Before the acquisition of EMI by the British Gramophone Company, EMI Records mainly had two institutions in China: "General Distribution Office" and "China Record Company".

In the first half of last year alone, the gross profit of the "China Record Company" reached 100,000 yuan, but the "General Distribution Office" lost 80,000 yuan. Aside from various expenditure costs, EMI Records has actually lost money for four consecutive years.

The main reason is the turbulent situation, from the Central Plains War to the 128 Incident, which made the distribution business of EMI Records difficult.

You must know that the "general distribution office" of EMI Records is responsible for the distribution business of nearly half of the record companies in China. Due to the war, the record was recorded in Shanghai, let alone sold, and it was simply impossible to transport it to other markets, so could it not suffer a serious loss?

At the beginning of this year, British Gramophone Records acquired the parent company of China's EMI Records, and immediately carried out a series of corporate structural integrations. The original "General Distribution Office" and "China Record Company" were merged into one, and the administrative efficiency was greatly improved, and Li Kaisheng, the manager of China, was also hired at that time.

Under normal circumstances, the Chinese manager of a foreign-funded enterprise in the Republic of China is just a decoration. Because the government stipulates that every foreign company (foreign-funded company) must hire a Chinese manager, the foreign devils have to find some compradors to be managers.

The main responsibility of these Chinese managers is actually to be responsible for communicating with people, basically regardless of the company's operation.

But in history, Li Kaisheng is the key to the turnaround of Baidai Records.

After this gentleman took up the post of manager Hua of EMI Records, he immediately selected talents and recruited music talents. At the same time, it also took advantage of the Chinese's anti-Japanese salvation mentality to actively release a large number of patriotic songs. For example, the national anthem of New China, "March of the Volunteers", was originally launched by EMI Company.

Now Li Kaisheng is in a critical period, he has just taken office, and he must get a new record or two that sells well as soon as possible.

The 30% royalty share of the record is really outrageous, even if it includes the songwriter and the singer's share, it is still an unacceptable price. Li Kaisheng frowned and said: "Mr. Zhou, with all due respect, your price is too high, and I can give up to 15% of the royalties." ”

Zhou Hexuan was not in a hurry, but smiled calmly: "Do you know what the royalties given by the publishing company are for publishing now?" ”

"How much?" Li Kaisheng really doesn't know.

Zhou Hexuan handed a cigarette to Li Kaisheng, lit one himself, and said, "50%." ”

"That's really...... Terrible. Li Kaisheng couldn't find an adjective anymore.

Writers during the Republic of China were very popular, and the royalty share of their works was frighteningly high. Writers who are a little famous have a royalty of at least 15% or more, and a top name in the literary world like Lu Xun can get 35% to 40% of the royalties.

Hu Shi once set a record of 45% in royalties, but that was not common, and his royalties have now fallen to 40%, which is about the same as Lu Xun's price.

And Zhou Hexuan belongs to the special list, and when "Titanic" was released, he had already received 45% of the royalties. Now "Black Soil" is about to release the first volume of a single book, and more than 20 publishing houses are rushing to break through, of which 9 publishing houses are offering 50% sky-high royalties.

Publishing companies also have costs, administrative expenses, wear and tear of machinery, editing, printing, paper, ink, transportation, distribution, and tax payment, all aspects of which require money. What is the concept of Zhou Hexuan's 50% royalty? He took most of the profits alone, and the publishing house could only make some hard-earned money, and even if one of them was not good, the publishing house might still face losses.

But Zhou Hexuan's influence in the cultural and intellectual circles is too great, and many publishing companies would rather lose money than help him publish with tears in their eyes. First, it can increase the company's influence in the industry, and second, it can expand channels and markets, and publishers have their own small abacus.

"Fixed price, 18% royalty." Li Kaisheng gave in again, and Zhou Hexuan's royalties really scared him.

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Since Manager Li is a cheerful person, then I am not ambiguous." Let's take a step back from each other, just 25%, talk about it if we can't, and forget it if we can't talk about it. Buying and selling is not benevolent, and I hope that there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future. ”

Li Kaisheng smiled bitterly: "The 25% royalty is not something that I, the manager of Hua, can decide, and must agree to the general manager Li Qi." However, Mr. Zhou is not an ordinary person, I have more authority to agree, I will persuade the general manager. ”

This time it was Zhou Hexuan's turn to be surprised, he thought that Li Kaisheng would have to think about it for a few days. Unexpectedly, this fake foreign devil was very courageous, and he actually agreed on the spot, and he overstepped his authority.

"In that case, then I wish us a happy cooperation." Zhou Hexuan said.

"Happy working together!" Li Kaisheng got up and shook hands, "Mr. Zhou, why don't we go to the company now, let me introduce you to our music director, and sign the contract by the way." ”

Zhou Hexuan said funny: "Manager Li is resolute and resolute, I really admire it." ”

Li Kaisheng smiled, but in fact, he secretly complained in his heart, he was having a headache about how to face the British. The 25% record royalty contract is signed, and Li Qi, the British general manager who picks the door, will definitely be furious.

If Zhou Hexuan's record can't sell well, Li Kaisheng can't continue to mix in Baidai Records, and he will be fired 100%.

At half past ten in the morning of the same day, Li Kaisheng took Zhou Hexuan to No. 1099 Xujiahui Road, which was located in Xujiahui Park in the later generations.

This is a three-storey red western-style building, which is now the headquarters of EMI Records, and after the founding of the People's Republic of China, it is the address of Shanghai Record Factory of China Record Corporation. For the Chinese, the most far-reaching influence left here was the birth of the "March of the Volunteers", the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.

Li Kaisheng proudly introduced: "Mr. Zhou, don't look at our company building, there are only three floors, but the recording machines inside are worth millions of yuan. We have employees all over the country, with a total number of more than 1,500 workers, which is something that Victory Records and Great China Records can't keep up with. ”

"It's amazing." Zhou Hexuan nodded in agreement.

For the record industry, until the 1980s, it was a lot of money.

The development of technology allowed a few musicians in the future to form a studio and say that they were a record company and could record their own records, but in the 1930s it was completely different.

Take EMI Records at this time, just the machinery and equipment of the recording studio and record factory, which are worth as much as 4 million silver dollars, where can small businessmen have fun?

Therefore, although there are dozens or hundreds of record companies in China, they can only be called leather bag companies. Only the three major record giants, EMI, Shengli and Greater China, have the ability to record, produce and distribute records.

Li Kaisheng took Zhou Hexuan to an office and introduced: "Mr. Zhou, this is an excellent talent that I hired with a high salary in April, Mr. Nie Er, the director of the music department of EMI Records. For the professional matters of recording records, you can discuss with Mr. Nie in detail. ”