Entertainment mogul: Starting his business with the internet

Chapter 481: All People with Connections

Inside the top suites of the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, the lights are so bright that every luxurious detail is illuminated.

Outside the window, the city of Beiping gradually fell silent, but inside, a few thin sheets of paper added a touch of solemnity and intensity.

Ren Zhengfei, wearing reading glasses, sat upright on the sofa, intently reviewing the documents in his hands, page by page.

The document was presented to Huawei as a "mysterious gift" at the end of the dinner, as mentioned by Song Ci.

A detailed draft plan for Tenda Technology Group to launch China's first internet bank, "MYbank," and an invitation letter to potential shareholders.

After the banquet, he and Yu Chendong stayed there as arranged by Song Ci.

Clearly, the richest man had planned this all along, ensuring that his allies could digest this major news undisturbed as soon as possible.

The document is detailed and logically sound.

Ren Zhengfei noted that, according to the rules set by the regulatory authorities for the establishment of private banks, in order to prevent risks, it is clearly required that "the shareholding ratio of a single shareholder and its related parties shall not exceed 30%".

This means that even a powerful group like Tengda Group needs to seek like-minded partners.

In the draft, Songci has reserved a second-largest shareholder position for Huawei, second only to Tenda, which is undoubtedly a highly valuable and strategically significant position.

"A generous gift! It is indeed an unexpectedly generous gift!" Ren Zhengfei slowly put down the documents, took off his glasses, and sighed softly, having already grasped the profound meaning of the Song Dynasty poem.

With its name "MYbank," this institution, relying on WeChat's massive user ecosystem and traffic portal, undoubtedly enjoys a dominant position.

Other shareholders are, to some extent, "replaceable" partners.

However, Songci did not choose other well-established state-owned enterprises or large financial institutions, but instead gave the opportunity to Huawei first, which in itself is a very high level of trust and alliance.

"If the news of joining hands with Tenda to launch an internet bank that carries the mission of financial innovation gets out, countless domestic giants will be scrambling to get it."

"President Song's move shows that he genuinely regards Huawei as an ally fighting alongside him, rather than just a business partner," Ren Zhengfei said slowly, his gaze falling on his subordinate.

Yu Chendong was equally excited: "President Ren, it doesn't stop there. Tengda is extremely well-prepared to establish an internet bank."

They have considerable technical expertise and prototype verification in areas such as big data risk control models, user credit scoring, and financial product design.

Once established, MYbank will be far more than a simple online version of traditional banking services.

It is highly likely that by leveraging WeChat's social and payment data, it will reshape the models of micro-loans and consumer finance, and even rewrite the rules of traditional finance.

The more he talked, the more excited he became: "The valuation potential of MYbank is immeasurable! Huawei becoming a shareholder not only means substantial financial returns in the future..."

More importantly, it can quickly embrace the wave of internet finance, providing an excellent testing ground and collaborative platform for terminal application ecosystems and enterprise cloud services.

This is a strategic value that money can't buy!

Ren Zhengfei's gaze was deep as he lightly tapped the list of potential shareholders on the document. Each name represented a giant in a certain field, none of them were ordinary.

"Song Ci poetry has a profound strategic vision, playing a grand game. It involves ecological synergy, a combination of soft and hard approaches, and data integration..."

Each of the selected partners can empower the bank in its respective field, jointly building a competitive advantage.

However, for Huawei, this is indeed a huge opportunity.

After regaining his composure, he spoke with admiration, "The richest man truly lives up to his reputation; he is indeed generous and sincere."

After a brief silence and admiration for the power of Song Dynasty poetry, Ren Zhengfei abruptly changed the subject: "Chen Dong, MYbank is an unexpected strategic gain, an added bonus."

But let's not forget that Huawei's foundation has always been technology, hardware, and the "tools" it has!

"Since I made the decision at the dinner table, I will fully support HiSilicon chips within the company."

No matter how difficult things get for Huawei, we will continue to invest. But even with my full support, if you want to gain internal respect, you need solid results.

Yu Chendong instantly felt immense pressure, but he was resolute and undaunted by difficulties.

He immediately straightened his back, his eyes bright, and replied decisively: "President Ren, as long as you and the company give me enough trust and resources, I am confident!"

Within a year, HiSilicon chips will definitely achieve large-scale commercial use in mainstream flagship models, delivering performance and stability results that will be recognized by customers and the market!

"Okay! This is what I want from you!"

Ren Zhengfei said no more; he understood Yu Chendong.

Knowing that capable executives are not the type to make empty boasts, Huawei understands that this determination and courage are exactly what it needs right now.

"Go back to headquarters tomorrow, don't wait for me. Once you're back, immediately get started on preparations, organize the team, and refine the technology roadmap and product timeline."

"Once I get back from this conference, I will immediately convene a high-level meeting to finalize the strategic cooperation with Tenda, especially the chip strategy, as well as the matters discussed tonight."

"Yes, President Ren!" Yu Chendong nodded emphatically, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

A new era for Huawei Terminal and HiSilicon, accompanied by an alliance with Tenda, is about to officially begin in his hands, amidst difficulties and with hope.

The following day, the National People's Congress in Beiping was solemn and dignified, as a national congress concerning the country's economy and people's livelihood was in full swing.

Thousands of miles away in Hengdian World Studios, the crew of "Joy of Life" has already created a buzz in the morning light.

The lighting technicians carried their equipment and repeatedly adjusted the lighting positions, the stagehands moved around setting up the set, and the actors crowded into the dressing room to do their makeup in a flurry of activity.

Director Ma Xin stood beside the monitor, his brow furrowed as he gestured to the cinematographer about the lighting plan for the complex shot.

At this moment, the executive producer led two young men closer: "Director, the actors for Fan Sizhe and Fan Ruoruo have arrived."

Ma Xin stopped what he was doing and gave a wink to the assistant director he had worked with for many years.

The other person immediately understood and tacitly took over the communication with the director of photography, as a long-time partner was very familiar with the director's habits.

Turning around, Ma Xin discreetly sized up the newcomer.

Chen Yao, who plays Fan Ruoruo, is pure and innocent with a touch of student shyness. She is said to be a rising star heavily promoted by Tangren Media and was handpicked by the top actress Liu Shishi, so her background is obviously extraordinary.

These days, newcomers who land important roles in blockbuster productions of this scale are almost always backed by powerful investors.

As for Zhang Yishan, who played Fan Sizhe, Ma Xin had a deeper impression of him. The actor who was originally cast was not good at acting and was replaced.

This person was recommended by the company later, who was said to be a good fit in terms of appearance and experience, but whether they are suitable or not depends on their actual abilities.

"Follow me." Ma Xin said calmly, leading the two towards the quieter rest area.

Chen Yao followed closely behind. Leaving the familiar Tangren film crew and the protection of her seniors, the new environment made her feel uneasy.

Even though Zhang Yishan is a seasoned veteran who has spent his childhood on film sets, he couldn't help but feel uneasy at this moment.

Through the introduction of his friend Yang Zi and with the approval of Ge Maoliang, the artist director of Tengda Culture, he was able to get the opportunity to participate in this 400 million yuan project.

But with the contract not finalized, the role wasn't secure, and their hearts remained uneasy. The three stopped in front of the folding chairs. Ma Xin sat down with a flourish, gesturing to the chair opposite him: "Sit."

His gaze swept over the two of them, and he cut to the chase: "I know your situation; you all have connections to get into the crew."

His tone suddenly became more serious, "But in my group, Ma Xin, only ability matters in the end."

This drama is the most expensive TV series ever produced in the industry, carrying the heavy responsibility of adapting the top-tier IP of Qidian. It is under the watchful eyes of countless people and cannot afford to lose.

"If anyone messes up and drags the team down, no matter who recommended them, I will show no mercy and they'll be fired!" His words were firm and carried an undeniable sense of pressure.

For Ma Xin, directing "Joy of Life" was a tough job. The huge investment meant huge expectations, and if he failed, it would be a fatal blow to his reputation as a "billion-dollar director".

I initially wanted to decline, but I couldn't resist the invitation and trust from Liu Rong, the president of Tengda Culture. As a loyal member of the company, I had no choice but to accept it and give it my all.

Therefore, he has a great deal of say in personnel matters. Even the male lead, Zhang Ruoyun, was chosen by him against all odds. Chen Yao and Zhang Yishan, despite their backgrounds, still had to leave because their performance was not up to par.

The two of them tensed up, sat down awkwardly, and unconsciously straightened their backs.

"We'll arrange auditions later," Ma Xin said, looking at them. "Before the auditions, let's talk about your understanding of the characters. Discuss the character's backstory and core personality traits."

"Director, let me go first." Zhang Yishan glanced at Chen Yao, whose face was delicate but whose nervousness was hard to hide, took a deep breath and spoke up. He had done his homework before coming and knew all too well how rare this opportunity was.

After some organization, the explanation is clear and logical: "Fan Sizhe is a 'money-grubber' with an extreme love for money and a keen sense of smell, but his greed is not simple."

Skilled at leveraging available resources and extensive networks, he skillfully navigates both the imperial court and the underworld, managing to thrive in both environments.

Zhang Yishan spoke with great seriousness, explaining that due to his physical appearance, it is inherently more difficult for him to get roles compared to other young actors his age.

This time, thanks to Yang Zi and Director Ge paving the way, I not only repeatedly studied the script, but also went back to school to consult with my acting mentor, and did a lot of analysis and rehearsals for the role.

He cherished this opportunity so much. The original novel of "Joy of Life" has more than four million words, and the adaptation will inevitably be a series of masterpieces.

If he can secure the likable role of Fan Sizhe, his screen time and exposure for the next few years will be secured, so he has no choice but to take it very seriously.

After Zhang Yishan finished speaking, Chen Yao took a deep breath and slowly shared her understanding of Fan Ruoruo, her voice gentle: "Fan Ruoruo has a slight 'brother complex' attribute..."

Ma Xin listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knees.

Both of them spoke clearly and logically, clearly having put in the effort to study the original work and the script, and at least their attitude was quite proper.

Without offering much comment, he simply instructed, "Find a scene with him and give it a try."

Soon, Zhang Yishan and Chen Yao performed two scenes from the script depicting the interaction between Fan Sizhe and Fan Ruoruo.

After the performance, the two stood nervously in place, awaiting the director's "final judgment."

Ma Xin rubbed his chin, squinting as he savored the performance he had just witnessed.

Zhang Yishan was indeed outstanding. He captured the character's carefree and arrogant demeanor and his shrewd calculations perfectly. It was clear that he had received special training from a teacher and had put in a lot of hard work.

Chen Yao's acting skills are somewhat immature, and her techniques are still a bit raw.

But her natural, unadorned girlishness, along with the intelligence emanating from her expressive eyes, perfectly matched Fan Ruoruo's early characteristics, which was a pleasant surprise.

The only thing that made Ma Xin feel a little awkward was that Zhang Yishan's appearance was "rougher" and more mature than Chen Yao's, making the portrayal of siblings seem a bit visually incongruous.

They can only hope that the makeup and styling will be more elaborate, making Zhang Yishan look younger and more noble, while Chen Yao's styling will lean towards being dignified and gentle, trying their best to make up for the age gap.

"Alright, that's settled for now." Ma Xin finally spoke, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. "Go with the production crew to change clothes and get your makeup done, in preparation for the official photos."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yishan and Chen Yao breathed a sigh of relief and secretly exchanged a relieved look.

The toughest first hurdle is finally over! As long as the director doesn't reject it on the spot, things are mostly settled.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Ma Xin raised his hand to rub his temples and sighed silently.

The cast and crew of "Joy of Life" consisted mostly of people with connections, each with a complex background.

Fortunately, he came from the film industry and was making TV dramas. He had enough prestige, and with the backing of Tengda Culture, a giant that had the final say, he was able to keep things in check, and no one dared to cause trouble.

Otherwise, just coordinating these personnel relationships would be enough to overwhelm him, making it impossible for him to concentrate on filming.

On the other side, Zhang Yishan followed the stagehand into the male actors' shared dressing room.

The production team of "Joy of Life" was large in scale but extremely strict in management. Under Tengda Culture's ironclad rule of "everything for the project", no star could act like a big shot or ask for special treatment. Regardless of their status, male actors shared the same dressing room.

After entering, Zhang Yishan immediately bowed slightly and greeted the senior actors who were already in makeup: "Hello, everyone, I am Zhang Yishan, playing Fan Sizhe. I apologize for disturbing you."

There were several actors in the dressing room, including many respected veteran actors. Most of them nodded in response amicably, and the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

Only a short distance away, a young-looking male actor kept staring at Zhang Yishan ever since he entered, his eyes filled with complex emotions and his face showing a hint of unconcealed resentment.

Chen Daoming, who was having his makeup done with his eyes closed, noticed the subtle movement, opened his eyes slightly, and glimpsed the young man's expression through the mirror. He couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.

I thought to myself: I'm still too young. All my emotions are written all over my face. I can't hide them at all.

However, the other party was, after all, the son of agent Wang Jinghua, and before joining the crew, Wang Jinghua specifically asked him to take good care of him.

Chen Daoming coughed lightly and reminded him, "Dong Zijian, concentrate on your makeup and don't look around."

Dong Zijian, who was called out, snapped back to his senses and restrained his outward emotions, but the resentment in his eyes had not completely disappeared.

His mother is Wang Jinghua, a top agent in the industry with extensive connections. He used this connection to get into the "Joy of Life" production team with Chen Daoming.

However, his initial choice for the role was actually Fan Sizhe, a role with significant screen time and a distinct and memorable character. Unfortunately, he ultimately failed to secure the part and ended up with a relatively ordinary supporting role.

She pursed her lips, lowered her voice, and muttered with a hint of sourness, "So it's 'Liu Xing'!"

"I don't think he's any better than me!" Clearly recognizing Zhang Yishan as a former child star, her tone carried a competitive edge of mutual disdain among peers.

Upon hearing this, Chen Daoming's expression darkened slightly, and he rebuked him, "Control your emotions. The director has his own considerations when it comes to casting, and it's not your place to interfere."

He knew perfectly well that if it were another film company, they might give Wong Jing face and make some concessions in casting.

But Tengda Culture is different. It is wealthy and powerful with a tough style. It never follows the traditional social niceties in the industry, and it doesn't care about the power of agents. Wang Jinghua's face is useless here.

Dong Zijian seemed somewhat unwilling, but ultimately dared not refute. Although he couldn't let go of his resentment, he finally restrained himself on the surface.

Chen Daoming was still worried and added, "The crew is full of hidden talents; most of them have some connections."

"You better behave yourself, focus on your role, and don't cause your mother any trouble, you hear me?"

Dong Zijian responded sullenly, with a hint of reluctance: "Understood, Uncle Chen."

Her gaze couldn't help but drift towards Zhang Yishan, who was starting to put on makeup on the other side, her eyes flickering as if she were plotting something.

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(End of this chapter)