America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 92. What are female celebrities for?

China, Yanjing, Fengzeyuan.

Deputy Director Chen of the Yanjing Optoelectronics Bureau opened a bottle of red wine; if it were family, they would of course drink white wine.

But considering that Eric is a foreigner, he probably wouldn't be used to drinking baijiu (Chinese liquor), and with a female companion, red wine would be just as good.

Seeing that the wine had been opened, Chen Xing remembered the precautions his elders had given him before he came, and immediately wanted to take it.

Seeing this, Eric gently patted his leg, signaling him not to move.

Zhang Ziyi, who was sitting with Susan near the door, quickly stood up and took the wine bottle. Her English was quite good; she had originally been called there to act as a translator.

Because there aren't many female celebrities in mainland China who have some international fame, and she happens to be the only one in Yanjing at this time.

Now that translation is no longer needed, one should naturally demonstrate their value in other areas.

Of the three present, Director Zhou was the highest-ranking, holding the rank of a full-fledged department-level official, which is the same rank as Qi Tongwei in the TV series "In the Name of the People".

Han Sanping and Deputy Director Chen are at the same level, both at the deputy director-general level.

However, since Han Sanping was in charge of Huaying Film Studio and was a senior figure in the entertainment industry, Zhang Ziyi insisted on pouring the wine for him first.

Seeing this, the latter narrowed his eyes slightly and pointed at Eric: "Since you've come from afar, pour some for Mr. Cooper first."

Having shown her sincerity, Zhang Ziyi obediently walked over to Eric's side, bent down, and poured him half a glass of red wine with a smile.

The room was very warm. Zhang Ziyi's clothes were not noticeable when she was sitting, but when she bent over, her cleavage was immediately revealed.

Unfortunately, the two headlights are not particularly prominent, and for Eric, who is used to seeing cars from Europe and America, they are quite ordinary.

"Mr. Cooper, I am Zhang Ziyi. I have long admired you. In fact, if it weren't for the war, we should have met at the Oscars."

Eric looked at her: "What does this mean?"

"Didn't director Zhang Yimou's 'Hero' get nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film? Originally, it was planned that director Zhang and several of us lead actors would go to Los Angeles together."

"But a few days before our departure, the war suddenly broke out, so considering all aspects, none of us lead actors went, and we were replaced by two producers."

"If I had gone then, we might have already met. CCTV broadcast the entire Oscars live this year, and I saw the moment you rescued the damsel in distress."

"Mr. Cooper, you're like a knight, a handsome knight!"

After Zhang Ziyi finished speaking, everyone laughed.

After pouring the wine, Zhou Xiaopeng raised his wine glass and said, "Then let us use the first glass of wine to welcome the knights who have come from afar."

After taking his first sip, Han Sanping pointed to the beautifully presented dishes and said, "Mr. Cooper, although your Mandarin is very good, to be precise, the best I've ever heard from a foreigner, you've probably never had authentic Chinese cuisine. Try these dishes, I guarantee you'll never forget them."

Eric picked up a piece of sea cucumber, put it in his mouth, and savored it. Instantly, a flood of memories came rushing back.

He said with some regret, "Chairman Han, Director Zhou, actually, I specially hired a chef from Chinatown to cook in the MGM restaurant, but his braised sea cucumber with scallions is still a bit inferior to this."

Han Sanping laughed and said, "That's for sure. Fengzeyuan used to be a venue for state banquets to entertain foreign guests. For example, your American Kissinger once dined here."

As he spoke, he raised his glass: "So I propose that, to celebrate having dined at the same table with Kissinger, we have a second sip."

After saying that, Han Sanping took the lead and downed half a glass. Zhou Xiaopeng couldn't help but complain, "Hey Han, why are you drinking so much? Mr. Cooper is American, this kind of thing isn't common there."

Looking at the two white faces opposite him, Han Sanping slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, I got so excited that I forgot about that. Well, do as you please, consider it my way of keeping you company."

Eric then picked up his glass and drank half of it, which immediately drew cheers from the crowd.

Actually, he could choose to drink the wine or not. No one would blame him if he didn't drink it; cultural differences are the best excuse. But drinking it would certainly help to build a closer relationship and facilitate future work.

"Actually, what Director Zhou just said is not entirely correct. In the United States, people also drink alcohol when discussing business. We also eat and talk at the same time. We have more cocktail parties and parties than China."

"But over there, drinking is just a way to relax. You can drink as much as you want, and it doesn't matter if you can't drink. No one will force you."

"But since we're here in China today, I know there's a saying, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do,' so I'll start with the third toast."

After saying that, Eric drank the remaining half, and the red liquid in the goblet was instantly reduced to just the bottom.

Everyone took their third sip, but Susan took small sips, while Chen Xing, worried that the boss might get drunk and also considering that something might happen later, drank juice.

The others naturally followed suit, and Zhang Ziyi immediately stood up to pour more wine.

When it was her turn, the bottle was almost empty after two rounds, but you can't just pour half a bottle, so she quickly opened another one to refill it.

At dinner parties of this caliber, the role of female celebrities is generally limited to this.

They look similar to waiters, but even so, many people would beg for a job.

If you could sleep with a big shot after dinner, that would be something to be desired. Sleeping with someone doesn't guarantee good resources, but not sleeping with someone guarantees no good resources. This rule applies worldwide.

After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, everyone got to know each other better and gradually started talking about serious matters.

Han Sanping said, "Eric, Ms. Susan told me the other day about MGM's plan to establish a branch in China, and I think it's a good idea."

"Although other Hollywood companies have offices in China, they are not very effective. To be honest, the purpose of those offices is to lobby for green lights. With the annual quota of 20 imported films, some people will always be able to get them while others will not."

"So far, only MGM has proposed to set up a branch company. If this can be done, it will definitely be a historic first."

Eric nodded in agreement: "I believe that. The reason I had the idea of ​​setting up a branch company is because I am optimistic about the Chinese film market."

"Although it is not large at present, I believe that it will definitely take off in ten years at most. After all, there is a huge market of 14 billion people here. MGM wants to be one step ahead and get a piece of this cake in advance."

Zhou Xiaopeng leaned back: "The pie will definitely get bigger and bigger. China's economy is developing rapidly now, and people have more money in their pockets, so they will naturally pursue enjoyment. Movies are a kind of spiritual enjoyment."

"Director Zhou is right. Under Chairman Han's leadership, the Chinese film market has become increasingly vibrant in recent years. If MGM can get involved and bring other Hollywood companies into the fray, I think we can make the pie bigger in five years, if not ten," Zhang Ziyi said with a smile.

"Xiao Zhang is right. If MGM can attract other major Hollywood studios, I'm confident that we can make the Chinese film market break through 10 billion yuan in five years," Han Sanping said confidently, pointing out the future.

However, she then changed the subject: "But there are some things that need to be made clear beforehand. I have discussed these with Ms. Susan. If we are going to do it, we should do it as a joint venture, and Huaying Group should hold at least 51% of the shares."

Seemingly worried that Eric might not understand, he continued to explain: "Of course, this is not my personal request, nor is it that I want to make things difficult for MGM. This is just how the law is here. Foreign capital cannot invest in cultural enterprises on its own; it must be a joint venture."

Eric was well aware of the policies Han Sanping had mentioned, and he had no objections to them. He would abide by the rules of whichever family he was visiting.

Back when DreamWorks set up Oriental DreamWorks in Shanghai, it was actually a joint venture. DreamWorks held a 45% stake, and the company could only get a maximum of 49%.

The most obvious benefit of joint ventures is film revenue sharing. Co-productions are not considered imports and can enjoy the same treatment as domestic films, so the 13% revenue share can go to hell.

"Chairman Han, Susan has reported everything you mentioned to me, and I understand. Just follow the rules. My only hope now is that the project will be launched as soon as possible, so I flew here specifically to meet with you. Just consider me as someone who came to urge you to speed things up."

Han Sanping laughed heartily: "It's easy for me. As long as MGM's money arrives, we'll sign the contract, and starting tomorrow, I won't do anything but run the paperwork for you. It'll be done in a week at most."

"So fast?" Eric was somewhat incredulous.

"It wasn't that fast. I started making preparations after I spoke with Stephen Chow on the phone. After meeting with Ms. Susan, I formally reported the matter to my superiors, who were also very interested."

"Find some time in the next few days to have a formal meeting with your boss. Once the decision is made, a week should be enough to complete the process."

"There are already office spaces available. A new building was built in the Science and Technology Port last year and it's still vacant. We can definitely use it."

Hearing Han Sanping speak so casually, Zhou Xiaopeng couldn't help but take out a cigarette and light it.

"Old Han, your company is a cultural enterprise, so the procedures are easy to handle. But it's more complicated for me. If MGM wants to acquire land to build a factory, it might not even take a week, let alone a month, to get it done."

"Many departments are involved, and there are various procedures to go through. Especially now that we are in a special period, even if you get the land, you can't start construction."

Eric frowned. He couldn't very well tell people that things would be reopened in two months; no one dared to make such a claim now.

"Director Zhou, is there any way to speed up the process? It's not that we can start work as soon as the process is completed, but at least we need to get the procedures done first. Once this special period is over, MGM can start work immediately. We don't want to waste any time."

Han Sanping also said, "Eric is right. The preliminary procedures should at least be completed first. This is real foreign investment; it's practically giving you credit, Lao Zhou."

"If this factory fails, MGM will invest tens of millions of dollars, which will not only cover this year's investment targets, but also the next two years' targets. You should be grateful."

Zhou Xiaopeng glared at him: "You talk as if all the benefits are falling on my head. You've successfully established this joint venture, which is a great achievement. You might even get promoted this year. You should be secretly happy."

Han Sanping quickly waved his hand: "Don't talk nonsense. The organization will make its own decisions. How can you replace the Standing Committee?"

When people drink too much, they tend to talk without thinking. Eric didn't want to hear anything sensitive, so he quickly stopped them.

"Chairman Han, Director Zhou, MGM has come with sincerity this time. Cooperation is a win-win situation, which is good for everyone. Moreover, I can't stay in China for too long, so I hope we can finalize things in one go."

"That's right. Mr. Cooper came here to make a contribution. Old Zhou, you can't let me down. I introduced Ms. Susan to you directly back then. I didn't mention a word to Ren Laosan from the Cultural Bureau. That's good enough, isn't it? If you let me down, I'll lose face too."

Zhou Xiaopeng pushed Han Sanping's head away: "Alright, alright, I'll remember your kindness. Xiao Zhang, go tell the waiter to add another one of your signature Dragon Carp. Your Chairman Han loves it."

Zhang Ziyi was truly treated like a waitress, so naturally she couldn't utter a single word of complaint and obediently went out to urge the order to be served.

As soon as she left, Zhou Xiaopeng looked up at Eric and said directly, "Mr. Cooper, let's talk behind closed doors. I have a suggestion you might want to hear."

"Speaking."

"These are extraordinary times, and it is difficult to carry out any kind of work, but there is one exception: the fight against SARS. The top leaders are currently focusing their attention on this."

"Let me say something you Americans won't understand: this is called bottom-line work. You can do whatever you want, but you can't cross the bottom line. If you do, something terrible will happen."

"Once this bottom line is crossed, no matter how well you do other work, it's like adding a zero to the beginning of your performance. Even if you have 1 billion or 10 billion in the end, once that zero is added, it's all for nothing."

Eric didn't speak, pretending to try hard to understand, but how could he not understand?

"So if we want to get things done as soon as possible, I have a suggestion, but it's just a suggestion, nothing more: could MGM do some charity work?"

Upon hearing the word "charity," Eric immediately understood.

"Director Zhou, do you mean donating money to contribute to the fight against SARS? Is that a correct understanding?"

Zhou Xiaopeng nodded: "It's so comfortable talking to smart people. In this special period, this approach can instantly boost MGM's brand awareness across the country."

"The leaders see this, which makes everything easier, and the company's reputation as a caring enterprise will also benefit its future development."

"For example, once you've built your factory, you'll need to start production, right? And then you'll have to deal with many departments. With your reputation, as a foreign-invested enterprise that's helping in the fight against SARS, which department would dare not give you the green light!"

Eric nodded to himself; Zhou Xiaopeng's suggestion was indeed good and would be very beneficial to the company's future development.

Having worked on film sets for so many years in his previous life, he had also been to many different departments, and reading people's faces was a daily routine for him.

You're the director and producer on set; you're awesome on set.

Moreover, my feelings for this land are no less than theirs, so donating some money is a good way to show my appreciation and achieve mutual benefit.

"I think Director Zhou's suggestion is feasible. In fact, doing charity is a very common practice in the United States. How about this, when you report to your superiors, add this clause, and try to arrange a meeting between us within a week."

Seeing Eric agree, Zhou Xiaopeng was secretly delighted, all thanks to his further efforts.

"No problem, but I'm wondering how much MGM plans to donate? I'd like to know so I can report back."

Eric held out one hand: "Five million dollars!"

(End of this chapter)