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Chapter 456 Cao Sheng: I want 10
Asa nodded with a smile, "Well, Mr. Cao said that Yinghuang is definitely not short of excellent composers, and we can arrange it ourselves. However, he suggested that we use a rock style when composing this song."

"Rock style?"

Mr. Yang was stunned.

Zhong Xintong also looked surprised.

These two pretty girl groups, singing rock?

Moreover, the lyrics of this song are so cheesy, it's clearly a love song, but singing a love song in a rock style? She hadn't heard Asa mention this before, and now that she heard it, she found it incredible.

Mr. Yang paused for a moment, then chuckled and nodded, saying, "Sure! When composing, you can try a rock style. Once the song is finished, you two should practice diligently and try to reach the recording standard as soon as possible."

Asa and Zhong Xintong quickly agreed.

Not long after, Asa and Zhong Xintong left Boss Yang's office.

Mr. Yang smiled and pondered for a moment, then reached out and picked up a piece of printed paper from the table. The paper contained the lyrics to Cao Sheng's song "Super Star".

Mr. Yang is not a professional musician.

But he is a man.

Standing in a man's shoes, I imagined Asa and Chung Hsin-tung singing this song in a rock style, and my smile quickly widened.

He felt a strong contrast.

A teenage girl group singing rock music creates a striking contrast.

Singing love songs in a rock style also creates a strong sense of contrast.

What is the spirit of rock and roll?
—Individuality, rebellion, challenge.

It's like someone with a rebellious streak on the back of their head, loudly protesting and shouting against the world.

Like a spoiled child, he stubbornly resisted his parents' arrangements.

But the lyrics of this song are so cheesy, making it sound like the singer is head over heels in love with someone, yet it's sung in a shouting and accusatory style.

It was the era that limited Mr. Yang; otherwise, he would have thought of a popular saying at this moment: "Using the harshest tone to say the most cowardly words."

That's the feeling the lyrics of this song gave him.

As he pondered this, he picked up his phone and dialed Cao Sheng's number, wanting to thank Cao Sheng and, incidentally, try to build a relationship to see if they could collaborate on something else.

Mr. Yang found Cao Sheng's lyrics to be very interesting and suitable for the entertainment industry. Not only was his scriptwriting good, but his lyrics were also quite good. More importantly, he came up with the idea of ​​singing the song in a rock style, which was very creative.

To his surprise, Cao Sheng did not answer the phone after the call went through.

Huizhou.

At this time, Cao Sheng was typing on his computer, his phone on silent.

By the time he finished typing and picked up his phone to see the call record from Boss Yang, it was already evening, and the sun was setting outside the window.

Mr. Yang, the owner of Yinghuang?

During this period, Yinghuang Entertainment Company had a strong presence in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

It has a strong presence, at least in the mainland public opinion arena.

reason?

Because Yinghuang is creating a new generation of idols in Hong Kong's entertainment industry.

For example, Nicholas Tse, Edison Chen, Asahi, Chung Hsin-tung, and others.

And idol groups...

Regardless of their actual abilities, the first thing they have to do is to have handsome men and beautiful women, and secondly, they attach great importance to publicity, using ten times the publicity resources to promote every single achievement.

Therefore, these idols have a strong presence in the public sphere, attracting countless young men and women.

Therefore, during this period, Yinghuang Yang, the boss, held a very high position in the entertainment industry and was regarded as a big shot in the entertainment industry by many people.

What did he want to do by calling me?
Cao Sheng was a little curious, so he casually dialed Boss Yang's number.

The phone is on.

Cao Sheng: "Chairman Yang, did you call me this afternoon?"

Mr. Yang: "Hehe, yes, that's right! I read the lyrics you wrote for Asa and Xintong, and they're really high quality! I called you to say thank you. By the way, Mr. Cao, when are you coming to Hong Kong again? If you do, be sure to let me know! We didn't have a good drink together last time, so I'd love to have a proper drink with you next time you come!"

Cao Sheng chuckled, "You're too kind. I haven't thanked you for your hospitality last time!"

Mr. Yang: "Hey, you're too kind. By the way, have you written any new scripts lately? If so, how about we collaborate again? I think Yinghuang's talent is good enough for you, right?"

Cao Sheng: "Oh, I've been mainly writing a new book lately, and I haven't written a script yet. If I do write one, there will definitely be no problem with collaboration."

……

After exchanging polite words, the call ended.

After putting down his phone, Cao Sheng smiled, got up, and went downstairs to have dinner.

In fact, ever since he took out the script for "Infernal Affairs", his interest in the entertainment industry has diminished considerably.

Because in his memory, after the release of "Infernal Affairs," Hong Kong cinema didn't produce many good films.

Mainland Chinese films are also disappointing.

There are a few good works, but overall they are terrible.

Singers are appearing on variety shows to sing old songs or other people's songs.

More and more actors are spending their time on variety shows, just to make easy money.

This is also one of the reasons why he has never wanted to get involved in the entertainment industry since his rebirth.

During dinner, he received a call from Baojianfeng.

Over the phone, Bao Jianfeng recounted the progress of his negotiations with Tencent.

He said, "Mr. Cao, the three conditions that Tencent previously proposed to you have been lowered after communication and negotiation. Let me tell you about them."

Cao Sheng: "Okay, go ahead!"

Bao Jianfeng: "The first condition is that the price of 5% of the shares has been reduced to US$350 million. Do you think this price is appropriate?"

Previously, Tencent's asking price was $400 million.

Cao Sheng remained noncommittal. "And the second condition?"

Bao Jianfeng: "Oh, the second condition is still that you write a novel with QQ as the main communication tool. However, through our efforts, we have put a limit on the word count of this book. As long as it is not less than 100 million words, it will be fine."

Cao Sheng remained noncommittal. "And the third condition?"

Bao Jianfeng: "The third condition is that you endorse QQ. The term can be shortened to 5 years, or it can remain 10 years. However, Tencent can provide you with an endorsement fee. Mr. Cao, these are the terms we have reached for now. If you are not satisfied, we can help you continue to negotiate with them. What do you think?"

Cao Sheng picked up a piece of ribbonfish with his chopsticks, took a bite, chewed slowly, thought for a moment, and asked, "Who negotiated with you from Tencent? Were there any heated arguments when you were discussing these conditions?" Bao Jianfeng replied, "Oh, it was Zhang Zhidong who negotiated with us. We inquired about his background; he's a good friend of Ma Huateng and also Tencent's Chief Technology Officer. He led the team that developed QQ. There were some arguments when we were negotiating these three conditions, but the atmosphere was quite good, and the arguments weren't very intense."

Cao Sheng was a little surprised.

Unexpectedly, the person in charge of negotiating his investment with Tencent was actually the Chief Technology Officer?

What is this operation?
However, if the chief technology officer were to discuss this matter, Cao Sheng was confident that he could personally talk to the other party.

After all, he himself isn't good at negotiating business, and Tencent's chief technology officer probably isn't very good at it either.

If the other party is in charge of this negotiation with someone in marketing or public relations, Cao Sheng certainly wouldn't want to personally take charge.

"Okay, then send me his contact information! I'll chat with him for a bit."

Cao Sheng said.

Bao Jianfeng: "Oh, okay! I'll send you his number right away."

Cao Sheng hummed in agreement.

After ending the call, Cao Sheng continued eating.

A moment later, his phone rang. Cao Sheng glanced at the screen and saw that a new message had arrived.

He didn't rush to check.

After finishing his meal, he took a tissue to wipe his mouth before picking up his phone. Bao Jianfeng had already sent Zhang Zhidong's phone number via text message.

Cao Sheng picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea to refresh his mouth, then got up, walked through the living room to the balcony in front of the living room, and dialed Zhang Zhidong's number while gazing at the city scenery under the setting sun.

Soon, the call was connected.

Hello? Who is this?

A man's voice came from the phone.

Cao Sheng: "I am Cao Sheng, a wisp of gray from the Central Plains. Are you Mr. Zhang Zhidong?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the phone before the man's voice came through again, "Oh? Yes! Yes! I'm Zhang Zhidong from Tencent. Are you really Mr. Cao Sheng?"

Cao Sheng nodded. "Mr. Zhang, I've heard about the three conditions your company has offered. Would it be convenient for you to discuss those three conditions with me now?"

Zhang Zhidong: "Of course! Sure! Absolutely! Tell me! How would you like to talk?"

Cao Sheng squinted at the Xin'an River flowing slowly under the setting sun and smiled, "First, there's the issue of shares. I heard that your company's current offer is 350 million US dollars for 5% of the shares, is that right?"

Zhang Zhidong: "Yes! These are the terms we negotiated today. What do you mean?"

Cao Sheng: "The price is no problem! But I hope you can give me more shares. If your company can give me a higher percentage of shares, I can make some concessions on the price and the other two conditions. It's all negotiable. Do you think there's room for negotiation on the percentage of shares?"

Zhang Zhidong was silent for a moment, then chuckled and asked, "I wonder how much of a share Mr. Cao would like to invest?"

Cao Sheng tentatively said, "10%."

Zhang Zhidong: "Impossible! Mr. Cao, a considerable number of our company's shares have already been sold, and the remaining shares are very limited. We really can't give you that many more, really! 10% is simply impossible. Please don't make things difficult for me, okay?"

Cao Sheng was not very clear about Tencent's current shareholding structure.

All that is known is that Tencent has gone through two rounds of financing, and 20% of its shares were previously held by Li Zekai, the son of Hong Kong's richest man. However, these 20% shares were sold off last year.

So, how many shares does Mahuateng still hold? Cao Sheng couldn't say for sure.

Perhaps 10% of the shares is a lot for Tencent right now.

"What's the maximum number of shares your company can give me, Mr. Zhang? Could you please tell me?"

Cao Sheng asked.

Zhang Zhidong hesitated for a moment, "Well... I can't say for sure. President Ma said before that he could only sell you a maximum of 5% of the shares. If you are really not satisfied with this share, then I can try to negotiate for you, but at most I can only help you get another 1% or 2%, no more than that."

A smile appeared on Cao Sheng's lips.

I thought to myself: I really should try to get it.

The value of 1% or 2% of Tencent's shares now could be immeasurable in the future.

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Zhang!"

"Haha, Mr. Cao, you're too kind! It's our honor that you're interested in investing in our company; we should be the ones thanking you!"

Cao Sheng: "However, I still hope to acquire a 10% stake. If your company is willing, I have two gifts that I can give you. I believe they will be helpful for your company's growth and development. Hmm, if possible, I would like to have a personal talk with Mr. Ma. Is that alright with you?"

Do you still want 10% of the shares?
In the staff canteen at Tencent's headquarters in Shenzhen, Zhang Zhidong was somewhat stunned. He hadn't expected that even after he had gone to such lengths, Cao Sheng would still want to acquire a 10% stake...

Do you still want to speak with Boss Ma in person?
We're getting two gifts? And they'll actually help our company grow and thrive? Is that even possible? What kind of amazing gifts are they?

He frowned and thought for a moment, then decided that since the other party wanted to talk to Boss Ma, he should just report to Boss Ma directly and not bother himself anymore.

When the time comes, Mr. Ma will personally reject the demand for 10% of the shares, and he believes Cao Sheng will give up.

"Okay! Sure! But I need to report to Boss Ma first and see what his schedule is like."

Cao Sheng: "No problem, time shouldn't be an issue, because all I need is a chance to make a phone call with Boss Ma."

Zhang Zhidong: "Okay! Okay! I understand what Mr. Cao means. I will pass it on to General Manager Ma as soon as possible."

……

About half an hour later.

Cao Sheng received a call from Ma Huateng.

Ma Huateng's voice wasn't particularly domineering; instead, it sounded a bit shy.

“Mr. Cao, this is Ma Huateng from Tencent. I heard you want 10% of our shares? Well, this is really not possible. We really don’t have that many shares to give you. I hope you can understand. I’m so sorry.”

Cao Sheng was already fishing on the banks of the Xin'an River, right next to his villa, which was situated on one side facing the river.

While waiting for Ma Huateng to call, he asked Sun Liang to bring his fishing gear to the riverbank, prepared some bait, and started fishing.

However, it's quite cold this time of year, and I haven't had a bite even after fishing for almost an hour.

Upon receiving the call from Ma Huateng, Cao Sheng smiled and said, "Mr. Ma, what I mean is, your General Manager Zhang just told me that he could help me get about another 2% of the shares. Did you know that?"

Ma Huateng: "..."

A few seconds later, Ma Huateng said, "Oh? Really? Well... he told me that, but he said if we give you more shares, you can make concessions on the other two conditions, right? I wonder how much of a concession you mean?"

Cao Sheng: "For novels that use QQ as the primary communication tool, I can promise a total word count of no less than 200 million words. In addition, I can endorse QQ for the same period as you originally agreed, 10 years! I won't ask for your endorsement fee. I wonder if Mr. Ma is satisfied with this concession?"

After a moment's hesitation, Ma Huateng spoke again: "In that case, it's possible. We can offer you a total of 7% of the shares, but the price..."

Cao Sheng interrupted him, "Mr. Ma, let's not talk about the price yet. I have two more gifts for your company. I hope that after hearing them, you can give me another 3% of the shares."

Ma Huateng: "Huh? You want more?"

(End of this chapter)