Chapter 825 Connection (5k)

As we enter April, companies and institutions related to residential subprime mortgages in the United States have not seen any relief. They are still announcing closures or filing for bankruptcy at a determined pace.

According to statistics from enthusiastic people on the Chinese Internet, from March to April, more than 25 subprime mortgage companies in the United States were unable to operate normally.

In other words, one company will have serious problems every two days.

However, U.S. stocks stabilized after experiencing a wave of declines.

This seems to confirm the views of many well-known financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch and Bear Stearns on the market. The situation in the field of housing subprime mortgage loans is a local, digestible and solvable problem.

Chinese netizens understand this.

"What Merrill Lynch means is that the market is squeezing a bubble. They are all subprime mortgages anyway, and small and medium-sized companies will fail. Even if there is a New Century Financial Company, it cannot be like giants like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac." Let Ba also fall."

"Subprime loans are already in this state, what else can we do?"

When all the negative points are eliminated, it is a positive thing!

However, some Chinese netizens who participated in shorting Lehman did not feel so good.

They didn't care about U.S. stocks or subprime mortgages, but they cared wholeheartedly about Lehman's situation.

Throughout April, the ups and downs of Lehman's stock price could cause small ripples on Weibo.

Since someone estimated that there were two groups in China participating in the short-selling of Lehman, those who spoke out on the Internet gradually called themselves the "Lehman short-selling group", so much so that they were even divided into the "first group" and the "second group".

Because Lehman's stock price rose, fell, and stagnated, a large-scale short-selling art performance was held online.

"The third battalion and fourth company of my regiment have seized the 62.6 heights today!"

"The enemy's firepower is fierce and position 63.1 has been lost!"

"Our army and the Lei Army have repeatedly had stalemates on the front line in the 64.8 area!"

Lei Jun who visited on Weibo:?

An unprecedented Internet performance show that has both interests and dramas bloomed on Weibo.

After being reported by Hong Kong's "Sun", this performance was translated into English and reprinted abroad, with several shocking titles, such as "Military Forces Target U.S. Investment Banks" and "Suspected Chinese Officials Look Down on U.S. Financial Markets" etc. wait.

Finally, these foreign reports were translated into Chinese by enthusiastic netizens who paid close attention to relevant trends, and were posted on the Chinese Internet again, successfully exporting to domestic sales.

So many and varied, with great black humor.

However, there was a lot of excitement outside the market. Lehman's stock price remained basically stable after experiencing the impact of filing for bankruptcy in the new century. This made many people who invested heavily feel anxious.

In particular, the domestic big A has been rising very fiercely this month. In March, it was still hovering around 3,000 points. In April, it surged to 3,900 points. It is now within reach to reach 4,000 points in May!

Experts call it bull market, bull market!

Such a contrast between the inside and outside, anxiety is mixed with some regret.

"Is it okay to short Lehman? It seems to be more profitable in A stock. Now I'm worried that Mr. Fang's leverage might be a bit high?"

Xiong Xiaoge, who often hangs out on Zhihu and even promotes Zhihu when recording programs on CCTV, noticed this change and took the initiative to offer comfort.

“Didn’t it take five months to short Lehman in the last cycle before there was any change?”

"Don't panic, Mr. Fang has gone to the United States to do it face to face. I think Lehman is just a withered bone in the grave."

Having said that, Xiong Xiaoge knew that Mr. Fang had been busy working on his mobile phone for more than a month after flying to the United States.

Yike mobile phone, codenamed Mars, has entered the sprint moment before the press conference.

…

“When will the Apple phone be released?”

"June 29? Okay, our press conference is scheduled for June 26, two sixes, sounds good."

"Also, the four-party meeting between Google, Qualcomm, T-Mobile and us is scheduled for just one week later, on May 7. Everyone must be alert. This meeting must be in the best condition."

On May 1, Fang Zhuoren hosted an internal meeting of Yike via the Internet at his villa in Houston to comprehensively review this month's work and May's schedule.

At the end of the meeting, he once again asked Xu Keden, the director in charge of mobile phone optimization: "How is Mars now?"

Xu Keden was in a conference room in Silicon Valley. He met the gazes of his colleagues and knew that mobile phone optimization was of great importance. He said a little shyly: "It's almost the same as mid-April. We are still looking for the problem of abnormal battery temperature."

Fang Zhuo did not blame anything, nor was he as entangled as before. He said simply: "Okay, then continue to follow your plan. Just prepare a few more mobile phones when you meet the operator on the 7th."

No matter how he prepares, no matter what problems still exist, when it comes time to unload the arrow, Fang Zhuo will not let himself have any psychological baggage.

The mobile phone launch conference is indeed an important node for Yike Mobile, but there is still half a year to optimize, and the launch is another more important node.

Now is the time to see the true chapter, and then it will be time to decide between life and death.

"See you all on the 7th." Fang Zhuo ended the meeting.

I will fly to Silicon Valley on May 6th and have a meeting on the 7th to review the consultation situation and decide whether to make any adjustments.

At present, it is confirmed that the press conference will be held on June 26, which is less than two months, but it happens to be after the NBA Finals, so the time is quite reasonable.

Fang Zhuo was thinking about the arrangements and planned to arrange it twice before the press conference. The most important thing was to avoid the unstable state of the phone as much as possible.

The study was quiet for half an hour, waiting for the scheduled call.

Google's CEO Schmidt has been in frequent contact recently and is also paying close attention to the situation of Yike mobile phones.

After careful consideration, Google made adjustments and confirmed that the news of the establishment of the Android Mobile Open Alliance, which has united dozens of software and hardware manufacturers, will be put together at the press conference of Yike mobile phones. It is a closer platform and can also encourage the release of the first Android mobile phone.

"Mr. Fang, there is a definite good news." Schmidt exchanged a few words and said directly, "The sales price of Apple iPhone in AT&T has been determined. What do you think the 4G version is?"

Fang Zhuo said calmly: "199 US dollars, less than two hundred yuan, you can't lose money or be fooled."

It is also very close to the release of Apple. Recently, there have been rumors about the price of AT&T. Schmidt has channels to help confirm the real situation in advance.

Schmidt smiled and said, "Yes, $199, and the 8G version is $299."

Fang Zhuo had expected it in his heart. When he heard the price that was finally officially confirmed, he sighed slightly: "This price is very stressful."

Schmidt asked: "Mr. Fang, do you think there is still profit at this launch price of iPhone?"

Fang Zhuo said without hesitation: "It is impossible. $199 must be higher than the hardware cost. Even if the current storage price is falling, it must be higher. The price of the chip that Samsung gives to Apple is unknown, but from the hardware manufacturers we have extensive contact with, the cost of the iPhone should be $220-230."

Just looking at the hardware cost, an iPhone with a price of $220-230 is sold for $199.

Because the prices of first-line hardware are relatively transparent in the industry, this kind of sale will undoubtedly bring strong pressure to competitors.

Either you can access the model of cooperation between iPhone and operators, or you can lower the cost to make a meager profit. Otherwise, selling at a loss will only be a vicious cycle.

Schmidt asked again: "Is this cost estimate accurate?"

"The screen and touch screen module are about 65, the RF and wireless modules are probably less than 11, 4G storage is now purchased for about 40, memory is 14-15, baseband is 8-9, and the processor is 13-16 according to the industry level..." Fang Zhuo listed them casually, and these were all data that he was very familiar with.

In addition to the cost estimates of competitors, Yike Mobile also tried to reduce costs while maintaining quality, but it may still be difficult to reduce it to below $199.

If the cost is to be lower than $199 at the current hardware level, there is only one possibility, that is, the storage price will collapse in the second half of the year.

Anyway, it was $12/1G two months ago, and now it can't hold the $10 mark. Unfortunately, Samsung announced on April 20 that it would not reduce production.

Fang Zhuo extremely suspected that Samsung might not only not reduce production, but also continue to increase production in the future.

Roll, roll, roll, and see if this wave can really kill the manufacturers.

Schmidt nodded while holding the phone, still smiling, and said: "Mr. Fang, when we meet with T-Mobile, we must make it clear what the iPhone costs. I don't know the prices of these parts of the phone, so you'd better list them all."

"Why do I say this is good news? Because AT&T has subsidized it like this. Is the president of AT&T sent by Apple? Is AT&T's Legere also an Apple director?"

"At the critical moment of competing for the 3G market, T-Mobile must face up to the actions taken by its competitors in various fields."

Fang Zhuo is very familiar with Schmidt's way of saying things from different angles. He said, "No problem. I have time on the 7th. Let's make an appointment. I will also talk to Qualcomm later."

"Mr. Fang, don't be discouraged." Schmidt is now afraid that Yi Ke will lose the motivation to move forward after knowing the price of the iPhone and facing the stubbornness of the operators.

He continued, "Why not? Yi Ke is just like your team, Mr. Fang, why not?"

Fang Zhuo laughed, "Of course."

Schmidt knew that Mr. Fang was in Houston, and finally wished, "I hope the Rockets will have a good result in the next two months."

Fang Zhuo thanked Mr. Schmidt.

He just flew to Houston from Silicon Valley yesterday, intending to participate in the Rockets' first home game in the first round of this year's playoffs.

For the whole month of April, the mobile phone has been watching, and the team's public opinion operation is also being carried out simultaneously.

Since the "Why not" video was exposed and widely circulated, Fang Zhuo has not refused interviews from sports media, and said openly that even if the Rockets are in the lower half of the Western Conference playoff rankings this year, they still regard the impact of three consecutive championships as the only goal.

Not only that, the team also released the player's declaration shot internally, the theme of which is to impact the three consecutive championships.

However, with the Rockets' media operations and the spread of the declaration promoted by public relations, the Rockets' final ranking in the regular season in April was fifth.

It's somewhat ridiculous that a team ranked fifth in the Western Conference wants to win the championship and even asks every player to record a championship declaration.

On April 26, one day before the start of the NBA playoffs, Fang Zhuo accepted an interview with the sports media ESPN, and nonchalantly listed the "10 wins and 10 losses" theory in the sports edition, several of which received public backlash from different teams.

"It's not a problem that we are ranked fifth. The fourth-placed Jazz have 52 wins, and our 51 wins are just one win less."

"Even if the Jazz have a home advantage, so what? Can they use their home court?"

"Even if they can use their home court, in the past two years, we prefer to advance on the road. I already miss the Spurs' stadium, where the fans are very enthusiastic."

"I hope that the away fans can welcome us with the greatest enthusiasm."

"I am very familiar with the situation this year. The opponents are still the Spurs and the Mavericks. I actually hope to see other teams appear in front of us. Come on."

"As for the East, as long as the Rockets break out of the West, they will be the champions."

"Fifth in the West is good. You can accept the challenge of the defending champions."

ESPN faithfully broadcast Boss Fang's talk on the show before the start of the playoffs.

At first glance, such confidence seems to be the first in this year's regular season, but in fact it is only the fifth in the West.

The Mavericks and Spurs ranked first reacted well. They did lose for two years. At least, Boss Fang recognized them.

The most indignant are the Rockets' first-round opponents, the Jazz and the Eastern Conference teams.

Needless to say, the Jazz will not feel respected when they are about to play against the Rockets.

Eastern Conference teams...

This, this, the Rockets are the fifth in the West with 51 wins and 31 losses, but they can actually rank second in the East, only winning 2 games less than the first in the East, the Pistons...

The situation of the West is strong and the East is weak is very obvious.

If the Rockets really rush out, they may really be defeated.

Therefore, the Eastern Conference playoff teams have expressed their support, thinking that Fang Zhuo, the team owner, is too arrogant. Whether it is speech or team promotion, it is no longer opening champagne at halftime, it is simply opening champagne before the game!

Under the disturbance of this public opinion backlash, the Jazz and Rockets played the first two playoff games at the end of April.

7 games 4 wins, 2-3-2 home and away game system.

The Jazz won one and lost one in two home games!

It won the first game by 3 points, and then lost 19 points in the second game.

Then, the game came to the Rockets' three home games.

The Rockets' home games have experienced the baptism of two championships, and coupled with the team's ticket operations, they have already shown a trend of being the league's devil's home games.

This puts a lot of pressure on the Jazz.

The Rockets, who are healthy and have three star players, are somewhat unsolvable, at least, not something they can solve.

Fang Zhuo is not really worried about the first round of games. Although he deliberately exaggerated in front of the sports media, the Rockets' record this year was really affected by injuries. Now that they have recovered, they are not without the strength to fight.

Just before the team was about to start the third game, Fang Zhuo called O'Neal, who had already announced his candidacy, and sincerely invited him to watch the game.

The video shot by an "unknown person" has been widely circulated on the Internet, directly linking "black people elected as leaders" and "Rockets winning three consecutive championships". However, this year, the important way for O'Neal to prepare for next year's election is online communication and fundraising.

When O'Neal received the call from Mr. Fang, he was actually a little unhappy.

When the team first noticed the video, O'Neal, as a fan, almost smashed his phone - how the hell did the Rockets win the championship this year?

But he calmed down and thought about it, maybe he didn't know how many people were still pointing at him behind his back - you, a black man, also want to be the leader?

O'Neal was so empathetic that he was not so angry, and began to think about how to operate online public opinion.

"Mr. Fang, I have a lot of things to do recently, too busy, and can't watch the game on site, but I will always support the Rockets."

"I can go to the scene in about two or three weeks."

O'Neal gave this answer.

Fang Zhuo immediately understood the other party's plan. If the Rockets still have a game in two or three weeks, then even if they have reached the Western Conference Finals, they really have hope to continue to move forward.

At that time, O'Neal's appearance on the court could have gained considerable public opinion benefits.

Now, it's too early. If the Rockets really lose, he will become a joke if he is still there.

Fang Zhuo expressed his understanding on the phone and said, "If we reach the finals, I am very confident that I can win the championship this year."

O'Neal gave a more decent statement: "I am ready to witness the Rockets' three consecutive championships."

There is no doubt that he was talking about witnessing the championship moment in person.

Fang Zhuo ended the call with O'Neal, hoping that this wave of luck connection would bring good luck to the team.

On May 2, the Rockets played the third game of the first round of the playoffs at home against the visiting Jazz.

Team owner Fang Zhuo watched the playoffs live for the first time, while the team's small owner Jay Chou next to him has been accompanying the team since April.

The third game, this doesn't even need any more description.

The Rockets' first home game this year, all the players were excited, continuing the hot hand of the previous game, and still won the game smoothly with a big score difference of 15 points.

After the game, the team owner Fang Zhuo accepted an interview with the media and simply said: "Why not?"

May 4, the fourth game of the first round.

The Rockets had a bad touch that day and only won the Jazz by 5 points, but they successfully got the match point.

May 6, the fifth game of the first round.

The Rockets made a concerted effort and reversed the situation in the fourth quarter with the continuous attack of Yao Ming and Carter, winning the fifth game with a score of 101:93, and successfully advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a score of 4:1.

However, it was not the players who made the headlines, but the team owner who was interviewed again after the game.

Unlike the last time when he was understated, Fang Zhuo faced the camera of the reporter after the promotion, tore off his jersey with force, and gave a roaring "Why not", which impressed the fans watching the live broadcast.

Major sports media began to truly discuss the Rockets' promotion prospects in the playoffs.

Basketball is round, can it really be Why not?

…

On the second day after the Rockets advanced to the second round, Fang Zhuo was already sitting in Silicon Valley.

On his left was Google CEO Schmidt, on his right was Qualcomm CEO Jacob, and opposite was T-Mobile's senior team headed by CEO Leger.

"Why not?"

After everyone greeted each other, Fang Zhuo got to the point, opened the PPT, and gave the first sentence.