Chapter 421
Open the door, release Xiaobai
Chapter 421 Open the door, release Xiaobai
The new dog, Xiaobai, used all his flattery to show how eager he was to get there.
"What should we do next? Just tell us."
Fang Xinghe glanced at him and said leisurely, "Wait for my response, and then guide the internal public opinion of the fighting world to me personally, so that it stops targeting Chinese Kung Fu. That's not what I want."
"what?"
Xiao Bai was stunned.
"With such a perfect opportunity, aren't you going to vindicate your kung fu?"
He paused, then added, "You don't need to worry about winning or losing at all. I will choose the most suitable opponent for you, someone who will be loyal, obedient, and tight-lipped. You will defeat him in the ring in a perfect way, and it will absolutely not affect your reputation..."
"You're quite willing to do that."
Fang Xinghe chuckled to himself.
"Anyone who can step into the ring with me must be a top star in your fighting world. Aren't you afraid of damaging his commercial potential?"
"I'm not afraid!" Xiao Bai exclaimed excitedly, "Compared to your reputation, the loss of a mere fighting star is nothing. At worst, we can pay him enough to retire, which will only enhance your greatness!"
He was like a fanatical warmonger, frantically trying to sell his operational ideas to his master.
However, he did not lose out.
If Fang Xinghe is willing to step into the ring, even just once, it will bring worldwide attention to the UFC.
This kind of popularity is something that even $10 billion couldn't buy.
A massive, money-driven promotional campaign can only ensure that people see the news about the event, not that they become interested in it.
Ultimately, only a minority of viewers enjoy combat sports. Tyson's global viewership during his peak wasn't particularly high. Was it due to insufficient promotion? No, it simply meant he couldn't capture the interest of most people.
However, if Jack Ma were to announce a signing with the UFC and be about to challenge the strongest fighter, just imagine how many times Weibo's servers would crash?
Fang Xinghe is far more well-known worldwide than Jack Ma.
It's fair to say that as soon as this even begins to take shape, the UFC is poised to embark on its path to the top.
"Aren't you really going to consider it? I'm willing to pay any price!"
Xiao Bai looked at Fang Xinghe like a lapdog. Because he was ugly, he was not cute at all, but his sincerity was genuine.
"For example, I could seduce the Fertitta brothers and give you a portion of the shares?"
Fang Xinghe raised an eyebrow, and Xiaobai, thinking there was hope, immediately increased his output.
"We can negotiate the investment agreement before the competition starts, ensuring you get a sufficient share at the lowest possible price."
"The UFC is currently on the rise, and the golden age of combat sports is yet to come. Get on board now, and I guarantee you'll reap huge rewards—dozens of times? Hundreds of times? It's not a dream!"
These words are truly touching.
Dana White truly deserves his reputation as a top-tier strategist who propelled the UFC to its peak. He is decisive, ruthless, willing to sacrifice, visionary, and has a broad perspective.
He not only offered such a great benefit voluntarily, but also gave it with great effort, making no waste of Fang Xinghe's time.
but……
Fang's next words immediately chilled his burning heart.
"Oh? How much reward? How much is the peak of the UFC worth? $50 billion? $80 billion? How long will it take? 10 or 20 years?"
"This……"
Dana White forced a smile, a smile that looked somewhat bitter.
"If you join us, a $100 billion return is still a realistic expectation in ten years. If it's a 20% stake, that's at least a $20 billion return..."
Although he was spouting astronomical figures, he wasn't excited at all.
$20 billion is a lot of money, but is it really attractive enough to the Star River?
Any businessman with a modicum of common sense should understand where sports companies rank in the entire business world—nearly at the bottom.
The most stable sector is people's livelihood, the most profitable sector is energy, mining and arms, the most promising sector is technology, and so on, with sports even ranking after culture and entertainment.
Mixed martial arts is in an even worse situation, being a niche sport with little additional influence within the sports field.
The influence of basketball on American streets needs no explanation, the influence of football in Europe and South America needs no further explanation, and only Tyson and Ali can be considered to have any fans in boxing. What's the difference between a top MMA fighter walking on the street and an ordinary person?
Similarly, what remarkable new aura could doing this add to Fang Xinghe's reputation?
'Oh no! It seems we don't have enough chips!'
Xiao Bai inwardly groaned, utterly at a loss for how to continue persuading him.
Fang Xinghe didn't intend to give him a way out. Some things had to be decided by them themselves; they couldn't be brought up directly.
So he steered the conversation back to the original topic.
"I don't need to fix matches, nor do I intend to vindicate Chinese Kung Fu."
As we strolled along, I casually asked him, "White, do you know anything about Chinese Kung Fu?"
"what?"
Dana Bai was stunned for a moment.
First of all, what on earth is this name?
Secondly, as someone who specializes in combat sports, how could I not know about Chinese martial arts?
But he had no right to refuse, nor did he have time to think about it, so he immediately took over the conversation.
"Of course, although I haven't had much in-depth exposure to it, I know the names and styles of most traditional Chinese martial arts."
Brother Fang smiled and continued, "So, do you think Chinese martial arts is a concept with great potential for promotion?"
"Uh……"
Dana White hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to tell the truth.
He didn't dare to fool Fang Xinghe; only by meeting him in person could he understand what kind of extraordinary talent he was.
"Please forgive my bluntness, but traditional Chinese martial arts are not a good commercial target. They are only suitable as a cultural concept. Perhaps I am too shallow, but I really can't see their value."
"Very good, continue."
Fang Xinghe remained noncommittal, his attitude ambiguous, as if testing him.
Dana White also saw this as a test, and immediately launched into a lengthy analysis.
"In modern society, there are only a few categories of projects that focus on physical and mental well-being."
One is in the realm of daily life, and the other is in the realm of competition.
The fitness industry boasts the largest market and the broadest prospects in the lifestyle sector, perfectly meeting people's needs for muscle building, body shaping, fat loss, and overall fitness. From equipment to health products, from drugs to training, it is an extremely complex and unshakeable industry.
Yoga and Pilates, designed to meet the needs of women, represent another large consumer market. They are simpler, gentler, and more fashionable, essentially monopolizing women's demand for light exercise.
After that, slightly heavier exercises, such as jogging, cycling, swimming, and everyday ball games, can basically fill all the gaps in my exercise routine.
Chinese Kung Fu is amazing; it exists between everyday life and competition…
"You could be more direct."
Fang Xinghe glanced at Bai Dana and laughed, "It neither lives nor competes."
"Uh, yes, you're always right."
Xiao Bai gave a very slick compliment, then seemed unsure how to proceed.
Fang Xinghe sighed, his tone somewhat enigmatic: "Unfortunately, what you know is not the real Chinese Kung Fu."
"what?"
Xiaobai really doesn't understand.
But it doesn't matter, the core of the problem has already been revealed.
Modernized Chinese traditional martial arts place great emphasis on the coordination of mind and body; however, there are many other sports that can achieve the same effect, and they are all simpler than martial arts.
Historically, Chinese traditional martial arts have almost completely disappeared. From training methods to combat systems, they have been stripped away layer by layer, ultimately forming the traditional martial arts that are now mainly based on stances and routines, and do not aim at actual combat.
Many Chinese people are unaware that China has experienced three large-scale arms bans.
Yuan Dynasty: Han Chinese were strictly prohibited from privately possessing weapons and practicing martial arts; those who practiced offensive and defensive martial arts techniques were punished with seventy-seven strokes of the cane. Qing Dynasty: Those who privately practiced martial arts and gathered followers were considered to be plotting rebellion.
During the "Four Olds" period: boxing manuals were burned, weapons were confiscated, and people were sent to cowsheds.
After being passed down several times, the original text had become unrecognizable.
According to authoritative documents such as Qi Jiguang's "New Book of Military Efficiency" and "Records of Military Training" from the Ming Dynasty, Yu Dayou's "Sword Classic", Chang Naizhou's "Chang Family Martial Arts Book", the Qin Dynasty's "Shuihudi Qin Bamboo Slips", and the Song Dynasty's "Teaching Methods", ancient traditional martial arts emphasized both combat and physical fitness, and were entirely designed for actual combat.
Fang Xinghe read the aforementioned documents and classics while studying on Wudang Mountain, and felt deeply regretful about this.
Strictly speaking, Fang Xinghe did not undergo real training in resisting blows or actual combat. It's just that his cheat-like abilities were too unreasonable. He did possess the practical combat skills of ancient martial arts, and therefore he could better understand the difference between the two.
But what's the use of that?
Traditional martial arts are indeed no longer effective in combat, so arguing about it is pointless.
Ancient martial arts are effective, but they are too outdated, and the training methods used by the Fang family are already obsolete.
"I have indeed thought about promoting traditional Chinese martial arts."
Fang Xinghe's tone was so calm that Bai Dana couldn't detect any emotion in it.
"Unfortunately, I really can't find a good entry point. Apart from its health benefits that are hard to prove and hard to disprove, its promotional value is less than a hair of yoga."
Dana White imagined an American girl choosing between "yoga, aerobics, and Chinese martial arts" and nodded subconsciously.
Then he immediately regretted it.
Out of regret, his eyes darted around erratically, and suddenly a terrible idea popped into his head.
"Perhaps you could listen to my suggestion?"
"Oh?"
"I've managed to get the UFC approved by the state athletic commissions in many states."
Dana Bai suppressed his inner unease and outwardly appeared confident.
"You could do this: first, strive to raise the international profile of Chinese martial arts, then use your influence to influence China's State Sports Commission. If your country has a similar institution, then perhaps you could use a program to include martial arts, which you endorse, as an elective course in universities, or even promote reforms in the exercise methods of primary and secondary school students..."
He became more and more excited as he spoke, while Fang Xinghe's expression became more and more focused.
"I don't know if it would be difficult to do this in your country, but if it were in the United States, if I were the richest man and a great martial artist, then this would definitely be possible. Unfortunately, we in the United States do not have such a long history, nor do we have such a cultural treasure as traditional martial arts."
Xiao Bai, you're a fucking genius!
Fang Xinghe was overjoyed.
In fact, he had no obsession with proving that "traditional Chinese martial arts are very effective in combat".
What does it matter if we can fight or not? That's completely unimportant.
However, improving the overall quality of Chinese youth, thereby establishing China's cultural image as the "origin of martial arts," and ultimately building international recognition that "every Chinese person is like a dragon"... these are all important things.
Practicing martial arts is truly a sport that can greatly improve one's spirit and energy.
Tai Chi stance, Hunyuan stance, and horse stance each have their own benefits. The Eight Vajra Exercises are also healthier than radio calisthenics. Tai Chi has its elegance, and Bajiquan has its strength.
If Fang Xinghe could master all the major boxing styles to the maximum of 99 points, then he would be fully confident in creating a new boxing style.
A children's exercise that places greater emphasis on physical and mental harmony, strengthening the body, nourishing vital energy, and promoting development.
The focus is not on fighting, but on training and conditioning.
Then, starting with the next generation or the generation after that, and extending to primary school campuses, through twelve years of compulsory education, how vibrant and outstanding will China's future youth be?
Once you've mastered the skills, you can switch to other martial arts during university. If you're not interested, treat it as part of your studies. If you develop a genuine love for it, it can become a lifelong practice.
Isn't this great? This is wonderful!
Simply throwing money at charity won't make you a saint.
If he can accomplish this task well and achieve results in his lifetime, then he will be a historical sage of China.
Haha, this is worth the effort!
Fang Ge became more and more excited as he thought about it, and his mood was extremely uplifting.
In fact, it's not that he lacks this kind of flexible thinking, but rather that he deliberately avoids using his influence in China to do things that are inconsistent with his status due to some unspeakable factors.
He still can't directly criticize certain departments, but once he has an idea, he'll naturally find a solution.
Dana White provided a good solution.
"I can fully cooperate with you. If you put on a great fight, the entire UFC can praise the wonder and greatness of Chinese Kung Fu. I remember that your country seems to pay a lot of attention to international opinions?"
These words made Fang Xinghe feel a little embarrassed.
The China of today is so focused on international public opinion that it is far from the image of a future UN bully.
But he wasn't angry. Xiaobai was a good dog, and good dogs deserve to be rewarded.
“I’m starting to get interested in a stake in the UFC.”
He patted Dana White on the shoulder affectionately and laughed, "So, are you sure you can handle those two brothers?"
Little White almost stuck out its tongue, wagged its tail wildly, and exclaimed with ecstatic joy, "Of course! I'm sure! They've admired you for a long time and would be more than happy to cooperate with you!"
That would be a wonderful collaboration.
He also had the UFC help him promote the film and boost its box office.
On the one hand, "Hurricane" was used to expand influence and promote Fang's action films and Chinese kung fu.
On the one hand, they acquire shares in the UFC and earn a high premium.
On the one hand, they enhance the brilliance of their halo, thus building momentum for their next action film.
While maintaining long-term popularity among boxing fans worldwide and increasing his personal commercial value, he can also repeatedly reap new star power and glory...
So this event can take place, but it can't immediately meet the audience's expectations.
The longer you keep them hanging on, the greater the profit.
The future True Saint finally developed enough trust in Xiao Bai, and stopped speaking in a cryptic manner, nor did he conduct any further tests or investigations. He revealed most of the entire plan.
"First, I will control the intensity of my response, and you should also appropriately increase your level of cooperation. Let's take it slowly."
"why?"
In fact, Bai Dana could fully understand Fang Xinghe's intentions, but he just wanted to ask, to provide emotional value to the new master.
Brother Fang was also fully aware of the situation, but he was willing to explain a few more words to show his closeness.
The dirtier people's hearts are, the more pleasant their conversations will be when they get together.
"Because I can't voluntarily step into the ring, which would be in line with my image and identity. It has to be that the audience is extremely eager for me to step into the ring and sincerely hopes to see me win, that's the best way to evoke emotions."
"Oh! You are truly a master of manipulating people's hearts, you are so amazing!"
Fang Xinghe ignored him and continued giving instructions.
"Second, the entire hype process must have a back-and-forth, and it must be full of stories, including setbacks, misunderstandings, growth, victory, fall, and exit... Every supporting character must have his highlight moment, as well as a tragic turning point."
My requirement is that when I play the final movement, the entire story will become an eternal classic, deeply engraved in the hearts of this generation, and will continue to be mentioned, reviewed, lamented, compared, and sung in the future.
This isn't easy, but it happens to be something I'm good at.
Fang Xinghe's tone was somewhat nonchalant, but his gaze instantly pierced Bai Dana's heart—playful, calm, aloof, yet filled with undeniable confidence.
"I'm a pretty good screenwriter, and you, my friend, will be the second lead in my next life story. Are you ready for the challenge?"
The seemingly innocent but actually cunning and ruthless Dana Bai suddenly returned to his 16-year-old self. That year, he recklessly entered the world of fighting and wrote a passionate anime with all his might.
Now, he's rekindled his 16-year-old self, all fired up, punching the air, and shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Of course, I am your ravenous stray dog, and I will charge madly according to your orders, tearing apart everything in my way!"
Fang Xinghe nodded and chuckled.
Very good, very motivated.
Alright, little white rabbit, get ready, I'm about to open the door.
(End of this chapter)