Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 28 Gin, Let's Explode Some Gold Coins!
"Ai, what do you think of the script I wrote?" Zheng Yi handed Ai the script he had finished writing all night.

Ai looked at it and felt it was utter nonsense.

The story has major structural problems, the characters' dialogue is completely incoherent, and the writing style is like a crude carving knife, utterly devoid of any literary merit.

"Yes, it's great. The story is excellent, and the plot is full of twists and turns. It's a very good script," Ai said softly.

Try making a movie with this lousy script; it'll definitely flop.

Ai has found a new way to get revenge.

Making Zheng Yi go bankrupt and jump off a building would certainly be a very good way to get revenge.

"I plan to cast Yoko Okino as the female lead."

“Very good.” Ai nodded.

Isn't it normal for a movie to flop when a female idol who has never acted in a movie is cast as the lead actress?
"The director of the horror movie we watched last time is directing his new movie," Zheng Yi added.

“That’s great, he’s a really amazing director,” Ai said.

The chances of a director who is randomly chosen making a good movie are almost zero.

Having gained Ai's approval, Shoichi's confidence also increased significantly.

However, the script still needs polishing, so Zheng Yi had his company find several screenwriters to refine it.

The screenplay is called "The Ring".

It's 1996 now. Zheng Yi remembers that this movie was adapted from Koji Suzuki's novel of the same name, which was published in 1997. It shouldn't be considered plagiarism now.

As for whether he's already developing the plot.

The only option was to send him to speak with the company's legal department.

After the script was finalized, Masakazu went to Gin's place to meet the director he had found.

Hideo Nakata shook hands with Shoichi, and after learning the boss's name, his legs trembled uncontrollably.

Oh no, we've run into a really tough guy.

Shoichi is now infamous; everyone knows he's ruthless and a mass murderer. The key is that with the police and Kogoro Mouri backing him up, no one can find any evidence of his murders.

To save his life, Nakata Hideo dared not utter a word, nodding no matter what Shoichi said.

Zheng Yi didn't understand art and had no intention of talking to the director much.

He only said a few words to him, telling him to be quick in filming and to release the movie as soon as possible, and then he left.

Then he poured a glass of apple juice into his glass and asked Gin, "Does the organization still have money?"

"Ok?"

As he swirled his wine glass, he said, "Without our own cinemas, we'll be bullied by others. I'm planning to buy some cinemas. Does the organization want to invest?"

He has been expanding recklessly lately, and is now under considerable financial pressure.

His biological father stopped giving him gold coins, and he couldn't get that much of a loan from Sumitomo Bank, so he could only turn to the organization for support.

After all, he was the organization's most loyal codename member.

It's understandable to seek help from the organization when you encounter difficulties.

Gin frowned and said impatiently, "Business matters are not my concern."

He felt that Zheng Yi was getting a little annoyed.

It's just about getting him to clean up some of the money; it's not about getting the organization to find him a director or to invest in the movie theater chain.

What does he take the organization for?

Zheng Yi said in a gentle voice, "Oh, isn't this all for the organization? With the cinema chain, it will be more convenient for us to do our work."

Think about it again. The organization still has a lot of dirty money, and it needs a stable channel to clean it up.

Furthermore, movie theaters themselves are profitable, generating funding for the organization. With more funding, the organization won't need to bother threatening others.

We live in a society governed by law now.

We should refrain from threatening people, kidnapping, and robbing banks.

Gin frowned and pondered for a moment. "Would anyone sell you a movie theater?" Gin asked.

“Of course,” Zheng Yi said.

Due to the economic downturn, the number of moviegoers this year has dropped significantly, marking one of the lowest records since the founding of the Japan Film Producers Union.

Movie theaters aren't doing well either.

However, this is not the most important thing.

The main reason is that the Zhengyi sect has divine help.

Zhengyi has become superstitious about the power of gods. At worst, he can find an opportunity to send Conan to their house. What can't be sold after someone dies?

“This is the last time,” Gin said.

"Okay," Zheng Yi said with a smile.

Gin is much better, unlike some biological fathers who don't support their sons' entrepreneurship at all.

After the organization is gone, let Gin be our security captain.

To thank Gin for his generosity, Shoichi drank the apple juice in his glass in one gulp, only to receive a disdainful look from Gin.

Prior to 2000, Japan's official box office statistics were based on a rationing system.

This means that the actual revenue share that film companies (distributors) receive from cinemas is not the total box office revenue paid by audiences.

Such a system would underestimate the overall Japanese film market.

But it also has many benefits.

For example, there is insufficient transparency.

The issuer has the option to selectively disclose and adjust data, which is why Zhengyi is eager to quickly establish distribution channels.

Establishing distribution channels is not a simple matter, especially without family support.

But he has Conan.

"Gin, I'm going to get back to work on the organization's mission." Shoichi stood up and stretched his back.

Gin glanced at him but didn't react.

Zheng Yi pursed his lips, took a carton of milk from the bar counter, and left.

I've already maxed out Gin's gold coins, so I won't have to see his grumpy face for a while.

Zhengyi has become much more proactive in this entrepreneurial endeavor.

The construction industry has been handed over to Akemi Miyano, while the entertainment industry is still being handled personally by Shoichi. He hasn't found a suitable secretary yet, that's how it is.

He took Ai, who wanted to go to school, to see Yoko Okino.

"You've found the leading lady for your movie."

Yoko Okino sat in the chair, her hands covering her knees, listening quietly to Masakazu speak.

Zhengyi said to her, "The movie is called 'Ringu,' directed by the famous director Hideo Nakata, and the script was written by me. It's a very good horror movie."

Yoko Okino listened with trepidation.

She was terrified that the horror movie Zheng Yi gave her was one that relied on nudity and revealing skin to make money at the box office.

She glanced at the little boy next to Zheng Yi.

Bringing a child to talk about this, it probably isn't one of those vulgar movies, right?

Seeing that his employee was a little uneasy, Zheng Yi comforted her, "By the way, your salary is 100 million yen."

"How much!?!" Yoko Okino stared at Masakazu in shock.

Even the most valuable actresses in Japan don't earn that much these days. How can a female idol who has never acted in any movies earn so much?
Is he just bluffing her?

Even if Zheng Yi had other intentions towards her, he didn't need to give her so much money, did he?
"Don't worry, the company will not mistreat its employees."

(End of this chapter)