1990: Starting from Baojia Street

Chapter 443: Million US Dollars

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yan sat on the sofa in the living room and thought for a while.

What Hong Ben said should be true.

Zhou Yan had heard similar news when he was in Canada before, but he didn't expect that after so much time had passed, the budget issue had not been resolved, and the conflicts within the crew had become more and more intense.

The budget of "Titanic" should be increased by another 300 to 500 million US dollars.

Fox should be able to come up with this money by tightening his belt.

But it seems that Fox doesn't want to put any more money into it. After all, they have already spent more than 100 million US dollars and the risk has already been raised.

If we invest another 300 or 500 million now, the risk factor will increase a lot.

The key is that Fox has other plans that all cost money. They can't let the company's other plans be suspended for the sake of "Titanic". They can't afford to take the risk.

After thinking for a while, Zhou Yan called Zhang Youan and asked him to inquire about the situation of "Titanic".

But just as Zhou Yang finished speaking, Zhang Youan said, "No need to ask, I know this. There was indeed a problem with the budget of Titanic. Halfway through the filming, they found that they had spent too much money. According to the current situation, even if the movie can be completed, there will be no money left for the subsequent promotion and marketing."

Zhou Yan pursed his lips. If there is no cost for publicity and promotion, it would be better not to make the movie.

For commercial films, publicity and promotion are extremely important.

"How much money do you need?"

"The news I heard is that there is a shortage of 100 million US dollars."

Zhou Yan was surprised and said, "How is it possible? Can publicity and promotion cost so much? Besides, the cost of the set design has already been spent, and the remaining cost is the post-production. With the 100 million US dollars, publicity and promotion can almost cover the cost of post-production."

Hong Ben smiled and said, "One hundred million US dollars is definitely not necessary. Fox released this news to make the negotiations easier later."

Zhou Yan clicked his tongue and said, "Aren't they afraid of scaring away all the investors?"

"The investment threshold this time is too high. Even if you don't have 100 million US dollars, you must have 30 to 50 million US dollars. Ordinary people can't get on the table."

Zhou Yan thought about it and asked, "Do we have a chance to participate?"

After receiving Zhou Yan's call and hearing Zhou Yan talk about this matter, Zhang Youan guessed that Zhou Yan might be interested in investing in "Titanic", so he was not very surprised to hear Zhou Yan ask this.

"It's difficult. Fox is also targeting the other eight major companies. There is no advantage for us to participate. Moreover, the cost is too high. I'm afraid we can't raise so much money."

Tang Chen's development in recent years has indeed been good, and Zhou Yan has helped them make a lot of money, but they cannot afford tens of millions of dollars now.

It may be a bit difficult for Tang Chen to pay out 50 million RMB now, let alone 50 million US dollars.

Otherwise, Xu Feng would have to attract investment, but it is not easy to attract an investment of 50 million US dollars.

Even if Xu Feng supported Zhou Yan, he would never do this.

To be honest, if we can really raise 50 million US dollars, wouldn’t it be safer to give the money directly to the Tang Chen Group to develop real estate?

Investing so much money in a movie is too risky.

James Cameron’s record is indeed brilliant, but this time the plate is so big that many people dare not get on board.

Zhou Yan nodded, he also understood Tomson's current situation.

"If I can get this money, what are the chances of getting on the bus?"

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Youan licked his lips and said, "If you really have the money, the possibility is about 10%. The key is to see the attitudes of the other companies. If no one else is willing to get on board, then Fox will have to find you, right? But can you really get tens of millions of dollars?"

Zhang Youan probably knew how much money Zhou Yan had on hand, and he probably couldn't raise that much money.

"Didn't we invest in The Sixth Sense before? We made a lot of money."

"That's not enough."

Zhou did make a lot of money from his investment in "The Sixth Sense", but the money he earned is still some distance away from 50 million US dollars.

Besides, even if you have enough money, you can’t put all of it in, right?
It's too dangerous to be so reckless.

But... Zhang Youan thought of the Zhou family.

He didn't know much about the Zhou family's business, but he knew a little more than most people. If the Zhou family was willing to pay at this time, they might be able to pay 50 million US dollars.

"If you have any ideas, I can help you communicate them." Zhang Youan said again.

Zhou Yan nodded and said, "Okay, go ask for me. If it's done, I'll give you a commission."

"Haha, forget about the commission. If the thing is successful, I can just give Tomson some small tasks to do in the later promotion."

"Don't worry about this. Even if it doesn't work out, Tomson will still be able to reap some benefits from the film's later promotion."

"If you say that, I feel relieved."

"Titanic" was too big a movie, and any leak of publicity in the later stages would have been enough for Tang Chen's American branch to eat up.

Tang Chen’s branch in the United States is currently unable to take on big jobs and can only take on small jobs and grow slowly.

Whether or not it makes money is secondary. The main thing is to show our face and let everyone know about Tomson’s existence.

……

After finishing his phone call with Zhang Youan, Zhou Yan also calculated the funds he had on hand.

Over the years, he has saved a lot of money, tens of millions of RMB, and this is all from his personal treasury, not including his shares in Qizi and Zhou's.

Zhou Yan did not plan to use the family's money. He wanted to pay some money himself, and then ask Zhou and Qizi to contribute some money.

Of course, even if the three companies are together, it is not easy to come up with the money.

It's easy to deal with his brother Zhou Hong, the key lies with Huo Siqi.

The money in Qizi's account has hardly been touched. Huo Siqi may not be willing to move such a large sum of money now.

……

Zhou Yan originally thought that there was no need to rush this matter and he could wait and contact Zhang Youan first.

But what Zhou Yan didn't expect was that he received a call from Zhang Youan at around eight o'clock the next morning.

Zhang Youan brought him good news, "I had a brief conversation with Fox, and they said they were willing to talk to us."

"That's good. You can continue to follow up."

"Well, they are still holding on to the figure of 100 million US dollars. I don't think they will let go of it for a while."

"What's the point of them biting on this number? If I really give them 100 million US dollars, can they spend all the money? Besides, if I pay so much money, they should give a corresponding proportion of the share."

If it really costs 100 million US dollars, Zhou Yan can't do it.

There is no way he could come up with that much money. 50 million US dollars is already the limit, and it all depends on whether Huo Siqi agrees.

"We can definitely negotiate it, it just takes some time."

"Then talk to them. If we can get the amount to less than 50 million US dollars, we can consider cooperation."

"Okay, I'll go and negotiate. You just need to coordinate the funding. As for the profit sharing and other issues, we can talk about it after the amount is determined."

"no problem."

……

Zhang Youan's call forced Zhou Yan to speed up the process of raising funds.

After hanging up the phone, he called Huo Siqi directly.

After receiving Zhou Yan's call, Huo Siqi smiled and said, "Third brother, how did you know I was back in Yanjing? I was thinking about calling you this afternoon. The second brother said he would take care of the matter you mentioned last time, so I don't need to do anything."

"Well, my brother called me." Zhou Yan pouted and complained, "Brother Siqi, you too, I just called you and you turned around and told my brother." Huo Siqi said with a smile, "Why are you two brothers so distant? If I don't call him and tell him what happened, he might blame me when he knows about it."

"You just want to protect yourself."

"Of course not." Huo Siqi laughed and asked, "Since I'm no longer needed for the electronics factory, why are you calling me now? Do you want to treat me to a drink?"

"Yes, do you have time to have lunch together at noon?"

"Let's drink at noon...Okay, tell me a place."

"Come to my house."

"No problem, see you at noon."

……

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yan first called the restaurant next door to order a table of food, and then went to the study to work.

At eleven o'clock, the doorbell rang and Zhou Yan got up to open the door.

Huo Siqi stood outside the door, holding a thick cardboard box in his hand.

As soon as the door opened, Huo Siqi raised the paper box in his hand and said, "Brother brought you something good."

"what is this?"

There are no labels on the outside of this paper box, so you can't tell what's inside.

"liquor."

"What kind of wine do you need to bring specially? Are you afraid that I don't have any wine at home?"

Zhou Yan doesn't drink much, but he has a lot of wine stored at home, especially Moutai, and he has most vintages.

This year, Zhou Yan invited Huo Siqi to dinner, and he was ready to open a bottle of ten-year-old Moutai.

"You only have Maotai at home, which is boring to drink. Let's drink something special today."

Seeing Huo Siqi's mysterious look, Zhou Yan became interested.

After the two entered the living room, Huo Siqi put the box on the table, then opened it to reveal two bottles of wine inside.

These two bottles of wine look ordinary, just ordinary large glass bottles.

It has a red lid and a large label on the bottle with two large golden characters on it: Dongjiu.

"What's so special about this wine?"

Zhou Yan doesn't know much about wine. All he knows are a few famous wines.

Apart from Mao Wu Jian, he knew very little about other wines.

"There are not many 81-vintage Dongs left on the market."

Zhou Yan nodded. It was quite old and quite rare.

Since it was brought by Huo Siqi, Zhou Yan thought it should taste good.

"I've already had them deliver the food. It will be here in a few minutes."

"Before the food arrives, let's have a drink first. Find me two cups."

"Do you want to drink now? Don't wait for the food to come?"

"Well, after eating the food, the wine tastes different. While your tongue is clean, try the quality of the wine."

Huo Siqi drank very properly. After opening the bottle of wine, he poured two glasses first, then picked up the glass and swirled the wine foam and smelled the wine.

After smelling the wine, he nodded and said, "Well, the wine is in good condition. You are very lucky."

Then he took another sip, and he looked as if he had ascended to heaven, with a look of satisfaction on his face, "This is the taste, no doubt. If you ask me, Moutai and Wuliangye are not as good as Dongjiu. Third brother, you should try it too."

After hearing what Huo Siqi said, Zhou Yan also became interested. Is this wine so delicious?

Out of curiosity, Zhou Yan picked up the other glass of wine. He shook the wine like Huo Siqi did, and then smelled it.

It wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't smelled it, but when he smelled it, he almost vomited.

"What's that smell?"

Seeing Zhou Yan frowning, Huo Siqi laughed, "Is it different from other wines?"

Zhou Yan looked skeptical, "Is this really wine?"

He had never smelled this kind of alcohol before. It was a bit smelly and fishy. It felt like he had walked into a slaughterhouse in the middle of summer, with the smell of livestock blood and hair.

"Take a sip and try it."

If Huo Siqi had not already had a sip, Zhou Yan would never have tried it. Since Huo Siqi had already had a sip, it at least meant that there was no problem, so he gritted his teeth and took a sip.

The fishy smell was much weaker when he drank it, but it was still there. Besides the fishy smell, there was also a bit of Chinese medicine taste. As for what kind of Chinese medicine it was, he couldn't tell.

"This wine tastes so weird..."

Zhou Yan missed Moutai a little bit. Drinking this wine was totally like torture.

He looked up and down at Huo Siqi, whose face was filled with excitement, and was secretly amazed. He didn't expect that this guy had such a unique taste.

Seeing Zhou Yan's disgusted expression, Huo Siqi smiled and said, "You asked what's so special about this wine, brother will tell you, this wine can enhance male sexual function."

"Can it enhance sexual performance?"

"Well, there used to be a lot of rare animals in Dongjiu. But a few years ago, the Animal and Plant Protection Act was passed, and these things were banned. In other words, there are no such things in Dongjiu now."

"Oh, I see."

Zhou Yan couldn't help but pick up the wine glass and take another sip. It wasn't because it could enhance sexual performance, but because the wine was already opened and he felt that it couldn't be wasted...

The food was served quickly, and the two began to drink together. With the food, Zhou Yan felt that the Dongjiu was not as hard to swallow as before.

Apart from anything else, this wine does have a rich taste.

When the bottle of wine was almost empty, Huo Siqi took the initiative to speak, "Third brother, tell me, what do you want to talk about when you asked me to drink today?"

"I can't buy you a drink if I'm fine?"

"It's okay. You can't ask me to drink at noon. Don't beat around the bush with me. Just tell me what you want to say."

Zhou Yan nodded, and said directly without beating around the bush, "There are some budget issues with Titanic. I plan to invest some money in it, but I don't have enough money on hand, so..."

"So you want Qizhi to participate, or do you want to invest with your dividends?"

"Even if I take out my personal dividend, it may not be enough."

"So much money?" Huo Siqi asked in surprise, "Don't you know how much money Qizhi has in his account? If there is a dividend, you may get a lot."

Zhou Yan stretched out five fingers.

"Oh, fifty million." Huo Siqi smiled. "It's indeed a lot, but your dividends can cover it. We have more than two million in our account now..."

"I mean fifty million dollars."

The smile on Huo Siqi's face suddenly froze.

He originally wanted to say that Qizi had more than 200 million in his account, so there would be no pressure to take out 50 million. He didn't expect Zhou Yan to actually say 50 million US dollars.

Even if all the more than 200 million in Qizi's account were exchanged, it would not be able to be exchanged for 50 million US dollars. Moreover, it is not easy to exchange such a large amount of money into US dollars.

(End of this chapter)