My capital is quite large.

Chapter 300 Rare Goods for Hoarding

With Overwatch's global success, a piece of news quietly released by Haofeng Group has stirred up a storm in the domestic game industry and capital market.

Haofeng Networks is interested in selling its exclusive distribution and operation rights for Overwatch in Greater China!

As soon as the news broke, major domestic gaming giants, especially Tencent and NetEase, were eager to make a move.

This unusual move has sparked much discussion.

After all, even a blind person can see that Overwatch is currently the most popular game in the world, and can even rival League of Legends.

Instead of letting go of such a cash cow across the ocean, they actually released it voluntarily. It seems like they are desperately short of money.

An insider quickly leaked the information on the forum:

Huaxin Technology recently used special channels to cut in line and purchase a full thirty of the latest EUV extreme ultraviolet lithography machines from ASML in the Netherlands, with each machine costing as much as 100 million euros!

The expenditure for this equipment purchase exceeded RMB 24 billion!

In addition, Haofeng Group is currently burdened with a huge debt of over 100 billion RMB, which is already an open secret in the capital circle.

Therefore, it is widely believed that Li Feng had to adopt a "killing the goose that lays the golden eggs" strategy to cut the bottomless pit of the semiconductor industry and recoup funds.

……

Shenzhen, Fiyta Building.

In the CEO's office at Tencent headquarters, Pony Ma's breathing quickened involuntarily after confirming the authenticity of the news.

"The opportunity has arrived!" Pony Ma gave a firm order to the executives of the game and investment departments beside him.

"Immediately establish a dedicated project team! Contact Blizzard headquarters in the US and fully engage in negotiations regarding the repurchase of the Overwatch distribution rights!"

"We have to snatch this game back from Haofeng, even if they ask for a billion, we have to get it for us!"

However, the subordinate handed over a feedback document from a cross-border inquiry that had just been received, looking rather grim.

"Mr. Ma...you might be oversimplifying things. Our people contacted Blizzard immediately, but Blizzard said that Haofeng Networks' intended buyout offer is...three billion US dollars!"

"Three billion US dollars?!" Pony Ma's teacup wobbled, and the tea almost spilled on the table.

"That's 20 billion RMB?! Is Li Feng crazy, or do you all think I'm crazy?!"

"Back when they were distributing Blade & Soul, the 400 million RMB distribution fee already set a record in the history of PC games in China! Now, they dare to ask for 20 billion RMB for a distribution rights game without any self-developed copyright?!"

Faced with the boss's fury, the executive quickly explained:

"Mr. Ma, three billion US dollars was indeed Haofeng's initial asking price. However, according to our investment department's internal assessment, the final hammer price for this transfer transaction will definitely not be less than five billion US dollars!"

"Reason?" Pony frowned.

"Because this game's launch data and online player count have far surpassed those of League of Legends at the same time! The domestic and international gaming communities now widely believe that this will be the only answer for FPS games in the next decade!"

"It's not just Tencent; I've heard that Alibaba in Hangzhou has also connected with Blizzard. Jack Ma, to support Alibaba's Digital Media and Entertainment Group, has reportedly set a joint buyback budget of up to 3 billion RMB!"

Upon hearing that Alibaba was also interested in getting involved, Pony Ma's expression immediately changed.

He knew all too well that if Alibaba got its hands on this weapon, WeChat Pay would face immense pressure in its mobile defense.

"What was the actual profit of League of Legends in the first quarter?" Pony Ma suddenly asked.

"Well... we've checked," the executive replied in a low voice.

"This is probably a financial report deliberately released by Haofeng to inflate prices, but the data is basically accurate. In the Chinese server alone, the net profit in the first quarter was 1.7 billion RMB. If you include the global figures, that's 3.5 billion!"

Three and a half billion!

Pony Ma's little abacus started working quickly.

If Overwatch really is the next League of Legends, then its annual revenue is guaranteed to be at least 6 billion RMB!

With agency fees of 500 to 600 million US dollars, the principal can be fully recovered in less than a year through revenue!

But this is a matter of great importance and cannot be taken lightly.

He couldn't help but confirm with the technology and operations managers again: "Are the initial release figures accurate? Are the number of online players really far exceeding those of League of Legends at the same time?"

"Mr. Ma, I can guarantee with my career that the data is absolutely accurate!" the manager said through gritted teeth.

Without further hesitation, Pony issued the order for the final assault:

"Notify the investment department! Bring a budget of four billion RMB! Go and secure this agency rights for me!"

......

At the foot of Zijin Mountain in Nanjing, on the lakeside of a secluded private club, two high-end fishing chairs stand side by side.

On this rare quiet afternoon, Li Feng was wearing sunglasses and looking at the buoys on the water.

Beside him, Jack Ma, who had flown in from Hangzhou specifically for the appointment, was carrying an equally expensive carbon fiber fishing rod. Although his eyes were fixed on the lake, his mind was clearly not on fishing.

"Brother Li,"

Jack Ma turned his head and broke the silence first, "I heard you've been running back and forth between Xuzhou and Jinling lately, making quite a stir. If you've run into trouble, why didn't you even let your older brother know? You're being too polite."

He moved the fishing rod aside, his tone revealing the gentleness and magnanimity of an elder:

"Developing semiconductors and building domestically produced equipment is a major undertaking that brings glory to the nation. If you just ask, how could your older brother not lend a hand? Alibaba can always spare an emergency interest-free loan for you."

Hearing this pretentious offer of help in a time of need, Li Feng felt a surge of amusement.

Rumors are circulating that he has incurred huge debts to buy lithography machines and has had to cut his losses. Even Jack Ma couldn't resist trying to get a piece of Haofeng's territory.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, Brother Ma. I am very touched."

Li Feng took off his sunglasses, a calm smile on his face:

"However, most of the rumors circulating outside are just people who don't know the industry spreading nonsense. Huaxin's industrial park did indeed cost a huge amount of money, but Haofeng's own financial strength is also evident to all. Excluding those fixed asset investments, our group currently has more than 20 billion yuan in its corporate accounts."

More than 20 billion?

When Jack Ma heard the number, a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes.

In his view, Li Feng was a typical example of someone who was so concerned with saving face that he suffered for it.

A young man in his early twenties suddenly found himself burdened with hundreds of billions in debt. Every day when he opened his eyes, the interest alone was astronomical. How could he possibly have 20 billion in idle funds lying in his account?

This was nothing more than a pretense, a desperate attempt to maintain the last shred of dignity and self-respect in front of his senior.

"oh?"

Jack Ma chuckled, not directly pointing it out, but instead followed up with a meaningful question:

"Since Brother Li has so much money, are you not planning to sell Overwatch, which is currently very popular?"