Chapter 1509
Alliance
Looking at Xiao Wang, who was clearly struggling to hold it in, Zhang Yuan smiled.
They even used ethical tropes to take advantage of me...
I am a legitimate inheritor of traditional Chinese performing arts, how could I possibly lose in a verbal battle?
He was so angry with the other person that his face almost turned into an eggplant.
Last year, Hua Yi never expected that Zhang Yuan would "secretly steal chickens from Zhangqu."
But what's done is done, and they can only console themselves.
If all else fails, we can just find another company!
Without Butcher Zhang, can we still eat pigs with hair on?
But now Ourpalm is going public after only one year!
I can't lie to myself anymore.
Look at Zhang Yuan's investment of tens of millions; it's about to turn into hundreds of millions.
That's all my money!
Not making a profit is a loss.
What's more, this guy actually made a profit.
My heart is breaking!
My temples are throbbing, and my blood is rushing to my head.
Because they spent over a decade painstakingly building Huayi into a listed company, and then cashed out.
The amount of money that Xiao Wang receives is probably about the same as what Zhang Yuan earned from stealing chickens.
Anyone would be furious in that situation.
My smug smile, my smug smile… Zhang Yuan sang a song in his heart.
It's so hard to hold back, but the corners of my mouth won't listen; they're desperately trying to turn up.
"Mr. Wang, I'm telling you the truth."
"I first communicated with Legendary Pictures in North America for this negotiation."
"Everything is about order and first come, first served; even the old emperor had this rule."
Foreigners don't follow the rules, but we Chinese do.
Zhang Yuan said this on purpose.
He knew exactly how the other party would respond.
"When you contacted PalmFun, did you follow the first-come, first-served rule?" Xiao Wang asked through gritted teeth.
"One thing at a time."
"No, they're all the same!" The other person raised their hand to convey their meaning seriously.
"No need for further words, let's settle this with action!"
"Mr. Wang, the future of China may not be what you think," Zhang Yuan said calmly as the other party was about to leave.
"In the future, movies will just be a form of entertainment, and they will need platforms and media to spread them."
"It's not just about the software level, but also the hardware level."
“For example, smartphones.” Zhang Yuan took out his Apple phone.
"In a few years, people will watch more movies and TV shows on their phones than in theaters."
"The future lies in making entertainment products compatible with hardware devices."
Xiao Wang was furious and confused as he listened to him, and didn't pay any attention at all.
He simply snorted and then turned and left.
"Hehe, what you just said was just trying to fool people," Big Dog Brother watched the show for a while.
After Xiao Wang left, I went up to him and chatted with him.
“I’m telling the truth.” Zhang Yuan looked at Dog Brother with sincere eyes.
"you sure?"
“Confirmed.” Zhang Yuan shrugged.
Lao Tzu was a prophet.
The world is material; software always follows hardware, and soft power always follows hard power.
A crucial strategic factor that enabled ByteDance to rise to prominence was its commitment to starting from scratch, focusing on mobile development as its foundation.
At the same time, most companies were working on desktop fixed-end systems.
What he just told Xiao Wang was the truth.
The film industry is stuck in its ways, desperately trying to reach the big screen, but has never thought about what would happen if people stopped going to the cinema one day.
If everyone thinks about it carefully, they'll realize that in 10 years, they'll go to the movies and turn on the TV a few times a year.
Meanwhile, how many TV series, movies, variety shows, short dramas, and film clips do people watch on their phones and tablets throughout the year?
"But I still feel like you're not that kind of person." Big Dog Brother touched his buzz cut.
You're really that kind, kid?
really?
I do not believe.
"What I really wanted to say was that I invested in a mobile phone company, and it's been selling like hotcakes lately."
“But he walked too fast,” Zhang Yuan echoed Dog Brother’s words.
"Oh, that makes sense. That fits your personality." Dog nodded.
"What kind of personality do I have?" Zhang Yuan asked, leaning closer.
"Shaolin Kung Fu is good, really good..." Big Dog hummed a song, shaking his head, without answering.
"I can't be bothered with you." He turned his head and gave Wang Changtian a smile, who had just finished chatting with the foreigner.
"Mr. Wang, I didn't expect to see you here today."
The three-person dumpling-eating group is together again.
"How about we grab a bite to eat and have a chat?"
"No, I'm quite busy," Mr. Wang said with a smile, declining the offer. "I have things to do at the company later."
"Yes, your company just went public, so you're probably very busy."
"understand."
Dog Brother noticed that this guy's tone of voice was much weaker than when he was chatting with Xiao Wang earlier.
They clearly lowered their stance.
"Sigh." Zhang Yuan sighed heavily.
"I never expected things to turn out this way."
"To be honest, with your two listed companies, Fiber Optics and Huayi, it would be very difficult for me to get involved," Zhang Yuan said with a sorrowful expression.
"Hehehe, it can't be that bad." Wang Changtian pushed up his glasses: "In our line of work, you're the one with the most ideas."
"Besides, we're friends."
“That’s right!” Zhang Yuan sighed insincerely.
"I think Huayi is definitely a veteran."
“Bona and his brothers are all related to the Beijing Film Studio, so they are naturally close.”
"They came together, and the production was just right, so all the theaters were ready."
"If it's a one-on-one fight, I think it's unlikely."
"Why don't we all get together?"
"When the troops unite, the generals fight against one family."
"That's how you become competitive."
Zhang Yuan pulled his two buddies aside and said...
Like the children, I held their hands.
"Let's make money together, and let's collaborate together."
"Do you think this will work?"
“If we really want to start a company with foreigners, we’ll join them,” Zhang Yuan said quietly.
"If it's one piece, then who gets to decide?" Wang Changtian said with a half-smile.
“Foreigners definitely want to be in charge,” he deliberately avoided the question.
"I mean, among us brothers, who's in charge?"
"Of course, things can be discussed."
“I’ll also put forward some good projects, and we can all invest together, how about that?” he said quite generously.
"Oh." Boss Wang still had that same smile: "You mean, we're going to have two people in charge?"
Big Dog Brother raises his hand.
"I'm still here, shouldn't I be the third person in charge?"
Zhang Yuan glanced at him and said, "You still want to think about Wei, Shu, and Wu?"
He ignored her and only spoke to Wang Changtian.
"Cooperation is about sharing opinions."
"Since it's a collaboration, why did you keep bringing up Zhang Yimou's name during the meeting?"
"You believe he is your core competitive advantage."
"How about this, let's start our collaboration with Zhang Yimou," Wang Changtian said, straightening his back.
"Let's invest in Zhang Yimou's next film together."
"That's what cooperation is all about."
"Hey, that makes sense!" Big Dog immediately jumped in, ready to jump on any cheap offer.
Zhang Yuan looked at the two of them again.
Wow, fiber optics has definitely become much more impressive since it hit the market.
It doesn't matter.
"Zhang Yimou's new film is a work with an artistic focus."
"It's still in the early stages of preparation. He's currently busy with the Impression series of live-action dramas."
"How about this, I'll show you the initial data first."
"But it's important to keep it confidential."
"If you two are interested, you can work together."
Both of them raised their eyebrows.
No... Ah Yuan, are you serious?!
Mr. Wang had only intended to use words to shut him up, but he didn't expect him to actually reveal and share his core competencies.
Of course we don't want it!
When has Zhang Yimou ever lost money making movies? It's always a sure thing, so only a fool wouldn't do it!
The film that Zhang Yimou wants to make is based on the new book by the author of "The Flowers of War," titled "The Criminal Lu Yanshi."
More tragic literature...
After making the agreement with the two, he hurriedly left.
Back in the car, he sat in the back and rubbed his temples vigorously.
trouble!
We still need to work together both vertically and horizontally.
Two people in charge is impossible!
Only I can be the one in charge.
The key now is to make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible.
At the very least, we can't be surrounded by enemies on all sides; we need to win over one group while attacking another.
Otherwise, these people would definitely target me first.
Based on past experience, they're bound to be wary of me. When in doubt, they'll always try to eliminate the most difficult one first.
Unfortunately, Zhang Yuan was the most difficult one to deal with.
This is why he kept emphasizing Zhang Yimou in previous meetings.
You need to give them psychological suggestions.
I don't want anything else, I just want to share Zhang Yimou's works, his fame, profits, sincerity, and all other aspects.
As for Huayi... they were enemies to begin with, plus direct competitors. Whatever he did, the other party would fight over it.
First, stabilize your allies; then, understand your enemy and yourself.
Zhang Yuan thought for a moment, then pulled out his phone with a wicked grin and dialed a number.
Beep beep beep... slap.
The other party blocked it.
Beep beep beep... slap.
I'll turn it off.
Beep beep beep... slap.
"If things don't go beyond three times, then don't blame me."
He then dialed from a different number.
"Hello, Uncle Guoli."
"You brat, you actually know how to greet me now?"
Zhang Guoli joked, but his voice sounded somewhat weak.
"You're right, we're like father and son."
"Stop talking nonsense, just say what you want to say. I don't have the energy to argue with you."
"Hehe, okay, then I'll just say it directly."
"I heard you're filming in Shanxi?"
"Yes... Don't wander around in front of me while you're eating." Zhang Guoli's weak but indignant voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Is this a film directed by Feng Xiaogang?"
The film that Uncle Guoli is currently filming is "1942," which Huayi has high hopes for.
Because both Director Feng and the original author Liu Zhenyun are from Henan, and this play is a story from Henan, they were determined to make it.
In the early years, the script was submitted for review several times, but it never passed.
It was only on the third attempt that it barely passed, after which some explicit and overly tragic parts of the story were changed.
During a great famine, people resorted to cannibalism; this was not unique to ancient times.
We should ask Chiang Kai-shek how he governed the country.
Natural disasters do occur, but man-made disasters are far more serious.
Conscripting soldiers and requisitioning food for disaster areas—is this something that humans are capable of doing?
Otherwise, the bald man could have gotten together with Ms. Song, the early-rising woman with tumors.
This resulted in a 10% decrease in the population of Henan within six months.
Of course, there were also amazing feats like the "Rapid River Adventure" at Huayuankou.
Even the Japanese army's "Three Alls" policy wasn't this efficient.
Bald-headed figures, like the old-fashioned warlords, only cared about the interests of the bourgeoisie and didn't treat ordinary people as human beings at all.
In short, this is a tragic story.
But the problem is that the famine in Henan was different from the Tangshan earthquake!
Director Feng felt that since "Aftershock" was so successful, grossing 6 million yuan, this one should gross 10 billion yuan, right?
Few people knew about the Great Famine in Henan, but the Tangshan Earthquake was known to everyone in the country; it was a scar of the times.
The question often arises: whether the director's initial intention in making the film was for himself or for the audience will determine the outcome of the work.
If the director enjoys making the film, the audience often doesn't approve.
Moreover, while the director enjoys filming, another problem arises.
Actors are exhausted!
Filming a movie like "If You Are the One" is so easy.
When filming "1942," director Feng Xiaogang immersed himself in the emotions of the local people and had incredibly high standards.
Guoli, who previously played Chiang Kai-shek, is now playing a member of the landlord class who was persecuted by Chiang Kai-shek.
During the War of Resistance against Japan, quite a few landlords were forced by Chiang Kai-shek to defect to the Communists.
To create a character and portray hunger, the character was shown to be on intermittent fasting.
They survive on just a few cabbage leaves a day.
So now I speak weakly and listlessly; I really have no energy left.
At such an advanced age, he's still quite dedicated.
People tend to get irritable when they're hungry.
That is to say, she likes him, and she speaks to him politely.
At this moment, Uncle Guoli's eyes were almost as green as a weasel's, and everyone looked like a chicken to him.
Just now, Wang Ziwen, who played the daughter, was eating a boxed lunch near him and was immediately scolded.
"I need to talk to Director Feng about something, but I can't get in touch with him."
"Could you please give him the phone?"
"Oh... okay, I'll help you, but you have to treat me to dinner when you get home."
"No problem, I'll cook it for you myself: steamed lamb, steamed bear's paw, roasted deer tail, roasted duck..."
"Stop listing the dishes, it's making me hungrier!"
A moment later, Director Feng's irritable voice came from the other end of the phone.
"What do you want? I'm busy."
Feng Dapao is known for his bad temper and his penchant for verbal abuse.
However, Director Feng is cunning; when he criticizes people, it is often with a purpose and he chooses carefully.
For example, right now, he wants to hang up the phone.
"I couldn't get through to you by phone, so I contacted Uncle Guoli."
"If all else fails, I'll have to resort to the old method: writing letters," Zhang Yuan said with a sly smile.
Feng Xiaogang: ...
I just called him, and he hung up on me three times in a row.
Hey!
They even dared to hang up on me.
He understood that if he kept calling and hanging up, and the next day when asked, he could say he was filming, busy, and that someone else was managing his phone...
Would I give you that chance?
Still trying to run away!
The moment the word "trust" is mentioned, Feng Dapao immediately becomes Feng Kuzi (a nickname implying someone who is very trustworthy).
Their weakness has been exploited.
Back then, because of Zhang Yimou's affair, this guy tried to be clever, but ended up being outsmarted by himself.
He never contacted the other party or mentioned the matter.
Because key people and things cannot be used indefinitely.
You get tired of using it too much and stop taking it seriously.
Just like a mistress asking for money after a breakup, she has to pay for it once.
Two times, three times... then you need to be careful about your life, be careful of a lose-lose situation.
Now, Zhang Yuan plans to use this chess piece as well.
"Well then, you're working now, I won't disturb you."
"Let's talk privately tonight. Wait for my call."
"Give the phone to Uncle Guoli," Zhang Yuan instructed gently.
"What do you want with Xiaogang?" Zhang Guoli asked after retrieving his phone.
"I just met with Xiao Wang, and it didn't go well."
"I want to find someone to mediate," he quickly made up an excuse.
"Oh..." Uncle Guoli thought to himself, "You could have just come to me about this."
That's true. If I try to mediate, I might end up pleasing neither side.
He found an "outsider" to do this difficult task, and he was quite considerate of me.
So he didn't ask any more questions.
The key is that if you don't eat carbs for a long time, you'll be so hungry that your brain won't function properly, and you won't be able to think about such things.
That evening, Feng Xiaogang nervously smoked in his room.
I smoked one cigarette after another, and finally got his call.
Zhang Yuan stopped exchanging pleasantries; there was no point in faking it.
He stated his purpose directly.
“Your boss has been in contact with foreigners recently.”
"We are discussing cooperation, and they are competing with me."
“After partnering with foreign companies, the company’s funds will inevitably be dispersed. You can consider whether this will have an impact on you.”
"In particular, this foreigner currently has a funding gap of at least 7000 million US dollars."
"Take the young master!"
It gave Director Feng quite a fright.
When he first told me he was diversifying his funds, I thought he was just trying to fool me.
Upon hearing this number...
If Hua Yi really does make a comeback, will there still be money for us veteran actors to make movies?
"I'm glad you understand." Zhang Yuan was satisfied with his reaction.
"So what I want to know is, what is Huayi's attitude towards cooperating with foreigners?"
"And whether or not we will invest in that film, which would be tens of millions of US dollars."
"These are all official matters; there are no other personal matters."
Asking only about official business makes it less likely to reveal their "spy" identity.
After all, there are many people handling official business.
"That's all, I'll contact you later," he said before hanging up.
There's no need for threats; the other party is cunning enough to understand.
That's exactly why I placed the chess pieces.
The other party must have bribed quite a few of my people.
However, my people often don't understand what I want to do.
Foreigners know how to use military strategy, and so do I!
Know thyself, ever-victorious.
First, we need to figure out the opponent's plan.
But that's not enough!
He made another international call.
We need to stay informed about domestic news, and also about international news. (End of Chapter)