Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 374 Inviting People to Hong Kong
Over the next few days, He Yuzhu visited the Junyue project, Zangguzhai, and the electronics mall.

I went to Tianjin with Xiaoman to visit a grave.

Then, they discussed the use of the No. 6 courtyard with He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang. The two elders agreed immediately. As they get older, they like lively places and are happy to visit familiar people often. So, the matter was handed over to He Yuxin. They would move in after the first month of the lunar calendar, as He Yuzhu couldn't wait until then.

As for persuading Old Zhao and his wife, that's up to Chen Lanxiang and He Daqing.

During this period, Zhou's father came twice more, entrusting He Yuzhu to help introduce industrial production lines. He Yuzhu did not give a definitive answer, only saying that he would keep an eye out. Zhou's father was not angry, only saying that he would do his best, because this was normal, the blockade was too severe.

After the Lantern Festival, with the festive atmosphere still lingering, He Yuzhu's family packed their bags and prepared to return to Hong Kong.

Chung Chor-hung and her child went back together; He Yu-yao missed his wife and child.

Two cars were parked in the yard, their trunks open.

He Yaozong stuffed the last small suitcase in and clapped his hands: "Dad, Mom, it's all packed."

He Yuzhu nodded, then turned to He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang and said, "Dad, Mom, we're leaving now. It's still cold, so please take care of yourselves. If anything happens, call Hong Kong."

Chen Lanxiang held Xiaoman's hand and patted her grandchildren's heads: "I know, you should come back and stay more often when you have time. Don't overwork yourself with business matters."

"Yes, Mom (Grandma)!"

He Daqing stood under the eaves and waved: "Let's go, let's go, drive carefully on the road."

"Let's go back, it's cold outside!" He Yuzhu waved to them.

The car drove out of the alley and merged into the morning traffic of Beijing.

The day after returning to Hong Kong, He Yuzhu went to the floor of the group's building where the finance department was located.

Qian Hao was already waiting there, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Boss, the profits from the short yen positions have exceeded expectations. Market sentiment is starting to diverge, and some speculative funds are taking profits."

He Yuzhu walked to the huge projection screen and looked at the exchange rate curve, which had fallen sharply and then rebounded slightly.

"It's not the right time yet. Let's wait a bit longer; it should rise a bit more."

"Boss, you still have to wait. The exchange rate is already 170:1."

"Okay, wait until April, start shipping from 150:1, and sell everything before it reaches 140:1."

"Understood." Qian Haozheng was also an old hand and knew that He Yuzhu never spoke empty words. He had given such clear data, and if their financial team still couldn't do well, then it would be their incompetence.

He Yaozu encountered real trouble in Beijing when discussing the overseas copyright of "Dream of the Red Chamber," not because of the price or the approval process.

"Mr. He, I'm so sorry. The overseas copyright matters for 'Dream of the Red Chamber' are currently under negotiation," said the person in charge of receiving him.

“When selling goods, you have to compare prices, right? You can’t just turn me away after negotiating with one company, can you?” He Yaozu said with a smile.

"Yeah!"

"I wonder which TV station was the one that negotiated?"

"The representatives from ATV Hong Kong arrived a week earlier than you. They have already submitted a preliminary proposal, which the station is currently evaluating."

"Would you mind telling me their quoted price?"

"this."

"Can I meet your manager?"

"Okay, I'll go ask for you right away."

"Okay, I'll wait here."

Soon after, the other party returned: "Mr. He, the leaders would like to see you."

He Yaozu stood up, followed him into the elevator, went upstairs, and entered the reception room, where several leaders-looking people were already sitting.

He Yaozu was delighted to see that most of these people were acquaintances, so there was no need for pleasantries; they could get straight to the point.

"The leaders already know why I'm here, so let's get straight to the point?"

“Okay,” the leader replied.

"I would like to ask how far your discussions with my competitor have progressed?"

"Mr. He, they have just submitted their second round of bids, and the station is still evaluating them."

"So, I still have hope?" Ho Yiu-cho said with a smile.

"That's natural. Actually, our first choice was your Yellow River culture, but we couldn't reach you during the Chinese New Year. Then ATV came to us, so we had to talk first."

"Then I thank you for thinking of our Yellow River culture first. I went back to Beijing for the Spring Festival. I remember I left my phone number."

"Hey, the people at the station accidentally lost Mr. He's phone number in Beijing. We've called Hong Kong several times, but no one answers," someone replied.

Hearing this, He Yaozu could only chuckle inwardly. He could find someone if he wanted to; the simplest way was to ask Director Yang, who would take him to his home. The other party was obviously trying to see if other people could offer a higher price, since it would be difficult to negotiate later if one company monopolized the price.

"What conditions did ATV offer?"

"this."

"Is it inconvenient to talk about it?"

"No, they're offering $5000 per episode now."

"What does the station mean?" He Yaozu asked.

“We’d like to hear Mr. He’s offer,” said the deputy director in the lead.

He Yaozu noticed the slight awkwardness in the eyes of the leaders present when they exchanged glances.

He realized that the price of five thousand US dollars per episode was probably inflated.

That means ATV didn't actually quote that price. So instead of rushing to make a quote, he asked, "Besides this, what other conditions did they offer?"

The people sitting opposite each other looked at each other in bewilderment. The condition was that the other side wanted exclusive first broadcast rights. Was that even a condition?
This can be considered a constraint on television dramas!
After all, if only one TV station broadcasts it, the effect will definitely not be as good as if multiple stations broadcast it together. Of course, this is not their responsibility; they only sell the copyright, and they are not responsible for the broadcast effect.

"No," the deputy director could only reply.

He Yaozu smiled and continued, "Does your company still have any concerns? It's the foundation for cooperation to be established by speaking out together."

The group exchanged glances before the deputy director finally said, "They want the first broadcast rights."

"The first broadcast rights?" Ho Yiu-cho asked.

The deputy director nodded.

He Yaozu smiled inwardly, "Then my condition is simultaneous broadcast on multiple channels, and we can also negotiate in Hong Kong, Singapore and other places."

What about copyright fees?

How does it compare to Journey to the West?

“Sure,” the person in charge of the station’s budget said hastily.

Then he was glared at by the deputy director, who gave an awkward laugh and dared not utter another word.

He Yaozu saw this scene and began to make a plan. They were planning to sell at a higher price. He had set a price, and they would use it to negotiate with ATV. He didn't want to go through this back and forth, after all, Huanghe was a sponsor and had put a lot of sincerity into buying the copyright for the first time. And this was what they got in return?

It would upset anyone. He didn't necessarily want the copyright; it's just that Director Yang's reaction after learning about the huge fire in Hong Kong for Journey to the West really touched him, and he wanted to continue.

So he said, "If your station feels this is inappropriate, then I can only apologize."

"Mr. He, please don't be in such a hurry!"

"I think I've been quite sincere. After all, the copyright fee I paid last time was enough to film half of 'Journey to the West,' and it should be even higher than TVB's second offer."

“We know that, we know that, but when ‘Journey to the West’ became a huge hit in Hong Kong, Mr. He also got what he deserved.”

"That's because I have a unique perspective, not a reason for you to raise the price this time." Everyone fell silent. After the preview of "Dream of the Red Chamber," the reviews were mixed, and the ratings were not as high as "Journey to the West," which was a fact.

"Okay, Mr. He, why don't you go back and wait? We'll have a meeting at the station and then give you an answer, okay?"

"No problem, but if you choose ATV, I hope you will let me know. You don't want to waste time waiting for something that has already been decided."

"it is good."

"This is my business card. Goodbye, everyone!"

After He Yaozu left, the meeting room fell into a brief silence.

The director, who was eager to express his opinion, lowered his head sheepishly, not daring to look at the deputy director's expression.

The deputy director rubbed his temples and sighed, "This matter was handled a bit without careful consideration."

Another, older leader spoke up: "Old Li, I understand your feelings; you want to secure more revenue for the station. But isn't your approach a bit too hasty? The Yellow River Group isn't an ordinary commercial company. Mr. He came in person to negotiate, which shows his sincerity. If we use their terms to negotiate with ATV, it won't sound good, and it will damage our relationship."

"I just think it's never a bad thing to compare things more," Deputy Director Li tried to explain.

"Comparisons are fine, but we need to be mindful of the approach," the older leader interrupted him. "The key question is, do we really think ATV is a more suitable partner? Can their strength, channels, and especially their understanding of and willingness to promote mainland culture compare to Yellow River Culture? Don't forget, Yellow River Culture played a crucial role in the success of 'Journey to the West' in Hong Kong. This isn't just about money; it's also about our strategy of promoting our culture abroad."

The person in charge of funding added quietly, "Moreover, Mr. He just mentioned a multi-channel broadcast, which will definitely have a greater impact than an exclusive premiere. In the long run, it will be more beneficial to us."

Deputy Director Li remained silent.

He realized that he might have been misled by the "high price" initially offered by ATV, ignoring the overall strength and long-term benefits of the partner.

"What do we do now? The person is already gone." He was somewhat frustrated.

“Take the initiative to contact them,” the senior leader decided. “Be sincere. Say that there was a misunderstanding in the internal communication, and that we attach great importance to the cooperation with Yellow River Culture. We can discuss the terms as Mr. He proposed, and even show some flexibility in the details.”

"Yes, Secretary," everyone replied in unison.

He Yaozu never expected that there was a master hidden here, otherwise he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to leave.

The next morning, he received a call from the deputy director himself, whose tone was much warmer than the day before.

"Mr. He, after a thorough meeting overnight, we unanimously believe that cooperating with a powerful and sincere partner like Yellow River Culture will be more conducive to promoting our excellent TV series to overseas markets. We will give priority to granting your company the overseas broadcasting rights for 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

He Yaozu held the phone, a knowing smile on his face: "Thank you very much for the station's trust. So, regarding the specific terms..."

"Let's follow the proposal Mr. He mentioned yesterday, comparing it to the copyright price of 'Journey to the West,' and everything else will be the same. I wonder when Mr. He would be free to come to the station again so we can discuss the details and then sign the contract."

"Tomorrow," He Yaozu said.

"Okay, as for ATV, we will handle it properly, please rest assured."

"Then I wish us a pleasant collaboration. You can also rest assured that once we receive the film, we will arrange for a professional Cantonese dubbing team to dub it as soon as possible to ensure broadcast quality."

"Great! I hope this collaboration will be as successful as 'Journey to the West'!"

The contract was successfully signed.

Taking advantage of the momentum, He Yaozu proposed inviting the main actors of the "Dream of the Red Chamber" TV series to Hong Kong to promote the series. This suggestion was supported by the station, which considered it a great opportunity for cultural exchange.

At the same time, He Yaozu also thought of the "Journey to the West" production team. Since the goal was to create hype, why not invite both of these classic production teams together? The effect would surely be sensational. He contacted Director Yang through He Yuxin's connections.

Upon hearing the invitation over the phone, Director Yang remained silent for a moment. It wasn't that she was heartless; it was just that some previous disagreements among the cast members regarding commercial performances had made her hesitant about such commercial activities.

"Director Yang, this event is mainly for cultural exchange, to let more audiences know about our excellent TV dramas. You can rest assured about all the arrangements and benefits; Yellow River Culture will take full responsibility for everything, and it will be absolutely professional," He Yaozu said sincerely over the phone.

Director Yang was still somewhat hesitant: "I'm afraid that the actors' thoughts might cause other problems later on."

He Yuxin answered the phone: "Director Yang, this is Yuxin. This is a rare opportunity, and it's good for the actors to broaden their horizons. As for management, we can work together to develop rules to ensure the smooth running of the event. This is also a great opportunity to promote our hard work to a wider stage."

The sincerity of the uncle and nephew moved Director Yang.

In the end, she nodded in agreement and said she would do her best to persuade the crew.

In fact, there was no need to do any work. Those who received the notice were so excited that they couldn't sleep, and many rushed to exchange their Hong Kong dollars, since there weren't many opportunities to go out.

Soon after, the main creators of both production teams gathered in Hong Kong.

The publicity campaign was a great success.

The publicity campaign was grand and enthusiastic.

At the press conference, characters such as Baoyu, Daiyu, Sun Wukong, and Tang Sanzang gathered on stage to talk about the stories behind the creation of the story. Flashbulbs and camera shutters were constantly clicking from the audience.

Hong Kong residents flocked to the scene upon hearing the news, with many crowding outside the television station just to catch a glimpse of "Lin Daiyu" and "Monkey King".

Some fans even held up homemade signs that read, "Welcome to the Dream of the Red Chamber cast!" and "We love Journey to the West!"

During the subsequent tour, the actors climbed Victoria Peak to overlook the beautiful Victoria Harbour, strolled through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui to experience the city's vibrancy, and also enjoyed authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum.

Hong Kong residents recognized them and greeted them warmly, asking to take photos with them.

Looking at the actors' curious and excited expressions, Director Yang was filled with emotion.

She was well aware of how wonderful the outside world was and how attractive it was to young people.

Despite her efforts to maintain the purity of the crew, the tide of the times, carrying opportunities and temptations, came rushing in, which could not be completely stopped by personal will.

After the event, on the way back to their accommodation, several young actors looked out the window at the dazzling neon lights, their eyes revealing a mixture of confusion and longing.

Some people were discussing development opportunities in Hong Kong's film and television industry in hushed tones, their tone tentative.

Director Yang leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and sighed softly.

She understood that this trip to Hong Kong might be a turning point in some people's lives. She could regulate their behavior on set, but she couldn't restrict their choices for the future. This impulse to go out and seek a wider world was a product of the times, and perhaps also another form of "cultural export," though the experience was complex and difficult to describe.

The day after the event, the team leader let the performers have free time, accompanied by people from the Yellow River Culture side, since the language environment is different.

Director Yang was invited to the Ho family's residence located halfway up the mountain.

He Yuzhu personally received them in the living room, accompanied by the brothers He Yaozu and He Yaozong.

"Director Yang, thank you for your hard work on this event." He Yuzhu gestured to the servant to serve tea.

"Mr. He, you're too kind. This trip to Hong Kong has been an eye-opener for our crew. We really appreciate your thoughtful arrangements." Director Yang accepted the teacup, his tone calm, but his heart was far from calm.

She had heard a lot about this Mr. He, but she had never met him. It was said that the production of "Journey to the West" to this extent was due to his efforts. She knew that without his approval, He Yuxin in China could not have sponsored so much equipment.

Not to mention the overseas rights to Journey to the West, which were definitely also his doing.

He Yaozu continued, "Director Yang, you have seen our sincerity and ability to promote excellent culture from the mainland. I mentioned to you last time that I hope you can consider joining our Yellow River Culture. Whether you are the artistic director or directing yourself, we would be very happy to welcome you."

Director Yang put down his teacup and gently shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness. I've worked at the station for many years and am used to the environment there. Besides, I still have unfinished projects to complete."

He Yuzhu could see her concerns and said, "Director Yang, are you worried about limitations in your creative work? I can assure you that as long as it's a good project, we will definitely give it our full support. The compensation and career development opportunities will also be much more generous than what you have now."

“I understand Mr. He’s sincerity.” Director Yang smiled. “But this is a very important matter, and I need some time to go back and think it over carefully.”

At this moment, He Yaozong took out two thick notebooks and handed them over somewhat embarrassedly: "Director Yang, I know you're busy. These are two notebooks I wrote before. One is about military life, and the other is a police and gangster story inspired by some real events. They are both first drafts and are very rough. I would like to ask you to take a look and give me some feedback when you have time."

Director Yang was somewhat surprised and took the script: "Oh? Yaozong also wrote a script?"

She casually flipped to the military-themed book above, read a few pages, and her eyes gradually became focused.

The story opens with a vivid depiction of new recruits joining the army, the sweat on the training ground, the friction and camaraderie among comrades, and the real earthy atmosphere between the lines, which was a rare perspective in domestic film and television works at the time.

She flipped through the next book, a police and gangster novel. Although the plot was still somewhat immature, the conflict was boldly set up and the characters were well-developed.

Director Yang closed the script, pondered for a moment, then looked up at He Yaozong with a more serious expression: "Yaozong, these two scripts are quite interesting. Especially the one about the military, the real-life situation is very solid. There are indeed very few films of this kind in China."

He Yaozong hurriedly said, "I spent three months in the army, and I saw and heard many things with my own eyes and ears."

(End of this chapter)