Chapter 67

Zhang Jianting urgently notified the lawyers to arrive; the contract issue with the "Whiplash" crew must be resolved first, otherwise today's press conference will become a laughingstock.

The group of reporters who refused to leave at the entrance were still looking forward to it; with Lu Kuan, an uninvited malicious guest, things became even more complicated.

Liu Zeyu came to the negotiation venue leisurely and sat down opposite Lu Kuan unceremoniously.

"It seems you have some means; I still underestimated you."

Boss Lu looked at him inexplicably: "Who are you? I'm talking to the people from Emperor; what does it have to do with you?"

After a while, he pretended to suddenly realize and smiled: "Oh! So it's you, the guy who smelled my fart during the exam and wanted the recipe!"

Liu Zeyu instantly recalled the humiliating memory on the field of the Beijing Film Academy's fourth test; his anger surged, and he was about to erupt when a group of agents, lawyers, and Emperor staff filed in.

The first to speak was the Hong Kong lawyer representing the three artists.

"Mr. Lu, our side has already clearly sent an invitation to your crew to request the termination of the performance contract. Based on the previous contract terms, it is completely legal and compliant."

"And your side must pay the relevant remuneration for our artists during the period they have already filmed according to the regulations."

Boss Lu played with his phone and said disdainfully: "Don't delay time. I sent a letter this morning warning your side that the crew's order has been restored."

"According to the contract terms, if you don't respond or continue to work within 48 hours, I can unilaterally terminate the contract and demand three times the liquidated damages of your salary."

The white-haired lawyer looked at Zhang Jianting, took out another piece of information, and said in a stern tone: "Mr. Lu, we have also noticed that your crew's financial situation is not very ideal. Do you admit this?"

Boss Lu ignored his self-proving trap: "Speak directly."

The old lawyer's tone was gentle and sincere: "Our artists now also have many endorsement contracts. If we sign some endorsements for mobile phones and coffee shop brands with non-compete agreements now, I'm afraid they won't be able to continue participating in the filming of product placements in your movie."

"If these endorsements are gone, your financial situation will also be very delicate. Instead of both sides suffering, why don't we both take a step back?"

One knows one's own affairs; Lu Kuan only has 4 million in his hands, and he is prepared to pay 1 million to the "Blind Shaft" crew, and he hasn't returned the 600,000 borrowed from Zhuang Xu.

There is still a significant gap from the 6 million budget. Apart from the high endorsement fees, a large part is prepared to be mined from the World Cup that is about to open this month.

"How to step back?"

Zhang Jianting smiled: "Peaceful termination, parting ways happily. You agree to terminate, and we won't ask for a penny of salary."

He added a threat: "Mr. Lu, the film world is not all about killing and fighting. Young people shouldn't be too aggressive."

What a pity, why don't you say young people shouldn't be too arrogant! The "acting cool" combo can't be triggered.

Boss Lu started to act like a rogue: "I really don't have enough money now, but I don't care. If you want to play, I'll play with you to the end."

"I'd rather spend money every day to accompany the three popular young Hong Kong actors to film until the money runs out. If the movie can't be finished, that's my own fault!"

"You can also let the Hong Kong cinema chain ban me; feel free!"

He wants to use himself to trade with the three young Hong Kong actors; this is an enhanced version of Tian Ji Horse Racing.

Xie Tingfeng and Chen Guanxi both had hot tempers and immediately slapped the table and shouted.

Lu Kuan is only 20 years old, passed the cultural course exam this year to enter the Beijing Film Academy, and has plenty of time to do what he wants to do.

But Xie Tingfeng and Chen Guanxi, a group of young Hong Kong actors who are in the limelight, would see their popularity greatly reduced even if they disappeared for a month.

What the entertainment industry lacks is resources and works, but it never lacks people.

No matter how popular they are, if they are dragged for a few months by Lu Kuan using contracts, they also have the risk of being slapped to death on the beach by the waves behind.

Huo Wenxi saw that the scene was a bit tense and had to come out to smooth things over: "Everyone has a misunderstanding about this matter. Mr. Lu, just say it directly, how can you let them terminate the contract."

A group of people on the opposite side looked nervous, while Boss Lu, who was relaxed on this side, started to crack jokes instead.

He didn't hide his lewd eyes as he swept over the sexy buttocks under the beautiful agent's skirt: "Mani, you look so beautiful today!"

"For the sake of a beauty, let's do things according to the contract. Pay three times the liquidated damages, and I won't say a word and leave immediately!"

Seeing that Boss Lu was impervious to reason, Zhang Jianting also tore off his refined face: "Mr. Lu, your film filing is a co-production, and there are a large number of violent scenes, and it is also suspected of implying the image of teachers."

"If you agree to a peaceful termination, 'Whiplash' will still receive Emperor's friendship, and I can even introduce you to other Hong Kong actors."

"If you insist on going your own way and must have this three-fold termination fee, I think your movies won't be very popular in Hong Kong in the future, and no Hong Kong cinema chains or actors will be willing to cooperate with you."

Before it was a secret threat, this is putting the ugly face directly on the table.

If Lu Kuan is determined to have a fish-die-net-break, even if he gets the liquidated damages, with Emperor's influence, no Hong Kong actors will be willing to cooperate with him, and the filmed movie will also be boycotted by Hong Kong cinema chains.

This will lead to the invalidation of the co-production filing of "Whiplash," and the film's review will also fall into a dilemma due to the controversy over the image of teachers in the film.

Zhang Jianting smiled at the young director who was lost in thought, thinking to himself that you are still too green.

Liu Zeyu also added an assist at the right time: "Lu Kuan, I have already asked people to contact your three endorsements. If you are willing to give up the three-fold liquidated damages, I can not interfere in this matter."

"If you insist on making everyone look bad, then don't even think about this endorsement fee."

Xie Tingfeng, Chen Guanxi, and others all cast eager eyes, very much appreciating this finishing blow from the young master, and Zhang Jianting also patted him on the shoulder to show appreciation.

The young master was extremely excited; he felt that he now had some of his father's means and demeanor in the officialdom, and had a sense of pleasure in talking and laughing while the enemy was wiped out!

I, the young master, "Horse 3 advances 5," you, Lu Kuan, "General 6 moves to 5."

Now I'll come with a "Cannon 1 moves to 5," how will you respond?

This move is called Horse! Back! Cannon!

Xie Tingfeng and the others all looked relaxed. Liu Zeyu now regretted smashing his Nokia 7650 just now, otherwise, he could have perfectly recorded the expression of Lu Kuan accepting the termination in a dejected manner later.

The white-haired lawyer also shrugged his shoulders easily; such things are not surprising. 80% of business negotiations reach an agreement through off-field tricks; how many really follow the contract?

"You people!"

Lu Kuan sighed heavily.

Everyone looked up at the young man who spoke, but unexpectedly did not see the slightest sign of defeat on his face.

"You people, you are just used to being robbers."

"You can't do things properly, but you have all sorts of ways to cheat people."

Boss Lu inexplicably thought of his past life, thought of himself as the young man who had just graduated from USC and was full of longing for film art...

Thought of how he fell time and time again under the iron hooves of capital, fell under the oppression of bureaucracy...

"As long as it's something you like, you must seize it by force no matter what. You don't have the ability to open up a situation yourselves, you only know how to plunder weaker peers."

Zhang Jianting curled his lips disdainfully, still thinking you were a character, actually saying such childish words.

"Survival of the fittest is the jungle law. Do you think you are a student in an ivory tower? You only know how to wail when you are wronged."

Boss Lu got up and walked close to Liu Zeyu and the others, taking a folded paper contract out of his pocket.

"Here is a memorandum of understanding between Inquiry Realm Culture Media and Bay Province singer Zhou Jielun regarding the filming of 'Whiplash'."

"As you said, survival of the fittest is the jungle law. Now let me ask you, who is strong? Who is weak?!"

Lu Kuan suddenly raised his volume, threw the few sheets of paper manuscript that smelled of ink onto Zhang Jianting's face, and approached him with a ferocious expression.

"Who told you that co-productions must have you Hong Kong people?"

"Can't Bay Province and the mainland co-produce? Huh? Can't they, you lunatic? Eat shit!"

Liu Zeyu, Zhang Jianting, and their ilk failed in their first step to obstruct the crew from resuming work normally, and then used the co-production restrictions as an excuse to force him to give up the three-fold termination fee.

But they didn't expect that while they were busy with young models, Lu Kuan had already pulled the rug from under them and contacted Zhou Jielun, who was warming up for his "Eight Dimensions Space" album in Hong Kong.

In addition to CEPA, Bay Province and the mainland had already had a series of cultural and economic mutual aid agreements during the harmonious period.

Throughout the 80s and 90s, the relationship between the two sides was relatively stable, until 1999 when the mainland issued regulations that the number of creative personnel from Taiwan Province in TV dramas and variety shows could not exceed 5, and variety shows could not exceed 3.

Zhou Jielun's joining allowed the nature of the co-production to be retained, the hidden dangers of review were gone, and Lu Kuan, who received three times the compensation, could still continue his project.

And his popularity in Asia would only make several advertising sponsors send bigger contracts.

Xie Tingfeng, Chen Guanxi, and Liu Zeyu all looked at Zhang Jianting, who was holding the memorandum of understanding, in silence.

Zhang Jianting couldn't care about the humiliation he had just received from Lu Kuan, his face turned pale as he looked at his lawyer, who stammered and couldn't speak, just shook his head helplessly.

"Mr. Lu, good means! I'll remember you!" Zhang Jianting left a harsh word, turned around and left with Xie Tingfeng and Chen Guanxi, and the lawyer in a suit and leather shoes hurriedly hugged the documents and chased after them.

"Why don't you leave?" Lu Kuan looked at Yu Wenle in the corner with a blank expression.

"I... Director Lu, I want to continue acting in 'Whiplash'."

Yu Wenle is not a second-generation like Xie Tingfeng and Chen Guanxi; his family fell in the 1997 financial crisis, and his sister's tuition was paid by selling cars and watches.

He didn't want to, and it was very difficult to pay three times his salary for termination.

Boss Lu sneered: "You can continue, but your salary will be cut in half."

"Yes..."

Yu Wenle seemed to have all his strength drained; he struggled painfully in his heart before stammering his agreement.

Lu Kuan raised his eyebrows and threw a cigarette at him: "Very good."

Liu Zeyu glared at Yu Wenle, wanting to curse him for being a traitor, but didn't know from what position.

If it weren't for his instigation, how could Yu Wenle's salary drop so sharply.

"Lu Kuan, you are bluffing, right? How could you convince Zhou Jielun to act in your movie?"

Liu Zeyu seemed to be dreaming of planning strategies and winning thousands of miles away a second ago, but was pierced by Boss Lu's ruthless counterattack the next second.

He didn't know how Lu Kuan, a layman without any works, convinced the new Asian Little Heavenly King to cross over to act in his low-budget movie.

Boss Lu showed a winner's smile and exhaled a puff of smoke leisurely: "Yeah, how did I do it?"

"Young Master Liu, 500,000, to buy a clear mind, can I?"

(End of chapter)