Chapter 21: Withdrawal and Negotiation

Jiang Heng possessed maturity beyond his years, completely unafraid; as the "script case" trial approached, each company secretly spread word and raised their bids for distribution rights.

The highest bidder was Disney, offering a full twelve million US dollars.

In their view, at that price they could even buy Cheng Long's films.

But Jiang Heng remained unmoved, showing full confidence.

This led the major Hollywood companies to believe that Jiang Heng surely possessed evidence that could win the lawsuit.

At the Huasan Company's China office, Vice President Xierfu, Chief Lawyer Biedeluoqie, the two Wozhuosiji brothers, and office manager Zhao Yan, among others, gathered to discuss litigation strategy after the trial opens.

At that moment, Chief Lawyer Biedeluoqie's phone rang.

"Hello!"

"I've found it, Mr. Biedeluoqie!"

"What's the situation?"

Biedeluoqie's face sank like water, and everyone in the conference room held their breath, fearing bad news.

The investigator sent out launched into a long-winded speech, seemingly seeking credit.

"I found out that on January 19, 1997, Jiang Heng, in the name of returning home to bury his father, sent his father's ashes back to his hometown in the northeast. Then he traveled around the provinces, finally reaching Sichuan, where on February 14 he registered the script copyright at the News Publishing Bureau."

Hearing this, everyone in the conference room felt their heads buzz; "Damn yellow-skinned monkey, how can he be so sly?"

If he had registered directly in Xianggang, Huasan Company wouldn't have made such a big deal out of this!

Xierfu refused to give up, grabbing the phone and saying: "Are you sure he registered the script for The Matrix, and not something else?"

"Um, President sir, I'm sure. The staff there remember it well—a person from Xianggang going to the Sichuan News Publishing Bureau to register copyright for a strange, fantastical virtual-world story; they discussed it at length back then, feeling the state should tighten scrutiny, otherwise all sorts of rubbish could be made into films, corrupting youth!"

Xierfu heard this and was nearly exploding with anger—what nonsense is this!

Biedeluoqie said: "No matter what method you use, you must get hold of the related registration documents!"

"Um, okay, rest assured, I'll definitely manage it!"

After the call ended, Xierfu asked: "Should we destroy it after obtaining it?"

Biedeluoqie gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Of course not; he went to the trouble of registering in Neidi, so he surely kept evidence, and besides, with so many witnesses, we couldn't possibly bribe them all."

Xierfu nodded; he too was furious and bewildered.

The "script case" has developed to the point where it's no longer merely a commercial matter; who knows what stance the Neidi authorities will take, or whether they'll intervene at a critical moment.

One must bear in mind that we are currently in the Asian financial crisis period, with international hot money having launched two impacts on the Hong Kong dollar in October 1997 and January 1998; the attitudes of the Neidi and Xianggang authorities can be imagined.

"Taking it back to headquarters will at least serve as an explanation!" said Biedeluoqie.

Xierfu was unwilling: "Just withdraw the lawsuit like that?"

Biedeluoqie retorted: "Otherwise, continuing to wrangle will only further damage the company's reputation—might as well consider it a lesson!"

"No, our losses are too great; we must have Jiang Heng hand over the global distribution rights to The Matrix!"

Seeing Biedeluoqie look at him as if he were an idiot, Xierfu said: "I mean, sell us the distribution rights, and we'll handle distribution outside China. I think his films are decent; they could even gross two or three hundred million dollars!"

Biedeluoqie nodded slightly: "Totally feasible?"

Xierfu, seeing this, asked: "Do you also think so?"

Biedeluoqie laughed: "What you're saying is normal business practice; I think we can certainly strive for it!"

Xierfu, noticing his hesitation, hurriedly said: "We're doing this to recoup the company's losses; as chief lawyer, your task is crucial!"

Biedeluoqie, helpless, dialed Jiang Heng's phone, indicating willingness to hold a final pre-trial consultation.

In a coffee shop near Victoria Harbour, Jiang Heng, Xierfu, Biedeluoqie, and others sat opposite each other.

"Mr. Jiang Heng, your actions have caused Huasan Company heavy losses; we originally intended to fight the lawsuit to the end to protect company interests. However, considering you are an excellent director and your films are quite good, we are considering whether other methods could resolve our issues."

Jiang Heng laughed: "I don't think so; on the contrary, I feel you habitually seize and plunder, causing us heavy losses. Look at what Soros has done to Asian peoples—don't you feel ashamed?"

"Mr. Jiang, the essence of this world is plunder; fairness and justice are merely told to the weak. Mr. Soros uses his wisdom to reap wealth, and there's nothing wrong with that. Only the strong have the right not to be plundered and to engage in fair negotiation."

Jiang Heng chuckled: "So you're saying you acknowledge me, or rather acknowledge that The Matrix has blockbuster potential, and that's why you've come to negotiate?"

Xierfu's face stalled, his smile somewhat forced: "More or less, but mainly we think that if we continue the lawsuit, it will affect overseas distribution, resulting in mutual loss—nobody would profit."

"Oh, then I don't know what terms you're prepared to offer."

"I will offer ten million US dollars to buy out the copyright of The Matrix and the distribution rights outside China. Your box-office earnings from Xianggang and the mainland will remain yours, plus another ten million dollars—enough to last you a lifetime!" Xierfu coaxed.

Jiang Heng burst out laughing: "Ten million dollars—Huasan Company sure is generous!"

Xierfu and Biedeluoqie exchanged glances; the latter then said: "Mr. Jiang Heng, I must advise you that this is already Huasan Company's maximum concession. Take the money, and you'll instantly become a millionaire; otherwise, you might end up with nothing."

Jiang Heng snorted: "You don't know, Disney has already offered twelve million US dollars, have you?"

"What?"

"Damn it!"

Xierfu and Biedeluoqie spoke at once—one shocked, the other cursing—Hollywood's fellow traders really are something when they turn on each other!

"Impossible, that price carries too much risk; their bosses would never agree!"

Jiang Heng nodded: "Actually, I think so too?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, a box-office share!"

"That's impossible, absolutely impossible; any company daring to do that would be an enemy of Huasan Company!" Xierfu said angrily, pounding the table.

Jiang Heng remained calm: "Is that so? I'll wait and see! Let's see which of the Hollywood giants has the guts to pull off this business!"

Xierfu was nearly exploding, his face grim: "Jiang Heng, you're trampling our bottom line; you'll pay a heavy price, do you understand?"

"Hmm, how big would it be?"

"Please collect and recommend!"

(End of chapter)