Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 46 Buying the Difference with Nicholas Tse

Jiang Zhiqiang was later hailed as "the first person to export Chinese-language films overseas" and had an extraordinary relationship with the Big Six Hollywood studios.

He helped sell the North American copyright of Eagle King's blockbuster "Back to the Future" to Columbia next year.

More importantly, he has abundant resources in his circle, sharp vision and strong courage.

Lu Kuan could give the distribution rights in Asia to Jiang Zhiqiang, establish a good relationship through the first low-budget film, and then seek further in-depth cooperation.

Nicholas Tse responded to the invitation eagerly and went to negotiate with his agent Huo Wenxi the next day.

Mei Yanfang has a very high status in the Hong Kong music scene. She has promoted and helped many newly debuted artists, and Nicholas Tse is one of them.

Later, when she died of illness at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, eight well-known actors including Andy Lau and Tony Leung carried the coffin, and it was Nicholas Tse who carried her portrait.

Several people sat down on the terrace on the second floor, introduced themselves to each other, and began the formal talks.

"Someone at the company read the script yesterday and also discussed it with Tingfeng. They thought the subject matter was pretty good."

Huo Wenxi smiled and said, "I just have a question. You are two years younger than Tingfeng, and you have no experience in filming. This movie..."

Lu Kuan had long anticipated that his first film would be questioned in this way, so he never even thought about looking for investment. If it weren't for Mei Yanfang's sponsorship, he would probably have to choose a smaller-budget subject to test the waters.

"The film's budget is 800 million, and it's my sole investment. I don't think anyone would waste so much money."

In order to raise his own value, Boss Lu exaggerated the budget. When the official promotion starts, it will be at least 1000 million.

Nicholas Tse has been curiously observing this young man who has recently become famous, and thought to himself that the 800 million must all be Anita Mui's money, as he said it so confidently.

Although Mei Yanfang had long harbored the same doubts, she had no choice but to support Lu Kuan at this moment: "Xiaolu has no problem. Director Zhang Yimou, who has a $3000 million investment from Enlightenment Pictures, has invited him to revise his script."

We are all in the same circle, and everyone is there to support us. If you give Sister Mei face today, she will give you a guest appearance at the next concert to boost her popularity. These are resources and connections that money cannot buy.

He then added, "I will also play a cameo role."

At her strong request, Lu Kuan arranged for her to play the role of the female lawyer who sued the teacher in the play. The few minutes of footage would not make Mei Yanfang too tired.

Huo Wenxi and Nicholas Tse looked at each other. There were no major problems with the script and funding. The director was decided by the investors and they had no say.

Since the big sister personally invited them, they had to give her this honor.

But from a business perspective, you still have to fight for this treatment.

Huo Wenxi was a qualified agent and knew he had to bring this up himself: "Based on Tingfeng's worth, we're asking for a 200 million yuan salary."

Eagle King has been under a lot of pressure recently, with Nicholas Tse taking the blame for someone else's crime, Eason Chan's father suspected of bribery, Cheng Hei-yee rumored to be a drinking companion, and Joey Yung implicated in the Liang Si-ho assault case...

All the artists in the industry were constantly involved in negative news, and their value and income dropped sharply. As a core member of the management team, Huo Wenxi had to take every transaction seriously.

Wang Minhui frowned and was about to join in when Mei Yanfang kicked her under the table.

Let's be clear, the cooperation is a matter between Lu Kuan and Ying Huang. She can pay the 200 million yuan salary without blinking an eye, but she can't use personal connections to lower the price at this time. This is not the rule of normal business negotiations.

Lu Kuan sneered in his heart, thinking that the Hong Kong and Taiwan artists were addicted to fleecing the mainland and were bullying me, Boss Lu, because I didn't know what was going on.

In the capitalist entertainment market, everything is based on strength. If he yielded on his salary today, he would be unable to rein in these Hong Kong's arrogant and powerful generals on the crew tomorrow. Since the other party had made such an exorbitant offer, he didn't need to save face and exposed Eagle King's current false prosperity in front of Mei Yanfang and Wang Minhui.

"After Chen Guanxi was implicated in a drug case, his value plummeted. The advertisement that originally cost him 150 million yuan for endorsement is now only worth 45 yuan."

"Mr. Xie is now implicated in a cover-up case, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption is still investigating. I have to make a provision for this loss in popularity and value. Otherwise, who will bear the consequences for me if there are any losses later?"

"You!" Nicholas Tse was only in his early twenties and had not done enough to cultivate his character. How could he withstand the provocation of the cunning Boss Lu? His face flushed red and he was about to lose his temper.

Huo Wenxi held his shoulder and smiled gently, "Director Lu, that's too much. I think Eagle King can still handle this matter in Hong Kong."

Lu Kuan suddenly smiled strangely: "Sister Mani, how about we make a bet?"

Mei Yanfang's left eyelid twitched. As smart as she was, she knew that this little brother was going to use his prophecy again.

Refer specifically to Mei Deming and Mei Qiming, who are still cultivating themselves in the vegetable fields...

Huo Wenxi said cautiously, "Lu Sheng, please speak."

"Mr. Xie's case is currently proceeding. I acknowledge the power of Eagle King and Mr. Li, but this case won't end with a simple fine and parole. He'll need to be sentenced to community labor at the very least."

Nicholas Tse was disdainful in his heart. Do you understand the laws of Hong Kong? You are just talking nonsense here.

Huo Wenxi's vigilance grew. She had heard of the name of the Little Immortal, but because she had never met him, she didn't take it seriously. If this judgment was true, it would be a bit tricky...

A one-size-fits-all approach would at most make Nicholas Tse stay out of the spotlight before making another comeback. With Eagle King's method of promoting people, there would be no problem at all.

However, long-term community labor, such as picking up garbage, sweeping the road, and standing guard, will cause great harm to the artists.

Because being down-to-earth is not a concept in this era, artists' packaging and appearance must be high-end, lead market trends and be different from the general public.

Simply put, it is a deification movement to reap the fans' wallets.

Lu Kuan pressed on: "If my judgment is correct, Whiplash still welcomes Mr. Xie to join. I still highly recognize Tingfeng's acting skills, image, and professionalism."

Boss Lu was very good at giving a slap and then giving a date, and Huo Wenxi found it difficult to make a decision for a while.

"Lu Sheng, thank you for your recognition. Please give us some time to consider."

"Of course, we look forward to reaching cooperation."

After talking about work, the rest of the conversation was of course about past events and renewing friendship. Mei Yanfang invited Nicholas Tse to dinner, and Lu Kuan took the initiative to send Huo Wenxi downstairs.

The business environment in Hong Kong is relatively mature, and professional managers and agents like Huo Wenxi tend to clearly distinguish between business negotiations and personal relationships.

Although the two of them had just exchanged sharp words, she didn't mind developing a closer friendship with this little deity in private.

"Lu Sheng, thank you for seeing me off. I'll treat you to a meal when I'm free."

Lu Kuan smiled shamelessly: "I'm free tonight, where's Sister Mani?"

Look, even the name has changed.

(End of this chapter)