China, Yanjing, Fengze Garden.
Deputy Director Chen of the Yanjing State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television opened a bottle of red wine. If it were his own people, they would certainly drink white liquor.
But considering Eric, a foreigner, he definitely wouldn't be used to white liquor, and there were also female colleagues, so red wine was quite good.
Seeing the wine being opened, Chen Xing immediately wanted to take it, remembering the precautions his elders at home had reminded him of before he came.
Seeing this, Eric gently patted his leg, signaling him not to move.
Zhang Ziyi, who was sitting with Susan near the door, quickly stood up to take the wine bottle. Her English was very good, and she had originally been called to be a translator.
Because in mainland China, there weren't many female celebrities with international recognition, and at this time, she was the only one in Yanjing.
Now that the translation wasn't needed, she naturally had to show her value in other ways.
Among the three present, Director Zhou held the highest rank, a direct hall-level position, the same as Qi Tongwei's rank in "In the Name of the People."
Han Sanping and Deputy Director Chen were at the same level, both deputy hall-level.
However, because Han Sanping was in charge of China Film Group Corporation and was the big brother in the entertainment industry, Zhang Ziyi, holding the bottom of the bottle, was about to pour for him first.
The latter squinted his eyes and pointed at Eric: "A guest from afar, pour for Mr. Cooper first."
Her intention understood, Zhang Ziyi obediently walked to Eric's side, bent down, and smilingly poured half a glass of red wine.
The heating in the room was on full blast. Zhang Ziyi, whether she dressed for it or not, didn't show anything when sitting, but as soon as she bent down, her cleavage was immediately revealed.
Unfortunately, her two "headlights" were not very prominent, and for Eric, who was used to the European and American scene, they were quite ordinary.
"Mr. Cooper, I'm Zhang Ziyi. I've long admired your reputation. Actually, if it weren't for the war, we should have met at the Oscar."
Eric looked at her: "What does that mean?"
"Director Zhang Yimou's 'Hero' was nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, wasn't it? It was originally scheduled for Director Zhang and us, the main actors, to go to Los Angeles."
"But a few days before our departure, the war suddenly broke out, so considering all aspects, none of us main actors went. It was changed to two producers."
"If I had gone then, we might have already met. CCTV in China broadcasted the entire Oscar ceremony this year, and I saw your moment of saving the beauty like a hero."
"Mr. Cooper, you are like a knight, a handsome knight!"
After Zhang Ziyi finished speaking, everyone laughed together.
After pouring the wine, Zhou Xiaopeng raised his goblet and said, "Then let us use this first glass of wine to welcome the knight who has come from afar."
After the first sip, Han Sanping pointed at the exquisitely styled dishes and said, "Mr. Cooper, although your Mandarin is very good, to be precise, it's the best I've ever heard from a foreigner, but you definitely haven't eaten authentic Chinese cuisine. Try these few dishes; I guarantee you won't forget them once you've tasted them."
Eric picked up a piece of sea cucumber and put it into his mouth, savoring it carefully. Instantly, a flood of memories rushed back.
He said with some emotion, "Chairman Han, Director Zhou, actually, in the MGM internal restaurant, I specifically hired a chef from Chinatown to cook, but his braised sea cucumber with scallions is still a bit inferior to this."
Han Sanping laughed heartily: "That's for sure. Fengze Garden used to be the venue for state banquets to entertain foreign guests. Among other things, your American Kissinger had a meal here."
Saying that, he raised his glass: "So I propose, to celebrate that we and Kissinger have eaten at the same table, let's have a second sip."
After speaking, Han Sanping took the lead and downed half a glass. Zhou Xiaopeng couldn't help but complain, "I say, Old Han, why are you drinking so much? Mr. Cooper is American; they don't have this custom over there."
Looking at the two white faces opposite, Han Sanping slapped his forehead: "Oh, I got excited and forgot about that! Then you all just drink as you please; consider me as just keeping you company."
Eric, however, picked up his wine glass and also drank half, immediately drawing cheers from everyone.
Actually, he could drink this wine or not; no one would blame him if he didn't, as cultural differences were the best excuse. But drinking it would definitely bring them closer and facilitate future work.
"Actually, what Director Zhou just said isn't entirely correct. In America, discussing business also involves drinking. We also eat and chat, and we have no fewer receptions and parties than China."
"But over there, drinking is just a form of recreation. You drink as much as you can, and it doesn't matter if you can't drink; no one will force you."
"But since I'm in China today, I know there's a saying, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' So, I'll take the lead for the third drink."
After saying that, Eric drank the remaining half, and the red liquid in the goblet instantly dwindled to just a trace at the bottom.
Everyone else followed suit and took their third sip. The difference was that Susan took small sips, while Chen Xing, worried that his boss might get drunk and considering that there might be more business later, drank juice.
The others naturally followed suit, and Zhang Ziyi immediately stood up to pour more wine.
By the time it was her turn, after two rounds, the wine bottle was almost empty, but pouring only half was definitely not an option, so she quickly opened another bottle to refill her own glass.
At this level of dinner party, the role of a female celebrity is pretty much just this.
She seemed almost like a waitress, but even so, many people couldn't even get such an opportunity.
If one could sleep with a big shot after dinner, that would be even more desirable. Sleeping might not guarantee good resources, but not sleeping definitely wouldn't bring good resources. This rule is universal.
After three rounds of drinks and five courses, everyone's relationship had grown closer, and they gradually opened up, starting to discuss serious matters.
Han Sanping said: "Eric, a few days ago, Ms. Susan told me about MGM's plan to establish a branch company in China, which I think is excellent."
"Although other Hollywood companies also have offices in China, their impact is limited. To be honest, the purpose of those offices is to lobby for green lights. With an annual quota of 20 imported films, some will always get in and some won't."
"And so far, MGM is the only company that has proposed setting up a branch company. If this can be achieved, it will definitely set a historical precedent."
Eric nodded in agreement: "I believe that. The idea of establishing a branch company is precisely because I am optimistic about China's film market."
"Although the current scale is not large, I believe that in a maximum of ten years, it will definitely take off. After all, this is a huge market with 1.4 billion people, and MGM wants to be one step ahead and get a slice of this cake early."
Zhou Xiaopeng leaned back: "The cake will definitely get bigger and bigger. China's economy is currently developing at a high speed. When people have money in their pockets, they naturally pursue enjoyment, and movies are a form of spiritual enjoyment."
"Director Zhou is right. In recent years, under Chairman Han's leadership, China's film market has become more and more vibrant. If MGM can participate and drive other Hollywood companies to join, I think it won't take ten years, but five years to make the cake bigger," Zhang Ziyi said with a smile.
"Xiao Zhang is right. If MGM can attract other major Hollywood companies, I am confident that China's film market will break through 10 billion in five years," Han Sanping said, pointing out the direction with great ambition.
However, he then changed the subject: "But some things need to be made clear beforehand. I've also discussed these with Ms. Susan, which is that if we're going to do it, we must form a joint venture, and China Film Group Corporation must hold at least 51% of the shares."
As if worried Eric wouldn't understand, he continued to explain: "Of course, this isn't my personal requirement, nor am I trying to make things difficult for MGM. Our law here stipulates it this way: foreign capital cannot invest in cultural undertakings independently; it must be a joint venture."
Eric was well aware of the policies Han Sanping mentioned, and he had no objection to them. When in someone else's home, one follows their rules.
Recalling when DreamWorks established Oriental DreamWorks in Shanghai, it was also a joint venture. DreamWorks held 45% of the shares. If he could get 49%, that would be the absolute limit.
And the most obvious benefit of a joint venture is film revenue sharing. Co-productions are not considered imported films and can enjoy the same treatment as domestic films, sending the 13% revenue share to hell.
"Chairman Han, Susan has reported everything you've said to me. I understand completely. Everything will be done according to the rules. My only hope now is for the project to be implemented quickly, which is why I specifically flew over to meet with you all. You can consider me as here to expedite the progress."
Han Sanping laughed heartily: "It's easy on my end. As soon as MGM's money arrives and we sign the contract, starting tomorrow, I won't do anything else but specifically handle your procedures. In a maximum of one week, I guarantee all procedures will be in place."
"That fast?" Eric was a little disbelieving.
"It's not that fast. Since Stephen Chow called me, I've already been preparing. After meeting with Ms. Susan, I formally reported this matter to the leaders, and the leaders are also very interested."
"Find some time in the next few days for you to formally meet with the leaders. As long as the decision is made, one week is enough to complete the process."
"There are also ready-made office spaces. A new building was constructed in Science and Technology Port last year, and it's currently vacant. It can be used perfectly."
Hearing Han Sanping speak so lightly, Zhou Xiaopeng couldn't help but pull out a cigarette and light it.
"Old Han, yours is a cultural company, so the procedures are naturally easy. My side is troublesome. If MGM wants to acquire land and build a factory, let alone a week, it might not even be done in a month."
"Many departments are involved, and there are various procedures to follow, especially during this special period. Even if you get the land, you won't be able to start construction."
Eric frowned. He couldn't very well tell them that things would open up in two months; no one dared to make such a prediction now.
"Director Zhou, is there any way to speed up the process? It's not about starting work as soon as the process is complete, but at least the procedures should be completed first. Once this special period is over, MGM can start work immediately without delay."
Han Sanping also said, "Eric is right. At least the preliminary procedures should be completed first, right? This is real foreign investment; it's bringing you credit, Lao Zhou."
"If this factory is built and MGM invests tens of millions of dollars, let alone this year's investment attraction target, it could cover next year's and the year after. You should be burning high incense."
Zhou Xiaopeng glared at him: "You talk as if all the benefits fall on me. If you succeed in forming a joint venture company, isn't that also a great achievement? Maybe you'll be promoted this year. You should be secretly happy."
Han Sanping quickly waved his hand: "Don't talk nonsense! The organization has its own decisions. Can you replace the Standing Committee?"
When one drinks too much, one tends to speak without restraint. Eric didn't want to hear them discuss sensitive topics and quickly interrupted.
"Chairman Han, Director Zhou, MGM comes with sincerity this time. Cooperation leads to win-win. This is good for everyone, and I cannot stay in China for too long. I still hope to finalize things in one go."
"That's right, Mr. Cooper is here to make a contribution. Lao Zhou, you can't drop the ball. I directly introduced Ms. Susan to you, and I didn't reveal a single word to Director Ren San of the Cultural Bureau. That's being a good brother, right? If you drop the ball, I'll lose face too."
Zhou Xiaopeng pushed Han Sanping's head away: "Alright, alright, I remember your kindness. Xiao Zhang, please ask the waiter to add another signature Dragon Carp. Your Chairman Han loves it."
Zhang Ziyi was indeed being treated as a waitress. Naturally, she couldn't say no and obediently went out to rush the dishes.
As soon as she left, Zhou Xiaopeng looked up at Eric and spoke directly: "Mr. Cooper, let's speak frankly among ourselves. I have a suggestion; you might want to hear it."
"Please speak."
"Now is a special period, and all work is difficult to carry out, except for one thing: combating SARS. The attention of the top leaders is all on this aspect."
"I'll say something that you Americans might not understand. This is called 'bottom-line work.' You can break a thousand things, but you cannot break the bottom line. If you do, something big will happen."
"If this bottom line is crossed, no matter how brilliantly other work is done, it's equivalent to adding a zero in front of your performance. Even if you have 1 billion or 10 billion behind it, as soon as that zero is added in front, it all goes to waste."
Eric didn't speak, pretending to be trying hard to understand, but how could he not understand in his heart?
"So, to get things done quickly, I have a suggestion – and it's just a suggestion, with no other meaning – can MGM do some charity?"
Hearing the word 'charity,' Eric immediately understood.
"Director Zhou, do you mean donating money to contribute to the fight against SARS? Can I understand it that way?"
Zhou Xiaopeng nodded: "It's comfortable talking to smart people. During this special period, this approach can instantly boost MGM's visibility nationwide."
"The leaders will take notice, making everything easier to do. And with the title of a 'caring enterprise,' it will be very beneficial for the company's future development."
"For example, once you've built the factory, you'll need to produce, right? And you'll have to deal with many departments later, right? With that reputation, an foreign enterprise assisting in combating SARS, which department would dare not give you the green light!"
Eric secretly nodded. Zhou Xiaopeng's suggestion was indeed good and would be very beneficial for the company's future development.
Having worked in film crews for so many years in his previous life, he had also dealt with many departments, and having to curry favor was commonplace.
In a film crew, you might be the director or producer; you're the boss on set.
Moreover, his feelings for this land were no less than theirs. Donating some money was also good, a gesture of goodwill, mutually beneficial.
"I think Director Zhou's suggestion is feasible. In fact, doing charity in the United States is also a very common method. How about this: when you report to the leaders, add this point, and then try to arrange a meeting for us within a week as well."
Seeing Eric agree, Zhou Xiaopeng was secretly pleased. This was all credit that would help him advance further.
"No problem, I just don't know how much MGM plans to donate? It would be convenient for me to report."
Eric held out one hand: "5 million US dollars!"