Chapter 92 92. What are female stars used for?

China, Yanjing, Fengze Garden.

Deputy Director Chen of the Yanjing Optoelectronics Bureau opened a bottle of red wine. If they were one of us, of course we would drink white wine.

But considering that Eric is a foreigner, people would definitely not be used to drinking white wine. Besides, there were lesbians, so red wine was also a good choice.

Seeing that the wine had been opened, Chen Xing immediately wanted to take it, remembering the precautions his family elders had given him before he came.

Seeing this, Eric patted him lightly on the leg, signaling him not to move.

Zhang Ziyi, who was sitting near the door with Susan, stood up quickly and took the bottle of wine. Her English was very good and she was originally called to act as a translator.

Because there are not many female celebrities in mainland China who are internationally famous, and she is the only one who happens to be in Yanjing at this time.

Now that translation is no longer needed, it is natural for us to demonstrate our value in other areas.

Among the three people present, Director Zhou has the highest rank, directly under the rank of a director general, which is the same level as Qi Tongwei in "In the Name of People".

Han Sanping and Deputy Director Chen are at the same level, both deputy bureau level.

However, since Han Sanping is in charge of Huaying and is the current big brother in the entertainment industry, Zhang Ziyi dragged the bottom of the bottle to pour it for him first.

The latter narrowed his eyes and pointed at Eric, "You are a guest from afar, pour some for Mr. Cooper first."

With her heart fully formed, Zhang Ziyi obediently walked to Eric's side, bent down, and poured him half a glass of red wine with a smile.

The heating in the room was turned on very high. I don’t know if Zhang Ziyi wore clothes specially because it was not visible when she was sitting, but when she bent down, her cleavage was immediately revealed.

It’s a pity that the two headlights don’t stand out, which is quite ordinary for Eric who is used to the European and American circles.

"Mr. Cooper, I'm Zhang Ziyi. I've heard a lot about you. If it weren't for the war, we should have met at the Oscars."

Eric looked at her. "What does this mean?"

"Wasn't Zhang Yimou's Hero nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar? Director Zhang and several of us were originally scheduled to go to Los Angeles together."

"But a few days before the departure, the war broke out suddenly, so considering various factors, several of us leading actors did not go, and were replaced by two producers."

"If I had been there, maybe we would have met. CCTV broadcast the entire Oscars live this year, and I saw the moment when you were a hero saving the damsel in distress."

"Mr. Cooper, you look like a knight, a handsome knight!"

After Zhang Ziyi finished speaking, everyone laughed.

After pouring the wine, Zhou Xiaopeng raised the goblet and said, "Then let us use the first glass of wine to welcome the knights who have come from afar."

After taking the first sip, Han Sanping pointed at the exquisite dishes and said, "Mr. Cooper, although you speak Mandarin very well, to be precise, the best among the foreigners I have ever met, you have definitely never tasted authentic Chinese food. Try these dishes, I guarantee you will never forget them."

Eric picked up a piece of sea cucumber and put it in his mouth, savoring it carefully. In an instant, all the memories came flooding back.

He sighed and said, "Director Han, Director Zhou, I hired a chef from Chinatown to cook for the restaurant inside MGM, but the scallion-fried sea cucumber he made is still a little worse than this."

Han Sanping laughed and said, "That's for sure. Fengze Garden was once the venue for state banquets to entertain foreign guests. If nothing else, Kissinger from the United States had dinner here."

He raised his glass and said, "So I propose that we take a second sip to celebrate the fact that we had dinner at the same table with Kissinger."

After that, Han Sanping took the lead and drank half a cup. Zhou Xiaopeng couldn't help but complain, "Old Han, why did you drink so much? Mr. Cooper is an American, and this kind of thing is not popular there."

Looking at the two white faces opposite him, Han Sanping slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, I was so excited that I forgot about this. So you guys can do whatever you want and just consider me as your companion."

Eric picked up the glass and drank half of it, which immediately attracted cheers from everyone.

In fact, he can drink the wine or not, and no one will blame him if he doesn't drink it. Cultural differences are the best excuse. But drinking it will always bring them closer together and facilitate future work.

"Actually, what Director Zhou just said is not entirely correct. Americans also drink when discussing things. We also eat and talk at the same time. We have more cocktail parties and parties than China."

"But over there, drinking is just a way to relax. You can drink as much as you want. If you can't drink, it doesn't matter. No one will force you."

"But since we are in China today, I know there is a saying that goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so I will take the lead in the third cup."

After saying that, Eric drank the remaining half, and in an instant, only the bottom of the red liquid was left in the goblet.

Everyone followed suit and took the third sip. The difference was that Susan took small sips, while Chen Xing was worried that the boss might get drunk and also considered what might happen later, so he drank the juice.

The others naturally followed suit, and Zhang Ziyi immediately stood up to pour the wine.

When it was her turn, the bottle was almost empty after two rounds, but pouring half of it would not be enough, so she quickly opened another bottle to fill it for herself.

At a dinner party of this level, this is roughly the role of a female celebrity.

It looks similar to a waiter, but even so, many people beg for it but still refuse to get it.

If you can sleep with the boss after dinner, that would be something you would want. Sleeping with him may not necessarily give you good resources, but not being slept with will definitely give you no good resources. This rule applies worldwide.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, everyone became closer and gradually opened up and started talking about business.

Han Sanping said: "Eric, Ms. Susan told me a few days ago that MGM is going to set up a branch in China. I think it's a good idea."

"Although other Hollywood companies have offices in China, they are not very useful. To be honest, the purpose of those offices is to lobby for green lights. With the annual quota of 20 imported films, some people will get to enjoy the benefits while others will not."

"So far, MGM is the only company that has proposed to set up a branch. If this can be accomplished, it will definitely be a historic first."

Eric nodded in agreement: "I believe this. The reason why I want to set up a branch is because I am optimistic about the Chinese film market."

"Although the scale is not large now, I believe it will take off in ten years at most. After all, there is a huge market of 1.4 billion people here. What MGM wants is to be one step ahead and eat this cake in advance."

Zhou Xiaopeng leaned back and said, "The cake will definitely get bigger. China's economy is developing rapidly now. Now that everyone has money in their pockets, they will naturally pursue enjoyment. Movies are a kind of spiritual enjoyment."

"Director Zhou is right. In recent years, under the leadership of President Han, China's film market has become more and more vibrant. If MGM can get involved and bring other Hollywood companies into the game, I think the pie can be made bigger in five years rather than ten years." Zhang Ziyi said with a smile.

"What Xiao Zhang said is right. If MGM can attract other big Hollywood companies, I am confident that the Chinese film market can break 10 billion in five years." Han Sanping gave advice with high spirits.

But then he changed the subject: "But there are some things that need to be made clear in advance. Ms. Susan and I have also discussed this. If we are going to do it, we must set up a joint venture, and Huaying Group must hold at least 51% of the shares."

As if worried that Eric didn't understand, he continued to explain: "Of course, this is not my personal request, nor do I want to make things difficult for MGM. This is what the law here stipulates. Foreign investment cannot be made in cultural undertakings alone. It must be a joint venture."

Of course Eric understood all the policies Han Sanping mentioned, and he had no objection to it. He would abide by the rules of whichever home he visited.

Recalling that DreamWorks set up Oriental DreamWorks in Shanghai, it was actually a joint venture. DreamWorks held a 45% stake, and if they could get 49%, that would be the limit.

The most obvious benefit of a joint venture is the film profit sharing. Co-productions are not considered imported and can enjoy the same treatment as domestic films, so the 13% profit sharing can go to hell.

"Director Han, Susan has reported to me. I understand. Just follow the rules. My only hope now is that the project will be implemented as soon as possible, so I flew over to meet with you. Just think of me as coming to urge progress."

Han Sanping laughed. "It's easy for me. As long as MGM's money arrives and we sign the contract, I will do nothing but run the formalities for you from tomorrow. It will take at most a week to ensure that all the formalities are in place."

"So fast?" Eric was a little bit incredulous.

"It wasn't too soon. I've been making preparations since Stephen Chow talked to me on the phone. After I met with Ms. Susan, I formally reported the matter to my boss, who was also very interested."

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

"Find a time in the next few days for you to have a formal meeting with your leader. As long as the decision is made, a week is enough to complete the process."

"There are ready-made office locations. A new building was built at the Science and Technology Port last year. It is still idle and can be used."

Hearing Han Sanping's light words, Zhou Xiaopeng couldn't help but take out a cigarette and light it.

"Lao Han, yours is a cultural company, so of course the formalities are easy to go through. But it's more difficult for me. If MGM wants to acquire the land to build a factory, it may take more than a month, let alone a week."

"There are many departments involved, and there are various procedures to go through, especially now in a special period, even if you get the land you can't start construction."

Eric frowned. He couldn't tell people that the restrictions would be lifted in two months. No one dared to make such a statement now.

"Director Zhou, is there any way to speed up the process? It doesn't mean that we can start construction as soon as the process is completed, but at least we have to complete the process first. Once the special period is over, MGM can start construction immediately. Don't waste time."

Han Sanping also said: "What Eric said is right. At least the preliminary procedures should be completed first. This is real foreign capital. It is a credit to you, Lao Zhou."

"If this factory fails, MGM can invest tens of millions of dollars. Not only will you be able to attract investment this year, but you can also get it next year and the year after next. Just be thankful."

Zhou Xiaopeng glared at him and said, "You speak as if all the benefits fall on me. You have established a joint venture, which is also a great achievement. Maybe you will be promoted to the position this year. Just be happy."

Han Sanping waved his hands quickly: "Don't talk nonsense, the organization has its own decision, can you still represent the Standing Committee?"

When people drink too much, they tend to talk without restraint. Eric didn't want to hear them talking about sensitive content, so he stopped them immediately.

"Director Han, Director Zhou, MGM came here with sincerity this time. Cooperation is a win-win situation. It is good for everyone. Besides, I can't stay in China for too long. I still hope to finalize the matter in one go."

"You're right. Mr. Cooper came here to make a contribution. Old Zhou, you can't let me down. I introduced Ms. Susan to you directly at that time. I didn't say a word to Ren Lao San from the Cultural Bureau. Isn't that brotherly? If you let me down, I will lose face."

Zhou Xiaopeng pushed Han Sanping's head away and said, "Okay, okay, okay. I'll remember your kindness. Xiao Zhang, go ask the waiter to order another serving of the signature dragon carp. Your boss Han loves it."

Zhang Ziyi was really being treated like a waitress, so she naturally couldn't say a word of objection and went out obediently to urge the food to be served.

As soon as she left, Zhou Xiaopeng looked up at Eric and said directly: "Mr. Cooper, let's talk behind closed doors. I have a suggestion, you might as well listen to it."

"Speaking."

"It is a special period now, and it is difficult to carry out any work, but there is one exception, that is fighting against Ebola. Now the leaders are paying attention to this aspect."

"I'm going to tell you Americans something you won't understand. This is called bottom line work. You can't cross the bottom line no matter how hard you try. If you do, something terrible will happen."

"Once this bottom line is broken, no matter how well you do other work, it is equivalent to adding a zero in front of your performance. Even if you have 1 billion or 10 billion, as long as the zero is added in front, it will be useless."

Eric said nothing, pretending to be trying hard to understand, but how could he not understand in his heart.

"So in order to get things done as soon as possible, I have a suggestion, of course it's just a suggestion, nothing else, that is, can MGM do some charity work."

When Eric heard the word charity, he understood it immediately.

"Director Zhou, you mean to donate money to contribute to the fight against SARS. Can I understand it this way?"

Zhou Xiaopeng nodded: "It's comfortable to talk to smart people. In this special period, this approach can instantly make MGM famous across the country."

"With the leaders watching, everything becomes easier, and the reputation of a caring enterprise is also very beneficial to the future development of the enterprise."

"For example, if you have built a factory, you will have to start production, and you will have to deal with many departments. As a foreign-funded enterprise that helps fight the epidemic, which department dares not give you the green light?"

Eric nodded secretly. Zhou Xiaopeng’s proposal was indeed good and would be very beneficial to the company’s subsequent development.

Having worked in a film crew for many years in his previous life, he had also worked in many departments, and reading people's faces was commonplace for him.

You are the director and producer in the crew, you are awesome.

Moreover, my feelings for this land are no less than theirs. Donating some money is just a token of my appreciation and a win-win situation.

"I think Director Zhou's suggestion is feasible. In fact, it is a very common way to do charity in the United States. How about this? When you report to your leader, add this item and try to arrange a meeting for us within a week."

Seeing Eric agreed, Zhou Xiaopeng was secretly happy, as this was all thanks to his further progress.

"No problem, but I wonder how much MGM plans to donate? It will be convenient for me to report."

Eric held out his hand: "Five million US dollars!"

(End of this chapter)