Shuntianfu, at half past six in the morning, Zhao Sicun had just gotten up and washed up, and he only had time to tell his wife that he wanted to drink soy milk today, and before he could go out to run and buy steamed buns, he received a call from Li Qian.

So he answered the phone while changing his shoes at the door.

"Hey, Director Zhao is early!"

Zhao Sicun smiled, "Don't come to this set, early in the morning, do you have something?"

Zhao Sicun, who was transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television as deputy director last year, has been friends with Li Qian for six or seven years, and he is very familiar with each other, and he is not polite when he speaks.

So Li Qian said: "If I encounter difficulties in conveying Chinese culture to the outside world, can our government provide some support?"

Zhao Sicun was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and after a few seconds, he spoke, with a cautious tone, and said, "I know you are in the United States, say, what do you want to do?"

At the dinner table across the ocean, Li Qian smiled, looked up at Qi Jie, and said, "I want to buy Columbia Pictures." ”

Zhao Sicun was stunned when he heard this.

Columbia Pictures ...... Buy it......

After being silent for a few seconds, and even forgetting to open the door to go out, Zhao Sicun stood at the door of his house, took a deep breath, and asked, "What do you need our film bureau to do?"

Li Qian said on the other end of the phone: "Minghu Culture needs a low-interest loan, preferably an interest-free loan! Of course, the longer the loan term, the better! It can make me feel less stressed." ”

Zhao Sicun took a deep breath again, he didn't go out for a run anymore, and he forgot to change his shoes back, so he walked back to the sofa and sat down in sneakers, and used this time to calm down his mood.

Then, he said slowly: "Qian'er, you're playing a little big, aren't you? That pit is a sinkhole, billions of dollars are smashed into it, it's not good to jump out if you regret it in the future!"

On the other side of the ocean, Li Qian smiled when he heard this.

This is what a real buddy would say, not what an official should say.

And just this sentence knows that people from relevant national government departments are really not eating for nothing, Zhao Sicun has been in the Ministry of Culture for more than ten years, and recently went to the Film Bureau, and has always been engaged in the policy and management of culture and art. Although his work is internal, it is clear that he has always paid attention to the relevant trends in the United States, so as soon as Li Qian mentioned Colombia, he immediately cleared up.

However, Li Qian still said: "I want to play, and I can afford to play." ”

Zhao Sicun sighed when he heard this, "You, your heart is too big!"

Seeing that he didn't go out, his wife saw the running shoes as soon as he lowered his head, and he was about to stare at him, Zhao Sicun waved his hand impatiently, and without waiting for his wife to say anything, he had already spoken, and said seriously: "This kind of thing, as long as you are willing to do it, you can rest assured, the national level will definitely not stand idly by." Whether it's financial, or the U.S. government, if you need any help, just ask. I'm in charge of taking you to the policy!"

After a pause, he said again: "You go back and make a plan, arrange for a reassuring person to send it to me, and I will personally take him to the yamen! As long as you can guarantee to take down Columbia Pictures, you can rest assured that the loan will be taken down! On the side of the US government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also handle it for you! But ...... Brother, think about it, this is not child's play, billions of dollars, once you plant it......"

On the other end of the phone, Li Qian said confidently: "Don't worry, I have thought about it, even if I will lose, I will take it! Otherwise, once I am taken first, I will definitely regret it!"

Zhao Sicun took a deep breath when he heard this, nodded, and said, "Cheng, then you can make a plan, make it more persuasive, the government is here, I'll take you away!"

…………

When the phone hung up, Zhao Sicun's wife flashed out again, with a look of surprise and gossip excitement, and asked: "Li Qian, what did I hear you talking about? He wants to buy Columbia? Is it the big film company in the United States?"

Zhao Sicun looked up at her and nodded slowly, but reminded: "Don't say it to the outside world, many things still need to be moved slowly, and once the news is leaked, it will affect his pace." ”

His wife nodded, and first said, "Don't worry!" approached and sat down again, her face full of excitement, "Can you tell him about our company participating in this acquisition?"

As she spoke, she looked a little uncontrollable with excitement, "Domestic cultural and entertainment companies, mergers and acquisitions of large Hollywood companies, and it is estimated that billions of dollars will be involved? I remember seven or eight years ago, when was it, probably around 90 years? Sony seemed to be almost about to buy Colombia at that time, but then it seemed that there was an economic crisis, and Sony ran out of money, so it didn't work out! If this thing can be done, it will definitely be a sensation!"

She waved her arms, as if she were the one who was planning to buy Colombia, and said excitedly: "Think about it, Hollywood movies are beating the world! As a result, she was silent, and all of a sudden, Columbia, one of the seven major Hollywood film companies, was actually acquired by a Chinese film company! Oh my God, I was really excited to think about it! You said, if this thing comes out, it must not be touted by the country! As long as we can get involved, the whole company will definitely be worth a hundred times more at once! Hey...... What about you, okay, can you help me talk to Li Qian? You two have such a good relationship!"

Zhao Sicun glanced at her helplessly when he heard this, and said, "Don't even think about it!"

"Why, don't even think about it, you ......."

Zhao Sicun didn't wait for her to finish speaking, he had already sat up straight, and said seriously: "If the thing doesn't work, you can't say anything, and if the thing is done, the government will inevitably give Li Qian the greatest support! Although it is impossible to get it on the surface, but the government will definitely spare no effort to support this kind of thing! So, let me ask you, do you think it is your participation, and when the matter is completed, it is important to get promoted and raised, or is it more important for your husband and me to participate on behalf of the government, the Film Bureau, and the Ministry of Culture?"

Zhao Sicun's wife was stunned for a moment when she heard this, and then slowly came back to her senses.

Her eyes gradually lit up, "So......"

Zhao Sicun laughed when he heard this, "If this matter can finally be facilitated in my hands, within three years, the position of director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television must be mine!"

…………

Three days later, Qi Jie took her team and a copy of the plan signed by Li Qian and flew back to China. In Los Angeles, John Deiss and Colombia officially started cooperation negotiations.

On November 27, 2003, after Li Qian lived in the United States for more than half a month, Minghu Culture and Columbia Pictures officially reached an agreement on the next two-way distribution cooperation between the two parties.

On the same day, Li Qian and Columbia Pictures' CEO Glen Charles signed the cooperation agreement that over the next two years, the two parties will provide each other with five account-sharing distribution on full reciprocal terms, within the scope permitted by the relevant regulations of their respective countries.

"Hulu Baby" will be the first film released by Columbia Pictures for Minghu Culture, this animated film from China, will officially land in North America on December 23 this year.

At that time, Columbia Pictures, which is responsible for the distribution of the film, will win no less than 1,500 openings for this animated film in North America.

The next day, Li Qian flew back to China with Liao Liao.

It was late at night when the plane landed, and Li Qian only slept for three hours before getting up, and two hours later, he and Qi Jie sat in the office of Zhao Sicun, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Zhao Sicun sent the secretary out, made two cups of tea for the two of them with his own hands, and then sat down and said with a smile: "That's it on our Yamen side, everything is simple, let's go down!"

After a pause, he said, "Later, Director Lai's side, I'll take you there." ”

Li Qian and Qi Jie both nodded, it was essential for the matter to be passed, and it was indispensable to obtain the support and signature of the full-time director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

After a few more greetings with each other, Zhao Sicun said: "There must be no problem on the side of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, and the Ministry of Culture has agreed in principle." This incident even went to a small office meeting. Now the meaning of the above is basically determined, in this matter, the government can provide and arrange for a state-owned bank to come forward to provide one billion interest-free loans to Minghu Culture for a period of five years. In addition, if you need it, you can also give another billion low-interest loans, which can be slightly relaxed, and the term can be given to eight years. ”

"At the same time, you can contact the diplomatic department at any time as long as you need to, and our embassy in the United States will be responsible for arranging for someone to help you lobby within the U.S. government to solve problems at the government level. ”

After a pause, he said: "Actually, it's not a big problem, last time Sony wanted to buy Columbia, the U.S. government collected some money, so it shut up, and there was almost no opposition." This time, about $10 or 20 million in lobbying funds is enough to shut up the US government!"

Speaking of this, he smiled and said, "Moreover, this money can be paid by the government!"

Hearing this, Li Qian let out a long breath.

The right hand clenched into a fist and smashed the left hand, "It's done!"

Zhao Sicun smiled, this matter is at the government level, he is responsible for running from beginning to end, and he is of course responsible for getting the current results, and he is naturally honored.

But he never showed credit, and even deliberately said at this time: "I told you at the time, this kind of thing, as long as the government feels that this matter will help the whole country's foreign cultural promotion, then it will definitely not sit idly by!"

After a pause, he said: "To put it mildly, I will provide you with some low-interest interest-free loans and help you lobby, and there will only be a few dollars in total! You know how much money our country holds every year in the various cultural promotion and exchange activities held in European and American countries, as well as donations to opposition parties and social organizations in some Western countries! However, if all that money is spent, it may not have a greater impact than your one!"

"This kind of thing, this kind of money, the government is willing to do it!"

Li Qian smiled and nodded, "Yes! So...... So many taxes in the past were not paid in vain!"

Zhao Sicun shook his head and laughed when he heard this, "Your cultural company is still original, and the tax you pay is much less!"

After taking a sip of tea and putting down the cup, he asked, "This time, can you make up enough money?"

Li Qian turned his head and glanced at Qi Jie, and then the two of them nodded at the same time.

To acquire Colombia, Minghu Culture and Li Qian need to prepare $3 billion in cash for the acquisition itself, which can basically be won, but it is necessary to ensure that the entire acquisition is quickly implemented and concluded, and to prepare $3.2 billion to $3.5 billion in cash.

When the acquisition is over, the remaining unused funds can be used to inject capital into Columbia Pictures to alleviate their current tight financial situation, and at the same time provide sufficient financial support for the next step of development - Colombia has been poor for too many years, the poorer the more timid it is, and the poorer it is, the less able to get loans and capital injections, to put it bluntly, this problem is simply a vicious circle.

In Li Qian's view, among the many reasons that have led to Colombia's deterioration and gradual quagmire, this one is even second only to the panic caused by acquisitions and high-level personnel changes.

Therefore, once the acquisition is completed, first inject capital, then adjust the personnel structure, find a suitable person at the helm for Columbia, and then, stabilize the whole plate, as long as there are no major problems, at least five years without any personnel changes, this is the future plan that Li Qian has made for Columbia Pictures.

Of course, even if you start the acquisition now, when the acquisition is completed, you will definitely get 2004. Within three years, Li Qian did not expect to see Colombia turn a profit immediately.

In the next three years, before 3D begins to gain popularity, he hopes to see Columbia Pictures enter a virtuous circle, and he will be very satisfied - the accumulation of troubles is not caused by a day, and it is naturally not a day's work to embark on the broad road of rapid development.

And on top of that, it would be great if we could lay out a few series of films that will be successful in the future like several other big studios!

And this part is also the only way for Li Qian to intervene in the company's operation and management after the completion of the acquisition.

In addition, the company's normal operation, Li Qian decided not to interfere.

But those gentle drizzles are all things that come after success, and in the process of acquisition, what Li Qian needs is thunder!

To put it simply, throw money at it!

Throw money directly and quickly and simply, smash the company down, and then talk about other things!

Grinding slowly, talking little by little, it is certainly possible to reach more favorable trading conditions for Minghu Culture and Li Qian, but the seven major Hollywood studios, at present, can talk and talk well, just Columbia, Li Qian believes that he is definitely not the only one who is silently staring at it behind his back.

Late will change!

And $3.5 billion in cash is enough to ensure that this matter is implemented quickly.

The government provides a total of 2 billion loans, and Minghu Culture itself can also apply for a commercial loan of about 1.5 billion yuan, plus Minghu Culture's own 800 million yuan of liquidity, a total of 4.3 billion Chinese yuan, Li Qian himself can make up a billion yuan, and then get a billion loans, which is already 6.3 billion.

Cao Zhan and Yu Bojun have already said that they will contribute a little money and participate.

Both of them are broad, even if they just use their own savings and family funds, it is not a problem for one person to take out three or five hundred million. And even if it is a little closer, as long as Li Qian needs a loan, he can use the stocks in his hand as collateral at any time, which is almost not a problem for people who hold a large number of shares of iFLYTEK Group.

As a result, 7 billion Chinese dollars, or 3.5 billion U.S. dollars, is no longer a problem at all.

…………

Sitting in Zhao Sicun's office for a while, and then following him to the office of Director Lai of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television to sit and chat, and then go to the Ministry of Culture, it is Li Qian's task, and it is over.

The next day, Qi Jie had already received a call from the bank, and the $500 million interest-free loan, $500 million low-interest loan, and the $800 million asset-backed commercial loan applied for by the company were ready to be disbursed at any time.

On the first day of December, Li Qian and Qi Jie left everything behind and left for the United States again.

This time, it was just the two of them.

However, they brought with them a whopping $3.6 billion.