Chapter 521: Immortal Gods Code

Lucas opened the script titled Immortal Gods Code, and a mysterious aura immediately washed over him.

The script was gripping; once he started, he couldn't stop.

Moreover, the content of this script was very similar to the new drama he had wanted to write.

Furthermore, compared to what he had been working on, it was more reasonable and detailed, with a richer plot and fuller characters.

He liked the script before him as much as he liked his own ideas.

After finishing it, he still felt a bit unsatisfied.

Seeing his reaction, Chen Ziqiang felt reassured.

He didn't rush to state his purpose, but instead looked at Lucas, waiting for his opinion.

Lucas couldn't hold back and spoke up first.

"Does Chairman Chen want me to direct this film?"

Chen Ziqiang nodded, not denying it.

"We do have that idea, but the main filming location would be Gangdao."

"We have already selected some of the roles."

"One must accept Gangdao's work habits."

Lucas really wanted to shoot, but his Lucas Film currently needed money badly.

Star Wars had almost drained him dry, and Industrial Light & Magic was a huge money-guzzler.

Lucas Film couldn't do without him.

He had no time to make movies with anyone else.

"Sorry, I might not have that much time."

"Lucas Film is already in dire straits now; if Star Wars isn't successful, I might soon go bankrupt."

"So my main work right now is making money, filming for Lucas Film, rather than going out to direct."

"Sorry, Chairman Chen, I might have let down your kindness."

Is this the person who just readily agreed?

Chen Ziqiang hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

For now, to make this film well, we must bring in talent like Lucas.

Moreover, they still need to use his Industrial Light & Magic.

Without cooperating with Lucas, they would have to take many detours.

The solution he could think of now was to resolve Lucas's worries.

He tried asking.

"Lucas, would your company be willing to accept investment?"

Lucas didn't expect Chen Ziqiang to want to invest in his company; that was great.

Because his company burned through cash, hardly anyone was optimistic about it.

The investment they could attract was little; they preferred to invest in his directing ability rather than his company.

"Of course, Chairman Chen, could it be that Azure Rainbow wants to invest in our Lucas?"

"Didn't you invest in New World?"

Chen Ziqiang nodded.

"We did invest in New World, but this script New World couldn't handle; we have more faith in your experience and your effects team."

"We won't seek control, but Lucas should form a close cooperative relationship with Azure Rainbow going forward."

Lucas didn't hesitate and directly agreed.

"No problem, Chairman Chen. I don't know how many people want to cooperate with Azure Rainbow Media, and I don't know how much money Li Long and Ms. Mao Ying have earned for the Hailaowu (Place) film company."

"Everyone knows Azure Rainbow Media is generous; they want to cooperate with you."

Chen Ziqiang felt a bit uneasy; this was all obtained by them selling Li Xiaolong and Mao Ying.

There's no way around it; to stand firm in the West, some sacrifices are necessary.

Moreover, others haven't been stingy with pay either.

"Then wait a moment, I'll make a call,"

Soon Chen Ziqiang got through to Yang Qing on the phone.

"Director Yang, the situation is like this…… I want to invest in Lucas Film and ask for your approval."

Lucas Film?

I never expected Chen Ziqiang to actually go to Yingjiang to bring Lucas back.

Agree, we must agree.

"No problem, we can invest."

"However, our share proportion can't be too low."

"Let's set it at 30% as the minimum; otherwise we'd be doing someone else's work for nothing."

He well knows that this Lucas is no pushover.

Or rather, anyone who runs a company isn't simple.

Hearing that Yang Qing hadn't vetoed his plan, Chen Ziqiang breathed a sigh of relief.

The Eternal Splendor affair left him embarrassed and had already made Yang Qing unhappy.

What he feared most was Yang Qing no longer trusting him.

Unexpectedly, Director Yang hadn't changed at all.

He still had full confidence in him.

After hanging up, Chen Ziqiang would have far more confidence negotiating with Lucas again.

"Ten million US dollars for 45% equity—what do you think?"

As a newly established company with no track record, at best its valuation wouldn't exceed eight million US dollars.

As a result, they directly invested double your market value.

Lucas was tempted, but as a businessman, no matter how tempted he felt, he couldn't show it; he had to squeeze out more.

Mr. Chen, you're asking too much; I think 20% is acceptable.

Foreigners are just that naked—when they see money, they pounce like wolves on meat, and there's plenty of scheming inside.

【Back then Yingjiang took part of the money it had extorted from the old lady, used it to fund some construction (Tsinghua).

It greatly improved Yingjiang's image, established a very good reputation domestically, and won popular support.

Afterward, the principal became Yingjiang's lackey; his circle plundered the whole country, with at least twenty percent ending up in Yingjiang's hands.

Not to mention anything else, Song Ailing studied abroad under Yingjiang's sponsorship, later became the richest woman, and after draining the country to collapse, she fled to Yingjiang.

You think she's formidable? The real power lies behind her—Yingjiang; she's at most just a glove.

Initially Yingjiang spent a little of the money extorted from the old lady to set up an education organization whose main purpose was overseas study (that thing, Tsinghua, whose founding purpose was to cultivate overseas students for Yingjiang); then from those overseas students it developed collaborators, and through them swallowed at least twenty percent of a nation's wealth.

The depth of the scheming is quite reminiscent of squid.

Its far‑sighted thinking and methods are exactly like how squid manipulates Ouluoba.

Also profiting were the Sassoon family's HSBC (back then HSBC, through financial means, extracted a lot of money in Shanghai; the Shanghai Stock Crash was a joint effort of these two parties, conservatively estimated at sixty million silver dollars).

Song Ailing and Song Meiling were both overseas students in the US, specially cultivated by America. One married finance minister Kong Xiangxi, the other married the principal; without Yingjiang pulling strings behind the scenes, you really think the two Song traitors could have risen to such importance on their own?

Chen Ziqiang had the bottom line given by Yang Qing; how could he possibly agree?

"Lucas, in the whole world, can you find anyone else willing to put up ten million dollars for 45% of your company?"

"You're not bad, but compared to our Qinghong, what advantage does Lucas Film have?"

"I hope we are cooperating on a basis of mutual benefit, rather than being treated as a sucker."

Lucas didn't blush at all; negotiations, after all, proceed bit by bit.

"Thirty percent, Mr. Chen—Lucas Film really isn't worth that much, but I should also count as a significant asset."

"I can create greater value for the company."

"Mr. Chen, you don't want me to leave Lucas in the future, do you?"

"As a director, I am a free agent."

Chen Ziqiang knew he was setting conditions.

As for negotiations, one can leave no stone unturned.