bookbashuk Chapter 284 Naive People Change the World
Chapter 284 Naive People Change the World
After the office door closed, the world became quiet.
Ling Yun took off his suit jacket and hung it on the back of the chair. His shirt was soaked through and clung to his skin. He unbuttoned his cuffs and placed them on the table. The platinum reflected a cold light in the sunlight.
Carly knocked and came in.
"Initial feedback." She handed the tablet to Lingyun. "CNN and CNBC have already published news flashes with the headline 'StarCraft sues Microsoft and media, accusing them of racial discrimination and unfair competition.' Online opinion is starting to divide—many people in the tech industry support us, but there are still quite a few skeptics on mainstream forums."
"That's normal," Ling Yun said. "It takes time to change public opinion."
"Representative Thompson just called to say the bill has entered the committee for consideration. A hearing is expected next week."
"it is good."
"And..." Carly hesitated for a moment, "Miss An Shiyu just texted me, asking how you are. She said she saw the news."
Ling Yun picked up her phone and saw an unread text message sent half an hour ago: "Let me know when it's over."
He typed: "It's over, and the result was okay."
Almost immediately, a reply came: "That's good. Remember to eat well."
"The same to you."
It's a very simple statement, but at this moment, that simplicity brings peace of mind.
At 1 p.m., Ling Yun ate a sandwich, ham, and cheese in his office; the bread was a bit dry. He ate while checking emails; Richardson had sent him an internal Goldman Sachs analysis report.
"Short-term impact of the lawsuit: Increased media attention and a potential temporary slowdown in user growth, but brand loyalty may improve. Long-term impact: A successful outcome or favorable settlement will establish an image of 'fighting against giants,' attracting users with antitrust sentiment. Risks: Microsoft may escalate its retaliation, including lobbying for stricter regulations on foreign companies and excluding StarCraft from technology standards setting."
The report concluded by recommending that "political asylum be considered, along with closer relationships with members of Congress who are sympathetic to minority entrepreneurs."
Lingyun replied: "I've arranged a meeting with members of Congress in Washington next week."
At 2 PM, the legal team held a meeting. The complaint has been filed, and the next step is the discovery process. The lawyers anticipate that Microsoft will request an extension of its response time and may raise an objection to jurisdiction.
"We need to be prepared for a long battle," the lead counsel said. "But the good news is that if Representative Thompson's bill passes, it will put some political pressure on the courts—at least in California, discriminatory business practices will become more sensitive."
"What's Microsoft doing?"
"Microsoft's legal team has already taken action." The lawyer reviewed the documents. "They've hired Wilson & Sons, one of the top law firms in Silicon Valley, specializing in technology litigation. In addition, Microsoft's public relations department has begun contacting the media, preparing a counterattack."
"Which direction?"
"There are two possible directions: First, question the authenticity of the evidence, especially the emails and contracts; second, shift the focus and re-emphasize national security issues, which may push Congress to hold hearings."
"We need to be prepared to respond."
"Preparations are already underway," the lawyer said. "We've hired digital forensics experts to timestamp and authenticate all evidence to ensure it's beyond question. Additionally, Goldman Sachs' team in Washington is collecting records of Microsoft's past lobbying efforts with Congress, ready to release them at the appropriate time."
The meeting lasted until 4 p.m.
After seeing the legal team off, Ling Yun stood by the window. The sun was setting, and the sky was dyed orange-red. The evenings in Silicon Valley are beautiful, but beneath this beautiful scene lay countless unseen battles.
My phone vibrated. It was an unknown number.
He hesitated for a moment, then answered the call.
"Mr. Ling, this is Ballmer." The voice on the other end of the phone was calm, revealing no emotion.
Ling Yun paused for two seconds. "Mr. Ballmer."
"I watched today's press conference," Ballmer said. "It was a fantastic performance."
"It's not an act, it's the truth."
"There are many ways to present the truth." Ballmer paused. "I'd like to talk to you, privately."
"We are talking right now."
"I mean, face to face," Ballmer said. "No lawyers, no reporters, just the two of us. Some things are better resolved outside of court for both of us."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Let's discuss the possibility of cooperation," Ballmer said. "Microsoft can withdraw further support for ICQ and stop its media offensive. In exchange, StarTalk agrees to collaborate with Microsoft on certain technical standards and... accept a minority equity investment from Microsoft."
Ling Yun remained silent.
"20%, based on the current valuation," Ballmer continued. "Microsoft will not interfere in operations, but will only act as a strategic shareholder. This can solve all the problems you face—political pressure, media attacks, market doubts. With Microsoft's support, Starry Sky can grow faster."
Ling Yun walked to the desk and ran his fingers over the pair of cufflinks on it.
"Mr. Ballmer," he said, "you said something similar to Netscape two years ago, didn't you? Investment, cooperation, synergy. And then?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
"I'm not against cooperation," Ling Yun continued, "but cooperation must be based on equality, not surrender. Xingyu will not accept Microsoft's equity investment, will not compromise on technical standards, and will not exchange market share for temporary security."
"So you're prepared to fight a war you can't win?" Ballmer's voice turned colder. "Microsoft has a market value of $300 billion, the best legal team, and political capital in Washington. What do you have? A startup, a group of idealists, and... the burden of your Chinese background."
"I have products, users, and principles," Ling Yun said. "Moreover, I don't believe this is a war that can't be won. Netscape lost not because its products were bad, but because no one stood up to expose the rules of the game back then. Now, the rules have been exposed."
"So what if they expose me? The rules won't change."
"But the players will change," Ling Yun said. "The UHSB alliance is on my side, Netscape is on my side, and more and more developers will be on my side. Because everyone knows that if Microsoft wins this time, it will win next time, and the time after that, and forever. Silicon Valley will become Microsoft Valley, and innovation will become a byproduct of monopoly."
Ballmer laughed, a cold, condescending laugh. "You're naive."
"Perhaps," Ling Yun said, "but sometimes naive people can change the world."
"See you in court then."
See you in court.
Ling Yun put down his phone and stood by the window. Night had completely fallen, and the lights of Silicon Valley resembled a galaxy on the ground.
He recalled 1998 in his previous life, when Microsoft was at its zenith, and no one dared to challenge it. Netscape's failure was seen as inevitable, the antitrust lawsuit was considered a joke, and although they won the case, Netscape was gone.
But now, he stands here, saying no to Microsoft.
It wasn't out of courage, but because there was no choice; taking a step back meant falling into an abyss.
We can only move forward, even if the road ahead is filled with an even fiercer storm.
There was a soft knock on the office door. Carly peeked in.
"Mr. Ling, Mr. Clark from Netscape wants to see you."
"Please let him in."
Clark walked in, carrying two cups of coffee. He handed one to Ling Yun.
"Gates just called me," Clark said, "and wants me to persuade you to accept his terms."
"What did you say?"
"I'd say if someone had advised me like that two years ago, I would have listened," Clark said, taking a sip of his coffee. "But now, I support you continuing."
Why?
"Because if you win, it proves that this path is viable." Clark looked out the window, "It proves that monopolies are not inevitable, that small companies can fight against giants, and that nationality, skin color, and background are not the deciding factors. In that case, Netscape's failure would have meaning."
The two drank their coffee in silence. The bitterness spread in their mouths, but it brought a sense of clarity.
"It's going to be tough," Clark said. "Microsoft will use every resource at its disposal: political, legal, market, technological... a comprehensive attack."
"I know."
"Are you ready?"
"There's no choice," Ling Yun said. "We can only prepare."
Clark nodded. He finished his coffee and threw the paper cup into the trash can.
"Contact me anytime if you need help," he said. "Netscape may be going under, but I still have connections and experience."
"Thanks."