novellhall Chapter 40 "The Unemployed Emperor" - Settlement
Chapter 40 "The Unemployed Emperor" - Settlement
After Lin Dong's instructions were passed down, the film "The Unemployed Emperor" was pulled from theaters the next day.
From its release to its end, a total of sixteen days, the box office was 330,000.
The settlement was completed on the same day the application was withdrawn.
The cinema and Yong Sheng probably felt guilty, after all, Xiang Yeqiang had personally given instructions, but the film itself was disappointing. No matter how reasonable their withdrawal was, they were afraid that Lin Dong would be unhappy, so they were exceptionally efficient in the revenue sharing process.
After deducting the cost of copy printing, the cinema's share, and Win's Entertainment's 7% deduction, the final amount that Lin Dong received was HK$125,000.
Next comes the copyright assessment.
The legal and financial departments jointly issued a report that comprehensively evaluated the case based on factors such as box office data, subject matter, director's experience, and forecasts for subsequent television rights and the videotape market, and gave a price of 150,000.
This number isn't high, but for a film that only grossed around 300,000, it's a fair market price.
Lin Dong signed the papers, and that afternoon, 150,000 yuan was deposited into his special fund account.
An investment of two million. Break-even of 275,000. Net loss of 1,725,000.
Lin Dong sat in his office, the settlement sheet in front of him, his expression calm as he opened the system panel. His finger paused briefly on the confirm button. Just for a second. Then he pressed it.
The system displays a progress bar for the review process.
three seconds.
Five seconds.
ten seconds.
The moment the progress bar finished, the system also popped up a notification that 1725 million would be transferred to Lin Dong's personal account as investment income.
Lin Dong leaned back in his chair, stared at the number, then closed his eyes and let out a long breath.
The curve of her lips went from being tightly pursed to relaxing, and finally turned into a silent smile.
With two more films released, the settlement for the first film is finally complete. Over the next two weeks, "Hotline," "The Way We Are," "Ah Keung's Last Night," and "Mongkok Street" will be released, settled, and refunded in accordance with market rules.
His personal funds are finally about to become abundant.
Lin Dong closed the system panel, picked up the Pu'er tea on the table, and took a sip. The tea had gone cold, but the aftertaste was sweeter than ever.
Time flew by and it was already 4:30 in the afternoon.
Han Sanping's flight landed on time. Lin Dong sent A-Qiang with two cars to pick him up, while he waited at Tengda.
The suite at the Peninsula Hotel has been booked, and the welcome banquet is at Fook Lam Moon, in the largest private room.
At 4:45, Chen Xinjian knocked on the door and came in. "Mr. Lin, Director Han sent word that he's not going to the hotel; he wants to come to the company first. The car is already on its way."
Lin Dong nodded, while Han Sanping acted swiftly and decisively.
Half an hour later, the elevator doors opened, and a stocky middle-aged man wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit strode in.
Han Sanping. He has a square face, thick eyebrows, a slightly receding hairline, and a heavy gait, with each step firmly planted.
Jiang Wen followed behind him, looking much darker than when they last met, with a scruffy beard, clearly having spent a lot of time on the film set lately.
"Director Han." Lin Dong went up to him and extended his hand.
Han Sanping grasped his hand. "Mr. Lin, I've heard so much about you. Jiang Wen told me a lot about you—a net worth of two billion US dollars, investing in seven or eight films in just two months after returning to Hong Kong. After hearing it, I had only one thought: I have to meet this person in person."
His voice was mezzo-soprano, with the deep, resonant quality characteristic of northerners. His enunciation was crisp and clear, without any unnecessary formalities.
Lin Dong led the two to the reception area, where Chen Xinjian sat to the side to keep them company.
Han Sanping picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and glanced around the office before his gaze settled on Lin Dong.
"Mr. Lin, I'm not going to beat around the bush." He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. "I'm here to ask for money."
Jiang Wen picked up his teacup, his lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.
"The Birth of a Nation," Han Sanping said, his tone turning somber. "It's about our country's first atomic bomb. The script has been polished for two years, and the production team is now complete. The location shooting in Lop Nur has also been coordinated—the local authorities are very cooperative. This project can't afford to delay. But we're still short on funding. If the funds don't arrive by June, the entire project will be canceled."
He paused briefly, looking directly at Lin Dong. "Mr. Lin, to tell you the truth—this is a tribute film."
The box office will barely reach a few million; it'll be a loss. Nobody will invest in a film like this; I know that better than anyone. But this film has to be made.
The office fell silent instantly. Chen Xinjian frowned, while Lin Dong remained expressionless.
Before anyone could respond, Han Sanping leaned back in his chair and softened his tone. "But Mr. Lin, you didn't come here to ask for handouts."
He turned his head and glanced at Jiang Wen.
"What Third Master means is—" Jiang Wen was unusually serious and didn't beat around the bush, "You help him fill this hole, and he will pave the way for your future."
Han Sanping nodded and continued the conversation.
He spoke slowly, but every word seemed to have been carefully crafted in his mind. "Mr. Lin, if you want to develop your career in the mainland, you'll need a lot of resources. And these resources can't be obtained simply by throwing money at them—you need someone to open doors for you."
Coordination from the military, approval from the cultural relics bureau, filming permits for special locations, and protection of filming schedules—these things can't be accomplished with money alone.
He held up three fingers and pressed them down one by one, saying, "You help me out with 'The Birth of a Warrior,' and the entire resources of Beijing Film Studio will support your next blockbuster."
His fingers stopped pressing on the third one. "There are only a few co-production projects approved each year. I'll get you one. I'll help you coordinate with the military, the cultural relics bureau, and other departments. I'll secure the release date protection for you as a political task."
After finishing his sentence, Han Sanping picked up his teacup and took a sip. It wasn't to soothe his throat, but to give Lin Dong time to think.
Jiang Wen added from the side, "Lin Sheng, Third Master doesn't speak lightly. But once he does, he will definitely do it."
Lin Dong leaned back on the sofa, his gaze lingering on Han Sanping's face for two seconds.
This person has been working in the mainland film industry for decades, rising from the director of Beijing Film Studio to the head of China Film Group.
Every word he said stood up to scrutiny. The essence of this deal was made very clear from the outset—it was not charity, not a favor, but a high-risk political speculation.
He was betting on Lin Dong's vision and strategic thinking.
Lin Dong knew in his heart that the reward he wanted was not for the present, but for the future—every single resource that Han Sanping had promised was an indispensable passport for his journey north.
Lin Dong would definitely invest in a film like "The Birth of a Warrior".
Whether it's for the system's cashback after losing money, for patriotism, or for the resources promised by Han Sanping, Lin Dong wouldn't hesitate.
"Director Han," Lin Dong spoke up, "how much is left of this film?"
"Twenty million," Han Sanping said. "RMB."
"Okay." Lin Dong picked up his teacup, raised it towards him, and said, "I'll go for it."
Han Sanping's eyes lit up. It wasn't excitement or agitation, but the certainty of having made the right bet.
He didn't immediately break into a smile; instead, he picked up his cup and gestured to Lin Dong.
"Lin Sheng, I won't let you regret this decision today." After saying that, he downed his tea in one gulp.