Perfect Life

Shuntianfu, at 6:30 in the morning, Zhao Sicun had just woken up and finished taking a shower. He only had time to tell his wife that he wanted to drink soy milk today, and before he could go out for a run to buy buns, he received a call from Li Qian.

So he answered the phone while changing shoes at the door.

"Hey, Director Zhao, good morning!"

Zhao Sicun smiled, "Stop doing this, it's early in the morning, what are you doing?"

Zhao Sicun, who was transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television as the deputy director last year, has been in friendship with Li Qian for six or seven years.

So Li Qian said: "I am sending Chinese culture to the outside world. If I encounter difficulties, can our government provide some support?"

Zhao Sicun was stunned for a moment when he heard the words, and after a few seconds, he spoke with a cautious tone, "I know you are in the United States, tell me, what do you want to do?"

At the dinner table opposite Dayang, Li Qian smiled, looked up at Qi Jie, and said, "I want to buy Columbia Pictures."

Zhao Sicun was stunned when he heard the words.

Columbia Pictures... Bought...

After being silent for a few seconds, he even forgot to open the door to go out. Zhao Sicun stood at the door of his house, took a deep breath, and asked, "What do you need our film bureau to do?"

Li Qian said on the other end of the phone, "Minghu Culture needs a low-interest loan, preferably an interest-free loan! Of course, the longer the loan term, the better! It can make me less stressed."

Zhao Sicun took a deep breath again. He didn't go out for a run for a while, and he forgot to change his shoes back, so he walked back to the sofa in his sneakers and sat down, and took advantage of this period of time to calm himself down.

Then, he said slowly: "Qian'er, are you playing a bit too big? That pit is a tiankeng, and billions of dollars are thrown into it. It's not good to jump out if you regret it in the future!"

On the other side of the ocean, Li Qian smiled when he heard the words.

This is what a real buddy would say, not an official.

And just from this sentence, we know that people from the relevant government departments of the state are really not free. Zhao Sicun has been in the Ministry of Culture for more than ten years before. policy and management. Although his work is inward-looking, it is clear that he has always been concerned about the relevant trends in the United States, so when Li Qian mentioned Colombia, he immediately cleared his door.

But Li Qian still said after hearing the words: "I want to play, and I can afford it."

Hearing this, Zhao Sicun sighed, "You, your heart is too big!"

When his wife saw that he hadn't gone out, she saw the running shoes as soon as she lowered her head and wanted to stare. Zhao Sicun waved his hand impatiently. Before his wife could say anything, he had already opened his mouth and said solemnly, "If you are willing to do this kind of thing, you can rest assured. , the national level will definitely not stand idly by. Whether it is the financial level or the US government, if you need any help, you can speak up. I am responsible for running the policy with you! "

After a pause, he said again: "You go back and make a plan, arrange for a reliable person to send it to me, and I will take him to the yamen in person! As long as you can guarantee to take down Columbia Pictures, the loan thing, you Don't worry! The U.S. government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also handle it for you! But... bro, think about it, this is no child's play, billions of dollars, if you fall into it..."

On the other end of the phone, Li Qian said confidently, "Don't worry, I've made up my mind. Even if I lose money, I'll take it! Otherwise, I'll definitely regret it once someone gets on the line first!"

Hearing this, Zhao Sicun took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Sure, then you can make a plan. Make it more persuasive. From the government's side, I'll take you away!"

…………

When the call was hung up, Zhao Sicun's wife flashed out again, looking surprised and gossipy, and asked, "Li Qian? What can I hear you talking about? He wants to buy Columbia? Is that the big American film company?"

Zhao Sicun looked up at her and nodded slowly, but reminded: "Don't tell the outside world, there are still many things that need to be moved slowly at present. Once the news is leaked, it will affect his pace."

His wife nodded, and first said, "Don't worry!" She approached and sat down again, her face full of excitement, "Can you tell him, let our company participate in this acquisition?"

As she spoke, she was so excited that she couldn't help herself, "Domestic cultural and entertainment companies, mergers and acquisitions of major Hollywood companies, and it is estimated that billions of dollars in funds will be involved? I remember seven or eight years ago or when, maybe it was Around 1990? It seemed that Sony almost bought Colombia at that time, and then it seemed that the economic crisis was over, and Sony ran out of money, so it didn’t work! If this thing can be done, it will definitely be a sensation!”

She waved her arm, as if she was the one who was planning to buy Colombia, and said excitedly: "Just think about it, Hollywood movies hit the world! As a result, without a word, all of a sudden, the seven Hollywood movies Columbia, one of the companies, was actually acquired by a Chinese film company! Oh my God, I'm really excited to think about it! You said, if this happened, it wouldn't be touted by the country! As long as we can participate Go in, the whole company must be worth a hundred times right away! Hey... ask you, can you help me talk to Li Qian? You two have such a good relationship!"

Hearing this, Zhao Sicun glanced at her helplessly, and said, "Don't even think about it!"

"Why! I don't even think about it, you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Sicun sat up straight and said earnestly, "If it doesn't happen, I can't say anything. If it happens, the government will definitely give Li Qian the greatest support! Although it's impossible to get it on the bright side, But for this kind of thing, the government will definitely spare no effort to support it! Then, I ask you, do you think it is you who participate in it, and when things are done, promotion and salary increase are important, or your husband and I will participate on behalf of the government, the Film Bureau and the Ministry of Culture. It's more important to go in?"

Zhao Sicun's wife was stunned when she heard the words, and then slowly came back to her senses.

Her eyes gradually lit up, "So..."

Zhao Sicun laughed when he heard the words, "If this matter can be finally facilitated in my hands, within three years, the seat of the director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television must be mine!"

…………

Three days later, Qi Jie brought her team, signed a plan with Li Qian, and flew back to China. On the Los Angeles side, John Days and Colombia officially launched cooperation negotiations.

On November 27, 2003, that is, after Li Qian lived in the United States for more than half a month, Minghu Culture and Columbia Pictures officially reached an agreement on the next two-way distribution cooperation between the two parties.

On the same day, Li Qian and Glenn Shire, the executive president of Columbia Pictures, signed the cooperation agreement. In the next two years, the two parties will be on completely equal terms, as permitted by the relevant regulations of their respective countries. Within the scope of each other, they provide each other with a split-book distribution of five films.

"Hulu Baby" will be the first film released by Columbia Pictures for Minghu Culture. This animated film from China will officially land in North America on December 23 this year.

At that time, Columbia Pictures, which is responsible for the film's distribution, will strive for no less than 1,500 openings for this animated film in North America.

The next day, Li Qian flew back to China with Liao Liao.

It was late at night when the plane landed. Li Qian woke up after only three hours of sleep. Two hours later, he and Qi Jie sat in the office of Zhao Sicun, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Zhao Sicun sent the secretary out, made two cups of tea for the two of them with his own hands, then sat down and said with a smile, "Our yamen is like this, everything is simple, let's go!"

After a pause, he said, "I'll take you to Director Lai's side later."

Li Qian and Qi Jie both nodded, it was essential to get the support and signature of the head of the SARFT to pass the matter.

After exchanging a few words with each other, Zhao Sicun said: "There is definitely no problem with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, and the Ministry of Culture has agreed in principle. This matter even went to a small office meeting. Now the meaning of the above is basically determined. , In this matter, the government can arrange a state-owned bank to provide an interest-free loan of 1 billion yuan to Minghu Culture for a period of five years. In addition, if you need, you can also give another 1 billion yuan of low-interest loans. This The time period can be slightly relaxed, and the period can be given to eight years.”

"At the same time, as long as you need it, you can contact the foreign affairs department at any time, and our embassy in the United States will be responsible for arranging someone to help you lobby to a certain extent within the U.S. government to solve problems at the government level."

After a pause, he said: "Actually, it's not a big problem. Last time Sony wanted to buy Colombia, the US government closed its mouth after charging some money, and there was almost no objection. This time, it was about 10-20 million US dollars. Lobbying money is enough to shut up the U.S. government!"

Having said this, he smiled and said, "Also, this money can be paid by the government!"

Hearing this, Li Qian let out a long breath.

His right hand clenched his fist and smashed his left hand, "It's done!"

Zhao Sicun smiled. At the government level, he was responsible for running this matter from beginning to end. Of course, he was able to get this result, and he was certainly honored.

But he never expressed his merits. At this time, he even deliberately said: "I told you at the time that as long as the government thinks that this matter is helpful for the promotion of foreign culture of the whole country, it will never sit idly by!"

After a pause, he said: "It's not good to say it, I will provide you with a low-interest and interest-free loan, and help you to lobby for a little money! You know that our country organizes various cultural promotions and events in Europe and the United States every year. Exchange activities, as well as donations to opposition parties and social organizations in some Western countries, how much is that! However, the money spent so much, together, may not be as big as your impact? !"

"This kind of thing, this kind of money, the government is willing!"

Li Qian smiled and nodded, "Yes! So... so many taxes in the past are not paid in vain!"

Zhao Sicun shook his head and laughed when he heard the words, "Your cultural companies are still original, and you pay much less tax!"

After taking a sip of tea and putting down the cup, he asked, "Can you get enough money this time?"

Li Qian turned his head to look at Qi Jie, and then the two nodded at the same time.

To acquire Columbia, Minghu Culture and Li Qian need to prepare $3 billion in cash for the acquisition itself, and they can basically win it, but they must ensure that the entire acquisition is completed and completed quickly, and prepare $3.2 billion to $3.5 billion for it. cash is necessary.

After the acquisition is over, the remaining unused funds can be used to inject capital into Columbia Pictures to ease their current tight financial situation and provide sufficient financial support for the next step of development - Columbia is poor For too many years, the poorer you are, the more timid you are, and the poorer you are, the less you can get loans and capital injections. To put it bluntly, this problem is a vicious circle.

In Li Qian's view, among the many reasons that led to Colombia's deteriorating situation and gradually falling into the quagmire, this one is even second only to the panic caused by successive acquisitions and high-level personnel changes, ranking second.

Therefore, once the acquisition is completed, firstly inject capital, then adjust the personnel structure, find a suitable helm for Colombia, and then stabilize the whole plate, as long as there are no major problems, no personnel changes for at least five years. , this is Li Qian's future plan for Columbia Pictures.

Of course, even if the acquisition is initiated now, it will definitely be 2004 when the acquisition is completed. Within three years, Li Qian does not expect to see Colombia turn a profit immediately.

In the next three years, before 3D began to show its power, he hoped to see Columbia Pictures enter a virtuous circle, and he would be very satisfied. It is not a day's work, of course.

On top of that, it would be great if they could lay out a few successful series of movies in the future like the other big studios!

And this is the only thing Li Qian will intervene in the company's management after the acquisition is completed.

In addition, Li Qian decided not to interfere in the normal operation of the company.

But those gentle winds and drizzles are all things after success. In the process of acquisition, what Li Qian needs is thunder!

Simply put, throw money at it!

Just throw money quickly and simply, smash the company down, and then talk about other things!

Slowly grinding and talking bit by bit, although it is possible to reach more favorable trading conditions for Minghu Culture and Li Qian, but the seven major Hollywood production companies can talk and talk well at present, and Columbia is the only one. A family, Li Qian believes, there must be more than one person watching it silently from behind.

It's too late to change!

And $3.5 billion in cash is enough to ensure that this matter will land quickly.

The government provides a total of 2 billion loans. Minghu Culture itself can apply for another commercial loan of about 1.5 billion yuan. In addition, Minghu Culture itself has 800 million yuan in working capital, and the total is as high as 4.3 billion yuan. Li Qian himself If you put it all together, you can make up one billion, and then you can get a loan of one billion, which is already 6.3 billion.

Cao Zhan and Yu Bojun have already expressed that they will have to pay a little money to participate.

Both of them are wealthy young people~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Even if they just use their own savings and wealth, it is not a problem to get three or five billion out of one person. And even if it's still a little short, Li Qian can use his stocks as collateral at any time as long as he needs a loan. For those who hold a lot of Xunfei Group stocks, this is hardly a problem.

So, seven billion Chinese dollars, or three and a half billion dollars, is no longer a problem.

…………

Sit in Zhao Sicun's office for a while, then follow him to the office of Director Lai of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television to sit and chat, and then go to the Ministry of Culture. It is Li Qian's task, even if it is over.

The next day, Qi Jie had already received a call from the bank. The US$500 million interest-free loan, US$500 million low-interest loan, and US$800 million asset-backed commercial loan that Minghu Culture needed were readily available. Disbursed.

On the first day of December, Li Qian and Qi Jie left everything behind and set off for the United States again.

This time, it was just the two of them.

However, they brought a huge sum of up to 3.6 billion US dollars.