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

"I see!"

"It's alright, those little devils can't cause any trouble. We'll talk about it when I get back!"

Cheng Xuemin hung up the phone with Lao Xie and the others, his face grim. He thought to himself, "The Japanese are really quick!"

Just as Cheng Xuemin had predicted, the Japanese went straight to China Film Group's headquarters in Fujian.

Old Xie also said it on the phone!

As expected, Fujian was completely controlled by the Japanese. Even though they came to the Bolin Film Festival, they still followed the rigid rules and regulations of the China Film Group.

They didn't even bother to submit a report before agreeing to give the Japanese the global rights to both "Romance on Lushan Mountain" and "Tai Chi".

And it's free!
Not only did they give it away for free, but they were also extremely grateful to the Japanese because the Japanese didn't require them to spend money on propaganda and helped promote "Romance on Lushan Mountain" and "Tai Chi".

Hey!
Cheng Xuemin was all set to ask the Japanese for two million US dollars in screening rights, and now look what's happened!
Our Director Hu from China Film Group is truly generous; he didn't even bother to say hello before giving all of it away to the Japanese for free.

Director Hu is a veteran of China Film Group!

Moreover, he was not only the director of the review department, but also in charge of overseas distribution. How little understanding must he have of the overseas market industry to give away the already blockbuster "Tai Chi" to the Japanese?
OK, OK!
The Japanese devils took advantage of the fact that the old comrades knew nothing about overseas affairs, which is why they went straight to Hu Jintao's side and took away the screening rights of "Romance on Lushan Mountain" and "Tai Chi" before Cheng Xuemin could.

Moreover, I heard from Lao Xie on the phone that the Japanese have a very big appetite and want global copyright.

Very well, the Japanese devils are as cunning as ever.

but!

This wasn't the first time Cheng Xuemin had dealt with them. Didn't he already have a showdown with the Japanese when he was in the Economic Commission?

That Japanese woman, Cheng Xuemin is still making her look like she's been humiliated.

it's good now!

Want to turn the tide in Bolin?
That depends on whether Cheng Xuemin agrees or not!

"Alright, alright, Xuemin, we'll wait for you to come back and make the decision!" Old Xie nodded and said, then asked, "By the way, Xuemin, Old Zhao said our Tai Chi premiered this afternoon and it was very good!"

"How's it going? How's it going on your end? Any results?"

Besides informing Cheng Xuemin, Lao Xie was probably most looking forward to what Cheng Xuemin had gained.

After all, they're all either openly or covertly covering up for "Tai Chi," all for this one scare tonight, right?
“Good harvest!”

"We'll discuss the specifics when we get back!"

"Now, Lao Xie, what you guys need to do is deal with the Japanese devils coming to pick up the copy tomorrow, right?"

"Based on my understanding of how China Film Group operates, Hu Jian probably hasn't signed a formal contract with the Japanese yet. So, Lao Xie, your task tomorrow is to keep Hu Jian from signing a formal contract with the Japanese!"

"I'll talk about it when I get back!"

Cheng Xuemin then gave some instructions.
"Indeed, we haven't signed a formal agreement with the Japanese yet. Hu Jian said that the Japanese will bring the formal agreement with them tomorrow!"

"Okay, okay! I'll try to stall with Lao Zhao until you come back!"

Old Xie on the other end of the phone nodded repeatedly, then realized something and asked, "Isn't it Xuemin? Aren't you coming back tonight? What if Hu Jian finds out? We'll have to write a report and get punished."

"Let's not go back tonight. We'll just sign the rest of the orders tomorrow and then go back, so that the people in Fujian don't find out and mess things up!"

Cheng Xuemin originally planned to go back tonight and come back tomorrow to continue talking with the Americans.

But now it seems we really can't go back!
If Hu Jian finds out that he's secretly selling Tai Chi, he'll definitely cause a scene, which would be detrimental to his final confrontation with the American publisher.

If Cheng Xuemin doesn't capture the North American market, he won't be able to fulfill his order to earn ten million US dollars, and then he'll really be in a passive position.

So I plan to stay at my aunt's place for the night, and after I've successfully dealt with the Americans tomorrow, I can go back and confront Fujian.

"Alright, alright! Old Zhao and I will cover for you. Your business is more important!"

Xie Jin nodded repeatedly and hung up the phone!
"How's it going, Lao Xie? Did Xuemin say anything about the grades?"

Seeing that Lao Xie had finally hung up the phone, Deputy Factory Director Zhao, who was standing next to him, asked impatiently.

To know!
He waited all night, but still didn't receive any news from Cheng Xuemin.

"Xuemin told us to just keep dragging things out with Hu Jian, and he'll take care of the rest!" Xie Jin said to Deputy Factory Director Zhao after hanging up the phone.

"How many did you sell?" That wasn't the answer he wanted from the deputy director; he wanted to know exactly how many Cheng Xuemin had sold!

Yes!

How are Xuemin's grades?
The two girls beside him, Gong Xue and Zhu Lin, were also looking at Xie Jin with eager eyes, waiting for him to announce the results.

"He didn't say that!"

"The harvest was alright, but we'll talk about the specifics when he gets back!"

Xie Jin shrugged. Actually, he wanted to know Cheng Xuemin's results more than anyone else, but that guy just liked to keep people in suspense, as you all know.

"They didn't say that?!"

"Is that not quite right, or are you embarrassed to say it?"

Deputy Factory Director Zhao said it was alright, but he didn't say anything specific, which meant the results weren't ideal, and Cheng Xuemin was too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Not quite right? Not ideal?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lin and Gong Xue, who were standing nearby, turned pale instantly. This was not good news.

If Cheng Xuemin's foreign exchange earnings are not ideal, then Hu Jian of China Film Group will definitely target him even more.

Moreover, after returning to China, who knows how they will accuse Xuemin of being difficult.

"That can't be that bad, can it?"

"Judging from Xuemin's tone, he doesn't seem like he's doing poorly in his studies!" Xie Jin reassured them, though he himself wasn't entirely sure himself.

"Did he say when he'll be back? I think Hu Jian is keeping a close eye on things!" Deputy Factory Director Zhao asked again.

"He didn't say, but he probably won't be back tonight!"

"That's it!" Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Zhao's face also fell. From what Lao Xie said, Cheng Xuemin's performance was not ideal, and he was hiding outside and didn't dare to come back.

Surely they wouldn't just leave the group and run away like that?
That would be treason!

Old Zhao has no idea how he'll cover for Cheng Xuemin and the others later.

It's not that Lao Zhao is overthinking things. These days, how many people take advantage of opportunities to go abroad for exchange programs to leave the group, run away, and betray their country?
……

As the morning light shone through the gaps in the hotel curtains, Cheng Xuemin was already adjusting his Zhongshan suit in front of the mirror.

Huang Jianzhong paced back and forth beside him, clutching a notebook filled with data, muttering, "No news from Brian yet, are we really going to wait?"

"No way!" Cheng Xuemin said without turning his head. "I told you yesterday, we can't put all our eggs in one basket."

"My aunt has already contacted Columbia Pictures for us by phone, and their representative should be arriving soon."

After Cheng Xuemin left the room, his aunt Gu Qiuna brought over two cups of coffee and said:
"Columbia is a big studio after all, more reliable than Brian's small company. But their director of overseas acquisitions, Dixon, is notoriously stingy, so you have to be prepared."

Cheng Xuemin took the coffee, took a sip, and said, "It's good that he's stingy; it shows he understands cost control. As long as he sees the profit, even the stingiest man will give in."

"As long as you have confidence!"

"He's already waiting in the reception room!" Gu Qiuna greatly admired her nephew-in-law; his confident demeanor was truly captivating.

I have to say, my niece has a really good eye for men.

Anyway, Gu Qiuna, as the aunt, has traveled all over the world for more than ten years and has never met a man as outstanding as her nephew-in-law.

Unfortunately, I'm a staunch non-marriage advocate!
Moreover, this is his nephew-in-law, who is more than a decade older than him.

Otherwise, if she were still young, she certainly wouldn't have missed out on such an outstanding guy.

“Then let’s go meet him!” Cheng Xuemin nodded and followed him to the reception room on the first floor.

"Gu, it's a pleasure to see you again in Bolin!"

Upon seeing Cheng Xuemin and Huang Jianzhong enter, Dixon from Columbia Pictures, who was already waiting there, quickly stood up and warmly greeted his old acquaintance, Gu Qiuna.

The aunt hugged him and then introduced Cheng Xuemin and the others!

"Cheng, I've heard so much about you!" Dixon extended his hand, greeting Cheng Xuemin with polite Chinese, "I heard Warner talked to you yesterday? Didn't they reach an agreement?"

“Their sincerity is not enough!” Cheng Xuemin did not talk to Warner, but it was obvious that the other party had not done enough homework, so he was too lazy to explain. He went along with what the American in front of him said and said bluntly, “Columbia Films is a major Hollywood studio. I believe you understand the value of kung fu films better.”

Dixon smiled, took a document from his briefcase, and said, "Our offer is... North American rights, eight hundred thousand US dollars."

Dixon deliberately slowed down his speech to observe Cheng Xuemin's reaction, and then said, "This is the highest price we can offer, after all, kung fu films have not yet formed a mainstream market in North America."

Cheng Xuemin picked up his coffee, blew on it gently to cool it, and without taking the documents, casually mentioned, "Mr. Dixon, Mr. Brian from Mi Brian Films quoted me eight million US dollars yesterday."

"Eight million?" Dixon's hand, which was handing over the documents, froze in mid-air. He then chuckled, his already limping Chinese even worse, and said directly in English, "Cheng, are you kidding me?!"

"Brian Films sounds like a newly established small company with no complete distribution channels. How could they possibly come up with eight million?"

Cheng Xuemin shook his head slightly and said calmly, "Mr. Dixon, we don't understand what you're saying!"

“But one thing is universal: Brian Films offered eight million, while Mr. Dixon only offered eight hundred thousand!” “So, put yourself in Mr. Dixon’s shoes, with a tenfold difference in price, who would you negotiate with?”

Dixon was speechless for a moment, realizing he had encountered a formidable opponent and needed to be careful!
He immediately shrugged and asked directly, "Cheng! How many US dollars are you planning to sell it to us for?"

"Ten million US dollars!"

Oh open!

Upon hearing this, Dixon's eyes bulged out. Without even bothering to say anything, he stood up and said, "Gu, I think they really should go to the hospital and have this checked out!"

Too lazy to even talk to Cheng Xuemin, he pointed to his head and said directly to his aunt Gu Qiuna.

But at this moment!
Whether it was Aunt Gu Qiuna or Huang Jianzhong who came along, they were all incredibly shocked by Cheng Xuemin's offer!

Ten million?

US dollars?!
Xuemin actually offered ten million US dollars to American film studios?!
What the hell does this mean?

Huang Jianzhong was completely shocked, and his aunt Gu Qiuna was also shocked, not realizing for a moment that Dixon was talking to her.

But what they said is true; I might really need to go to the hospital to get my head checked. How could they quote such an exorbitant price?
You know, last night, Brian offered eight million, which was already an astronomical price!
Unexpectedly, Cheng Xuemin's current earnings are two million more than eight million!

Do they really think Columbia Pictures is a sucker to be ripped off?

Moreover, Gu Qiuna had already warned him that this American named Dixon was incredibly stingy!

How could we possibly accept such an exorbitant price?!
This foreigner is really funny; he actually told me to see a doctor. He was clearly furious at my price!
But so what?
If this foreigner walks in and gives him an initial price of over five million, Cheng Xuemin will think he has come with sincerity!

Eight hundred thousand?
It would be impolite not to reciprocate, so Cheng Xuemin had to respond in kind.

However, Cheng Xuemin wasn't completely unprepared when he casually quoted this price.

Seeing that the foreigner Dixon was about to leave, Cheng Xuemin suddenly changed the subject and said, "The risk is high, but the reward is also high."

He quickly drew three lines on the table with his finger. "Mr. Dixon, do you think the only distribution channel for movies is theaters?"
A strange light flashed in Dixon's eyes for a moment, and he awkwardly sat back down, asking somewhat uncertainly, "Otherwise what?"

But as he listened to the Chinese man's eloquent speech, Dixon felt a chill run down his spine.

He simply said, "Of course not!"

Cheng Xuemin picked up his pen and wrote "cinema" on the first line, "television" on the second, and "videotape" on the third!
Seeing these three lines, especially the words "television" and "videotape," filled Dixon with even more despair and panic.

Sure enough, the Chinese man continued, "As far as I know, Hollywood these days is no longer in an era where it makes money solely from theaters."

By accurately capturing the changes in the foreigner Dixon's expression, Cheng Xuemin felt even more confident.

Pointing to the "television" line, he continued, "North America has three major public television networks: ABC, NBC, and CBS, as well as pay-TV channels like HBO."

The kung fu scenes in "Tai Chi" are suitable for family viewing; selling them to families could earn at least two or three million.

He then pointed to "videotapes" and said, "Your Columbia Pictures established a home video division last year, so you should know the potential of videotapes."

A tape costs thirty US dollars, and renting it costs five to six US dollars. It won't be long before rental shops are everywhere. Kung Fu movie fans are willing to pay for "Tai Chi," so the market is definitely huge!

Dixon's pupils suddenly contracted.

Columbia Pictures is indeed developing these channels, but they are all internal secrets, and even many of its Hollywood peers are unaware of the details.

How could he understand a Chinese person from the socialist camp so thoroughly?

He even suspected that the person in front of him might be a CIA mole, sent specifically to gather inside information about Hollywood.

"How...how do you know all this?" Dixon's voice was filled with disbelief.

“Market rules don’t discriminate,” Cheng Xuemin smiled and added, “You can see these trends by paying attention to the dynamics of the North American film industry.”

For example, Disney made 30 million last year by re-releasing old animated films on videotape; Warner Bros. made another 10 million by selling "Superman" to a television network.

This is all publicly available information; it's very simple if you study the market carefully!

Dixon remained silent.

He had to admit that Cheng Xuemin was right!
Columbia Pictures has always relied on theatrical releases as its primary distribution channel, neglecting the potential of television and video.

If "Tai Chi" can cover all three distribution lines at the same time, then the price of 800,000 is indeed too low.

But a price tag of ten million US dollars is simply too terrifying!

"Five million!" Dixon relented, saying directly, "That's the highest price I can offer, I can't go any higher!"

"Ten million!" Cheng Xuemin refused to back down and continued to argue his case, "Bryan Films can offer eight million, there's no reason why Columbia Pictures can't. Besides, your distribution channels are more comprehensive, and your profit margins are much larger than theirs."

"Impossible!" Dixon stood up abruptly, shaking his head. "Ten million is too much. I can't explain it to headquarters!"

Cheng Xuemin softened his tone and said, "Ten million US dollars, for all North American distribution rights. This includes theatrical releases, television, video streaming, and future new media rights."

Believe me!
At this price, your film and television production line can break even; the rest of the television videotapes are basically pure profit.

Dixon stared at Cheng Xuemin, his mind racing:

If "Tai Chi" grosses 30 million yuan in theaters, then as he said, the theaters alone will be able to break even.

Dixon estimated that the other TV channels would generate at least two to three million in profit.

Not to mention the videotape distribution channel; at a unit price of thirty US dollars per box, selling just 100,000 boxes would break even.

But the North American videotape market is much larger than just a few hundred thousand tapes.

Selling just 200,000 boxes would generate a profit of three million US dollars!
So in less than a year, this Chinese kung fu film will bring Columbia Pictures at least tens of millions of dollars in profit!
So, just as this Chinese man said, they are bound to make a fortune!
"I need to call headquarters!" But Dixon pretended to be serious and picked up the phone to ask for instructions, though his fingers were trembling slightly.

Because he knew that this decision could change Columbia Pictures' overseas film acquisition strategy, and even his own career.

"Scholar, that's ten million US dollars! This...this...this Columbia Pictures, he...he...he really agreed?"

While Dixon went out to make a phone call to ask for instructions, Huang Jianzhong, who was already so bewildered that he couldn't sit still, quickly whispered to Cheng Xuemin and asked.

"Xuemin, you really dared to bid ten million! I was completely stunned by the price you quoted!" Aunt Gu Qiuna, who was standing next to him, nodded in disbelief. "But congratulations, Xuemin, you should have managed to seduce Dixon. There shouldn't be any major problems!"

"Oh!? Auntie, do you think Columbia Pictures headquarters will get the approval?" Cheng Xuemin didn't answer Huang Jianzhong's question, but instead asked his aunt.

Unexpectedly, his aunt was so inexplicably confident. Although Cheng Xuemin was already certain that the deal was done when Dixon chose to ask his superiors for instructions.

"Don't you already have the answer in your heart?" Aunt Gu Qiuna chuckled and tossed the question back to Cheng Xuemin.

Cheng Xuemin smiled and nodded, then said to Huang Jianzhong, "Old Huang, get the contract sorted out, and try to secure it later!"

"Alright!" Huang Jianzhong had already heard the answer he wanted, and his whole body was trembling with excitement!

Half an hour later, Dixon hung up the phone, a complicated expression on his face, and said:

"Headquarters has approved!"

"Ten million US dollars for all North American distribution rights. But the payment will be made in three installments: a deposit of 300 million, 500 million after the copies are delivered, and the remaining 200 million after six months of release."

Cheng Xuemin felt relieved and extended his hand, saying, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you." Dixon shook his hand, his eyes filled with admiration. "Cheng, you not only understand movies, but you also understand the market."

"If you have any new films in the future, be sure to contact Columbia first!"

"must!"

Then, strike while the iron is hot and sign the contract on the spot, lest you regret it after leaving the house!
Actually, we were prepared!

Not only had Cheng Xuemin prepared a contract, but Dixon had also prepared one in advance.

But now it is!
Dixon had to change the offer of three million in the contract to ten million, clearly because three million was their bottom line.

And it's a global copyright!

But to everyone's surprise, the talks went on and on, eventually reaching ten million US dollars.

Moreover, this only applies to the North American market. Although there is an additional "omnichannel" explanation, these are all Columbia Pictures' private markets that they haven't publicly disclosed.

But this young Chinese man in front of him completely exposed everything about him.

"Uh?"

But when Dixon saw the young Chinese man in front of him quietly change the price of seven million US dollars in the contract to ten million US dollars right in front of him, his eyes bulged out instantly, and he almost vomited blood on the spot!

"Ahem! Mr. Dixon... It's a pleasure doing business with you!"

Cheng Xuemin smiled awkwardly, quickly took the contract Dixon handed him, signed and stamped it, and shook hands with him again to express his pleasure in cooperating!
As for changing seven million to ten million?

Well, I'm sorry, but from the very beginning, Cheng Xuemin was planning to sell it for only seven million, a little less than that unscrupulous businessman Brian.

But little did they know that this Dixon was even more cunning than Brian!

That's so embarrassing!

……

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