Chapter 55: Hua Rui Entertainment
Bai Xian Manor was primarily a farm, with ancient-style buildings scattered across the vast farmland.
In a sour mood, Gu Wanrong took a quick tour of the manor, returning to the gate to park.
Manager Shi approached and stood outside the car.
“My housekeeper, Tong Shenliu, will arrive in two days to take over. A private area will be designated for me. Everything will be under her purview,” Gu Wanrong instructed in a flat tone.
“Understood, Ms. Gu,” Manager Shi replied respectfully.
“Let’s go,” Gu Wanrong instructed the driver, rolling up the window.
The security incident showed the manor’s management was chaotic, especially Manager Shi, whose attitude was fine, but his competence was lacking.
But Gu Wanrong didn’t want to solve these problems herself. She was too soft-hearted. She’d let Tong Shenliu handle it when she arrived.
Tong Shenliu, Tong Shenqi, and Tong Shenba would be arriving later than Tong Shenyi and Tong Shenwu. They needed time to bring their teams to China.
Tong Shenliu, a housekeeper, would bring ten staff members to serve Gu Wanrong.
Tong Shenba, a bodyguard, would bring six trained colleagues for Gu Wanrong’s protection.
Tong Shenqi, who owned a private jewelry workshop in England, would arrive after her team was ready to take over Fu Zhenzhu Bao.
Gu Wanrong had planned to spend more time at Bai Xian Manor, but she decided to change her schedule.
“Go to Jinghai International.”
…
When Gu Wanrong arrived, the property manager of Zhongxing International was already waiting. She signed a contract until the end of the year and went to her next destination.
“Zhongxing International.”
In the car, Gu Wanrong called Tong Shenwu, “Have you recruited Wu Yongzheng, Gao Zhimei, Liu Lan, and Ma Yuanzhi from Hua Rui Entertainment?”
“Only Liu Lan has joined Yi Shang,” Tong Shenwu replied. Three days after the assignment, Guan Chun had recruited Liu Lan. It had been eight days, and the others hadn’t joined yet.
“Details?”
Guan Chun had obtained the contacts of the four employees on the first day, informing them of Yi Shang’s negative outlook on the potential success of Under the Phoenix Throne and scheduling a meeting the following day.
The next day, Guan Chun met with each of them.
She told Wu Yongzheng and Gao Zhimei that if Under the Phoenix Throne failed, they would be blamed and encouraged them to join Yi Shang, emphasizing its focus on content creation to avoid similar issues.
To Ma Yuanzhi, she highlighted Yi Shang’s fair and open environment, opposing underhanded tactics for resources. They could offer him the largest platform in China, access to domestic and international fashion resources, and potential Hollywood opportunities.
She didn’t need to persuade Liu Lan much; she knew Liu Lan would follow Gao Zhimei to Yi Shang.
The four employees were tempted, but leaving Hua Rui wasn’t easy. Wu Yongzheng, Gao Zhimei, and Ma Yuanzhi had worked there for years, creating successful projects. Hua Rui might not let them go easily.
If they forcefully terminated their contracts, they couldn’t withstand the blow from Hua Rui, one of the three giants in the Chinese entertainment industry. They didn’t believe the newly established Yi Shang could protect them.
Liu Lan, however, only had one hit drama as a lead screenwriter, and Hua Rui had many similar screenwriters. Gao Zhimei had advised her to go to Yi Shang, which offered better conditions.
Therefore, Guan Chun was still trying to convince the other three.
Gu Wanrong understood that Yi Shang’s current offer wasn’t attractive enough for Wu Yongzheng and the others to risk leaving, and Hua Rui wouldn’t let them go.
If they could work with Hua Rui’s upper management, Yi Shang could sign them.
“I’m going to Zhongxing International; I’ll try negotiating with Hua Rui’s CEO,” Gu Wanrong decided.
“Guan Chun is staying at a hotel near Zhongxing International. It’ll be easier with her,” Tong Shenwu suggested.
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
Gu Wanrong agreed, adding Guan Chun as a contact.
She sent Guan Chun Li Zongcai’s contact information (obtained from the World Person Information Database).
Gu Wanrong: Li Zongcai’s contact information xxxxxxxxxxx.
Gu Wanrong: Arrange a meeting with Li Zongcai. Tell him I’m the owner of Zhongxing International.
Guan Chun: Okay, Ms. Gu.
Gu Wanrong then reviewed Li Zongcai’s profile in the database, seeking ways to recruit Wu Yongzheng and the others.
…
Outside Zhongxing International, the property manager chatted with Guan Chun, hoping to learn about the new owner.
Guan Chun didn’t know much about Gu Wanrong, anxiously awaiting her arrival.
Screech
A luxury car stopped. Gu Wanrong, in a simple dress, gracefully stepped out.
Guan Chun and the property manager were momentarily stunned before rushing to greet her.
In Hua Rui Entertainment’s office, Li Zongcai, who hadn’t taken a holiday, sat opposite Gu Wanrong. He had been CEO for sixteen years, having risen to power and now facing a decline. He craved power again.
“Ms. Gu, what brings you here?” Li Zongcai wondered why the owner of Zhongxing International would seek him out.
“I’m here to discuss taking Wu Yongzheng, Gao Zhimei, and Ma Yuanzhi,” Gu Wanrong stated directly. She lacked negotiation experience but knew Li Zongcai’s needs.
“Them?” Li Zongcai recalled reports of a company contacting his employees. “What’s your relationship with Yi Shang Entertainment?”
“I’m a director of Yi Shang. You already know we’re contacting them,” Gu Wanrong said.
“You’ve already taken a screenwriter. Why pursue others? We’re not letting Wu Yongzheng and the others go,” Li Zongcai refused directly. He’d invested heavily in Under the Phoenix Throne and couldn’t let the main crew leave before its release.
“I understand your concern. How about a 20% increase in publicity on Douyin in exchange?” Gu Wanrong offered.
“No. Under the Phoenix Throne already has significant buzz,” Li Zongcai said, though he was tempted. But that wasn’t enough to let them go.
“Second, two years of free rent,” Gu Wanrong offered, mentioning Hua Rui’s five floors in Zhongxing International.
“That…” Li Zongcai hesitated, tempted. Wu Yongzheng and Gao Zhimei generated significant profit.
Wu Yongzheng only worked on projects he loved; Gao Zhimei was exceptionally slow, taking as much time to write one script as others took to write several.
“How about a global endorsement deal with Fu Zhenzhu Bao for your top-tier artists?” Fu Zhenzhu Bao was a prestigious brand, popular among the wealthy. Fashion resources were Hua Rui’s weakness.
“Not enough,” Li Zongcai still disagreed. He saw Gu Wanrong offering these resources easily, hoping to get more.
“If you’re unwilling to negotiate, then forget it,” Gu Wanrong said. The resources she’d prepared were more than enough to convince Li Zongcai, but he was greedy.