Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire.

Chapter 267 Phoenix 5K (Seeking monthly tickets, recommendations, and subscriptions!)

In a slightly old tenement building in Kowloon Tong, the television in the living room is playing a TVB variety show for the evening.

Wang Tianlin sat in a well-worn rattan chair, holding an evening newspaper, but he didn't really read it.

He took off his reading glasses, rubbed his temples, and looked at his son, Wang Jing, who was sitting on the opposite sofa, writing something under the light of the coffee table lamp.

"Ah Jing, are you still revising that notebook?"

Recently, ATV has been poaching employees on a large scale, making things a bit tense within the station.

Mr. Shao got angry and started scrutinizing the contracts of the cast and crew, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere. There were some things that could only be said when they got home.

"Hmm, the last dialogue just doesn't feel quite right, let's revise it."

Wang Jing didn't even look up, her pen never stopping.

He is not old, but his face already shows little of the immaturity of his peers.

Wang Tianlin paused for a moment before finally speaking: "Recently—there have been some rumors circulating about ATV."

"Did they contact you?"

Wang Jing's pen stopped.

He put down his pen, looked up, and looked at Wang Tianlin.

Wang Tianlin is a highly experienced executive at TVB, a producer among producers, with extensive connections and excellent information. It's not surprising that he knew he had been contacted.

"Yes, Morris, the newly appointed general manager of Phoenix TV, asked me to have tea."

"What conditions should we offer?" Wang Tianlin asked directly.

"The basic salary will be half again as high as it is now."

The key point is that they promised that if the script is approved, I could be the producer and lead the filming.

There's also a share of the profits later on.

Wang Jing didn't hide anything; although his voice was calm, a flame flickered in his eyes.

After listening, Wang Tianlin remained silent for a long time. He simply picked up the teapot beside him, poured himself a cup of strong tea that had long since gone cold, and slowly sipped it.

"Producer — Revenue sharing — It sounds wonderful."

Do you know how many years and how much achievement a new screenwriter has to go through at TVB before they can independently produce a drama?

"I know," Wang Jing said, raising her voice slightly. "Maybe five years, maybe ten."

It also depends on opportunity, connections, and whether someone above you appreciates you.

He paused, then said with a hint of resentment, "Dad, I write scripts for TVB, starting with 'The King of Gamblers.' People say I write quickly and have good plot points."

But when outsiders introduce me, the first thing they always say is, "This is Wang Tianlin's son."

Every opportunity I get is seen by others as a favor to me.

The credit for the success of my script belongs to the director, the lead actor, and even you, the executive producer.

Where is my name, Wong Jing, located?

These words had been bottled up in his heart for a long time.

He grew up on film sets, working as a ghostwriter for his father to revise scripts. He developed a natural sensitivity to the rhythm of drama and audience preferences through this exposure.

When he joined TVB, he did have a higher starting point than his peers and got up to speed quickly. However, the label of "Wang Tianlin's son" was like an invisible wall, obscuring his true abilities and becoming a topic of gossip behind his back.

He'd had enough!

Wang Tianlin looked at his son with a complicated expression.

He could hear the frustration and ambition in his son's words.

Which talented young person doesn't want to prove themselves? Especially Wang Tianlin's son, the pressure is even greater.

He himself had worked his way up from the bottom, so he knew what it was like.

He was also aware of the current situation at TVB. With Li Xiaohe seriously ill, Run Run Shaw would inevitably become more involved in program production, and the future direction was indeed unpredictable.

ATV was acquired by the young, out-of-town talent Chen Bingwen and renamed Phoenix, clearly aiming to compete with TVB. At a time when they needed talent, the offer and promises they made were too attractive to a talented but not yet fully realized young talent like Wong Jing.

"Phoenix TV is in dire need of rebuilding. There are many opportunities, but also great risks." Wang Tianlin put down his teacup and said earnestly, "Although the boss of Phoenix TV is rich, the television industry is not something that can be run well just by having money."

Rediffusion has been weak for many years and has suffered a serious loss of talent. If you go there, you will likely be on the front line, and the pressure will be immense.

CTV was once very successful, but what happened to it?

Lin Xiufeng was waving banknotes around, throwing money everywhere!

But what was the result? It still ended up going bankrupt.

Phoenix TV's future is also uncertain; going there would be a risk for you.

"Isn't it risky to stay at TVB?" Wong Jing retorted, leaning forward with an even brighter fire in his eyes. "If it's all about seniority and following the established order, by the time I'm old enough to make my own decisions, all my rough edges will probably have been smoothed out!"

Phoenix is ​​a newcomer, it's an adventure, but it's precisely because they're new that they have opportunities!

They lack talent and content, so they are willing to offer conditions and opportunities!

I've heard a lot about that Mr. Chen. He's made beverages that have expanded into North America, and he even dared to acquire a huge British company like Hutchison Whampoa, and he actually succeeded.

I don't believe he bought the TV station just as a hobby.

He has things to do.

What I need is a platform where I can get things done, an opportunity for my name, Wong Jing, to be remembered through the scripts I write and the films I direct, not through the name of Wong Tin-lam's son!

He spoke with some emotion, his chest rising and falling slightly.

The only sound in the living room for a moment was the laughter from the television program.

Wang Tianlin gazed at his son for a long time.

He saw in his son's eyes the ambition he had when he was young, and also the eagerness to break free from constraints.

He's old; he's spent most of his life in the wireless system, used to stability, and well aware of its limitations and inherent problems.

His son is different from him; he has bigger ambitions and is more willing to take risks.

"That Chen Bingwen—have you met him?"

Wang Tianlin asked, his tone softening somewhat.

"No, but Morris, the former head of the press office, can't be fake."

Moreover, they're not just poaching actors; they want screenwriters, directors, and producers too. They genuinely want to rebuild their team to create new content.

Moreover, I didn't start from the bottom; I was able to lead projects right away.

Johnnie To and Patrick Tam also agreed to go, which means I'm not the only one who thinks it's a good idea.

I want to take a gamble.

Wang Jing calmed down and analyzed, "Dad, although TVB is good, Mr. Li is currently ill, and although Mr. Shao is in charge, he obviously can't make many decisions."

Going to Phoenix Terrace at this time may seem risky, but it also presents the greatest opportunity.

"If I wait until Phoenix TV has established itself and cultivated new talent, what value will I have if I go there?"

Wang Tianlin sighed, knowing that Wang Jing was determined to leave.

He knew his son well. Although he seemed smooth and liked to joke around, he was very principled and once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

Have you thought this through?

Once that happens, there's no going back for wireless.

Mr. Shao detests betrayal above all else.

Wang Tianlin concluded by reminding everyone that this was not only an industry rule, but also involved his personal relationships and stance within TVB.

Wang Jing's departure from the station will put him in an awkward position as a father.

"I've thought it through," Wang Jing said firmly. "It's a path I have to walk myself."

Success or failure, I will accept it.

But I don't want to live in your shadow for the rest of my life without even trying.

"Dad, I'm sorry, I can't listen to you this time."

Wang Tianlin waved his hand, somewhat relieved, and said, "Never mind, you've grown up and have your own ideas."

Since you've made up your mind, go for it.

But remember, no matter where you are, ultimately it's your work that speaks for itself.

Phoenix TV is giving you a chance, so you have to show your true abilities. Don't embarrass me, and more importantly, don't embarrass yourself.

"I will." Wong Jing nodded emphatically.

A few days later, accompanied by his lawyer, Wong Jing officially signed an employment contract with Phoenix TV.

The news was not made public immediately, but senior executives within TVB quickly learned of it.

When Run Run Shaw learned that Wang Tianlin's son had been poached, he looked quite grim. This was not just the loss of a promising screenwriter, but more like a signal.

He immediately summoned Zhou Liang Shuyi to discuss countermeasures...

The conference room on the top floor of the Weiye Building was filled with smoke.

Sugar Heart Capital (Chen Ji) is holding its weekly meeting.

Chen Bingwen sat in the main seat, a nearly burnt-out cigarette between his fingers, listening to Morris report on the latest progress of RTV's work.

Ling Pei-yi, Huo Jianning, Fang Wenshan, Mai Lisi, Gu Yongxian and other core members sat on both sides.

"Mr. Chan, the effort to poach talent from TVB is showing initial success; half of the people on the list are willing to work for ATV."

Morris flipped through the folder in his hand, unable to hide his excitement.

"Be more specific."

Chen Bingwen smiled and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Young directors like Wong Jing and Johnnie To have already been signed."

They were only doing minor jobs at TVB, and we offered them high salaries and project leadership, so they were easily tempted.

As for the director, Patrick Tam has basically reached an agreement. His current project is nearing completion, so he can immediately take over the new project.

"Hmm, very good. Where are the others?"

Chen Bingwen was asking about the more influential people on that list.

Morris pushed up his glasses: "As for Adam Cheng, he himself wants to come to our side, but his agent asked for an exorbitant price. Not only does he want a salary far exceeding that of TVB, but he also demands a great deal of autonomy, including script selection, filming schedule, and even a share of the profits. He's very demanding."

Upon hearing this, Chen Bingwen showed no expression on his face.

This approach is a typical case of one person playing the good cop and the other the bad cop; it's a familiar tactic and nothing new.

He asked casually, "How did you reply?"

"I did not refuse on the spot, but I made our bottom line clear."

High quality at a high price is acceptable, but it can't be outrageous.

A television station is not run for any one person.

I ignored them for a few days, and they seemed to get a little anxious. They contacted me again this morning, their tone much more conciliatory, but their demands were still significantly higher than the market price.

Morris said with a smile.

"Don't spoil him." Chen Bingwen set the tone directly. "Zheng Shaoqiu is popular, but he's not indispensable yet."

Tell him that Phoenix TV welcomes talented actors, but collaborations are based on mutual respect and market rules.

If you're willing to come, we'll treat you like a top-tier leading man, but any excessive demands are out of the question.

"Wireless TV doesn't stop working without him, and neither does our Phoenix TV."

Adam Cheng is currently at the peak of his career, so it's normal for him to be ambitious.

However, a television station's long-term development cannot be tied to any single celebrity.

What Chen Bingwen wanted to establish was a system and a platform, not a one-man show.

Moreover, he knew that the television industry would see a constant stream of talented individuals in the future; after Adam Cheng, there would be Chow Yun-fat, Felix Wong, and...

Andy Lau and others began to emerge.

If we set the bar too high now, we won't be able to manage it later.

"In addition," Morris added, "the wireless side has responded to our poaching operation."

Run Run Shaw was furious. It is said that he flew into a rage at an internal meeting, demanding a thorough investigation of the mole and strengthened personnel management.

However, our poaching efforts did not result in any pay raises for TVB's cast and crew.

He paused for a moment, then said, "It seems that although Run Run Shaw is temporarily in charge, he is not the major shareholder after all, and he still cannot make decisions on some major issues, especially those involving personnel compensation."

Chen Bingwen hummed in agreement; this was within his expectations.

With the helmsman of this giant ship, Wireless, falling ill, power vacuums are inevitable, which presents him with his opportunity to strike.

Moreover, Run Run Shaw was notoriously stingy (for example, the steamed buns in the cafeteria...).

"When it comes to poaching talent, we should proceed with caution."

Don't worry about how they react.

We proceed at our own pace.

We welcome anything that can be dug up.

If we can't agree on the terms, we won't force it.

The key is that we need to produce something substantial as soon as possible.

The focus now is on the launch ceremony of Phoenix TV and "The Land's Grace".

Chen Bingwen steered the conversation back on track, asking, "How are the ceremony preparations going?"

"Everything is ready." Morris perked up. "The time is set for next Friday at 8 p.m., at RTV Studio 1."

The event invited journalists from major media outlets in Hong Kong, GG clients, and celebrities from the industry.

Following the launch ceremony, a three-minute trailer for "The Land's Grace" will be shown.

Tsui Siu-ming and Lee Siu-hung were very confident; the trailer was edited to be quite stunning.

"Okay." Chen Bingwen looked at Morris. "This launch is not only announcing the name change, but also a show of our strength."

We want everyone to see that Phoenix TV is completely different from the RTV of the past.

We need a new look and a new structure.

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, we will definitely do a great job."

Morris solemnly promised.

After discussing the television station, Chen Bingwen turned his gaze to Huo Jianning: "Jianning, how about you over there?"

Huo Jianning sat up straight, opened the document in front of him and reported: "Mr. Chen, we plan to develop the large area of ​​land in Hung Hom where Huangpu Shipyard is located into Huangpu New Town."

This is a comprehensive project that includes high-end residential buildings, modern office buildings, a large shopping mall, and the preservation and upgrading of the original cargo terminal to transform it into an efficient passenger cruise ship hub.

In the future, air routes to Macau and mainland China could be opened.

The initial development focus can be on high-end residential and commercial facilities along the coast to quickly recoup funds.

However, one of the biggest challenges is negotiating with the government to change the land use and pay additional land premiums. The land is currently designated for industrial use; changing it to commercial and residential use would require paying a substantial additional land premium.

The government certainly wants to maximize land revenue, while we must strictly control project costs to ensure profitability.

Chen Bingwen listened attentively, occasionally taking notes.

Huo Jianning's thinking is clear: he focuses on long-term comprehensive development rather than short-term profit-taking, which aligns with his strategic intentions.

The Red Plot boasts an excellent location and is a crucial node connecting Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in the future. Once developed, its value will be immeasurable.

Moreover, the Qingzhou Yingni Red Crane Park site has already been planned as a food industrial park, so Hutchison Whampoa does not need to repeat the plan here.

Otherwise, it would be an eternity before they could recoup their investment in acquiring Hutchison Whampoa through industrial land.

Chen Bingwen instructed, "The money that needs to be spent should be spent, but it should be spent wisely."

Within Hutchison Whampoa, the scattered warehousing and real estate businesses need to be integrated more quickly to free up resources and manpower for this project.

"Understood." Huo Jianning nodded. "I've already started assembling the project team, recruiting key personnel from Hutchison Properties and Metropolo Properties."

Regarding the upgrade of terminal equipment, the initial selection has been completed. The least efficient old gantry cranes will be replaced first, with the budget kept under HK$4500 million. A report will be provided to you later.

Chen Bingwen nodded in satisfaction.

Huo Jianning is becoming more and more methodical in his work, able to balance a broad perspective with attention to detail.

At this moment, Vincent Fang interjected, "Mr. Chen, about the new headquarters building of the group."

The developer of Hung Fat Building recently lowered the price, now asking for HK$880 million, and they said there's room for negotiation if payment is made in one lump sum.

Should we take this opportunity—?

Chen Bingwen pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No rush. The funds need to be used in more critical areas now."

The integration of Hutchison Whampoa, the launch of the TV station, and the investment in Shekou are all more urgent than a headquarters building.

Tell them we are interested, but the price and payment terms need to be carefully evaluated.

"Delaying it might bring a pleasant surprise."

He has a mental record of things.

The real estate market seems to be booming now, but Jianing's crazy hype made him sense a dangerous situation.

He prefers to hold onto cash and wait for a better opportunity, or use it for business expansion that can generate returns more quickly.

"Okay, I understand." Fang Wenshan wrote it down.

The meeting lasted for more than an hour, with each topic discussed and decided upon one by one.

A few days later, the launch ceremony of Phoenix TV was held as scheduled.

The RTV Studio 1 was newly decorated and brightly lit.

The huge Phoenix logo gleamed under the lights.

Entertainment reporters, business tycoons, and social elites from all over Hong Kong gathered together, and TVB also sent a senior executive.

Chen Bingwen did not speak on stage; instead, Morris presided over the meeting.

He chose to sit in the front row of the audience, observing everything discreetly.

The ceremony was a great success.

When the red cloth covering the stage logo was removed, revealing the golden phoenix reborn from the ashes, the audience erupted in applause.

The trailer for "The Land's Grace," which was shown next, captivated everyone with its grand scenes, delicate emotions, and rich local flavor.

The performances of actors such as Pan Zhiwen and Liu Zhirong are commendable, making it a high-quality production.

"This show looks good!"

"The visuals are cinematic, and the story seems quite solid."

"Phoenix TV has really gone all out this time."

Whispers rippled through the audience as many GG vendors began exchanging information and inquiring about GG prices.

A faint smile appeared on Chen Bingwen's lips.

The first step was successful.

Phoenix TV has successfully made its first announcement.

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