1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 264 God of Gamblers 2 is set

The two companies, 1024 and Entertainment, continue to serve as collateral to HSBC Bank.

With the success of the company’s previous blockbusters, it plans to shoot evaluation films this year.

Finally, he cashed out 70 million from the bank and paid it off within a year.

The loan interest rate is 22%, which is ridiculously high.

This is the time when Hong Kong is "putting an end to the rampant evil".

What does a 22% interest rate mean?

When housing prices plummeted a few years ago, a white-collar worker with a monthly salary of 20 yuan and a -year mortgage loan to buy a house only had to pay back about yuan per month.

This year, the average monthly salary of workers in Hong Kong has increased to 6,000 yuan, but if they buy a house, they still have to pay back more than 5,000 yuan every month.

The little money left is not enough to pay for water, electricity, gas and property fees.

The loan sharks and debt collectors in the society were forced to change their careers because of this move by the bank.

The paparazzi are omnipresent.

The news that Zhai Yuan's mortgage company had borrowed money from the bank spread like wildfire.

Public opinion suddenly became very loud.

'It is rumored that Shen Tongyuan sold his company, suspected to be in debt dispute.'

'Warriors are bound to bring rain, Zhai Yuan's blind expansion eventually ushered in the countdown to bankruptcy, and counted the fleeting movie dream of Jiuyi Entertainment.'

'The founder of 1024 secretly met with HSBC's boss. Zhai Yuan had sunken eyes and a haggard face, and refused to be interviewed by reporters.'

'The theater owner cashed out and ran away, where will tens of thousands of members go?'

Nine One Entertainment.

Newspapers were delivered to the desk one after another, with headlines so sensational that Zhai Yuan was so angry that he laughed.

The Hong Kong media is really good at spreading rumors.

"Go, have Old Shen go door to door and send lawyer's letters to these failed newspapers."

Zhai Yuan gathered up the newspaper and handed it back to Shi Nansheng, cursing: "He is so old-fashioned! No wonder the employees looked at me strangely when I entered the company today. Even Li Lizhen, the gold-digger, didn't bring in any tea."

Negative public opinion is not a big deal, but now it actually affects his chances of picking up girls. Zhai Yuan even wants Xu Jiaqiang to send someone to greet the heads of these newspapers.

"No need for Mr. Zhai's instructions. The lawyer's letter has already been sent out this morning."

Shi Nansheng stood still and said worriedly, "But I think you still need to come forward to clarify, otherwise the negative impact will continue to magnify."

Zhai Yuan hummed, "Don't worry, I'll show up in two days after the God of Gamblers 2 is edited. For now, let the public relations department appease the theater audience. As for the other poor guys who don't spend money, they can say whatever they want."

There's no point in going out and explaining now since you have no useful information in hand.

Wait until Wang Jin finishes "God of Gamblers 2" and then says a few words when it is released, and the rumors will be self-defeating.

Shi Nansheng also understood this truth. After thinking for a while, he said, "Then let's make a statement to the outside world. Mr. Zhai, you are directing the film production and have no time to respond to public opinion for the time being."

Zhai Yuan nodded, and she stepped out to do her work.

Although the backbone of the company is not sure why Zhai Yuan took out a mortgage, they are basically certain that he will not run away. "God of Gamblers 2" will be released in April, and the third-level film will be released in May. During this period, three blockbusters "Once Upon a Time in China", "Mr. Vampire" and "Across the World" will be filmed. Even if Zhai Yuan runs away, at least he must get back the invested money first.

Shi Nansheng had just passed away.

There was a sound of chaotic footsteps outside.

Shen Wei shouted, "This is private property. Do you have a search warrant?"

Then the office door was pushed open.

Several men in suits appeared at the door, each with a serious expression.

The leading investigator stepped forward and said to Zhai Yuan in a deep voice, "Mr. Zhai, we are from ICAC. We now suspect that you have transferred improper benefits to HSBC through frequent transactions of land in Xiawan Village, Yuen Long. Please go back with us to assist in the investigation."

Outside the door, the company's employees were peeking inside.

Zhai Yuan sighed tiredly: "It's not over yet, right..."

…………

Zhai Yuan, who had even been to the Political Department once, did not take the Independent Commission Against Corruption seriously.

But I also know what it means to not be able to mess with the casserole, but to mess with the colander.

This independent department, which claims to be directly responsible to the Governor of Hong Kong, completely ignored HSBC's boss Dai Johnson during the interrogation of Zhai Yuan and focused on interrogating Zhai Yuan alone, showing the ultimate display of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

The whole process lasted for an hour.

There are no scenes like those in movies and TV dramas where people use air conditioners or drink civet coffee.

Zhai Yuan recounted with a gloomy face how his funding chain broke and how he needed cash turnover. He also said that the land transactions in Xiawan Village were also normal business operations.

In the end, the ICAC investigators could not find any evidence and their attitude visibly softened.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhai, we also received a report from the citizens and had to investigate you."

After the interrogation, the investigator smiled, stood up and extended his hand to Zhai Yuan to shake hands.

Zhai Yuan ignored him and raised his eyelids: "Are you done asking questions?"

The investigator smiled and said, "Yes, you can leave at any time."

Zhai Yuan looked at him coldly, took a deep breath, pointed at his nose and yelled: "Do you know how much negative impact it will have on me if you come to the company and take me away? If 1024 is a listed company, its stock price has already fallen. You are so picky! You let me come and you leave, what should I do with the customers who scared away from my theater? What about the money I lost? Fuck you! Don't say I didn't do it. Even if I bribed HSBC, why didn't the foreigner Dai Johnson come to stand trial? Are you scared that your father is Chinese? Fuck you!"

The ICAC investigator had obviously never seen such a scene before, and his face instantly darkened when Zhai Yuan greeted him with words that were highly suggestive of motherhood.

"Mr. Zhai, insulting a public official..."

"I know, it's a fine! I'll throw out hundreds of thousands of dollars and invite a bunch of neighbors to block the door of ICAC to greet your mother. You'd better put an iron hoop on your ancestral grave and throw it on the street!"

Knowing that the ICAC could not find anything about him, Zhai Yuan instantly let himself go and cursed the ICAC commissioners from head to toe.

Even the innocent people who passed by and tried to stop the fight were not spared.

There is no crime of insulting public officials in Hong Kong. As long as you don't use violence, the most you will get is a fine for violating public order and good morals. Even decades after the return, the Legislative Council is still discussing whether to make insulting public officials a crime.

Zhai Yuan's reckless firing finally alarmed a senior commissioner at the supervisory level.

The supervisor threatened as soon as he came up: "Mr. Zhai, if you continue to act unreasonably, we will take legal action against you!"

Zhai Yuan continued to scold without giving any face: "Why? Which law in Hong Kong forbids me from greeting your mother?"

He turned around and asked Shen Wei, who had just come in to pick him up, "Can I say hello to this supervisor's mother?"

Shen Wei said righteously: "Sure! Mr. Zhai, there are many reporters waiting to interview you outside, why don't you go out and curse in front of the camera."

When a hot topic like Zhai Yuan was taken away by the ICAC, reporters had already heard the news and were waiting at the ICAC door for him to come out.

The supervisor's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot: "What do you want?"

Zhai Yuan licked his dry lips and said, "It's simple. ICAC will publicly apologize to me on a TV program and recover the losses of my company."

The supervisor said righteously: "Impossible! Accepting the ICAC investigation is the obligation of every Hong Kong citizen..."

Zhai Yuan didn't wait for him to finish and suddenly asked, "Why did you hit me?"

The supervisor looked at him in confusion. The next second, Zhai Yuan lay on the ground and yelled, "Old Lian is beating people up! Go get the reporters in! Bullying a 20-year-old kid! I said I would call the police, but they said the police were useless. When the police and Lian clashed, they beat the police completely..."

The group of people were dumbfounded.

Shen Wei was stunned for two seconds, then turned around and ran out.

The supervisor nearby was quick to grab Shen Wei and said to Zhai Yuan who was lying on the ground, "Can we publish it in the newspaper?"

Zhai Yuan got up from the ground and patted his clothes: "It's a deal!"

……

In front of the ICAC.

Zhai Yuan and Shen Wei walked out with swagger, and reporters surrounded them.

"Mr. Zhai, may I ask why ICAC is investigating you?"

"Mr. Zhai, there are rumors that you are planning to immigrate. Is this true?"

"Mr. Zhai, is 1024 really bankrupt? Will the membership fees collected by the theater be refunded?"

A group of reporters wanted to stick the microphone into Zhai Yuan's throat.

Zhai Yuan smiled and said politely, "I'm sorry for taking up public resources. The company is just restructuring its capital. Otherwise, I wouldn't have walked out of the ICAC safely. I hope everyone will stop spreading rumors. The second episode of God of Gamblers will be released in mid-April on 1024. Thank you for your support."

After briefly advertising the new movie, Zhai Yuan got into the car and drove away.

in the car.

Shen Wei, who was sitting in the passenger seat, received a call and turned to Zhai Yuan in the back seat and said, "It's from HSBC. They valued the land in Xiawan Village at 26 million yuan, with an interest rate of %."

Zhai Yuan was unhappy and said, "Why is it more expensive than the company mortgage?"

Shen Wei said: "That piece of land has too many land rights. If it were sold outside, it would not be worth much, and the interest rate would be much higher than the normal land price."

Zhai Yuan didn't say anything else, but thought about it in his mind.

Ye Zhiming’s 1024 million, and Entertainment’s million, and Xiawan Village’s million.

Around 3.2 billion.

My previous estimate of 4 million was an overestimate.

Do you want to use your handsome face to borrow some money from Peng Jiayan or Xue Wanen?

Zhai Yuan stroked his cheek and pondered.

…………

"Lei Juekun's hot money is not invested in the film market, and New One City's output this year has dropped significantly."

Golden Harvest Film Company.

He Guanchang and Zou Wenhuai sat opposite each other and analyzed the recent film market.

Not long after the Spring Festival, another major member of the New Seven Monsters of City passed away.

Stone Tim.

In his previous life, this one of the founders of New One City became disheartened after filming "Gong Xi Fa Cai". In order to help him regroup, his old friends Wu Yusen, Xu Qi and others forced him to play the role of Long Si in "A Better Tomorrow 2", allowing Shi Tian to stay in the film industry for a few more years.

Now Laoyou has joined 2 Entertainment, the parallel universe "A Better Tomorrow " has been aborted, and after the Spring Festival, Shi Tian is said to have had a quarrel with the bald guy Mecca within the company, and directly announced to the outside world that he would permanently withdraw from the film industry.

The New Seven Monsters of New City existed in name only, with only Mecca and Huang Boming left.

"Lei Juekun's KMB and KJC are being held hostage by real estate developers. I think he is either teaming up with the Wu family to hold on to his ancestral property or risking his last fortune by making a desperate bet in the film industry."

Zou Wenhuai shook his head with some regret and sighed: "It's a pity that New One City is now lacking in talent. It can't be supported by only Huang Boming."

He Guanchang said: "There is also a little bald head."

Zou Wenhuai smiled when he heard this: "Mecca has started to make a living without telling Lei Juekun. Two days ago, Hong Xinbao found me and said that Mecca wanted to win him over to set up a new company to restart the "Best Partner" series."

He Guanchang was slightly stunned, then he smiled: "It seems that the last time we beat him, it worked. Hong Xinbao never took the initiative to report such things before."

Then he sighed: "People's hearts are scattered, Xinyicheng will have a hard time getting through this difficult time!"

Xin Yicheng was officially established in 1980 and reached its peak after receiving investment from Lei Juekun. It overwhelmed Zhaoshi and Jiahe and the two companies could not defeat each other even if they joined forces.

In less than five years, it has reached a dead end.

Zou Wenhuai said: "The key is the addition of 91 Entertainment, otherwise New One City would not have declined so quickly."

Hong Kong’s film market is too small, and as someone rises to the top, someone else has to step down.

He Guanchang asked: "People say that Zhai Yuan is also facing difficulties this time. What do you think, Brother Wen?"

Zou Wenhuai asked back: "Do you believe it?"

He Guanchang shook his head: "There has to be a transition period from prosperity to decline, but I don't see that in 2 Entertainment... Does the release of God of Gamblers in April, a normal schedule, count?"

The first episode of "God of Gamblers" grossed over 20 million, which would be worth celebrating with champagne if it were any other company.

As a result, "God of Gamblers 2" was chosen to be released in the garbage time slot of April. Logically speaking, it does seem like the movie is just trying to make as much money as possible and run away quickly.

Zou Wenhuai did not comment, rubbing his brows with a headache: "A Chang, do you know what I am most worried about now? Even "God of Gamblers 2" is scheduled for April. I really can't guess what level of big production will be produced in the 1024 summer and Lunar New Year seasons..."

…………

4 month 12 day.

While the outside world was speculating whether Zhai Yuan would pack up and run away, "God of Gamblers 2", which had been promoted for more than half a month, was finally scheduled to be released.

Wan Ziliang's version of Gao Jin wears a suit and a slicked-back hair, and the final makeup poster is hung on the outer wall of the 1024 Theater.

Below are some group portrait posters.

Zhong Chuhong's Haitang is dressed in red, biting a poker card with half of her thigh exposed, looking beautiful and sexy.

Chen Baixiang's Xiao Fangfang, Mei Yanfang's Xiao Yao, Chen Lan's Wenrou, Xu Jiaqiang's Long Wu...

Behind the laughing group of supporting characters, the villain Qiu Xiaochi, played by Lin Guobing, occupies half of the frame with a fierce look in his eyes.

This movie also has a most important child star role.

Hai Yuan, the young leader of the East Lake Gang.

The role of Hai Yuan in the original film was played by Xie Miao, who was only 12 years old at the time.

Wang Jin did not find Xie Miao, and had not yet met the pupils of the Pink Chrysanthemum Spring and Autumn School at that time of filming, so he got a list from the Child Star Association for Zhai Yuan to choose from.

Among a group of child stars under the age of fifteen, Zhai Yuan immediately saw a familiar face.

12-year-old Fan Shaohuang.

The reason why the filming of "God of Gamblers 2" was delayed until now is because in order to protect the working hours of child stars in accordance with labor laws, Fan Shaohuang could only give the crew two hours a day.

The posters on the terraced houses are marked with eye-catching red fonts.

The sequel to "God of Gamblers" is coming, scheduled to be released on April 4, and there are still 15 days to go!
The day after the release date poster was sent out.

The news about ICAC's unilateral apology to Zhai Yuan made the front page, causing an uproar!
(End of this chapter)