[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment":3,"chapter-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-344":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Intelligence King of Chinese Entertainment",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260647,4411,"Chapter 344: The Film Industry","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-344",344,"\u003Cp>On the seventh day of the first lunar month, just after the New Year holiday ended, Yi’an held a grand New Year’s Gala celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attendees included the casts and crews of “Love Call Transfer 2,” “Peach Blossom Luck,” “Ip Man,” and key members of the “Crazy Stone” team, whose box office had just surpassed 300 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, galas are held for individual films, and Yi’an had always done the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, they were combined intentionally to create momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These films included a super hit, a dark horse success, and two others that all exceeded industry standards—solid performances with profits secured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big hits and small wins alike, they spanned the entire New Year season, demonstrating an unparalleled performance that clearly reflected Yi’an’s rise and dominance in film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had to be held together; only together could Yi’an’s cinematic prowess be displayed clearly and directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Guowei, Deputy General Manager of Yi’an Film & Television and the designated future General Manager of the Film Division, personally took the stage to present the results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...As of now, our company has co-produced and distributed four films during the New Year season: ‘Love Call Transfer 2’ grossed approximately 39 million, ‘Peach Blossom Luck’ exceeded 35 million, ‘Ip Man’ surpassed 120 million, and ‘Crazy Stone’ broke 300 million—totaling over 500 million for the entire season...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Additionally, our distributed films such as ‘Red Cliff: Part II,’ ‘Women Not Bad,’ and ‘Home Sweet Home’ have cumulatively earned about 400 million—bringing the total distribution box office for the season to nearly 900 million RMB...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Applause erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience clapped enthusiastically, many visibly stunned by the figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly a billion RMB from one New Year season? That’s insane profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that’s from those who don’t understand the industry; anyone familiar with film’s behind-the-scenes knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in distribution—Yi’an rarely handled exclusive releases; the numbers were heavily inflated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among co-producers, profits were shared with partners, and some films weren’t fully controlled by Yi’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corporate reports always stretch the truth—even when there’s real connection, they scream to the world that Yi’an is number one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the stage, Huayi and Orange Sky sent no representatives; only Yu Pangzi came specifically to join the buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these figures, Yu Pangzi’s expression was complex: “You Yi’an are growing fast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Guowei’s figures were inflated, but even after squeezing out the water, the remaining value was still substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was just one New Year season—before that, “Painted Skin,” and multiple summer films had also performed brilliantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2008, it was hard to say who had the best film business, but without doubt, Yi’an was the fastest-growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after merging with the former Yi’an Cinema Chain, its operations expanded and scale surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Spring Festival, the Southern Metropolis Daily released a ranking of mainland film industry power players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping of China Film Group ranked first, Yan Li ranked third—the top private company, even surpassing Huayi’s Wang Zhongjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Pangzi, head of China’s largest film distributor, BoNa, fell to seventh—luckily they didn’t count Hong Kong and Taiwan bosses, or he’d have dropped out of the top ten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Pangzi’s mood was complicated—he’d always known Yi’an had potential, but never imagined it’d be this good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veterans like Huayi and BoNa, who had built their empires step by step since the early 2000s, were now being overtaken—or even surpassed—by Yi’an as if they’d just pressed the accelerator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li smiled. Yi’an’s performance last year was strong, but there was no room to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huayi was still powerful, and this sighing Yu Pangzi was no pushover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year, BoNa’s output was mediocre, with few hits, its momentum fading, suppressed by Huayi and Yi’an—even Orange Sky, which acquired Shaw Brothers, overtook BoNa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Yu Pangzi had gone all-in, investing heavily and forming resource-sharing partnerships on multiple projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, co-producing “The Empire of Money” with Hong Kong’s famed director Wang Jing, aka Wang Pangzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Partnering with Taiwan billionaire Guo Lao to invest over 100 million in the historical epic “The Silver Empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also co-producing “Mulan” with Star International Media and Xiao Ma Benteng—high budget, high profile, linked to multiple top stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, BoNa also joined “October Siege” as one of the co-producers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were just the big-budget films; there were also many mid- and low-budget films—roughly a dozen in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, pressured by Yi’an, Huayi, and others, BoNa had entered an arms race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a matter of BoNa surrendering and stepping out of the race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yi’an, Huayi, and others went all-out, they’d expand and seize market share at any cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BoNa had to grit its teeth and keep up—if it survived, it might still have a seat at the table; if it didn’t, it risked becoming cannon fodder, barely clinging to life with no hope of IPO—something Yu Pangzi could never accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So BoNa couldn’t afford to rely on luck; it had to grit its teeth and join the rat race, whether it wanted to or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Yi’an is raising capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Pangzi began probing for information on Yi’an, to better prepare BoNa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li glanced at him and didn’t hide it: “Yes, the merger of the two businesses went smoothly—we’re raising funds to further integrate resources and facilitate cinema chain expansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a secret; many had contacted Yi’an, and many were watching—basic information couldn’t be concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which institutions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The main ones we’re talking to are Jingwen Guang, China Resources considering increased investment, and some PE funds that can help with IPO and connect relevant resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t hide it—Yu Pangzi was an insider, had long coveted an IPO, and understood these things well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Yu Pangzi counted on his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingwen Guang: state media group, guaranteeing official resources and connections; China Resources: central enterprise + commercial real estate giant, aligning with cinema chain strategy; private equity funds: providing capital and IPO support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every angle was covered—if executed well, Yi’an might go public in one smooth stroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, there’d also be an internet company involved for channel collaboration and future layout—but Yan Li had Weibo, so no need to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What internet company today was better suited to partner with a film studio than Weibo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought, the more envious and covetous Yu Pangzi became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huayi’s star strategy was good, but compared to Yi’an’s comprehensive, integrated development strategy, it clearly lacked vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, Yi’an could also play the star card—and had Yan Li himself, an absolute commercial superstar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d come to gather intelligence, but ended up fixated on Yi’an’s stock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Definitely profitable—when the chance came, he’d buy some. Damn, if only he could get some original shares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Pangzi wanted to ask bluntly if BoNa could swap shares with Yi’an, but feared humiliation—and worse, feared Yi’an would swallow BoNa whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You Yi’an are about to fight a rich man’s war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Pangzi spoke bitterly—he himself saw Yi’an’s potential, let alone those institutions; Yi’an would surely raise a lot of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The famously stingy Boss Yan was about to start throwing cash around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rich? I’m worried it won’t be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li, however, played the poor man. Yi’an would indeed raise substantial funds, but most would go into the cinema chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Film production and distribution would still rely primarily on Yi’an’s own capital—even possibly borrowing from the cinema chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not enough? How many cinemas are you opening?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Pangzi couldn’t hide his shock. Yan Li smiled silently. Now that money was available, and with the post-financial crisis opportunity to buy low, why not spend as much as possible? If it didn’t hurt the IPO, he might even borrow from banks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Yu Pangzi suddenly smiled: “I’m dying to know what those two Wangs are thinking right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li raised an eyebrow: “I want to know too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were certainly grim!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun closed the Weibo page about Yi’an’s gala and glanced at his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did Xiao Gang say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei sighed: “He finally gave in—he’ll direct ‘Non-Stop Love 2’ to guarantee profits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Non-Stop Love” had been a massive hit in the New Year season, making Huayi rich—but Feng Xiaogang still had ambitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to be trapped in the “Feng-style comedy” box; he wanted to make true epics with depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps spurred by last year’s pressure, he recalled old memories and decided to make “Tangshan Earthquake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internally, Huayi had mixed feelings about the project—this disaster drama had high investment, uncertain appeal, and commercial risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Huayi’s IPO imminent, any misstep could severely damage its prospects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang brothers had privately lobbied him repeatedly, but Feng Xiaogang was resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now famous and wealthy, didn’t need money or fame—he just wanted to prove himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Assembly” had been his bitter failure; now he’d redeem his reputation with “Tangshan Earthquake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Huayi’s top director and a strong-willed creative force, the Wang brothers couldn’t stop him—they compromised, letting him make “Non-Stop Love 2” as a safety net. Feng Xiaogang, unwilling to fight his bosses forever, also conceded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of it, Wang Zhongjun felt stifled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With IPO looming and Yi’an watching closely, and Feng Xiaogang causing trouble again—he now needed sleeping pills just to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After muttering about Feng Xiaogang, Wang Zhongjun turned to the topic of star equity stakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since last year, Huayi had begun increasing capital and offering original shares to bind stars as shareholders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xiaogang was the first to invest, receiving the largest original stake—nearly 3%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came Hu Zi, Huayi’s core figure in TV drama, holding slightly less than Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came the top male and female stars: Huang Xiaoming and Li Bingbing, whose original shares were second only to Feng and Hu, capped at nearly 2%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing initially bought only half, but Huang Xiaoming bought the full amount outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it he borrowed money because he lacked cash—quite the bold move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Li Bingbing and her sister consulted someone again, and under his advice, increased their investment to the full amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other artists received smaller shares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, even high shares didn’t matter—few stars dared to buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, many stars didn’t understand finance or stocks and remained wary, especially after the recent financial crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Princess Zhou—she held a prominent position at Huayi; if she bought, her stake wouldn’t be far behind Huang Xiaoming’s.\u003C\u002Fp>",1716,"2026-06-19T16:16:54.562Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","787d4ce9781f9c43ee6c801077f458400d4a8a7d214919b983523d0a42e8de2b","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-345","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-343",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]