Twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day before Lunar New Year's Eve.
Xingyi Technology was joyfully holding its annual meeting, distributing rewards according to merit.
Over at iQiyi, however, heads were "as big as buckets", as they were forced to appear in court as the defendant.
A large number of reporters gathered at the scene, making the iQiyi people's faces turn ashen:
"How despicable, to hold court the day before Lunar New Year's Eve, Xingyi Technology must have done it on purpose, right?"
"Tomorrow is the New Year holiday, but court is held today, it's definitely on purpose!"
"The facts of this case are clear, we indeed infringed on Xingyi Video's copyright, we're definitely going to lose."
"During the New Year, to make us iQiyi lose a lawsuit, Xingyi Technology doesn't want us to have a good New Year!"
"I heard Xingyi Technology is holding an annual meeting and distributing year-end bonuses!"
"What? They're holding an annual meeting and distributing year-end bonuses, while we're being sued?"
"Damn it, my mentality is crumbling, if I had known this, I would have joined Xingyi Media."
"Shh, quiet, some things are better just thought about, don't say them out loud, be careful the leaders hear, they might make things difficult for you!"
"Fear nothing, it's not like I don't know, the leaders are all pulling strings, trying to jump ship to Xingyi Media!"
"Holy crap, really? The leaders are all planning to leave?"
"Xingyi Media has higher salaries and better development than us iQiyi, tell me, is it true?"
"No way, I want to make some moves too."
"Let's go together, iQiyi is finished, Xingyi Media is more reliable!"
For a while, everyone at iQiyi had complex expressions.
Some were very angry about being sued during the New Year.
Others directly began to consider switching jobs.
If you can't beat them, join them; a wise person knows when to adapt!
No shame in that.
InterContinental Hotel.
Wang Yi looked at the representative of Xiaoi Robot Company:
"However, AI is a major project, our competitor Siri is making rapid progress, and Xiao Ai Tongxue also needs to develop rapidly."
"If you far surpass Siri, your 2012 year-end bonus can definitely be an S. But if you're overtaken by Siri, then don't even think about a year-end bonus."
"The same goes for other business units! Xingyi Technology's salaries are already top-tier in the industry, there won't be significant raises in the future, but year-end bonuses will continue to increase. This year, the S-level bonus is capped at six months, next year the S-level will be eight months, or even ten months capped!"
"For departments with outstanding performance and employees with outstanding performance, receiving 20 months' salary in a year is normal!"
"Wow!"
Thunderous applause echoed throughout the hall, everyone was incredibly excited.
Xingyi Technology's current salaries are already top-tier in the industry, and with such generous year-end bonuses, it's truly incredible.
You should know that other companies only issue 0-6 months of year-end bonuses annually.
For more companies, being able to issue one extra month's salary is considered good.
One can only say that Chairman Wang is generous enough.
Anyone who jumped ship here doesn't regret it; they've all made a huge gain.
"Next, Xingyi Media's major entertainment business!"
Wang Yi continued:
"Xingyi Video is developing rapidly, with several blockbuster dramas simultaneously exploding. The number of paid members for Xingyi Video has exceeded 15 million, and with the over 8 million members gifted with xphone 1, the total number of members has surpassed 23 million. Overall rating is A-level, all employees receive 2 to 5 months of year-end bonus based on individual performance evaluations."
"Xingyi Music is developing well, though its member growth rate is not as fast as Xingyi Video, the number of paid members has also exceeded 7 million, and with gifted members, the total number of members has surpassed 15 million. Overall rating is B-level, all employees receive 1 to 4 months of year-end bonus based on individual performance evaluations."
"Furthermore, Ye Changpeng, who oversees Xingyi Media, has made outstanding contributions, with an overall rating of A-level, receiving 5 months' year-end bonus."
"Gu Qing is responsible for artist management and copyright transactions. Not only did he sign many high-quality artists, but he also acquired a large number of high-quality IP copyrights from Qidian Chinese Network at a very cost-effective price before the end of the year, earning an overall A-level rating and a 5-month year-end bonus."
"I hope both of them will continue to work hard!"
"Thank you, Chairman."
"We certainly will."
The two responded one after another.
Currently, most departments' overall performance evaluations are A-level and B-level.
Only Meiyou Apparel and the mobile phone department, businesses that are performing exceptionally well and cash cows with annual revenues exceeding 10 billion, can receive an S-level rating.
Wang Yi continued:
"The major entertainment business is very important, especially Xingyi Video and Xingyi Music. If they perform well, they also have the potential to become S-level departments with annual revenues exceeding 10 billion! Keep it up!"
"Yes!"
"We certainly will!"
Wang Yi nodded and continued:
"The Animation Department, Ruosen, performed excellently. The series 'Xia Lan' directly became legendary, and with its exquisite modeling and brilliant special effects, it became the number one domestic animation, bringing millions of new members to Xingyi Video and generating significant advertising revenue. This is highly commendable."
"The Ruosen Department received an overall A-level performance rating, and all employees will receive 2-5 months of year-end bonus based on their individual performance evaluations."
"Thank you, Chairman!"
The head of Ruosen beamed with joy.
Wang Yi continued:
"The reason I didn't give you an S-level rating is that, in my opinion, you still have greater room for improvement. While 'Xia Lan' is very successful, extremely successful, this isn't the full extent of your capabilities. You can absolutely create a work that completely surpasses 'The Legend of Qin' in all aspects!"
Wang Yi knew that the plot and setting of 'Xia Lan' were not as good as 'The Legend of Qin'.
The reason it currently surpasses 'The Legend of Qin' is simply that the first few seasons of 'The Legend of Qin' lacked funding and had rough animation quality.
After Wang Yi's investment, 'Xia Lan' was completely rebuilt and reset, with modeling and picture quality that crushed 'The Legend of Qin', thus securing the title of number one domestic animation.
"Yes, Chairman, we will continue to work hard,"
the Ruosen team responded in unison.
They wouldn't get carried away with success.
"Gaode Department, performed well, overall B-level rating, all employees receive 1-4 months of year-end bonus based on individual performance evaluations."
...
"Sogou Department, performed well, overall B-level rating, all employees receive 1-4 months of year-end bonus based on individual performance evaluations."
"Ele.me Department..."
Wang Yi sighed:
"Southern region, Yu Wenle led a small part of the original Gaode team to expand into two first-tier cities, performing well, overall B-level rating, all employees receive 1 to 4 months of year-end bonus based on individual performance evaluations."
"Northern region, Zhang Hao led numerous Ele.me employees, but only expanded into two second-tier cities, performance was weak, overall E-level rating, no year-end bonus."
"President Zhang Hao, overall E-level rating, no year-end bonus. One warning. If there's a second instance of poor performance, demotion and salary reduction!"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
No one expected that a single department like Ele.me would be divided into two major regions, north and south, and evaluated separately.
Even more unexpectedly, within one department, some would receive one to four months of year-end bonus.
While another part would receive no year-end bonus at all, only able to watch.
Wang Yi continued:
"In the future, all business units will be evaluated this way. They will all be divided by region: those with outstanding performance will receive high year-end bonuses, while those at the bottom will receive low or zero year-end bonuses. Managers will receive one warning, two times will result in demotion and salary reduction, three times will mean termination!"
For a moment, the expressions of many high-level executives changed sharply, completely realizing Wang Yi's style.
Looking at Zhang Hao, their expressions were even more complex.
Today, Wang Yi didn't speak harshly, but he made an example of Ele.me!
Definitely setting an example and "killing the chicken to scare the monkey"!
Zhang Hao broke out in a cold sweat, knowing in his heart that if performance didn't improve again, his removal and dismissal would be inevitable.
Afterwards, Wang Yi presented awards to some outstanding employees and teams.
"Finally, there are a few special awards!"
"Wei Ming, director of Meiyou Qiuyun Garment Factory, has been diligent and hardworking since the Meiyou County factory. Overall performance rating A-level, 6 months' year-end bonus."
Wei Ming walked onto the stage, very surprised, not expecting to also receive a major award.
Wang Yi patted Wei Ming's shoulder:
"Keep up the good work and continue to strive. The new factory will still rely on you."
"Don't worry, Chairman, I will certainly do my best."
Wang Yi nodded and continued:
"Jian Ziyan, Assistant to the Chairman of Xingyi Technology, has assisted me in managing various matters, making outstanding contributions. Overall performance rating A-level, 6 months' year-end bonus."
"Oh, I got one too!"
Jian Ziyan beamed with joy:
"Thank you, Chairman."
Nominally, she was only the Chairman's assistant, a secretary, but in reality, she held overall power.
Wang Yi had no time to handle Xingyi Technology's affairs, so he entrusted everything to Jian Ziyan.
It can be said that Jian Ziyan didn't have the title of president, but she had the power of a president.
Of course, her remuneration was also very high.
Her monthly salary plus performance bonus was already thirty thousand, and now with six months of year-end bonus, her annual salary was over half a million.
As for her position, Wang Yi didn't promote her; being the Board Secretary was enough.
She reported directly to Wang Yi on all matters and was responsible for executing Wang Yi's orders.
Wang Yi nodded, then changed the subject:
"Finally, Song Sining, Vice President of Xingyi Technology and President of Meiyou Technology!"
The spotlight lit up, falling on Song Sining.
"When I was in the Imperial Capital, President Song personally handled all matters of Jizhou Meiyou Technology, and many press conferences were also hosted by President Song, making outstanding contributions.
Moreover, President Song accompanied me in building Meiyou and Xingyi Technology from scratch. Thank you, President Song! Overall performance rating S-level, 8 months' year-end bonus, and Imperial Capital Hukou!"
"Wow!"
Thunderous applause erupted, and Song Sining smiled sweetly:
"Thank you, Chairman, for your high regard. If the Chairman hadn't given me the opportunity and the stage, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today. Thank you!"
Saying this, Song Sining bowed deeply to Wang Yi.
She was a grateful person, understanding in her heart that if it weren't for Wang Yi, she would still just be a junior college student.
Where would she have the chance to become President Song of Meiyou Technology?
Where would she have the chance to earn an annual salary of five to six hundred thousand before even graduating?
Drive a Mercedes-Benz E? And have an Imperial Capital Hukou?
All of this was given to her by Wang Yi!
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"President Song is my right-hand woman. With President Song, Meiyou Technology is thriving, and Xingyi Technology is soaring!"
"That concludes the matter of year-end bonuses. All year-end bonus amounts will be progressively transferred to everyone's salary cards this afternoon."
"Additionally, there's more good news. We just received information from the legal department: the case of iQiyi infringing on numerous copyrights of Xingyi Video had its hearing this morning, and we won! iQiyi needs to immediately cease infringement, apologize, and compensate us!"
"Wow!"
Applause erupted, and everyone was incredibly excited.
To pull such a stunt during the New Year, iQiyi was certainly going to suffer.
Even Baidu was going to suffer.
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"The luncheon begins now, there will be performances this afternoon, and a dinner party tonight."
"Everyone, eat heartily and have fun!"
Wang Yi waved his hand, music started, and the luncheon officially began.
Many people's breakfasts were mostly makeshift, and by this time, they were truly hungry.
Fortunately, Wang Yi had already arranged for a luncheon to be prepared, a lavish five-star feast.
As for whether it was pre-prepared food?
That's definitely the case.
With so many people in the entire hotel, there wasn't enough time to cook everything fresh, so it could only be pre-prepared dishes + semi-finished products.
Victory banquets, wedding banquets, and so on, were all like this.
Whether it's an ordinary hotel or a five-star hotel, it's pretty much the same.
The only difference is that the pre-prepared dishes in five-star hotels are a bit more refined and made with better ingredients.
Eating and drinking continued until past three in the afternoon before concluding.
Afterwards, the dishes were cleared, replaced with fruits and melon seeds, and the performances began, mostly programs submitted by the employees themselves.
Wang Yi sat in the most central position, quietly watching everyone perform on stage.
Many of these employees he only recognized by sight, couldn't remember their names at all, and some employees left no impression whatsoever.
Xingyi Technology is developing rapidly now, with talents from various fields joining every day, and Wang Yi cannot personally attend to each one.
Jian Ziyan, the heads of various departments, and the HR department are responsible for this.
As long as they are talented, Xingyi Technology provides competitive remuneration.
It is precisely because of this that only employees with particularly outstanding performance can stand out and leave an impression on Wang Yi.
Other employees, Wang Yi didn't know at all.
Thus, some special opportunities became targets for everyone to compete for, such as annual meeting performances.
If a performance left an impression on Wang Yi, even just asking who that person was might be an opportunity.
Although it was just a probability event, it was still a goal everyone vied for.
Wang Yi was well aware of this point.
Many employees were like this during his previous life when he was working.
Those employees rehearsed overtime before the annual meeting, just to put on a show in front of the head office leaders and leave a good impression.
Once a leader had an impression, if performance was outstanding later, a promotion and salary increase would be a given.
Of course, there were also some people who only wanted to do their duty, earn their deserved salary, and were not keen on climbing the corporate ladder.
One can only say that everyone has their own aspirations.
Wang Yi watched the performances while chatting and laughing with the presidents of various departments, filled with emotions.
If not for his rebirth, he would have been the one sitting in the corner watching the show.
In his previous life, he didn't like to show off, nor did he want to climb the ladder.
Unfortunately, two senior colleagues in his department, who were more capable than him, were too competitive and their internal struggle was too fierce, resulting in both being ousted.
The final opportunity for promotion became his...
Wang Yi smiled slightly:
"From now on, all departments will appoint people based on merit; the capable will ascend, the mediocre will descend. There will be less formalism and less 'face projects'. We will focus more on practical work and performance."
"Evaluations must be fair, and promotion channels must be equitable. Give more opportunities to young people, and as for those unmotivated old hands, demote them if they should be demoted, marginalize them if they should be marginalized."
"In the future, Xingyi Technology's competitors are BAT. Employees who cannot keep up with Xingyi Technology's development speed are not suitable for core positions."
"Yes!"
The heads of all departments responded, completely understanding Wang Yi's principles.
Survival of the fittest, with practical work as the priority!
Employees are about quality, not quantity.
Taobao's employee count is several times that of Pinduoduo, yet its performance is not as good as Pinduoduo's, which is the best proof.
After all, most of Alibaba's employees were messing around, creating a chaotic mess.
Even cutting half of them wouldn't be a big problem.
Of course, if they cut the small half that actually does the work, then it would be over.
Alibaba ostensibly claimed to send talents to society; once, Alibaba's executives were highly sought-after talents in various fields.
But later, it became completely different...
The employees were very enthusiastic, and the annual meeting performances continued until 7 PM, when the dinner party began.
At this point, Gu Qing smiled mysteriously:
"Chairman, the main event is coming up next!"
"Oh? There's still a main event?"
Wang Yi became interested.
"That's right! Upon learning that Xingyi Technology was holding an annual meeting, some contracted artists under Xingyi Media actively applied to participate in the annual meeting and prepared performances for everyone. I couldn't even stop them!"
Looking at Gu Qing's posture, Wang Yi chuckled:
"You tried to stop them? Could it be that you asked them to come?"
"No, am I that kind of person?"
Gu Qing said with a smile:
"They all came on their own."
Wang Yi waved his hand:
"Alright. You make the arrangements."
"Understood, Chairman!"
"On March twenty-first, eighty-five, in the small town of Eisenach, a melody flowed by the banks of the Hörsel River..."
The melodious music began, and Wang Long was the first to appear.
The crowd was shocked, then came back to their senses:
"Wang Long!"
"Bach's Old Testament, Wang Long is here!"
"Amazing, for the company's annual meeting, Chairman Wang even invited celebrities."
"What do you mean invited? Wang Long is a contracted singer with our Xingyi Media, our own artist."
"Oh right, Xingyi Media also signed some celebrities."
"The company is too awesome, I feel like I'm not good enough for it anymore!"
"Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter. I just peeked backstage and saw Xu Song, Xu Liang, Ben Xi, and Zhao Xiaodao, as well as the popular stars from 'Beijing Love Story'."
"Oh my god, this lineup is comparable to a New Year's Eve concert."
"Yeah, just how many artists has our Xingyi Media signed?"
"Who knows, I don't even know how many businesses the company has."
"Xingyi Technology has boundless prospects, Chairman Wang is majestic and unparalleled!"
"Don't you dislike flattery the most?"
"It's not that I love flattery, it's mainly that Chairman Wang is too amazing, I'm completely prostrate with admiration!"
"You scoundrel!"
...
With the participation of many celebrities, the atmosphere of the annual meeting reached its peak.
Even Wang Yi drank a lot of alcohol, and it didn't end until ten o'clock at night.
"Thank you all for your efforts and hard work this year, thank you."
"Everyone enjoyed themselves tonight, the annual meeting is over, and the New Year holiday begins."
"Colleagues who want to go home can go directly home. Colleagues who don't want to go home, or those from out of town, will stay at the InterContinental Hotel. Rooms have been reserved, just get the room card from the staff. Breakfast will also be ready tomorrow morning, everyone can have breakfast before heading back."
"Thank you, Chairman Wang!"
"Thank you, Chairman."
Everyone said their thanks.
Wang Yi waved at everyone, and then he and the high-level executives departed.
Although a five-star hotel is good, walls have ears, and with so many employees around, it's inconvenient.
It's more reliable to return to Xingyi Technology Park, to his own apartment.
Back at the apartment, Wang Yi walked back to his room, Song Sining was a bit worried, and hurried forward to support Wang Yi:
"Are you alright? You drank so much alcohol."
As chairman, everyone toasted Wang Yi, especially the meritorious individuals and representatives.
When they bottomed up, Wang Yi only took a sip, but with so many people, he couldn't hold out.
These things couldn't be helped.
"I'm fine, it's alright, still under control!"
Wang Yi said, walking towards the bathroom:
"I'll take a shower first, it's hot!"
Watching Wang Yi wobble, Song Sining was a bit worried:
"How can you shower like this? I'm not at ease."
"Let me help you!"
Saying this, Song Sining also blushed and walked into the bathroom.
She thoughtfully helped Wang Yi shower.
At first, it was just a simple shower, but as they showered, things changed.
Song Sining was bewildered:
"Is he truly drunk? Or pretending to be drunk?"
"You're terrible!"
Wang Yi, however, laughed triumphantly.
Bad boys get the girls.
Unlocking a new experience, showering together.
People's joys and sorrows are not interconnected.
That night, the news of iQiyi losing its copyright infringement lawsuit made it to the trending topics, once again causing a sensation.
"Trash iQiyi, only knows piracy and infringement, no wonder it has no good dramas."
"For the same 15 yuan, I can watch three blockbuster dramas on Xingyi Video; on iQiyi, there's nothing to watch."
"That's right, iQiyi membership is a rip-off, Xingyi Video membership is more cost-effective."
"'The Cliff' is the best spy drama of the year, 'Beijing Love Story' is the best idol drama of the year, 'Xia Lan' is the best animation of the year, all on Xingyi Video. What does iQiyi have to compare?"
"Only someone with a hole in their head would get an iQiyi membership; anyone with a functioning brain would choose Xingyi Video VIP!"
...
This wave of trending topics caused iQiyi's reputation to plummet again, further highlighting the strength and integrity of Xingyi Video.
All thanks to the contrast provided by competitors!
Consequently, iQiyi's member and user numbers experienced another massive loss, while Xingyi Video's member and download numbers surged once more.
This scene left everyone at iQiyi feeling helpless.
This was no longer just the psychological impact of not having a good New Year, but also an impact on performance and revenue!
What was worse, affected by this, its parent company Baidu's stock price plummeted again after the U.S. stock market opened.
Li Yan was burning with anxiety:
"Damn it, it fell again!"
"Over the past two months, Baidu's stock price has been falling, and its market capitalization has also been falling."
"Previously a market capitalization of 280 billion, now 135 billion, and still falling."
"During the New Year, it fell to over 120 billion!"
If there were drops and rises, that would be acceptable, but the problem was Baidu's stock price seemed to be poisoned.
Each time it dropped by 20 billion, it only rose by 2 billion.
As a result, the stock price was halved and hadn't recovered.
Last time, it finally managed to rise above 140 billion, but because iQiyi hired a pirated platform to pirate Xingyi Video's hit dramas and was caught red-handed, the stock price collapsed again, dropping to 130 billion.
Now, it had just barely risen to 135 billion, but again due to the copyright lawsuit, losing, it plummeted once more.
This time it was heading straight for 120 billion!
"Damn it!"
"Accursed!"
"It's all iQiyi's fault. If iQiyi hadn't provoked Xingyi Video, there wouldn't have been so many subsequent problems!"
The more Li Yan thought about it, the angrier he got, and he decisively called Sun Yu, unleashing a torrent of abuse:
"Sun Yu, you useless piece of trash, you're incompetent but have a big addiction."
"You're weak yourself, yet you provoked Xingyi Technology!"
"Now look what you've done? iQiyi is ruined, users are severely lost, member numbers are halved, and even Baidu's stock price has plummeted, its market value halved!"
"You trash, you're no good at doing things, but you're number one at causing trouble! Useless!"
Sun Yu's mouth twitched, and he felt extremely aggrieved:
"Chairman Li, are you scolding the wrong person? I've been removed from my position, I'm no longer the Chairman of iQiyi!"
Li Yan's mouth twitched: "..."
(End of Chapter)