Financial freedom starts with smiling at life

Chapter 607 What are you compared to Mr. Jiang?
New World Group headquarters.

CEO's Office.

"Boss, should we continue the collaboration between K11 Victoria Harbour and Vogue?"

The head of the business management department came over to verify with Zheng Zhigang.

Because there was a lot of controversy surrounding Vogue's 20th anniversary celebration on the mainland internet.

The boss, Zheng Zhigang, is a person who cherishes his reputation very much, and he never lets himself get involved in public opinion storms.

Therefore, whether this cooperation continues depends on Mr. Zheng's opinion.

"I was just about to talk to you about this."

Zheng Zhigang did not consult his friend Jiang Beicheng to verify whether he had a conflict of interest with Vogue.

Based on his understanding of Jiangbei City, this incident didn't seem to fit Jiangbei City's usual style of doing things.

If Jiangbei City really got involved, it wouldn't be a public opinion event, but a business war.

Jiang Beicheng's chosen opponent was not a minor figure like Liu Chong, but Condé Nast, the parent company of Vogue.

Even the Newhouse family behind them.

However, one thing cannot be denied: Jiang Beicheng is an angel investor in "Shangcheng" and personally orchestrated a fashion show that shocked both domestic and international audiences at the end of last year.

Since Shangcheng is now going to compete with Vogue in the spring/summer issue of the first half of the year, it must involve the interests of Jiangbei City.

Perhaps Jiang Beicheng didn't even care about this small amount of benefit.

However, as a friend, Zheng Zhigang felt that he could not betray his friend at this time.

Vogue has been in talks with K11, the company he founded, to rent the Victoria Harbour venue for its 20th anniversary celebration.

The two parties are still negotiating the price.

Zheng Zhigang basically doesn't handle these matters; the commercial management department takes care of them.

"Has the venue for Roger Dubuis' dinner been finalized? Are they still in talks with K11?" Zheng Zhigang asked.

"Boss, Roger Dubuis sent people over today. They're taking the Victoria Harbour Night user event very seriously."

“OK, give the venue to Roger Dubuis!” Zheng Zhigang stated directly.

Roger Dubuis is also a very generous brand.

The two sides have cooperated more than once, and the senior management there are also acquaintances with Zheng Zhigang.

Giving the Victoria Harbour location to Roger Dubuis would be a win-win situation.

We need to save face for our good friend Jiang Beicheng.

However, Zheng Zhigang did not personally call to inquire about it. This was a small matter, and there was no need to report it to Jiang Beicheng in order to gain his favor.

Between friends, it's meaningless to constantly mention helping each other with small favors.

……

When Liu Chong, editor-in-chief of Vogue China, learned that Hong Kong would not rent out the Victoria Harbour event venue to them, he had already given up.

Then I heard that the artists from Emperor Entertainment Group were also unwilling to participate in this grand event.

It's probably because Dr. Yang was giving Jiang Beicheng face.
Liu Chong reaffirmed that Liu Yifei represented Jiangbei City's influence in the entertainment industry.

One of her Weibo posts caused most well-known celebrities to stay far away.

It wasn't like this before.

These celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry, especially the female celebrities, have used all sorts of tricks and schemes to get on the cover of Vogue magazine.

It represents the highest level of fashion in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Now they've become objects of universal contempt.

Liu Chong no longer knew how to describe Jiang Beicheng's "Emperor of the Entertainment Industry".

They completely control everything.

Is this really a good thing for the long-term development of the Chinese entertainment industry?

However, what he didn't know was that Jiang Beicheng hadn't inquired about this matter at all.

He didn't even pay attention to the controversy surrounding Vogue on social media.

Just because his mistress Liu Yifei casually showed off and said a few words, Vogue, the world's most influential fashion magazine, was completely silenced in China.

Liu Chong knew very well that he only had one way to go: to get out of this mess and, after this storm passed, at least he could still make a living in the Chinese entertainment and fashion industry.

He proactively contacted the New York headquarters and submitted his resignation to Anna Wintour, the global fashion icon.

He was able to get his position as editor-in-chief of the Chinese edition of Vogue because Anna Wintour promoted him.

At the beginning of this year, Anna Wintour resigned from her position as global editor-in-chief of Vogue, but remained with Condé Nast, where she worked in relatively relaxed management and public relations roles.

The editor-in-chief of American Vogue is now Michael McLeod, a Hollywood star's son.

The editor-in-chief of the US edition is actually the global editor-in-chief, and has the authority to guide the Vogue publications in various regions.

Having just taken over as editor-in-chief from Anna Wintour, Mellor immediately set her sights on Asia.

With a very assertive attitude, he ordered Liu Chong to seize market share from "Shangcheng" in the first half of the year.

When Liu Chong received this assignment, he was unsure of himself. After much deliberation, he decided to hold a grand gathering of celebrities and supermodels under the guise of Vogue's 20th anniversary, guessing that this kind of influence could overshadow Shangcheng's popularity in the first half of the year.

But now it seems that this plan is not far from being aborted.

Anna Wintour was very surprised to hear that Liu Chong had submitted his resignation.

"No! Liu, isn't this the honor you most want? Liu, you are a fashion talent I greatly admire. Your talent has been recognized by the New York headquarters. But, why?"

Anna Wintour said, "You are the talent I promoted, and now I need you to give me a reasonable reason."

Liu Chong truthfully replied, "Teacher, thank you for your guidance and recognition, but in the Chinese entertainment and fashion industry, my voice is too weak."

Editor-in-Chief Melody gave me an impossible task…

Anna Wintour recounted the entire story of the Vogue vs. Shangcheng magazine rivalry to her.

After hearing this, Anna Wintour first frowned, then immediately cursed, "F**k, Mellor did something incredibly stupid."

She pushed the Chinese edition of Vogue to the brink of destruction.

How could this brain-dead second-generation rich kid do something so stupid…

After venting his frustrations, he asked Liu Chong, "Did Mr. Jiang get involved in this matter?"

She was very worried about Jiang Beicheng getting involved, based on the information she heard from Liu Chong.

If that's the case, Vogue China probably won't be able to hold onto its position as the top of the five major fashion magazines.

It even faces opposition from other journals, which are collectively eroding its market share.

“Teacher, I’m not sure yet whether President Jiang is involved, but judging from the current reaction in the domestic fashion industry, everyone is probably refusing to participate in the event out of respect for President Jiang. Nobody dares to offend this emperor of the entertainment industry,” Liu Chong said.

Anna Wintour and Jiang Beicheng are close friends despite their age difference. Last year, she accompanied Bernard, the head of the LV family, and Princess Delphine to Jiangnan City to attend a fashion event organized by Jiang Beicheng.

And he visited a private estate in Jiangbei City.

Her appreciation and respect for Jiangbei City were self-evident.

She was also aware of Jiangbei City's influence and wealth. If she were still the editor-in-chief, Vogue would definitely not have sought her out for the first half of the year.

That would be asking for trouble. The peak sales season of September and October in the second half of the year is Vogue's main battleground.

Vogue has always been a top performer during the peak sales season of September and October.

Putting aside the fact that Liu Chong was already at a loss, even if the 20th anniversary controversy of Vogue hadn't happened, suppressing Shangcheng's momentum in the first half of the year would have been a Pyrrhic victory, a loss that outweighed the gains.

“Liu, thank you for telling me the truth about what happened in the Chinese fashion industry. Regarding your resignation, I will give you an answer after I have dealt with this matter,” Anna Wintour concluded.

After hanging up the phone, I called the driver and hurriedly instructed him, "Go to the Newhouse family estate."

The Newhouse family is the de facto controller of Condé Nast and is the most powerful and wealthiest family in the American media industry.

Only global fashion giants like Anna Wintour can command the respect of the Newhouse family.

Beyond the respect for talent, the enormous benefits Anna Wintour brought to the family are also readily apparent.

So when Anna Wintour decided to resign from her busy and demanding job as editor-in-chief, Steven Newhouse, the current head of the Newhouse family, gave her ample face and respect.

Let her stay at Condé Nast, the parent company of Vogue, and do some easy work.

"Boss, Ms. Wintour wants to see you."

The butler of Newhouse Estate reported to Steven.

"OK, take her to the study."

After Steven finished his last swing, he tossed the golf club to the caddie at the estate and returned to the villa.

I first took a shower before going to see Anna Wintour, a key figure in the family.

"Steven, I'm sorry to interrupt your game, but I have something important to report to you in person," Anna Wintour said excitedly as she stood up when she saw Steven approaching.

At her age, young people generally address her by her first name.

That's her personality too.

Only when visiting China do they exhibit some Chinese etiquette and humility.

Her temper is well-known in Western high society circles.

“Sit down.” Steven invited Anna Wintour to sit down and talk, then had a servant make two cups of coffee. He asked curiously, “Is it about McLeod?”

I know you've never approved of her appointment as global editor of Vogue, but as you know, Wintour's father is a friend of the Newhouse family.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of this renowned Hollywood director.

Consider it compensation to Melo's father.

Of course, if the issue lies with ability, we will consider selecting a more suitable candidate.

“Steven, I understand your family’s philosophy, but Mellon made a major mistake in the decision-making and operation of the Chinese edition of Vogue,” Anna Wintour said directly.

Steven Newhouse looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"She was trying to challenge the authority of Mr. Jiang Beicheng, a media mogul in China. Before any of the plans even started, Vogue China had already been rejected by many celebrities."

“I’m sorry, Wintour, I don’t know anything about this,” Steven said, shrugging, and continued to inquire about the Chinese media mogul from Anna Wintour, “Mr. Jiang Beicheng, is he the one you visited in China last year?”

“Yes, Bernard and his daughter Delphine were also with them,” Anna Wintour said. “We witnessed a world-class fashion event in China that time.”

When Mellor first took office as global editor-in-chief, he tried to tackle a tough challenge. I learned about Mr. Jiang's influence and wealth from Bernard.

McLe has no chance of winning!

Liu Chong, the editor-in-chief of Chinese Vogue, has submitted his resignation to me.

He was ostracized by the fashion industry and unable to continue his work.

The most frightening thing is that we are still unsure whether Mr. Jiang was involved in this!

Steven frowned slightly. "You remind me of something else."

Anna Wintour's gaze was fixed on Steven.

Steven said, "This Mr. Jiang visited the United States once in February."

They did something that shocked Silicon Valley.

"February?" Anna Wintour looked puzzled. She was on vacation in England at the time and hadn't been paying much attention to the news. "Is it something to do in the tech world?"

Let's make a bold guess.

After all, Steven mentioned Silicon Valley.

Steven Newhouse nodded and said, "This Mr. Jiang made Zuckerberg and Cook suffer in silence."

Anna Wintour looked shocked.

She knew that Jiangbei City's industries extended beyond entertainment, but she never expected that it would leave global technology representatives like Zuckerberg and Cook speechless.

“Mr. Jiang spent hundreds of millions of dollars to snatch several AI geniuses from Silicon Valley giants,” Steven Newhouse speculated. “If we analyze it from this perspective, Wintour, the wealth you know about Mr. Jiang may only be the tip of the iceberg.”

Anna Wintour remained silent for a moment.

She may have really underestimated Jiangbei City's wealth!

Originally, I came today to remind the Newhouse family that this wealthy Eastern businessman is very powerful, and that the Newhouse family should be on good terms with Mr. Jiang to protect the family's and Condé Nast Group's interests in Asia.

However, they learned another side of Jiangbei City from the new head of the Newhouse family.

“OK, Steven, it seems you know Mr. Jiang better than I do, so do you agree with my point of view?” Wintour asked directly.

“Of course, Wintour, Mellor’s actions this time were too radical. You, as her senior, should go and remind her in person—no, educate her.” Steven smiled and took a sip of his coffee.

Anna Wintour understood.

Considering the influence of Mel's father, Steven couldn't afford to turn against him, but this matter needed to be taken seriously. At the very least, Mel needed to understand that Vogue's Chinese market depended on Mr. Jiang's approval.

“OK, Steven, I know what to do.” Anna Wintour picked up her bag and got up to say goodbye.

Leaving the Newhouse family estate, we headed straight to the headquarters of Vogue New York.

"Ms. Anna!"

"teacher!"

"Ms. Wintour!"

"..." From the moment she entered the building, all the employees felt the atmosphere become heavy.

The nightmare is back.

Most of the people in this building had worked with her and knew her temperament.

He usually has a serious expression, but today there was a hint of anger in his eyes.

They came all the way from the parent company, so something big must have happened.

The management watched as she walked straight toward the editor-in-chief's office.

As expected, what followed was a barrage of insults.

The door wasn't even closed.

They showed absolutely no respect to the new editor-in-chief, Maile.

"McLe, you stupid manager, look at what you've done! For your own ambition, you've gambled away the entire Chinese edition of Vogue. Do you think you can win? Do you know how strong your opponent is?"
"You arrogant fool! Even the Newhouse family has to show Mr. Jiang some respect. Zuckerberg and Cook have both lost to him. Who do you think you are?"

(End of this chapter)