Chapter 1062: Ambitious

Cliques have existed since ancient times. Ouyang Xiu's "On Factions" already gave a clear definition of this.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, as long as people share common interests, it's easy for them to form a clique.

And the biggest characteristic of a clique is exclusivity.

Clearly, for Ye Jing, this clique was full of malice.

From his words, Zhao Fusheng learned that recently, whether investing in TV series or movies, Ye Jing had encountered immense resistance. Even the TV series he invested in, "A Laughable Mistake," despite its good quality, couldn't find a TV station to buy the broadcast rights.

This was a sad story...

Even when Ye Jing personally approached TV stations, their response was clear: this time, unless someone was willing to risk offending most of the production companies in the industry, no one would help him.

"They said they could take this show, but the problem is, can I guarantee the quality of my next show? If it's not good, the TV station that helps me will face a situation where they can't get scripts." Holding a glass of wine, Ye Jing downed it in one gulp and gave Zhao Fusheng a bitter smile.

Zhao Fusheng didn't say anything. He knew very well that the situation Ye Jing faced, Future Films would also encounter.

All the pain in life stems from the distance between our desires and the conditions to satisfy them.

In simple terms, it's greed.

But the problem is, as a businessman, if you're not greedy enough, how can you keep moving forward?

Of course, the current problem was that those who had been causing trouble behind the scenes had now revealed their final move: strangling Ye Jing's throat through broadcast rights.

In fact, as Ye Jing said, relying on his connections, one or two shows would definitely find a TV station to buy the rights. But the problem was, once that happened, that TV station would offend a large group of film and TV production companies.

These people had now formed a loose alliance of interests, targeting anyone who helped Ye Jing.

If a TV station had no TV series to broadcast, what kind of scene would that be?

This risk was too great; no one dared to stake their future on Ye Jing. So even he could only watch helplessly as the TV series he had worked so hard to produce was shelved.

"Fusheng, can your movie make it?" Perhaps because of the alcohol, Ye Jing spoke without restraint, looking directly at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly, his expression calm, and said lightly, "Whether it can or not, you'll know when it's released."

"Don't release it domestically first. Release it in Hong Kong, then Southeast Asia, and finally domestically," Ye Jing said seriously to Zhao Fusheng. "By then, as long as the box office outside the mainland is high, I'll find a way to clear all the obstacles."

He had invested one million US dollars in that movie "Kung Fu Hustle," a figure that surprised even Zhao Fusheng. But considering Ye Jing's character, he let it go.

Now, Ye Jing's request clearly showed that he wasn't optimistic about the domestic box office, or rather, he felt that Zhao Fusheng's "Kung Fu Hustle" might face the same predicament as his own TV series.

No one dared to distribute it, no one dared to take it on.

Hearing Ye Jing's words, Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Brother Ye, rest assured, the movie will definitely be released in Hong Kong first. As for the mainland, I'll have the people in Hong Kong put in extra effort."

At this time, the reputation of Hong Kong filmmakers on the mainland was still very useful. Moreover, this film was a co-production between Xinghui Company and Future Films. With the big hat of 'undermining relations between Hong Kong and the mainland' hanging over them, Zhao Fusheng didn't believe anyone would dare to cause trouble.

Sometimes, it's not that the enemy is too strong, but that we are too weak, giving others an opportunity.

If we are strong enough, any enemy is irrelevant.

"Are you that confident?" Ye Jing raised an eyebrow. He heard undeniable confidence in Zhao Fusheng's words.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: "Brother Ye, Future Films is just a part of my business. For me, I can afford to lose this money, but some people may not be able to!"

Ye Jing was a businessman, so he naturally thought in business terms. Zhao Fusheng's words led him to a possibility: Zhao Fusheng would rather lose money to produce a batch of high-quality films and TV shows to spite that group.

After all, Ye Jing knew about this guy's previous situation. With nearly 110 million US dollars in cash, he really wasn't afraid of losing money.

Understandingly nodding, Ye Jing thought he had figured out Zhao Fusheng's plan and said with a smile, "Alright, if you need any help, just let me know."

Now the two were in the same boat. After failing in his solo attempt, Ye Jing had decided to follow Zhao Fusheng to recoup all the money he had lost.

Zhao Fusheng was well aware of this. Although this guy had a 'won't give up until he hits a dead end' personality, he still needed his help in many ways, so he was happy to play dumb.

In fact, both knew that if Ye Jing's previous attempt had succeeded, the primary and secondary roles in their cooperation might have been completely reversed.

Both were smart people; some things went without saying.

Zhao Fusheng didn't blame Ye Jing, because if he were in his shoes, he would have made the same choice and attempted the same thing.

No one willingly stays under someone else; everyone wants to be the leader.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

Did you really think those eight words were just empty talk?

If there were no other choice, who would want to follow behind others cleaning up the battlefield? They say a soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier, so a shareholder who doesn't want to be the chairman is naturally not a qualified shareholder.

...

...

After sending the dead-drunk Ye Jing to his long-term suite at the Guomao Hotel, Zhao Fusheng left by car.

"Look into Ye Jing's recent activities."

Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Qian from the car.

He never easily trusted anyone. Even if what Ye Jing said was true, Zhao Fusheng only believed in the information he investigated himself.

Zhang Qian grunted in acknowledgment; he naturally understood Zhao Fusheng's meaning.

"Also, prepare for us to go to the US next week," Zhao Fusheng continued after a moment's thought.

Zhang Qian was startled but nodded in agreement.

Since Zhao Fusheng wanted to go to the US, there must be important business to attend to.

When he got home, Fan Baobao had just entered not long ago. Seeing Zhao Fusheng return, she frowned: "You've been drinking?"

She knew very well that Zhao Fusheng wouldn't drink without reason.

"Ye Jing, in a bad mood lately, wanted to chat a bit," Zhao Fusheng explained, then looked at Yang Panpan, who was helping Fan Baobao pack: "Are you leaving?"

Yang Panpan nodded: "Future Advertising notified us to depart in three days."

"Where to?"

Zhao Fusheng asked curiously.

He had never asked Fan Baobao where the luxury brand commercial would be shot.

"Milan," Fan Baobao said with longing. "Maybe I can catch a Milan fashion show..."

Helplessly glancing at his naive girlfriend, Zhao Fusheng sighed and said, "Milan Fashion Week is twice a year, once in March and once in September. So going now, you probably won't encounter any big shows."

Fan Baobao immediately fell silent, glaring at Zhao Fusheng, expressing her small anger at his mood-killing behavior.

Chuckling, Zhao Fusheng didn't mind and said to Fan Baobao, "But you can go shopping, buy some clothes you like. I'll reimburse you."

"Really?" Hearing this, Fan Baobao, who had been expressionless, suddenly beamed with joy and looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "You'll reimburse everything?"

"Yes, everything," Zhao Fusheng said with a smile, casually taking out his wallet and handing Fan Baobao a bank card: "From now on, use this card when you buy things."

Fan Baobao naturally wouldn't be polite with him. She took the card, flicked it, and showed a satisfied smile.

Although she wasn't a gold digger, spending money given by her own man was perfectly justified.

"Alright, you two pack up. I'll go upstairs and look at some stuff," Zhao Fusheng said without further ado, nodded to Yang Panpan and Fan Baobao, and went upstairs on his own.

Zhang Qian was about to leave but was caught by Yang Panpan's glare and roped into helping.

Upstairs, Zhao Fusheng opened a document and began reading it seriously.

This was a company integration plan made by the high-flyers from Future Advertising's Strategic Research Office, who had spent over two months on it. There were two proposals, and Zhao Fusheng, as the boss, needed to make a choice.

The proposals were largely similar, differing mainly in the emphasis on the company's future development direction.

The first proposal focused primarily on Future Advertising. In this plan, Future Group's development direction leaned more towards a media and entertainment conglomerate, centered on the internet industry and film, television, and cultural entertainment. It was expected to become the largest cultural media group in the northern region within five years.

The second proposal focused more on investment. In this plan, Future Group would become a large comprehensive conglomerate controlling shares in multiple companies within ten years, with an estimated market value exceeding ten billion.

The former emphasized rapid development, while the latter focused on steady accumulation and striking only when the iron was hot.

But in Zhao Fusheng's view, both the first and second proposals were somewhat small-minded.

Or more precisely, neither of these two proposals could satisfy Zhao Fusheng's ambition.

In his mind, his stage needed to be much larger than it was now.