Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

It's mid-August now.

With a crowd of witnesses, Shao Daheng finally took control of TVB and became the chairman of the TVB board of directors.

Li Xiaohe passed away at home on June 27, and his wife, Li Luyanqun, became a non-executive director of TVB.

When Shaw Brothers took over TVB, he handed over all the business of Shaw Brothers to his sixth wife, Fong Yee-wah. This decision began to accelerate the demise of Shaw Brothers.

It's impossible to guess whether this was Fang Yihua's idea or Shao Daheng's approval; Li Jiangbo doesn't know, nor does he want to find out.

Tonight he needs to attend the cocktail party hosted by Shao Daheng to congratulate him and strengthen the ties between the two companies.

Everything he's doing now is to survive in the cracks. Li Jiangbo is determined to acquire ATV.

But whether Shao Daheng will block his cinema chain after buying RTV is an unknown.

In the previous simulation, Li Jiangbo knew that Boss Lei was eyeing Time Pictures, and that Golden Harvest's system was flawed and it would be difficult to collect debts.

If Shao Daheng blocks his cinema chain, then he will have no choice but to find someone to organize a temporary cinema chain.

This method was a temporary measure adopted by some cinema chains when the Hong Kong film industry was on the verge of decline, and it did not require paying distribution fees.

Huang Baiming organized the Yonggao Cinema Circuit during this period, but unfortunately it suffered losses for three consecutive years and was dissolved in 94.

This was just the beginning of a tragedy for Hong Kong cinema operators. Later, the Hong Kong film market continued to decline, and many cinema operators closed down due to poor management.

Under these circumstances, Hong Kong cinema operators invented this temporary cinema chain model, which became a planned screening system. After a film was withdrawn from theaters, the cinema chain would automatically dissolve and operate independently.

Li Jiangbo doesn't know whether launching a temporary theater chain at this time can outperform the three existing theater chains; the outcome remains to be seen.

However, he has a system simulation, so he is about 60-70% confident about this kind of thing.

8 PM, Peninsula Hotel.

Li Jiangbo arrived at the hotel lobby alone and was walking forward when he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

"Director Li, Director Li."

Li Jiangbo turned around and saw that it was He Guanchang from Jiahe.

"Director Li, it's been a long time."

Li Jiangbo slowed his pace and walked side by side with He Guanchang.

"Mr. He, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Ho Koon-cheung sighed, "What's so good about it? I'm being suffocated by the weight of time you all carry."

Li Jiangbo smiled but didn't reply. The two of them went to the banquet hall on the top floor together.

After pushing open the door, the hall was already full of people.

Shao Yifu, dressed in a suit, stood in the middle of the crowd with a polite smile on his face.

Fang Yihua stood beside him, dressed in a cheongsam, looking dignified and proper.

Li Jiangbo took a glass of red wine from the waiter and wandered around.

However, they discovered that almost all the big shots in the industry had arrived, and those who couldn't come sent their trusted subordinates.

Among them were several people he didn't recognize. Li Jiangbo guessed that they were probably the major families who had jointly founded TVB with the Li family and Shao Daheng.

Just as he was thinking about how to test Shao Daheng, someone patted him on the shoulder.

"Bo-zai!"

Li Jiangbo turned around and saw that it was Wang Tianlin.

He raised his glass and clinked it with Wang Tianlin's. "Uncle Tianlin, you're here too?"

Wang Tianlin nodded, her smile never fading. "Bo-zai! It's all thanks to you taking care of my son, otherwise he'd still be stuck at TVB as a screenwriter."

"Uncle Tianlin, what are you saying? Brother Jing is capable. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to promote him even if I wanted to."

As they chatted, they suddenly started talking about the four girls who had signed with Time Pictures.

"Bo-zai, those four girls in your company are so popular now, have you ever thought about making TV dramas?"

Li Jiangbo was taken aback. "A TV series?"

"That's right! Now that TVB has a new leader, they're definitely going to make a big splash."

"Your four girls are beautiful and can sing well. If you make a TV series about them, the ratings will definitely be a hit."

Li Jiangbo smiled. "Uncle Tianlin, is this to get business for Sixth Uncle?"

"What business are you talking about? Isn't this industry all about you helping me and me helping you?"

Wang Tianlin patted Li Jiangbo on the shoulder, "Think about it yourself, and tell me when you've made up your mind."

After saying that, he picked up his wine glass and swayed away.

Li Jiangbo was still standing there, wondering why Wang Tianlin had made this invitation at this time.

Just then, Fang Yihua walked over.

"Bo-zai, Sixth Brother wants you to come over."

Li Jiangbo nodded and followed her through the crowd to a lounge.

At Shao Yifu's suggestion, Li Jiangbo sat down on the sofa next to him.

As soon as he sat down, Li Jiangbo raised his glass, "Sixth Uncle, congratulations."

Shaw Yi-fu smiled and clinked glasses with him. "Bo-zai, 'Peking Opera Blues' and 'Happy Ghost 2' are selling very well, completely crushing Golden Harvest."

"It's just luck, nothing more."

Shaw Brothers laughed heartily, "In previous years, Shaw Brothers was overshadowed by Golden Harvest, but this year we're all thanks to you!"

Li Jiangbo smiled but didn't reply. Then he heard Shao Yifu continue, "Now that I'm in charge at TVB, I'll leave Shaw Brothers Studio to your sixth aunt. If you need anything, you can contact her."

After considering the matter in his mind, Li Jiangbo asked calmly:

"Sixth Uncle, what about Shaw Brothers cinemas?"

Shao Yifu glanced at him but didn't answer directly. "What are your thoughts?"

Li Jiangbo shook his head. "I don't have any particular thoughts; of course, it's about deepening our cooperation!"

Fang Yihua said with a smile, "Bo-zai, don't worry, the cinemas will remain the same as before. You make more good films, and we'll make a lot of money together."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangbo knew that the two were just trying to dodge his questions, so he didn't press them further.

What he didn't know was that Shaw Brothers Cinemas had always been managed by Shaw Yi-fu's third brother, Shaw Ren-mei. Shaw Yi-fu only had the right to schedule films, and this right was enough to hold Li Jiangbo by the throat.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Jiangbo, led by Shao Yifu, left the lounge.

Li Jiangbo stood in a corner, lost in thought, but his mind was racing.

According to what the two said, Li Jiangbo felt that there was currently no opportunity to buy or rent cinemas.

However, Li Jiangbo breathed a sigh of relief that they could cooperate as before.

As for when the opportunity will come, Li Jiangbo thinks it will be a few years later, or when Shao Yifu sorts out the affairs of TVB, then perhaps there will be an opportunity.

Li Jiangbo downed the wine in his glass in one gulp and prepared to go out for some fresh air.

Just as he turned around, he bumped into Ho Koon-cheung, who was coming towards him.

"Director Li, are you drinking alone?"

Li Jiangbo smiled and said, "Mr. He, you're too kind. Tonight is Uncle Liu's special day, I'm very happy. By the way, I heard Ah Long went to Hollywood to try his luck, how was it?"

Ho Koon-cheung nodded; this was no secret in the industry. Besides, when Jackie Chan left, Golden Harvest gave it a high-profile boost.

"I'm filming recently, so it's hard to say the specifics. Maybe, Bo-zai, you were right last time—you can't be nice to foreigners. Otherwise, they'll be able to hog you!"

Li Jiangbo immediately understood that Ah Long wasn't doing very well in Hollywood either.

In his memory, the collaboration between the two parties was not very pleasant. They invested four million dollars in the film, but only received a little over one million dollars in box office revenue from the United States.

"Mr. He, don't be impatient. This matter cannot be accomplished in one go."

Ho Koon-cheung nodded, then suddenly thought of something, "Director Lee, have you ever considered collaborating with Ah-Lung on a film?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangbo's eyes widened immediately, and he stared intently at He Guanchang.

Ho Koon-cheung smiled and said, "Never mind, forget I said anything."