Chapter 1316: Shield

Zhao Fusheng set aside Zhang Tao's matter. He was not a saint; some things could only be chosen this way.

In the scorching summer, the capital's weather grew hotter, and Zhao Fusheng became increasingly reluctant to go out. Fortunately, the company was on track; aside from needing to go to the office to review documents and attend meetings, he didn't have to do much else.

Zheng Yao had been stationed in Shenzhen recently, handling Future Advertising matters, leaving a backlog of tasks at the group headquarters. She pushed all these onto Zhao Fusheng, claiming that even the chairman shouldn't be a hands-off boss and needed to share the burden.

Zhao Fusheng understood clearly that Zheng Yao was using another method to demonstrate her loyalty to him.

He was happy to see this.

From a certain perspective, this was a tacit understanding between the two.

Doing business is like this: entrusting everything to subordinates is a sign of trust, but the problem is that sometimes, when you trust others, they may betray that trust.

Take the example of those big shots who leave their companies to others to manage while they travel and chase women—well, just look at the case of Vanke.

Most backfires happen this way.

Although Zhao Fusheng believed Zheng Yao wasn't that kind of person, the problem was he couldn't guarantee that the people she hired were all like her, and Zheng Yao felt the same.

In comparison, he was less concerned about Future Film and Future Technology, because without his foresight, both companies—whether run by Ye Jing or Dong Guoxiang—would inevitably face development constraints.

As for Future Investment, even though Dong Chenxi had performed well recently, Zhao Fusheng dared not guarantee she wouldn't make wrong choices on major projects without his input.

Overall, without him, the development of Future Group might indeed stall, which was why Zhao Fusheng was so confident.

By June, Zhao Fusheng had even more free time. He was occasionally dragged out for meals and got to know some people.

He also met a few notorious playboys in the capital with Xue Yuanfang.

It's said that nobles don't set foot in lowly places. This phrase suited these people well. Their air of superiority was ingrained in their bones. They wouldn't wear the same clothes two days in a row; clothes could be worn or old, but never dirty. The most infuriating thing was that even in a ten-yuan shirt, they could make it look like a ten-thousand-yuan Armani.

Even more so when they spoke, with that affected tone that made you want to punch them in the face. Even when politely discussing matters, you could clearly feel the commanding tone hidden behind their words.

Zhao Fusheng wanted to refuse, but the problem was that these people were too powerful. With families at the vice-national level, this was something his assets of a few hundred million US dollars couldn't compensate for.

People at this level no longer just play with actresses. For example, Wang Sicong is known as the disciplinary committee of the entertainment industry, claiming to fight everyone and everything, like a second-generation Husky. But have you ever seen him go after any official second-generation?

Because he knows well that he can curse those actors in the entertainment circle, but if he really offends a proper official second-generation—whether a domineering playboy or a calculating elite—he can't compete.

The former, used to bullying, would directly retaliate; the latter, a sly old fox, might trip you up at a critical moment.

In comparison, the playboys are more frightening because the thinking of smart people is predictable, while the thinking of fools is not—you never know how stupid that guy might be.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't intend to offend these people. Although their requests were bizarre, since Xue Yuanfang brought them to him, it meant they had some merit.

So Zhao Fusheng simply granted whatever they asked. For those seeking investment advice, he told them the internet industry would develop rapidly and suggested they give it a try. For those seeking cooperation, he asked for a proposal, saying if the project was good enough, he wouldn't mind investing; if not, a few million would be considered making friends.

Yes, Zhao Fusheng directly stated that if the project had potential, he could invest, but not more than ten million, just as a shareholder.

Face is mutual. With Xue Yuanfang around, Zhao Fusheng believed that as long as he didn't act aloof, these people wouldn't go too far.

The reason was simple: Xue Yuanfang was now a man of action. If he brought a bunch of little tyrants, he wouldn't want to lose face himself.

However, Zhao Fusheng enthusiastically encouraged a few interested in investing to buy shares in Future Film. Although the shares were still small, only a few percent, he intended to readjust the equity of his companies.

In his view, Future Group was established to integrate resources. Now that the company was stable, it was time to consider making each subsidiary responsible for its own profits and losses.

In other words, take Future Network as an example: if Dong Guoxiang wanted to acquire a website but lacked funds, as long as he could convince Dong Chenxi, she could invest under Future Investment's name. Although the capital contributed differed, so did the shares, and the profits would go to each subsidiary.

Self-financing and resource sharing.

That was Zhao Fusheng's current plan for the subsidiaries under Future Group.

Regarding Future Film, Zhao Fusheng knew that with the influx of hot money, the industry would soon become murkier. Marketization would inevitably lead to various problems, with rampant hidden rules. Those original entertainment bigwigs would soon realize that in the face of capital, they were nothing.

For example, if the boss investing in a movie wanted to promote a woman as the second female lead and forced her in, who could stop him?

Whether director or producer, they could only swallow their pride and accept it.

Just like Hu Ge's movie "The Hunting Ground"—what was up with the female lead?

Another example: Miss Tong, who was beaten to the point of hospitalization by Zhang Guoli's son, made a comeback over a decade later and entered people's sight with several hit dramas. Why?

Because she married a boss in the capital circle.

No matter how talented Zhang Guoli is, can he go against capital?

Zhao Fusheng understood this principle well, so he never intended to carry the banner of Future Film alone.

Ye Jing handled the network of connections, while the people introduced by Xue Yuanfang, in his view, served as a shield against those who might recklessly interfere.

After all, these people had big shots backing them. Capital might be impressive, but in China, the rich can't overpower the powerful—this has been a consensus for thousands of years.

As for losing some shares, Zhao Fusheng didn't think it was a big deal. Money can't be earned all at once; he firmly believed that.

Zhao Fusheng never hesitated to assume the worst about human nature, not because he was sinister, but because he knew well that one should not have the heart to harm others but must have the heart to guard against them. He might not scheme against others, but others might not be as honest as he was.

This was a matter of human nature; no one could guarantee what would happen.

Especially in the entertainment industry, which was full of hidden rules. Once capital started flowing in, it became even more chaotic. That's why the entertainment industry is often criticized.

With those playboys around, at least Zhao Fusheng didn't have to worry about other issues. Anyone who wanted to make a move on Future Film's people would have to consider this factor.

As for these people themselves, Zhao Fusheng made it clear: the fox doesn't eat the grass near its hole. If anyone intended to prey on people within the company, sorry, we'd better not cooperate. As for those outside the company, it had nothing to do with him.

It wasn't that Zhao Fusheng lacked compassion, but he knew well that this circle was a vanity fair. Everyone in it had their own desires. To put it bluntly, if he stopped them, they might think he was meddling and blocking their way up.

This was no joke. Many young people entering this circle saw certain hidden rules as shortcuts to climb up. Several later famous actresses known for their acting skills and personas had risen this way when they first entered the circle.

Zhao Fusheng had no intention of interfering with such lifestyles. After all, he wasn't their parent or the man they planned to marry.

Not everyone is like Li Heiniu; it's fine.

Zhao Fusheng also discussed this with Ye Jing, who agreed with his choice.

Having been in the circle longer than Zhao Fusheng and due to his background, Ye Jing understood better what situation the circle, filled with handsome men and beautiful women, would face with the influx of capital and the gradual development of the domestic film and television industry.

Even if Zhao Fusheng had a billion in assets, some things were unavoidable. To solve this problem, the solution was simple: find strong enough partners.

So Ye Jing not only approved of Zhao Fusheng's decision but also offered suggestions, planning to give those second-generation members the title of executive director. This would not only save face for them but also make them actually contribute.

Just wanting benefits without putting in effort—how could that be possible?