Eight fifty.
Knowing nothing about the meeting taking place in another company, Mu Suxing sat in the back seat of the car, still thinking about the script of "Mulan" in his mind.
The "Script Analysis Room" produced by the system is indeed reliable, but just as 013 said, the analysis room only points out mistakes and does not give any answers. How to write the script and in which direction to improve it, these have to be slowly explored by Muxuxing himself step by step. And the best version he wrote these days only received a "b" evaluation from the system.
In which direction should we improve
While he lowered his eyes in deep thought, the car stopped silently. Du Yutang, who served as both assistant and driver, was the first to push the door down from the driver's seat, and then respectfully opened the door for him.
Mu Suxing nodded slightly, got out from the back seat, and looked towards his destination.
Facing the cold morning sun, the imposing high-rise building halfway into the clouds looks even colder and more inviolable. The huge vertical sign on the railing on the second floor is clearly visible.
Baiyun Culture Co., Ltd.
For fans of Blue Star ACG culture, this name is well-known. As the largest and most stable comic magazine on Blue Star, Baiyun Comics' weekly sales volume has always been among the top three in the magazine sales rankings. It is one of the three most famous book publishers on Blue Star.
The sales of its comic weekly "Baiyun Comics" have remained stable at over 2 million.
Not only that, Baiyun Culture maintains good cooperative relations with many animation, film and television and even game companies. Its popular comics are often adapted into various genres such as animation, film and television and games, making it a leader in the ACG field.
The purpose of Mu Suxing's trip was to discuss cooperation with Baiyun Culture.
"… Wedding, wedding, another wedding! The last time he delayed his manuscript was because he was attending a wedding, and this time he delayed his manuscript again because he was attending a wedding. How many brothers does he have? Why does he have to attend so many weddings throughout the year? I'm just leaving it at that. Anyway, he has to hand in his manuscript by 8 o'clock tomorrow night at the latest, whether he wants to or not!"
The front desk assistant had just led Mu Suxing to the door when an angry voice came through the half-open door. Mu Suxing raised his eyebrows, but the female assistant in front looked normal, obviously used to all this.
"Editor-in-chief, Mr. Mu is here."
The female assistant reminded the editor, and when the editor nodded, she bowed slightly and turned away.
Before Mu Suxing could speak, someone else poked his head out and said, "Editor-in-Chief Jing, this setting is really not what you think. To me, it is the soul of this comic. If you change this setting, my comic will be meaningless..."
"Then make it meaningless!" The middle-aged man called the editor-in-chief waved his hand and said impatiently: "Or you can ignore the opinions given by our editorial department and follow your great idea. If you are the last in the readers' vote for three consecutive issues, you will be eliminated!"
The young man was speechless after being yelled at, and had to walk away in anger.
Silence.
As the huge office returned to silence, the editor-in-chief remembered that there was a guest in the room.
The man's anger subsided, and his face, which was dominated by anger a few seconds ago, was now replaced with a helpless smile: "Sorry, Mr. Mu, I made you laugh."
Muxuxing smiled and shook his head: "Nothing."
The person in charge of receiving Mu Suxing at Baiyun Culture was Jing Huahao, the editor-in-chief of Baiyun Comics.
Jing Huahao was naturally very happy about the arrival of Huaying Animation.
Although Baiyun Comics has no shortage of partners for its comics, Huaying Animation is, after all, the most popular and profitable company in the animation industry in recent years. The animation adaptation rights have to be sold anyway. Of course, it would be best if they could be sold to a company like Huaying Animation, which has guaranteed production standards.
Without any outside interference, the two quickly got straight to the point:
"Which comic book did you take a fancy to, Mr. Mu?" Jing Huahao greeted him while recalling the popular comic books in his own comic magazine: "Is it "Above the Sky" or "Urban Tales"? Or do you want to take a look at "The Deer Spirit Song"? Although this comic book has only started serialization this year, its popularity is no less than its predecessor. It is the new work with the most potential that we are optimistic about..."
"I want the rights to adapt "Night Watch" into an animation. I wonder if the rights to adapt this comic are still available?" asked Mu Suxing.
Jing Huahao was slightly stunned, obviously a little surprised: "Yes, yes, but..."
Mu Suxing was actually asking a question even though he already knew the answer.
"Baiyun Comics" has a special rule: any work that ranks last in the readers' popularity vote for three consecutive issues will be cut short by the magazine. Although "Night Watchmen" has not been cut short yet, it has always been ranked firmly in the bottom three, so it will not be far from being cut short.
As a completely flopped comic, its only difference from other flopped comics may be that the author of this comic is a veteran cartoonist who has created popular works.
However, the market is ultimately ruthless. No matter whether you are a newcomer or a veteran, you will be treated the same under the cruel voting system of "Baiyun Comics". In order to save popularity, the cartoonist of "Night Watch" has also made considerable efforts, including selling sex. Unfortunately, even so, "Night Watch" has never been able to escape the curse of the bottom three.
Even if a comic like this is adapted into an animation, I'm afraid no one would be willing to read it, right
Jing Huahao didn't say it explicitly, but his expression clearly showed that.
"Teacher Meng Zhiyuan is one of my favorite cartoonists, and "Night Watchmen" is also my favorite. If I could have the opportunity to work with Teacher Meng Zhiyuan, it would of course be great." Mu Suxing said with a smile.
What he said was not false.
Meng Zhiyuan was indeed one of his favorite cartoonists, and "Night Watch" was also one of his favorite comics in his previous life. However, as the boss of Huaying, he certainly could not make a decision based solely on personal preference. The reason he chose "Night Watch" was also based on market considerations.
The first part of the comic "Night Watch" was quite ordinary, but starting from the second part, the popularity of this comic has exploded. From an ordinary comic, it has entered the threshold of Blue Star's classic comics!
For Mu Xiuxing, purchasing the animation adaptation rights for this comic was not just a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Indeed, with the vast comic resources in the system mall, he had no problem finding the right animation script, but for Huaying, relying solely on the resources in the system mall was obviously not enough. In the past, Huaying had no choice, but now that Huaying was already among the top animation companies, it was natural to consider other sources.
Not only that, the scale of Huaying should also be further expanded.
It would be fine for ordinary animations, but for long series like "Naruto" and "One Piece", once they are serialized, it will take at least ten years. The problem is that Muxiuxing cannot have that many decades, and Huaying, as an animation company that has become stable in all aspects, cannot produce only one animation at a time.
Under such circumstances, double-line and triple-line production is imperative.
The negotiations for the animation copyright of "Night Watch" did not take Mu Xiuxing too much time.
Although he was surprised by Yu Huaying Animation's choice, Jing Huahao had no reason to push away the God of Wealth who had come to his doorstep. The talks between the two parties went very smoothly. Although they did not sign the contract directly, they were only a few steps away from the final signing of the contract. As long as the legal departments of both companies made the final confirmation, the cooperation between the two parties would be officially reached.
With a relaxed mood, Mu Suxing happily walked out of the Baiyun Comics office building.
When he came out, Du Yutang was already waiting there. Mu Suxing walked towards the car, thinking whether to go to the company or go home. At this time, his cell phone suddenly rang.
"Hello, is this Mr. Musu Xingmu? I am Fei Qirui, the executive president of the Yunsu Group branch. I wonder if I may have the honor of inviting Mr. Mu to lunch?"
Cloud speed
What do they want with him
Mu Suxing frowned slightly and said, "I'm sorry, all external matters of Huaying Animation are handled by President Mu. If your company has important matters to discuss, please contact President Mu separately."
President Yunsu on the other side was very persistent: "Please believe my sincerity, Mr. Mu, I plan to discuss this decision with your company, I am afraid only you can make the decision."
He spoke politely and seemed to be quite sincere, but Muxuxing felt a little uncomfortable, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It just so happened that he didn't have anything important to deal with at the moment, and the script of "Mulan" was not urgent, so he simply asked, "Location?"
—
Eleven forty, Hanlixuan.
Sunlight refracts into a corner of the sky restaurant through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls are covered with plain iris wallpaper and the marble floor is shiny. In the huge restaurant covering an area of 7,000 square meters, even the common tables and chairs are made of expensive wood.
Led by the waiter, Mu Suxing went directly to the private room near the back.
The waiter walking in front knocked on the door gently, and after waiting for a response from inside, he opened it, bowed slightly, and made a gesture of invitation.
When Mu Suxing entered, a middle-aged man in a suit and tie was already sitting there.
Seeing Mu Suxing coming in, Fei Qirui had no intention of getting straight to the point. He stretched out his hand and pushed the menu in front of Mu Suxing, saying politely, "Please."
Mu Suxing didn't bother to be polite with him—after all, Huaying couldn't possibly ask Yunsu for anything.
The meal ended in a strange atmosphere with one of them harboring ulterior motives while the other acted as if nothing had happened.
After lunch, there was dessert. Mu Xuxing was really impressed by the original desserts of this imaginative restaurant. He took two bites and threw it aside, then slowly began to sip the black tea brought by the waiter.
Seeing that Mu Suxing seemed to really treat "lunch together" as "lunch together", Fei Qirui over there finally couldn't sit still. He stared at Mu Suxing who was concentrating on drinking tea for a few seconds, and said straight to the point: "It's like this. After discussion at the Yunsu board of directors, we decided to spend 1 billion to acquire Huaying. I wonder what President Mu thinks?"
Mu Suxing's eyes flickered slightly.
It’s a bit unexpected, but not particularly unexpected. Strictly speaking, it should be considered reasonable
The success of an animation can be attributed to coincidence, like a blind cat catching a dead mouse. But if it succeeds the second and third time, and it is a huge success that crushes all its contemporaries, it cannot be explained by coincidence or luck.
Under such circumstances, it is inevitable that Huaying Animation will attract the attention of certain outside capital.
only…
Mu Suxing did not answer this question, but asked instead: "Since your company has such an intention, I guess you have already investigated Huaying and have a certain understanding of Huaying?"
"Yes."
"Including the fact that I am the actual owner of Huaying Animation and own 20% of Tengkong Entertainment?"
Fekiri smiled.
"I understand what President Mu means," Fei Qirui smiled and said slowly, "But as far as I know, it may be difficult for Tengkong Entertainment to reach a substantive cooperation with Huaying Animation, right?"
Muxuxing was silent.
What Fei Qiri said was right on this point—this was also the reason why Mu Xiuxing had never sold the game copyright of the animation in his hands. He could not trade it to Tengkong Entertainment, but in his heart he did not want other game companies to profit. This led to countless game companies flocking to it, but Huaying still refused to sell it.
The reason is simple: Tengkong Entertainment cannot make this kind of game.
There are many kinds of games on the Blue Star market, but game producers can be roughly summarized into two types: one is like Yunsu Entertainment, which doesn’t care about following trends, plagiarism, or the quality of the game. In short, making money is enough.
For such game companies, games are just a tool for them to make money. As long as they can make money, it doesn't matter if the planners are cursed by players every day. Under such circumstances, for Yunsu Entertainment, cooperating with IPs that already have a certain degree of popularity has become an extremely easy way to make huge profits.
Under normal circumstances, the production of a game needs to take many aspects into consideration. A highly profitable and high-quality game needs extraordinary creativity as support. However, game companies with big IPs do not need to consider this at all - they can directly apply the common card mobile game model on the market, add the hot IP, and tens of millions of quick money can be easily made.
This is also the reason why Yunsu Group wants to acquire Huaying.
But Tengkong Entertainment is different.
Tengkong Entertainment started out by selling computer games. After consolidating its position on the PC side, it did not make routine mobile games that cheated people into spending money, but instead focused on the console market. Most of the games it produced were AAA masterpieces that were well-received and popular in the gaming industry. Unlike Yunsu Entertainment, which has a terrible reputation, Tengkong Entertainment is considered the conscience of the industry in the minds of many players.
Should Tengkong Entertainment follow the example of Yunsu Entertainment and make money-sucking mobile games that have no substance or creativity
Putting aside whether this transformation can be successful or whether the market will buy into it, if Tengkong Entertainment really dares to make such an attempt, its former die-hard fans will probably quickly quit and turn against them, and will be the first to criticize them to death. The reputation that they have worked so hard to build up over the years will probably plummet.
Indeed, Tengkong could also consider buying Huaying's animation IP, adding its own game creativity, and making it a conscientious game. But in fact, according to Tengkong's level, this kind of game can often achieve quite good results even without the blessing of IP - in this case, what is the point of buying the IP
Seeing that Mu Suxing said nothing, Fei Qirui's smile deepened: "Excuse me, Mr. Mu, Yunsu is the most suitable partner for Huaying. We have the most complete business chain in the industry - as long as Huaying is merged into Yunsu, even this relative can be removed."
"We can provide Huaying with abundant creative funds and sales channels. Not only that, the company will completely retain Huaying's independent management rights and will not interfere with Huaying's work. Huaying's work will continue as usual. With Yunsu's financial and technical support, Huaying will definitely become the top animation company on Blue Star. Novels, music, comics, animation, games... We will connect its entire IP chain and go global together," he said. "This is not only for Yunsu, but also for Huaying. Mr. Mu, we can win together."
Muxuxing suddenly asked: "What if I don't agree?"
The smile on Feiqiri's face suddenly froze.
"Mr. Mu, you should know that a big company like our Yunsu has no shortage of partners," he said quietly, "We can make Huaying the top animation company, and of course we can also support another animation company to become the best in the industry. What do you think?"
His tone was calm, yet it revealed confidence and undisguised arrogance.
Disgusting arrogance.
Muxuxing said calmly: "I'll consider it."
The conversation ended there. Mu Suxing did not explicitly refuse or deny it, but it was this attitude that made Fei Qirui frown. He immediately made a phone call: "Xiao Shen, prepare to contact the people from Qianli Animation."
"Negotiations failed?"
Fei Qirui pondered Mu Suxing's expression and attitude just now, and shook his head: "It's hard to say, you should contact Qianli Animation first, and we can work on both fronts. I don't believe that Huaying will not be tempted!"
—
The next day.
As soon as Mu Xuxing entered Huaying, Wen Feihang, Fang Lian and others couldn't help but run over to gossip:
"I heard that Yunsu wants to acquire us?"
Fang Lian said this, so Wen Feihang knocked his head as soon as he finished speaking: "What nonsense are you talking about? Huaying has developed to this point with the hard work of all of us. How can we just merge it into Yunsu?"
Mu Xiuxing knew what they were worried about.
When facing his own people, he was naturally not as vague as he was when facing Fei Qirui. He immediately said frankly: "Yun Su did talk to me about the acquisition, but I didn't agree, and I won't agree in the future." After a pause, he asked, "How did you know?"
He had never mentioned this to anyone else. Now that Wen Feihang and Fang Lian knew about it, there was only one possibility - the news was leaked by Yunsu's people.
"The newspaper."
Wen Feihang casually pointed to a stack of newspapers on the table. As an animation company, Huaying has the habit of subscribing to animation magazines and periodicals. At this moment, Mu Suxing picked up the newspaper on the table and saw that, as expected, it was already filled with news about the merger of Yunsu and Huaying.
Mu Suxing thought about the newspapers on the table for a long time, but couldn't figure it out, so he simply gave up thinking about it - he had no plans to merge into any company anyway.
It is undeniable that the conditions offered by Yunsu are indeed excellent, but the problem is that, for Yunsu, Huaying is indeed a part of their overall entertainment plan, but for Muxuxing, Yunsu is Huaying's competitor on the road to overall entertainment.
Maybe the current Huaying is far inferior to Yunsu, which has already begun to take shape in the entire entertainment industry, but Muxuxing has long decided to build Akihabara on Blue Star and a modern theme park based on Huaying's existing IP. How could he be willing to become a part of Yunsu
Yunsu thought he had grasped the lifeline of Huaying. In fact, Huaying’s goal was more than just becoming the top animation company.
Three days later.
Perhaps knowing Muxuxing's attitude, or having made some other decisions, the original rumors that Yunsu might acquire Huaying Animation suddenly changed and turned into Yunsu was about to acquire Qianli Animation.
"It is obvious that this will be a win-win merger between two powerful companies."
A newspaper wrote confidently: "Looking at Qianli Animation's works over the past two years, the only one that can beat them in the market is Huaying Animation. Now that Qianli Animation has the financial and technical support of Yunsu, its production level will surely improve rapidly. Huaying Animation may not even have a firm foothold yet, and will be pulled down by the much stronger Qianli Animation..."
At the same time, in a private room at Hanlixuan.
There is still one hour left before the signing time agreed upon by Yunsu Group and Qianli Animation.
"Are we really going to acquire Qianli Animation?" someone asked in confusion, "Didn't the board of directors say that we should try our best to acquire Huaying Animation?"
If she were to say, a large group like their Yunsu might not be worthy of even a leading animation company like Huaying. After all, the animation industry as a whole is just at that level. Not to mention this so-called Qianli Animation, which is not even as good as Huaying. What's the point of buying it
Yunsu is not a professional poverty alleviation company.
"Not necessarily." Fei Qirui said briefly, his hands resting naturally on his legs, his fingertips tapping his knees occasionally, his eyes fixed on the black screen of the mobile phone on the table.
He is gambling.
After reading the information in the newspaper, Du Muxuxing felt a sense of crisis and changed his mind.
In this time's magazines and newspapers, he specifically had people emphasize the specific conditions offered by Yunsu for the acquisition of Qianli Animation. The superior treatment instantly moved Qianli Animation, which had originally insisted on not giving in - after being merged into Yunsu, it would have the funds and technology, and even would not have lost much freedom, so what else could be dissatisfied with
However-
Time passed by minute by minute until the head of Qianli Animation sat down in front of him and the two parties signed the merger and acquisition contract as agreed beforehand. The mobile phone that Fei Qiri was expecting never lit up.
Seeing the person in charge of Qianli Animation leave happily, Feiqiri's face darkened.
He is not one of those supervisors in the company who has holes in his brain and only dreams but does no practical work. Just as he said, it doesn't matter whether it is Huaying or Qianli. Yunsu is capable of making an animation company the best in the industry anyway. However, the attitude shown by Huaying in this matter made him feel very disgusted and unhappy.
Fei Qirui originally wanted to use Qianli to force Huaying to compromise. Then, he would acquire the two animation companies together. Wouldn't that be great
In fact, Feiqiri’s idea is not wrong.
If it were any other animation company, they might have compromised under such tempting conditions. After all, which animation company wouldn't want to be at the top of the industry
Unfortunately, Huaying’s goal is not to become the best animation company, but to become Yunsu itself.
The more he thought about it, the more unhappy he became. Looking at the phone on the table, Fei Qirui felt that nothing about it was pleasing to the eye. He gritted his teeth, and his eyes became deeper and colder.
…
It was the third day since Yunsu Group officially acquired Qianli Animation.
Mu Suxing sat in his office and habitually took the latest issue of "Anime Information". Before he opened it, the huge title on the cover quickly attracted his attention -
On the Secret of Success in Painting Shadows
Mu Suxing's heart moved slightly, and he subconsciously turned to this page, where it read: "... Director Mu Suxing said at the Eleanor Awards that the reason he was successful was entirely because he knew how to choose. Many people just laughed it off, but after analyzing Huaying's rise, I feel that what Mu Suxing said was not modesty, but the truth."
“The success of Huaying may be related to the company’s overall production standards, but it is undeniable that it is also due to the vision of Director Mu Suxing. He always makes the most correct choice at the most appropriate time.”
Muxuxing frowned.
It was a very ordinary analysis, and it couldn't even be called an analysis because it was easy to understand. But it was precisely because of this reason that it gave Muxuxing a sense of meaning.
What does he want to do
As soon as this strange idea popped up in his mind, his assistant Du Yutang came running over, which was completely different from his usual calm and self-controlled image as an assistant.
Before Mu Suxing could ask, Du Yutang stood in front of his desk and gritted his teeth, restraining his anger and speaking in a cold voice, "Baiyun Comics tore up the contract before the final signing and sold the animation adaptation rights of Night Watch to Qianli Animation."
The author has something to say: Two-in-one, make up for the previous interruption x1
Thank you to the little angels who cast their votes for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution~
Thanks to the little angels who threw [grenades]: Mo Yang 3; Yan Tong 1;
Thanks to the little angels who cast [mines]: 2 Wushanju bosses; 1 that wisp of smoke, 1 gushing spring, 1 if you are sick, 1 unheard, 1 don’t steal my dried fish, 1 light boat and 1 Mo Ziyun;
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated [nutrient solution]:
Yong'anquan 38 bottles; Liuyi, Yue Lengchenqing, Mo Ke Jiese, Mint Candy 20 bottles; Luuuuuuu, Chungui, That wisp of smoke and cloud, Shanchui, Jiumeng, Yanxuan, Suliban, Beauty is always impatient, Xiaoren, Minkutan 10 bottles; Yuanshiyouyu 8 bottles; Nian Nian, Shiwei Shiwei Hu Bugui, Jin Mo, Esni's tail, Yinzi, Wansu, Shuiyingzi, Weiwen, time, 37012234 5 bottles; Sicily has no savior 4 bottles; Zihui Moyan, Qianlan, Xiaochong 3 bottles; Liushuang, Happy Birthday on Halloween, Xiaolou Yiye Tingchunyu, Liqing, Nuanqingya 2 bottles; Xuehu, Ye Yuye, Momo's family Momo, 25335114, tina", Yisheng, Qingge, Dark Night, ace, Sunlight is golden, Fall in love with the golden autumn, Fusheng 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!