1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

"Mr. Cheng, box office revenue sharing and box office profit sharing are two different cooperation models in Western Europe!"

"If possible, I would prefer the box office revenue sharing model!"

Seeing that Cheng Xuemin had pointed it out directly, the representative of the French publisher could only speak frankly and directly.

"That's okay too!"

“Since you prefer the box office revenue sharing model, then that’s a deal we can sign!” Cheng Xuemin nodded, indicating his understanding and agreement.

However, before the French representative could jump for joy, Cheng Xuemin added, "But this is limited to the screening rights within your country!"

"One million US dollars, plus box office revenue sharing, and screening rights in France—if that's acceptable, we can sign it!"

Negotiation is nothing more than asking for the moon and then haggling!

Since the other party wants to spend one million US dollars in a vain attempt to acquire the screening rights for the entire Western Europe, then don't blame Cheng Xuemin for raising the price so high.

"No, no, no! Mr. Cheng, we want the Western European screening rights! If you're not too keen on the box office revenue sharing model, how about we add another $500,000, making it $1.5 million to buy the full screening rights for 'Tai Chi' in Western European countries?"

"Sorry! We only sell screening rights to different countries; we don't need middlemen to take a cut!"

"I'll say it again: one million US dollars for the screening rights within your country!"

Cheng Xuemin remained adamant, determined to make this very first sale a huge hit. He was determined to make this French publisher a star right from the start. Who would want to take advantage of him as soon as they came in?
Well, sorry, but Cheng Xuemin, a cunning time traveler, could hardly be taken advantage of by foreigners.

"Mr. Cheng, if that's the case, selling only the domestic screening rights is far too high a price of one million US dollars!"

"We can only offer five hundred thousand US dollars!"

This was the French publisher's true intention in their offer. They had initially pretended to want the entire Western European rights, but it was just a trial run.

If one million US dollars could secure the copyright for the entire Western European region, that would be a huge profit.

Given the immense popularity of Chinese Kung Fu in Western European countries, this dazzling Chinese film, "Tai Chi," is sure to gross tens of millions at the box office in Western Europe!

After deducting the theater's operating costs and revenue sharing, you can get at least three to four million US dollars. You only spent one million to acquire it. Isn't that a huge profit?
Moreover, this is only an estimated box office of tens of millions, but the actual box office is impossible to estimate.

If it reaches 20 million US dollars, we'll earn double.

Unfortunately, they only sold the rights to him; the screening rights within France were significantly reduced.

Although the French distributor representative believed that France was the strongest and largest market among Western European countries, and that it might be able to break ten million in box office revenue in France.

If you acquire it for one million US dollars, the profit margin is quite considerable.

However, when it comes to business, you have to haggle and lower the price. Why spend a million dollars when you can buy something for 500,000 dollars?
"Then there's nothing to discuss. Sorry, see you out!"

They showed absolutely no sincerity, cutting the price in half. This French netizen was really unfair. Cheng Xuemin simply told them to see the customer out.

"what?!"

“Mr. Cheng…no…you can raise the price, you can…”

The French publisher was completely dumbfounded, not expecting that he wouldn't even be given a chance to bargain. Seeing that he was really going to be sent away, he shouted repeatedly, "Six hundred thousand! Mr. Cheng... seven hundred thousand... eight hundred thousand US dollars, we can offer eight hundred thousand US dollars!"

Unfortunately, all that was seen was Cheng Xuemin shaking his head and directly seeing the guest out.

Since they refused to leave and insisted on staying with their older sister and grandmother, Little Li simply took matters into his own hands and kicked them out.

The French distributor, upon discovering that it was actually the male lead from the Tai Chi movie, the one who knew Chinese Kung Fu, was so frightened by the thought of him making a move that he quickly fled the door.

"Bring in another French publisher!"

Cheng Xuemin shouted at Li Lianjie at the door, but Li Lianjie didn't know any French, so she couldn't understand him at all when he shouted in Chinese!
Aunt Gu Qiuna went out for a moment and called in a French publisher.

The European film market is highly developed, with countless film companies of all sizes in various countries. Even if one leaves, France has other distributors.

The French publisher entered, looking both puzzled and nervous.

Because the people from Napoleon Film Distribution Company had already squeezed into the negotiation room before him, and knowing that they had been beaten to it, they obviously wouldn't be able to buy the screening rights to this Chinese kung fu film if they fell behind.

Unexpectedly, the people from Napoleon Film Distribution Company were practically kicked out, which shows that they probably couldn't reach an agreement!
This is your chance!

Moreover, having already learned from the experience of the Napoleon Films distribution company, this French netizen wasn't going to play games and was prepared to directly state his low price.

But before he could speak, the Chinese filmmaker sitting opposite him said, "Hello, you saw your country's distributor just now, they were so insincere!"

"I don't want to take up everyone's time either, there are many other publishers waiting, so it's a fixed price!"

"Eight hundred thousand US dollars, and I'll give you the screening rights within France. If you like it, we'll sign the contract right away! If not, I'll look for others..."

"Sure, sure, $800,000, let's sign the contract right away!" Upon hearing this, the new French netizen nodded repeatedly, indicating that he would sign the contract immediately!
The quote is too low!
Upon seeing this, Cheng Xuemin felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that the 800,000 figure was definitely an understatement. He should have insisted on a million US dollars!
Okay, the quote was indeed too low!

According to French netizens' estimates, the deal could be completed within one million US dollars, and there would be a profit to be made.

But he was actually prepared to quote $800,000 and then let them negotiate.

But to their surprise, the other party directly stated their target price, so they had no choice but to quickly nod and sign the contract.

The contract was signed on the spot very quickly; they even had cash checks prepared in advance, which clearly showed they came with sincerity.

We are just waiting for Cheng Xuemin to return to China and ship the copies that others have purchased over, then they will make the final payment to our central bank's branch in Western Europe.

Of course, these follow-up tasks are the responsibility of other diplomatic missions and consulates.

Our first order was $800,000!
Not bad!

Cheng Xuemin was very satisfied. His aunt was already helping Huang Jianzhong translate so that he could register in time!
Upon hearing that the first order had brought in 800,000 US dollars, Old Huang was so shocked that his voice trembled as he asked, "Xuemin, this...this...this already sold 800,000 US dollars? It generated 800,000 US dollars in foreign exchange for the country?"

"Old Huang, keep a good record! This is just the first one; the big profits are yet to come. Just wait to count your money!"

Cheng Xuemin took a sip of the hot tea his aunt handed him, then gave instructions to Xiao Li at the door to open the door and let the guests in.

The person who came in was a West German distributor speaking in German, who still wanted the screening and distribution rights for all of Western Europe.

However, Cheng Xuemin had planned to sell them separately from the very beginning, and he was not going to let these Europeans make a profit from the price difference!

So take it one step at a time. It doesn't matter how much we sell, as long as we can break through ten million US dollars in the end, that's OK!

Moreover, French netizens gave Cheng Xuemin a good start, which also made him see the strength of Western European countries' willingness to buy his book "Tai Chi".

So if France bought 800,000, then West Germany must have bought at least 500,000 US dollars, right?

Although it was $300,000 less than France, they are two different countries, and the film market there is only half the size of France's. Making $500,000 is already quite good.

"Five hundred thousand US dollars, and it can only be shown within West Germany?" a West German netizen asked hesitantly.

"Of course, if you can put it in East Berlin, I can't interfere!" Cheng Xuemin shrugged and said indifferently.

"Cheng, you are such a humorous Easterner!"

"Alright, then it'll be five hundred thousand US dollars. I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"

Should we move Tai Chi to East Berlin?
This joke isn't funny at all; they simply can't do it, and there's no need for them to.

"Happy cooperation!"

This deal went very smoothly, with another $500,000 arriving in the account, leaving Huang Jianzhong, who was in charge of the accounting, completely dumbfounded!
When did it become so easy to make money in foreign exchange markets?

In the past, the movies they made were sent abroad for exchange, but when did those people from China Film Group ever bring back so much US dollars?

Every single time, wasn't it basically a half-sale, half-gift, or even a free giveaway?

Who else could make over a million US dollars just by talking like Cheng Xuemin today? If this got back to China, it would cause a huge uproar.

Huang Jianzhong took a big gulp of tea and quickly swallowed the saliva that was stuck in his throat.

Because yet another publisher was let in by Leonardo DiCaprio.

This guy is from South Korea. He bowed and bent over as soon as he came in. If he hadn't been speaking Korean, I would have thought he was some Japanese devil!

"One and a half million US dollars!?"

"Cheng, in the past, when our company cooperated with China Film Group, they would usually send films to us for screening, in order to strengthen the cultural export of your country's films in our country!"

"so……"

Are these South Koreans trying to continue their old ways of getting something for nothing?

His words also confirmed that the people at China Film Group Corporation truly possessed mountains of gold and silver, but simply squandered it all!
It's no wonder that South Koreans have developed a habit of taking advantage of others!

Cheng Xuemin's offer of 1.5 million is an outrageous price, an exorbitant demand that undermines friendly exchanges between the two countries.

"I won't listen, I won't listen," Cheng Xuemin said bluntly, not bothering to waste words with these bastards. "Do you South Korea want 1.5 million US dollars?"

"If you don't want it, I'll ask your American daddy later and see if they're interested in bringing 'Tai Chi' into your country to entertain your people?"

How could we not be able to control these Koreans?
They wanted to continue getting the rights for free and didn't want the film "Tai Chi," but Cheng Xuemin wasn't going to tolerate it. He figured he could just do what Cheng Xuemin suggested and sell the South Korean broadcasting rights to their "Korean daddy," the US, and see if the Americans would want it.

After all, the size of the South Korean film market is undeniable. Apart from the US and the Red Dot Film Market, the entire Western European market combined might only be able to match its size.

Therefore, Cheng Xuemin's offer of 1.5 million US dollars is not high at all. If the South Koreans don't want to buy it, his own father, the Americans, will definitely rush to buy it.

Anyway, once the 1.5 million is bought, the Americans can turn around and make tens of millions in box office revenue. You know, this biological father really loves his adopted son, the Korean.

Let's see if these South Korean publishers can get a piece of the pie then.

"Isn't 1.5 million US dollars too high?"

"Cheng, for the sake of the enduring friendship between our two countries, how about five hundred thousand US dollars?"

"Show them out! Let the American publisher in!" Cheng Xuemin wasn't going to put up with it. They didn't even know how to bargain, and they were cutting prices even harder than the first French netizen. Why wasn't he showing them out?
"No, no, no, one million US dollars! Cheng... we can offer one million..."

"One and a half million US dollars. Take it or leave it. Let your own father come in and talk to me!"

Cheng Xuemin stopped pretending and directly pointed out that the Americans are the fathers of you Koreans. If you don't buy, then let the fathers come in and talk, and see if the adults will buy!
"Okay, okay, $1.5 million it is!" The South Koreans were really being manipulated. They were genuinely afraid that their "daddy," the Americans, would bring this film, "Taeguk," into their South Korean film market.

Because they understand their own national conditions, the authentic Chinese kung fu film "Tai Chi" will definitely be a huge hit and make a fortune in their country.

If their home base in China found out that they actually had priority to buy the copyright to this Tai Chi film, but it was ultimately bought by the Americans, the consequences would be unimaginable.

So although the $1.5 million was far beyond their expectations, they were certain they would make a fortune, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they couldn't afford to miss.

“A pleasure to work with!!”

Cheng Xuemin felt very comfortable. Given the current situation in South Korea, using their own father, the United States, as leverage was indeed very effective!
"Happy cooperation!"

"Cheng, you are the only Chinese person we South Korea have ever met who is so capable and good at business! We admire you very much and hope that you can continue to work hard and produce more good Chinese films like 'Tai Chi'!" The South Koreans were completely convinced and kept praising him when signing the contract.

Unfortunately, no cash check was given on the spot, because these South Koreans never even considered spending money to buy it after they learned it was a Chinese film.

But there's no rush. They were here specifically to purchase new films with the potential to become hits at the Bolin International Film Festival, so they brought plenty of US dollars.

They agreed to send the deposit check tomorrow, hoping that Cheng Xuemin would not sell the South Korean screening rights to other countries, especially his own father, the United States.

Cheng Xuemin certainly agreed to this.

In return, Cheng Xuemin also made a small request to the South Koreans.

The sales contract is worth 1.5 million US dollars. We hope they won't tell the people from China Film Group while they are in Bolin.

The South Koreans understood immediately!
So they were selling it secretly behind the backs of China Film Group.

Okay, okay!

The South Korean guy immediately agreed, promising not to utter a single word to China Film Group, and then left!
Cheng Xuemin continued to receive other publishers, while the South Korean had already hurriedly left to report to their supervisor.

"Xuemin, will those South Koreans tell Director Hu about this?"

Huang Jianzhong's hands were shaking as he registered the documents. He never expected that just one South Korean would sell for a whopping 1.5 million US dollars.

You know, in the past, China Film Group gave them all away for free!
Today, Cheng Xuemin extorted 1.5 million US dollars from them. Will they turn around and report him to Director Hu?

In that case, we could get "Tai Chi" from Director Hu of China Film Group for free?
"will not!"

"These South Korean bastards are even planning to get Lao Xie's 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' for free!"

"Although we don't know the situation on Lao Xie's side yet, 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' still has a very good market in South Korea and Japan!"

"They definitely won't expose our Tai Chi business, at least not before they get their hands on 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' for free!"

Cheng Xuemin shook his head, quite certain that the South Koreans wouldn't inform on him.

Otherwise, not only would Cheng Xuemin's "Tai Chi" not be given to him, but Fujian's "Romance on Lushan Mountain" would also not be given to him for free. The South Koreans are not that stupid.

They probably hope that no one in China, or even in China, knows about this $1.5 million deal.

In the future, they can continue to use the slogan of "long live the friendship between the two countries" to freeload the screening rights of Chinese films.

Following them in was a big shot, the father of the South Korean bastard, and a distributor from the beautiful American country, but not the same film distributor as before.

After listening to this American's introduction, it turns out he's not one of the three giants of American cinema either.

It should be a medium-sized film distribution company called Brian.

"Hello Cheng! You are so rude, you made me wait all night!"

"However, we are indeed here with sincerity, hoping to purchase the global distribution rights of 'Tai Chi' for eight million US dollars!"

The American started by saying that Cheng Xuemin and his group were impolite, but then he changed the subject and realized he was joking!

But Cheng Xuemin didn't find it funny at all.

Eight million US dollars to take away the global screening rights of his "Tai Chi"? Dream on!
Not to mention that Cheng Xuemin made a pledge to his superiors for ten million US dollars, if he thinks he can take over the global copyright with only eight million, then what about the French netizens, West German netizens, and South Koreans he signed before?
"I'm sorry, I can only offer you the North American screening rights at most, and the price will be eight million US dollars!" Cheng Xuemin stated directly, giving the price he would have quoted to the Americans, which was definitely an exaggeration.

Like I said before, just haggle!
As long as you don't go too far, the cooperation will definitely be very pleasant.

"OK, OK! Eight million US dollars is actually our target price. The price I quoted earlier was to give you room to negotiate!"

To Cheng Xuemin's utter surprise, the American agreed without hesitation!

Hey!
Could it be that, like the second French netizen, the price was quoted too low?
However, after hearing what the American said next, Cheng Xuemin guessed what this bastard was up to.

“However, we have to provide the contract. I just looked at your contract outside, and it seems to have many loopholes!” Brian continued.

Are there any vulnerabilities?

Hearing this, Gu Qiuna, the aunt next to her, quickly took back the contract that had already been handed over and checked it again.

"Really?! Then we definitely need to revise the contract. After all, this is a collaboration worth eight million US dollars, so it must be handled with utmost care!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xuemin immediately knew what the American devil was up to!

They'll definitely use the excuse of re-issuing the contract to keep delaying Cheng Xuemin until they can't delay any longer, then they'll give him a token deposit.

If they just drag it out until the film festival ends and most of the distributors from various countries have gone home, these American devils will show their true colors and demand to renegotiate the price, driving it down to an outrageous level.

Because by then, all the publishers had left, and if Cheng Xuemin wanted their North American market, he would have to let Cheng Xuemin manipulate it at will.

So he's playing a very clever game.

"Alright, alright, then it's settled! I'll bring the revised contract over tomorrow for signing, how about that?"

Sure enough, Cheng Xuemin guessed right!

Let's see if that bastard brings the new contract over tomorrow!

"OK! It's a pleasure doing business with you!"

Cheng Xuemin stood up abruptly, not even bothering to shake hands, as if to say, "Goodbye, sir."

"Eight million dollars!?"

"Xuemin, I didn't expect that we could sell eight million US dollars just in the North American market. That's a ten million US dollar target, and we've already achieved it before we've even really started?"

When Huang Jianzhong heard his aunt Gu Qiuna's translation and learned that the people who came in were American publishers who had agreed to an eight million dollar contract, his eyes popped out of his head, and he stood there dumbfounded with trembling hands.

After finally seeing the American publisher off, Huang Jianzhong asked with extreme shock and excitement.

"Old Huang, don't be so optimistic. This bastard is probably trying to bait us. I bet he won't send over the new contract tomorrow, believe it or not?" Cheng Xuemin waved his hand and called to Xiao Li at the door, "Xiao Li, call the next person!"

"Huh? Xuemin, are you saying this American can cheat?" Huang Jianzhong's initially excited mood was instantly dampened by a bucket of cold water.

"Don't worry about him, I have my own ways of dealing with him!"

Next, other Western European countries took turns participating, and sure enough, among them, French netizens were the most valuable.

Although American netizens later exposed the issue, he never admitted that he was a member of the Western European countries.

The $800,000 made Cheng Xuemin very comfortable.

Then the Southeast Asian countries also made their appearances. Anyway, there was no rush to take them one by one. In this way, Cheng Xuemin and his team's negotiations lasted from 7 p.m. until midnight.

"Old Huang, how much is it in total?"

After seeing off the last Burmese publisher, Little Li at the door said, "That's it." And that really meant it!
Cheng Xuemin then stretched and asked Huang Jianzhong, who was in charge of registration, a question.

……

Requesting monthly votes and full subscriptions... Oh, and just wanted to let all my generous patrons know that I've changed the book's title. The old title barely got any views, and the backend data was atrocious. Let's see if the new title can attract some traffic! (End of Chapter)