Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 280 Investing in the Four Great Classical Novels (5400+ words)

"Mr. Li, I have a few more questions. I wonder if you could answer them?" Nick was in a bind because he was being paid, so he asked Li Song for his opinion before asking.

"Of course, but there are some questions I can refuse to answer." Li Song gestured for him to proceed.

“Mr. Li, the novel ‘National Treasure’ will be released at Christmas. How many copies do you personally think it will sell?” Nick asked.

"I don't know, it depends on how many people enjoy listening to my nonsense," Li Song replied with a chuckle.

"Could you give me a specific number?"

"One million, or ten million copies? Maybe!"

"The former or the latter?"

"I suspect it might be the latter, since most of Amerindian citizens are adventurous."

"Mr. Li, what is your box office prediction for the movie 'National Treasure'?"

"Of course, the more the better. I like money too. It would be great if the global box office could reach one billion."

"Dollar?"

"Of course!"

"All right!"

"Mr. Li, we noticed that your company is recruiting in Silicon Valley. Are you and your company sure you can find suitable candidates?"

"Of course, our laboratory has been completed, and my plan is simple: to produce our first product this year."

"Still in mainland China?"

"Of course, I also love Silicon Valley, but the competition there is too fierce, and I don't really like Wall Street people getting involved in my business because these guys just stare at a bunch of data. They're just speculators who want to make a quick buck and leave. They don't care whether your company can survive in the long run, while I focus on making products."

"Mr. Li, do you have anything to say about being blacklisted by Taiwan?"

"Actually, you shouldn't be asking me this question. I pay taxes normally, and I've helped create many jobs in the local area. Our products are transshipped from Hong Kong Island, involving ports, logistics, and transportation. If I don't see the reactions of certain people, then I will consider changing the place of tax settlement."

"Okay, I think you make a lot of sense."

"So what do you have to say about Wanwan?"

“Who cares? My work is for the whole world. If they don’t like it, they don’t like it. That’s everyone’s freedom.” Li Song’s words sounded casual, but he wanted to give the people on Amei’s side the impression that there is no personal freedom in Taiwan.

"Mr. Li, I noticed that your company is one of the few wholly-owned enterprises in mainland China. Is this an isolated case?"

"This is not an isolated case. There are several other companies as well. My investments were all established before the mainland's laws were enacted. The law does not apply retroactively. I think you should understand this better than I do."

"Yes, I am very clear about that."

"Mr. Li, with such large investments all in the mainland, why don't you invest elsewhere?"

"I value the development of the mainland, where the market is still untapped. In fact, I was right. Just like BMW motorcycles, if they had built a factory in Aramco, they definitely wouldn't have been able to compete with Japan."

"Actually, I think the Japanese are emptying your Amis's wallets. They seem to have forgotten how much technology and equipment you gave them after World War II. The reason they were able to rise from a defeated nation after World War II is entirely because of you."

"And now their cars are destroying your car industry, their semiconductors are destroying your semiconductors, and I believe that in the next few years, if no action is taken, then your cars, your semiconductors, will fail, and you will face a very high unemployment rate."

"Then Little Ben waved the money he pulled from your pockets and bought everything, including Amei!" Li Song was telling the truth; later, Little Ben really did shout out that slogan, "Buy Amei!"

Of course, he was later brought back to reality by his American father.

This time, the situation will be even worse for the mainland, because it will lose the mainland as a source of blood. Not only will it lose the mainland's blood supply, but it will also face competition from the mainland.

In addition, Ami will also support a Korean!
How did South Korea rise to power? Wasn't it because the US supported them to target Japan?

Why did Amei do this? Of course, it's because of the power of capital!
Shipbuilding is a case in point. The transfer of shipbuilding operations from Aramco to smaller countries is a manifestation of the power of capital, which seeks to make more money.

Similarly, when the cost of small businesses increased, capital did not hesitate to abandon small businesses and move to South Korea; when the cost of South Korea increased, it moved to the mainland.

This is why, even after the mainland manufacturing industry took off, all of Aramco's measures had little effect – because of capital!
Amei's essence is capital.

So once the nature of capital is understood, what about politicians?
Whoever hinders capital from making money will have wild ideas.

"Thank you, Mr. Li, it's a pleasure to have this interview with me."

"To be honest, this place is very different from what I've seen before. At least in my impression, the mainland is very backward. In some people's eyes, the mainland still has long whips. What I see here is a modern production workshop," Nick said with a chuckle as he put away his pen and paper.

"Thank you. We still have a lot to learn from Amei in this regard." Li Song didn't praise Amei too much, because at this time, the northern neighbor was much more powerful than Amei. This was the time of the two poles of the world, not ten or twenty years later when Amei could stand there and shout, "Who else can fight us?"

If Amei were to shout at this moment, she might be beaten into a state of depression by her northern neighbors.

"Thank you!" Nick was naturally pleased to hear this, since most people don't like others saying bad things about their country.

"Boss!" a reporter from Phoenix TV called out.

"Don't worry about me, just don't misunderstand me." Li Song certainly knew why he was being called.

Nick and the Phoenix TV reporter set off directly back to Hong Kong Island, as the reporters all wanted to publish their firsthand interviews.

Nick is planning to return to America in person this time because he wants to talk to his boss about a raise and continue working on crowdfunding.

If Li Song succeeds in crowdfunding, it will be a hot news story; if he fails, it will also be a hot news story.

Li Song went to Shanghai overnight.

"Oh, so late?" When Li Song arrived at the Shanghai villa, it was already dark. Zhu Ling was reading in front of the fireplace. When she saw Li Song, she quickly stood up to help him with his things.

“There’s a reporter from CBS interviewing you, Sister Lin. Have you eaten yet? I brought some food,” Li Song said.

"What is this?" Zhu Ling asked as she put things down.

“Osmanthus-scented glutinous rice lotus root, stir-fried shrimp, and braised duck are all signature dishes of the Peace Hotel,” Li Song replied.

"What books are you reading?" Li Song then asked.

"It's still hot?" Zhu Ling took out a food container and opened it; it was still hot.

"I'm reading the script. I've already eaten on set."

"Then eat less."

"Ok!"

"You really built a private jet?" After helping to set everything up, Zhu Ling first picked up a piece of braised duck for Li Song, then watched him eat and asked.

"You should eat too. Hmm, I just went there yesterday and everything went smoothly. You should be able to fly on a private jet in six months at most," Li Song said while eating.

Zhu Ling picked up a shrimp, peeled the shrimp meat with her fair hands, and gave the first one to Li Song, saying, "Thank you then."

"Sister Lin, let's not say thank you, you eat." Li Song picked up a shrimp and fed it to Zhu Ling.

"Mmm!" Zhu Ling ate the fried shrimp, feeling a sweet taste, but at the same time, she felt a little melancholy, wishing she were younger or had met Li Song sooner.

However, thinking back to when Li Song was just a little kid, Zhu Ling smiled again.

How heartwarming! Li Song and Zhu Ling get along very well. Zhu Ling is like a caring older sister who never spoils the mood, just like when she mentioned the private jet, she didn't refuse.

Zhu Ling was unaware that Li Song had been blacklisted by Taiwan, because news from the mainland was often delayed.

Li Song ate most of the food, leaving some for later. The two then snuggled together on the sofa and read the script.

The preparations for Romance of the Three Kingdoms were a bit rushed, but everyone was full of enthusiasm.

Because the food is good, the accommodation is good, the benefits are good, and the salary... well, it's a pain to talk about.

Because the production crew was foreign-invested, everyone's daily food expenses were settled in Hong Kong dollars, so they naturally had a very high priority.

While we don't say there's meat at every meal, there's meat every day, and plenty of it.

Zhu Ling didn't care at all; she was already quite content with being an employee of the Kyoto Film Studio.

As for why Zhu Ling was able to get into the Kyoto Film Studio, her family actually had connections. Zhu Ling's mother worked at a medical research institute, and her father was a university professor.

Of course, this time it was mainly because of Li Song, who took the initiative to get things done.

Others may not know what Li Song is doing with the film crew, but don't the leaders know?

The next day, Zhu Ling had no scenes to film, so the two of them went out shopping hand in hand. They were both wearing beige trench coats, glasses, hats, and scarves.

The two spent most of their time strolling through the streets. Li Song thoroughly enjoyed witnessing history from a century ago; being in these streets felt somewhat surreal. Neither of them was interested in the items in the shops; the things Li Song had brought were far superior.

They spent most of the night together, and the next day Zhu Ling went to the film set; she had a scene to film today.

The production team of Romance of the Three Kingdoms split into several crews to film, then brought them back together for editing. Filming and broadcasting simultaneously is a first in mainland China, but it's already commonplace in Hong Kong.

Li Song did not visit Parkson's office on Hong Kong Island, nor did he visit Phoenix TV's office there.

Nothing here is important; it's just spending money according to plan.

It was Christmas Day, but people in mainland China didn't celebrate these Western holidays at this time.

In the evening, Li Song and Zhu Ling went to the cinema to watch Temple Run. The cinema was packed. This was the first Hong Kong film to be imported into China. It seems that the film Chen Zhen was the first one to be imported in the past.

"Ah Long's performance was superb. Although it looked a bit comical, his body language and expressions were excellent." After watching the performance, Li Song and Zhu Ling walked home hand in hand. On the way, Zhu Ling said this.

"Ah."

"And your script is also very good. No wonder you are a world-renowned author. I heard that your novel has already been published overseas?"

"How did you know?"

"Don't forget that our crew includes artists from Phoenix TV. Now they're learning Mandarin from us, saying it was your request?"

"Ah."

"You've been blacklisted by Taiwan, does that mean you'll earn a lot less money?"

"Of course not, I also have the huge mainland market."

"That's good."

Li Song was living a very comfortable life in Shanghai.

In Hong Kong, the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" became a huge hit, and many young people sang the song "Linjiangxian". Guan Yu was even more famous in Hong Kong.

Therefore, some TV stations and newspapers nitpicked the TV series, which immediately drew criticism from viewers in Hong Kong.

Moreover, this TV series dominated the prime time slot in the evenings and set a new record for TV ratings. It is said that only foreigners did not watch this TV series.

Some people on Hong Kong Island called on the Hong Kong Island government to ban the TV series because it was produced in mainland China. As a result, these people were beaten up that night, refused to eat out, refused to take taxis, and were even scolded by vegetable vendors when their families went grocery shopping.

The Hong Kong Island government already faced a very difficult situation regarding Li Song's case.

The Governor of Hong Kong knew about the power behind Li Song, having sent so many hemp leaves last time.

Moreover, Li Song is now a world-renowned author. His novel, National Treasure, was released in Europe and America a few days ago, and it is said that it has already sold millions of copies.

In the West, such celebrities are not to be offended.

If a celebrity like this, who is also a billionaire, offends the government, who knows how much trouble they will face.

In comparison, those who suggest banning TV dramas in Hong Kong are nothing; these people are only somewhat famous in Hong Kong and Asia.

Nobody in the West knows these people.

Therefore, the Hong Kong Island government tends to muddle through these kinds of incidents, accepting the beatings and leaving once a statement is taken.

The police station didn't want to make a big deal out of it either. Everyone wants to see what happens, right? After a busy day, what's wrong with watching TV at night?
Having watched many dramas with small-scale scenes, watching a drama with such large-scale scenes feels completely different.

Among these protesters is TVB stirring up trouble. This year, TVB was first humiliated by RTV, and now it's being humiliated by Phoenix TV.

TVB used to be able to produce some variety shows, but now its variety shows are being completely crushed by Phoenix TV. The Voice of China had the highest ratings, and the second season was a huge success.

The million people watching TV while taking the quiz were even more nervous than those taking the quiz themselves.

So when Li Song returned to Hong Kong Island on Saturday, he received only good news.

On Sunday, December 28th, Li Song arrived at Phoenix TV. The TV station operates on a rotating shift system, with four days off per month. If you want to take all four days off, you need to report to your department head in advance.

"boss!"

"Boss!" Li Song came from Taikoo City, but not with Ah Lin. Ah Lin is off today. Her million-dollar quiz show airs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so she won't be back at work until tomorrow.

Li Song drove his car directly into the TV station's designated parking space, also for security reasons. He encountered TV station employees who greeted him.

"Yes, good morning!" Li Song nodded as well.

"Good morning, Brother Song!" Amin arrived with her comic book manuscript.

"Good morning, Amin." Li Song nodded.

Then look at Amin's comic strip. Amin's thinking is already quite good, and her drawing is getting better and better.

After talking with Amin, Li Song went to Liu Jiale's office.

"Boss, just give me a call and I'll come to report on my work." Liu Jiale didn't expect Li Song to come in person.

"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Le. I'm just taking a stroll around and looking around," Li Song said.

"Boss, this is the year-end audit plan. Please take a look. Also, here's the tax return you need to file." Liu Jiale took out the plan.

Li Song picked up the business plan, which was prepared by a world-renowned accounting firm, because Li Song's money involved many countries around the world.

Of course, taxes are paid locally, but there is also a tax audit, which means that all relevant supporting documents must be presented to the tax authorities.

There are also the television station's finance department and the magazine's finance department.
“Okay.” Li Song nodded, knowing that he would not only benefit from this side, but also from Baisheng Company.

"Boss, London has sent a note to Taiwan. Will Taiwan lift the ban?" Liu Jiale asked.

When Li Song returned to Hong Kong Island, in Taikoo Shing, Ah Lin whispered a lot to him in bed that night, including this. This morning, Li Song also read the newspaper.

"We'll give up on the Taiwanese market; even if it's shut down, we won't go there."

“They like to be unpredictable over there,” Li Song said, shaking his head.

"Of course, we shouldn't tell anyone. We'll ban it within our own industry. If they find any pirated copies of our stuff, we'll immediately launch a media offensive and then report them to the World Intellectual Property Organization to ruin their reputation," Li Song continued.

Li Song knew that Taiwan might not give London face, and what was most frightening was that if the ban were really lifted, once he entered, there might be countless troubles later. After all, these politicians also had to save face, and it would be troublesome if they secretly tripped him up.

"Okay!" Liu Jiale replied immediately upon hearing Li Song's words.

"Boss, these are the investment plans for three TV series: Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, and Water Margin. However, this time the mainland side wants to polish them up a bit."

"The Chang'an Film Studio is collaborating with us on Journey to the West, with an initial plan of HK$20 million." Li Song remembers that in 1986 it was around HK$6 million, which was equivalent to HK$150 million at the time. No wonder it's considered a classic.

Moreover, this is under the condition that most actors' salaries are very low, so the planned HK$20 million is not too much at all, after all, actors' salaries are comparable to those in Hong Kong. Of course, this is the initial funding, and we can add more if needed later.

"The Dream of the Red Chamber Kyoto Film Studio is planning to renovate a former prince's mansion as a filming base, with a budget of 24 million."

Li Song remembered that the 87 production of Dream of the Red Chamber had a budget of over 800 million yuan, and it was said that even that wasn't enough.
"Water Margin is produced by the August First Film Studio, but they want to build a film and television city here."

Li Song took a look and learned that the Water Margin production team wanted to build an outdoor set at Weishan Lake.

“We can invest in this filming location separately, and it can be used for filming some movies in the future,” Li Song said.

"Okay!" The reason there is no funding is because the location for the filming has not yet been decided.

"Try to be more generous with the funding, especially for costumes, props, and sets. Don't be like TVB, where they use the same costume for over ten years," Li Song said.

"Yes, costumes make up a large part of the story in Dream of the Red Chamber."

“That’s the right approach. After all, they’re a wealthy family; they can’t possibly only have a few sets of clothes,” Li Song said.

"Boss, some of the martial arts performers from Hong Kong want to try their luck in a game to win prizes. What do you think?" Liu Jiale asked again.

"Of course you can. If you're capable, take it. But you can only take it once." Li Song nodded.

"Boss, I think we can make this challenge like The Voice of China, with monthly champion awards, quarterly champion awards, and annual champion awards, with the prize money increasing accordingly," Liu Jiale said.

“This is unnecessary. People who enjoy watching challenges like to see different people make fools of themselves. The Voice of China has a very wide audience.” Li Song shook his head. Liu Jiale’s idea was good, but there was no need to invest too much money in it.

"Alright then!" Liu Jiale thought about it and agreed.

“The mainland has already issued us a music production license, and the music company is already applying for it.”

"And what name is the record company owner planning to give it?" Liu Jiale then took out the record company's business plan. They had already made arrangements on the mainland, so they naturally needed to get started as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)