Chapter 41: A Thousand-Mile Embankment Collapses Because of an Ant Hill

"At most two million dollars. Logitech will cover at most two million dollars in legal fees for you, and this money must be used entirely for the litigation against Microsoft!"

After discussing for a long while with Pacosta and Marini in the adjacent room, Daniel returned and said this to Li Dongling.

Logitech would never risk everything against Microsoft for the sake of Dongling High-Tech. Two million dollars was not a significant sum for Logitech; spending a small amount would not hurt their foundation. By acquiring the patent for the scroll-wheel mouse and simultaneously dealing a heavy blow to Microsoft, the deal was far from a loss.

Li Dongling extended his hand and shook Daniel’s. The two sides had reached an agreement. Two million dollars, converted into RMB, exceeded sixteen million—equivalent to more than half of Dongling High-Tech’s current cash flow.

Yao Luoying watched this scene, an unusual glint in her eyes. She had witnessed Li Dongling, in just a few words, pull Logitech—a competitor of Dongling High-Tech—into the same camp and even make them pay millions of dollars to fund Dongling High-Tech’s lawsuit. Had she not seen this reality-bending scenario with her own eyes, she would never have believed such a thing could happen.

Refusing Daniel’s offer to stay longer, Li Dongling left Lausanne early the next morning after resting for one night, heading to the airport to fly to America.

"We need to find the most top-tier 'vulture' law firm in America to fight this case!"

Once on the plane, Li Dongling discussed the matter with Yao Luoying. He had no intention of hiring prestigious, high-profile lawyers; instead, he wanted to find a notorious vulture law firm.

"Vulture lawyers?!" Yao Luoying, who was in the middle of looking up famous American attorneys, was taken aback by Li Dongling’s words.

Vulture lawyers—the name alone gave away their nature: they were known for stripping the feathers off every goose that flew by and turning even the smallest trifle into a major conflict.

Whether it was someone suing a coffee shop for millions after being scalded by coffee, or seeking hundreds of millions from an automaker after a tire blowout caused a crash—if one looked closely at the news, a mysterious group could often be found behind these cases: the vulture lawyers.

The tens or hundreds of millions awarded in those cases might seem like a lot, but in reality, the lion's share of the settlement was taken by the vulture law firm, leaving the actual plaintiffs with very little.

"We don't have much time. This matter must be resolved quickly. Hiring big-name lawyers would certainly improve our chances of winning, but it would take too long. Vulture lawyers are the most suitable for taking on this case right now."

To win and earn their dollars, vulture lawyers were nearly unscrupulous; they had no bottom line and were willing to use any dirty trick in the book, especially when it came to manipulating public opinion.

As Li Dongling’s plane flew toward New York, Logitech officially announced that it was filing a lawsuit against Microsoft with the European Commission, claiming that Microsoft had infringed upon eight mouse patents held by Logitech. Once the news broke, the entire European media landscape was stirred into action.

Meanwhile, at the *New Tech Express*, the office received the legal notice from Dongling High-Tech. Lin Shiman could not believe her eyes when she saw it. "They actually dare to sue the newspaper?!"

Although the editor-in-chief was not overly concerned, he looked perplexed. "It is indeed a lawsuit. Their lawyers have already arrived in the city. This time, they are demanding three million yuan in damages from our newspaper, and they are also requiring the newspaper and you to issue formal apologies in media outlets like the *Yangcheng Daily* for thirty consecutive days to restore Dongling High-Tech's reputation!"

"They must be insane. Do they really think Microsoft won't do anything to Dongling High-Tech? When Microsoft finally makes its move, I’ll see if they’re still this arrogant once they’re behind bars!"

Lin Shiman said angrily. She felt that the facts were so well-established that the other side was merely being stubborn, and the fact that they dared to sue the newspaper was simply lawless.

"It is strange, though," the *New Tech Express* editor-in-chief said, somewhat puzzled. "It’s been several days. We’ve published so many stories; why hasn't there been any movement from Microsoft? They should have known about this by now."

Lin Shiman instead tried to reassure the editor. "They are a massive corporation with their own regulations and procedures. I heard they even have their own in-house legal department. Across an ocean, it’s bound to take time to process, unlike some companies that only know how to send legal letters!"

Lin Shiman tossed the legal notice aside, not giving it a second thought. She felt that Dongling High-Tech was merely bluffing. If they had the guts, they should take it to court. Right now, she felt filled with fighting spirit, preparing to write a few more scathing articles to bombard Dongling High-Tech, to let the world see their true face and ensure they became a permanent disgrace in China's technological history.

With the bay cruise ships sounding their whistles, the streets bustling with traffic, and skyscrapers continuing to rise, New York in 1994 represented the state of the American people at the time—living in the most confident era in their history.

Their arch-rival, the "Polar Bear," had collapsed three years prior, leaving only one empire in the world. At this moment, America was at the zenith of its imperial glory; for Americans, this was a golden age.

Stepping into New York for the first time and looking at the modern metropolis filled with towering buildings, Li Dongling, Yao Luoying, Yang Zhigao, and the woman accompanying Yao, all felt the same shock as anyone visiting this place for the first time in that era, overwhelmed by the bustling traffic and the countless modern products on display.

However, having already seen Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou in the future, Li Dongling felt little emotion toward such opulence. The empire was currently at the peak of its national fortune and power, but after a few years, those places would change to the point where they were unrecognizable, even decades later.

"Logitech is suing us for infringing on their mouse patents?!"

The Microsoft legal department informed Spencer of the news from Europe. Upon hearing this, Spencer was baffled, unsure of what was going on.

"Yes."

The person who came from Microsoft’s legal department was a manager named Jon. Microsoft fought countless lawsuits every year—suing others and being sued themselves. Companies pirating Microsoft systems and software existed all over the world, and Microsoft sent many people to prison every year. To protect the empire from infringement, Microsoft spent massive sums of money to build a formidable legal department; even the head of the legal department sat directly on the Microsoft board of directors.

"We don't know yet which patents Logitech claims your hardware department has infringed upon. But the situation in Europe is not looking good. Without the threat of the Polar Bear, 'Old Europe' has lost its reverence for America. Since last year, several American companies have been sued and fined by the European Commission! I need to know what kind of trouble your hardware department is in with Logitech!" Jon asked Spencer.

"That list is long!"

Spencer sneered. Microsoft and Logitech had bickered endlessly over mice; Logitech had consistently suppressed Microsoft in mouse technology, which truly made Spencer lose face.

"But these are all old issues. They can’t stir up any real trouble. I know them better than you do. At most, it's just squabbling over old problems. Trust me!" Spencer didn't take it seriously. Similar lawsuits had happened before, and he assumed it would be just like the past—a bit of verbal sparring in court and some mutual mudslinging in the newspapers.

Seeing that Spencer wasn't concerned, Jon didn't say anything more. Their legal department was busy; they had to fly all over the world, and they couldn't keep an eye on every single lawsuit.

"Could this matter be related to Dongling High-Tech?"

Bonus, having heard the news, hurried over to ask Spencer. He was always somewhat uneasy, even though Microsoft’s new generation of mice had been a hit and they had already received several orders.

"Relax, Bonus. This is America, and we are Microsoft. What could IBM, Sun Microsystems, or Lotus ever do to Microsoft?!"

Spencer patted Bonus on the shoulder. Because of his contributions, Bonus had been kept in America by Spencer, which was considered a promotion; having a position at headquarters certainly held more promise than being overseas.

In a luxury office building on Houston Street in New York, Li Dongling, Yao Luoying, and Yang Zhigao arrived at the entrance of the Hardy-Larson Law Firm.

"Do you have an appointment?"

The blonde receptionist, wearing a business suit that was clearly a few sizes too small, highlighting her figure, asked Li Dongling with a professional smile.

Seeing Li Dongling shake his head, the receptionist immediately said, "I am truly sorry. Mr. Larson has to appear in court for several cases today. I am truly sorry..."

"A case with two million dollars in legal fees. If Mr. Larson is not interested, we can find another firm in this building."

"Please wait a moment! I will go report this right now!"

Hearing the figure Li Dongling mentioned, the receptionist forgot her composure. She twisted her hips in her tight skirt, clicked her high heels, and rushed into Larson’s office.

A few dozen seconds later, a fat man, stomach protruding, ran toward Li Dongling at a speed inconsistent with his physique.

"Damn it! You almost made me lose one of my most respected friends!"

Larson first cursed at the receptionist, then extended his hand toward Li Dongling, looking sincere and righteous. "Rest assured, my friend. Your arrival here means all your troubles have left you. You can always trust Larson. Anytime, anywhere, Larson is willing to serve you!"