Chapter 434: Eyeing Cathay

Gangdao.

As the situation settled, Dai Linzhi's promised livelihood improvements began to be carried out.

Gangdao's economy began to recover quickly.

In the evening, at the Yang Family Villa.

Yang Qing watched a TV program aired on TVB, his thoughts drifting.

Since TVB's establishment, Shao Yi began to neglect the film company, which also laid the foundation for Zou Wenhuai's departure.

Yang Qing wanted Zou Wenhuai, but Shao Yi had a flaw: he was stingy.

If he really took Zou Wenhuai, it would be equivalent to offending Shao Yi.

This is a difficult problem.

In the end, Yang Qing still set his target on Wang Tianlin.

Cathay is now increasingly defunct; Yang Qing believes he now has a chance to take over Cathay.

Having decided, he acted the next day: Yang Qing contacted Hu Lianxi, asking him to sound out Zhu Guoliang.

Hu Lianxi had already accumulated a large network of contacts, and soon got in touch with Zhu Guoliang.

Upon hearing Hu Lianxi's purpose, he had Yang Qing step forward.

Hu Lianxi is Yang Qing's man; nowadays most people know this. Sending a junior over made Zhu Guoliang feel slighted.

Yang Qing readily agreed.

Hu Lianxi arranged for them to meet at the Hilton Hotel.

Yang Qing was very pleased with this arrangement; outside the window was the old Bank of China building.

Zhu Guoliang brought a female companion, and only upon seeing Yang Qing did he smile and greet him.

"Yang Qing is now famous throughout Gangdao."

"A major crackdown let Imperial City become Gangdao's top."

Yang Qing gestured with his hand, inviting him to sit.

"Zhu Guoliang, everyone is giving me face, boosting me; I'm a newcomer and still need to learn from all my seniors."

Zhu Guoliang sat down, and Hu Lianxi arranged for the dishes to be served.

Yang Qing also did not bring up the acquisition; they chatted about this and that for a long time.

Zhu Guoliang did not expect Yang Qing to be so patient.

By the time the meal was almost finished, Yang Qing still had not spoken.

Hu Lianxi was getting a bit anxious, but Yang Qing was not at all hurried.

In the end, Zhu Guoliang could not hold back and spoke up first.

"Yang Qing, Hu Lianxi said you want to acquire Cathay?"

Yang Qing nodded, then shook his head.

"Qiu Da is willing to sell his cinema over there; it just so happens I have a younger brother who wants to make films, so I might as well make it proper, so as not to ruin my brother's reputation."

Zhu Guoliang did not expect Yang Qing to say such a thing.

"To make a film for your little brother, you want to acquire our Cathay—are you being too overbearing?"

Yang Qing's joking attitude left Zhu Guoliang unable to raise his demands.

"To be frank, Yang Qing, I intend to sell Cathay's production and studio."

"But you are not a good choice."

"If you acquire Cathay with a playful attitude, I cannot agree."

"I need to be responsible for Cathay's employees."

He was trying to force Yang Qing to value Cathay; only then could he raise the price.

But Yang Qing is also an old fox, and he does not take the bait.

"I believe letting Cathay continue to decline is truly irresponsible."

"Zhu Guoliang, running between Star-Malaysia (Singapore) and Gangdao prevents one from focusing on developing Cathay; that is the real irresponsibility toward Cathay."

"I'm different: I have money, I have a novel serialized in the Headline Daily, and I have influence; everyone gives me face."

"My friendship with Jin Daxia is also not bad."

"If Zhu Guoliang is willing to let go, Cathay will become a company under my Azure Rainbow Media."

"I will give full support—money for money, people for people."

"Although I am an outsider, Cathay possesses professional talent."

"I believe that with my full support, they will surely be able to handle their affairs."

Seeing Yang Qing so slippery and unresponsive, Zhu Guoliang knew he would be tough to deal with, so he spoke directly.

"Cathay cannot be sold to you, but Eternal Splendor's production studio and lot can be sold to you."

"However, I want 25 million."

"Any less than that, I will not sell."

This amounts to Cathay retaining a theater chain and distribution channel, while everything else is bundled and sold to Yang Qing.

Yang Qing shook his head.

"It's not worth that much; your studios are all in the countryside, worth hardly anything, and the production plant is at most worth 5 million."

"I'll give you at most 7 million; if that works, let's sign a contract."

Zhu Guoliang shook his head wildly.

"Impossible; if Yang Qing wants it, let's be sincere."

"23 million—this is my most sincere offer."

Yang Qing could never agree; he's not an idiot, the film studio and lot are nowhere near worth that money.

If Chairman Zhu is willing to sell the cinema chain, I can agree to that amount; if it's only the Eternal Splendor Film Studio and lot, I'll go up to nine million at most.

Forget the cinema chain; our Peace and Prosperity could never give up the cinema chain.

Without the cinema chain, how would we handle distribution?

Twenty million—the lot may be remote, but the area is not small; if we buy more land, building a movie city would be no problem.

Yang Qing never expected to settle things in one go, so he stood up, extended his hand, and prepared to take his leave.

Looks like we won't be able to cooperate—thanks, Chairman Zhu, for the courtesy.

Zhu Guoliang had never encountered someone who played so outside the norm.

In negotiations, shouldn't there be some back-and-forth? What do you mean by just walking out?

It must be a negotiation tactic; he's experienced, so he also stood up.

Thank you, Chairman Yang, for the hospitality.

After parting with Zhu Guoliang, Hu Lianxi asked doubtfully.

Chairman Yang, why aren't we negotiating?

Yang Qing snorted.

This guy, treating me like a sucker—let's give him the cold shoulder.

Don't worry. No one's interested in Peace and Prosperity now—a declining company; who would pay such a high price?

If you include the cinema chain, it's not bad.

Their cinema chain consists entirely of owned properties.

From now on, the negotiations are up to you—at most ten million, and you also have to include his brother-in-law's Stone Manor.

If he's willing to sell the cinema chain as well, give him thirty million.

Only then did Hu Lianxi realize Yang Qing wasn't after the film company, but real estate.

This amounted to buying property in disguise.

Zhu Guoliang thought Yang Qing was advancing by retreating, but over the past few days, Yang Qing seemed to have forgotten the matter altogether.

He spread the word that he wanted to sell Peace and Prosperity, but no one offered more than Yang Qing.

Left with no choice, he could only send someone to sound out Hu Lianxi.

Hu Lianxi immediately realized this was someone sent by Zhu Guoliang to gather information.

So he spoke directly.

No interest—Peace and Prosperity is about to collapse; what would we come here to do?

Film studios aren't exactly rare, and lots are everywhere—no interest.

Chairman Yang? Chairman Yang has already bought Qiu Da's cinema chain.

He's preparing to discuss acquisitions with Changcheng and Phoenix.

They're about to shut down, so they're cheap—should cost under a million.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Guoliang couldn't believe Yang Qing had actually reached out to the equally declining Changcheng, Phoenix, and other studios.

That won't do—there aren't many fools willing to pay such a good price.

He immediately got in touch with Hu Lianxi.

Chairman Hu, here's the thing: after thinking it over, I can sell the Eternal Splendor Film Production and lot to Chairman Yang; as for the price, we'll discuss it in person—Oriental Culture, I've reserved a table.