Chapter 2744: Take a Gamble

"Without an audience base, no matter how well the gala is organized, no one will watch it." Zhou Andong shook his head: "If we could get on the New Year's Day broadcast, your film and television department could get busy—shoot a few TV dramas, the TV station could produce a variety show, build up the audience base, and then next year's Spring Festival Gala would be no problem for us."

Zhang Guoli, now deputy head of Future Culture's Film and Television Department, lit up upon hearing this: "Chairman, *Kangxi's Micro-Services Private Visit* airs on Lunar New Year's Day. A few days ago, I drank with the screenwriter, and he's already drafting the second part. I estimate the script will be ready in two months. Should we continue filming?"

Ma Xiaotong interjected: "Let's see how the first part performs. If the ratings are good, we continue. If not, there's no point in continuing."

"I think we should film it, and we need to act quickly." Regarding the ratings of *Kangxi's Micro-Services Private Visit*, Zhou Andong knew full well there was no need to wait: "I've read the script and watched a few episodes. I won't say it'll be a hit, but it definitely won't be a flop."

Zhou Andong tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "After CCTV finishes airing the first part, we'll immediately broadcast the second—we can at least convert half of CCTV's audience to Yu Gong TV."

Saying this, Zhou Andong smiled and turned to Ma Xiaotong: "Of course, to convert CCTV's audience to Yu Gong TV, the precondition is that *Kangxi's Micro-Services Private Visit* can't have poor ratings."

"But this risk is worth taking. Once the conversion succeeds, Yu Gong TV will have an audience base, and next year we can host our own Spring Festival Gala and compete with CCTV."

Zhou Andong then asked: "What is the production cost per episode of *Kangxi's Micro-Services Private Visit*?"

Ma Xiaotong replied: "Each episode costs less than 120,000 yuan."

Zhou Andong nodded: "Even if it's 120,000 per episode, thirty episodes would be 3.6 million yuan—we can afford that."

Ma Xiaotong smiled: "Alright, since the boss said so, as an employee, I naturally can't object."

"The matter of *Unique One* appearing on the Spring Festival Gala must be resolved—it's tied to Joy Pleasure's push into the South Korean entertainment market." Zhou Andong asked Ma Xiaotong: "Are your connections also useless?"

Ma Xiaotong shook her head: "This deputy station chief is Zhao Mingguo, a man my father considers an enemy. So him taking *Unique One* off the lineup is clearly targeted at us."

"If it weren't for the ten songs *Wanjian* and *Crossing Time and Space* being red songs with massive influence, making Zhao Mingguo dare not act recklessly, he would definitely have excluded these ten songs from the Spring Festival Gala."

Hearing this, Aunt Tian's face changed slightly, and she hurriedly asked: "Ma General Manager, then why would the Spring Festival Gala invite me?"

Mao Niu and Yu Ying also looked at Ma Xiaotong, since Zhao Mingguo is clearly targeting Future Culture, why would they be invited?

Ma Xiaotong smiled helplessly: "You did receive invitations, but they still need to pass review—first, second, third rounds. You might not make it. Zhao Mingguo invited you just to show others."

Aunt Tian's face fell: "Then why didn't you say so earlier? I got excited for nothing."

Ma Xiaotong said helplessly: "I was afraid you'd overthink it. After all, failing the Spring Festival Gala review is normal—by then, you wouldn't dwell on it so much."

Zhou Andong asked: "Is Kong Zhongzhong targeting Future Culture, banning all our works and removing them from shelves—was it your father's enemy who did this?"

"Yes!" Ma Xiaotong nodded: "One is Cao Peng, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television; the other is Sun Zhengwu, director of the General Administration of Press and Publication."

Zhou Andong said coldly: "Kong Zhongzhong has already gone to hell—this Cao Peng and Sun Zhengwu, I've had nothing to do with them, yet they dare to send people to annoy me to my face."

Ma Xiaotong's heart stirred, suppressing her excitement as she asked: "Boss, what are you going to do?"

Zhou Andong waved his hand: "There are too many people in the meeting room—this kind of thing can't be discussed here. He changed the subject directly: 'Du Xian'er, the song I sang at my wedding—arrange it quickly. There's less than a month left; it's already urgent.'"

Du Xian'er kept her eyes on the sheet music in her hand, nodded, and agreed.

Zhou Andong continued: "These twelve children's songs aren't urgent, but they must be ready before November. Old Four must appear on the Spring Festival Gala this year. As for which song, we'll decide later."

Upon hearing Zhou Andong's words, everyone became energized—especially Aunt Tian, Mao Niu, and Yu Ying, as if they weren't taking the deputy station chief in charge of the Spring Festival Gala seriously at all.

"There's one more thing." Zhou Andong took out a cigarette, lit it, then tossed it to Du Xian'er: "Regarding the cooperation between Future Culture and Sony Entertainment."

Hearing this, everyone perked up again—even Du Xian'er stared intently at Zhou Andong. After all, Future Culture is the boss's own son, and once Future Culture partners with Sony Entertainment, Sony's resources will surely flow toward Future Culture. So they all have a chance to go out and see the world.

Zhou Andong took a puff: "Sony Entertainment will be renamed Future International Entertainment Company, headquartered moved to Xianggang, with a branch office in Jingcheng, operating independently. The parent company holds financial audit rights but does not participate in management."

"In other words, the Future International Entertainment branch will cooperate with Future Culture, continuing to be led by you. The parent company will send a deputy general manager over, mainly to serve as a liaison, facilitating communication between the new company and headquarters..."

Upon hearing Zhou Andong's words, everyone's faces lit up with joy—the new company remains under their control, as expected, since it's the boss's own son.

"I said before I would withdraw from Future Culture, buying back my shares at current market value." Zhou Andong pointed to the ashtray in front of Wan Peng—this guy immediately stood up, took the ashtray, and placed it before Zhou Andong.

Zhou Andong tapped the ash, then said: "In the new company, Future International Entertainment holds 40% of shares, Jiang Yuyue and Ma Xiaotong retain their original stakes—each holding 15%."

"Previously, my shares in Future Culture were given as a dowry for Old Four. After the new company is established, Future International Entertainment's 40% stake will still be for Old Four. When she comes of age, the shares will be transferred to her name."

Zhou Andong scanned the room: "As for the remaining 30% of shares, as long as everyone stays with the company for five years, they have a chance to receive stock grants."

As soon as Zhou Andong finished speaking, everyone straightened up, spirits high—inside, they were thinking: we must work hard, so we can get shares in five years.

Seeing everyone's energized expressions, Zhou Andong curled the corner of his mouth in a barely noticeable smile: "Yuyue, Xiaotong, earlier I asked you to research giving Jiamin shares—how did that go?"

Ma Xiaotong said: "We've already communicated with Jiamin—we'll give her 3.8% of shares, and sign the agreement after the new company is established."

"Good!" Zhou Andong nodded, then looked at everyone: "I've always valued talent, and when it comes to talent, I'm never stingy. So as long as you work hard and let the company see your value, you will definitely get your share of equity."