Chapter 134

Looking at the words on the fax paper and just thinking about them, Bill Gates said, "Wintel, Simon, do you mean Microsoft and Intel?"

Simon nodded and said, "that's right."

Bill gattston showed his disapproval and said, "Simon, since 1981, Microsoft and Intel have been very good partners. You don't need to remind us of this."

"Of course I know. However, just as IBM forced Intel to license the x86 architecture patent to other manufacturers. Next, if IBM also feels that Microsoft is threatening its own initiative and introduces other operating systems to divert Microsoft's market share, what are you going to do then? "

In the late 1970s, Intel introduced the powerful x86 architecture processor. In order to avoid Intel's dominance, IBM forced Intel to grant x86 patents to more than a dozen companies. As a result, although Intel has been able to produce the best processors in recent years, its market share in the field of processor chips has not been much advantage.

Thinking of IBM, a giant with a market value of more than 70 billion US dollars after the stock market crash, Gates was silent for a moment. Even Microsoft and Intel, together, are worth less than $5 billion. If IBM really takes measures to restrict Microsoft, it will not have much power to fight back in front of IBM.

Simon saw gates silent, continued: "so, just a simple partner is certainly not OK. Microsoft and Intel must be closely integrated into a common advance and retreat technology alliance, so that users only need to choose one of them, they must choose the other at the same time. Graphical interface operating system is destined to be the development trend of PC in the future, Microsoft has a certain advantage. The core patent of X86 is still in the hands of Intel after all. Compared with other chip manufacturers, it also has many advantages. If you two join forces, you should have a fight in a few years, even in front of IBM. "

Bill Gates said: "this may be a good way, but Intel is not necessarily willing to bind itself to Microsoft."

Simon shrugged and said, "that's your business. I'm not the biggest shareholder of Microsoft."

Bill Gates thought about it and said, "even if your idea can be realized, we are not fools. If Microsoft and Intel do this, IBM and other manufacturers are likely to kick us both out."

Simon said: "it's back to your two products. Intel's processor is absolutely the best in the market, and this company holds the core patent, so the possibility of being completely excluded from the market is very low. In contrast, Microsoft's foundation is really too shallow. The operating interface of windows system is still imitating Apple's Macintosh system. If Apple suddenly turns over, windows 3.0 may not be available in the future. "

Hearing Simon's suggestion that windows copied Apple's operating system, Bill Gates didn't look very good, but he still said, "can you solve this problem?"

Simon said with a smile: "it happened that I also bought 4.9% of apple. Look, that's the advantage of having a lot of money. If there is friction between apple and Microsoft, I think I can help mediate it. "

Although he is also a billionaire, gates now has more than 95% of his wealth in Microsoft stock, and only a few million dollars of funds can be used. In addition to the inevitable jealousy of Simon's huge wealth, gates even felt absurd.

Young people who are less than 20 years old make a fortune that others can't reach in a few lives in one year.

What's wrong with the world?

Is there a bug like the operating system?

After struggling for a moment, Gates said: "Simon, if you insist, I can agree that you personally join the board of directors of Microsoft, rather than an unknown lawyer in New York."

"I'm very busy. I don't have time to fly to Seattle to attend all kinds of Microsoft meetings." Simon shook his head decisively and said, "bill and James are my spokesmen. Through him, I will keep an understanding of Microsoft's operation and put forward my own suggestions."

"You have to make sure he doesn't interfere with Microsoft's decisions."

"Of course, not even me," Simon nodded. "In fact, I'd be happy to offer advice, but I don't like to lobby a person to agree. For Microsoft, the most direct way for me to express my personal intention is to stock, buy or sell, which is so simple. Even, if you need to, I can transfer the voting rights of the shares held by Westeros to you. "

Bill Gates is not polite at all: "really?"

"Of course, it's true, but in exchange, how about selling your shares to me at a 5% discount on the market price? Bill, you are already a billionaire. You need more cash, don't you? Public selling will be restricted by SEC's share reduction, and private transfer will be OK. At that time, I'll give you 10% of the voting rights of Westeros. "

Bill Gates looked at a guy who looked like a wolf grandmother. He almost subconsciously shook his head and said, "sorry, Simon, I don't have any plans to sell stocks for the time being. You want more and can absorb them from the open market."The two chatted like this, and lunch was soon served.

After a conversation, although he still felt a little strange, Bill Gates unconsciously let go of his vigilance to Simon, and then the conversation atmosphere became relaxed. Now that he has achieved his goal, Simon also appropriately revealed more ideas about the Wintel alliance.

After lunch, Simon and gates returned to the company's headquarters respectively. It was more than two o'clock.

Just walked into the office building of the company, Amy appeared in front of him with a play. Simon saw the script that Amy handed him, and his face immediately showed a strange expression.

Rain man.

Is that right.

It's your own. Can't you escape?

Originally going to the editing room and seeing the script of rain man, Simon took Amy to his office. Sitting down behind his desk, Simon has turned over the script with great interest, waiting for Amy to explain.

Amy sat down across the desk and said, "Simon, this is a story that Michael owitz has just asked someone to send us. It's about the family relationship of an autistic brother. He called, but you're not in

Simon asked, "he wants us to invest?"

Last Friday, Simon asked Amy to release the news that Westeros was planning to invest in foreign film projects, which is obviously how rain man came to us.

Amy nodded and said, "actually, I've heard about this project for a long time. Since last year, owitz has been promoting the project of rain man. It is said that when owitz was a psychology major in University, he participated in the public welfare activities to help autistic patients, which is very emotional. Therefore, he likes the play very much, and he also brought in Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise as the protagonists. "

Simon opened the script in his hand and asked, "the project of Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise is not short of investment, is it?"

Amy said: "the story lacks commercial selling points, and Hoffman and cruise do not agree to reduce the film pay. The budget cost needs $25 million. No one in Hollywood is optimistic about this project. Warner, universal, paramount and other companies have all rejected the script, and several first-line directors have chosen to quit after taking over. In the second half of the year, Spielberg had agreed to direct and help raise funds. However, recently, he also announced that he would quit, the public reason is to direct "Raiders 3", but I think Steven should also be not optimistic about this project

Simon said with a smile, "how did you get it in front of me? You really treat me like a fat sheep?"

Amy also laughed and said: "now United States has taken over the project, but they hope to find other investors to share the risk. Owitz heard that we are interested in the copyright of the Hobbit in the hands of United pictures. He said on the phone that if daenerys pictures is willing to undertake the investment of $10 million, he can help persuade United pictures to transfer the copyright of the Hobbit to us. "

Simon looked at Amy and said, "what do you mean?"

Amy shook her head and said, "it's too risky and I don't approve of investing. However, because it has something to do with the Hobbit, I'll show it to you. Now that owitz has said that, he is sure to help us get the copyright of the hobbit. Moreover, there should be room for a counter-offer for the investment share of US $10 million. "

Because he was worried that he would be too powerful in Hollywood, Simon originally intended to let go of the 1988 North American box office champion of rain man. however. Over the past year, Simon's actions in Hollywood and wall street can't be described simply as too sharp, and now there is no need to be too restrained.

Making up his mind, Simon closed the script and said to Amy, "I'll read the script tonight and give owitz a reply tomorrow."

Amy nodded and said another thing: "all the female stars you like have turned down the invitation of instinct. Simon, next we can only choose the leading role from the second and third line female stars."

Due to the fixed file for next summer vacation, instinct has been in intensive preparation all this time.

In addition to its own controversy and the theme gimmicks of the erotic film, whether the heroine can spark with the hero Michael Douglas and show a strong, calm and ruthless female writer is crucial to the box office success of instinct.

Simon held the selection of the heroine in his hands from the beginning. He first saw Michelle Pfeiffer. After the script was handed over, he was rejected directly because there were too many naked plays. Then he carefully selected several popular actresses to send out the invitation. Unexpectedly, he was still rejected.

Reluctantly rubbing the script of Rain Man in his hand, Simon said: "in this case, let's choose from the second and third line actresses and let the agency send a list of candidates as soon as possible. The film will start shooting in February next year. We don't have much time. "

Amy agreed. They talked about some more things, and then they began to work in the afternoon.