Chapter 8

In a past life, when searching for information about Hollywood online, it always seemed as if they were intentionally or unintentionally promoting one thing: Hollywood has always been a powerful and precise machine, with every gear tightly meshed together for profit, capable of doing anything for money.

Unless you were part of that circle, trying to enter would only lead to being taken advantage of. Those guys wouldn't hesitate to swindle even Wall Street.

Is it really like that? Of course not. Water always flows forward, and circumstances are always changing. The way Hollywood operated in 2000 couldn't be applied to 1980, when even VHS tapes weren't fully widespread. In the pioneering days of 1930, someone might have dared to set fire to another's film reels to cut out competition, but try doing that in 1980!

As for using so-called film package plans to swindle Wall Street, oh, the people saying that probably never knew how bad securities were sold.

Of course, if you have a halo of idiocy... well, as long as you're happy.

Getting back to the main topic, Hollywood in the early 1980s, due to a series of factors such as economic downturns, the impact of television, and the chaotic battles between large and small film companies, had a very messy production environment.

Moreover, American filmmakers during this period were always led by the nose by European art films and the New Wave movement. It wasn't until after George Lucas's "Star Wars" trilogy that things improved, so it was far from the Hollywood that would dominate the world 20 years later.

However, no matter how down and out, the North American film market still had a box office of $3 billion, and changing direction wasn't difficult.

So, to put it simply, the best time to take control of Hollywood is now.

"Controlling one or two film companies is no problem; your father has shares in Warner Bros. and Paramount. Controlling three or four is also possible; the Hearst family is selling some of their Disney shares," Grandfather mused, "But wanting to control all eight major studios, I doubt anyone would be willing to see that."

That's right, Hollywood is still dominated by the Big Eight. "Heaven's Gate" hasn't been released yet, and MGM hasn't been forced into a corner, so it hasn't merged with United Artists.

"Besides, if you also want to integrate TV stations, newspapers, and magazines, too much action will attract too much attention," Grandfather continued.

"It doesn't have to be concentrated in one person's hands," Li Xu smiled slightly. "Father can directly control Warner Bros. and indirectly control Fox. After my coming-of-age ceremony, I can establish an investment holding company to directly control Disney and indirectly control Paramount. As for Columbia and Universal, Mother can think of ways. Finally, we can weaken MGM and United Artists and let others compete."

This was a plan he had thought through long ago. Concentrating control in one person's hands wasn't impossible, despite anti-monopoly laws like the Glass-Steagall Act. There are always ways to control things indirectly, and capital loves rules, the more the better, the finer the better.

However, the more indirect the control, the weaker it becomes, which doesn't meet Grandfather's requirements. So, having different people control different companies is a good idea.

Grandfather wasn't unaware of this, but people from his generation were used to one person making all the decisions. They would usually consider this method as a last resort. Moreover...

"Your mother?" Grandfather frowned, clearly not satisfied with the suggestion.

Do I have to tell you that in a few years, the Japanese will come and buy up everything, including Columbia and Universal? Li Xu rolled his eyes internally.

But he didn't say anything. He wouldn't provoke Grandfather at such a time, and it was no secret that Grandfather didn't like his mother.

At first, when his parents got married, Grandfather, though not entirely satisfied, didn't say much. After all, starting from the West Coast, they would inevitably have connections in the Far East, including Japan.

But after Uncle died in a car accident and Father had to return to inherit the family business, things changed.

Among the elite at the top of American society, there were no Asian wives. Despite their talk of democracy, the blue-blooded aristocracy had a much stronger sense of superiority than the average person.

So, the upper class mostly married within their own circles, at the very least with Jews, and Asians were never considered, let alone Asians.

When Uncle was still around, Old Edward, Li Xu's father in this life, didn't have to worry about this. But as the face of the family and the head of the clan, entering the upper class, this marriage was very inappropriate.

Especially since Grandfather considered himself the successor to J.P. Morgan and had the "great" ambition to rebuild the Morgan Group, he naturally found this marriage very unsuitable and demanded a divorce.

Unfortunately, Father wasn't like Uncle. He was raised strictly, with every word and action watched, so he was somewhat rebellious. For example, in an era when the WASP community openly despised Jews and J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley declared they wouldn't hire Jews, he went to work at Goldman Sachs, which speaks volumes about his character.

Other things, like following his son's trader and picking up scraps without saying a word, were minor.

In short, Father firmly rejected Grandfather's demands. After a few rounds, Grandfather eventually compromised, as he only had one son left.

However, he never really liked this daughter-in-law, and after this, he found her even more unsuitable, which somewhat affected Li Xu. It was only because he had been consistently building his reputation at home since he was 12, on and off until now, that Grandfather had become somewhat friendly, though not yet respectful.

After all, a grandson is still a grandson, and an outstanding one at that... why does that sound so awkward?

"We need allies, Grandfather. If Murdoch is willing, forming an alliance with him and creating a media group would be a good choice," Li Xu said, moving on from the previous topic.

Grandfather frowned, not saying anything, and Li Xu wasn't sure if his thoughts had returned. So, he quickly added, "You know, to rebuild the Morgan Group, controlling and influencing public opinion is essential."

This was true. Everyone knows that "Steel King" Carnegie was a philanthropist, but how many know that his private army mercilessly suppressed his workers? Even with two guns each, the workers were still beaten to a pulp.

Similarly, the black illegitimate children and the practice of knocking out slaves' teeth for personal use by HSD are almost unknown. When people mention him, they think of the "American Founding Father" and the "Divine Axe of Falling Cherry Blossoms."

The Morgan Group was indeed dazzling in its time, but precisely because of this, few would want it to be rebuilt. Therefore, to achieve this, besides the various strategies discussed, controlling and guiding public opinion is also necessary.

Naturally, seizing the current opportunity to turn Hollywood around is essential.

Yes, this is Li Xu's theory.

"I'll consider it and have people discuss the plan, then consult your opinion," Grandfather finally said.

Damn, this will take four or five months. Li Xu couldn't help but grumble internally.

But he understood. Discussing strategic layouts and controlling companies might seem easy, but each strategic decision requires detailed research and investigation before it can be confirmed. Then, plans need to be customized and implemented, which can take months or even years, not just a few words.

So, Li Xu consistently built his reputation at home, letting Grandfather and Father make decisions based on his advice. He remembered a lot, but he was very self-aware.

"Alright, then..." Li Xu was about to say something else when Grandfather suddenly asked, "Have you decided, Pipang, which one?"

Stunned for several seconds, he finally reacted and rolled his eyes internally. Damn, don't change the topic so fast!

"What do you think?" Li Xu countered.

"My opinion is clear. Caroline is very suitable for you. She's a good girl and can take care of you," Grandfather said.

Li Xu had to take a deep breath. "Grandfather, Caroline is older than me."

"Diana is also older than you," Grandfather reminded him.

"Yes, Diana is older, but she's only two years older, while Caroline is five years older," Li Xu pinched his nose, looking quite helpless.

He wasn't saying Caroline was bad. In fact, she was very good, a well-bred lady, gentle and beautiful, inheriting the best traits from her parents.

But being five years older was a problem, and his mother's strong personality was another. Besides...

"Moreover, Grandfather, haven't you considered that what we're doing is already very eye-catching? We've been trying to minimize negative impacts or even cover our tracks. At this time, forming an alliance with the Kennedys..." Li Xu spread his hands, the meaning clear.

Mainly, it was John Kennedy's own fault, offending everyone. If it weren't for the younger Edward Kennedy's ability to adapt, the Kennedy family might have disappeared from politics.

"It's just a marriage, not an alliance," Grandfather raised an eyebrow. "This will greatly benefit you in the future, and the girl has a good feeling for you."

I knew it... Li Xu's lips twitched. Being with an older woman, how could that feel good? How much do you value bloodlines?

"Marrying the sister of the British princess can achieve the same effect," he took a deep breath and said, "And shouldn't our first goal be Morgan Stanley? Negotiating through the Spencer family in Britain would be more acceptable than directly using the Stanley name."

"This won't affect your personal life," Grandfather added.

"Grandfather!" Li Xu rolled his eyes, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed by his stubbornness. "In any case, we can consider it an alliance with the British royal family."

"The sister of the Crown Princess..." Grandfather snorted, clearly not taking it seriously.