After all of them were reborn, who would still be an actor?

Chapter 777 Real-name report, burning of the granary

A little over an hour ago, at the Chang'an Club.

Wang Dajun, Li Lianjie, Yanzi, Yanzi's husband, CEO of Media Asia Group, and Dong Ping, head of Alibaba Pictures, gathered together, all looking at Jack Ma who was making tea for them.

Jack Ma is really suffering!
What a resounding slogan for a 10 billion yuan Lunar New Year film season!
He dreamed of being the initiator and leader, and Li Mingyang was willing to give up his position to give him the opportunity to speak out.

But... it's impossible!
Jack Ma feels that all the money he's spent on the Chinese entertainment industry over the years is better spent on feeding dogs!

A bunch of ungrateful wolves!

When he needed to get things done, they all either pretended to be dead, sick, ran away, or avoided the fight, or made up all sorts of excuses to shirk their responsibilities...

But he was helpless...

Dong Ping said, "This is a matter for cultured people."

He regretted it immediately after acquiring Dongda Culture.

However... he could only regret it in his heart; Dong Ping could only try to win him over.

"The bank has stopped lending to Enlight Media. Do you think Li Mingyang still has a chance to achieve a 10 billion yuan box office in the New Year's film season?" Jack Ma handed the first cup of tea he had brewed to Dong Ping.

Dong Ping took the teacup and chuckled, "Everyone knows that the prosperity of Dongda Film School is due to ticket subsidies. Old Jia is not fair! We should not forget the well-digger when we drink the water. The ticket subsidies were created by Li Mingyang... Dongda filmmakers should be most grateful to him."

Jack remained calm, waiting for the "but".

"However, his actions this time were too perplexing, like a dying man recklessly squandering his money... He is a national icon, there's no need for him to do this."

Jack Ma distributed tea to everyone, picked up his own cup, took a small sip, looked up at Dong Ping, and smiled, "Confused? Is it wrong to simply do your part for Dongda Film?"

Dong Ping shook his head. "If it's for the sake of Dongda's film, wouldn't it be better to make a film about The Three-Body Problem?"

Jack Ma crossed his arms, covered his mouth with his left hand, and looked very serious.

“I haven’t had much contact with him, but based on his past experiences and President Han’s evaluation of him, he is a very ambitious person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals,” Dong Ping continued.

Jack Ma still didn't reply.

Seeing this, Li Lianjie tried to smooth things over. "Li Mingyang is only damaging his own reputation by doing this, and everyone can benefit from it. Don't act like enemies; it's all about making money."

"Yes! There are only about twenty movies scheduled for release during the Lunar New Year season, and a bunch of them are from small production companies whose names I've never even heard of. They can't even afford ticket subsidies. It would be such a waste not to release them during such a good time!" Yanzi urged.

Both men were Jack Ma's confidants, and what they said reflected Jack Ma's thoughts.

"It is indeed a good time slot. Since the introduction of ticket subsidies, I have never seen such a good time slot. However, they have a personal grudge against Li Mingyang... Their attitude is very clear," said Chairman Lin of Huanya.

"Li Mingyang has quite a few films in his portfolio, with four big directors—Jiang Wen, Jia Zhangke, Derek Yee, and Ann Hui—directing at the same time. He's good at publicity and distribution. I can't help but want to go see the movies and check them out..."

"The Miss Republic of China lookalike won't be filmed so quickly; we'll have to reshoot it now," Yanzi said.

"It doesn't matter when the 'Miss Republic of China' film is released. Xu Anhua may not be able to make good commercial films, but the publicity can be done together. The reputation of the four major directors is the best publicity, and it will have a chain reaction," Dong Ping said.

"The box office for 'Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon' is pretty good. Although its potential is limited, it's really enjoyable to have no competitors. I don't believe Li Houzi is that kind-hearted," Wang Dajun said insincerely.

"Are you all worried about getting sniped?" Yanzi laughed loudly, covering her mouth, making the others' faces turn black.

Dong Ping coughed lightly, "Li Mingyang is truly invincible, combining ticket subsidies, publicity, film, and traffic into one. Anyone who tries to compete with him is bound to lose."

“Li Houzi himself isn’t without movies; he also has the animated version of Your Name, which caused a sensation across Asia. As far as I know, this film has already completed the censorship process and can be released at any time,” Wang Dajun said.

"Um... he wants to make 2 billion at the box office with an animated film? My god, animated films are too niche, even more niche than martial arts films," Yanzi said.

"It's not shameful to lose. There's a clear distinction between animated films and live-action films, and awards are categorized separately."

Swallow nodded and looked at Jack.

She had already discerned that among these people, Dong Ping's voice of opposition was the loudest, and Hua Yi was simply worried about being targeted.

“Since you’re willing to step in and support him, Li Mingyang is now one of us,” Jack Ma said with a smile, putting his hand down.

“I think Lao Jia did the right thing. Li Mingyang’s success is our failure,” Dong Ping said, waving his hand in opposition.

Yanzi sighed softly; Dong Ping was too difficult to deal with.

Alibaba's big entertainment plan still needs his help; they really can't do without him right now.

Jack Ma picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I don't think so. His focus will be overseas from now on, which doesn't conflict with our interests."

Dong Ping took a deep drag on his cigarette, his eyes narrowed slightly, and said in a deep voice, "Raising a tiger will only lead to trouble. President Han was too lenient back then... 10 billion in box office revenue during the Lunar New Year season is a very good New Year's gift. If he doesn't fail, how could it be our turn?"

“I don’t want to wait,” Jack Ma said directly.

Dong Ping smiled slightly, a smile full of shrewdness, "If the box office performance for the Lunar New Year films isn't ideal by the end of this month, he'll be invited to a meeting..."

“This is for protection. He’s our public face now, and he can’t afford to lose,” Jack Ma said.

Dong Ping's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected Jack Ma to have such a profound understanding of the film industry. "Yes, we should be called to a meeting sometime. Li Mingyang is self-aware and will step down, and that's when your opportunity will come, Mr. Ma."

“There’s no hope, that’s why it’s my turn… Heh.” Jack Ma’s smile vanished, replaced by a chilling seriousness.

A perceptive person would say something to ease the tension.

But Dong Ping didn't try to ease the tension; instead, he added fuel to the fire, saying, "Li Mingyang's specialty is using someone else's strength against them. Do you want to be used as a pawn by him?"

"Why not?" Jack Ma shrugged and said calmly.

After he finished speaking, everyone in the room was shocked!
They knew that Jack Ma and Little Ma had an extraordinary appreciation for Li Mingyang.

Li Mingyang's success in navigating the Chinese entertainment industry and repeatedly extricating himself from difficult situations is all thanks to Little Ma and Jack Ma.

They originally thought it was just a choice based on self-interest.

Unexpectedly, Jack Ma's affection for Li Mingyang had penetrated to the bone, and he was even willing to be used as a pawn.

Li Lianjie and Yanzi immediately lost their composure, their jealousy flaring up instantly.

They had been loyal to Jack Ma for so many years, flattering him and trying to please him every day, yet they couldn't compare to an outsider.

"Mr. Ma's appreciation for talent is truly admirable!" Wang Dajun laughed heartily.

"I've made up my mind. If you don't get involved, I'll withdraw my investment," Jack Ma declared as an ultimatum.

Dong Ping chickened out. He didn't dare gamble. Was Jack Ma's statement true? The money from Alibaba's acquisition of Dongda Culture hadn't even arrived yet...

Wang Dajun cursed under his breath, then forced a smile and said, "President Ma, you always say that young people are the future and content is the most important thing. All of this is embodied in Li Mingyang. To be honest, if Zhang Zhao hadn't deliberately used Zhang Yimou to suppress him, who would dare to refute the 24-year-old Palme d'Or-winning director if he said he was the number one director at Dongda University?"

"Actually, all the problems he's facing now can be solved by talking to the bandit leader. Who among us would dare disobey? The higher-ups have already agreed to delay his retirement."

"Mr. Ma, have you ever wondered why he didn't go after Zuo Shandiao, but instead came to you?"

Before Jack Ma could answer.

Wang Dajun chuckled and said, "He's had enough! He's had enough of the oppression of Zuo Shandiao. He wants to rebel, and you are his leverage against you... If one day he has enough of your oppression, will he rebel too?"

"Hehe, he is very experienced and confident in this area."

As he spoke, Wang Dajun glanced at Dong Ping.

Jack Ma understood immediately. He couldn't even handle Dong Ping, so Li Mingyang was even more troublesome than Dong Ping. His Palme d'Or was too heavy!

At the awards ceremony, he said in Chinese, "I am Li Mingyang, a director from Dongda University."

A flawless declaration of perfection!

Seeing Jack Ma's wavering gaze, Wang Dajun's smile twisted even more. "Mr. Ma, Li Mingyang is doomed to lose. How can we create a new god if we don't slay a god?"

Jack covered his mouth for a while before asking, "Is anyone interested?"

"Mr. Ma, whoever you think it is, that's who it is!"

“If you defeat the best in the world, there will immediately be a new best in the world. There has never been a movie with the same box office..." Dong Ping said meaningfully.

"But Li Mingyang doesn't have any new movies."

"He definitely has a backlog of projects. His production process is incredibly efficient; he coordinates everything based on storyboards and doesn't require the director to be on set for extended periods. When he was filming The Witch 2, he hardly spent any time on set... I suspect that somewhere, his new movie has already been filmed, or even finished."

Jack Ma nodded; Wang Dajun's words made a lot of sense.

Although he never visited Li Mingyang's film set, Cai Chongxin did visit the set of the TV series "Miss".

Li Mingyang really treated it like a game... In the end, he put all his effort into winning the Palme d'Or!
Carp leap over the Dragon Gate, soaring into the sky to become dragons!

“Mr. Ma, I’ll say something you won’t like to hear: why do you think he’ll be willing to do things for you? He’s been to the top before. If he cared about money and power, he wouldn’t have come down.”

Jack Ma looked up, lost in thought. Wang Dajun's smile faded, and he said seriously, "I don't understand his intentions. Just like Brother Dong said, he's squandering his influence. Even if the 10 billion yuan New Year's film season is a success, it won't be a big boost for him... Li Mingyang is definitely plotting something. I don't understand, and I definitely won't get involved... Mr. Ma, I hope you can understand us..."

"What do all that you've said have to do with me?" Jack Ma said indifferently.

Seeing that his sugar daddy was unhappy, Wang Dajun gave an awkward smile; he had already made himself very clear.

They're forcing Li Mingyang to step in; if he doesn't, how can he slay the god?
Since we can't make personal attacks, we can only criticize movies!

The situation reached a stalemate.

Just as Jack Ma's patience was about to run out, Dong Ping suddenly offered a compromise.

No need to wait until the end of the month.

Just wait two weeks! We'll know on the 20th!

"The end of the month is indeed very dangerous, the schedule is very tight. If we have ten more days, we will have two more opening weekends, and we really have a chance to reach a total box office of 10 billion. The end of the month is too rushed, and some people will drop out halfway."

"Why are you looking at me! You go first, I'll definitely go first!" Wang Dajun said angrily.

"Are you sure?" Jack Ma's expression softened, and he smiled.

"Mr. Ma, we have no chance of achieving a total box office of 10 billion yuan. It still depends on Li Mingyang, except that you are now in charge."

Dong Ping's words were very artful; they praised Li Mingyang while also flattering Jack Ma.

Jack nodded in satisfaction after hearing this.

He walked out laughing!
"Mr. Ma, you're being biased!" Yanzi said discontentedly.

No one else spoke.

Feeling rebuffed, Yanzi rolled her eyes and hurriedly dragged her husband to chase after Jack Ma.

After the others left one by one.

Inside the private room, only Wang Dajun and Dong Ping remained. Wang Dajun, smoking a cigar, said with a complicated expression, "Let me be clear from the start, I don't want this 10 billion yuan box office to succeed...something will definitely go wrong..."

Dong Ping waved his hand, "Don't speak so soon... We've never been a cohesive unit, just a disorganized mess."

"That's not what Lao Jia thinks."

“Li Mingyang’s intentions are hard to fathom, and Boss Jia’s intentions are even harder to fathom. I still can’t figure out why he suddenly jumped out to cause trouble.” Dong Ping pondered for a moment and continued, “Li Mingyang is wasting his reputation and his resources. It’s too irrational to use resources on Li Mingyang.”

"I don't know what got into him. Zhang Zhao's plan is excellent, a direct confrontation. Whatever kind of publicity Li Mingyang does, we just copy his homework. He has Maoyan and Nuomi, we have Taopiaopiao. He holds concerts, we hold concerts too. He uses online trolls, we use them too. He doesn't have a more powerful method than ticket subsidies, so he can only wear us down."

“Zhang Zhao’s plan, which looks stupid, is actually the smartest. What Boss Jia is doing now is stupid…” Dong Ping gave Wang Dajun a deep look.

Wang Dajun gave a bitter smile. "I wish Li Houzi were dead, but this really wasn't my idea. Everyone's doing it – taking out bank loans to buy tickets and subsidize them! How could such a terrible idea be my idea? Old Jia just made the decision on a whim. Neither Zhang Zhao nor I knew anything about it."

Dong Ping fell silent.

He couldn't understand what Li Mingyang was trying to do, and he couldn't understand what Lao Jia was trying to do either...

……

Shanghai, Sheraton Hotel.

“Manager Zhang, do whatever you want to do, I trust you. But don’t worry about Li Mingyang,” Lao Jia said.

"But……"

Before Zhang Zhao could finish speaking, Lao Jia raised his hand to stop him, saying, "I bet Li Mingyang doesn't have a new movie; he's deceiving everyone."

"Impossible! He personally said he would make a movie to climb back to the top of the mainland box office and break the 2 billion yuan ceiling! If he can't produce it, he's breaking his promise. His reputation is his most precious asset, and he has to do it! If he breaks his promise, he's completely lost!"

"His desire for 10 billion yuan in box office revenue is clearly greater than his personal honor! Enough said, my mind is made up."

"What if he's willing to admit defeat, for example, by accepting LeEco Pictures stock?"

There's a thorn in Jia Yueting's side: Li Mingyang's refusal to accept LeEco Pictures' stock caused a credibility crisis for LeEco in the Chinese entertainment industry!
Many celebrities are taking a wait-and-see approach to LeEco's stock.

Old Jia was furious!

His plan was forced to stop, and he was only able to continue after reaching a cooperation agreement with Huayi.

Then... Old Jia was speechless.

Huayi is facing the same problem as him.

Li Mingyang is amazing! He's practically the chosen one of film finance!

While in South Korea, the box office soared, constantly breaking South Korean viewing records, topping the charts twice within a year! It surpassed 10 million viewers and then exploded to 20 million viewers.

The movie "Lost in Thailand" was amazing, helping Enlight Media's stock price soar and its market value exceed 30 billion!

But what helped Enlight Media's market value exceed 40 billion was the phenomenal box office of "Seoul Spring"!
He's already this strong in Korea, what would happen if he went back to China!

Celebrities in the industry are all holding onto their money, waiting for the bouquet to be launched at ChinaJoy...

Huayi is the hardest hit area!

The so-called celebrity shareholders are not sincere. They don't have a good opinion of their own company's stock at all. If it weren't for the forced buying and selling, they would have gone to buy Enlight Media long ago.

The main force behind the attack on CJ was Wall Street, with Jia Yueting and Wang Dajun playing a significant role. The sharp drop in Enlight Media's stock price was also orchestrated by Jia Yueting and Wang Dajun.

Making money is secondary; breaking Li Mingyang's IPO myth is the most important thing!
After a large number of celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry were trapped in their investments, the stock prices of Huayi Brothers and LeTV both rose.

Old Jia's pre-IPO shares are selling like hotcakes, and he's managed to win over several top celebrities!

Although these things are in the past... the thorn in Lao Jia's heart has not disappeared!

His plan is deeply tied to celebrity IPs and content volume!
No one knew about this except him...

LeEco has no chance of recovery unless Li Mingyang is brought down!

In particular, the relationship between Li Mingyang and Lei Jun is unusual.

LeEco and Xiaomi's ecosystems overlap significantly, but Xiaomi lacks a crucial element: content.

Li Mingyang is the most powerful content IP in the Chinese entertainment industry!

Jia Yueting wouldn't allow such a powerful person to exist and hinder his LeEco!

This person, in particular, can fill the gap left by Xiaomi, the biggest competitor.

"Do you think he can make LeEco Pictures a success?" Old Jia asked rhetorically.

“Of course it’s feasible! With him, LeEco Pictures can go public immediately!” Zhang Zhao said with a smile.

"He is deeply bound to light, and this cannot be changed overnight."

"He's willing to liquidate all of Guangdian's shares if you agree."

Zhang Zhao threw out his fabricated trump card. He hadn't even communicated with Li Mingyang, but as long as Lao Jia agreed, he could go talk to Li Mingyang again.

In fact, the partnership between Li Mingyang and Wang Changtian is not based on stocks.

Li Mingyang ostensibly owns 20% of Enlight Media's shares, but in reality, he only owns 5%, with the remaining 15% subject to mandatory buyback.

What Wang Changtian can do, he can do too.

"Let me think about it some more," Old Jia gave an ambiguous answer.

Zhang Zhao's heart skipped a beat. The conditions had already been set, and Old Jia still wanted to consider it, which basically meant he was refusing.

He wanted to say more.

Old Jia, however, was no longer interested in the conversation and got up to see his guest off with a smile.

"Chairman Jia, don't act rashly..."

"I know."

……

Old Jia's real-name report had no impact on the ticket subsidies for "Old Boys: The Dragon Crossing the River".

Although the bank has stopped lending.

But even if Li Mingyang and Wang Changtian pieced together the money, they could still scrape together several hundred million yuan, enough to cover the ticket subsidies for a movie.

However... something terrible still happened!
Public opinion storm erupts, directly targeting Xiao Yang!
(End of this chapter)