Chapter 125 Yang Chen does not accept surrender alone, the NBA league splits
After all, Gates is the founder of Microsoft and a real super-rich man. His televised speech instantly brought back Microsoft's stock price by 5 points.
Gates also kept his promise and immediately increased his holdings in Microsoft through his personal account and foundation.
Gates' reputation + real money increased his holdings, and Microsoft's stock price was pulled up again. It quickly pulled back 10 points, and now it is only down 8%.
The wealth of those rich on the rich list is actually not real money, most of it consists of company shares they hold.
For example, when Nongjia Spring's stock price was as high as 60 Hong Kong dollars, Zhong Yuemin's personal wealth was 550 billion Hong Kong dollars. Now that Nongjia Spring's stock price has dropped to 30 Hong Kong dollars, his personal wealth is only over 300 billion. It's obvious. It can be inferred that his personal wealth is almost all the market value of the Nongjia Spring equity he holds.
Same reason.
Most of Gates' wealth comes from his stake in Microsoft, and part of his real money wealth was donated to his foundation in order to avoid the high wealth tax and inheritance tax, and then the foundation made investments and charities. Donations etc.
Although Gates has a nominal wealth of more than 150 billion eagle coins, there is not much money that can really be used as working capital. More than 10 billion eagle coins is his limit. If he wants to continue to increase his holdings, he must mortgage Equity is exchanged for funds from banks, securities firms and other institutions, but this is very risky. Once he makes a mistake and cannot repay the money, the equity he mortgaged will be taken away by the other party.
When Gates spent all his 10 billion eagle coins, he directed the Gates Foundation to use money to increase its holdings. The Gates Foundation's semi-annual budget of 9 billion eagle coins left less than 2 billion eagle coins. Such a small amount of money is simply not worth it. It didn't work. Gates made a bold decision to overdraw next year's 10 billion budget to increase his holdings. After stabilizing Microsoft's stock price, he donated another 20 billion eagle coins to the foundation.
More than 10 billion eagle coins were poured in again, and the decline in Microsoft's stock price continued to narrow, reaching 2%.
Gates showed a pleased smile, and said to the staff around him: "It seems that I am still young, and I have no problem dealing with Yang Chen."
The staff nearby laughed and flattered Gates one after another.
"When Mr. Gates became all-powerful and famous all over the world, he was not even born yet. What qualifications does he have to be your opponent?"
"For Mr. Gates to condescend to deal with him, this is already the highest moment of his life."
"Yes, it is the honor of his life to be defeated by Mr. Gates."
……
Gates waved his hand with a smile and said: "You can't say that. He can successfully short so many companies and even make the European football team surrender, which shows that his strength is still very strong."
Did you hear that?
It’s not that bosses don’t like to be flattered by those around them, but they need to be flattered in the right way.
They should affirm Yang Chen's ability. None of the other big guys are Yang Chen's opponents, but Yang Chen was defeated by Gates. Only in this way can Gates gain the greatest sense of accomplishment.
Saying something dryly that sounds awesome and cool does not highlight how awesome Gates is, so he is naturally not satisfied.
This is just like Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. Liu Bang did not deliberately belittle Xiang Yu's ability like other victors, but praised him as an unparalleled strong man.
But even such a strong man was defeated by Liu Bang in the end. Doesn't it make Liu Bang look more awesome?
People around him realized what Gates meant and quickly took the photo again.
However, at this moment, the situation suddenly changed.
Microsoft's stock price suddenly plummeted. Gates and the Gates Foundation spent nearly 30 billion eagle coins to bring back the stock price, which fell by 20%. Moreover, the sell orders on the market increased rapidly, and the few buy orders were quickly eliminated. Eat.
The expressions of Gates and the staff next to him changed drastically in an instant, and they woke up from the panic just now.
Gates hurriedly shouted: "What's going on? Who is selling? Contact the brokerage immediately to find out who is selling! Such a large amount must be shipped by an institution! Mader, isn't it right to ship at this time? Are you going against me on purpose? I won’t make it easy for him!”
The brokerage quickly responded, and the staff handed Gates the recorded list of institutions and large retail investors selling Microsoft stocks.
BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fidelity Fund, Blackstone...
Seeing this list, Gates' first reaction was that he had made a mistake. These are all institutions of the Bald Eagle family. How could they help Yang Chen short Microsoft's stock at this time?
Gates immediately asked loudly: "Did you make a mistake in the list?"
The staff member quickly replied: "Mr. Gates, there is no mistake. What the brokerage sent us is that these institutions and individual retail investors are selling our stocks."
"Farke! How dare they do this? Why do they do this? What good does it do to them?" Gates asked several questions in a row, but no one around him dared to speak.
Gates himself doesn’t understand it, so how can anyone else understand it?
Gates immediately called BlackRock President Pacquiao and asked directly: "Mr. Pacquiao, what's going on? Why are you selling our company's shares? Do you think our company has no Do you still think I can’t beat Yang Chen? Or do you think we can’t survive this small crisis?”
Pacquiao smiled and said: "No, no, no, I am very optimistic about the future of Microsoft, so I will sell."
"What? Why can't I understand what you mean? You are very optimistic about our future, why do you want to sell? Shouldn't you be consistent with me and deal with Yang Chen together?" Gates asked in confusion. road.
Pacquiao laughed loudly and said: "I lent the stocks to Yang Chen. He said that after he ended the short selling, he would return the same amount of stocks to me and pay me 6%. Mr. Gates also knew that we invested in Microsoft. Just to make money and share dividends, I have no reason not to accept Yang Chen’s invitation to cooperate.”
Gates immediately asked: "What do you believe in what he says? How can you be sure that he will succeed in shorting and will return the same number of stocks to you and give you another 6% reward?"
Pacquiao smiled and said: "Because I have played against him several times, and he has won every time. This is what he did with Dragon Kingdom Penguin Holdings a few days ago. We have received the same number of stocks and 6% compensation, and Penguin Holdings' stock price is also recovering rapidly. In a few days, everything will return to normal as if nothing happened. , but we have 6% more profits in our account. I really can’t find a reason to refuse him! I suggest you stop resisting. You can’t resist successfully and the stock price will rise again. All you have to do is wait patiently. Okay, no more, I have something to do, so I’ll hang up.”
Gates stared at the phone blankly, and it took him a while to recover.
Gates continued to call the CEOs of other institutions, and received the same answer as BlackRock President Pacquiao. Yang Chen lent the stocks they held, and after ending the short selling, he would return the same number of stocks to them and pay them A 6% return and a guarantee to bring the stock price back up again.
Gates was furious and slapped the list on the table angrily.
However, the bad things are not over yet.
Heat owner Allison called Gates directly and asked: "Mr. Gates, what's going on? Why is this happening to Microsoft at such a critical moment? You are not helping Yang Chen to sell short. Microsoft? The key is that our company's stock price also plummeted as Microsoft's stock price fell. All my money has been used to increase my holdings, but it can't stop the stock price from falling. What should we do now? If it continues to fall like this, I will go bankrupt. My shares are pledged to Goldman Sachs at a high price. Once the stock price falls to the liquidation line, I will go bankrupt. If I can’t get the money to cover my position, it will be over if I pledge my position and I will be a pauper.”
Major shareholders of listed companies sometimes choose to pledge their equity to securities firms in exchange for funds in order to raise funds.
The brokerage firm will calculate a minimum liquidation line based on the pledged funds and the number of shares. Once the stock price reaches this liquidation line, the position will be forced to be liquidated. The brokerage firm will obtain the funds to sell the stock, and the shareholders will lose this part of their equity.
If the stock price rises or stabilizes, shareholders only need to wait for the funds to be withdrawn to redeem the pledged equity.
But once the stock price drops sharply, the equity pledged by shareholders to the brokerage firm will hit the liquidation line.
The liquidation line for the equity pledged by Allison to Goldman Sachs is 10 eagle coins, and the current share price of Carnival Cruise Line is 15 eagle coins, so he is so anxious.
Gates replied angrily: "Do you think I want this? I'm being stabbed in the back by a shareholder, and I don't even know what to do, and you ask me what to do!"
Allison immediately responded: "It was Mr. Thomson, the chairman of your group, who said that he would lead us to fight back against Yang Chen. If the situation has developed to this point, you are not responsible. Who is responsible?"
Gates was upset enough, but hearing Allison's words made him even more upset.
"Whoever you want to hold accountable is none of my business!" Gates said impatiently and immediately hung up the phone.
Allison was furious. Seeing that the Carnival Cruise Line stock price was about to touch his pledge leveling line, he did not dare to hope that others could save him, so he had to compromise with Yang Chen and admit defeat.
Allison called NBA President Xiao Hua and said bluntly: "Mr. Xiao Hua, I can't bear it anymore. Our company's stock price is about to touch the leveling line of pledged equity. I must reconcile with Yang Chen immediately. What about other teams? I don’t care if you choose, our Heat team is willing to go to Longguo to play a friendly match with his Sihai team. If you don’t agree, we will refuse to play in the new season.”
Xiao Hua immediately replied: "Mr. Allison, don't worry, we..."
Allison immediately interrupted: "Stop talking nonsense! You are not in a hurry, I am! How will I live for the rest of my life if I lose control of Carnival Cruise Lines?"
Xiao Hua quickly advised again: "Don't worry, I..."
Allison immediately interrupted again: "Is this the only thing you can say on horseback? Can I not be anxious? I don't care about you anymore, I want to contact Yang Chen to seek reconciliation."
Allison hung up the phone and immediately called Yang Chen.
Yang Chen was chatting with the five major bank presidents when Allison's call came in.
Allison first said hello to Yang Chen, and then introduced himself.
Yang Chen said with a smile: "Oh, the boss of the Heat. Why did you call me?"
Allison quickly replied: "Actually, our Heat team has always maintained a good relationship with the Dragon Country. When we recruited LeBron and Chris to form the Big Three with Dwyane 15 years ago, our Heat team had many, many people in the Dragon Country. Fans. We have been looking for opportunities to play in Long Country for so many years, but we have no suitable opportunity now. If you are willing to arrange an NBA team to play against your Sihai team, we, the Heat, must get a spot. It’s all the fault of that idiot Xiao Hua, who insists on being self-righteous and preventing such a good thing. Let me make a statement here, Xiao Hua and I. We are not from the same group. The Heat want to play against the Sihai team. Please help us, Mr. Yang!”
Yang Chen laughed loudly and said: "I can hear that Mr. Allison really wants to come and play the game. But, you can't say it, the NBA must issue an announcement, otherwise the name will be unfair and the words will not go smoothly."
Allison quickly begged: "Then I will contact other club owners to force Xiao Hua to agree. Do you think it will work? But can you suspend the short selling of Carnival Cruise Lines? I will liquidate the equity pledged to Goldman Sachs when it reaches 10 Eagle Coins. Now, there is still room for 3 eagle coins to fall. I have worked hard to live on Carnival Cruise Lines for most of my life. If I lose my controlling stake, I will not be able to survive. I beg you, okay?” br>
Yang Chen smiled slightly and said: "My goal has not been achieved, and I will not end the short-selling behavior of any company. If you have time, you can find a way to persuade Xiao Hua to accept my request. You should not waste words with me here."< br>
Allison quickly asked: "Mr. Yang, can we really not discuss it? I can accept your other conditions, you can just mention them. Okay?"
Yang Chen replied: "I have only one purpose, to make the NBA officially accept my request. Besides, even if you have the ability to give me the Eagle Fed, I won't want it."
Yang Chen hung up the phone, and Allison quickly called and contacted other club owners who were shorted to join forces to force Xiao Hua.
At this time, the investment manager of Longguo Bank said loudly: "Mr. Yang, we have shorted a total of 100 million shares of UWM Credit Company, with an average price of 8.89 eagle coins." UMW Credit Company is the home of Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia of the company, which is the number one credit company in the Bald Eagle family.
Subsequently, the investment manager of ICBC said loudly: "Mr. Yang, we have completed short selling of Rocket Company, with a total of 50 million shares, with an average price of 23.56 eagle coins."
Rocket is the mortgage company of the Bald Eagle family, and its subsidiary Quicken Loans is very famous. Fans who like the Cleveland Cavaliers should know that the Cavaliers' home stadium is called Quicken Loans Arena, and the Cavaliers owner Gilbert is the owner of Rocket.
Then the investment manager of the Agricultural Bank of China said loudly: "Mr. Yang, we have completed short selling of Amway Company, totaling 120 million shares, with an average price of 18.34 eagle coins."
Amway co-founder Richard DeVos is the owner of the Orlando Magic.
The investment manager of CCB followed up with the report: "Mr. Yang, we have completed short selling of UBNT company, totaling 56 million shares, with an average price of 165.46 eagle coins."
UBNT is Bald Eagle's Ubikuay Technology Company, which specializes in manufacturing and selling network cable network equipment. The company's founder, Robert Pera, is the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Finally, the investment manager of the commercial bank also reported: "Mr. Yang, we have completed short selling of Apollo Global Management Company, totaling 80 million shares, with an average price of 175.35 eagle coins."
Joshua Harris, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, is the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Yang Chen smiled and nodded, and said: "Everyone did a good job. It's getting late. Everyone can go home and rest. We will continue tomorrow night."
Yang Chen can go home and sleep happily, but the NBA owners who were shorted will be in tragedy.
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Xiao Hua's phone was bombarded with calls from his bosses, and he had to shut down his phone to escape.
The bosses couldn't get through Xiao Hua's phone number, so they called the league office, but the league office staff couldn't make the decision. No matter what the bosses asked, they had no answer.
The bosses couldn't stand it anymore and flew to Xiao Hua to make an appointment.
The first person to rush to Xiao Hua's office was Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks. Dolan was entrusted by other bosses. He had to stop Xiao Hua in the office and not leave, waiting for other bosses to fly over one after another.
At 7:30 pm local time, with the arrival of Los Angeles Clippers owner Ballmer, all NBA bosses were present.
The most emotional person is Allison, the owner of the Heat. His Carnival Cruise Line stock price has fallen below 10 Eagles. It was only because he mortgaged his property and borrowed money from friends to add 1 billion Eagles to Goldman Sachs that his equity was not liquidated. .
However, the latest leveling line for his pledged equity is 8.86 Eagle Coins. If Yang Chen does not stop short selling and the stock price continues to fall at the opening of tomorrow, his equity pledged to Goldman Sachs will be liquidated.
Therefore, it is understandable why he is the most excited.
Allison's face was gloomy and his tone was low, and he said: "I don't want to talk nonsense to you, so I immediately agreed to Yang Chen's request. If you don't want to play the game, I will let the Heat play the game. I don't feel embarrassed! We The competition will be held in the form of friendly matches and exhibition matches. The game will be played in the name of preseason. But the NBA must announce this. This is Yang Chen's mandatory requirement. There is no room for negotiation. Xiao Hua, I'm not kidding you. , I will fight you tooth and nail!”
Xiao Hua didn't speak. He didn't dare to deny what Allison said, let alone do what Allison said.
Knicks boss Dolan followed up and said: "My mouth is dry after what I told you, and I don't want to say it anymore. Anyway, you have to accept Yang Chen's request, otherwise I will refuse the team to participate in the new season."
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said: "You can't do this, because a dragon countryman can't cause a lockout? Your behavior will be nailed on the pillar of shame. In the future, fans will definitely talk about the NBA lockout and this lockout. They will all laugh at you.”
Allison didn't give Jenny Bass any face, and immediately said: "Shut up! You don't have a listed company in your name, of course you can stand and talk without pain. If you watch your wealth decrease by a lot day by day, , you may even lose your controlling stake in the company!”
Nets owner Cai Xin said: "Although Yang Chen has not shorted Alibaba and other companies in which I hold shares, I am willing to support the opinions of owners such as Allison and Dolan. I don't want it to be my turn tomorrow, I can't stand myself The wealth fell by at least 20% in one day.”
Clippers owner Ballmer said: "My wealth has dropped by 40 billion Eagles in the past two days. Even Gates' intervention can't save Microsoft's stock price. I don't know how much it will drop again when the market opens tomorrow. I have a bad heart and can't stand this." It's exciting. I don't care what Gates chooses. , I am in agreement with Dolan and the others. Mr. Xiao Hua, please call Yang Chen immediately to request reconciliation! Mader, the 40 billion Eagle coins are just gone. The Clippers will not be able to earn it for me until I die. Return one-tenth of the loss”
Subsequently, other team owners who were shorted asked Xiao Hua to accept Yang Chen's request. The remaining team owners who were not shorted all remained silent except for the Lakers' Jeanie Buss.
Ballmer, the owner of the Clippers, is very right. Even if they run the team until the day they die, they will not be able to make back the money they lost in the stock market in the past two days.
Xiao Hua knew in his heart the consequences if he continued to insist on his opinion. These bosses were reluctant to touch Yang Chen, so it would be easy to find a killer to kill him.
There are so many guns in Bald Eagle's house that he might be shot to death while walking down the street one day.
Xiao Hua finally spoke after a long silence.
"I can understand the dilemma you are facing. But we also have to think about the future. Once we send the team to play against the Sihai team, the NBA's brand value will definitely be weakened. The price of our next broadcast contract will definitely not be high. Wherever we go, sponsors will also reduce their sponsorship fees. Have you considered these losses?”
Allen, the owner of the Trail Blazers, immediately said: "Due to the sharp drop in Microsoft's stock price in the past two days, our wealth has lost 8 billion eagle coins. How many years will it take us to make money back by running the team? Can 100 years be enough? Tell me what A big loss?”
Xiao Hua sighed and said: "Then I'll call Mr. Gates to talk. If Mr. Gates says there is really nothing we can do, then...then I will agree to Yang Chen's request."
Ballmer immediately said: "You don't need to make this call! Gates spent all the funds he could use, and Microsoft's stock price fell another 20% today. Which BlackRock companies lent all their stocks to Yang Chen, Yang Chen There are enough stocks in hand that can be sold to suppress the stock price. Even if Gates invests all his wealth, including mine and Allen’s wealth, it will not help.”
Xiao Hua still refuses to give up. He hopes that Gates, the idol among entrepreneurs all over the world, can turn the tide at this time and help the building to collapse.
The call is connected.
"Hey, Mr. Gates, is there anything else you can do? Can Microsoft's stock price be brought back?" Xiao Hua asked.
Gates said angrily: "Don't ask me, okay? I don't even know how to bring the stock price back! He wants you to send a team to play, so you can just send a few rubbish teams to deal with it." Can you tell me why you are so stubborn? Do you know how much money you have lost because of your wrong decisions?”
Xiao Hua: "..."
Holy shit!
How can a human being be like this?
Previously, Microsoft Chairman Thomson promised that he could lead everyone to defeat Yang Chen, and it was he who forced the NBA not to lower his status to play with the Sihai team.
Now that it is discovered that Yang Chen cannot be stopped from short selling, the responsibility lies with Xiao Hua?
Mudd!
I won’t take the blame!
"Mr. Gates, it's wrong for you to say that. It was Microsoft Chairman Thomson who forced us not to accept Yang Chen's request, and promised to lead everyone to defeat Yang Chen. He also said that in the worst case, he would let you take action personally, and it would be absolutely foolproof. . Now that you can't handle Yang Chen, you just throw the blame on me? You can't behave like this," Xiao Hua said very aggrievedly.
Gates said without mercy: "Don't pretend to be innocent with me! You yourself are not willing to do it, and the team owners are not willing to do it. Now that you have been taught a lesson, you all want to pass the blame to us." ? Do you still want the sponsorship fee? ”
Gates naturally didn't want to talk to Xiao Hua because of his status, so he hung up the phone directly.
Xiao Hua looked at the eager bosses and had no choice but to compromise.
"Okay, okay, I'll call Yang Chen to seek reconciliation." Xiao Hua said helplessly.
The bosses who were shorted immediately breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that Yang Chen could accept the settlement and stop shorting their company as soon as the market opens tomorrow.
However, at this time, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss stood up angrily and said: "I don't agree! They can't play Yang Chen because they are not capable, so they should bear the losses. The league is not only their league, but also our other teams' League. Why should the league lose the interests of other teams in order to take care of their interests? Other owners should stand up with me and oppose the league’s efforts to lower its status and affect its brand value!”
Other team owners who don’t own a controlling stake in a listed company have responded.
"Kings and Lakers together!"
"Jazz and Lakers together!"
"The Rockets and the Lakers are together!"
……
Heat boss Allison immediately scolded: "Did you step on the horse on purpose?"
Jenny Bass immediately replied: "Mr. Allison, please mind your mouth. If you haven't learned how to talk to others, you can go home and ask your son to teach you how to communicate with others!"
NBA bosses quickly divided into two factions, and both sides started to yell at each other.
When Xiao Hua saw this scene, he regretted it and wanted to die.
If he had known earlier, he would have agreed to Yang Chen's request, and he wouldn't have ended up like this.
Xiao Hua said loudly: "Quiet! Quiet! We have been partners for many years. Is it like this now?"
Jenny Bass said: "In short, I disagree with this behavior that harms collective interests!"
Allison said angrily: "Then you can't let us live, right? Since you don't care about our life and death, there is no need for the NBA to exist. I will call back now and order the manager to issue an announcement that the Heat are withdrawing from the NBA! Ma De, the NBA has nothing to do with me anymore, Yang Chen won’t continue to short my company, right?”
Just as he was told, Alisson immediately called team manager Pat Riley.
"Hey, Pat, make an announcement immediately, the Heat are withdrawing from the NBA!"
(End of chapter)