Reborn in 2014: A One-Man Tycoon

"What? You want to see me?"

Zeng Liuqun looked at Meng Chuan in utter shock.

Many people know Meng Chuan, but few know that Meng Chuan is rich.

In many people's minds, Meng Chuan is still the child from an ordinary farming family.

Although many netizens later learned that Pinduoduo was invested in by Meng Chuan because of the bet between Meng Chuan and Ge Wei.

But for someone Zeng Liuqun's age, such gossip about Meng Chuan doesn't really attract much attention.

He usually buries himself in his research, and when he occasionally "comes out" for a breather, he only pays attention to Meng Chuan's perfect score on the college entrance examination and his nomination for the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Both of these events were featured on the news program "30 Minutes".

He had no idea about Meng Chuan's fame on Douyin.

"Let me be frank with you! I have high hopes for CATL, and I want to invest in you. What do you think?"

Meng Chuan didn't explain, but instead smiled and asked Zeng Liuqun.

"You...you really want to invest in me? Do you know how much money I need?"

Zeng Liuqun looked at Meng Chuan with some uncertainty.

He went through great lengths to spin off TLM's lithium battery business.

He was previously the head of this business unit.

He couldn't bear to see the field of kinetic energy batteries be held hostage by foreigners in the future.

But he knew all too well that truly developing this lithium battery business would not be easy.

Even if you reach the bottom of this industry, the research and development funds required are at least tens of billions.

"How much money do you want? Tell me first."

Meng Chuan still didn't explain, and continued to ask.

"At least one billion."

After much deliberation, Zeng Liuqun lowered the standards again and again.

A billion is about right; at least enough to build the factory and get the production line up and running.

We'll raise funds gradually later.

"One billion won't do."

Meng Chuan shook his head.

Zeng Liuqun was immediately disappointed.

He knew that a billion was an astronomical figure for many people.

Most people may not understand the lithium battery industry, but Zeng Liuqun, as an expert in this field, knows it better than anyone.

The lithium battery industry is a high-tech industry and also an industry that requires a lot of research and development.

It is also an industry with extremely rapid product iteration.

To maintain a leading position in this industry, there is no upper limit to the investment in research and development costs.

Without an initial investment of one billion yuan, it's simply impossible to make a profit, or even to make a profit at all.

"Mr. Zeng, I'm going to say something you might not like to hear, but your vision is still too narrow. If all you want is a billion, I really can't invest in you."

Meng Chuan looked at Zeng Liuqun, but what he said made Zeng Liuqun frown and show dissatisfaction on his face.

No one has ever said that his vision is too narrow.

If Meng Chuan thinks that asking for 1 billion is an outrageous demand, then there's no point in continuing the conversation.

"Everyone is underestimating the lithium battery industry now. As the core of the new energy field, its demand will exceed everyone's imagination in the future."

Meng Chuan seemed oblivious to the change in Zeng Liuqun's expression.

Talking freely:

"However, the most important thing for maintaining a leading edge in the industry is not even its product development itself."

Meng Chuan's words startled Zeng Liuqun, who then became even more dissatisfied:

"Brother Meng, do you even understand the lithium battery industry? It's an industry where technology iterates extremely quickly. To maintain industry leadership, the most important thing is product development. If you don't understand, then..."

At this point, Zeng Liuqun suddenly stopped, shook his head, and smiled bitterly:

"Hehe, I was being too serious. There's no point in arguing with an outsider like you. Maybe I'm not as good as you in academics, or in economics, but in the lithium battery industry, you're no match for me!"

With that, Zeng Liuqun stood up and prepared to leave.

First of all, Meng Chuan doesn't understand technology, yet he pretends to know it.

Secondly, arguing with Meng Chuan is pointless; Meng Chuan has no money at all.

"That's why I said your vision is still too narrow!"

Meng Chuan smiled faintly, but before Zeng Liuqun could get angry, Meng Chuan spoke first:

"The lithium battery industry is an emerging industry with broad development prospects and important strategic significance."

"Research and development is important, but the supporting infrastructure of the industrial chain is even more important."

"From the upstream of the supply chain, it includes the mining and smelting of mineral resources such as lithium and cobalt, as well as companies that produce key materials for lithium batteries such as cathode materials, anode materials, electrolytes, and separators."

"Without these supporting enterprises, no matter how amazing your research and development is, it's just a PowerPoint presentation in the research lab."

Zeng Liuqun was stunned when Meng Chuan said this.

The anger that had been on his face was gone.

"The midstream is where lithium battery manufacturers assemble various materials into different types and specifications of lithium batteries, such as square batteries, pouch batteries, and round batteries."

Meng Chuan continued:

Downstream, it covers many application areas, such as new energy vehicles, consumer electronics, energy storage systems, power tools, and medical equipment.

"Downstream industries are what truly determine the research and development direction of the lithium battery industry."

"Instead of blindly throwing money into research and development like headless flies. No matter how amazing your research is, if you can't use it, it's just a waste."

Meng Chuan spoke without any politeness.

But to Zeng Liuqun's ears, it sounded like a morning bell and evening drum.

He stared at Meng Chuan in awe.

He never expected that Meng Chuan had such a deep understanding of the lithium battery industry.

"Brother Meng, oh no! Teacher Meng, I'm sorry, I apologize for my previous arrogance."

Zeng Liuqun apologized to Meng Chuan with great sincerity.

Although he is low-key and humble, Zeng Liuqun has always been arrogant in the lithium battery industry.

He believes that no one understands the lithium battery industry better than him.

He also saw the broad prospects of the lithium battery industry, which is why he worked so hard to spin off TLM's lithium battery business.

However, Meng Chuan's words completely shattered all his arrogance.

Yes! The lithium battery industry is not just about product development.

Product development should be targeted and able to meet market demands.

At the same time, without products from upstream companies, even if they are developed, they cannot be produced.

"I wouldn't dare call myself a teacher; you're the expert in this field."

Meng Chuan didn't dare to be presumptuous and smiled:

"I'm just giving you a heads-up."

Although Meng Chuan had intended to take the initiative, he had actually given Zeng Liuqun a hint.

Building a supply chain is often more important than product development itself.

This is especially true for an emerging industry.

For example, in 2015, mobile phone chips generally used the 14-nanometer process.

However, this type of chip is currently still monopolized by foreign countries.

Huawei's research and development capabilities are widely recognized.

Although Huawei cannot produce 14-nanometer chips, it can develop and design chips using 7-nanometer technology.

However, being able to design and develop does not mean being able to produce.

Without a supporting supply chain, all research and development is in vain.

"No, based on just these few words of yours, I'd be completely convinced to call you 'teacher'."

Zeng Liuqun said earnestly.

Meng Chuan smiled, looked at Zeng Liuqun, and asked in return:

"So now, do you still think one billion is enough?"