Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 14: Blogging

Lu Kuan looked at him and Zhang Jizhong, both of them in the same daze, and laughed inwardly.

His first impression and external label are that of a little charlatan, but he can often point out the key to the problem in the conversation, catching those who are deeply involved in the same industry off guard and making them unable to cope for a while.

Zhuang Xu wanted to see how much he was capable of. "You even know about investment banking. Let me hear your opinion first."

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "The cold winter is over, and the future is coming."

Zhuang Xu:?
Occupational disease? And he's even using witty wit.

“It’s okay that the winter is almost over, but where is the future?”

At the beginning of the millennium, domestic Internet company practitioners and investors had no way to have confidence in the harsh reality.

After Xinlang was listed on NASDAQ in 2000, its market value was dismal, but compared with NetEase, which went public six months later and its stock price fell below the issue price on the first day of listing, it was still much luckier.

"Brother, I call the current domestic Internet companies Web 1.0."

"What is Web 1.0?"

"It's just a one-way and passive transfer of information."

Zhuang Xu looked at Lu Kuan suspiciously, and his understanding of this junior brother who had been smart but behaved eccentrically since childhood was renewed.

After just two years of not seeing him, how come he seems to have completely changed from his mental outlook to his inner qualities, from a little liar to a boastful college student?
Seeing his expression, Lu Kuan understood and had to make up an excuse to explain: "Brother, I met a university professor who was practicing in the mountains. He talked to me a lot."

Throughout history, many scholars have lived in seclusion in the deep forests and high mountains with beautiful scenery. According to statistics, there are 5.5 recluses in Zhongnan Mountain in later generations.

Zhuang Xu nodded without comment, accepting what he said. For the first time, he took him seriously as a conversation partner of the same level and no longer held a testing attitude.

"The reason why we say the future has arrived is that, firstly, most domestic Internet companies have expanded their profit margins through SMS value-added services like Monternet."

At the beginning of this year, NetEase became the first portal website to be selected for Mobile Dream Network, and its profits soared to 1.6 million. At its peak, SP business revenue accounted for 7% of its total revenue.

The same is true for other companies such as Tom.com, Sohu, and Tencent.

Zhuang Xu nodded silently. Although investment banking business also has subdivided industry directions, researching and understanding these leading Internet companies is basic skills.

Lu Kuan patiently encouraged him: "Only when there is a possibility of survival can the industry have the motivation to change. The future I am talking about is Web 2.0!"

Zhuang Xu was now somewhat interested. He didn't expect that his charlatan junior brother could actually explain some tricks.

“What form does 2.0 take?”

"What I heard the professor talk about is the information aggregation model, where users actively participate and construct interactions. The Internet is not only readable, but also writable!"

Zhuang Xu's mind raced, and he didn't care who the professor he was talking about was. The content of these two short sentences alone had already hit the core of this investment banking elite's cognition.

These are the knowledge accumulated by Lu Kuan in his previous life when he studied directing and producing related majors at the University of Southern California. The United States was the first region where Internet capital extended its tentacles to film and television production.

"Readable...writable..."

Seeing him frowning in thought, Lu Kuan continued to offer his own opinion: "Brother, have you heard of the American blogger?" "The 911/ exposure website?"

The terrorist attack three months ago shocked the world. When all traditional media websites were paralyzed due to information overload, blogs unexpectedly became an information distribution center.

This all stems from the information sharing on personal blogs. The participation of some journalists has made it more professional, overshadowing print media and traditional portals.

"Yes, I think this is one of the templates for 2.0 and the future development direction of domestic Internet companies!"

Zhuang Xu's eyes suddenly lit up. Every user became an information node and communication center, and social interaction became the driving force of communication. This model was indeed unprecedented.

He suddenly seemed to remember something: "Aren't you going to study at the Beijing Film Academy to become an actor and director? Why are you concerned about this?"

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "Acting actors are at the bottom of the entertainment industry's food chain. Directors don't always have full control over the crew. Only those who control capital and public opinion tools can truly have the final say in this industry!"

You can never stop a former PR company boss from being obsessed with public opinion tools, which is an excellent product for leading and occupying the minds of fans.

The young Taoist's logic closed here, and he revealed his goal, which he didn't know whether to call a delusion or an ideal, leaving his senior brother Zhuang Xu, who grew up with him, speechless.

Some say he is wishful thinking, ambitious but incompetent, but he is so familiar with the industry situation and operating logic, which shows that he has thought it through carefully.

It is said that he is ambitious and has lofty aspirations, but how can this young Taoist priest with only a high school education accumulate the initial capital to delve into blogs, a 2.0 Internet product?

There are too many people who have no people, no money, and only ideas. At least as an insider of an investment bank, he has seen countless startup teams.

Lu Kuan seemed to see through his doubts: "Brother, now that I have come down from the mountain, I must do something in this world."

"You'll definitely doubt everything I say now, but when the time comes, please come out and help me!"

Zhuang Xu was pleased with his growth, but he couldn't give an immediate answer: "You should set up a business first!"

"If the concept and prospects are indeed good, I can find investment for you."

Lu Kuan knew that they had already discussed the matter in depth today and it would be inappropriate to throw out more opinions that would shock him. He smiled and agreed, and stopped talking about the blog.

It is not easy for anyone to accept and understand when someone they have known for more than ten years suddenly changes completely. This requires a process.

Zhuang Xu also changed the subject: "You want to apply to the Beijing Film Academy? Did you pass the academic subjects?"

Lu Kuan continued to make excuses for a certain professor: "I studied with Professor Tao, and I have a basic understanding of it."

Zhuang Xu suddenly asked a question in English, but unexpectedly he answered fluently. It was not surprising that he knew these words, as most of them were spoken words at the high school level.

But his accent is also very standard, which cannot be explained by being smart and studious.

Could it be that the Emperor Wenchang appeared in the Taoist temple where the two grew up and really enlightened this stubborn stone?
Lu Kuan ate his food calmly. He didn't expect that today he would be able to suddenly show his strength and subdue this senior intellectual and investment bank elite with his domineering aura.

Everyone has his own strengths. Apart from his directing, acting talents and public relations work in his previous life, he is not very familiar with the development, management and financing of Internet companies. Of course, he needs someone to implement his ideas.

As the lights came on, the two brothers wrapped their collars tightly and walked out of the hotel. The bustling atmosphere of the city was more prominent before their eyes.

The young Taoist priest Lu Kuan also planted a seed in Zhuang Xu's heart. He believed that it would thrive in the near future and make this investment banking elite an important part of his entertainment and capital empire!
(End of this chapter)