Extraordinary Genius

Chapter 1057 – Going separate ways

Bill Gates had not expected Feng Yu to speak to him in this firm tone.

Even when Bill Gates met the President of the United States, he held his head high. He suddenly realized that he seems to be weaker than Feng Yu.

Bill Gates is the World’s Richest Billionaire, and his assets are 1.5 times more than Feng Yu. This is a huge gap, and he does not think Feng Yu’s assets will exceed him when Feng Yu listed his companies.

After Win98 is launched, Microsoft’s profits had increased, and their share prices had skyrocketed. Microsoft share prices are estimated to double by year-end. At that time, Bill Gates’s assets can reach more than 90 billion USD.

Feng Yu’s shares in Microsoft are only worth 26 billion. How can Feng Yu be compared to Bill Gates? No matter how profitable Feng Yu’s other companies are, those companies will not reach 50 billion USD. He can increase their gap further!

The difference between Bill Gates and Feng Yu will increase, and how dare Feng Yu speak to Bill Gates in this manner?!

Bill Gates knows kicking Feng Yu out of Microsoft’s board of directors will not affect Feng Yu’s assets, as many of his companies are not related to IT.

But now, Bill Gates really felt like kicking Feng Yu out! Feng Yu only owns some voting shares, and he can only nominate the CEO. But he cannot determine who will be the CEO!

If Bill Gates really kick Feng Yu out of the board of directors, they will fall out. The video game console cooperation, which had just started, might be affected. More importantly, Microsoft’s sales in China will be in jeopardy.

Bill Gates decided to test Feng Yu first. If Feng Yu is willing to increase Microsoft software prices in China, he can overlook this matter.

Bill Gates is confident that those hardware manufacturers will not fallout with Microsoft over a small graphic card factory, which has nothing to do with Microsoft.

“Feng, I say this from Microsoft and your perspective. No matter how much you invested in other companies, Microsoft’s profits will be the highest. It will surpass your investment company. You should know how well our software is selling and our share prices will double by the end of this year! The company will be worth over 600 billion USD at that time, and do you know how much your Microsoft shares are worth?”

“Yes, so what?” Feng Yu asked.

That’s right. So what?

Feng Yu owns Microsoft’s shares, and Bill Gates can’t force him to sell his shares. That’s why if Microsoft makes money, Feng Yu will also make money. But when Feng Yu’s other companies make money, Microsoft will not get a cut.

Feng Yu can really ignore what Bill Gates says, and regardless if he is a director or not, he will still receive the dividends.

“Feng, if you invested in that hardware company, and outsiders assumed this is Microsoft’s plan, we will face more lawsuits, and our share prices will be affected! You will also suffer massive losses!”

“I don’t really care.” Feng Yu casually replied.

Even without Microsoft shares, Feng Yu is confident of surpassing Bill Gates in five to eight years. Microsoft had reached its peak, and after the year 2000, its share prices fall by more than 40% within five years!

All of Feng Yu’s investments will continue to do well, and some will even skyrocket. In terms of rate of return, Microsoft is not fantastic.

This will be the last year for Microsoft to shine, and Feng Yu had plans to sell off his Microsoft shares before early next year. If he can continue to be the director, he does not mind keeping those voting shares.

Bill Gates looks at Feng Yu in shock. What did he say? He doesn’t care?!

How can he doesn’t care? Who would not care about the growth of over 10 billion USD? Even as the World’s Richest Man, he is also very concerned with 10 billion USD.

We are talking about 10 billion USD and not 100 USD!

“Feng, we share a common interest, and I had given in to you for our video game console cooperation. It’s not too much for me to ask you to give in now, right?” Bill Gates replied.

“That is a joint venture, and the chances of success are higher if I own the majority stake. Without Microsoft, I can also develop my own game console. My companies had developed many technologies for this gaming console. But without me, Microsoft will fail! The ‘giving in’ you mentioned is just making the right business decision.”

“I had already asked earlier. On what grounds must I give in to you? Microsoft will gain the most profits if I give in, but what do I get in return? Also, this is my own company, and why should I give it up for Microsoft? If you are willing to increase my voting shares to 10%, I might consider.” Feng Yu smiled and said.

“Impossible!” Bill Gates rejected Feng Yu without hesitation.

If Bill Gates agreed to increase Feng Yu’s voting shares to 10%, who is going to give up their shares? Paul and Ballmer will not give up their shares, and the other shareholders do not have so many shares. He is the only one who had to give Feng Yu the voting shares.

But if Bill Gates gave Feng Yu the voting shares, he will own less than 50% of Microsoft. He will no longer have absolute control over the company.

Also, who knows if Feng Yu will demand other things if Bill Gates gives in to this request.

Paul is right! Feng Yu is too ambitious!

IBM is the only company that is strong in hardware and software. Is Feng Yu going to set up a second IBM?

Absolutely not! action

“Feng, you are a director with Microsoft, and you must put Microsoft interests before yourself!”

“I am the biggest shareholder of Nvidia. Shouldn’t I consider Nvidia’s interest first? Feng Yu retorts.

The director or even the CEO is only a position. The shareholder is the investor and is also the boss!

“Feng, if that’s the case, then I think you are not suitable to be Microsoft’s director.” Bill Gates raises his voice.

Feng Yu knew Bill Gates will fall out with him sooner or later. But this is much earlier than he expected.

But... so what?

It’s only a director position. The privilege of being a director is only getting first-hand information. Even without this director’s status, he is also a shareholder of Microsoft and can attend the shareholders’ meeting. But it is only slightly more troublesome as shareholders meeting are not as frequent as board meetings.

“Bill, is this your decision? Fine. From now onwards, I am no longer a director with Microsoft. Microsoft can no longer interfere with my investments, right? Bill, you will regret today’s decision in the future!