Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 111 Recruiting troops
Finally, Zhang Yan personally escorted Wang Jinghua to the stairwell and invited her to meet Yuanmeng Records' first signed singer, who was also the company's next rising star.

The implication was clear: they wanted to hand over the company's top star to Wang Jinghua.

This was the first time in Wang Jinghua's life that she had been treated with such importance and courtesy by a 'big shot'. She was overwhelmed with gratitude.

However, she remained rational and shook her head slightly, saying, "Teacher Zhang, can I think about it some more?"

"Ok?"

Zhang Yan was puzzled. He had been so respectful and courteous to Wang Jinghua, and the two of them had gotten along so well just now. Why was Wang Jinghua still hesitant and conflicted when it came to the final decision?
Are there any special requirements regarding compensation?

Zhang Yan tentatively asked, "Fixed salary and the singer's profit sharing are negotiable, and our company can also arrange accommodation and meals..."

"No no no!"

Although Wang Jinghua initially wanted to inquire about the benefits and compensation, she now dared not listen, because she was afraid that if she did, she would be letting down her old classmate.

She bowed slightly, somewhat flustered, and said, "It's my own problem—Teacher Zhang, I'll contact you again once I've figured it out, okay?"

"It shouldn't have worked in the first place."

Zhang Yan sighed and said, "After all, the company is in a hurry to hire people, but you are different. To be honest, there aren't many people who can keep up with my thinking in the past two years—so as long as you are willing to come, there will always be a place for you at Yuanmeng Records!"

This is the truth. In terms of packaging and planning, besides Wang Jinghua, only Feng Xiaogang can keep up with his thinking and have his own independent ideas.

Wang Jinghua's resolve wavered even further.

Although Su Yue has Zhang Jinglin's connections, he certainly doesn't value her as much as Zhang Yan does.

Not to mention that Zhang Yanfei is not only tolerant of one's own whimsical ideas, but also able to draw inferences from one instance and innovate in another. Under such a boss...

I can't think about it anymore, I can't think about it anymore!
Wang Jinghua nodded vigorously, then turned and walked downstairs.

As she turned the corner, she suddenly felt something was wrong. Looking up, she realized that all the singers and performers in the hall were staring at her.

Envy, jealousy, surprise, doubt...

A flood of mixed emotions rushed in, making Wang Jinghua's breath catch in her throat.

However, being a seasoned performer on stage, she quickly regained her composure, and a strong sense of pride welled up within her.

The job of a prostitute has always been a man's world, but she, a young girl who hasn't even officially entered the industry, has already outshone so many insiders...

Wang Jinghua thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the treatment, but it was no longer appropriate for her to stay in this situation.

So she made a phone call gesture to Brother Xu, and then left Casablanca.

Xu Ge grinned and made the phone call gesture in return, but then he suddenly realized something—he didn't seem to have Wang Jinghua's contact information, and she didn't seem to have his contact information either.

…………

After returning home, Wang Jinghua approached Zhang Jinglin and subtly inquired about her general arrangements after joining Su Yue's company.

Zhang Jinglin didn't hide anything and told Wang Jinghua that Su Yue was currently working with a big shot from Hong Kong to find promising newcomers.

Once the company is officially established, Wang Jinghua will be assigned two or three artists to perform in various parts of Beijing. If they can gain fame or meet the standards of the Hong Kong audience, they can release records with the parent company in Hong Kong.

Wang Jinghua keenly noticed the key point: "What if we encounter a very talented newcomer who can directly meet the demand for releasing an album?"

"This is something Su Yue and the people of Hong Kong Island need to consider. You just need to take good care of your signed singers."

understood!

I don't need to mentor truly high-caliber and promising newcomers.

Ask about the compensation.

Zhang Jinglin was also unsure, so she called Su Yue.

Then Su Yue painted a rosy picture for Wang Jinghua, saying that agents earn commissions, and the more their artists earn, the more the agents earn.

As long as he works hard to secure performances, his income will definitely be high, and it will only increase!

This treatment...

If it weren't for Zhang Yan's side as a comparison, Wang Jinghua might not have thought much of it.

But if you don't provide good resources, good talent, or good treatment, and just leave them to lead their people around looking for a living—isn't that a bit too much?!
The final straw that broke the camel's back was a phone call from Zhang Yan two days later.

During the phone call, Zhang Yan didn't talk about company matters, but instead reminded Wang Jinghua to watch "Economic Half Hour" that evening.

Although Wang Jinghua had already guessed something after receiving the call, she was still quite surprised to see Zhang Yan appear on screen as the focus of the episode. After all, this was "Economic Half Hour"!
However, after watching CCTV's interview with Zhang Yan, Wang Jinghua had to admit that Zhang Yan truly deserved to be the focus of attention.

The standalone book sold 300,000 copies; Bright Dairy instant noodles; attracting investment through TV dramas; promoting Tianjin's market; integrated service center; China Fire album...

Wang Jinghua then realized that Zhang Yan's relationship with the TV station was not simply that of a good friend; he had connections in both the political and business circles of Tianjin!
In addition to his connections in the rock music scene, this record company could be said to have all the advantages of timing, location, and people.

Should you join a company with an uncertain future and start from the bottom, working like a slave? Or should you join a company with a bright future and give full play to your intelligence and talents?

Anyone would know how to choose!

So the next morning, she took the initiative to contact Zhang Yan and expressed her willingness to join Yuanmeng Records.

Zhang Yan was busy in Tianjin at the time with the initial planning of "I'm Crazy for Singing"—he was the chief planner of the program.

After receiving Wang Jinghua's call, he immediately took the contract back to Beijing, and then without stopping, took Wang Jinghua to Dou Wei's old house.

As soon as they entered the corridor, the two heard Han Hong's melodious and gentle singing voice. The lyrics were not much different, but they were noticeably clearer and more pleasant to listen to.

This was the first time Wang Jinghua had heard Han Hong sing, and she couldn't offer any professional commentary. If she had to say something, it would be that it was "ear-catching."

Although she started listening halfway through, she still absorbed it immediately—this ability alone is not something that ordinary singers possess.

Listening to the melodious singing, Wang Jinghua felt even more hopeful for her future.

Upon reaching the gate, Zhang Yan didn't rush in. Instead, he waited until Han Hong finished singing before clapping and crossing the threshold.

"Not bad, not bad. In just a few days, it has already been revised to a very good standard. I feel that if this song 'Himalaya' is further improved, it will definitely be able to reach the semi-finals."

Upon hearing this, Dou Wei, who had just put down his flute, rolled his eyes and said irritably, "You don't need to hint at us. With Han Hong's voice, we'll definitely get you a song that will amaze the entire audience in the finals."

Wang Fei raised her hand as a greeting to Zhang Yan.

"Brother Zhang~"

"Teacher Zhang."

Gao Qi and Wu Tong quickly stood up, and someone else stood up as well, saying to Zhang Yan, "Hello, Teacher Zhang."

Zhang Yan had never seen this person before, so he politely asked, "And you are?"

"This is Brother Zhang Weining."

Gao Qi introduced Zhang Yan, saying, "He used to be the lead singer and guitarist of the 'Baby Band,' but later he left the band and joined the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, where he worked in recording and arrangement."

Zhang Weining also laughed and said, "Fourth Brother said you had a music arrangement job here, and he insisted on dragging me over to join in the fun—if I had known you had so many talented people here, I wouldn't have come to embarrass myself."

Dou Wei also said, "Brother Zhang's skill is undeniable. If it weren't for him, this song would probably have taken a long time to work out."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan was immediately intrigued. Record companies can certainly invite artists to write songs, but at the very least, they need one or two big names in the music industry.

Zhang Yan originally intended to sign Dou Wei, but Dou Wei ultimately signed with Magic Rock Culture.

If Zhang Weining is really as capable as Dou Wei claims, then we can recruit him to our team and have him replace Dou Wei.

However, after learning more about the situation, Zhang Yan realized he was wrong. Zhang Weining was not the creative bigwig he thought he was, but rather someone who was good at coordinating various parties and played a mediating role.

Of the four people currently writing songs for Han Hong, Wang Fei is a staunch pop music advocate, Gao Qi is a rock enthusiast, Dou Wei leans towards more radical avant-garde rock, and Wu Tong is a fence-sitter who goes between two sides.

In addition, there's the Han Hong ethnic singing style...

Achieving a good balance between these elements is extremely difficult.

But Zhang Weining has the ability to unify their chaotic ideas and styles, and he can always keenly extract the most essential parts and take them to the next level through integration.

This ability is actually more valuable and rarer than any original creative genius, and it is also more suitable for someone to be in charge of a record company.

Zhang Yan was overjoyed and immediately used his silver tongue to persuade Zhang Weining to help him realize his dream.

Zhang Weining was initially hesitant, mainly because he was reluctant to give up the troupe's organizational structure.

However, after Zhang Yan offered five times the salary of the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, and stated that Zhang Weining would receive a cut of the income from the albums he produced and the subsequent performances by the singers, the situation changed.

Zhang Weining could no longer control himself.

[PS: For details about Zhang Weining, please see the author's note.]

(End of this chapter)