Chapter 833: ‘Lafayette’ invites you to tea, will you go and say a few words
Pay offline?
This concept
I'm sorry to say that the concept proposed by Xiangyang, whether it is Alibaba or PayPal, is still only in the project book at this juncture.
Well, despite the fact that PayPal is a payment tool sought after by hundreds of millions of users around the world, Alipay also launched an e-wallet business as early as 2009.
However, the two companies entered offline payment, which was really not possible in 2010.
"Xiang, do you know? This is the first time I regret selling my shares in PayPal." As we all know, Musk served as CEO for a period of time after selling PayPal to eBay.
But it ends well.
Somewhat similar to Steve Jobs, he was expelled from the company.
"You can enter the palace for the second time." Xiang Yang joked humorously.
The importance of PayPal to eBay is self-evident. It contributes about 40% of revenue every year, making its market value irreplaceable.
If you want to buy it back, it’s not as cheap as $1.5 billion.
However, things can always be discussed.
If there is no need to talk, Xiangyang said that it would be Alipay’s turn to make its debut.
In fact, looking at PayPal's move out of the Internet and its entry into traditional retail stores, it is not just relying on the strength of itself and its parent company.
DiscoverFinancialServices, a professional financial company, has made great efforts here.
Well, in addition to providing various guarantees and assistance with payment and settlement, this company also made a lot of money by issuing 'credit cards'.
Even with its unique advantages, PayPal's offline journey is not very smooth.
Visa and Mastercard are also developing their own digital wallets.
Another entrepreneur in the technology circle, Jack Dorsey, one of the founders of Twitter, which was later acquired by Musk, also created a mobile payment company, Square, and gained a certain head start. .
On the other hand, Alibaba's Alipay
"Mr. Xiang's information is really well-informed." Hangzhou Ma, who flew from Shanghai, couldn't help but sigh with emotion after hearing Xiang Yang's thoughts.
He is watching Xiang Yang’s every move overseas.
People’s eyes are not idle either.
Just before his departure, Alipay had just formally reached a cooperation agreement with Hua Xia Bank, taking the lead in launching fast credit card payment for online shopping in China.
As for offline
Hangzhou Ma, who has always considered himself to be quite experienced in the application of Internet technology, would like to discuss with Xiang Yang whether he can invest more.
Because Alipay is seeking the first "Payment Business License" in China!
Without this license, it would be impossible for offline payments to be rolled out on a large scale.
While his team is still focusing on the country, Xiangyang has already helped Alipay go abroad.
The way this pattern is opened is completely different.
All at once, it was a two-pronged approach.
And his attentive gaze made Brother Ma beside him anxious
The payment function of WeChat was not just launched in 2011.
Whether it is 'mobile payment' or 'offline payment', no matter what you call it, it cannot change the fact.
The consumption pattern becomes a habit.
Although this is a new thing, there is a high probability that most young people will not have the courage to try it when it is just launched.
But Xiao Ma clearly knows how to drive OICQ and MSN out of China.
As long as the first batch of users get used to completing payments through Alipay, it will not be a small expense for WeChat to catch up.
This is indeed the case.
But what Xiao Ma certainly didn’t expect was that WeChat’s share would later be far ahead.
After all, the largest social software in China has a large number of active users, so it is not that difficult to reverse its own disadvantages.
However, there are also variables here.
Who knows if Xiang Yang, holding Whatsapp in his hand, will come in?
When Whatsapp and Alibaba jointly launch a version adapted to the Chinese market, the competitive pressure faced by Wechat will not be as dull as it is now.
"Don't worry, Mr. Ma. In the face of competition, what I prefer is cooperation." Being pulled into a private chat by Brother Ma, Xiangyang soon knew what he was worried about.
Crazy!
Introducing Whatsapp and INS into the country?
Xiang Yang said that he was not full yet and was looking for something to do for himself.
Xiang Yang felt that his words were a bit too far-fetched, and whispered again:
"So, Mr. Ma's top priority is to get WeChat to provide corresponding functions similar to Alipay as soon as possible."
"What does Mr. Xiang mean?" Xiao Ma was a little unsure.
“I am very optimistic that Wechat’s joining will provide impetus for Uber’s development in China.” Xiang Yang said with a smile.
Software like Whatsapp and INS are too sensitive.
Not suitable for development in the Chinese market.
But Uber is different.
It seems that he is helping Alipay go abroad and Wechat to enter the payment field in advance. In fact, it seems that these two companies are helping him make money.
Who are the people who have enough money to travel abroad in 2010?
Uber cannot enter the Chinese market in the short term due to its own expansion, but it will eventually enter.
Even in the end it was defeated by domestic companies like Didi.
It can also be sold at a better price, right?
No matter how you look at it, Xiang Yang, who is jumping left and right between Alibaba and Tencent, is sure to make money without losing money.
Where can I find such a good business?
You don’t have to do everything yourself. He is not a robot who can’t sleep 24 hours a day.
Besides, he also has things to do.
The reason why he worked so hard to make money in Internet technology companies was because someone on the Internet said that he was just a little tailor.
Thinking of how bad Uber China was, it sold it for US$1 billion and got nearly 7% of Didi’s equity.
Xiang Yang couldn’t help but sigh:
“Hey, I originally just wanted to invest in stocks, buy Bitcoins, and be a low-key rich man and enjoy life”
"Boss, Macron is here." There was a gentle knock on the door, and Bea Shaffer led the last horse in the four carriages to arrive.
"Both Mr. Ma, let me introduce you." Seeing the familiar 'horse face', the smile on Xiang Yang's face became thicker.
If you want this cooperation to come to fruition, Macron is really indispensable.
Don’t underestimate the title of ‘economic advisor’.
After all, there are the words ‘Lao Sa’ in front of it.
Whether such cross-border payments are compliant, whether there are risks in the European region, etc., there is no need to spend money on legal counsel.
Among them, only Macron could give the answer.
“I knew you wouldn’t invite me to watch the game in vain.” Macron gritted his back teeth as he felt like he had been sent to his door as a temporary legal adviser.
He originally planned to make friends with the top rich people in China, but he specially asked for leave to come here
"When you are done, I will invite you to go to the Isle of Man for vacation." Xiang Yang coaxed.
If you spend 4 million pounds to buy a castle, why should you find a witness for such a big deal?
"Isle of Man?"
When Macron heard this name, he became sensitive out of habit.
Unlike Xiang Yang, he didn’t know until he decided to buy it that the Isle of Man is a reserve of the British royal family.
"Well, let's go and have a look. Maybe we can sponsor the motorcycle race up there." Xiang Yang said nothing about buying the castle.
It would be boring if it was revealed in advance.
"Isle of Man TT?"
"How did you guess it?"
"." Macron was speechless, who doesn't know.
"Uh" As a former British student, Xiangyang simply chose to shut up.
This made Bei Shaffer laugh. She rarely saw Xiang Yang so frustrated, especially when he was high-spirited.
But the one who didn’t come smiled twice, and the phone in her pocket rang.
In order not to disturb several important guests while talking to Xiang Yang, she apologized with a smile and quickly left the room.
The call came from the law firm that assisted in the purchase of the castle on the Isle of Man.
Buying a property in the UK can save a lot of steps if you have such a clear goal like Xiangyang.
But it is necessary and cannot be avoided.
Especially historical protection sites like castles.
Restrictions on renovations and additions Needless to say, there are clear restrictions in this regard.
And in accordance with local requirements, there are detailed regulations on how many years the castle must be comprehensively renovated and inspected.
So, it seems that buying 'two football fields' for 4 million pounds is worth it.
However, in reality, the costs are overwhelming.
In England, someone inexplicably inherited a castle from a distant relative. He originally thought it was a beautiful thing.
But in fact, it is impossible to live there.
Because the cost of maintenance and upkeep is far higher than the price of the castle itself.
This is still normal.
The castle Xiangyang wants to buy is even more special.
So special.
Even the 84-year-old Elizabeth heard about it.
"Kelly, do you know this outstanding young man?" Elizabeth was not very concerned about the fact that this young Chinese designer wanted to buy a castle in her home.
She cares more about the young designer.
"I've heard about it before." As the first personal assistant, responsible for clothing, jewelry, president and other matters, Angela Kelly is the person who has been with Elizabeth the longest.
As the royal family's senior costumer and clothing manager, she has to deal with people in the fashion circle.
The first time she heard Xiang Yang’s name was when Annie Leibovitz took a photo of the Queen a few years ago.
Well, that’s the photographer who asked the Queen to take off her crown.
"I heard that he also invested in Liverpool Football Club?" Elizabeth nodded slightly, enjoying the afternoon tea with a tepid attitude, as if she was passing the time through small talk.
"Well, yes."
Angela Kelly probably guessed the hidden meaning of the words.
To say that Hermès acquired Liverpool, there was quite a stir.
The first game later was also attended by a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, which surprised the entire senior management.
But in fact, Angela Kelly knows what Hermès is missing.
Do you want to say that the British royal family likes football? Although they prefer cricket, they are also very concerned about and passionate about football.
This is the same as Spanish clubs always having a ‘Royal’.
Take the FA for example.
Many people are familiar with the names of Premier League club owners, but few fans know that the chairman of the Football Association is Prince William.
Among them, Elizabeth is also a fan.
The team she supports has also been involved in acquisition scandals with Hermès.
Well, it is the only Arsenal that has the honor of being invited by the Queen to enjoy afternoon tea with the whole team at Buckingham Palace!
"Susan, I remember that you liked watching "Downton Abbey" very much." After thinking about it secretly, Elizabeth said to the woman who had been with her the longest.
Compared to Angela Kelly, Susan Hersey is an even more special existence for Elizabeth.
“When people get old, they will always miss the past.” Susan Hussey, who is not too young, said with a smile.
She loves "Downton Abbey."
Being born in a count family in 1934, she can recall many childhood memories from it. "I heard that many of the clothes in it are based on the clothes you wore when you were young."
Hearing this, Elizabeth smiled slightly.
This did not surprise her.
“Conservatism” is the clothing characteristic of the British royal family.
The lace and satin christening gown she was christened in was worn by more than 60 royal babies and was made in 1841 during the reign of Queen Victoria.
“Interesting young man.” Elizabeth smiled, and then looked at her senior attendant.
“Hey, Principal An, why did you just call me when you were free? "Since he finished his vacation and gave expensive movie tickets to everyone in the office, Lao Xiang has been living a leisurely life.
The night shift, which was originally once every two days, was changed to twice a week.
As soon as I sat down after coming to work early today, my cell phone rang. It was my in-laws calling all the way.
"Hey, don't mention it." Principal An sighed quietly.
He was asked to come to Liverpool to watch the game together, let alone the game, and now he has not even seen his son-in-law.
When asked, he said he was busy talking about something.
He was too embarrassed to bother me.
"What? Are the two children making you unhappy?" Lao Xiang asked with a smile.
"No, how is that possible?" Principal An shook his head quickly. He couldn't spread rumors about this matter. If the trouble made him unable to be on camera, there would be no place to cry.
"I am alone in the hotel and have nothing to do. I am concerned about how you are doing recently."
"Why are you in the hotel? Are you on a business trip?"
Lao Xiang thought After thinking about it, these two days are some kind of foreign festival, and the institute even held a meeting specifically for this purpose.
This meeting is not to let them celebrate the festival, but to strengthen patrols at night. After all, young people get together to celebrate the festival and drink too much
Everyone who has been young knows what is going on.
“I might as well be on a business trip.” Principal An wanted to accuse, but he took it back when he reached his lips and changed his words:
“Your precious son invited me to watch the game, wait. Let’s set off soon.”
Hearing this, Lao Xiang frowned.
My father-in-law had a good reason for thinking highly of Xiang Yang.
But it sounded strange to me.
Just as I was about to ask what was going on, there was a sudden loud knock on the phone.
"Lao Xiang, please wait." Principal An was also a little confused by the hurried knock on the door. For those who didn't know better, he thought he came to the hotel to rob the house.
Looking through the cat's eye, he was even more puzzled.
In addition to facing Liu Qianqian, Xiang Yang, who was calm in everything, was knocking on the door anxiously.
"What's going on?" Principal An, muttering in his heart, quickly opened the door and invited his uncle in.
"Dad, something big happened." As soon as the door opened, Xiang Yang got in. "You should make a call quickly and ask if you can come with me."
"Huh?"
Principal An, who was not sure why, looked at his son-in-law blankly, "Aren't you going to take me with you to watch football tonight?"
“‘Lafayette’ just sent someone to call, and the invitation and official letters are on the way.”
"The Qing Dynasty is dead." Lao Xiang on the other end of the phone really wanted to slap his son on the head.
Principal An was even more confused when he heard this explanation. He subconsciously asked: "What Lafayette?"
"Who else's 'Lafayette' is there in the UK? ." Xiangyang was speechless, why was it so difficult to communicate with an older person?
"Elizabeth! She invites you to tea, will you go and say something?"
(End of this chapter)