Chapter 1579: The Storm Is Coming

In fact, Zhao Fusheng didn't think it was that difficult to get Song Kang-ho to star in a Chinese film.

Everyone has desires, or to be more precise, it's one of humanity's original sins.

Though the origin of this saying was unknown, Zhao Fusheng knew it made a lot of sense.

As the saying goes, people who eat grains are inevitably subject to the seven emotions and six desires; even monks who have transcended the three realms and are beyond the five elements probably have their own ideals.

If they truly had no desires or demands, then the Buddha wouldn't need to think about saving all beings.

Buddhists yearn for the Pure Land, Taoists aspire to ascend to immortality in broad daylight; as long as one is not a deity, there will always be some desire or another lurking deep in the heart.

Moreover, even deities may not be truly free from desires.

Everyone has desires, or wishes—it's normal. The magnitude of one's desires depends on their status and position.

For a beggar, his goal is to have enough food and clothing, free from cold and hunger. For a fresh college graduate, his goal is to have a stable job, preferably to buy a house of his own.

And as South Korea's top actor, Song Kang-ho naturally has his own aspirations.

Faced with an invitation from China, Zhao Fusheng didn't believe Song Kang-ho wouldn't be tempted.

After all, Jiang Wen was also a well-known figure in South Korea.

"But aren't you curious about what movie I'm going to make?"

Jiang Wen glanced at Zhao Fusheng and asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng blinked: "Should I be curious?"

"Aren't you the major shareholder of Future Film?" Jiang Wen said speechlessly.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and waved his hand: "I am the major shareholder, but don't forget, Future Film is now responsible for its own profits and losses; Ye Jing handles everything."

"Are you going to be a hands-off boss?" Jiang Wen was stunned.

"Just delegating authority."

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and didn't explain further. In his view, no matter how Jiang Wen messed around, he wouldn't end up hurting himself.

That's right, Old Jiang had just said that the investor for this film was another company.

Zhao Fusheng highly approved of this. As long as Old Jiang didn't make Future Film invest in his messy works, he could do whatever he wanted.

It wasn't that Zhao Fusheng was heartless; it was just that Jiang Wen was a black hole—no matter how much money you threw in, he would guarantee you'd lose every last cent.

Although Zhao Fusheng was rich, money didn't come from the wind; even if thrown into water, it should make a splash!

"I can't understand you rich folks' thinking."

Jiang Wen complained helplessly to Zhao Fusheng.

Rehearsals for the Spring Festival Gala were closed to the public; few could watch up close, and in a few years, even rehearsal photos would be scarce.

Although the reviews of the Spring Festival Gala had been getting worse year by year, overall it was still decent—at least the quality of the programs was quite interesting.

"No, is this kind of medley performance interesting?"

Zhao Fusheng watched helplessly as a group of people performed on stage, four people singing a song together—it was unbearably boring.

"No way, the waters are too deep here; you don't understand."

Jiang Wen whispered to Zhao Fusheng: "Look at these people; besides appearing on this kind of gala, when else do they get a chance?"

"But doesn't the Spring Festival Gala pay?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then said: "I saw everyone eating boxed meals backstage."

That was true. Participating in the Spring Festival Gala came with no remuneration; not to mention, just appearing on stage in front of over a billion people was a chance to show off—anyone would find it hard to give up.

"Precisely because it doesn't pay, this kind of opportunity is rare." Jiang Wen shrugged and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was stunned and silent for a long time.

It had to be said, the entertainment industry's waters were indeed deep.

No, to be precise, the cultural world's waters were really deep.

"Alright, let's just watch the show."

Jiang Wen smiled, waved his hand, and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, and the two watched patiently.

After watching for a while, Zhao Fusheng got bored. Just then, Dong Chenxi called him. He said goodbye to Jiang Wen and left the CCTV hall.

……

……

"Something up?"

Zhao Fusheng asked Dong Chenxi on the phone.

Dong Chenxi smiled bitterly: "Hongshan Capital and SoftBank have joined forces. They sent word hoping we'll cooperate with them to push Yahoo out."

What?

Zhao Fusheng frowned, his expression turning grim.

He had originally thought the struggle among shareholders wouldn't intensify until before Alibaba's IPO, but unexpectedly, it had already begun.

"What do we do?"

Dong Chenxi asked Zhao Fusheng.

"Join forces."

Zhao Fusheng was silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly.

"Okay, I'll contact Ono Masao and James right away."

Dong Chenxi nodded. According to their plan, Zhao Fusheng had already agreed to cooperate with SoftBank.

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Fusheng stood there, silent for a long time.

Alibaba was going public at the end of the year, which was undoubtedly an opportunity for his wealth to skyrocket. In the original timeline, Alibaba's IPO created a large number of millionaires, but this time, with Zhao Fusheng's involvement, he would undoubtedly gain more.

"Ma Yun..."

Murmuring to himself, Zhao Fusheng always felt that Boss Ma wouldn't give up so willingly.

After all, at present, Ma Yun's voting rights in Alibaba were not many; Future Investment was the real major shareholder, holding most of the voting rights.

"Wait!"

Zhao Fusheng suddenly froze, because it occurred to him that if he combined his voting rights with Ma Yun's, they might be able to push SoftBank and Hongshan Capital out.

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Fusheng picked up the phone and dialed Dong Chenxi's number.

"What's wrong?"

Dong Chenxi was a bit surprised, not understanding what Zhao Fusheng meant.

They had just finished talking; why was he calling again? Could he have changed his mind?

At the thought, Dong Chenxi couldn't help but tense up.

After all, Alibaba was developing so fast that any investment company, anyone in the investment field, would understand that this would be a company that would shock everyone.

When it came to equity issues, even just one percent would be worth billions.

"I have an idea. Listen and tell me what you think."

Sure enough, Zhao Fusheng's first words stunned Dong Chenxi. After a long while, her expression turned strange.