Chapter 166: A Smooth Talker
Richard shook off Li Chen's hand, still seething with anger.
"Li Chen, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation."
"Otherwise, even if you've already acquired a portion of New Line's shares."
"Warner also has the ability to make you lose everything."
Li Chen secretly chuckled to himself, 'Even foreigners are using idioms now.'
He actually said, 'lose everything.'
Li Chen chuckled, "Oh, so it's about that."
"Richard, it's been three years since you bought the remake rights for new world from me, hasn't it?"
Richard said grumpily, "That's right, which is why even if you wouldn't sell the conjuring to me, I still considered you a friend."
"But what have you done? You're poaching a friend's talent!"
Li Chen laughed, "Don't be angry, Richard."
"Listen to my explanation, and once I'm done, I guarantee you won't be angry anymore."
"Come, let's sit down and talk slowly."
"Alright, I'll listen to what you have to say."
"I'm not afraid to tell you, if you don't have a satisfactory answer for me today."
"Warner will terminate its cooperation with Chiyou Films."
"Including the promotion and distribution of the thieves, even if it means paying liquidated damages, Warner will not hesitate."
"And from now on, any film produced by Chiyou Films will not be able to use any of Warner's resources."
"Li Chen, I know you have a lot of influence in China, but this is Hollywood, this is America."
"If Warner wants to deal with Chiyou Films, as you Chinese say, it's effortless."
"You should be very clear about Warner's strength and resources in the media industry."
Li Chen nodded, "You're right, Richard."
"In Hollywood, it is indeed very easy for you to deal with Chiyou Films."
"In China, we call this 'a strong dragon cannot overpower a local snake.'"
"But in the Chinese market, with Rongchen Film and Television's strength, it's not difficult to deal with Warner either."
"After all, the big cake of the Chinese market isn't just being eyed by Warner."
"The Hollywood Six, the other five are also eyeing it covetously."
"My relationship with General Manager Han, as well as my influence in the country, I'm sure Warner is well aware of."
"If I wanted to use some tactics to prevent Warner from entering the Chinese market, it wouldn't be difficult."
"Even for Warner Music, if I wanted to, I could cooperate with Sony or Universal."
"And jointly squeeze your market share in China!"
Richard was so angry he didn't know what to do.
Although he admitted that Li Chen's words had some truth to them.
But how could Warner be easily intimidated by Li Chen?
Richard sneered, "In that case, we'll see."
With that, he was about to turn and leave, but he stopped after only two steps.
He had been so angry with Li Chen that he had forgotten what Li Chen had just said about not being angry after hearing his explanation.
But he hadn't heard anything from him yet.
Besides, his purpose for coming today had not yet been achieved.
Li Chen looked at Richard, who had turned back, his facial features squeezed together, and burst out laughing.
"Alright, my friend, don't be angry anymore."
"It's just the two of us here, no outsiders, so saying some harsh words won't make either of us lose face."
Richard took a deep breath.
Slowly calming himself down.
"Alright, Li Chen, I'll listen to what you have to say. I hope you won't disappoint Warner."
"Sit down, Richard."
Li Chen stopped talking nonsense.
The two sat opposite each other around the study's desk.
"Richard, let me ask you a question."
"Is New Line a burden to Warner right now?"
"What do you mean by that, Li Chen?"
Li Chen chuckled, "It's obvious, isn't it? New Line has been plagued by lawsuits year after year, and ever since the lord of the rings, it's been going downhill."
"Its annual profit reports are all in the red, and you, as New Line's major shareholder."
"Are acting more like a big fool. If this continues, New Line's losses will be a bottomless pit."
"What exactly do you want to say, Li Chen?"
"Don't rush, Richard. If shareholders don't make money, they won't continue to support Old Sheyi."
"That's why Old Sheyi took a risk, gambled his entire fortune, and borrowed a large sum of money from the bank."
"He launched the golden compass project, hoping to recreate the glory of the lord of the rings."
"All of New Line's shareholders know that if the golden compass succeeds, their shares will still be shares, and they will still be their own."
"If the golden compass fails, their shares will be nothing more than a piece of waste paper."
"At that time, no one will offer my price to acquire their shares."
"Perhaps at that time, New Line will become history, acquired by Warner."
Richard silently observed the Oriental man in front of him.
His heart was in turmoil.
Li Chen, in just a few words, revealed New Line's senior management's strategic intentions.
They were now like Jiang Taigong, sitting firmly at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
They couldn't lose either way.
If New Line's the golden compass made money, as shareholders, they would also make money.
If New Line's the golden compass failed.
They could then acquire New Line's shares at a low price.
Dismantling Old Sheyi's allies.
Completely bringing New Line under Warner's control.
But now, Li Chen had suddenly appeared.
Disrupting all their plans.
"So you took advantage of the situation and poached Warner's talent."
Li Chen found it amusing.
It was indeed the American robber's logic.
Wasn't Warner also waiting for New Line to be at its weakest to deliver the most fatal blow?
"No, no, no, you're wrong, Richard."
"What I'm doing, whether for New Line or for Warner, and for our Chiyou Films."
"Is entirely beneficial and harmless. Otherwise, Old Sheyi isn't a fool; why would he agree to my plan?"
"Then tell me, how is it entirely beneficial and harmless?"
"Chiyou Films' profitability, I believe Warner is most aware of."
"We won't even mention lurking 1 and insidious 2. For the thieves, which hasn't been released yet, Warner is the distributor."
"Your Warner team should have a professional evaluation of this film; otherwise, you wouldn't be willing to distribute it."
Richard's expression softened.
What Li Chen said was true.
"If I take over New Line, New Line will no longer be a burden to Warner."
"On the contrary, New Line will become an independent film production and distribution company second only to the Hollywood Six in the future."
"Richard, don't forget, I hold a large number of valuable screenplays."
"But Chiyou Films' weakness lies in distribution. If we add New Line to the mix, it would also be an optimization of resources for Chiyou Films."
"And for Old Sheyi, it would also preserve New Line's independent status."
Richard had already figured out Li Chen's intentions before coming.
Warner's senior think tank had actually analyzed the pros and cons of this matter.
Warner has Warner Brothers Pictures.
So, for New Line.
Warner was not determined to get it.
But it absolutely could not tolerate New Line losing money year after year.
If Li Chen could really do as he said.
And build New Line into a highly profitable independent film production and distribution company.
Warner could actually accept it.
But that wasn't his purpose for coming today.
He was just acting earlier.
He merely wanted Li Chen to state his intentions himself.
To make Li Chen feel guilty, so he could gain an advantageous position in the upcoming negotiations.
"Alright, I admit you have a point."
"Warner can tacitly allow you to acquire New Line's shares."
"But we have one condition."
Li Chen breathed a sigh of relief, "Please speak."
Richard's lips curled up, "We also want to acquire shares in your Rongchen Film and Television in China, and the price will absolutely satisfy you."
Li Chen burst into laughter.
Richard didn't know if he was happy or unhappy.
And also started laughing along.
After a long while, Li Chen finally stopped laughing.
"Richard, that's simply impossible."
Are you kidding me! If he acquired New Line.
Rongchen Film and Television's future promotion and distribution in North America could be entirely handled by New Line.
There would be no need for Warner.
Warner's plan was good; he had only poached their talent, but they wanted to pull the rug out from under him and take over his base.
Richard chuckled, "Why is it impossible, Li Chen?"
"Your Rongchen Film and Television is the most powerful film and television company in China, and Warner is also one of the most powerful film and television companies in Hollywood."
"Isn't this a strong alliance?"
What a 'strong alliance,' I'm just afraid it would end up being 'inviting wolves into the house.'
"You don't need to say anything more, Richard."
"Rongchen Film and Television's profitability, even in Hollywood, is second only to your Hollywood Six."
"Since its establishment, not a single project of Rongchen Film and Television has ever lost money in four years."
"I presume even Warner can't achieve that, can it?"
"To be honest, many companies have tried to get their hands on my Rongchen Film and Television, but I haven't agreed."
"I admit Warner is very powerful, but Rongchen Film and Television doesn't need it right now."
"Let me put it this way, Richard, would Warner allow me to acquire shares in Warner?"
Richard laughed, "Li Chen, it's not that I look down on you, I know you're very rich, but Warner cannot be acquired just with money."
Li Chen also laughed, "Well said, that's also what I want to tell Warner."
"Rongchen Film and Television also cannot be acquired just because you have money and power. If I don't agree, no one can do anything."
Richard let out a long breath and smiled.
"Alright, Li Chen, then let's take another step back."
"We can not acquire your Rongchen Film and Television, but we want to acquire a portion of Chiyou Films' shares."
Li Chen immediately understood.
Perhaps this was Richard's true purpose for coming today.
They knew I wouldn't agree to their acquisition.
So they made a feint, and then, as a second-best option, wanted to acquire Chiyou Films' shares.
This way, even if Chiyou Films acquired New Line.
Warner would have shares in both.
Just like when they acquired New Line back then.
It would be like gaining another highly profitable independent production company like Chiyou Films out of nowhere.
Li Chen quickly weighed the pros and cons of this matter.
"Richard, this matter isn't entirely out of the question, but today isn't the best time to discuss it."
"Let's put this matter aside until after the golden compass is released."
"Today is the celebration banquet for our Chiyou Films, and drinking and making merry is our theme for today, don't you agree?"
Richard chuckled, "Alright, but the share issue still needs to be settled as soon as possible. This is the unanimous opinion of Warner's senior management."
Li Chen stood up and smiled, "Let's go, Richard, it wouldn't be good for me, the host, to not show my face for too long."