Actor: Thank you.

Zhang Yuan is currently in Shanghai, busy contacting various parties including TV stations, Mercedes-Benz, other sponsors, and the British company Wild Grass.

Getting things done isn't actually that difficult if you're skilled at it.

Dealing with people is a real hassle; four people can create twelve groups, and a hundred people can have a hundred different thoughts.

Whom can be offended, and whom cannot be offended.

Let someone suffer a loss and cede some benefits to those who are difficult to deal with.

Who are the people who seem easy to bully, but are actually untouchable?

These are all quite complicated matters.

Just like actors, after finishing filming, they go to the next film crew and rest.

But the work of the producer, director, cinematographer, production assistant, and prop master is not yet finished.

Just settling accounts, calculating damages, and compensating for rented equipment can lead to disputes that can last for months or even years.

Zhang Yuan was so tired that his throat was always burning, like parched earth.

The advantage is that it not only brings considerable benefits, but also helps him achieve other goals.

At the same time, since the communication targets are all middle and senior management, there is no need to argue with the lower-level staff, which saves a lot of effort.

In addition, he has a very high tolerance for his own economic "losses," as long as he doesn't have to pay compensation.

Things then went much more smoothly.

British Independent Television (ITV) is all about money, demanding £300 million in copyright fees and only offering to use the service for one year.

The British are cunning; they refuse to sell full copyrights.

If your Chinese program is well-produced and you want to continue it next year, then... you'll have to pay more!

This price was negotiated for a long time.

They originally wanted 30% of the revenue from your show.

Zhang Yuan scolded him back.

I'll say it again: if you push me too far, I'll just copy it, and you won't earn a single penny!
Humans are compromisers.

When you want to kill him, confiscating his property is not unacceptable.

At this point, the Britons became "civilized".

In short, their strategy is: if you are civilized, they become barbaric; if you are barbaric, they become civilized.

The underlying logic is always a zero-sum game.

Britain is also an island nation, which is a typical example of offshore thinking.

Mercedes-Benz agreed to a title sponsorship fee of 1500 million yuan, which is worthy of a big brand and shows their generosity.

For Mercedes-Benz, the profit from selling 30 S-Class cars is more than enough to recoup the sponsorship amount; it's a piece of cake.

It also brought a bunch of partners such as Puma and Qualcomm.

However, Mercedes-Benz has a problem: its luxury cars sell well, but its lower-end models don't.

Back then, among the three major manufacturers, BMW's 3 Series was the best-selling, while Audi's A6, a mid-range model, was the best-selling, as it was a car for government officials.

However, the S-Class does indeed account for the highest percentage of Mercedes-Benz's profits.

In China, out of every 10 executive sedans sold that cost over a million yuan, 5 are S-Class models.

The boss is a big fan of this brand, but young people prefer BMW.

Around 10 years ago, you could pick up girls even if you drove a Genesis Coupe.

My younger sister thinks two-door sports cars are high-class.

At that time, everyone was short-sighted, and owning a Passat was a symbol of being middle class.

Mercedes-Benz is very envious of how well BMW's mid-to-low-end models are selling.

So I made a bunch of demands: sponsorship is fine, but you have to get my C-Class sedan into the World Expo.

This is troublesome.

In Shanghai, Volkswagen Touran taxis were used to welcome the World Expo.

The park's police cars were BMW 5 Series.

Audi A6s and A8s were used to pick up and drop off foreign guests.

The pit had already been filled by several other German "state-owned enterprises".

You have to admit Li Ruigang is from Shanghai; he's got some tricks up his sleeve.

A separate vehicle was set up for the "Expo Park Emergency Response Team".

They bought a bunch of Mercedes C-Class cars, stuck big lettering on the sides, and parked them everywhere.

As for what the emergency response entails.

President Li had already thought it through.

The World Expo runs until the height of summer, and in case people suffer from heatstroke while queuing or other sudden illnesses, the injured or sick can be transported or doctors can be provided.

As for why a Mercedes-AMG worth over a million yuan was used to transport the wounded, it was because of the emergency.

The logic is closed.

Zhang Yuan gave a thumbs up after hearing this.

I've seen ambulances before, but I've never seen an ambulance with a 6.2L V8 engine...

Anyway, don't ask, the answer is always "Shanghai speed".

For events worth tens of billions of yuan, involving countless people at all levels, as long as the matter is handled well, the higher-ups generally turn a blind eye to those below making money and causing trouble.

With everything settled, Zhang Yuan still has room for negotiation with Mercedes.

First, there's the F1 team; he'll continue to be a shareholder next year.

Secondly, there are endorsements.

Zhang Yuan wanted to be the spokesperson for the S-Class, but Mercedes-Benz said his image and temperament did not match.

The other party said they wanted someone like Chen Daoming or Andy Lau...

They only offered him the opportunity to endorse a C-level brand, and only for one year.

Zhang Yuan, with the attitude of trying to make as much money as possible, accepted it.

These bastards, relying on their big brand and "prestige," act all high and mighty, even though they are shareholders in the racing team.

Zhang Yuan thought to himself, "You just wait, you'll get your comeuppance one day."

Once domestic automotive electrification matures, it's still uncertain which cars will be considered "high-end" and which will be technologically backward.

After things stabilized on this side, Zhang Yuan was called by the "Bodyguards and Assassins" crew to attend press conferences and television and radio promotions.

It's unreasonable for him, the nominal male lead, to be absent from the drama so often.

"done?"

Before the press conference, he met Mr. Xie.

The person had a bandage on their head, making it clear that they had recently undergone surgery.

"I went abroad for a checkup, and after the biopsy, it was found to be benign."

"That's good." Zhang Yuan hugged him and patted him on the back.

It was a tribulation, but getting through it early is a good thing.

Young Master Xie seemed to have become a bit more composed after this incident.

As people experience more, both Young Master Xie and Qianqian have matured considerably.

"Won't this affect your work?" Zhang Yuan pointed to his gauze.

"It's nothing, just a minor surgery, I'll be fine soon. I'll be filming with Brother Hua again in a while."

"What if the reporters see what happened at the press conference and say it was your wife who hit you?"

Nicholas Tse: ...

Seeing him stunned, Zhang Yuan thought to himself that Cecilia Cheung wasn't incapable of doing such a thing.

Young Master Xie thought for a moment, "I need to explain this properly, otherwise it really might be true."

Hong Kong media can make up anything.

He snapped out of his reverie and started talking about the play.

"Hehehe, I heard that Shaolin was a bit angry at first."

"But I don't seem angry anymore."

"What are you angry about?"

“If you don’t come to film, people will think you’re being arrogant.”

Zhang Yuan thought to himself, "You dug a pit for me to fall into, and I didn't fall in, and you're still not satisfied."

The Shaolin Temple had offered to help him resolve the troubles in the island nation.

Now that he has resolved the issue himself, the other party has nothing to say. At the same time, knowing that he is not someone to be trifled with, and having probably realized his own scheme, they have completely given up on the idea.

With strength, some problems will be easily solved.

Young Master Xie was very envious, because Zhang Yuan had the "right to choose" even when faced with a behemoth like Shaolin.

You can simply choose not to go.

Actually, it's not just Shaolin who's a bit helpless with him; Lao Han has also been feeling a bit helpless lately.

Because I already knew that he was in a lawsuit with a company in Hubei Province, and it wasn't going to look good.

I was planning to wait until this kid really couldn't take it anymore, then help him out by putting on airs like a patriarch of the Chinese film and television industry.

Not only does it show off my strength, it also makes this kid more obedient.

Before I could even make a move, the other person had already collapsed...

"what's the topic?"

As they were talking, Fan Bingbing arrived.

"Let's talk about Nicholas Tse being a victim of domestic violence," Zhang Yuan replied, raising his hand in a serious tone.

"I didn't..." Young Master Xie hurriedly explained.

“Yes, men all care about their pride,” Zhang Yuan added.

Young Master Xie: ...

You're much better than the reporters.

Fan Bingbing immediately recognized that Zhang Yuan was "bullying an honest person," so she joined in criticizing him.

I also pulled him aside.

"There's something I need to tell you."

Seeing her serious expression, Zhang Yuan knew it must be a serious topic, so he also stopped joking.

"You said."

"There was originally a big project, with several major investors wanting to make a movie about Wu Zetian."

"I originally wanted to cast Zhang Ziyi as Empress Wu, and I would play Consort Xiao."

“Then you’re really unfortunate,” Zhang Yuan replied.

Consort Xiao was Empress Wu's rival, and her final fate was not much different from that of Consort Qi, who was "dealt with" by Empress Lü.

What's even more impressive than Lady Qi is that she not only turned the pig into a human pig and put it in a vat, but also filled the vat with wine.

It is called "Drunken Bones".

Empress Wu's actions don't seem like something someone from Shanxi would do; she must have had ancestry from Ningbo or Shaoxing, and she loved pickled and fermented foods...

However, this film project originally had overseas investors.

But now Zhang Ziyi has a bad reputation and has lost contact with her overseas connections. So this project can't be filmed.

Zhang Yuan, however, felt that not being able to film it might not be a bad thing, as Zhang Ziyi didn't have the same feeling as Empress Wu.

In the Tang Dynasty, plumpness was considered beautiful. If the Kardashians were in the Tang Dynasty, they would start as imperial concubines.

With Zhang Ziyi's slender figure, isn't she disgracing our Tang Dynasty?
She has neither the bearing of an empress nor the bearing of a ruler!

"Now the overseas parties have withdrawn their investment and are no longer continuing this project."

"This will cause problems with overseas distribution and channels."

The original idea was to create a Sino-Western co-production, leveraging Zhang Ziyi's international fame.

However, Zhang Ziyi has now been abandoned by Deng Yingchao and the old Jewish group, so this project is fundamentally unworkable.

“However, there’s a chance this might change,” Fan Bingbing said in a low voice.

In addition to the overseas aspects, China Film Group is also involved in this project.

The original scene of the Tang Palace had been designed, and the costumes and props had also been drawn up.

So China Film Group thought it was a pity.

I'll consult with someone.

By this time, the era of coal bosses and mine owners had passed.

Real estate companies are starting to flock to the film and television industry.

They were attracted by the high growth rate of this industry, and also because it was very convenient to use it as a medium to move money overseas.

Zhang Yuangang had met Wang Shi.

Wanda has also entered the market.

Poly had already formed a joint venture with Bona.

China Film Group, on the other hand, brought in another giant.

Mr. Xu, who loves to run while wearing a Hermes belt.

Zhang Ziyi is in trouble, but Fan Bingbing is fine.

But at this point, Fan Bingbing's ability to boost box office sales is not as good as Zhang Ziyi's.

It's probably going to be difficult for a female lead in a big-budget film to make money.

So this project was turned into a TV series!

While Zhang Ziyi got into trouble, Fan Bingbing actually benefited.

This is called "one whale falls and all things come to life".

Resources are limited; when a superstar falls from grace, the resources freed up can support a whole host of top-tier stars.

After Hengda Real Estate entered the project, the budget for this TV series was increased to 3 million yuan!

Of that, the filming portion cost 8000 million.

However, the construction, set design, and props will cost more than 2 million yuan.

Hengda will participate in the construction.

Anyway, he said it was 2 million, but only Hengda herself knows how much was actually spent.

Zheng Xiaolong's production of "Empresses in the Palace" cost only a little over 8000 million yuan, including set design and filming.

There's a lot of moisture in it.

Fan Bingbing came to ask him if he wanted to participate as well.

Zhang Yuan chuckled lightly. Fan Bingbing hadn't even asked him if she wanted to participate in the project.

Because the potential profits are so high, she'll definitely have to get involved.

If we're talking about the most famous actress to have played Wu Zetian, besides Teacher Lü Zhong in "Detective Dee", it has to be Liu Xiaoqing.

Liu Jialing's performance in the movie "Detective Dee" was not bad, but it just felt like something was missing.

In particular, the costumes were not luxurious enough.

Fan Bingbing's figure and temperament are fine for performing martial arts.

Her acting skills are still a bit immature compared to Liu Xiaoqing's.

Moreover, the two reached the same conclusion regarding tax issues, albeit through different means...

Fan Bingbing not only plans to have her company participate in the production, but she also intends to star in it and be credited as a producer.

Zhang Yuan thought about it and decided that he definitely couldn't stop this.

They couldn't stop them.

Hengda is indeed very strong.

If I ever need funds in the future, keeping this connection might not be a bad thing.

As for Mr. Xu's future issues, that will have to wait until later.

Moreover, with Fan Bingbing in between, it would be easier for him to extricate himself if anything happened.

“My company will not participate,” Zhang Yuan replied steadily.

"With Hengda here, you don't need my funds."

"With China Film Group around, you don't need my connections."

"And I have no plans to act in TV dramas for the time being."

"Okay, I understand." Fan Ye was aware of the situation and could sense that Zhang Yuan was deliberately keeping his distance.

"Don't sell your art and your body at the same time," Zhang Yuan teased.

After all, Mr. Xu owns an entire song and dance troupe.

Honestly, female celebrities only have a fatal attraction for ordinary people.

For these super-rich, stripped of their celebrity status, they are not as comfortable as the "female favorites" they have carefully selected.

After all, actresses' main job is acting, while those people's main job is serving others, so they are definitely more professional.

"Don't say such harsh things... Are you jealous, or worried about me?" Fan Xiaopang frowned, then opened his round eyes wide and looked at him.

Zhang Yuan did not answer her question.

Everything is a personal choice.

Whether to take a step forward or a step back depends on her own thoughts.

It's not that making demands will necessarily be effective.

Even after officially announcing their relationship, those who are supposed to be promiscuous in the entertainment industry will still be promiscuous.

Therefore, this has nothing to do with the matter at hand, but only with the person.

Zhang Yuan only offered one reminder.

Be careful with the accounts.

She then left to touch up her makeup in preparation for going on stage.

Fan Bingbing watched his departing figure, biting her thumbnail as she pondered.

"Does he care about me or not?"

"And he saw through the problem immediately, knowing that there must be something fishy about the accounts and funds."

"But they didn't advise me not to do it."

"So annoying!" Fan Bingbing shook her head helplessly.

The press conference was held, and the process was all routine.

Nicholas Tse did explain his illness and urged everyone to pay attention to their health.

Zhang Yuan then answered some questions about future plans.

He stated for the Nth time that he had no intention of immigrating and that he had always been a Chinese.

Anyway, as soon as they see you filming overseas, rumors will spread that you've immigrated.

After the press conference, I still have to travel to various TV stations for publicity.

Fan Bingbing was even busier than him, and immediately went off to work.

He then went with the film crew to several television stations to run appearances.

I rushed over to Jiangsu TV and was exhausted after recording a program for several hours. I'm resting in the dressing room now.

At that moment, a middle-aged man wearing glasses, who was refined and had a certain "official" air about him, knocked on the door and then entered the dressing room.

"Mr. Zhang, this is Manager Lu from Jiangsu TV," a female secretary introduced.

"Hello." Zhang Yuan quickly got up from his chair.

He didn't know anyone, but he always had to be polite to the local bullies.

"The other party quickly stated their purpose."

"I heard from Wild Grass Company that the 'Talent Show' program has ended up in Shanghai?"

“Jiangsu has abundant resources and manpower, so they should choose us.”

But you're selling it in bulk... Zhang Yuan didn't dare to complain to his face.

Wild Grass told him that they had contacted Jiangsu TV.

It's not that you didn't want it.

Now I hear the show is coming with sponsors, not only are they not paying, they're even giving money away! I'm so glad.

"Mr. Lu, I'm so sorry."

"But the sponsors insisted on putting on shows and advertising at the Expo, that was their strict requirement." He had no choice but to find an excuse to shift the blame onto someone else.

The leader did not seem inclined to force the issue.

Knowing that this matter is settled, there's no way to take it by force.

But I'm very interested in his ability to find sponsors and make the project happen.

Who doesn't want a good show?

After chatting for a while, Zhang Yuan understood what the other party meant.

Jiangsu TV welcomes any good things that happen in the future, especially those involving "bringing investment to the team".

He readily agreed.

I politely asked for the other party's contact information.

The other party already gave it to us, which is quite considerate.

After all, Zhang Yuan had seen the world at CCTV, and compared to those people, the local TV station staff were quite easygoing.

"If I have the opportunity, I will definitely contact you."

Having said that much, the other person glanced at their watch, clearly indicating they had to leave.

But this time, Zhang Yuan didn't offer to see them off as he usually did; instead, he pulled them along.

"Mr. Lu, please wait a moment."

"I also have something I'd like to ask you about the show."

"Oh, what do you say?"

"It's also from this side of the wild grass. I heard you have a show coming up soon." Zhang Yuan leaned closer.

"It's called 'If You Are the One'."

Zhang Yuan said this with a smile.

But the other person's face immediately fell when he mentioned the show... (End of Chapter)