Chapter 2042: Zhao Fusheng's Advice

For Zhao Fusheng, the IPO was part of his plan, but by no means the entirety of it.

As for whether he would be criticized for raising funds, Zhao Fusheng didn't care at all.

Those who have money to speculate in stocks are never poor.

That's the truth.

The poor are busy making a living day in and day out, earning just enough to get by, with no spare money to invest in stocks or manage finances.

Only the greedy think they can get rich overnight through stock trading.

Zhao Fusheng didn't think there was anything wrong with stock traders; greed is only human, a perfectly normal thing. But since greed exists, one must be prepared to suffer losses because of it.

However, there was no need to worry too much about Future Film and Television's stock price. After all, the company was running well. As long as one held the stock long-term, there shouldn't be major problems, and it might even turn a profit.

"But how much equity are you planning to give up?"

Ye Jing asked Zhao Fusheng.

That was the key point. For them, if they gave up too much equity, it would affect the company's management.

"About thirty percent."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Ye Jing, "I must ensure absolute control over my personal shares."

"Not only that."

Ye Jing nodded and then said, "We must also keep the voting rights in our hands."

For a company, shares were important, but voting rights were equally important.

"No need to make it so complicated."

Zhao Fusheng laughed. "Just allocate voting rights based on the number of shares. If they want voting rights, they can buy my shares."

Pfft!

Ye Jing looked at Zhao Fusheng helplessly.

"Are you kidding?"

Ye Jing asked Zhao Fusheng.

Then, suddenly enlightened, he said, "Not bad. I think that works too."

After all, Zhao Fusheng probably wouldn't sell his shares, so his position as the major shareholder shouldn't be an issue.

Hesitating, he asked Zhao Fusheng, "You won't withdraw your investment, right?"

Clearly, Ye Jing hadn't lost his senses.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "Even if I withdraw, I'll modify the voting rights then."

"What do you mean?"

Ye Jing was somewhat surprised.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged. "Literal meaning."

Frowning slightly, Ye Jing didn't ask further. He knew Zhao Fusheng must have his own considerations.

…

…

After finishing the serious talk, Zhao Fusheng naturally planned to leave.

But just as he reached the door, he happened to run into Ning Hao.

"Chairman, hello."

Ning Hao quickly greeted Zhao Fusheng when he saw him.

"Oh, Director Ning is here."

Zhao Fusheng was a bit surprised to see Ning Hao and smiled. "What's up? Here on business?"

Generally, directors and actors rarely came to the company unless it was during a film's release or promotional period.

If there was something, the company would communicate through agents.

Especially for a director like Ning Hao.

If he had no filming assignments, he was almost free.

"Nothing much, just some script issues."

Ning Hao smiled.

A script couldn't be created in isolation at home. For him, exchanging ideas with other company screenwriters was a good approach.

"Still that 'No Man's Land'?"

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment, recalling the script Ning Hao had mentioned to him before, and asked.

"Yeah, that's right."

Ning Hao nodded, then his eyes lit up as he looked at Zhao Fusheng. "Chairman, do you have time?"

In his mind, none of the company's other screenwriters could match Zhao Fusheng's brilliance.

"How much have you written?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Ning Hao.

"You saw the first draft before. This is the fourth version." Ning Hao said, taking the script from his bag and handing it to Zhao Fusheng.

"Alright, come with me."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Ning Hao.

Ning Hao nodded, and the two left Future Film and Television together, taking a car to the Future Group headquarters.

Sitting in the chairman's office, Ning Hao was full of emotion.

"I can brag about this—discussing a script in the chairman's office." Ning Hao said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

"Really? Want to grab a meal later?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled, picked up Ning Hao's script, and instructed Liu Yiming, "Brew some tea."

"Yes, Chairman."

Liu Yiming went out to brew tea for the two and then withdrew.

Looking at Ning Hao's script, Zhao Fusheng was silent for a long time.

In this film, although the script's exterior was a western and road movie, exuding wildness and bloodshed, it wasn't an action film like 'West Wind Blows.'

In terms of casting, Ning Hao directly stated he wanted to use Huang Bo, but the problem was, this wasn't a comedy.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, it should be a black crime film.

But that was just a label, not enough to define it. This description was because its darkness wasn't pure enough, so it was sufficiently filthy, sinful yet retaining a trace of humanity, thus provoking thought.

At the beginning of the script, the protagonist lawyer clearly tells everyone that this is a story about animals.

Zhao Fusheng understood scripts, so he could see that this was Ning Hao's transformation and ambitious work.

An excellent director, after earning enough capital to start, should realize his personal value and then create higher-level spiritual enjoyment that can be shared with all humanity.

It was like the 'Little Steel Cannon' in his previous life, who made comedies for years and finally shot 'Back to 1942,' just to satisfy some ideas in his heart.

Similarly, did anyone really think Andy Lau enjoyed acting in 'The Chrysalis'?

No choice. He invested in 'First Year Not Yet Full,' which was doomed to never recoup costs.

"This is a good script."

Zhao Fusheng was silent for a long time before speaking.

He had said these words to Ning Hao a long time ago.

To be honest, he also liked the script 'No Man's Land,' from his previous life and now as well.

Because the humanity reflected in this film was undoubtedly the most real.

What makes a person human is not abandoning selfishness, but using fire—the light and heat burning for ideals in the heart, the passionate emotion of sacrificing everything for others. Abandoning selfishness is not through compromise and obedience, but through willingness.

When the male protagonist finally risks his life to save the heroine, overturns the police car, and in the end lights the lighter to die together with the eagle dealer, we see the lawyer's side as a person with feelings and righteousness.

And what is the so-called false affection opposite to this?

'Good people don't always get good rewards,' 'You're a good person,' 'You're a smart person'—like the motel owner, who keeps a secret for fifty yuan but sells it for a hundred.

'I'll be honest with you' means I'm lying. In No Man's Land, there are only transactions, no truth.

'If I weren't a cop, I'd beat you to death. Too bad you are!' In No Man's Land, the forces symbolizing power and order don't exist. The police need evidence in court, but in No Man's Land, there are no witnesses or physical evidence.

'You and I are friends—no, we're different.—Actually, we're the same. You write your books, I sell my eagles.' In the face of interests, there are no eternal friends or enemies.

This script sent chills down Zhao Fusheng's spine.

He couldn't imagine what kind of film it would be if everything was shot.

"Ning Hao, if you really shoot this film, I think you'll be in a lot of trouble."

Zhao Fusheng looked up at Ning Hao and said seriously.

Ning Hao chuckled. "Yeah, that's why I was hoping you could give me some advice."

"Let's give it a try."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Ning Hao, "The script is good; it would be a shame not to shoot it. But no matter what, after this film is made, you'll definitely face a lot of pressure. The content is too negative."

That was the truth. The content in Ning Hao's script portrayed human nature as too evil.

Although our ancestors hadn't figured out the debate between innate goodness and innate evil for thousands of years, with Xunzi and Mencius even spawning their own schools of thought.

But the problem was, under the current propaganda atmosphere, Ning Hao's script was completely going against the grain.

Even Future Film and Television would find it hard to bear this pressure.

"So what do you suggest..." Ning Hao looked at Zhao Fusheng expectantly.

In his view, the only one who could help him solve this problem was Zhao Fusheng, the chairman of Future Group, the backbone of the entire Future Group.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. "I said, let's give it a try. First, set up the project, then shoot it. As for whether it passes censorship, we can slowly patch it up."

Winking, he said to Ning Hao, "But during this time, you need to shoot more positive-energy films, understand?"

"Positive energy?"

Ning Hao was somewhat surprised.

Clearly, he didn't quite understand Zhao Fusheng's meaning.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Yes, you need to promote the mainstream theme more, align with the authorities' rhetoric. That way, the SARFT will see you as one of their own. Otherwise, if you keep making things like 'No Man's Land,' what do you think they'll think?"

This was the most basic thing. If you want others to value you, you have to show your worth.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Ning Hao's eyes lit up. He seemed to understand Zhao Fusheng's meaning.