After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 605 Forgiveness
"Acquisition?"

Shan Wendong felt that this suggestion was very inappropriate.

Mergers and acquisitions among state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are commonplace, and such transactions are usually expedited and proceed smoothly. Mergers and acquisitions among SOEs are a dominant theme of our time.

The goal is to retain a number of very large state-owned enterprises, ensuring that these enterprises have sufficient strength and market competitiveness.

The rest...

Let them fend for themselves.

However, mergers and acquisitions by private enterprises are much more complicated.

Shan Wendong explained, “This is not appropriate. There is a lot of gray area in state-owned enterprises acquiring private enterprises. If it is a state-owned enterprise, whether the acquisition price is 100 million or 1 billion, it doesn’t really matter much. It can be decided internally, since it is all state assets anyway. But it’s different for private enterprises. If the price is too low, it will give people something to criticize; if the price is too high, it will be suspected of transferring benefits.”

Zhou Haoran frowned and said, "We can't just let a record company like Red Star Production Company use Red Star TV's brand, can we?"

"The acquisition proposal cannot proceed."

Shan Wendong felt the matter was too difficult and rejected it outright.

These days, a large number of state-owned enterprises are going bankrupt.

Red Star Media, as a large state-owned enterprise, instead of acquiring other affiliated companies, spent money to acquire a private enterprise. Isn't this betraying its own interests?
The acquisition of Harbour Audio-Visual by Red Star Audio-Visual was a very easy thing to do.

The leaders were also happy.

Acquiring private record companies is out of the question; there would be numerous obstacles.

Zhou Haoran said with difficulty, "That's a bit troublesome. How about... how about using some administrative power to forcibly intervene?"

"At most, we can issue a document, a warning or order."

Shan Wendong would not forcibly interfere with this place using his power; this is a seaport, a benchmark for the market economy.

You can do whatever you want elsewhere, but not here.

"Warning..."

Zhou Haoran thought it was a good idea; a simple threat would suffice. A boss who was considered an outcast and couldn't survive in Hong Kong and Taiwan, had come to the mainland and started a record company—did he really dare to defy the rules?
Shan Wendong said, "If the other party doesn't accept, there's really not much we can do. By the way, Haoran, the Red Star Production Company you mentioned is an overseas record company, right?"

Zhou Haoran nodded. "Yes, it's registered with the Hong Kong government, but its core business is in mainland China."

“Communications with overseas entities are within your purview.” Shan Wendong then relinquished his authority, saying, “You will be in charge of handling this matter. Find a way to end their unauthorized use of the ‘Red Star’ brand.”

Because Zhou Haoran promoted the cooperation between Red Star TV and TVB and ATV.

So he got promoted.

The position remained the same—assistant to the station director—but the power increased.

Seeing how adept he was at dealing with foreigners, everyone entrusted him with managing Hongxing TV's "overseas business," such as purchasing films from overseas, exporting films overseas, and engaging in exchanges and cooperation with foreign television stations.

These days, many people are hesitant to negotiate with foreigners and businessmen from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

It just so happens that Zhou Haoran is good at it.

So I authorized him.

Zhou Haoran readily accepted and also intended to push Red Star Media to establish a subsidiary called "Red Star International" specifically to handle overseas affairs.

There was no other way; the situation forced us to act.

If you want to do something big, you need some kind of powerful backing. For example, one of Tangren Media's next major moves is to establish a "Shanghai circle" to compete with the "Beijing circle."

The long-term goal is to use Hong Kong pop culture to counter Korean pop culture!

This escalates into competition in the international market.

With the background and channel resources of "Red Star International", Tangren Media can avoid many detours and administrative troubles.

“Alright, I’ll take charge of this.” Zhou Haoran also took the opportunity to ask for leave. “I’m going to the United States on a business trip in a few days. I’ll try to get this done when I get back.”

Shan Wendong, trying to curry favor, asked, "Where is the headquarters of that Red Star Production Company located in the mainland?"

"capital."

"Then that's settled. Hongxing TV can issue a document ordering them to rectify the situation. At the same time, I'll contact Capital TV and have them issue a document as well, making the same rectification requirements."

"It would be best if Crown TV also issued an article."

Zhou Haoran pushed his luck.

Shan Wendong couldn't help but chuckle, "Whether Crown TV will give me that kind of face, I can't say for sure."

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "We're all in the TV industry, and nobody likes being used for publicity. A few years ago, there was a very popular luxury car called 'Crown,' which gave Crown TV a lot of headaches. Putting ourselves in their shoes, this is about protecting the common interests of the TV industry."

Seeing his elaborate explanation, Shan Wendong had no choice but to accept it: "Alright, I'll try to help you! But I'm making it clear that I can only make some negotiations through written communication. If the other party doesn't accept it, it will be difficult to enforce it, and we'll have to act according to the law."

"One threatening statement is enough!"

Zhou Haoran felt that Tangren Records' acquisition of Red Star Production Company was now a done deal.

They are using the "Red Star" brand, which is not illegal.

But in the course of business operations, who can guarantee that they will not violate regulations or laws?

If you investigate, you will definitely find the problem.

That's how business competition works—using feints to the east while attacking from the west.

If you are invincible in competition A, then they will target you from direction B, forcing you to compromise in aspect A.

……

Zhou Haoran's real power in his workplace is growing.

Judging from Shan Wendong's tone, if the "City Playlist" program is successful and solves the survival crisis of the Red Star Art Troupe from a systemic perspective, then the entire art troupe may fall under his management.

Currently, Zhou Haoran is the deputy head of the arts troupe on secondment.

If he really gets to take charge...

The head and deputy head of the arts troupe would all have to report to him.

Zhou Haoran is a little worried now.

That means there aren't enough trusted confidants.

He's a hands-off manager, too lazy to do things personally at work, but who can do them for him?

Dong Lan is one of them.

He Jin is one of them.

Lin Guiyan is also an option.

Meng Xuemin is trustworthy.

Recently, Gao Huayu, the deputy director of the lifestyle channel, was also promoted, which means they are old acquaintances.

Who else?
"Sister Qingmei!"

Zhou Haoran went to the program team, ignoring the teasing and envious glances from his colleagues, and called out to Qiao Suiqing from afar. Qiao Suiqing blushed slightly and quickly ran over, "Why are you shouting like that in the office?"

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "We're childhood sweethearts, what's there to be afraid of?"

Qiao Suiqing bit her lip. "What is it?"

"You've been with the company longer than me. Is there anyone you can particularly trust?"

The people Zhou Haoran appointed were either people he trusted or people trusted by his closest confidants.

"Sister Yang!"

Qiao Suiqing blurted it out without thinking.

“Bai Panyang?” Zhou Haoran shook his head, feeling it was inappropriate. “She’s only good enough as a host; she doesn’t seem to have much leadership ability. I need to promote a few leaders to help me manage things.”

"Boss..."

Qiao Suiqing was now in a dilemma. Her social circle at work was very small, and she was even a little socially awkward.

Zhou Haoran asked, "Any recommendations?"

"I..." Qiao Suiqing didn't know many of the leaders at all. "Why don't you ask Editor-in-Chief Lin?"

"Lin Guiyan?"

Zhou Haoran was a little surprised.

"Ah."

Qiao Suiqing nodded slightly.

Zhou Haoran asked, "You forgave her?"

Qiao Suiqing pursed her lips, pulled him to the small house next door, and then whispered, "When you went to the Hong Kong government on a business trip before, Editor-in-Chief Lin came to me several times to apologize."

"You forgive me just because I apologized?"

Zhou Haoran couldn't help but laugh.

Qiao Suiqing sighed softly, "Editor-in-Chief Lin has had a tough time too. She... she even knelt down before me."

"Really?"

Zhou Haoran opened his eyes wide.

Qiao Suiqing whispered, "It's not just me."

"Xiao Chen?"

Zhou Haoran had previously told Lin Guiyan to find a way to ease the tension between her and Qiao Suiqing, Hu Xiaochen, and Tang Shiyi.

I didn't expect it to come so fiercely.

Qiao Suiqing said, "I'm soft-hearted. The moment Editor-in-Chief Lin knelt down, I forgave her and quickly helped her up. Hu Xiaochen is hard-hearted. She was unmoved even when Editor-in-Chief Lin knelt in front of her."

"What then?"

Zhou Haoran was not concerned with the outcome, but rather with Lin Guiyan's attitude of admitting her mistake.

“Editor-in-Chief Lin comes over every day.” Qiao Suiqing pointed to the small room that was usually used for meetings. “It’s right here. The two of them are always here. Hu Xiaochen told me privately that every time she comes over, Editor-in-Chief Lin kneels down and apologizes.”

"It should."

Zhou Haoran was quite satisfied with Lin Guiyan's attitude.

This attitude wasn't directed at Hu Xiaochen, but at himself.

I guess Hu Xiaochen knows that too.

So they were deliberately testing the waters, wanting to see just how strong Lin Guiyan's desire to submit was.

Qiao Suiqing sighed and said, "I think she went too far. It wasn't a big deal to begin with, and... after leaving 'Family Matters,' we all benefited from the misfortune and things got better and better. Xiao Chen just hasn't forgiven her."

"You still haven't forgiven me?"

"No, Editor-in-Chief Lin just came by. She came to this room with Hu Xiaochen again. I haven't asked her yet. I guess... I guess Editor-in-Chief Lin knelt down and apologized again. I wonder when Xiaochen will forgive her."

"I see."

Zhou Haoran thought to himself that Hu Xiaochen was truly a thoughtful disciple.

This isn't about not forgiving; it's clearly about waiting for the master to speak.

Zhou Haoran now has his own office at the company, with a nameplate on the door that reads "Zhou Haoran, Assistant to the Station Director".

Next door is the office where the arts troupe and variety show program work together.

Abbreviated as "liaison office".

The office director is Lin Guiyan.

"Editor-in-Chief Lin, could you come here for a moment?"

Zhou Haoran called Lin Guiyan to his office.

"Zhou Tai, did you call me?"

Lin Guiyan smiled broadly. She wore a white short-sleeved shirt and a black pencil skirt, which accentuated her charming figure beautifully.

Zhou Haoran sat in the executive chair behind his desk, pointed to the side, and said, "Why don't you come over and kneel down? Wait for me a moment. After I finish reading this proposal, I'll talk to you about your matter."

"Okay."

Lin Guiyan smiled sweetly, walked around the desk, opened the cabinet under the desk, took out a sponge mat, placed it on the cement floor, and then knelt down.

Zhou Haoran couldn't help but chuckle, "Where did this come from?"

"I prepared it."

Lin Guiyan smiled faintly, a sigh escaping her lips.

She recalled how she had refused to kneel before him for the first time, feeling deeply humiliated. But time had passed, and she had grown accustomed to this way of reporting, even developing a sense of adaptation for survival.

Hu Xiaochen arrived shortly after.

"Master, did you call me?"

Hu Xiaochen closed the door, then ran over with a grin, wanting to give his master a kiss.

He walked around the desk and saw Lin Guiyan kneeling at his feet.

Think back to the beginning.

Things have really changed.

It also created a sense of vengeful pleasure!

Alas, we are all just ordinary people!
(End of this chapter)