Actor: Thank you.

"Are you done talking?"

Zhang Yuan returned to the hotel with a cheerful stride.

When Xiaolongnu, who was reading a book, saw his expression, she knew that something good was about to happen.

"Almost there, we have a general idea."

Zhang Yuan walked to her side, and the two touched cheeks.

These past few days, he has spent almost all his time chatting with Bren and Wen Ziren, and the rest of the time he goes out to play with Sisi.

I haven't had this much time to relax in many years.

But the price he paid was having to turn down business events worth tens of millions of dollars.

The end of the year is usually a good time to make money, but he gave up this opportunity.

You can't just make money without living.

"Do you think it can yield good returns?"

She closed the book; this time, she wasn't reading the "mind-body-spirit" books she'd been reading a few days ago, but rather an interpretation of Zhuangzi.

It can be considered as if the repairs were brought from abroad to China.

What you look at isn't important; it's all about cultivating your mind.

When many people in China hear the words "body, mind, and spirit" or "spiritual practice," they immediately associate them with fraudulent organizations or illegitimate religious sects.

Especially after the release of "Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils".

Indeed, there are many.

But often, the words may be good, but the person may not be a good person.

For example, the term "karma yoga" sounds like a big scam.

In fact, the content coincides with the Taoist principle of "following nature" in many ways.

True spiritual practice originates from the scriptures of Hinduism and Buddhism.

In fact, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism all contain elements of self-cultivation, and when combined with modern philosophy and psychology, they all share common ground.

Its main purpose is to help people achieve internal consistency, improve focus, and control their body and mind.

From the Bhagavad Gita to Zhuangzi, and then to Jungian psychology, they are all teaching people the same thing.

Know yourself!

By understanding ourselves, we can understand the world.

Only by understanding oneself can one understand the world.

"It should yield good returns," Zhang Yuan thought carefully after sitting down.

"You used all the money you got from Huayi here?" Xixi asked calmly.

"No, this small company isn't worth that much."

"US$500 million, 30% equity."

"This is the result of my negotiations with them, and it's already a significant premium."

After all, Brenhouse is not famous yet. Nobody in the country knows it, and it's unknown even in Hollywood.

But Paranormal Activity has already made the company some money.

However, I can't take too many shares, otherwise people will lose their motivation.

"I was able to pay for this money using my previous earnings from filming in North America and some investment returns."

"I have other uses for that money from Huayi."

“Okay.” Sisi nodded. “That’s a lot.”

"Are you sure that just a few days of communication will lead to a long-term partnership?"

Zhang Yuan smiled and put his arm around her.

"You think I'm stupid."

"Just because we get to know each other and get along well, does that mean they'll be willing to cooperate with me?"

"The basis of any cooperation is that the other party needs something from you."

Talent agencies and production companies are the same.

An artist is willing to share a percentage with you because you can provide them with resources.

The day his fame and connections surpass the company's upper limit, 9% of the artists will run away.

Just like Sisi reads these self-help books.

Zhang Yuan didn't need to look because he had already come to understand himself in some ways.

Can you convince people to believe you just by using your face or your words?

White people aren't stupid either.

James Wan is not one of them.

No matter how well the conversation goes, you still have to spend money; it's all about the cash.

But there are many rich people in this world.

This leads to another element of the investment industry.

Besides having money, you also need connections.

The basis for their willingness to cooperate with him was his ability to handle distribution in the Asian region.

Being able to chat well and having similar values ​​is just a stepping stone.

Money gives you peace of mind.

The key to making a decisive decision lies in the ability that the other party lacks but needs.

Not only do you have to be rich, you also have to be "useful".

Only by thinking what others think can you find opportunities.

"It seems like you're having a lot of fun with investing," Sisi joked.

"That's because I find it fun, not because the thing itself is fun."

Zhang Yuan rubbed his temples, looking relaxed, but actually it was very mentally taxing.

Communicating with people takes the most effort.

After that, I'll need to find a lawyer to draft the contract.

Given his cautious nature, he would also need to have a lawyer in the country review it.

"Sisi, there are some things I need your godfather, Mr. Chen, to help me with."

"Especially legal matters overseas."

"And I also want to consolidate overseas investment projects."

Anyway, setting up shell companies overseas is Mr. Chen's forte.

Zhang Yuan planned to package everything together and then transfer it to a company on an island for easier management, plus to avoid being targeted by the Americans.

Although you can always get your hands on something if you really want to, it's always better to be prepared than not.

Just because people aren't interested in him now doesn't mean they won't be in the future.

"We should leave Hollywood."

"Go back to China?" Sisi sighed. Traveling abroad was relaxing, and this time was wonderful.

But every journey eventually comes to an end.

Reading these books on self-cultivation made her focus more on the process rather than the result.

But when that moment actually arrives, there's still a sense of loss.

"I'm not going back for now; I still have to go to a few places."

"We'll go to Britain and then travel to the Persian Gulf," Zhang Yuan thought to himself.

“British winters are cold and damp, I’m afraid it will be bad for your neck.”

"It's okay, you'll still give me a massage, won't you?" She blinked a few times.

"Alright then, let's go together."

Zhang Yuan understood; she wanted to spend a few more days together.

"What fun things are happening this time?"

"I guess so." Zhang Yuan picked up an English newspaper that the hotel delivered every day.

He pointed to the front page news above.

"Susan Boyle's album sales broke the British Guinness World Record."

He had seen news about this person on a plane a while ago.

It was popular before, and now it's even more popular.

That is, in 09. If we push it back 10 years, given the circumstances that followed, this autistic, ugly, single-parent, and intellectually disabled older sister would have had to become a god in her physical form.

"You want to sign her?" Sisi hesitated for a long time, not understanding.

"What would I do with this thing?" Zhang Yuan said with a wry smile.

You're overthinking it.

"It's like thinking I took you to see a horror movie because I'm investing in the film."

Soon after, the group flew to London.

"What a lousy place..."

As soon as he got off the plane, Zhang Yuan tightened the collar of his coat.

The weather is bad and the food is terrible, no wonder they keep thinking about colonizing other places.

If it were me, I'd want to run too.

His attention to Aunt Susan wasn't because he was interested in her as a person.

Just like watching "Paranormal Activity" isn't because you're interested in the film itself.

His goal was to make Susan Boyle an overnight sensation and make her a star on Britain's Got Talent, a top-tier show in the white world!

With the mentality of "robbing Huanggang and visiting the empress's brothel".

Now that I finally have some money, of course I have to go big!
The largest television station in Britain is called the BBC.

It is the birthplace of the famous "BBC filter".

No matter which country you film, especially a developing country, it will always appear through a heavily polluted filter.

Zhang Yuan looked up at the sky; it made sense.

The weather in their own country is terrible, and Britain was once the most polluted country in the world.

It's normal that they're good at this kind of dark filter.

Humans really can't imagine things they haven't seen.

However, Britain's Got Talent is not a BBC program, but the flagship program of Independent Television (ITV), the second largest television station in Britain.

It was the third season of the show that made Susan Boyle famous. ITV's headquarters are in London.

However, Zhang Yuan did not barge directly into the TV station.

Who are you?
Do they even know you? Just go up and start talking.

So we can't do it that way.

Just like how he got to know Bren, he had to go through Harvey's connections.

After dropping off her luggage at the hotel, Sisi was allowed to "move around freely" for a while.

We need to dress up a bit here.

After all, Hong Kong paparazzi are so skilled; guess who they learned from?

She went to visit some friends she used to have who lived abroad.

Zhang Yuan went to work for a small company "outside the third ring road" of London.

Here, there is a small company run by Chinese people.

The company, though described as a program production company, is actually more like a "comprador."

They were simply copyright brokers, whose main business was selling the rights to British programs to the world and profiting from the price difference.

The company's boss is a woman from Chongqing.

Just like Blumhouse Films, it's not doing so well right now.

She later became quite famous, earning the title of "Queen of Chinese Entertainment".

Anyway, anyone can use this title; it's been given to far too many people.

The company's Chinese name is "Wild Grass Entertainment" because the owner's wife is named Yang Yuancao.

He later became famous and even became the chairman of Christie's China region.

"Hello, I know you. I've seen many of your works."

Upon seeing Zhang Yuan arrive, this person gave him a very Western-style, enthusiastic hug.

Zhang Yuan glanced at her; although she was Chinese, her makeup and attire were already very "Western."

Most Chinese students studying abroad and second-generation immigrants have what is known as a "Western-looking face".

It's really just about dressing up and behaving like white people in order to integrate into their culture.

There aren't many people like Sisi who have traveled overseas but still have an authentic Chinese accent.

Finding her is like finding James Wan; at least she's Asian, which makes her feel a bit more approachable in the white world and makes it easier to start a conversation.

In addition, this person's company partner is the former COO of ITV.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to afford this business.

This company is the type that combines Chinese and Western medicine for quick treatment.

Zhang Yuan explained his purpose, saying that he had heard of her.

Because Ms. Yang has collaborated with Hunan TV.

The copyright for Hunan TV's "One Against a Hundred" was obtained by this person acting as a middleman.

Many viewers criticize Hunan TV's variety shows, but actually, because of the long-term vision of its former director Ouyang Changlin, Hunan TV was one of the earliest TV stations in China to purchase copyrights and legally produce programs.

Of course, they also plagiarized quite a bit.

But that's how the domestic ecosystem is right now.

“I know that you and your partners have connections with major television stations across Britain.”

"So I also speak my mind."

"I am very interested in the Chinese rights to 'Britain's Got Talent' during this visit."

"Huh?" Miss Yang was taken aback.

I am a broker. Do you want to be a broker for me?
But why should I fall for your trick again?

I could just contact a domestic TV station... that's what most people would think.

Miss Yang said the same thing.

First ask him which TV station he represents.

Zhang Yuan said he only represents himself.

The other person's mouth was crooked.

In Lei Jun's words: This is absolutely a troublemaker!
But soon, Zhang Yuan will tell him why he needs to go through him.

The other party has contacted domestic TV stations before!

Instead, after searching, no one wanted them!
It's not that I look down on the show; I know it's good.

The problem is that, firstly, the copyright situation for domestic programs is chaotic.

Another major problem is that an ecosystem similar to the "Dark Forest Theory" has formed in China.

It used to be one of ITV's signature programs, called "Dancing Miracles".

Ms. Yang took the copyright certificate and went to Jiangsu TV, Hunan TV, Beijing TV... she looked at all the channels she could find, but she wasn't very interested.

Finally, they found Zhejiang TV.

Zhejiang TV expressed interest, but lacked the funds.

So you need to help me get sponsorships before I can do it.

Selling him the copyrights also means helping him find sponsors.

Ms. Yang spent several more months running around and finally found Patriot to be the exclusive sponsor of the program.

Everything was settled, and the contract was signed.

Before Zhejiang TV's program even aired, Shanghai TV had already created a knock-off called "Dancing Miracles".

Patriot was furious. They had agreed to be the exclusive sponsor, but before the program they sponsored even aired, the other program had already started broadcasting.

The deal fell through.

In the end, they found Hunan TV and sold it to them at a very low price, which made the deal work.

Hunan TV isn't afraid of Shanghai TV; in fact, they love to go against them.

This is the problem.

I bought your copyright, but other channels don't buy the copyright and still copy it. Wouldn't I lose a lot of money?
So nobody buys them anymore, everyone just makes knockoffs.

This creates a vicious cycle.

Ultimately, however, the market needs to be regulated.

If they prey on foreign investors and damage the business environment, then China will become India.

Britain's Got Talent is great, and Ms. Yang has also discussed it with major TV stations in China.

But the problem remains the same.

It's not that I don't want to buy it, it's that I want to buy it, but you have to bring your own sponsors.

"You want to act as an agent for the copyright, then sell it back in China and find TV stations to cooperate with?"

"Yes."

“But that’s exactly what our company does,” Ms. Yang said, her face hardening. “Are you sure you haven’t got the right person?”

"No, it's just right."

"Because I have the money to do this, I have a strong desire to do it, and I also have dealings with several major television stations in China."

"At the same time, I am also a shareholder of Tudou.com." Zhang Yuan wanted to sell, but the other party didn't know that, so he used it to fool them first.

"Tudou.com is the next YouTube, I don't know if you're familiar with it."

"Oh..." This person seems to understand.

He has money and connections, so he wants to make a quick buck.

"However, we don't really need your funds."

"They can also contact domestic TV stations themselves." This person put it quite tactfully, but their attitude was still very good.

But it was clearly a rejection.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan gave this young woman a good lesson, showing her what it means to be wicked.

“That’s right, you don’t need my funds or connections.”

"But my funds and connections can guarantee that you can cooperate with any TV station in the country."

"I can imitate them in a short time, and even make better versions of similar programs."

"And there's a high chance it will be released before you."

If you won't sell me the copyright, then I won't buy the copyright!
If it's too difficult, then let's not do it at all!
I'll just flip the table and tell everyone to stop eating.

Miss Yang was stunned.

How could you say such cold words with a mouth that's only 37 degrees Celsius?
Zhang Yuan spread his hands, saying, "This is nothing."

Using this strategy, Tencent has transformed itself into a giant company worth tens of billions of dollars today, and hundreds of billions of dollars in the future.

If you're so capable, go ahead and file an international lawsuit. Let's see how many years I can drag this out.

I can bankrupt you.

Because the other party had suffered a great loss on "Dancing Miracles", they fully understood that the "kind" man in front of them was telling the truth.

Zhang Yuan gained a clearer understanding of himself, and even more so of the world.

In this world, the best way to achieve something is to use any means necessary.

None of the Fortune Global 500 companies dare to say that their money is clean.

These people would never be human if they could be so inhuman.

Compared to 99% of capitalists, Zhang Yuan considers himself a "hipster".

Come on, I'll come to your door and have a proper chat with you.

Most companies won't even bother to talk to you; they'll just copy you outright.

drop by drop...

While the other party looked terrified and hesitant.

Zhang Yuan's phone rang.

An unknown caller.

This unfamiliar call perfectly corroborates what Zhang Yuan said; it wasn't just a feint.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang."

"I am the owner of Huaqi Film and Television Company, and my surname is Chen."

"I..." This was the first time the other party had contacted him directly, but his voice was full of helplessness.

"I'd like to talk to you in person." (End of Chapter)