Chapter 807: Yielding to Capital, Joining Capital; ByteDance System and Tudou

"Around 11 am, jointly produced by New Classics, Shengkai Film, Kadokawa Shoten, and Emperor Motion Pictures; Director Chen Kaige's film work, the costume fantasy suspense blockbuster *Legend of the Demon Cat*, successfully wrapped up at the Tang City Film and Television Base in Xiangyang."

"At the wrap-up ceremony, producer Chen Hong publicly stated: The film *Legend of the Demon Cat* is planned to land in next year's New Year film season, and will meet with the vast number of fans and audiences at that time."

"China Film Group released an announcement that the Sino-US co-produced blockbuster *The Great Wall* is ready, and will open for advance screening in 350 IMAX cinemas nationwide at 7 pm tomorrow."

Since noon, the internet has been full of film information about *Legend of the Demon Cat* and *The Great Wall*.

The former, Director Chen is preparing for battle with a high profile, and it is a full year in advance; the latter can fully see the importance China Film Group attaches to *The Great Wall*, actually giving 5 hours of running time!

To say something unpleasant, these 5 hours of advance screening can actually be considered as moving the release date of *The Great Wall* forward by a whole day, that is, it gained "one day's box office" for nothing.

At least the popularity of the film's release will explode from tomorrow morning, and the box office performance of these 5 hours may even create a miracle, after all, the ticket price of IMAX cinemas has always been the most expensive batch.

In addition, I have to say one more thing, China Film Group is very cunning, because according to the rules, the first-day box office data of *The Great Wall* will add these 5 hours, that is, the first-day box office will be more eye-catching.

However, for the vast majority of audiences and fans, they are not clear about this rule and operation; so it is likely that they will be "confused" by the first-day box office and walk into the cinema!

Just past two o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Yimou Studio.

By this time, Director Zhang still didn't know what to say, and could only show a look of "flattered."

In the morning, he asked Zhang Mo to call Dong Ping. Originally, he wanted to make an appointment for a morning or noon on a certain day to talk about that serious matter at the dinner table;

But who would have thought that Dong Ping would say that it is better to choose a day than to hit the day. Isn't that right, the person is sitting in front of him at this moment, followed by Xu Zheng with a smile.

"Actually, it doesn't have to be so hasty." Zhang Yimou picked up the tea added by Zhang Mo and joked with a smile.

"Eh, words can't be said like that. If it were someone else, I would definitely make an appointment on the phone. But Director Zhang is different, my first reaction was to come over immediately and talk to you face to face."

Dong Ping was full of smiles, and his attitude was exceptionally humble. Although Zhang Yimou and Zhang Mo both knew that this was superficial work, the two of them were indeed very useful in their hearts, this is human nature.

"We are also just free, so we thought about coming over to accompany Director Zhang and Director Little Zhang to chat first. Wait for another day for Dong Ping to be the host, and then call Ning Hao, we will specifically entertain you two."

Xu Zheng smiled and took the conversation, continuing to hold Zhang Yimou.

He and Dong Ping both knew very well that for Huanxi Media, Zhang Yimou is like adding wings to a tiger.

As long as the latter joins Huanxi, the group will instantly become a true giant in the Chinese film industry. This is a process from quantitative change to qualitative change!

Zhang Yimou still nodded with a smile. Regarding business matters, he had already accepted his fate, admitting that he was not good at it. He looked at his daughter.

Zhang Mo understood and immediately started the topic with a smile: "My dad handed this matter to me. Since Huanxi is indeed sincere, let's talk about the general content now."

Dong Ping and Xu Zheng heard this, and their hearts jumped with joy. They were not afraid of Zhang Yimou's big appetite, but afraid that he wouldn't open his mouth.

The atmosphere in the office became serious in this instant. Only to see Dong Ping sitting upright and starting to pave the way:

"Director Zhang, you are one of the best big directors in the Chinese film industry and internationally renowned. Coupled with the blessing of the 2008 Olympics, it is no exaggeration to say that you are the number one big director in China."

"So, for your status and position, the sincerity we give will naturally not be small. But the things we require must also be worthy of the price we give you!"

"Hmm, tell me in detail." Zhang Yimou nodded steadily. The flattering words are nonsense at this moment, he wants to hear not these.

"For directors like Wong Kar-wai, we wanted the priority investment rights for film and television works, and the investment share is up to 60%;"

"But here with you, we want exclusive investment rights, we want 100%; that is, after signing, your films can only be invested by Huanxi; you just need to shoot your films well, and then take the profit sharing and salary."

"In addition, like those big directors, during the contract period, you must produce a set number of film and television works. After all, you know, we are a listed company and need the output of works..."

"What about the contract period?" Zhang Yimou asked.

"10 years, how about it?" Dong Ping probed.

As the words fell, even Xu Zheng couldn't help but glance at Dong Ping; you know, the contracts of the four big directors Wong Kar-wai, Peter Chan, and Gu Changwei were only 6 years! Is Dong Ping trying to bind Zhang Yimou to death?

Zhang Mo looked at Zhang Yimou. Regarding the contract period, she, as a daughter, could not make the decision for the latter.

Zhang Yimou drooped his eyelids and considered. After a while, he looked up, his eyes turbid but firm: "The contract expires in May the year after next, and I will also pass my 68th birthday. 10 years is too long, let's make it 6 years."

"I have confidence in my body and energy before 75, but things after that are too far away, no one can say well."

"Okay, 6 years it is!" Dong Ping didn't continue to bargain, but made a decisive decision.

"Now you can talk about the price you offered me." Zhang Yimou's voice was low, and his tone was exceptionally sharp, not at all like someone who was already 66 years old.

"You don't need to invest, Huanxi directly gives you about 5% of the shares, and at the same time comes with 100 million in cash... As for the specific number of shares, we can talk about it slowly later..."

Half an hour later, Dong Ping and Xu Zheng left, leaving only the father and daughter in the office.

"Dad, the conditions they offered are really... compared to what LeEco gave before... they sound even more unreliable!"

Zhang Mo complained speechlessly, but she knew that what Dong Ping said was true, without a single bit of deception or coaxing. Of course, Zhang Yimou also knew that these prices were not fake.

"Dong Ping is very sincere, isn't he? He even told us clearly that Huanxi will earn more, from finance, from the stock market.

I said I would change, embrace the market in the future, embrace capital, accept reality... I have to pave the way for you and your younger siblings, and save some family foundation... and the retirement for me and your aunt, hehe."

Zhang Yimou's tone was resolute, and the final laughter made Zhang Mo feel heartbroken. Her proud big director father, from today on, had completely put down his face and honor.

Outside, Xu Zheng and Dong Ping, who had already boarded the car and were preparing to return to Huanxi, were also whispering. It's just that compared to the atmosphere at Zhang Yimou's studio, it was much more enthusiastic.

"From the second half of the year after next, Huanxi will become a true giant in the industry! No one can refuse the temptation of capital, even if he is the internationally renowned Zhang Yimou."

"Facing the interests of capital, he will also put down his self, abandon the past, reality is like this. From the year after next, he will be the most invincible big killer for Huanxi in the capital and financial markets!"

Hearing Dong Ping's impassioned speech, Xu Zheng also nodded, "Director Zhang's appeal and influence are indeed big killers when used in the capital and financial markets. It's a pity that he only agreed to sign for 6 years, and he is already so old."

"Xu Dao, Xu Dao, you are focusing on the wrong thing."

Dong Ping smiled meaningfully, and then glanced out of the car window; only to see the huge *The Great Wall* poster on the wall of the commercial street.

A few seconds later, his voice was low and he explained confidently:

"The fifth-generation big directors, especially people like Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Gu Changwei, and Tian Zhuangzhuang, they are famous for their vigorous energy and strong bodies."

"After the 6-year contract expires, do you believe that the 74-year-old Director Zhang will retire? I don't think he will retire. Because Huanxi will give him wealth and capital that he has never had in his decades of career within these 6 years."

"Interests will firmly bind him, lock him... and capital and money for Director Zhang will be the best aphrodisiac for the body. He only needs to shoot good movies, no need to think about anything else..."

Xu Zheng was silent. Even if he himself had been thinking about transforming into a director and capital from a long time ago, he was still a bit emotional about Zhang Yimou's change.

Domestic actors, there is no one who does not long to cooperate with Zhang Yimou, and he was the same in the past.

But from today on, the Zhang Yimou of the past is completely gone; he will completely yield to capital and join capital. His persistence in film will no longer be placed in the first place.

On the morning of the 15th, Lin Nan met the people from the ByteDance system at the company. This can also be considered the first meeting between the quasi-shareholders and the ByteDance executives. The other party personally sent the invitation for the D-round financing dinner on the 30th.

Of course, Lin Nan only has the right to follow-up investment to ensure that his 3.1% stake is not diluted, and does not have the qualification to participate in the D-round.

Because Weibo and 360 were not invited to participate in the D-round financing, and the list had already been set.

"Lin Dao, Chairman Zhang has been busy with the D-round recently and can't get away. However, since hearing Chairman Cao mention you, he has been wanting to meet you."

"Meet me? I'm just a small shareholder, what's there to meet?"

Lin Nan joked. He really couldn't react to what there was to meet at this moment; after all, there are so many shareholders in the ByteDance system, and the current 3.1% stake is really not much.

"Chairman Zhang believes that even if Lin Dao didn't take the shares in the hands of Weibo and 360, we would meet sooner or later." The vice chairman of the ByteDance system pushed his glasses and said with hidden meaning.

"How do you say that?"

"Chairman Zhang believes that one day in the future, we will definitely deal with Tudou, and even cooperate. And you are the largest shareholder of Tudou."

At this moment, Lin Nan realized with delayed realization, "Because of your software?"

"That's right, it was just renamed Douyin Short Video this month. We believe it will be a product that makes up for the market's shortcomings, and it is also a disruptive product, but it ultimately cannot be separated from the output of the film and television culture industry. And Tudou's copyright library is huge, it is the industry's number one!" Everything stopped at the point, and the other party didn't speak anymore.

"Then you have to deal with Wang Wei. We shareholders generally don't interfere with Tudou's operations. He is the founder of Tudou, he is the biological father! Hehe..."

Lin Nan smiled and prevaricated. Tudou's copyright library is huge, it's a gold-swallowing beast, Wang Changtian has collapsed many times because of this.

But cooperation? Hehe. At present, the volume of the ByteDance system cannot afford all the copyrights in the film and television culture industry, so it will only start from piracy, from fighting!

But the result is already set, because the laws regarding short videos are not very perfect, and it is impossible to define whether it is infringement or not, so the ByteDance system will "grow strong"!

After sending the other party away, Lin Nan didn't stay in the company much, but went straight home. As for Tudou's future affairs, Wang Wei will handle them. Some problems are indeed unavoidable.

In the huge villa living room, there are fresh flowers and branches everywhere.

Liu Yifei is holding scissors in one hand and fiddling with vases and flowers in the other. She is arranging flowers at home. Beside her is Watching Shu Chang holding a camera, looking for an angle.

"You really don't remember the pain after the scar heals. You broke one of my cameras last time, and the lens hit the corner of the table directly." Lin Nan slumped on the sofa and complained speechlessly to Watching Shu Chang.

"It was your wife who let me use it, if you have the ability, go scold her. Do you dare?" Watching Shu Chang turned her head and retorted impolitely. Well, Lin Dao was killed in seconds!

"Isn't it just a camera, I'll send you a more expensive one later." Suddenly, Han Jia's voice floated from the stairs.

"She is showing courtesy for nothing, either a traitor or a thief." Liu Yifei teased Lin Nan with a smile.

"I think so too. Tell me, why are you free to come over today? Didn't you say you wanted to ponder the script at home in advance?" Lin Nan looked at Han Jia and asked.

Only to see Han Jia walking down the stairs quickly with a smile, and sat on the sofa near Liu Yifei, "Brother Lin, I'm here to discuss something with you."

"Cough cough, brother, are you ready to be a sucker?"

As Watching Shu Chang's giggling voice fell, Han Jia's white eyes also threw over: "Hmm?"

"Hurry up and say it, after saying it, call the restaurant, I'm already a bit hungry." Lin Nan urged angrily, and then got up and walked to Liu Yifei's side, helping him pass flowers.

"That, isn't Tudou going to have internal allotment next month? I'm here to ask you for my salary, my and my dad's salary, otherwise what should I do next month?" Han Jia said with a thick face, not feeling embarrassed at all.

"Filming starts in February, and you ran over two months in advance to ask me for the full salary. In the entire film and television industry, you are probably the first one!"

Lin Nan was so angry that he laughed, but he really forgot about this. Third Master Han's family wealth, either invested in China Film Group, or invested in *Dying to Survive*, he is really clean at this moment.

"The crew has to follow the rules and regulations, it is impossible to advance such a large salary."

Seeing that Han Jia was about to change her face, Lin Nan immediately added: "Yifei will help you pay it, and it will be deducted from the salary later."

Han Jia belongs to the dog, and instantly had a smiling face again, and even pushed an inch: "Then can I buy the same amount of stock as Watching Shu Chang? Anyway, Yifei paid it, she has money..."

"You think beautifully!" Before Lin Nan and Liu Yifei could laugh, Watching Shu Chang had already retorted sharply.

"The quota for each of you has been reserved long ago, there is no extra, and it cannot be adjusted."

Liu Yifei picked up a rose and threw it at Han Jia, she was about to laugh. Lin Nan also smiled and didn't speak. Honestly, the amount given to Watching Shu Chang is the most among the few.

... ===== CHAPTER 808 =====