Chapter 721

The leaders present simply watched these men accuse each other, without taking sides or blaming anyone.

Their expressions showed no joy or sorrow, revealing nothing.

The three of them simply couldn't stand each other, and all fell silent.

They've said everything there is to say; there's nothing more to discuss.

"Today I've finally understood clearly: one's fighting for his wife, one's fighting for his son, and one's just stirring trouble because he can't stand others doing well," the leader summed up simply.

That last remark made Jack Ma's face flush with embarrassment, but the other two leaders chuckled good-naturedly.

Fang Hong and Lao Wang Zong remained silent; fundamentally, that's all there was to it—otherwise they wouldn't have come to blows, and even then, they held back.

"Today's meeting is meant to mediate. Since you have personal grudges, settle them yourselves—but I'm putting this on record: whoever engages in malicious competition and throws the market into chaos, leaving bodies strewn everywhere, will be dealt with severely." The leader's words were heavy.

Limited competition is acceptable, but the market must not be thrown into chaos, affecting countless small and medium platforms and ordinary people.

Like the Principal and Lao Wang Zong restricting one cinema chain's film supply—that's within acceptable limits, manageable, so we let it slide; that's your personal grudge.

This kind of competition barely affects ordinary people; who wins or loses is just an industry reshuffle—you fall, someone else fills your place, nothing negative, no monopoly.

A copyright war is too negative—it kills off a whole swath of people, even ordinary creators get caught in the crossfire.

Everyone present nodded silently.

"Leader, if Wanda Cinema Line's traffic and film supply are restricted, it will hurt cinema development," Lao Wang Zong said, panicked.

That way, Jack Ma and Tony Ma won't be so aggressive toward the Principal—he'd have to face the Principal's blows alone.

The Principal has Youpiaopiao, has film supply, and can restrict him on every front.

"Then have your son apologize to his wife—do you think she'll let your son insult her for free?" The leader spoke plainly, without any bureaucratic fluff.

Such a simple matter has been made unnecessarily complicated.

Anyone would be upset if their family was insulted.

"Yes, Minister," Lao Wang Zong realized the leader was growing impatient with him.

He'd already been annoyed by the massive overseas acquisitions, pouring money abroad—what's the point of that?

"Alright, you may all leave. That's all for today," the leader said no more and gestured for them to go.

Tone down the copyright issues—anyone who crosses the line will be punished; it's been made perfectly clear.

Everyone present exchanged glances; Tony Ma bowed to the leaders and immediately stood up, walking out without hesitation.

Sun Zhonghuai rose and hurried after him, stepping ahead to open the door for Boss Ma.

Jack Ma and Fan Luyuan also stood and walked out; Fang Hong bowed slightly to the leaders, then walked out with Chen Zhixi.

Ding Sanshi and the others also bowed to the leaders and exited.

Lao Wang Zong was the last to leave, deeply resentful—everything had returned to square one, all his efforts wasted.

Outside, the sun shone brightly; on the steps before the General Administration building, Jack Ma descended and suddenly turned back: "Principal, you've won again."

"I don't even want to win—being invincible is lonely!" Fang Hong sighed from above, looking down.

This made Ding Sanshi, Fan Luyuan, and others glance at him—he was clearly doing it on purpose.

Chen Zhixi looked at the Principal with deep emotion; how long ago had they been forced to bow and submit, and now they sat at the same table as these giants?

Tony Ma paused involuntarily, looking up—he stood at the bottom of the steps, wearing transparent gold-rimmed glasses, appearing refined and gentle.

"Principal, there's still a long road ahead; we're far from the final act. Don't get sentimental too soon," he raised his voice.

He meant you're showing off too early—the copyright war isn't over, infringement still happens, and music rights can still restrict platforms like Douyin, Toutiao, and Bilibili.

Even if exclusivity isn't possible, raising royalty fees still is—just make it so you can't afford to use them.

Moreover, the competition between Tencent and Chang'e is far from over; Douyin's rise has surpassed his expectations and poses a serious threat.

Douyin has now surpassed Kuaishou to become the industry leader, with daily active users exceeding 150 million and monthly active users surpassing 400 million.

Open Information Flow Advertising has surged sharply, reaching $200 million per month—roughly 1.4 billion RMB—reshaping the entire advertising system, with Xingtu Platform directly enabling brand owners to collaborate with influencers.

This is even more intense than WeChat was at its peak; WeChat currently has only 420 million daily active users—Douyin has already reached half that level.

But WeChat is just a social platform, used sparingly; Douyin consumes users' time relentlessly.

"Yes, there's still a long time ahead—far from the final act," Fang Hong looked up, gazing at the distant sky.

Tony Ma ignored him, got into his business car, and drove off—no single meeting could make these people calm down.

Their conflicts aren't limited to copyright—they also compete over market share, short-video market share, social media market share, and more.

If they don't fight, their market share will vanish.

"Principal, honestly, if I could, I'd really like to have a drink with you and discuss heroes over wine," Jack Ma said as he descended the steps.

"There'll be a chance—when we're both retired," Fang Hong replied.

"Hahaha, I'm getting close—just see when you retire," Jack Ma laughed loudly.

"I'm getting close too," Fang Hong said.

Those who heard this couldn't help but be startled, some skeptical—was it true? If the Principal retired, a lot of problems would disappear.

Chen Zhixi was also puzzled, but this wasn't the place to ask.

Only Fang Hong knew his work was nearly done—he had nothing left to accomplish; once he chose his successor, he could step down.

Staying this visible going forward wouldn't be wise—every other giant has been hammered; with no one left to challenge him, he'd be too alone.

"Alright, I'll wait for you," Jack Ma grinned, his face creased with laughter, then got in his car and left.

Their competition is purely business—it's inevitable, because the market is this size; collisions are unavoidable.

But personally, they hold no grudges against each other!

"Principal, I think we need to talk," Lao Wang Zong stood beside Fang Hong.

"How would you like to talk?" Fang Hong reverted to formal address, for he noticed the old man had suddenly lost all his vigor.

Clearly, this meeting had placed immense pressure on him.

Though the leaders said nothing, it was obvious they disliked him—everyone else's issues were resolved, only his remained unsolved.

Anyone can compete, but he's only here to take a beating.

If Lao Wang Zong had any sense or wisdom, he should realize that the grudge between the two of them should end here — continuing the fight would only bring him no good.

Because no one is on his side anymore!

Look at Jack Ma — he left without even saying a word to him. That's proof enough; their instincts are sharp.

"Let me set up a table. Bring your family when the time comes, and our two families will have a meal together," Lao Wang Zong said.

"Good, my wife loves eating hairy crabs!" Fang Hong said.

Lao Wang Zong looked up at the sky, as if the sky had changed — the sky of the entertainment circle had changed. The era of the three-legged standoff in the internet was coming; this was what he saw.

Then he walked down the steps. His attendants saw this and hurried forward to support him.

"President Chen, help Lao Wang Zong down," Fang Hong said.

Chen Zhixi didn't know what it meant, but she hurriedly went down the steps, holding Lao Wang Zong's arm as they walked down.

"I'm fine, I'm not that old." Lao Wang Zong glanced at this girl, still not understanding what the Principal meant.

"You need to be supported," Fang Hong said.

What neither of them knew was that this was the person Fang Hong had chosen to be the future Chairman of Wanda Film.

From this year onward, Wanda would suffer blow after blow every year, until it sold off its Wanda Film.

Who else in this circle can take over Wanda Film? Only Yutu.

Lao Wang Zong was somewhat overwhelmed by Fang Hong's sudden show of goodwill. After all, they had previously been cursing each other like mad, wishing they could stab each other's ancestors.

And now he was showing goodwill — who could adapt to that?

"Principal, you wouldn't be playing some unspoken rule game with me, would you!" Lao Wang Zong glanced at Chen Zhixi — she looked alright.

"You're overthinking it. I just was afraid you'd fall, and people would think I pushed you down," Fang Hong said casually.

"Heh heh heh, I don't think our Principal would do something like that either." Lao Wang Zong took it as a joke.

Thinking about it, it made sense — the Principal was someone who cared so much about his face, how could he possibly do something so crude? He should be above such things.

Chen Zhixi's face turned red from their exchange. Of course she knew what the two of them meant.

Fang Hong watched Chen Zhixi help Lao Wang Zong down the steps. Another enemy had drawn its curtain. Being able to set up a table and invite him to dinner proved that Lao Wang Zong had already compromised.

"Principal, standing here alone catching the wind?" Zhang Hongsen appeared behind him.

He looked down at the square below, where luxury cars were already driving away one by one, and those familiar bigwigs were nowhere to be seen.

"The weather's turned cold again, it's the season-change time of year again," Fang Hong said.

"Yes, eras will always pass, The Sun Also Rises!" Zhang Hongsen sighed as well.

He had also witnessed the Principal's rise. The once-untouchable Huayi and Bona had both fallen at his feet, and now even Wanda had to grovel.

And he had also blocked the onslaught of the internet.

The years the Principal was here were the years of the greatest change in the entire film and entertainment industry.

"The Sun Also Rises — I wonder if in the future there will be successors who will also replace Yutu," Fang Hong said.

"Hard to say."

Zhang Hongsen didn't know either. He patted his shoulder and said, "Don't think too much. Right and wrong are determined by heaven — just do your own thing well."

"Thank you, Director Zhang." Fang Hong was thanking him for all the care over the years, for helping him through difficult times time and again.

"This is my duty, no need for that," Zhang Hongsen waved his hand.

He went from Deputy Director to Director — it was a case of the two of them achieving each other. The film industry originally needed someone like the Principal.

"Then I'll be off. Director Zhang, may we meet again if fate allows." Fang Hong waved his hand, then quickly walked down the steps, all the way to the square ahead — which was also the parking lot.

Zhang Hongsen stood with his hands in his pockets, watching him walk away.

Not long after this talk, Tony Ma publicly discussed the matter of music copyrights, stating: "In the future, we will cooperate with industry partners in an open posture, jointly building the long-term development of the music content ecosystem."

This was a signal that music copyrights would be opened up.

After all, the leadership had directly told him to open up music licensing, including NetEase, Ali and other giants also having to mutually license their music, and not engaging in exclusive monopoly of music copyrights in any form.

This statement made the entire music market seem to brim with vitality, and the internet was filled with jubilation.

However, they were happy too soon. Tencent only opened up non-core music copyrights — those outdated ones that basically no one listens to.

Those especially popular music, like Zhou Naicha and Meimei — top-tier artists like that — were kept.

Moreover, the licensed songs required high copyright fees, and the licensing came with harsh terms.

Namely, the licensed copyrights could not be used to develop competing businesses, such as livestreaming and communities; they had to drive traffic to QQ Music.

Even Jiemian News reported: "Tencent Music's sub-licensing is 'charity-style openness' — using terms to restrict competitors' development and consolidate its own monopoly position."

First Financial Daily also reported: "After sub-licensing, NetEase Cloud Music still needs to take down 15% of songs, because Tencent refused to open key copyrights."

This caused platforms like NetEase to still be miserable — even worse than before, losing over 30% of users; Xiami's market share was only 3%, just one step away from shutting down.

They knew Tencent wasn't that honest. Tony Ma spoke nicely, but in reality he was still thinking about how to kill competitors and seize the market.

Opening up was a strategic compromise — telling the higher-ups, you told me to open up licensing, so I opened it up.

In reality, it was evading regulation while continuing to maintain control!

Don't think these bigwigs are too kind — they're full of tricks. Give them a tap and they'll shift a little.

But your original intention clearly wasn't that, yet he interpreted it that way.

Actually, sometimes the leadership doesn't really understand these things either. After all, they're all emerging things — they were taught by these people.

Oh, so you want to play it this way? Then I'll strengthen regulation. You keep playing this way? Then I'll fine you and strengthen regulation further.

It's all shaped through tapping like this — not a one-time tap!

Tencent still has to face several talks, but that's later — it has nothing to do with Fang Hong.

Of course, the copyright war between the two sides was still ongoing, just not as fierce as before. A lot had been pulled back, because many Douyin videos were edits, covers, and remixes of a non-profit nature.

The thing is, they didn't make money, so there's nothing to sue over. Not profiting means it doesn't constitute infringement, only distribution — but the other party has already clipped and remixed the audio, so it's completely unrecognizable.

Moreover, Chang'e is already adjusting its direction, building its own music distribution platform to help musicians distribute their works directly to global streaming services, thereby reducing reliance on traditional copyright.

Later, songs like "All the Way" and "Good Morning Longhui" were hits supported by Douyin.

Another approach is cooperating with other record companies, partnering with NetEase, doing everything possible to break Tencent's monopoly.

And then there's providing tools through technology, offering royalty-free background music assets.

There's also fighting while negotiating — only this way works.

If you're waiting for Tencent to be beaten into submission, you'll be waiting a long time — a few years of pressure won't bring it down.

Fang Hong wasn't wrong to call him the biggest copyright bully. Don't be fooled by Jack Ma and Lao Wang Zong making all that noise — they don't really bite!

As for web dramas and film/TV content, Fang Hong has opened it all up, no longer imposing restrictions. Those film and TV companies can cooperate with whoever they want and put their content on whichever platform they choose.

Even distribution isn't really managed anymore, but he demands a comprehensive increase in film/TV copyright fees. What used to be a 10 million copyright fee is now 30 million, even 40 million — endlessly raising the barrier to entry.

Not only has music seen sky-high copyright fees, but film/TV content has too. Let those capitalists pay up — it doesn't matter.

Anyway, the biggest domestic film/TV production going forward will be Chang'e Yutu. Chang'e Yutu has the capital to get actors to work at friendship prices.

Their actions still make it hard for small and medium platforms to survive — there's no helping that. They can only say they've been eliminated by the market; you can't blame it on them.

Besides another reshuffling of the copyright landscape, a large number of lawsuits were withdrawn. Apart from paying money to settle matters, many were simply frivolous lawsuits.

However, unexpectedly, film/TV market stock prices rose across the board — Tangde Film and Television surged 600%; Ciwen Media surged 539%; Huace Film and Television 110%!

This is the frenzy of capital, brought on by the bubble of sky-high copyright fees, and also the securitization of celebrities.

The wind direction in the entire entertainment sector has changed again and again. Although those tycoons' copyright restrictions have stopped, everything has gotten more expensive — it's quite something. You might as well have kept the restrictions.

Of course, many wealthy people in the industry learned they'd been summoned for talks, and it became gossip fodder for the rich.

"I heard that 'Blender' and 'Bully' are nicknames the Principal gave them," someone joked.

"Why did he give them such nicknames?"

"The Principal said that whatever he does, Jack Ma is stirring things up behind him, so he called him 'Blender.' Tony Ma wasn't named outright, but during the talk he was told he controlled a lot of music copyrights, so privately he's called the 'Copyright Bully.'"

"Hahaha!"

Those new nicknames for the tycoons began circulating on the street, and even spread online, becoming a joke for Wangyi.

It even reached the ears of Jack Ma and Tony Ma, who just laughed it off.

Even Liu Tianxian lay on his chest and asked: "Why are you called Weightlifting Champion?"

"Because my physical fitness is strong," Fang Hong said, clenching his fist and showing off his rock-hard biceps.

"Is that so?" Liu Tianxian cooed, her hand sliding down to grip the handle.

"You're provoking a brute — owoo!"

(End of chapter)