Actor: Thank you.

Throughout the history of human warfare, one of the simplest and most effective tactics is feint attack.

What is virtual is real, what is real is virtual.

Sun Tzu's Art of War states that "the way of war is based on deception and trickery."

The Tao Te Ching says, "All things under heaven are born from existence, and existence is born from non-existence."

Yin and Yang interact, and positive and negative alternate.

Even without fighting, primitive humans would automatically split into several groups when hunting, especially large animals, to constantly harass and attack.

Therefore, in terms of combat, one approach is a large-scale frontal assault, while the other is a flanking maneuver from the flanks and rear. This is the basic and classic combat tactic.

Of course, there were also those who, like the Japanese devils, went astray.

Two routes are not enough, so three, four, or even more than a dozen routes are deployed simultaneously. The war game simulation is dazzling, but in actual combat, it becomes a huge mess.

The famous vampire, Dior, once sincerely said before he became human: The more cunning a human is, the more easily they fall into unexpected predicaments.

The more complex the tactical design, the easier it is to make mistakes.

If even one idiot appears in any link of the chain, the entire plan will be completely ruined.

Therefore, Zhang Yuan generally adhered to two principles when implementing his strategy.

It's simple; try to do it yourself as much as possible.

Now his moves are quite simple.

They made a big show of using the names of film companies from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to openly discuss their attempt to win over Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yuan even said he would help Zhang Yimou pay the fine.

Offering conditions might be a lie, but if they say they'll help pay the fine, then it's definitely true!
It's a pity that these people from the imperial circle, despite coming from military families, have long lost their fighting instincts.

All that's left is the concept of "battle maniacs" and "the thrill of battle," without any understanding of his simple tactics.

For Zhang Yuan, when facing such a behemoth, the first thing to do is not to win, but to not lose.

The same applies to Zhang Yimou's case.

If you only focus on him and fail to win him over, you'll lose.

I may not have the guts to suppress bandits, but I certainly do have the guts, and a great deal of guts, to use the pretext of suppressing bandits to amass wealth.

He claimed he was going to "suppress bandits," but in reality, he went around in circles and raided someone's home.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan was sitting in the general manager's office of Ourpalm, with a cup of fine tea in front of him.

The company's founder, Yao Wenbin, sat opposite him, looking doubtful.

What's a big star doing suddenly coming to my company?
Seeing that the other party was quite polite, Zhang Yuan took the business card box from his assistant and took out the business cards that he had specially printed and made beforehand.

This was prepared for today.

The other party accepted it with both hands, and could tell from the material that it was expensive.

Upon closer inspection, in addition to Zhang Yuan's name, a series of titles were listed below.

Chief Creative Officer & Director of Youku Networks.

Director of Duowan Games Network Company.

General Manager of Cross-Strait Film Industry.

Apart from the fact that his most common celebrity titles were not seen, all the other titles were quite intimidating.

He really wanted to ask, where are those three people?
Yao Wenbin glanced at the business card, his face showing surprise, and then looked up at him.

Zhang Yuan nodded, his expression unchanged.

it's me.

Doesn't it look like it?
The other person's eyes seemed to say, "It doesn't seem like it at all."

Those with these titles shouldn't be seen as bespectacled tech geeks, like me.

Or the image of a greasy, pot-bellied man, similar to a nouveau riche boss.

You look so tall and handsome, it's really not like you.

This is actually a stereotype.

While the average attractiveness of people in the entertainment industry is declining rapidly, the average attractiveness of people in the business and political sectors is actually steadily increasing year by year.

If you think about it for a moment, you'll understand why.

Zhang Yuan had this business card and the title on it specially prepared for him.

The board of directors of Youku is telling you in plain terms, "I'm rich."

After all, everyone in the industry knows that Youku has gone public.

The title of "playing many games" is meant to let others know that I am no stranger to the gaming industry.

The name "Cross-Strait Film Industry" clearly indicates that I am here with a film and television industry background.

The other person's brow twitched, and after a moment, they spoke.

"What brings you to my humble abode today?"

Zhang Yuan held up three fingers.

"I'm here today for only three things."

"Investment, investment, and more damn investment!"

He said it in a very casual way.

The other person was about to tell you to keep your voice down, but then they thought, "He's a shareholder of a listed company, he has the right to speak loudly."

In this world, status is derived from strength.

Zhang Yuan was no longer as cautious as he had been when he first went to Tudou.com and Youku.

Now I am the master Zhang.

Hua Yi was unaware that Zhang Yuan knew they had been keeping an eye on PalmFun Technology.

In fact, Hua Yi had been in contact with the other party for six months.

We must return to the so-called "Big Film and Television" plan that Huayi Brothers designated after its listing.

The gamification of film and television IPs is a crucial part of this, and it's being touted as a major trend.

Has anyone ever seen a game adapted from Hua Yi's works?
Conversely, Huayi Brothers hasn't made many movies adapted from games.

So what exactly did they do in their "film and game synergy"?
In the end, it's all just a gimmick!

What Huayi did was invest in game companies, take them public, and then cash out.

Ultimately, it's because the benefits of going public are too great, creating a path dependency.

Instead of focusing on film and television, they've started venturing into finance.

One of the most successful investments was in Ourpalm!

After Ourpalm went public and its shares were released from lock-up, for two consecutive years, half of Huayi's annual financial reports showed that it came from cashing out Ourpalm shares.

After a year of hard work on traditional businesses like filming, music, and performances, you might find that you haven't earned as much as you've cashed out your shares by the end of the year.

What will the company's leadership think in this situation?
Just like in the United States, Ford Motor Company works hard to produce millions of cars a year, but it doesn't even make as much as those people on Wall Street make in a month by flipping their wrists. What would the top management of the United States think?

This is like taking drugs, it's so exciting!
Making money from acting is nowhere near as lucrative as working in finance.

Moreover, investment companies can make their financial statements look better and boost Huayi's stock price by cashing out shares after listing.

It's like finance upon finance, taking off with one foot on the other.

It's still the beacon of light, constantly proclaiming its intention to vigorously develop AI and allocating funds to OpenAI.

OpenAI shares surged.

OpenAI says training large models requires hardware, causing Nvidia shares to surge.

Training AI also requires electricity, data centers, and cooling towers, which Oracle says it will build.

Oracle bone inscriptions have surged again.

OpenAI has received investments from Oracle, Tesla, and Nvidia, and the profits from these investments are then used to further invest in OpenAI, creating a closed loop.

These companies did nothing but produce a bunch of PowerPoint presentations outlining their future plans, thus creating trillions of dollars in market value for the US stock market out of thin air.

In martial arts films, the act of stepping on one's right foot to take off is often ridiculed, but it's actually possible in real life.

Huayi's later peak market value of tens of billions and nearly a hundred billion was actually achieved in this way.

Once listed on the stock exchange, with the funds available, they can spend lavishly.

One of his most profitable investments was PalmFun.

If it can be yours, then it can be mine too!
As long as I acquire PalmFun, even if you poach Zhang Yimou, I won't lose out!

This is a method that may not guarantee victory, but will at least ensure no defeat.

This is also why Zhang Yuan has been constantly "provoking" the other party ever since Huayi went public.

He kept draining the other party's cash flow while simultaneously attracting their attention!

Now, through a series of events on Tudou.com, they've been continuously bleeding the other party dry, leaving them unable to spend any more money.

Meanwhile, the focus is all on Zhang Yimou.

Otherwise, with Hua Yi's capabilities, how could I, with my limited abilities, compete with him for the opportunity to invest in PalmFun?

He kept exhausting the other party's energy in order to buy time.

By delaying the process until Youku goes public, they can have ample funds for themselves.

For a whole year, no one understood him.

They thought he was crazy, insane, or even sick.

There was also ongoing internal controversy, with some feeling that he was making trouble out of nothing.

But for his strategic goals, he continued to stride forward with unwavering determination.

The day has finally arrived.

He sat down in front of Ourpalm, this "gold mine".

This company's strength lies in IP licensing and localization, and it secured the domestic distribution rights for "Need for Speed: Shift".

The company licensed a mobile game based on the 10 South Africa World Cup in China. They were also among the first Chinese companies to partner with the iPhone and release a mobile game on the Apple App Store.

Several of the owners and shareholders have some connection with the China Mobile Group, so they cooperated closely with operators during the 3G era.

Later, some of his more famous works include the mobile games "The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match", "MU Online: Awakening", and "One-Punch Man: The Strongest Man".

It's considered average among mobile game companies, nowhere near the level of miHoYo, let alone NetEase or Tencent.

But none of that matters; Zhang Yuan doesn't care about his future potential.

He will ultimately only keep a small portion of the shares to receive dividends.

Importantly, this company is currently preparing for an IPO.

Preparing for an IPO means the other party is very short of money.

So I came.

It's okay to be short of money, I have money.

"Now that Youku has gone public, I have plenty of money."

"I've played the Need for Speed: Shift mobile game, so I know your company."

"I was interested, so I took the liberty of coming."

"I hope you won't take offense."

Whether you find it strange or not, I'm coming with a huge sum of US dollars.

Zhang Yuan then started chatting with the other party about "business".

He went on to discuss the future development of the gaming industry, starting with the US stock market.

He expressed his strong optimism about the future of mobile games.

He was telling the truth, but in the eyes of everyone, even the boss of PalmFun, it seemed overly radical.

However, the other party responded to his words and even began to flatter him.

Especially after he talked about the “loud drums and firecrackers” scene at the New York Stock Exchange.

The point of being out in the world is to make money.

Ideals can be put aside, but making money in the stock market is a must.

"I heard that you have also been in contact with Huayi Film and Television."

"Has the other party already invested?" Zhang Yuan asked, taking a sip of tea to probe.

"Hua Yi? What Hua Yi? We're not acquainted," the other person said, shaking their head.

Zhang Yuan pretended to believe him.

In the eyes of the shareholders of Youku, a US-listed company, Huayi, a domestic listed company, has gone from being a sweetheart to a bitter old hag.

The other party knows very well who has more money.

That's US dollars, damn it!
After chatting for a while, the other person offered to treat him to dinner.

Zhang Yuan raised his hand to indicate that there was no rush and that they should talk about business first.

"You mentioned investing, what is your intention?"

"Our company is aiming for an IPO, and our funding needs are considerable," the other party said cautiously, yet with a hint of greed.

“You’ve asked the wrong question,” Zhang Yuan shook his head.

"It's not about how much I'm willing to give up, but how many shares you're willing to relinquish."

Zhang Yuan leaned forward, exuding an air of dominance, and said, "I'll eat as much as you're willing to give me."

"Money is not a problem."

Hey!
The other person thought to themselves, "This person is rich!"

That's the right attitude; the more arrogant they are, the richer they are.

Yao Wenbin licked his lips and said, "Sure."

It was nearly dusk when Zhang Yuan left.

The owner of Ourpalm personally escorted him to his car, even opening the car door for him.

That attitude was truly something else; you wouldn't treat your own father any better.

But that makes sense, since Zhang Yuan is now his sugar daddy.

The final outcome of the negotiations was that the other party was willing to give up 20% of the company's shares.

Zhang Yuan promised to invest $2000 million, and the money would arrive before the end of the year.

The other party was overjoyed; 2000 million US dollars was a huge sum of money.

Throughout 2010, Ourpalm's net profit was just over 2000 million but less than 3000 million, and that was in Chinese Yuan.

With this money, the company can expand rapidly, immediately increasing its staff and market size.

Just like the "nine dragons pulling a coffin" physique of European and American bodybuilders, a single injection of steroids can instantly boost muscle mass.

As for whether there will be any aftereffects, don't ask.

Let's talk about whether someone is big or not, and whether they can go on stage to receive the prize money.

With $2000 million, not only is opening car doors a simple matter, but even kneeling down to polish shoes is a piece of cake.

I won't bow down for five pecks of rice because five pecks of rice isn't enough.

If you bring in several thousand dan (a unit of weight) of rice, everyone will bend over backwards.

Of course, for ordinary people, given their rice prices, a single bushel would probably cost them a fortune.

Zhang Yuan requested that the other party keep the matter confidential until all agreements were signed.

He has a lot of money, and it comes quickly, so there's nothing the other party won't agree to.

Zhang Yuan also experienced the joy of spending lavishly.

Spending money is truly enjoyable, especially when you know that money can generate more money.

When he got home, he was so happy that he did a few somersaults in the yard.

"Oh my god... what are you doing?" Cheng Hao, who was waiting for him to come home for dinner, was startled.

"Do you know that people don't feel tired when they're doing bad things?"

"I feel great now!" Zhang Yuan pulled her over and they started dancing in the courtyard.

"What exactly did you do?"

After a long while, Cheng Hao, who had been twirled in his hand several times, held his head, feeling a little dizzy, and asked.

"I've never seen you this happy when Youku went public."

"Hahaha..." He roared to the sky, revealing a smile unique to villains.

"Everyone who switches tactics, you know?"

"I changed Huayi's house today."

“They had been in contact with a game company, and I managed to get my hands on it right under their noses while they were dealing with Zhang Yimou’s affairs.”

"Come on!" He pulled Cheng Hao's arm again: "Come inside with me!"

We should set off some fireworks to celebrate.

"It's time to eat."

"It'll be ready in a little while."

"When have you ever finished in just a moment..."

She had no choice but to carry it to the bedroom.

Dinner was changed to a late-night snack.

Zhang Yuan even ordered extra food, grilling oysters in his left hand and large kidneys in his right, using both hands simultaneously.

The older sister revealed a look of fear.

But seeing that he was in such a good mood, I gave up.

"You said before that while the other party was paying attention to Zhang Yimou, you... switched places."

"You mean you didn't intend to take down Zhang Yimou?"

"Is it a scam?"

Zhang Yuan swallowed the fried pork belly and shook his head.

No, I'm not lying.

"I do want to win over Zhang Yimou and get him to sign contracts with film companies on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."

"It is indeed in competition with other companies."

"It's just a bit difficult."

“Take Huayi for example, he concentrated resources on this matter.”

"I still don't know how much I'm willing to pay."

"Without knowing ourselves and our enemy, we are still in a weak position, which is very disadvantageous."

"The conditions I offered weren't good enough, and Zhang Yimou wasn't happy about them."

“I gave too much, and the Hong Kong guys at the company weren’t happy about it.”

"It's difficult."

"Oh..." Cheng Hao understood his predicament.

"It would be great if we could find out their asking price."

"Who says it isn't? It's a pity we can't find it." Zhang Yuan rubbed his temples.

Now that the feint attack is over, it's time to switch to the main attack and the feint attack!

But just like in real-time strategy games, the fog of war is still there, and one cannot act rashly.

We need to come up with a plan, find someone to provide some perspective... (End of Chapter)