"I think this 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' can be invested in!" Huang He said with a smile.
"Boss, this investment only yields one million, but the risks are infinitely high. It's not as good as investing in wealth management products!" Li Guoli advised.
"No matter, first of all, I think this TV series looks very promising, and Zhang Jizhong's previous Jin Yong series have all performed very well. Making money should not be a problem, it's just a matter of time," Huang He said.
"Yes, if it were just one year, then it wouldn't be impossible to consider!" Chen Li said.
"A few years doesn't matter. The key is whether we can find ways to benefit from other aspects," Huang He said. "First, regarding the actors, 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is a big production, and it has already started shooting. Once it starts, it cannot stop. So, I think their demand for this 10 million is very strong."
"But as you said, an investment of 10 million only earns one million, which is too little. Therefore, there are very few capital sources willing to invest in them now, perhaps none at all. Otherwise, Zhang Jizhong wouldn't have come to us at Tangren. This shows that they are indeed short of money. You can ask for any conditions, as long as they are not too excessive, they will be willing to give them to you! For example, arranging a few actors, they won't refuse," Huang He chuckled.
"That's true. It's the same as before with 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.' We can't even dream of the main characters; at most, we can get some second-tier supporting roles like Ah Bi or Duan Zhengchun. Anything better is impossible for us!" Li Guoli said.
"It's fine to have these. After all, these are just extras. As long as it gives our actors a chance to gain experience and exposure, that's enough!" Huang He said. Chen Li nodded repeatedly, then pondered how to entice the newcomers she had found with promises. With two TV series, 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber' and 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' this promise should be enticing enough.
"However, Boss, if there are no main characters among these extras, I'm afraid the profits won't be significant, and it will be difficult for us to make any actors famous!" Li Guoli said.
"Mm, so these are just extras. What I truly want isn't this, but something else!" Huang He said with a slight smile.
"What is it?" Li Guoli looked curious.
"The copyrights!" Huang He said.
"Copyrights? Impossible! Zhang Jizhong would have to be crazy to give us the TV series copyrights!" Li Guoli exclaimed, his mouth agape.
"I wasn't talking about the TV series copyrights. I want the game adaptation rights for this TV series!" Huang He finally revealed his true intentions. "As you know, I acquired a game company, and our company is currently operating the hottest single-player game in the country. So, we also need to enter the online gaming market."
"It just so happens that I think the theme of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is quite good and can be adapted into an online game. We can start development now, and by the time their 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is released, it should be close to completion and ready for national public beta, launching simultaneously with the TV series. If this is the case, I think we can make a lot of money!" Huang He said with a smile.
"I see!" Li Guoli nodded. He didn't know much about online games and wasn't sure how much money the 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' game would make, so he wasn't too surprised by Boss Huang's ingenious idea.
However, if anyone from the future were present, they would surely be immensely impressed with Boss Huang. You must know that when Sohu started, it was incredibly glorious, the most powerful portal website in the country, even more so than Sina. Sohu's boss, Zhang Chaoyang, was also incredibly prominent back then, far surpassing "Little Ma" (Ma Huateng) and "Old Ma" (Jack Ma), and was the true big brother of the internet industry at the time.
But after 2005, companies like Tencent and "Forty Thieves" (a nickname for a group of early internet entrepreneurs) gradually got on track, mainly starting to turn a profit. However, Sohu was still trapped in a cycle of losses. At that time, Sohu was losing hundreds of millions of RMB every year, relying entirely on various financings to sustain its operations.
But it couldn't go on like this forever. So, Sohu also set its sights on the then-hot online gaming market. They managed to acquire the adaptation rights for the TV series 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' and then used the character designs from the TV series to create a game, eventually releasing an online game. Within a year, Sohu went from a state of loss to a net profit of over one billion. 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is still operating today, after 14 years. It is said that at its peak, 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' earned Sohu 5 billion in a single year, and cumulatively over 30 billion. Even now, the vast Sohu Changyou still relies on 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' to maintain profitability, and their subsequent derivative games are endless. 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is definitely one of the most profitable games in China's online gaming history, even though the game has been criticized.
But Boss Huang doesn't care. Whether the game is bad or gets cursed, it doesn't matter. After all, as the great leader said, whether it's pay-to-win or subscription-based, any game that makes money is a good game. Huang He is no different. Historically, 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' had its public beta in 2007, a time of fierce competition in online gaming, and it still achieved such great results. It is estimated to launch around 2004 now, so 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' should be able to earn even more!
But regardless, making money is certain, and this online game adaptation right is definitely a huge profit. After all, by investing 10 million, not only will they recoup 11 million, but they will also acquire the game adaptation rights for 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.' What a bargain!
Therefore, although Li Guoli was still not very optimistic about this investment, Huang He still decided to proceed. That evening, Li Guoli called Zhang Jizhong, who immediately agreed without hesitation. After all, for Zhang Jizhong, this investment was like timely rain. I don't think the 1 million remuneration is too much, and arranging a few minor actors is not a big investment, as you need to find extras even for some roles.
Finally, as for the online game adaptation rights, Zhang Jizhong had no concept of it at all. He had never intended to adapt his TV series into an online game, so naturally, he had never thought of selling this right. In his eyes, this was something that popped out of thin air, and he felt no qualm giving it away.
"Next is the last TV series that needs our investment! This is also the one I am most optimistic about, the one with the highest artistic value. As long as Zhang Li can maintain his usual high standards this time, this TV series will surely be one of the most dazzling pearls in Chinese television history!" Li Guoli praised, his tone unusually flattering.
"Oh, to receive such high praise from Director Li!" Huang He was somewhat surprised. He then took the document handed over by Li Guoli, which bore the four large characters: 'Towards the Republic.'
"So it's him!" Huang He exclaimed, his mouth wide open. So this divine TV series was also starting production at this time. Indeed, it seems that 2002 was a remarkably significant year for China's cultural and artistic circles!
"Boss, I have read the script for this TV series. One word: amazing, truly amazing! This TV series almost perfectly presents the entire history of that period to us."
"And it's not just a simple presentation; it peels back the layers of everything, revealing the deeper internal elements. Every shot appears ordinary, but if you chew on it carefully, a chilling terror will fill your entire being."
"This is a work where watching one episode makes you ponder for an entire day. This TV series will surely leave a shining mark in the history of Chinese television."
"This TV series is currently short of about 20 million in investment, which is about 2/3 of the total investment. However, CCTV has already guaranteed its broadcast, so it can be directly aired on CCTV."
"Therefore, CCTV will not pay a high price to acquire this TV series, but the broadcast rights for the second and third rounds will be very sought after, and it will definitely make a lot of money. At that time, not only will Tangren make money, but we will also elevate our taste by investing in this TV series. So, I believe we should invest immediately and pay the money right away!" Li Guoli said, practically hopping with excitement. If Boss Huang agreed now, Li Guoli would immediately call Zhang Li.
"We..." Huang He looked at the script in his hand, but hesitated. After tapping his fingers on the table for a long time, he shook his head and said, "We will not invest in this show."
"What! We won't invest!!" Li Guoli stood up abruptly, staring intently at Huang He as if Huang He's decision was incredibly inconceivable and contrary to common sense.
"Director Li, please don't be anxious. Listen to my explanation!" Huang He said calmly. "To be honest, I have also read the script for this TV series. Last month, someone else sent me the script through other channels, hoping I would invest."
Actually, this was nonsense. No one had given Huang He the script; Huang He had seen the version of the TV series that had already been filmed in his previous life.
"I didn't reply to him at the time. Now, through Tangren, I will reply: we refuse this investment!"
"Why? Since you've read the script, you must understand how excellent it is. You don't understand this..." Li Guoli almost blurted out, but he held back.
"Director Li, you mean to say I won't understand this script, right!" Huang He laughed heartily. "Although I studied abroad in Germany, I understand domestic history no less than anyone else. At the same time, I have witnessed so-called Western democratic politics and freedom. I believe my understanding of these matters is more profound than many people in China."
"Therefore, I believe I have the right to speak about this script."
"First, this script is very difficult to understand and very unfriendly to the audience. You yourself said that it takes a whole day to ponder an episode to taste its meaning. But what about ordinary viewers? What about those viewers who are bogged down by the trivialities of daily life?"
"They already have enough troubles to worry about; they don't have time to contemplate the profound meanings in this TV series. Also, to put it bluntly, the majority of the audience in the country has a low level of education, and many people have almost zero knowledge of history. If you put a TV series like this in front of them, they simply won't understand it. After watching one or two episodes, they will decisively give up. The ratings of this TV series will likely be worse than a diving competition!"
"I estimate that after its premiere, no other television station will be interested in purchasing this TV series. Relying on the second and third rounds of broadcast for profit is a fantasy!" Huang He said without reservation.