Shockingly, a counterfeit factory has produced a 3-nanometer chip.

Chapter 272 Eastern Europe's Choice, Morningside's Reminder

Anthony smiled; at that moment, he finally believed the results of the investigation report.

"Mr. Lei, you are very smart."

But don't you think that the distribution channels built with tens of billions of dollars in investment are only worth a 30% stake?

Lei Jun remained unyielding.

"Mr. Anil, the same goes for the technology of rice, which is actually worth billions of dollars."

We have invested heavily in system chips and the supply chain, and these investments have resulted in us becoming one of the top five mobile phone platforms in China.

We are not one of those knock-off assembly plants; we have our own core technologies.

He paused, looking at the other person: "If it's as you say, how many billions are we worth?"

Anil was also thinking about his next negotiation strategy, after all, it was exactly the same as what the person who reminded him had said: Rebus was a very smart person.

"Mr. Lei, how about we each take a step back?"

How do I get a refund?

"We'll split it 50/50, with Rice taking 50% and Reliance taking 50%, under the brand name Rice India. Licensing fees will be calculated separately. As for your concern about being kicked out, don't worry, I can give you a written guarantee that I won't interfere in the company's internal affairs."

Lei Jun was secretly delighted, but he remained expressionless.

"Mr. Anthony, with 50% to 50%, it's hard to decide who gets the power."

Okay, I'll compromise and split it 60/40. The rice company will hold 60%, and we'll control the decision-making power, but you can offer suggestions, and we can produce contract machines according to Reliance's requirements.

This would be beneficial for both of us...

After much discussion, the two sides finally reached a preliminary agreement.

In the joint venture, rice accounts for 54 percent, and the licensing fee is set at 4 percent of the joint venture's annual revenue.

The signing ceremony was simple: the two signed the draft, shook hands, and then had a photographer take a few pictures.

After all, this is not a formal contract.

When taking photos, Anil and Rebus both had big smiles on their faces, but they were thinking completely different things.

Rebus was thinking of this as a dangerous gamble. Anil had agreed so readily; he would surely find a chance to regain control. He had to solidify the foundation of Rice India before the other side made a move.

Anil was thinking: Just wait, the rice will be reliable sooner or later. Not just the Indian branch, but the entire rice company.

46% is just the beginning. Once the joint venture's R&D team matures and they control all the distributors, rice will no longer be necessary.

After the signing ceremony, Anil treated Rebbs to lunch.

At the dinner table, Anil was still very talkative, discussing many trends in the Indian market.

Lei Jun laughed along, but his mind was elsewhere.

Halfway through the meal, Anthony's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and his expression changed slightly.

"Excuse me, I need to take this call."

He walked over and said a few words in a voice that Leibusi couldn't hear, but Leibusi saw his expression change from relaxed to worried.

After finishing the call, he walked back over and smiled, but the smile seemed forced.

"Mr. Lei, I'm sorry, it's my brother calling."

"Mr. Mukesh?"

Lei Jun instantly grasped the key point: this might be a crucial opportunity for Da Mi to turn things around.

Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, a Forbes top 10 global billionaire, and another head of Reliance Industries.

Anil was already someone of importance, but he was several levels below his brother.

"He also wants to make mobile phones," Lei Jun asked tentatively.

Anil snorted coldly.

"He wants to do everything. Telecom, retail, oil, finance, and now he wants to get into technology, but don't worry, Mr. Lei, he won't have the chance."

This statement seemed to be both a consolation to himself and a warning to Lei Jun.

"We made a 10-year agreement. After we separated, we would stay out of each other's way for 10 years. He would do his thing, and I would do mine, right?"

Anil watched with a smile as Rebus raised his glass.

"So Reliance Rice is my project, and he won't interfere."

Lei Jun clinked glasses with him and took a sip. But he knew in his heart that agreements between brothers were the most unreliable things, especially when the benefits were great enough.

…………

On July 10th, Lei Jun had been back in China for three days.

He barely slept for the past three days, as the collaboration between Da Mi and Xin Shi had already caused huge controversy internally.

Of the seven co-founders, four opposed, two supported, and one abstained.

All the hardware managers objected, unanimously believing it was a trap, and that you'd eventually kick them out anyway.

Those in favor argue that without taking the plunge, they can't enter the Indian market; once they're in, they'll figure it out later. After all, they hold the technology.

Moreover, they are Chinese. Their ancestors played so many tricks, how could they possibly lose to them?

Lei Jun sat in the conference room, listening to everyone's argument, feeling quite troubled. He only spoke after listening to the entire debate…

"Everyone's points are valid, but how popular is Huawei's Mate 7 marketing?"

Transsion's actions are even more outrageous; they've monopolized all the news coverage on CCTV. The Indian market is our only option, after all, it's the closest market to us.

"Mr. Lei, how about we consider the Nordic market?"

"Russia?" Lin Bin immediately grasped the key point.

Russia might also be an opportunity, after all, Transsion hasn't entered that market, and some of its rice has already been smuggled there.

There are no local mobile phone manufacturers there, and all electronic products need to be imported. The Russians don't have many rules; as long as the profit is enough, anything is possible.

…………

That afternoon, the cooperation plan was officially approved internally by the rice company.

After the plan was approved, Lei Jun sent a message to Anil.

"Mr. Anil, the plan is approved."

Next week I will send people to Mumbai to begin preparations for the joint venture.

The reply came a minute later.

"Great, Mr. Lei. Reliance is ready. We'll have a board meeting next Monday. This cooperation will definitely not leave you at a disadvantage."

After reading the message, Lei Jun also called Liu Qing of Morningside Capital.

"Mr. Liu, the cooperation to enter the Indian market is settled."

The person on the other end of the phone wasn't as happy as expected. After a long while, Liu Qing finally spoke, "Congratulations, President Lei."

However, you should still be careful of Anil's brother, Mukesh.

Why?

"He is not just the richest man in India, he is the most powerful man in India. Even the government has to give him some respect."

His younger brother, Annie, was always a junior to him, and the relationship between their two families had never been particularly good.

"Is he trying to make phones again?"

"He wanted to do everything. Reliance Telecom originally belonged to Mukesh, but it was later divided and given to Anil, but he always wanted to take it back."

If the joint venture grows too large, the other party will definitely get involved.