"Okay, of course there is no problem," Lin Zheng nodded with a smile. Bill Gates was able to request a stake in ICQ when there were only 20,000 users of ICQ, which shows that the potential of ICQ has been recognized by the world's second-ranked rich man. This is of course a good thing for ICQ. It is not flattered, but Lin Zheng must be happy in his heart. "I don't know how much Mr. Gates plans to invest in?"

"How about 10 million US dollars, 30% of the shares?" Bill Gates said confidently. He believed that no one would refuse this condition. He already knew that Sequoia Capital wanted to inject capital into ICQ. He also held the shares of Microsoft that he gave him. Although he had agreed with him that he could not sell or transfer, he could mortgage this part of the stock from the bank. The money he borrowed was enough for the early development of ICQ. Sequoia Capital's conditions were too dark, so his conditions were much more generous.

"30% of the shares of $10 million? It's really a lot," Lin Zheng nodded, but for Lin Zheng, who is not worried about money now, he was obviously not satisfied with the price. He paused a little and asked, "Mr. Bill, what if I told you that I can make the market value of ICQ exceeds $150 billion in 20 years?"

Bill Gates was stunned for a moment and said in surprise, "Lin, are you kidding?"

$150 billion, this price is close to the current market value of Microsoft, and has surpassed almost all IT companies in the United States. Would this guy think that his small ICQ will become a rival that matches Microsoft? What a joke!

"No, I really have this confidence," Lin Zheng shook his head, "Mr. Bill, if I could make the ICQ market value reach $150 billion in 20 years, how much do you think you should pay to get this 10% stake?"

"This..." Bill Gates hesitated for a moment and said to Lin Zheng, "Lin, I don't know where you came from, but I'm sorry. I can't see the possibility of ICQ becoming a super-large enterprise with a market value of more than $150 billion..."

Fortunately, Bill Gates gave Lin Zheng some face, otherwise the vulgar version of this sentence would be: "Damn! Even if you brag, you don't brag like this!" In Bill Gates's opinion, Lin Zheng's words seemed to be more like rejecting him, but he really couldn't imagine the reason for Lin Zheng to reject him. 10 million US dollars is only 10% of the shares. There is no such kind investor in the whole United States.

"Indeed, I can't convince you that 150 billion US dollars is indeed not a small number." Lin Zheng nodded. He fully understood Bill Gates' suspicion. From the perspective of anyone, he would be 1,000% skeptical about Lin Zheng's words. The market value of 150 billion US dollars, do you know what this concept is? How many billion US dollars in your country's foreign exchange reserves are?

Bill Gates was depressed: You know you can't convince me, but you dare to say that you can make the market value of this little penguin reach 150 billion US dollars in 20 years?

"But we might as well make a bet."

"Betting?" Bill Gates was stunned for a moment, but then he laughed: But for many years, no one said he wanted to bet with him. This was interesting, and he smiled, "Okay. How to bet?"

"In three years, I bet by early July 1998 that the market value of ICQ will exceed 500 million US dollars." Lin Zheng looked at Bill Gates with a smile and said.

The original ICQ can achieve a market value of more than US$400 million in 1998. There is no reason why this fake product cannot achieve US$500 million. Having said that, if the market value of ICQ cannot be increased to US$500 million within three years and to US$150 billion in 20 years, there is no need to mention it.

There are too many uncontrollable factors in 20 years. Compared with 20 years, the time can be controlled in three years and a quarter. Bill Gates thought for a moment and then denied Lin Zheng's proposal: "As long as the operator has a unique business philosophy and cooperates with financial operations, 500 million US dollars is not difficult... I think 800 million US dollars is a relatively reliable number. If you bet on this, we can bet."

Is it $800 million? Lin Zheng thought for a moment, gritted his teeth and nodded, "No problem, what is the bet?"

"I acquired 10% of ICQ shares with US$40 million. In the next three years, the 40 million will be handed over to you for 8 million, 14 million, and 18 million in three times. We will bet on this." The richest man in the world is worthy of being the richest man in the world. He bets are different from others. He directly bet on the market value of ICQ three years later. "If you can achieve this goal, my shares will automatically shrink to 5%; if the market value of ICQ is between US$600 million and US$800 million, my shares will remain unchanged; between US$400 million and US$600 million, my shares will rise to 20%; if it is less than US$400 million, 51% of ICQ shares belong to me, what about?"

Before Lin Zheng could speak, Bill Gates continued, "Lin, you should be very clear that no matter whether the market value of ICQ can reach US$150 billion in 20 years, investors only look at the present, and no investment firm will offer such generous conditions as me."

Lin Zheng admitted that what Bill Gates said makes sense. Although he is confident that ICQ can be no less than that of the penguins in later generations, just like Bill Gates said, investors will never decide the investment amount based on the big pie they draw. Relatively speaking, the conditions offered by Bill Gates can really be called sincere.

"OK, deal!" Lin Zheng agreed without hesitation. Although he was holding Microsoft stock worth $30 million that could be mortgaged to the bank, if someone was willing to invest at a relatively fair and reasonable price, Lin Zheng would certainly not mind selling 10% of Bill Gates' ICQ shares for $15 billion? Lin Zheng is not crazy yet.

"Okay, let's have a drink for our cooperation." Bill Gates smiled on his face. This guy was really happy.

The butler who had been waiting by the side had already drawn up the content of the bet based on what the two had just talked about. The waiter quickly brought the champagne and held the wine glass. Lin Zheng complained in his heart: Damn it's good that you have money!

With this bet, the relationship between the two became closer. Putting the wine glass in the tray in the waiter's hand, Bill Gates asked Lin Zheng, "Lin, a week will be the release date of Microsoft's epoch-making new operating system. I wonder if you have time?"

"This is my honor." Lin Zheng said this, but he was a little surprised. Is this the rhythm of preparing to invite himself to attend the Windows 95 press conference?

Half a month later, Microsoft's decision to release an epoch-making operating system was announced a month ago. At that time, Lin Zheng didn't care much about it. But now if he remembers correctly, Windows 95 was released in August this year, and it's only early April. The improvement suggestions he provided to Microsoft actually made Microsoft advance this date by more than four months? He suddenly felt like he had sold the previous ideas cheaply.

Although Bill Gates is sure that Lin Zheng will not refuse his invitation... not many people will refuse such invitations... But Lin Zheng is very happy to give face to you, "Ha... Lin, I will introduce a few friends to you when the time comes, and call me Bill, my friends call me Bill."

Facing Bill Gates' kindness, a fool would refuse. Lin Zheng immediately followed the good deeds and smiled at Bill Gates, "If you can be called a friend by Bill, you should start at least 10 digits, right? When I think about facing such a group of super rich people, I am under a lot of pressure."

"Hahaha..." Bill Gates laughed happily when he heard Lin Zheng say something interesting, "I didn't see any pressure in you."

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"Mr. Bill not only invited you to the launch conference of their brand new operating system, but also introduced some friends to you to know?" Bernier's eyes widened.

He never expected that such good things would fall on ICQ. Based on the relationship between the boss and Mr. Bill, it was not surprising that Bill was able to agree to the ICQ team's request to visit Microsoft headquarters, but he could take the initiative to invite the boss to attend the new product launch conference held on April 28 and introduce some friends to the boss. This was a bit terrifying. This means that the boss not only received Mr. Bill's recognition, but also introduced the boss to their circle. What an honor is this?

As for being so excited? Lin Zheng couldn't help but touch his nose, "Well, by the way, Mr. Bill also decided to invest 10% of the shares with US$40 million. The money will be paid to us in three years, 8 million in the first year, 14 million in the second year, and 18 million in the third year. After a while, you don't need to feel strange that there is more money in the company's account."

Benil's throat "gurgle~~" sounded, rolled his eyes, and almost fainted from the news: Boss, why are you so lucky? Are you Mr. Bill's brother in China?

In a hurry, he didn't care about pursuing his boss and Bill Gates' relationship with two races.

At this time, I couldn't faint. Lin Zheng hurriedly asked, "Old Bei, how is the plane I asked you to ask for for me?"

"Oh, yes, plane," Benier, who was almost fainting, shook his head vigorously. Now is not the time to faint. After setting the depth, Benier said to Lin Zheng, "That's right, boss, since you have the opportunity to join this circle of super rich people, you must have a private plane that contrasts with your identity. This is your identity proof..."
Chapter completed!