Chapter 93

He Zuo Zhi was born in 1918, the illegitimate son of He Dong, Hong Kong's first billionaire. He Dong, also known as He Qi Dong, had a father who was a wealthy Dutch-Jewish businessman named Charles Henry Morris Bosman, whose Chinese name was He Shi Wen.

There's more to the story, but in short, he was a member of the prominent He family in Hong Kong and Macau. By seniority, the current gambling king of Macau would have to call him uncle, even though they were only a few years apart.

He Zuo Zhi ran many businesses, including the distribution of foreign liquor, cameras, and household appliances. He also operated a radio station in Macau, and the establishment of Hong Kong Commercial Radio was largely due to his efforts.

Later, he founded both Capital Radio and Capital Television.

Although Capital Television went bankrupt two years after its launch, there were many reasons for this, including various constraints, internal conflicts, and poor management decisions. The failure of this third free-to-air TV station had little to do with He Zuo Zhi's management.

In fact, when Capital Television went bankrupt and couldn't pay severance, it was He Zuo Zhi who provided the funds, even though he had already sold his shares and had no connection to the station.

He Zuo Zhi didn't say much, mostly just some formalities, such as the new management team being united and everyone working together to develop the station further.

After he finished speaking, it was Huang Xizhao's turn to represent the management team, followed by brief speeches from the various directors. The first meeting after the change of ownership ended there.

Of course, that wasn't all. After the meeting, Huang Xizhao, Mai Dangxiong, and other core executives stayed in the meeting room.

"Alright, you are all the pillars of the station. Do you have any suggestions or comments on my requirements?" Li Xu asked with a smile.

They looked at each other, none of them speaking. Finally, He Zuo Zhi said, "Ah Xu, you said you wouldn't interfere with operations, but then you said you want to be involved in TV dramas. They must find this contradictory."

"Alright, let me explain in more detail," Li Xu said calmly. "First, I said I wouldn't interfere, and I won't. Administrative and personnel matters are your responsibility. I said I would leave the profits, and I will. I will also set aside a portion for bonuses. In other words, the higher the station's profits, the higher your bonuses."

They exchanged glances, some disbelieving, others eager.

"I'll say it again, I don't care about the money. I only care if the TV dramas I want to produce are made," Li Xu continued. "As for the specifics, talking is less effective than doing. Please have Manager Huang find a free and skilled writer to come to my office. Also, have you heard of the British show 'Britain's Got Talent'? Perhaps you can send someone to investigate, and I will send someone as well. We can then discuss the results."

The executives exchanged glances again, and Huang Xizhao spoke up, "I remember, Mr. Li, you said you would fund the TV dramas yourself."

"Yes, if you don't want to take the risk, I will," Li Xu nodded.

"Then... how will the profits be divided?" Huang Xizhao's mouth twitched.

The separation of production and broadcasting was not common in this era. TV stations produced their own dramas and rarely bought from other companies. However, this owner funding the production himself, bypassing the company's finances, and then airing it on the station... what was this?

"I will have my lawyer and accountant discuss a fair ratio with you," Li Xu smiled. "I don't care about the money, but I'm not a philanthropist, and I can't break the rules."

"What if the ratings are poor?" someone asked in a low voice. It was Mai Dangxiong.

"Then we can move it to a late-night slot," Li Xu shrugged. "As long as it airs, that's fine."

"What if the ratings are zero?" Mai Dangxiong continued provocatively. He was a troublemaker, and it was fitting for him to play the bad cop.

"Impossible to be zero," Li Xu raised an eyebrow. "I know what you're thinking. No matter what time slot you put it in, even if it's on the chopping block, it must be aired. As a supervisor and major shareholder, I have that privilege."

Huang Xizhao and the others were speechless. What about not breaking the rules? Rich people are the worst.

"I have another question," Mai Dangxiong said. "Is it true what Mr. Li said about the film fund?"

"Of course, it's true," Li Xu raised an eyebrow. "And it's not just for internal use; it's also open to external applicants. However, internal staff have priority. With your record, Mr. Mai, I think applying for 5 million Hong Kong dollars should be no problem."

There was a noticeable intake of breath. Several people's mouths twitched. 5 million Hong Kong dollars was almost the top budget, and the highest box office last year barely broke 10 million. Rich people were indeed the worst.

"Of course, if the film doesn't make a profit, the rating will be downgraded, and you won't get as much next time," Li Xu continued. "I mentioned earlier that I would have a mathematician create a sophisticated model to evaluate your performance."

He paused to let them digest this, then continued, "Is there anything else? If not, that's it. Changes to the station's logo and other matters, I have already discussed with Uncle He, and he will discuss them with you."

He paused again, then emphasized, "Uncle He is here to help manage the station. I hope you will support him and not make his job difficult."

"No need for that, we are all familiar. Manager Huang has been the general manager of the station for several years. I should rely on him," He Zuo Zhi said, adopting a friendly demeanor.

"Of course, Uncle He, when you founded the radio station, we were not even in the industry," Huang Xizhao immediately lowered his stance, and even Mai Dangxiong did the same.

After more polite exchanges, Huang Xizhao and the others left, leaving Li Xu and He Zuo Zhi alone in the large meeting room.

"You were a bit harsh earlier, Ah Xu," He Zuo Zhi said.

"No problem, I won't be staying in Hong Kong often, and I only like TV dramas and films. I might as well play the bad cop for you," Li Xu smiled.

"Thank you," He Zuo Zhi patted his shoulder. "I will take good care of the station."

"Thank you, Uncle He," Li Xu nodded.

Not interfering with the station's operations doesn't mean giving up control. Li Xu had no interest in management and wouldn't stay in Hong Kong for long. Therefore, finding a suitable person to serve as the board chairman while retaining the entire management team was necessary.

First, this person must have experience running a TV station; second, they must be capable and resourceful; third, they must not have a strong base of power, meaning their authority should come from Li Xu, the major shareholder.

Initially, he had his eye on Zhou Liang Shuyi. She had worked as a teacher and actress at the Royal Academy of Music in the UK and for TVB, and was one of the "Six Gentlemen of Capital Television." She had experience, capability, and resourcefulness.

Being a woman, if she joined the station, she would likely fully support Li Xu and not collude with the old guard.

However, upon contacting her, he found out she was already a member of the Legislative Council, so he had to find someone else. After much consideration, he chose He Zuo Zhi.

As mentioned, He Zuo Zhi founded the Macau Green Village Radio, Hong Kong Commercial Radio, and Capital Television. He had experience, capability, and resourcefulness. Despite his friendly demeanor and his self-funding of employee severance when Capital Television went bankrupt, he was not a saint.

Honestly, throughout history, which great philanthropist didn't start with exploitation?

Additionally, his grandfather was Dutch-Jewish, and the He family were mixed-race. He himself graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and had ties to the Li family.

Moreover, the first two radio stations he founded were still thriving, but his beloved Capital Television, which he founded, went bankrupt after just two years, and he was heavily constrained. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sold all his shares a year later.

It was impossible for He Zuo Zhi to be content with this. After finding a connection, he agreed to Li Xu's request, eager for a new challenge.

"Hong Kong..." Back in his office, Li Xu stood by the window, hands in his pockets, looking at the view outside.

After more than a year of preparation and calculation, he had finally made his move. He was looking forward to the future development.

Of course, he knew that even after his strong statements at the meeting, some people would still act on their own.

It was normal. Greed can cloud judgment. The British companies knew his background, and the upper echelons of the Hong Kong companies would soon find out, but these people didn't. They only knew he was young and rich, had connections with the He family, and could get He Zuo Zhi to serve as the board chairman. They thought he would just provide the money and leave everything to them, since he wasn't short of money, right?

Li Xu didn't mind. If they didn't want to die, they shouldn't court death. He had already made his stance clear, and they couldn't blame him later. Besides, in a place not his own, it was necessary to set an example.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and two men in their thirties entered.

"Hello, Mr. Li," they said nervously.

"I am Shen Zhiming, a writer at the station," the older one introduced himself.

"I am Huang Weiguo, also a writer at the station," the younger one followed.

"Hello, Mr. Shen, Mr. Huang," Li Xu smiled. "Please sit down."

He walked to his desk, picked up a file, and handed it to the two men who had sat down. "Manager Huang should have told you, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Li," Shen Zhiming nodded as he took the file.

"Good," Li Xu smiled. "The outline and character settings are here. It's 20 episodes, and you have five days to complete it."

"20 episodes? Five days?!" Shen Zhiming's eyes widened.

"Four times the salary," Li Xu said directly.