Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 787 The dust has settled
Just at this moment, a middle-aged man who looked similar to him walked in. It was his younger brother Wang Zhonglei, who served as the company's vice chairman.

"Zhonglei, have you seen this news?" Wang Zhongjun handed the newspaper to the other party.

Wang Zhonglei glanced at it and smiled, "Shengshi Films acquired Xiying Studio? This matter has been a hot topic in the industry. How come you didn't know about it?"

"What do you think?"

"If I were Song Tangtang, I would definitely not agree. If this merger was proposed a few years ago, or even a year ago, Song Tangtang would have agreed to it! Because he could get the Dragon Mark!"

"But I was born at the wrong time. It happened that Shengshi Film and Television could have independently obtained the Dragon Mark. Then this news broke out. Shengshi Film and Television's acquisition of Xiying Studio was equivalent to adding a burden to myself. Would a shrewd woman like Song Tangtang agree to it?" Wang Zhonglei explained with a smile.

"Yes. Indeed, no matter how you look at it, this acquisition is of no benefit to Shengshi Films." Wang Zhongjun nodded, and suddenly changed the subject: "Fang Minghua, the man who claims to be the shadow of Shengshi Group, what does he think about this?"

"Him? That guy is very smart and keeps silent about this matter. I heard that after the news spread, reporters from the China Film News went to Xijing to interview the leaders of Shengshi Film and Television and Xiying Studio. They also tried to find Fang Minghua, but he said that he never interfered with the affairs of his lover's company. Hypocrisy! The couple sleeps together every day, and Song Tangtang won't tell him these things?"

"Haha. This is Fang Minghua's cleverness. He doesn't hold any position in the group, but he can give remote commands. But I have a feeling that Fang Minghua will agree to the acquisition."

"why?"

"Fang Minghua has a deep connection with the Xi'an Film Studio. I heard that his first novel, 'Hidden in the Dust,' was adapted into a movie, which was shot by the Xi'an Film Studio. Many people at the Xi'an Film Studio are his friends. I guess he couldn't bear to see the Xi'an Film Studio decline step by step?" Wang Zhonglei explained.

"Brother, I think your reason is far-fetched." Wang Zhonglei disagreed with his opinion.

"Then let me say it from another angle. As a writer, Fang Minghua is very concerned about the reform of state-owned enterprises and layoffs, and he has not only written articles on this subject. Five years ago, I heard that the Film and Television Bureau even gave 5000 million yuan to the local civil affairs department to help laid-off workers. Now the Xi'an Film Studio is also facing the same problem. Is he indifferent?"

This one
Seems to make some sense?
"Actually, I hope Shengshi Film and Television can acquire Xiying Studio. It should be worth at least several hundred million, right? Spending so much money to buy a burden is not a bad thing for Huayi Brothers." Wang Zhongjun said slowly.

This afternoon, although it was working hours, Song Tangtang did not go to the company, but stayed at home, sitting under the grape trellis in the yard with Fang Minghua, drinking tea and chatting with a fat man - it was Zhao Hongjun who had specially rushed back from Shanghai.

"Minghua, this matter needs to be finalized quickly. The outside world is talking about it, and the company is also very unstable."

What Zhao Hongjun was talking about was naturally the acquisition of Xi'an Film Studio.

"So what exactly are your opinions?" Fang Minghua asked back after picking up the teacup and taking a sip.

"I don't agree with the merger or acquisition. Xiying Studio is just a chicken rib for our Shengshi Film and Television. No, it's not even a chicken rib now. It's just a big burden." Zhao Hongjun said, lighting a cigar in his hand:
"If we want to acquire it, I think it would be better to acquire Shanghai Film Studio. The film processing technology of Shanghai Film Studio is first-class in the country. It has a color film processing building with first-class level in the Far East and the most advanced film processing equipment. It's really eye-catching. Isn't it Tangtang?"

Zhao Hongjun said this and looked at Song Tangtang.

Song Tangtang smiled: "What's the point of being jealous? Shanghai Film Studio has already undergone shareholding reform, so they won't let you acquire it."

"Hey, I'm just saying."

"Minghua, we had a leadership meeting at Shengshi Film and Television a few days ago, and everyone was unanimous in opposing the merger with Xiying Studio." Song Tangtang took over the topic and continued, "Just like Hongjun said, there is no need for this, but..."

"But what?" Zhao Hongjun asked. "Director Zhang from the Radio and Television Bureau has talked to me twice about this matter. Minister Liu from the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department has also come to me specifically, hoping that Shengshi Film and Television will accept Xiying Studio. To be honest, I feel a lot of pressure." Song Tangtang said.

"Minister Liu also called me to talk about this, and I directly refused. When the old man took this position, he was just the director under the old man." Zhao Hongjun said lightly, crossing his legs.

"You, on the other hand, stay in Shencheng all day long and don't know the pressure in Xijing." Song Tangtang couldn't help but complain after hearing this.

Zhao Hongjun said nonchalantly
"Then why not just move Shengshi Film and Television to Shanghai. Shanghai is very welcoming to companies like ours. They will provide us with land and policies!"

"Okay, okay, don't go off topic." Fang Ming stopped him, and after a while he said, "I think you should agree to it, but don't try to merge the two. The other party will take the shares and directly acquire the full capital."

"Minghua, you."

Seeing that Zhao Hongjun was about to object, Fang Minghua said, "Listen to me. It is indeed heartbreaking that Xiying Studio has come to this point, but after all, there are still some high-quality resources, including venues, equipment, and personnel, etc., so let's do it to reduce the burden on the province. Besides, more than 4 million yuan, equivalent to more than million US dollars, Shengshi Film and Television can afford it. A "Harry Potter" is enough!
Mention the Harry Potter movies and everyone has a smile on their face.

The first film has been released and has grossed 900 million US dollars worldwide, which of course does not include the domestic box office. Now Shengshi Film and Television is actively striving to introduce this film next year.

If all costs are excluded, the profit is as much as 600 million!

According to the contract, Shengshi Film and Television can get a share of 2 million US dollars, equivalent to 16 billion yuan!

Of course it’s not there yet.

"Actually, I've also thought about acquiring it in full. After all, we at Shengshi Film and Television have the strength to do so now. But the problem is that Xi'an Film Studio now has about 2000 employees, which is more than four times that of Shengshi Film and Television. There are also more than 4 retired people. Even if Shengshi Film and Television expands its scale, it will not be able to accommodate so many people." Song Tangtang expressed his concerns.

"This is easy to handle. Those who need to be transferred should be transferred, and those who need to be laid off should be laid off. We must follow national policies!" Zhao Hongjun replied immediately.

"Hongjun is right, but we still need to take care of those who need it. I suggest setting up a relief fund to specifically solve this problem. To put it bluntly, we should use the money we earn from foreign countries to help the workers who are about to be laid off. I will pay for this part of the money personally, but it must be in the name of Shengshi Film and Television." Fang Minghua finally said.

"That's fine. I think 40 to 50 million is enough, right? Compared to your huge overseas assets, it's just a drop in the bucket." Zhao Hongjun said with a smile.

"Go away. Stop teasing me."

Shengshi Films decided to acquire Western Film Studio in full!
The news spread quickly, and the news that had been discussed for several months was finally settled.

The next step is to evaluate the assets of the Xi'an Film Studio and solve the problem of layoffs of wealthy employees. I heard that Shengshi Film and Television will set aside a large sum of money to solve this problem, which makes the somewhat anxious employees of the Xi'an Film Studio feel a little relieved.

Of course, acquiring a company is not an easy matter, as it involves work in all aspects. Song Tangtang started to get busy again. This is the key task of Shengshi Film and Television in the second half of the year.

Fang Minghua did not participate in the specific work and continued to live his life leisurely.

In mid-May, he suddenly received an email from the United States that the second Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was nominated for the Best Novel Hugo Award at the 56th World Science Fiction Convention.

(End of this chapter)