radicalducati Chapter 76 Huayi's Price
Chapter 76 Huayi's Price
Chapter 75 Huayi's Price (Seeking first subscriptions for 5 chapters)
September 2nd, 9 PM.
When Jiang Yu's car came to a stop in front of the door after rolling over the wet bluestone road, through the car window, you could see that Hua Yi's two cars were already parked: Wang Zhongjun's black Mercedes-Benz S600 looked like a steady black panther, while Wang Zhonglei's silver Mercedes-Benz S500 exuded a bit of arrogance.
"This location is well-chosen." Yang Siwei examined the gilded characters on the restaurant's antique-style entrance. "The highest administrative official in the Tang Dynasty capital was equivalent to the mayor of Beijing today. Is Huayi trying to showcase their 'administrative rank' in the film and television industry?"
Jiang Yu straightened his suit cuffs and smiled faintly: "Maybe they just want to appear cultured. Let's go, let's see what betting odds they offer tonight."
Walking through the courtyard in the drizzle, the bamboo leaves rustled.
The four people from Huayi were already waiting, and they all stood up when they saw them come in.
"President Jiang! President Yang!" Wang Zhongjun greeted them first, shaking hands firmly. "Thank you for coming! This is Li Binbin, whom you met last year on the set of 'The Forbidden Kingdom' in Hengdian. This is Li Xue, Binbin's sister, and also the artist director of Huayi."
Today, Li Binbin wore a light purple silk cheongsam, her long hair elegantly tied back, and her makeup was exquisite but not ostentatious.
She smiled and extended her hand: "President Jiang, it's been a long time. Last year in Hengdian, I never imagined you could achieve such great things in just one year."
Her hands were soft, and her grip on them was just the right amount of pressure.
Jiang Yu responded politely, "Ms. Li, you're too kind. Please have a seat."
Li Xue, dressed in a smart dark gray suit, with neat short hair and sharp eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses, said: "President Jiang, President Yang, I've heard so much about you. I've often heard friends in the industry mention you both. Meeting you today, I can say you are indeed young and promising."
After exchanging pleasantries, they took their seats.
The seating arrangement was quite meaningful: Wang Zhongjun sat in the main seat, with Jiang Yu and Yang Siwei to his right, and Wang Zhonglei to his left.
Li Binbin and Li Xue.
Li Binbin was positioned directly opposite Jiang Yu, which was clearly a carefully planned arrangement.
The waiter began serving the dishes. The "Matsutake and Bamboo Fungus Soup" was served in a purple clay pot, the "Black Truffle Braised Three Mushrooms" was served on a white porcelain plate, and the "Vegetarian Dongpo Pork" was even more lifelike, with the fat and lean meat texture imitated perfectly.
"This restaurant is where Huayi Catering hosts our most important partners," Wang Zhonglei introduced with a smile, personally serving food to Jiang Yu. "Mr. Jiang, please try this vegetarian Dongpo pork," he said, noting that many gourmets wouldn't be able to tell it was vegetarian. "The head chef is from Hong Kong; he previously worked at a Michelin three-star restaurant."
Jiang Yu took a bite and nodded: "It's certainly skillful. What's this 'pork skin' made of?"
"Winter melon," Wang Zhongjun continued. "First, we use a mold to press out the texture, then we repeatedly steam and bake it to color it. It takes three days to make one dish."
""
After a few rounds of pleasantries, the conversation naturally turned to business.
"President Jiang," Wang Zhongjun put down his chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and spoke with a sincere yet shrewd tone, "to be frank, Huayi has paid its dues on the road to internationalization over the years. 'The Forbidden Kingdom' was an attempt, but the result—"
It wasn't satisfactory. We reflected on it for a long time, and the key problem was the lack of core voice: without a voice, one can only be manipulated, and even actors who go there will only have minor roles.
Li Xue chimed in at the opportune moment, her tone tinged with helplessness: "Yes, the character my sister played in 'The Forbidden Kingdom' was originally written with a lot of depth, but it was cut into pieces during post-production. The producers said that Asian audiences mainly want to see the fight scenes between Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and that female characters aren't important—"
Li Binbin smiled, a professional calm in his smile, but a closer look revealed a hint of resentment in his eyes: "Actually, I can understand. Hollywood is, after all, someone else's home turf. To gain a foothold there, an actor's personal efforts alone are not enough; they need support from behind."
Wang Zhonglei sighed and poured tea for Jiang Yu: "That's why we admire you so much, Mr. Jiang. 'Inception' and '2012' were both investments you spearheaded. You had a voice and the power to make decisions. This is true international expansion—not just being someone else's cash cow, but participating as a partner."
Jiang Yu slowly sipped his tea, the fragrance of Longjing tea spreading in his mouth.
He listened to their back-and-forth, and understood perfectly.
That's enough of the groundwork; it's time to get to the main point.
Sure enough, after a few rounds of drinks, Wang Zhonglei cut to the chase, probing, "President Jiang, I heard there are still investment opportunities for 'Inception' and '2012'? I wonder if Huayi has any chance of participating?"
The private room fell silent instantly, with only the faint crackling sound of burning sandalwood.
Jiang Yu put down his teacup and slowly said, "The share of '2012' is gone. Wanda took the last 10% yesterday afternoon, at a 50% premium."
"Wanda?!" Wang Zhongjun frowned, subconsciously touching his chin. "They moved so quickly?"
"Ye Ning saw the news around 4 PM yesterday and arrived at my office at 5:30 PM." Jiang Yu smiled, his tone calm. "In the business world, speed is money. Wanda Cinemas is very determined to transform into a film production company."
Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei exchanged a quick glance; neither of them looked too pleased.
Wanda's entry into the film production field is definitely not good news for them. With a cinema giant entering the content creation arena, it's like being both the referee and the player, making future film scheduling negotiations even more complicated.
"What about Inception?" Wang Zhonglei pressed, leaning forward unconsciously.
"Inception—" Jiang Yu paused deliberately, building suspense, "The investment amount has basically been divided up. China Film Group took 710%, and Bona Film Group didn't take it because their terms were too harsh. Now there's only a tiny bit left, about five million US dollars, not worth negotiating separately."
A knowing look flashed in Wang Zhongjun's eyes, but he quickly composed himself and a smile returned: "I understand, I understand."
And what about the characters? I heard there are two Asian characters?
coming.
Jiang Yu understood immediately; this was the crux of the matter.
"There are two," he said slowly, his pace unhurried. "One is a male supporting character, over 40 years old, a businessman, who needs to be calm and experienced. The other is a female supporting character, a dream architect, 25-30 years old, intelligent, calm, mysterious, and also a bit bookish."
He looked at Li Binbin with a calm gaze, "Miss Li's image and temperament are quite a good match."
Li Binbin's heart skipped a beat, but her years of acting experience honed her composure, and she remained dignified: "Mr. Jiang, you flatter me. To be able to participate in a Nolan film is every actor's dream."
Wang Zhongjun immediately asked, his tone urgent, "Have these two roles been finalized yet?"
"It's not finalized yet." Jiang Yu shook his head, picked up the teapot to refill his tea, and moved slowly and deliberately. "The competition is fierce. Japan's Shochiku Pictures offered $400 million for one spot, and South Korea's CJ Entertainment also offered $350 million. But I haven't agreed to either yet. Ultimately, the role depends on the suitability of the actor, not just whoever offers the highest price. Director Nolan has very high standards for actors, and I have to be responsible for the project."
$300 million each! Still waiting for a better price, everyone in the private room gasped.
Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
The Japanese are willing to pay 3000 million RMB for a single role? That's outrageously high!
Wang Zhongjun, being a seasoned veteran, was only shocked for a few seconds. He quickly calmed down, pondered for a moment, and changed his approach: "President Jiang, actually, besides cash, Huayi has some other resources that can be exchanged. The long-term value of these resources may not be less than $400 million in cash."
"Oh?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, feigning interest. "Mr. Wang, tell me more."
"First, Huayi is preparing for its IPO." Wang Zhongjun lowered his voice, his tone mysterious. "It's expected to be listed on the ChiNext board next year; the China Securities Regulatory Commission has already approved it. If President Jiang is willing, we can transfer some of our original shares to Light Chaser Pictures. The internal price is only 2 yuan per share now, and it could potentially multiply several times after the IPO."
Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Pre-IPO shares? That's certainly a novel suggestion. However, Mr. Wang, going public—there are many variables. What if we can't go public?"
"There's no way we can't go public!" Wang Zhonglei immediately replied, his tone confident. "We've found the best sponsoring institution, and we've been preparing the materials for three years. Current policies encourage cultural companies to go public, and Huayi is an industry leader—it's a sure thing!"
"Secondly," Wang Zhongjun continued, leaning forward to adopt a sincere and open attitude, "Director Feng Xiaogang is currently preparing a blockbuster film called 'The Great Earthquake,' with a budget of 1.2 million yuan. This film is of special significance, and the Tangshan government attaches great importance to it. If Mr. Jiang is interested, we can offer a certain share for free."
Wang Zhonglei added with pride, "This is Director Feng's first disaster film, and it's also a tribute to the Tangshan earthquake. With strong policy support, the box office is absolutely guaranteed. We expect at least 300 million!"
Jiang Yu leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop, making a rhythmic "tap, tap" sound.
He quickly calculated in his mind: Huayi's original shares were currently 2 yuan per share, and he remembered that the highest price after the listing was 91.8 yuan.
Although it eventually stabilized at around 30 yuan, not counting subsequent dividends and share increases, it still represents a return of more than ten times.
The final box office of "Aftershock" was 6.7 million yuan, and the return on investment was quite considerable.
His face showed a troubled expression, and his brows furrowed slightly: "Mr. Wang, your terms—to be honest, are a bit weak. Whether the initial public offering (IPO) will be successful is uncertain, and even if it is, the lock-up period is long and liquidity is poor. The share in 'The Great Earthquake' sounds good, but I know the Tangshan government sponsors half, so your actual investment is only 6000 million. Moreover, for this kind of patriotic film, the box office ceiling is fixed, so the risk is considerable."
He paused, took a sip of his tea, and continued, "I still prefer a simpler deal. The Japanese have $800 million in cash, which I can use immediately. If all else fails, I can sell it to the Koreans for $700 million, enough for me to invest in another mid-budget international co-production."
Wang Zhongjun grew anxious, beads of sweat forming on his forehead: "No, no, no! President Jiang, let's discuss this again!"
He gritted his teeth, as if making a huge decision, and said, "How about this, we'll give you 1000 million shares of the initial public offering! And a 15% stake in 'The Great Earthquake'! Is that sincere enough?"
Jiang Yu frowned, his fingers tapping the table more rapidly: "1000 million shares, now worth 2000 million RMB, approximately 300..."
US$10,000. A 15% stake in "The Great Earthquake," based on an actual investment of 60 million, is worth 9 million RMB, totaling less than 4 million.
$10,000. The Japanese offered $8 million, approximately 30 million RMB, for a single character.
He shook his head, his tone regretful: "Mr. Wang, this account—is far from accurate."
Wang Zhonglei quickly said, his speech accelerating, "President Jiang, you can't calculate it like that! The original shares will be worth at least hundreds of millions after the IPO! 'The Great Earthquake' has Director Feng's name on it, guaranteeing a box office of at least 300 million! These two roles are set in China, which will benefit the development of mainland actors and the dissemination of cultural value..."
Li Xue also spoke up, her tone sincere: "President Jiang, Huayi has ten years of experience in content production and artist management."
If this collaboration goes through, Huayi Brothers will have priority consideration for Light Chaser Pictures for all its S-level projects in the future. The long-term value of this strategic partnership cannot be measured in short-term cash terms.
Li Binbin said softly, his voice gentle, "President Jiang, if I can get the role of Dream Builder, I will definitely do my best to live up to this opportunity and the trust placed in me by Huayi Brothers and Light Chaser Pictures. I will start preparing six months in advance, learning English..."
Acting and character research—he doesn't neglect either.
The four of them took turns trying to reason with him and appeal to his emotions, making the atmosphere in the private room increasingly tense.
Jiang Yu remained silent, his fingers continuing to tap on the table, his brows furrowed, as if he were going through a difficult internal struggle.
After a long silence, he sighed deeply, leaned forward, and lowered his voice: "How about this, Mr. Wang? 1000 million shares of Huayi's original stock, and a 15% stake in 'The Great Earthquake,' in exchange for the role of the Dream Weaver in 'Inception'; note that this is only the female supporting role, not the male supporting role."
Wang Zhongjun's eyes lit up, but he quickly shook his head: "President Jiang, one role—isn't that a bit too few? Could we package the supporting male role together? We'll add another 200 million shares of the original stock, increasing our stake in 'The Great Earthquake' to 20%!"
Wang Zhonglei chimed in, his tone urgent: "President Jiang, packaging both roles together makes things easier for us, and the publicity effect will be greater. And for the supporting male role, Huayi has the most suitable candidate—Teacher Ge You! What do you think? His..."
His acting skills and dedication are renowned in the industry. Although his English isn't fluent, Ge You has a strong learning ability; give him three months to intensively prepare, and he'll definitely meet the filming requirements!
Jiang Yu appeared deep in thought, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup.
Ge You's acting skills are impeccable; a few months of intensive English training should be enough for him to pass the test.
He looked at Yang Siwei, seeking her opinion with his eyes.
Yang Si nodded slightly, indicating that the deal could be done.
After another minute of silence, Jiang Yu finally spoke slowly, his tone suggesting a major concession: "Alright. 1200 million shares of Huayi's original stock, a 20% stake in 'The Great Earthquake,' in exchange for two Asian characters in 'Inception'—the Dream Builder and the Businessman."
He paused, then held up three fingers: "But there are three conditions that must be written into the contract."
"You said it!" Wang Zhongjun was overjoyed and leaned forward so much that he almost knocked over his teacup.
"First, the actor must be approved by director Nolan. There will be an audition within a month after signing the contract. If Nolan decides that the actor is not suitable after the audition, the deal will be void; the original shares will not be refunded because the opportunity cost has already been incurred, and my loss needs to be compensated."
"Of course!" Wang Zhongjun replied without hesitation. "If the director doesn't approve, it means we actors aren't good enough. We accept that! Consider the initial public offering (IPO) shares as a way to make friends!"
"Secondly," Jiang Yu continued, his tone serious, "actors need to reach the required English level for filming within three months of signing the contract. The production team will provide a language teacher, but the actors themselves have to put in the effort. There will be a language test before filming begins, and those who fail will not be allowed to join the crew."
"No problem!" Wang Zhonglei patted his chest and assured him, "We'll hire the best foreign teachers for intensive one-on-one training! At least six hours a day! You can rest assured about Ge You's dedication; he said he'd learn anything for a good role!"
"Third," Jiang Yu looked at Li Binbin, his gaze calm but filled with pressure, "Ms. Li needs to join the crew two months in advance to participate in script readings, pre-production training, and also learn basic architectural knowledge: because the role of the Dream Builder is that of an architect. During this period, there will be no pay, only basic living expenses, and the training intensity will be very high."
Without hesitation, Li Binbin's eyes were firm: "It's the right thing to do. Being able to participate in a Nolan film and play an important role in a Hollywood A-list production, all these sacrifices are worthwhile. I'd be willing to do it for a year, let alone two months."
"Okay." Jiang Yu finally smiled, raising his teacup. "Then it's settled. The legal team will handle the specific contract details. I hope we can sign a letter of intent within a week and a formal contract within a month."
"That's fantastic!" Wang Zhongjun excitedly raised his glass, his hand trembling slightly. "President Jiang, that's great! From now on, we're strategic partners! With Huayi Brothers and Light Chaser Pictures joining forces, we're sure to achieve great things!"
As everyone raised their glasses in celebration, Li Binbin's eyes reddened slightly; she had waited too long for this opportunity.
After a year of constant attempts and setbacks, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel today.
The atmosphere at the dinner was relaxed and pleasant, and Wang Zhongjun spoke enthusiastically about Huayi's future plans.
Post-IPO financing plans, the vision of a domestic Disney, and the construction of film and television bases.
Wang Zhonglei then chatted with Jiang Yu about the details of Hollywood film production, from insurance to unions, from tax planning to post-production, asking very detailed questions.
Li Binbin occasionally chimed in, displaying intelligence and poise. It was clear she was in a good mood, with a smile playing on her lips and around her eyes.
Li Xue and Yang Siwei spoke in hushed tones, exchanging industry resources and information, discussing everything from artist management to publicity and distribution in great depth.
The dinner ended at 9:30 in a harmonious atmosphere.
When I dropped Jiang Yu and Yang Siwei off at the parking lot, the rain had stopped, and the night sky was as clear as if it had been washed clean.
Wang Zhongjun held Jiang Yu's hand firmly for a long time, saying, "President Jiang, Huayi will remember this collaboration. If Chasing Light Pictures needs anything in the future, just let us know. Huayi has been in the industry for so many years, we still have some connections and resources."
"Let's support each other." Jiang Yu smiled. "I hope this collaboration is a good start."
As Jiang Yu's car drove out of sight, Wang Zhongjun's smile gradually faded.
He turned to look at his younger brother, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Zhonglei, do you think—was this deal worthwhile?"
Wang Zhonglei lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and the smoke drifted into the night sky: "Brother, whether it's worth it depends on how you calculate it."
The 1200 million original shares now seem worth 2400 million, but whether the IPO will even happen is still uncertain. Our actual investment in the 20% stake in *The Great Earthquake* was only 5000 million, and with operating costs, the total cost was less than 4000 million. In return, we got two roles in Nolan films, one of which was tied to actor Ge You: if this is handled well, its impact on Huayi Brothers' IPO valuation could be worth several hundred million.
He paused, flicked his cigarette ash, and said, "And think about it, if Li Binbin really establishes herself in Hollywood, she will be a trump card for Huayi International. Her value is immeasurable."
Wang Zhongjun nodded, his brow still furrowed: "I just feel—Jiang Yu agreed too readily. This kid doesn't seem like the type to do a losing deal."
"Of course he's not losing out," Wang Zhonglei laughed. "The Japanese's $400 million offer was probably fake, just a ploy to inflate the price. He's not losing out either, getting our initial shares and project share. Huayi's IPO is a done deal, and with Director Feng at the helm of 'Aftershock,' the box office won't be bad. It's a win-win situation, everyone gets what they need."
"I hope so," Wang Zhongjun murmured, gazing at the night sky. "I have a feeling—we might have underestimated this kid."
In the car, Yang Siwei finally couldn't help but laugh: "President Jiang, your negotiation—those two brothers from Huayi probably think they've made a huge profit."
Jiang Yu leaned back in his chair and smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Of course they think they've hit the jackpot. Using a bunch of intangible initial shares, plus a government-sponsored half-project share, to exchange for two important roles in a Hollywood A-list production; in their eyes, it's practically getting something for nothing."
Yang Siwei seemed to be thinking: "So—this is a mutually beneficial deal, and we have received a real financial return."
""
"Yes." Jiang Yu nodded. "And I bet those two brothers from Huayi are in their car right now, calculating how much of an opportunity they gained for such a small price, and they're secretly gloating."
1
The car entered the traffic flow on Chang'an Avenue.
After the rain, Chang'an Avenue was clean and bright, and the flower beds for National Day had already begun to be decorated, with a festive atmosphere everywhere.