Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 186 Hiring Someone to Make a Movie

Pengcheng Shekou Industrial Park.

The Shekou Industrial Park is now bustling with activity, a stark contrast to its desolate state a year ago.

Since Chen Jiajun made a groundbreaking move by acquiring a piece of land in Shenzhen and investing heavily in it, many Hong Kong businessmen have put aside their reservations and followed suit.

The Chiu family of the Far Eastern Group also invested 100 million yuan to build a flour mill in the Shekou Industrial Park.

The substantial investments by the two large conglomerates immediately sparked a wave of investment from Hong Kong businesses.

Throughout the Shekou Industrial Park, everyone knows the name "Mrs. Chen" Huang Bian.

Huang Bi'an invested in a 1,000-square-meter foreign currency shopping mall in Shekou Industrial Park – Jun'an Shopping Center.

On the opening day, hundreds of people lined up at the entrance, which also attracted reports from CNTV and local Shenzhen TV.

The original name of Junan Shopping Center was "Junan", but Chen Jiajun changed it to Junan because he didn't like the sound of it.

It means: the country is prosperous and the people are at peace.

Of course, Huang Bi'an, also known as "Mrs. Chen," is even more famous for being the wife of Chen Sheng, the chairman of Guojun Group and Hongxing Group.

At that moment, she was leading HSBC investor Paul Wiss on a tour of the 100,000-square-meter factory that Chen Jiajun had leased.

"These game consoles are about to be exported to Taiwan and Hong Kong. They are very popular with customers all over the world and are good value for money."

Chen Tai Huang Bi'an explained.

One should not be biased towards one another. The Shenzhen government and the "Marshal Gu," who was on par with the top leader, went against the majority opinion and obtained such a large piece of land for Chen Jiajun. Naturally, Chen Jiajun had to repay the favor.

Next, led by Mrs. Chen, the group arrived at Guojun Garment Factory. Mrs. Chen picked up a pair of canvas shoes and introduced them, saying, "The soles of these shoes use our company's latest technology, making them very soft."

After visiting the Shekou Industrial Park, the group, led by Chen Tai and Huang Bian, arrived at the Guojun Industrial Park.

In Pu Weishi's mind, Shenzhen should be a very desolate city. He did not expect to see a more prosperous and bustling scene than Hong Kong in Guojun Industrial Park.

Although the Guojun Industrial Park and the nearby five-star hotel are only half-built, he knows that in time, this will definitely become a bustling urban center.

……

After all the data was compiled and analyzed, Shen Bi was completely shocked.

The market value of the Neon shares held by Chen Jiajun has quietly increased by 10%, reaching US$20.16 billion, equivalent to HK$110.88 billion.

The Hung Hing Group's entertainment company's Macau branch operates over a dozen gaming halls, generating a monthly profit of 1.5 million...

These two points alone are enough to make him one of the top five conglomerates in Hong Kong. Other families may have a stronger foundation than Chen Jiajun, but their group's operating data is definitely far inferior to that of Chen Jiajun's group.

This is absolutely earth-shattering news.

Given time, the Chen family will undoubtedly become the most powerful conglomerate in Hong Kong.

What puzzled Sir Michael Sandberg most was that such a tycoon could have been born in the shadows. It seemed that HSBC had previously overlooked Hong Kong's established business and triad clients...

In mid-June, HSBC tycoon Sir Michael Sandberg personally invited Chen Jiajun to HSBC headquarters: "Mr. Chen, based on your qualifications, we should lend you HK$100 billion, but due to HSBC's current development, we can only lend you HK$50 billion at most."

"How about this? HSBC is also very optimistic about the future of the Japanese stock market. We can offer HK$50 billion worth of shares as collateral, based on the current share price. What do you think?"

Chen Jiajun nodded and said, "Okay, thank you, Mr. Shen."

A loan of 50 billion could generate up to 7 million in interest over a year, but this interest was not even within Chen Jiajun's consideration. In other words, HSBC could not provide more loans, otherwise Chen Jiajun would have wanted to borrow more.

Why?

Because the exchange rate of Hong Kong dollars will plummet next year, even if Chen Jiajun leaves his money completely untouched, it will still amount to HK$87 billion when converted into Hong Kong dollars next year.

The remaining HK$30 billion was pure profit.

He convened the members of the landlords' association, and 45 billion of the loans were converted into US dollars and immediately invested in the Japanese stock market. As for the remaining 500 million, Chen Jiajun had other uses for them.

Last year, Hung Hing Films produced four or five films.

Among them, "The Wise Man" not only became a box office hit, but also won the Golden Horse Award in Taiwan.

"Chasing Girls" pioneered the trend of dating films in Hong Kong, grossing nearly ten million at the box office, but was defeated by "007" in the same period.

This remarkable achievement is due in part to the resourcefulness and talent of the Seven Eccentrics of Yicheng, and in part to the strong support of Chen Jiajun.

At this moment, everyone was gathered in the conference room of Hongxing Film Industry.

Liang Kun and Da Fei were also there. Both of them had switched careers to work at Hung Hing Films. Neither of them had ever imagined that making serious films would be more profitable than making pornographic films.

Although Liang Kun is the president of Hung Hing Films, Chen Jiajun is the undisputed supreme ruler. Wherever Chen Jiajun is, he naturally sits in the main seat.

"Mr. Chen, it's been a long time since you've come."

When Tsang Tsz-wai, the son of Raymond Lok's top dog, saw Chan Ka-chun, he bowed and smiled at him.

"Chen Sheng."

"Boss."

The Seven Eccentrics of Art City and Da Fei Liang Kun all greeted them.

"Sit, everyone, sit down."

Chen Jiajun, a cigar between his fingers, gestured for everyone to sit down: "I heard the company did quite well last year, which is inseparable from everyone's hard work. Do you have any new film plans recently?"

"Ah Da, this is the film that Hongxing Film Company will be shooting in the second half of the year, along with the script."

Liang Kun placed a stack of documents in front of Chen Jiajun.

Among them are "Best Partners", "Colorful Clouds", "Brothers in Misfortune", "Nightmare", "Wrong Car", etc.

When filming "The Wise Man", the budget was only a little over one million, but the budget for "Aces Go Places" was increased to more than six million.

“Mr. Chan, we’d like to invite Chow Yun-fat to film ‘Aces Go Places,’ but he thinks our Hung Hing Film Company is too small.” Mackay was particularly displeased.

After filming "Shanghai Bund", Chow Yun-fat became a household name across China and is now the most popular young actor in Hong Kong.

But nowadays, Chow Yun-fat is in a state of being neither here nor there. He looks down on small companies, but he can't get roles in good films. Many of the films he has made have not performed well at the box office, and he has become a box office poison.

"Hey, how about we go teach Chow Yun-fat a lesson?" Da Fei suggested.

Liang Kun quickly said, "No, do you think we should be living in the past or in the present? Be careful, the police might come looking for us."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiajun couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He never expected that Li Qiankun, who was once fearless, would turn out like this.

Liang Kun looked at Chen Jiajun: "Ah Da, I think there is only one person in Hong Kong who is most suitable to be the best male lead in Aces Go Places."

"Oh?" Chen Jiajun raised an eyebrow.

With a beaming smile, Laughing Kun said, "I think you are the perfect leading man for Best Partner. As for looks, you are miles ahead of Chow Yun-fat."

"what?"

"Mr. Chen, if you were to make a movie with that kind of image, I guarantee you'd be a superstar!"

"Yes, yes, Mr. Chen, are you interested?" "A cameo role, boss. This is our Hongxing Film Studio's first film with a budget exceeding 500 million."

As soon as Liang Kun said this, the others in the conference room immediately started discussing it.

Chen Jiajun smiled and shook his head: "You don't need to beat around the bush to praise me. I'm too busy. [I think Xu Guanjie is very suitable as the best partner.]

The three outstanding members of the Hui family in Hong Kong: Hui Kwan-man, Hui Kwan-kit, and Hui Kwan-ying.

In the 1970s and 80s, the "Hui Brothers" were undoubtedly the most popular actors in Hong Kong cinema, guaranteeing both popularity and box office success.

Upon hearing the big boss's recommendation, the Seven Eccentrics of Yicheng's eyes lit up.

Huang Baiming immediately said, "Mr. Chen, I'll go and invite Xu Guanjie for coffee right away."

"The scripts for these films are all of very high quality. You guys do your best in making them. Huang Baiming, your script is well written and very touching," Chen Jiajun praised Huang Baiming.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Chen." Huang Baiming immediately felt his bones lighten.

Chen Jiajun continued, "I came here specifically to produce a blockbuster called 'A Better Tomorrow,' and I plan to invite director Wu Yusen to direct it."

“Mr. Chen, I’m very familiar with Wu Yusen. Let me talk to you,” Xu Ke said, extending his hand.

Before Chen Jiajun acquired ArtCity, ArtCity had already produced a startup film.

However, at the time, Wu Yusen had a contract with Hong Kong film giant Jiahe, so he could only use the pseudonym "Wu Shangfei" to film this movie for Art City.

Later, Yicheng hoped that Wu Yusen would make another movie for Yicheng under the name "Wu Shangfei", but Wu Yusen refused and recommended Xu Ke, whom he considered a genius.

After hearing Xu Ke's story, Chen Jiajun was slightly surprised: "That's even better. Please invite him out for tea tomorrow."

“Mr. Chen, I’m afraid that won’t work. He has a contract with Jiahe Pictures…” Xu Ke said with some difficulty.

Chen Jiajun smiled and shook his head: "Don't worry, with me in charge, how could Jiahe not give me face?"

Xu Ke, Mai Jia, Zeng Ziwei, Huang Baiming, and others looked at each other with burning eyes.

"Also, isn't Chow Yun-fat quite the catch? Doom and Dafei, you two should personally go and invite him to come and make a movie for me."

Chen Jiajun's tone was full of domineering authority that left no room for refusal.

Chen Jiajun may not have much else in the film and television industry, but he has a lot of money.

You could kill someone by throwing money at them.

noon.

"Brother Ren, Brother Sheng, have a cigarette."

The cast and crew of "The Patrol Horse" finished work. Leung Ka-yan and Fan Hoi-sheng, still in their costumes, were drinking water under a large umbrella when Chow Yun-fat came up to them and offered them cigarettes.

Despite being a popular leading man across China, Chow Yun-fat's status in the film industry is far inferior to that of kung fu stars like Leung Ka-yan and Fan Hai-sheng.

At that moment, a crew member shouted breathlessly, "Ah Fa, a group of gangsters are here looking for you. They say they want to chat with you."

"What?" Fan Haisheng frowned upon hearing this, flicking his cigarette ash. "That guy, doesn't he know this place is under my protection?"

“They specifically said they were looking for Ah Fa, without mentioning any names or titles.”

"It's alright." Zhou Runfa stood up and threw his cigarette into the ashtray.

"I'll go take a look too." Fan Haisheng stood up, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

The two got up and walked to the entrance of the film set.

Looking up, what came into view was a muscular tank who was at least 2.3 meters tall and covered in muscles, with a burly man with disheveled hair standing next to him.

Behind him followed muscular men whose average height was around 1.9 meters.

Upon seeing this group, the two men's momentum immediately waned, and they couldn't help but consider backing down. Fan Haisheng opened a pack of cigarettes and stepped forward: "Brother, what's up? Which gang are you from?"

You can't hit a smiling face, so Dafei took the cigarette, put it in his mouth, and smiled: "Have you heard of Jun, the underground emperor of Hong Kong?"

"I've heard of him." Fan Haisheng had indeed heard of the name of the big boss Jun.

However, they are too far removed from the film and television industry; they can only hear about them but never see them in person, and they don't know what they really look like.

Fan Haisheng smiled and said, "Brother, I'm sorry, I broke the rules. How much is the protection fee?"

"What protection money?" Doom raised his eyebrows.

"We don't collect protection money!"

Fan Haisheng pointed to Chow Yun-fat beside him and said, "Sorry, sorry, I don't know what's wrong with Ah Fat. Is there some misunderstanding?"

"There's no misunderstanding."

"My older brother asked me to bring him something. I'll invite him for tea after work and we can become friends."

Doom opened the file bag, and inside lay a gun with a metallic sheen, and a thick stack of scripts.

When Chow Yun-fat and Fan Hai-sheng went over to take a look, they were immediately terrified.

"I lost it."

Doom placed the script in Chow Yun-fat's hand, with a business card attached.

Chow Yun-fat instantly understood: the triad boss wanted to hire him to make a film, but what kind of film could a triad boss hire him to make these days?

The answer is only three words: pornographic film.

Thinking of this, Chow Yun-fat felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

He's currently a rising star at Shaw Brothers Studio. And now he's being asked to film a smutty movie?
Chow Yun-fat took a deep breath, composed himself, and pulled out a few banknotes: "Brothers, I finish work at six o'clock. If he's free, let's have tea together at the Shangri-La Hotel. This is a small amount of money to treat the brothers to tea."

"No need, we'll wait for you here after get off work." Doom crossed his arms. Now, he earns 10,000 universe coins every time he runs an errand, which is 100,000 Hong Kong dollars.

Back then, a single act only cost 10,000 universe coins, but now that his status is different, he has raised his prices.

Chen Jiajun could have chosen not to call Doom and not to spend 10,000 cosmic coins, but he no longer cared about such a small amount of money, so he was naturally indifferent.

Chow Yun-fat understood immediately; this group of people absolutely needed to invite him. At this moment, there was nothing he could do. Since these older brothers wanted to wait for him to get off work, what could he say?

All they could do was have the crew on set treat the older guys well, offering them tea and cigarettes, while they didn't even open their scripts.

Back on set, Leung Ka-yan and the others all came up to greet him and asked, "Ah Fa, are you alright?"

"Do you want to call the police?"

"Should we kick them out? There are only a few of them."

Zhou Run waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. A boss just sent me a script and said he wants me to make a movie."

But deep down, Chow Yun-fat was still a little apprehensive: "Brother Sheng, Brother Ren, could you come with me for a cup of tea tonight?"

“Okay.” Fan Haisheng and Liang Jiaren immediately agreed.

(End of this chapter)