Chapter 59

At the signing site, the journalists were all stunned by Wu Cheng's series of actions.

Originally, they had been invited here with some confusion, but after the boss of Lisheng Cinema Chain signed the contract with Wu Cheng, they finally reacted. In the next moment, their minds suddenly exploded, feeling that the Hong Kong film industry was about to change. They all drew in cold breaths, yet were also extremely excited.

When Wu Cheng announced that Cen Jianxun would be the general manager of the cinema chain, all the journalists began to ask questions about Wu Cheng and the boss of Lisheng.

"Mr. Wu, does Donglong International taking over Lisheng Cinema Chain mean you plan to challenge Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers? Aren't you afraid that Mr. Zou and Mr. Shaw will join forces to suppress you?"

"Mr. Wu, does Donglong International's acquisition of Lisheng Cinema Chain indicate that Donglong International is ready to face the joint attack of Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers? What gives you such confidence?"

"Mr. Wu, can you reveal how much you spent to acquire Lisheng Cinema Chain? What makes you so confident? Aren't you afraid of losing money on the cinema chain?"

"Mr. Wu..."

Wu Cheng tapped the table and said coldly, "It's not time for questions yet. Please be quiet for a moment. I will speak first, and then you can ask your questions one by one!"

Wu Cheng's expression reminded many journalists of the 'Zui Yi' film opening ceremony last month. For a moment, many journalists closed their mouths. Those who didn't know when to shut up were directly escorted out by security, once again suffering the consequences of offending Wu Cheng.

As a result, Wu Cheng became a tyrannical and arrogant figure in the eyes of the journalists.

"Donglong International taking over Lisheng Cinema Chain is not to challenge anyone. Those who want to sow discord between me and Mr. Zou and Mr. Shaw should open their eyes wide," Wu Cheng's expression was somewhat playful, and he concluded seriously, "Donglong International wants to grow and develop. Besides producing our own films, we naturally need our own cinema chain. Lisheng Cinema Chain is our best choice."

He paused and continued, "We welcome all independent cinema chains to join Feilong Cinema Chain. We also welcome other film companies to screen their films in Feilong Cinema Chain. Here, I announce that Feilong Cinema Chain will abolish the cinema chain bottom-line system and implement a film-sharing system. Of course, all films screened must pass the strict review of our film acquisition department before they can be shown. Whether to extend or reduce screenings will be determined by the market. This is my promise!"

Boom—

Wu Cheng's words were like a thunderclap, echoing over Hong Kong.

Of course, this was a metaphor. Although it wasn't that exaggerated, in the eyes of many people, it was no less significant. After all, the cinema chain bottom-line system was created for the benefit of the cinema chains.

Abolishing this system meant that whether a film made a profit or a loss at the cinema had nothing to do with the production company. The production company only needed to provide the film.

What could Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest do about this? Apart from abolishing the system themselves, what else could they do?

Shaw Brothers was better off, as they mostly produced and distributed their own films, so they didn't worry about a lack of film sources. But Golden Harvest was different! The films they produced themselves were far from enough to meet the needs of their own cinema chain. This was like digging the foundation of Golden Harvest's cinema chain, and it was no wonder Zou Wenhui wanted to fight Wu Cheng to the death!

That night, the news spread throughout Hong Kong. By the next day, almost everyone who read the newspaper knew about it.

Independent filmmakers celebrated, seeing it as a blessing. However, large companies like Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers cursed.

Shaw Brothers was relatively calm, as Mr. Shaw was very composed. He even had the mood to think about how Wu Cheng, the little monkey, would deal with Zou Wenhui, the traitor.

He loved watching the fight from the sidelines!

In recent years, his struggle with Zou Wenhui had been very difficult for Shaw Brothers. Now, with the sudden appearance of an ally, he was naturally more pleased.

However, his concubine, Fang Yihua, felt that Wu Cheng was actually quite dangerous, and his existence was not a good thing for Shaw Brothers!

Could Mr. Shaw not think of this? Of course not, but he was a bit hesitant, as their main focus was on TVB.

Moreover, his relationship with Wu Cheng was still good, and as a senior, he naturally didn't want to suppress the younger generation and prevent them from rising.

As many people had guessed, Zou Wenhui was indeed furious!

Many of the high-end decorations in his office were destroyed by his hands. If it weren't for his lover and a few close friends stopping him, he might have gone to fight Wu Cheng to the death.

"This little bastard, I knew he was an ungrateful wolf, digging our foundation. The people of Lisheng are no good either, stabbing me in the back!"

He Guanchang shook his head and sighed, "We already knew that the Wu boy was not a peaceful person, but no one expected him to move so quickly. There's no need to be angry. He doesn't owe us anything, and how he acts is his freedom!"

Cai Yongchang shouted, "How can we not blame him? Taking over Lisheng Cinema Chain is his freedom, but the problem is that he disregarded industry rules and abolished the bottom-line system. Isn't this digging the foundation under our feet? How can we accept films from other companies in the future?"

"That's true, and Lisheng Cinema Chain sold the chain without a word. They had a cooperation agreement with us, and we can sue them for breach of contract..."

He Guanchang laughed bitterly, "How can we sue them? It's true that they had a cooperation agreement with us, but they only sold the chain, not stopped cooperating with us. Legally, can we stand our ground? Now, it's a bit tricky. Should we terminate our cooperation with them or continue? If we terminate, we're afraid they will turn around and bite us."

He sighed, "In the end, we underestimated Wu Cheng. Who would have thought that after just one film, he would have the courage to directly take out 40 million to acquire Lisheng Cinema Chain! I'm curious, where did he get so much money!"

Zou Wenhui took a few deep breaths, dispelling his frustration, and said, "There's nothing strange about this. His uncle, Wu Mingquan, is only a third-rate tycoon in Hong Kong, but even a third-rate tycoon is still a tycoon. Lending him a few million is not a big deal. Now, the important thing is not this, but to give this kid a lesson."

Zou Wenhui sneered, regaining his entertainment mogul's aura, and slammed the table, "From now on, terminate all cooperation with Lisheng Cinema Chain. Release the news that all film companies that have contacted Lisheng—no, now Feilong Cinema Chain—will not have their films screened by us. I want to see how many are willing to take this risk. Also, find out when their film 'The Jack-of-All-Trades' will be released. I will use 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels' to counter it, making that kid suffer and giving them a good lesson!"

Everyone drew in cold breaths. When a mogul who could rival Mr. Shaw got serious, they realized how intense and terrifying his aura was!

At the same time, they wondered: How will Wu Cheng respond to this Golden Harvest counterattack?

When Wu Cheng heard that Golden Harvest would not cooperate with film companies that had contacted Feilong Cinema Chain, he laughed, "Mr. Zou only has this much tolerance. Sigh, a bit disappointing!"

Cen Jianxun was speechless and laughed bitterly, "Boss, this is a critical moment, and you're still laughing? Golden Harvest releasing such a statement means they want to pick the best films first and leave the worst for us. If this continues, our cinema chain won't be able to sustain itself!"

Hong Jinbao also frowned, "Moreover, I believe Golden Harvest will also try to counter our main film, 'The Jack-of-All-Trades,' and it's likely to be the film you gave them."

Wu Cheng's eyebrows twitched. Others might not know how strong 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels' was, but Wu Cheng knew very well. If Golden Harvest really had this intention, the result was predictable: 'The Jack-of-All-Trades' would definitely win.

Would Golden Harvest think this way?

Wu Cheng thought, if he were in their shoes, he would do the same!

But was this a problem? 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels' was written by him!

Wu Cheng thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and comforted, "Actually, even if this happens, it's not a big deal. 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels' and 'The Jack-of-All-Trades' are different genres, and they are both scripts I wrote. If we highlight me as the screenwriter in our promotion, we might even be able to ride the wave of 'Half a Catty'!"

"This... this is too risky!" Hong Jinbao and Cen Jianxun smiled bitterly.

"Riches come with risks! Besides this, what else can we do? Who knew Mr. Zou would be so petty! He clearly wants me to fight myself. Moreover, he thinks 'Half a Catty' will definitely beat 'The Jack-of-All-Trades,' and if he wins, he will definitely be furious!"

Wu Cheng paused and continued, "I estimate 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels' has already been completed and is in post-production. Notify all departments to have a high-level meeting in an hour!"

At this moment, Wu Cheng's secretary, Wang Wenxi, knocked and entered, "Boss, the owners of the original Lisheng Cinema Chain's affiliated theaters are here. Do you want to see them?"

Hong Jinbao and Cen Jianxun exchanged glances, both feeling that the visitors were not friendly.

"It seems these people have been scared by Zou Wenhui's aura!" Wu Cheng chuckled, stood up, and buttoned his suit, smiling, "No choice, I have to comfort them first! Brother Sanmao, Ah Xun, come with me! By the way, Wenxi, notify all department heads to gather in the small screening room in an hour!"

"Okay, boss!"