Chapter 1504
Red Star
Leaving Shanghai.
I received a "letter of recommendation" from Chen Rui.
Zhang Yuan told the girls who participated in the program that everything is difficult to get started with.
Once you enter, you can skip the thousands of steps outside the door.
The same applies to him.
In today's China, the best choice for doing business and making investments is undoubtedly the internet industry.
It's not that the internet is the most valuable thing, it's just that it's growing rapidly, and the pie hasn't been completely divided yet.
Jun'er told him that, based on his judgment, he could see two major opportunities in the next ten years.
Smart terminals, internet communication, and new media.
These two industries later became smartphones, home appliances, and even automobiles.
There's also WeChat and Douyin.
Of course, all of these combined are still not as strong and profitable as PetroChina, CNNC, or even the tobacco company.
The dividends of the Three Gorges Group have reached dozens of times the construction cost.
But are these kinds of jobs something that ordinary people can do?
Everyone says that Tencent, especially later on, became incredibly powerful in the Chinese gaming industry. It's a giant, and even considered by many to be the number one gaming company in the universe.
The three giants of the game console market are XBOX, PS, and NS.
The Switch is distributed, promoted, and operated by Tencent.
The Switch is also the best-selling phone worldwide.
Ultimately, the official game console was withdrawn from the Chinese market, and only the Hong Kong version could be purchased.
XBOX and PS are still working fine.
The reason is that penguins are no good.
Because the game and sales agents behind XBOX are Shanghai Oriental Group.
The sales and distribution of PS is handled by Shanghai Oriental Pearl Group.
It takes at least a year and a half for Tencent to import a game, from review to obtaining a license and then releasing it.
The remaining two companies can finalize their deals in less than two months, so how can they compete?
That's the threshold.
Compared to those state-owned enterprise giants, internet industry giants are nothing more than ordinary people.
When attending meetings at the Great Hall of the People, people can only sit next to the water dispenser.
The internet industry is considered to have a very low barrier to entry; the key is who you compare yourself to.
Even though it has a lower barrier to entry than those other businesses, there are still certain barriers to entry.
Unlike those who fry dough sticks and sell soy milk, they don't need a shop; they can just push a cart.
In theory, the higher the barrier to entry, the more profitable the industry.
The entry barrier to the internet industry is "educational background".
I do not have a background in computer science from a top domestic university, or in science and engineering or finance from a prestigious foreign university.
People don't even give you a second glance.
Just like when he went to the potato plant, Wang Wei gave him a cold shoulder and never looked down on him.
Science students believe that humanities students are all academically weak, and that they only study humanities because they can't get into science programs.
The entertainment industry is also a hub for liberal arts students.
At least Tudou.com has some connection to the entertainment industry, so we can talk about it.
If Zhang Yuan were to approach Meituan, a company primarily focused on group buying, they probably wouldn't even bother to give him a proper welcome and would just send someone to fob him off.
Now it's different; he's "got started."
With Chen Rui's help, Wang Xing, who had shared joys and sorrows with his old friend in starting the business, had no choice but to personally receive him.
Even if you don't respect the monk, you should respect the Buddha.
It's better to talk in person.
After landing and returning home, he glanced at the recent news and chuckled to himself.
These are all good things!
The Voice of China has become a huge hit after three episodes.
It has already gone viral across the entire internet.
As a result, mentors Na Ying, Yang Kun, and Harlem Yu also became popular.
The entertainment company is planning a concert tour for them, and they want to strike while the iron is hot.
They also bring some students along for gigs, earning even more money.
Thinking of this, he picked up the documents that had been prepared for him and placed on the table long ago.
Of the three women who came last time, two have already been secured and contracts are confirmed.
Wu Mochou and Yuan Yawei have reached an agreement and agreed to the contract terms.
Next, I'll discuss it with the show's director, Jin Lei, and ask him to give her more screen time.
With their abilities, they should have made it to the final round.
The problem is, there are three people, but only two contracts.
"Hmph." He knew in his heart that the most slick and cunning one was probably up to something.
He didn't pay much attention to it and swiped past it to the next item, which made him even happier.
The news has been released that South Beauty's IPO attempt was rejected!
It made the headlines.
After all, the more extravagant the wedding was back then, the more embarrassing it is now.
Zhang Yuan guessed that the S family was probably already cursing and swearing.
I originally thought I had jumped on a fast track to going public.
Unexpectedly, they boarded a dilapidated boat that was leaking everywhere.
For the crucial Hainan wedding, this dilapidated boat was repainted, renovated, and transformed into a luxury cruise ship.
Now the news has come out that the paint patch has peeled off, and upon closer inspection, it turns out to be a small sampan in disguise.
This mother and daughter were like a small boat crossing the ocean; without wind, they relied entirely on the waves.
The key issue that was exposed was not just the failed IPO attempt.
Following this incident, it was also revealed that Zhang Lan had changed her nationality in order to switch her focus to Hong Kong stocks.
It was taken by paparazzi in Hong Kong.
It joined the North American island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
This country is only 270 square kilometers in total, about half the size of Chaoyang District.
It is a member of the Commonwealth, and 90% of its citizens are Black.
They're dirt poor!
There wasn't even air conditioning in the national airport; there were only old electric fans and long benches.
In order to go public, Zhang Lanleng changed his nationality to this run-down place.
It's easy to lose Chinese citizenship, but it's incredibly difficult to regain it.
The old lady was really going all out.
Celebrities changing their nationality is theoretically nothing new.
Gong Li and Li Lianjie have both changed their names, but they can still make a living in the country.
But Zhang Lan is unique in one way: in addition to being an entrepreneur, she is also a "representative of the House of Representatives" in Beijing.
She did not notify the Beijing CPPCC before changing her nationality.
Now things are really messed up; the officials are coming to find her.
The impact is very bad.
Besides the negative impact, doing this also embarrassed the people who initially brought her into the CPPCC.
In the future, no one in the capital will pay any attention to her.
The old woman has gone completely mad in her pursuit of an IPO.
For her, it was just as Xiao Rizi often said: the empire was on the verge of life and death.
Faced with the crumbling South Beauty building, Zhang Yuan decided to lend a hand... by giving it a kick.
I was just about to make a call when the phone rang.
"Brother Huang, what's the matter?"
Huang Xiaomao, who was in charge of the music department, called him.
After the other party gave a brief explanation, he understood.
Jike Junyi's "agent" wanted to invite him to dinner.
They said they wanted to talk about the contract.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't change it?"
"Do whatever you want, it doesn't matter if you don't sign."
Huang Xiaomao thought to himself, "Do you mean you don't care?"
If the other party doesn't sign, will the show still tolerate her?
“I’ve already tried to persuade them. Anyway, they said they could consider signing a contract, but they need to have a meal with me in person.”
After thinking for a while, Zhang Yuan replied.
"Are you eating alone, or with someone?"
"Then I didn't ask."
"I understand. Please help me make the arrangements. We can have dinner together."
The other party quickly arranged the location.
It's right near the Workers' Stadium.
And they seemed to be in a hurry, so they decided to do it tonight.
"Should we bring more people?" Brother Long asked after glancing at the address.
This restaurant is in a crowded and noisy place.
The area around the Workers' Stadium is a gathering place for all sorts of people.
"No need, you can take me there in a bit. You and Dandan can wait for me in the car, no need to go up."
He replied quite calmly.
In the evening, he found a rock-themed restaurant based on the address and stepped into the designated private room.
"Oh my, the big star is here."
A middle-aged man who was dressed fairly well immediately stood up and greeted him with a smile upon seeing him.
He was accompanied by that dark-skinned girl.
Zhang Yuan immediately understood that it must be that so-called "agent".
"You must be Mr. Liu, it's a pleasure to meet you."
He shook hands with the other person and greeted them.
"You're a big star, it's hard to get an appointment with you," a guest said in a sleazy tone, his arm around the back of his chair and a cigarette dangling from his lips.
“I’m very busy, of course,” Zhang Yuan replied kindly.
"Damn, I, Brother Liu, am giving you face, and you're acting all high and mighty." The burly man rolled up his sleeve, revealing a dragon pattern on his arm.
"Wow." Zhang Yuan leaned closer to take a look.
"Tattoo."
"The underworld?"
He put some saliva on it, wiped it off, and the color didn't come off.
He slapped it twice more forcefully.
"That's unique, I like it."
“Mr. Liu, I don’t like having outsiders at my meals, nor do I like uninvited guests,” Zhang Yuan said, looking at the host.
"After all, there are too many people and too many opinions."
"Brother, give me some face."
“You’re all prominent people, let’s sit down, eat and chat.”
The other person had a smug smile on their face, clearly very pleased with themselves.
This guy owns a nightclub; the Latte Bar at Workers' Stadium is one of his investments. It was at that bar that he met the dark-skinned girl.
The dark-skinned girl was shrewd; knowing that this man was a rich second-generation heir, she went up to him and clung to his leg.
After Zhang Yuan came to his door, he went home and discussed it with this person.
Hei Pi immediately understood Zhang Yuan's meaning: if he didn't sign the contract, he shouldn't expect to do well on the show.
Mr. Liu was not happy about this.
They argued and made a scene to discuss it.
After Zhang Yuan showed a tough stance, today's dinner party came about.
Zhang Yuan saw through it at a glance; today was definitely a trap.
Discuss business?
What's there to talk about? Why do you insist on talking to me?
Company matters should be discussed with Huang Xiaomao; contacting me is simply asking for trouble.
The capital city is a treacherous place. Before he arrived, he was worried that the other party might have brought some important figures with them, so he prepared his explanation in his mind.
At worst, we can just part ways. How can you, a rich second-generation from the capital, possibly control a program on Zhejiang TV?
I never expected this.
He was secretly overjoyed.
What year is this eve?
If you didn't know better, you'd think it was from the 80s.
They called over a few tattooed men to scare me while we were talking business.
They treated me like a child.
He had already heard that this guy surnamed Liu wasn't very capable; his main job was just hanging out in bars.
It's called an investment, but it's not really managed much.
Zhang Yuan knew these second-generation rich kids all too well; they were pure spoiled brats.
“Zhang Yuan, I’ve seen many of your movies, and I think you’re even better in real life than on screen.”
"You're welcome." He looked around and saw five or six burly men taking off their coats, revealing large tattoos on their arms underneath.
"Zek is my woman, you want to sign her, right?"
"No, no, no, I don't really care." Zhang Yuan crossed his arms: "Whether I sign or not is the same thing."
"I have always said that this is a collaboration, and it depends on the willingness of both parties."
"If he doesn't sign, will Jike be able to make it to the end on the show?" Boss Liu asked, his hands on the table and a smirk on his face.
"That depends on her abilities."
"I think she is very capable and deserves to win the championship."
"I can't say that. You can talk to the people at Zhejiang TV. I can't interfere with the program production."
Isn't this your show?
"No, I just know some friends in the music industry."
"You're pretending to be stupid with Brother Liu, aren't you?!" the burly man beside him roared.
"Let's talk this out, don't get agitated." Zhang Yuan took a sip of tea, not bothering to look at it at all.
"I heard that Kayo has retired."
"Zang Tianshuo has been taken in."
"There shouldn't be any scoundrels on the ground in the capital."
"What do you mean? I'll beat you so badly you'll never be able to act again, believe it or not."
"Don't get agitated..." Boss Liu stood up to stop him: "My buddy here has a bad temper, please bear with him."
"As I just said, I don't like eating with strangers, nor do I like bringing people along unexpectedly."
"That's why."
"They're all friends, everyone wants to see you, and I can't stop them."
This man, looking completely in control, hooked his arm around the dark-skinned girl.
"Oh, I see." He reached into his pocket; his phone was vibrating.
He chuckled softly and then looked up.
"Well then, since you like making friends, I happen to have some friends who would like to meet you, Mr. Liu."
"We came together, you're not mad at me, are you?"
He didn't give the other person a chance to refuse at all, and got up to open the door and go outside.
Several burly men also got up.
"I'd like to see who you can get to handle things at the Workers' Stadium."
"Who can control us brothers...?"
"This way." Zhang Yuan waved his hand, and several middle-aged men turned towards this direction from the stairs.
As soon as these people appeared, the tattooed man who had been making a lot of noise just now narrowed his eyes, and then his body moved subconsciously.
The movements were very clear and fluid.
The group raised their hands, placed them behind their heads, then turned to face the wall and squatted down steadily.
It's so skillful it's heartbreaking.
When Boss Liu and the dark-skinned girl looked over, they wondered why their friend had suddenly squatted down.
Before they could investigate further, they saw Zhang Yuan leading a group of friends into the private room.
Let me introduce you.
"This is Director Zhang of the Sanlitun Police Station."
"This is Captain Wang of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of Sanlitun Police Station, who is mainly responsible for investigating contraband."
"This is Captain Xin from the Sanlitun Police Station, who is mainly responsible for cracking down on illegal activities that force women to engage in such acts."
The man surnamed Liu stood there blankly.
Because he knew some of them.
The Workers' Stadium is under the jurisdiction of Sanlitun and is home to bars, so it inevitably has contact with the local police station.
Don't underestimate this small police station. Local officials are more powerful than county officials, and in the capital, officials are more than one level higher. Its administrative level is equivalent to that of a public security bureau in an ordinary prefecture-level city.
Zhang Yuan originally thought that since the other party might use officials to handle the matter, he should also bring in some people in that field to facilitate communication and prevent the situation from becoming one-sided.
I never expected the other party to be so unreliable, still hiring vagrants in this day and age.
While Lao Tzu was arguing with the vagrants, you were still doing three years of mock exams and five years of college entrance exams.
That's good, it's more in line with my major now.
He's the anti-drug ambassador for the Sanlitun Police Station; the signboard is still up there.
And the other party said they would renew the contract, and he didn't ask for any money.
After getting off work, the other party changed into casual clothes and strolled over.
"This is Mr. Liu, who owns a bar in the Workers' Stadium area. We just happened to be discussing some business."
"We're all hanging out in this area, so let's get to know each other."
Zhang Yuan offered to pour drinks for the newcomers.
"Boss Liu likes to joke around. He just brought some tattooed guys to scare me."
The man looked very displeased upon hearing this.
"I also want to say that if he does that, I'll send people to sweep two streets in his territory tomorrow."
Let's plant a flag for him first!
Mr. Liu's lips trembled.
Who is the real scoundrel?
"Hey, this is a society governed by the rule of law," the director reminded him.
“I’m not making this up. I’ll go plant the flags tomorrow.” Zhang Yuan didn’t care at all: “I’ll just plant two five-star red flags in front of their shop.”
After he finished speaking, he turned his head and glanced at the people still squatting there.
Tattoo?
Organized crime?
The director smiled and drank a glass with him; the young man was really humorous.
"I think Mr. Liu just watches too many Hong Kong movies."
"You must have watched the Young and Dangerous movies."
"One minute it's Dongxing, the next it's Hongxing."
"I'm just an actor, don't be fooled by the movie."
“But to be honest, Hongxing really does exist.” Zhang Yuan pointed to himself.
"I am the Red Star."
"Director Zhang is from Niulanshan."
"Captain Wang is a baijiu (a type of Chinese liquor) drinker."
Hehehe...
The private room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Fighting and killing? What era and what place is this? Why are you doing this?
Seeing that his opponent was using such a pointless tactic, Zhang Yuan completely despised him.
Nowadays, everything we do must be done in a high-class and compliant manner.
It's okay to play dirty tricks, but don't actually act like a young master.
Throughout the meal, Mr. Liu, the owner, kept smiling awkwardly.
The dark-skinned girl was good at socializing, but Zhang Yuan would only take a sip of the wine she offered.
"Please give me your orders at any time."
"It is my responsibility as a citizen of Beijing to establish a healthy and legal image for the entertainment industry and the public."
After finishing his meal, he warmly said goodbye to the people from the Sanlitun Police Station.
He turned around and saw the couple standing there waiting for him.
"Let's talk in the car."
He gestured for the two to get into the car to avoid being photographed.
"I'm sorry about today, it was a misunderstanding."
"It's those few who kept insisting on coming..."
"There's no need to say such pointless things," Zhang Yuan interrupted directly.
He knew that what the other party feared was not him, but those in positions of power.
Because running a bar inevitably involves some problems.
Even if they don't sell prohibited items, they still can't escape selling counterfeit cigarettes and alcohol.
Even if it's clean, pimping and picking up corpses can't be completely eliminated, right?
Finding fault with amusement parks is too easy.
Just as Zhang Yuan said, if they sweep his place three times a day for three consecutive days, then he won't have to work anymore.
Although I don't like going there, I know exactly what kind of shady dealings you guys have up your sleeves.
No matter how powerful you are, you can't withstand the trouble caused by your superiors.
In addition, you can't be completely clean, so as long as someone finds even one problem, they can use you as an example.
There's no need to actually do it now; just creating a deterrent is enough.
"You can handle the contract yourselves."
"I'll do it right away. As you said, I'll work with you as your agent." This Mr. Liu was quite affectionate.
"I've always said, it's up to you."
"But it was agreed beforehand that the profits would be split 20/80."
"Isn't it Sanqi?!" the dark-skinned girl exclaimed.
"Because you wasted my time today and made me very unhappy, the terms have been changed," Zhang Yuan replied coldly.
If the Sanlitun Police Station doesn't make an example of you, I will!
We need to show this to other celebrities, otherwise even the most insignificant people will dare to cause trouble for me, which will be incredibly annoying.
"You guys decide for yourselves. I'm still the same, it doesn't matter to me."
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand.
Brother Long then got out of the car, opened the side door, and invited the two of them to get out.
Before long, he got into his car and drove off, leaving the two of them bewildered in the wind. (End of Chapter)