526: Chapter 521 The Real Goal

"First, there are the traditional large venture capital firms, like Sequoia and Hillhouse. They have deep pockets, but their requirements are also strict, scrutinizing the founding team and technical patents very rigorously."

"Second, there are internet giants with needs for industrial upgrades, like Ali and Penguin. They want to break free from dependence on foreign chips, but they lean towards strategic investment or outright acquisition, meaning they have a strong desire for control."

"Third," Chen Guangke's expression turned slightly subtle, "are the family capital funds and national team funds with deeper backgrounds. They don't lack money and view investment cycles more long-term, but the entry barrier is extremely high; ordinary people can't even get in touch."

Shen Yan's fingers tapped lightly on the desktop.

He already had a preliminary plan for the "Dawn" project.

The first step was to research and develop a GPU chip capable of replacing high-end foreign products, for use in his own data centers and Artificial Intelligence model training.

This step alone required an astronomical amount of funding.

Relying solely on his current company's cash flow and the dividends from City of Jade were far from enough.

He needed external ammunition.

"Send me the information on Sequoia and Hillhouse."

"Also, focus specifically on the movements of the third category of capital."

"Find a way to make contact and see if they have made any moves recently."

Shen Yan's thinking was very clear.

He was temporarily disregarding the internet giants.

He did not want his life's work to become someone else's vassal.

Venture capital firms were negotiable, but he needed to maintain control.

The best option was the "National Team" funds that didn't seek short-term returns and only valued long-term strategic value.

If he could secure their investment, it would not only solve the money problem but also be equivalent to obtaining an ironclad guarantee.

"Understood." Chen Guangke nodded, "Oh right, Brother Yan, there is a 'Future Technology Investment Summit' in Shanghai next week. Capital firms ranked among the top in the country will send representatives. I managed to get you an invitation."

"Excellent."

The corner of Shen Yan's mouth curved slightly upward.

He was just worrying about not having an opportunity, and now opportunity was delivering itself to his doorstep.

"Send me the guest list and agenda for the summit as soon as possible."

"Got it."

The communication ended.

Shen Yan leaned back against the comfortable leather seat and closed his eyes.

In his mind, there was no hail of bullets in City of Jade, nor the immense value of the jade mines.

Instead, there were dense, incredibly complex chip design blueprints.

That was his true ocean of stars.

The conquest of City of Jade was merely the first stream flowing into this ocean.

When the plane landed at Shanghai International Airport, the night was already deep.

Shen Yan did not go home, nor did he go to the company.

The dedicated car took him directly to an apartment he frequently used.

This was his temporary base, also his command center.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows was the brilliant City of Jade light, like a flowing river of stars.

Chen Guangke was already waiting there.

"Yan Zi, all the information you requested is here."

He handed over an encrypted tablet.

Shen Yan took it, showing no fatigue from the journey.

He sat on the sofa, his fingers lightly sliding across the screen.

Light and shadow flowed.

The information on the hundreds of investors and over a hundred invited companies for the summit was detailed.

Company financial reports, investment portfolios, network of connections...

Even the personal preferences of every key figure were clearly marked.

Zhang Tao, vice president of Sequoia Capital, loved 1982 Lafite, but privately was an avid anime fan.

Wang Yu, Project Director at Hillhouse Capital, was a fervent believer in Texas Hold'em, with an extremely aggressive style.

Liu Ming of Penguin Investment appeared mild-mannered but was the most difficult opponent at the negotiating table; his breakthrough point was his cherished Shiba Inu.

Shen Yan's reading speed was extremely fast, his brain functioning like a supercomputer, rapidly processing this information.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

This was a habit etched into his bones.

No matter who the opponent was, he had to thoroughly study every one of their trump cards before starting a fight.

His finger finally stopped on a name.

Long Tianzheng.

The helmsman of Guojin Capital.

The old man in the photo had a lean face and eyes that were as still as an ancient well.

The information was simple, just a few lines.

Graduation institution, resume, and a few investment cases that were enough to shake the entire industry.

The personal hobbies section only listed two words: Go.

[Daily Wealth Intelligence Has Been Refreshed]

The system's voice sounded in his mind.

[Target Individual: Long Tianzheng.]

[Key Information: His only son, Long Xiaoyu, recently started a business called 'New Wave E-commerce.' He has burned through fifty million in startup capital and is currently facing difficulties in Series A financing, having been rated as 'not recommended for investment' by several VC firms.]

The corner of Shen Yan's mouth curved into an almost imperceptible arc.

He closed the tablet.

"Guang Ke, help me arrange a meeting."

"Who?"

"The founder of New Wave E-commerce, Long Xiaoyu."

...

Three days later, the Future Technology Investment Summit.

Shanghai International Convention and Exhibition Center, bustling with people.

The air was filled with the mixed scent of expensive perfume, cigars, and coffee.

Every person walking here controlled capital capable of leveraging an entire industry.

Shen Yan was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, no tie, with the top button undone, appearing composed yet carrying a touch of sharpness.

The moment he appeared, he was like a magnet, instantly drawing all eyes in the hall.

"Mr. Shen, I've long admired your reputation!"

"Mr. Shen, I am from Tianqing Capital..."

"Mr. Shen, the janus project is truly ambitious, we..."

Countless people surrounded him, faces beaming with enthusiasm, the business cards in their hands almost drowning him.

The name "Shen Yan" had been the hottest name in the venture capital circle over the past year.

From near bankruptcy to a new industry powerhouse, Shen Yan's journey was a legend in itself.

He smiled and nodded to everyone, accepting the business cards, his words appropriate yet carrying a sense of detachment.

He managed the crowd, but his gaze pierced through them towards the lounge area in a corner of the venue.

There, several people were sitting around a sofa, forming their own small world.

The people around them seemed to tacitly maintain a distance from them.

At the center of that circle was Long Tianzheng of Guojin Capital.

Sitting next to him was a young man around thirty, looking arrogant with sharp eyes—he was the young master of Canglan Capital, Mr. Ling.

There was also a woman in a white professional suit with a cool temperament—she was the Executive Director of Hongyi Capital, Ms. Su.

These few firms were the "third category of capital" Chen Guangke had mentioned.

They were also Shen Yan's true objective for this trip.

Shen Yan subtly extricated himself from the surrounding crowd, picked up a glass of champagne, and slowly walked towards that corner.

He did not approach directly, but instead sat down on another empty sofa not far away, as if merely taking a rest.