return to China. However, he would not go to any company, but would return to Shanghai to become a professor at a university, where he would teach and spread what he had learned abroad.

A few days later, Lu Qi, sitting in a wheelchair, slowly appeared in front of Microsoft headquarters, accompanied by his assistant.

This unexpected appearance immediately caused a stir among the media reporters who had been waiting for a long time.

Under the flashing lights, he calmly entered the company and completed his final handover at Microsoft.

Surprisingly, Bill Gates himself made an appearance.

The Microsoft founder approached with a smile. "Qi, perhaps we can continue our collaboration in a different way. A senior advisor position, plus equity benefits that satisfy you."

If it were Lu Qi before he was injured, he might have considered this suggestion.

But at that moment, he simply smiled calmly and said, "Thank you for your kindness. This accident has made me realize a lot of things, and I have decided to return to China to develop my career."

Gates frowned slightly, thinking the other party had some concerns about the compensation. "Any company can offer you the same terms as me."

This is a promise from the world's richest man, and its weight is self-evident.

“Unfortunately, other companies can’t give me any surprises,” Lu Qi said, staring at Bill Gates, who was looking out at the scenery.
Shaking his head listlessly, Lu Qi slowly drove away in his electric wheelchair.

As he watched the departing figure, a shadow crossed Gates' eyes.

He originally planned to marginalize this capable assistant, but since he couldn't be dealt with by other companies, he let Nadella handle it. In the end, it would just be a matter of spending some money to support a useless person. He didn't expect the other party to be so resolute.

Li Yanhong of Baidu had personally contacted the other party, and although he didn't know the details, he could guess the gist of it.

Since I can't stay at Microsoft, I'm fine as long as I don't go back to China.

He turned to his assistant and instructed, "Officially announce Lu Qi's departure to the public, to the point that everyone knows."

Soon after, he heard some news about the young man, Chen Mo.

After listening, Bill Gates narrowed his eyes slightly. "Heh~ This kid's got some good connections. It's rare for him to come out, so as the host, I'd like to give him a little gift."

The fact that a rising star in the business world suffered an accident in a foreign country is quite serious. Even he dared to go too far and take some risks.

After all, businessmen of this caliber report their overseas trips to both countries.

He broke the rules and started the first day of the month; if he visits China again in the future, he might do the fifteenth day. There's no need for that.

But young people are like that; there are ways to find something to hold against them.

(End of this chapter)