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

Twenty minutes later, Cheng Xuemin, along with his reluctant wife Feng Jiayou and the others, boarded a car bound for Kai Tak Airport.

My luggage was minimal, almost entirely packed light!
Outside the car window, Hong Kong was ablaze with lights and neon signs. The bustling city that never sleeps was noisy in the night, but the car window blocked it out, leaving only blurry light and shadow!
The atmosphere inside the car was heavy and tense!

Feng Jiazhao couldn't help but lower his voice and ask, "Xuemin, things are in such a hurry in Yanjing? Is there some change in the matter of the four hundred million US dollars?"

Cheng Xuemin leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knees—a habitual gesture when he was thinking.

"He didn't say anything specific over the phone, but the fact that Mr. Liao called personally, with an unprecedentedly serious and urgent tone, demanding that I drop everything and return immediately, can only mean that things have reached their most critical and delicate moment. That money is a hot potato, and it's affecting too many people's nerves!"

Cheng Xuemin even speculated that Japan might have exerted pressure on its domestic population through diplomatic channels!
That's why we were in such a hurry to recall them!

Huang Jianzhong also said with concern, "The negotiations have just started to show some promise. Is it feasible to push Brian and Ms. Gu to deal with the three giants?"

"Those are all cunning old foxes who eat people without spitting out the bones!"

"The arrow is on the string, and we have no choice but to release it!" Cheng Xuemin opened his eyes, his gaze calm. "The plan has been put forward, and the chain of interests has been pointed out to them."

“Carrick, Michael Chen, and Rosenthal are not fools, and neither is the headquarters behind them.”

“If they reject my proposal, they might not even get a share of the profits, and they'll also face the risk of internal competition driving up prices. If they accept it, although it might be a bit embarrassing, they can easily weigh the real benefits and the long-term relationship with us, the goose that could lay golden eggs in the future.”

"Brian has his aunt's help, Fu Qi's support, Xinhua's Hong Kong branch, and the bottom line we've set. All that's left is to deal with the details. We now have a more pressing battlefield!"

The car sped along and soon arrived at the brightly lit Kai Tak Airport.

A small special plane was already waiting on the tarmac, its engine emitting a deep roar.

Without any complicated check-in procedures, the group was quickly led to the plane after showing their special identification!
The cabin space is not large, but it is fully equipped.

As soon as Cheng Xuemin sat down and fastened his seatbelt, the plane began to taxi, accelerate, and lift off the runway, rushing into the twilight that had already set.

Outside the porthole, the dazzling lights of Hong Kong quickly shrank, turning into a patch of light embedded in black velvet!
Feng Jiazhao and Huang Jianzhong were clearly a little nervous, after all, this was their first time riding a private jet, and the first time they had been recalled to Yanjing so urgently.

After the initial reluctance to part, the daughter-in-law Feng Jiayou, along with Gong Xue and Zhu Lin, were all eager to return home!

Cheng Xuemin appeared much calmer. He took the warm water offered by the flight attendant, took a sip, and gazed at the endless darkness outside the window, but his thoughts were racing!
Four hundred million US dollars!

In early 1980s China, this was an astronomical figure that would shake any level of society!

It is not just a huge sum of money, but also a symbol, a proof, and a fulcrum that can leverage many things!

The Japanese will not easily hand over the territory, and the attention of various domestic forces will inevitably be focused on this!

Liao Gong called personally, his tone so urgent, even mentioning the highest-level decisions and plans. This is no longer a simple matter of fulfilling the bet on the film's box office!
Behind this lies a higher-level game, involving resource allocation, technology introduction, and even the choice of future industrial development path!

Cheng Xuemin, a film director and producer who wields a pen, is thrust into the center of this enormous vortex because of an almost absurd bet.

He knew that this trip back to Beijing was not just a simple matter of reporting on work!
The plane flew smoothly in the night sky, with the roar of the engine becoming the only background noise!
Feng Jiayou and Gong Xue gradually fell asleep from exhaustion!

Cheng Xuemin, however, was wide awake, his brain working at high speed like a sophisticated instrument!
Reviewing every detail of the negotiations with the Japanese side, anticipating various possible scenarios, and considering how to report to the highest level clearly, forcefully, and strategically.

Several hours later, the plane began its descent!
Through the porthole, one could see the lights of Yanjing below, appearing serene and solemn in the dim light of night.

The plane landed smoothly at Beijing Capital International Airport, taxied, and came to a stop!
The hatch opened, and a rush of cool, dry air from the north rushed in.

It was already past 10 p.m., and a black Hongqi sedan was quietly parked next to the gangway. Standing next to it was a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit with a serious face. He was an old acquaintance, Secretary Yang, Mr. Wu's secretary!
"Comrade Xuemin, you must be tired from your journey." Secretary Yang greeted him, shaking his hand firmly and speaking concisely, "The car is ready, the leaders are waiting!"

Without any further pleasantries, Cheng Xuemin whispered to Feng Jiazhao and Huang Jianzhong, "You two go back to the factory to rest first, and be ready to be called upon at any time."

He then comforted his wife, Feng Jiayou, with a few words, and told her to go back to the factory with her older brother, Feng Jiazhao.

Then let my older brother drive us home together!
When his wife, Feng Jiayou, asked him when he would be going back, she said she was waiting for him at the Yan Film Studio!

Cheng Xuemin comforted her a couple more times and told her to go back first, as he didn't know how late he would have to report!
However, the leader will definitely send a car to take him back, so they don't need to wait!
He then took a simple briefcase and bent down to get into the Hongqi sedan.

Secretary Yang got into the passenger seat, the car started immediately, drove out of the airport, merged into the still sparse traffic as night deepened, and headed towards that direction that countless people yearn for and are filled with awe for!
The car drove smoothly and quickly, passing through Chang'an Avenue and those solemn and magnificent buildings, and finally entered through a gate where guards stood at attention.

High walls and deep courtyards, ancient trees reaching for the sky, the environment is solemn and tranquil, as if it were two different worlds from the hustle and bustle outside the wall.

This is Haizi!

The car stopped in front of a building with a traditional Chinese roof that looked unremarkable but exuded a calm and dignified atmosphere.

Secretary Yang got out of the car and opened the door for Cheng Xuemin: "Comrade Xuemin, please!"

Cheng Xuemin took a deep breath of the crisp air, straightened his clothes which were slightly wrinkled from the long flight, and stepped out of the car.

He looked up at the building; the lanterns hanging at the entrance glowed softly in the morning light.

Secretary Yang led him through the corridor to the door of a spacious reception room!
Secretary Yang gently knocked on the door, and a steady voice came from inside: "Come in!"

The door was pushed open, and Cheng Xuemin stepped inside.

The reception room was warmly lit and simply furnished with dignified decor.

Several people were sitting on the sofa!
Cheng Xuemin's eyes swept over the area, and he was immediately shocked!
Liao Gong was sitting on a single sofa on one side, holding a cup of tea. When he saw him come in, he nodded slightly.

Sitting next to me was Old Wu, with a familiar gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were equally solemn!
What made Cheng Xuemin's breath catch in his throat were the other people sitting in the main seat and on the sofa next to him!
Cheng Xuemin was very familiar with their faces; they were figures that appeared almost daily on the front page of the People's Daily, in news documentaries, and at the most important occasions in the country!
In an instant, an indescribable sense of oppression and historical involvement seized him.

He knew that the four hundred million US dollars was important, but for these people to take time out of their busy schedules and gather here so late to listen to his report meant that the significance of the money far exceeded his previous estimates!
"Greetings, former leaders! Greetings, Mr. Liao! Greetings, Mr. Wu!"

Cheng Xuemin immediately straightened his back, his voice clear and steady, filled with heartfelt respect. He showed no sign of panic, only a heavy sense of responsibility weighing on his shoulders!

Of course, this wasn't the first time he had been received by these leaders!

"Comrade Xuemin has arrived, please sit down!" The old man sitting in the main seat spoke, his voice calm, carrying a kind of authority and affability that had been accumulated over the years.

He pointed to an empty single sofa across from him and said, "Don't be shy, this isn't the first time we've met!"

"You've had a long journey all the way from France and Hong Kong, you must be exhausted. Have some tea and catch your breath!"

Immediately, staff members quietly served hot tea.

After thanking him, Cheng Xuemin sat down with his back straight, occupying only the front third of the sofa. His hands were naturally placed on his knees, his posture respectful but not restrained.
Liao put down his teacup and cut straight to the point, his tone serious: "Comrade Xuemin, time is of the essence, so let's skip the pleasantries!"

"The reason I'm asking you to come back today... or rather, ordering you to come back immediately is because your bet with the Japanese has reached its most critical point!"

"Four hundred million US dollars is no small sum, especially at a time when the country urgently needs foreign exchange for construction and technology imports!"

"This is not just about your personal win or loss; it concerns the vital interests of the nation and a series of subsequent arrangements. Give the leaders a comprehensive and detailed report on the negotiations in France and the current progress of the copyright negotiations in Hong Kong. Don't omit anything, and don't be afraid of details!"

"Yes, Lord Liao!" Cheng Xuemin replied in a deep voice.

He picked up his teacup, but didn't drink it. He used the action to sort out his thoughts that had been churning in his mind.

He knew that every word in the upcoming report would be crucial.

Not only should the background, negotiation strategy, and current results be clearly explained, but the interests, risks, and opportunities involved, as well as his personal judgment and suggestions on the matter, should also be clearly analyzed!
He put down his teacup, his gaze calmly sweeping over each leader present, before he began to speak clearly and methodically:
"Distinguished leaders, the reason for the $400 million box office bet with Hitachi Heavy Industries, the Japanese side, is..."

Cheng Xuemin began his story with the long-standing feud between Hitachi Heavy Industries and the Japanese women, starting with the conflict in Cannes.

His tone was calm and objective. He neither deliberately exaggerated the other party's unreasonableness nor his own impulsiveness. He simply recounted the cause and effect, including the environment of the film festival at the time, the media's hype, and his decision based on his judgment of the quality and market potential of "Redemption."

"...The film 'Redemption' won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and garnered global attention, which laid a solid foundation for its box office success."

"Subsequently, I took advantage of this trending topic to launch a large-scale publicity campaign in Hong Kong and made contact with major Hollywood distributors."

Although the film has not yet been officially released, based on the buzz from Cannes, the positive response to pre-release publicity, and my negotiations with major distributors in North America and Europe, it is highly likely that its global box office will reach or even exceed one hundred million US dollars.

"Of course, there are uncertainties in the film market, but we have minimized the risks!"

Then, he began to report on the negotiations in Hong Kong: "Currently, I am in Hong Kong, mainly negotiating the global distribution rights of 'Redemption' with representatives of the three major Hollywood studios, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and Columbia."

"Their initial plan was to buy out the copyrights in different regions, which would not have been conducive to maximizing our profits and would have made us lose control over the distribution of the film."

Therefore, I proposed a new cooperation model: a global distribution alliance.

He explained the concept of the distribution alliance in detail: "...The advantages of this model are: First, we have secured a guaranteed income of $50 million in advance and enjoy a very high share of the profits later on, which is far more profitable than simply selling the copyright."

Secondly, by forming an alliance, we can bind the interests of the three major Hollywood studios together, turning competition into cooperation. This will allow us to mobilize their global resources to the greatest extent possible for film distribution, which is conducive to boosting box office revenue.

Third, by leading the alliance's agents, we indirectly participate in and to some extent control the global distribution process, accumulate experience, build connections, and explore paths for Chinese films to go global in the future.

Fourth, this is also a form of checks and balances, preventing any single giant from monopolizing subsequent collaborations on my work.

Currently, although the representatives of the three giants are shocked and resistant to this disruptive model, after weighing the pros and cons, they have indicated that they need to consult with their headquarters and are willing to negotiate the details.

We now hold the reins in the negotiations!

Cheng Xuemin's report was well-organized and highlighted key points, providing both macro-level strategic thinking and concrete figures and details.

He neither concealed the risks nor exaggerated them, but instead used a calm and pragmatic approach to clearly analyze a dramatic international business game!

The leaders listened intently, occasionally nodding slightly or exchanging glances.

The leader in charge of the economy tapped his fingers lightly on the sofa armrest, lost in thought.

Comrade Jiang, who was in charge of industry, was noticed by Cheng Xuemin as soon as he entered the room!

Judging by the timeline, he will be sent to Shanghai to take charge for a period of time in the next two years, and will officially return at the end of the 1980s!
After Cheng Xuemin finished speaking, the reception room was quiet for a moment.

The elderly man in the main seat spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "Comrade Xuemin, your report is very detailed and also very bold."

"With one movie and one bet, they leveraged $400 million in foreign exchange, and even thought of using an alliance model to integrate Hollywood's resources, maximizing their own and the country's interests. They have courage, strategy, and even more so, vision!"

He paused, his gaze sharp as he looked at Cheng Xuemin: "But have you considered that if the Japanese really pay this four hundred million US dollars, it's not just a matter of money?"

"It is a touchstone, and also a huge whirlpool. How many people are watching it internationally? And how many eyes are watching it from all sides of the country?"

"How this money comes in, how it is used, and where it is used will all trigger a series of chain reactions."

"More importantly, how do you plan to conduct negotiations with the Japanese regarding technology transfer? Are those equipment and technologies what we urgently need right now? Can they be successfully implemented? Will there be any additional conditions?"

This series of questions gets straight to the heart of the matter!
Cheng Xuemin knew that the real test was coming!

This is not a matter of cinematic art, nor is it simply a matter of commercial negotiation; rather, it is a major decision concerning the country's use of foreign exchange, industrial layout, and technology import strategy.

……

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