Super Zoo-Chapter 611 - 606: Talents are Precious

Suming’s brow furrowed slightly as he stared at Cai Liming for a good few seconds. After confirming that the other party was not joking, he said, "Mr. Cai, could you elaborate on that statement of yours?"

Suming mentioned changing distributors. There was an element of jest in his words, but it wasn’t entirely a joke.

He was putting pressure on Cai Liming and Huashi, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking into the North American market, but that didn’t mean there was no way to start. Business cooperation puts interests first, if you can’t do it, then I’ll find someone else who can.

As an employee of Huashi, Cai Liming did not defend Huashi nor indicated to Suming that Huashi was willing to strengthen the cooperation and make an effort to explore the market. Instead, he agreed that Suming should switch to a more capable distributor. This was beyond Suming’s expectations.

Isn’t this pushing business out the door?

Seeing Suming’s confusion, Cai Liming said, "Personally, of course, I hope you would continue to choose Huashi. As the person directly responsible for the project, I am a direct beneficiary of our cooperation. Even Animal City, which in your view did not perform well at the box office, has become a vibrant highlight in my resume at Huashi. However, from an objective business perspective, continuing to work with Huashi is not the best choice for you or for Huashi."

"I would like to hear the details," Suming said.

"Terror Animal City has proven several points. First, that Taoyuan Film and Television, or rather you yourself, not only focus on the domestic market but also possess a global vision and breadth of spirit. Second, under your leadership, Taoyuan Film and Television has the preliminary capacity to tackle the world film industry. While Huashi has rich distribution experience in North America, as you’ve mentioned, its strength and background are insufficient for controlling North American theaters, not even capable of ’significant influence.’ Therefore, if we continue our cooperation, it will restrict the development of Taoyuan Film Industry."

"I appreciate that you are considering this from the perspective of Taoyuan Film and Television, but as an employee of Huashi Film Industry isn’t it a loss for Huashi if I don’t cooperate with them?" Suming asked.

"In the short term, of course it is. But in the long term, it’s better to part on good terms during the honeymoon phase, leaving a beautiful impression, rather than to end up with conflict and resentment from an enforced separation. It’s like forcing a person who’s already 30 years old to wear clothes fit for a 13-year-old; the person will feel uncomfortable and the clothing will just rip. In fact, you’ve already expressed your dissatisfaction with the North American box office of Terror Animal City."

"Yes," Suming pondered for a moment and said, "In my estimation, the box office should have exceeded twenty million US Dollars at the very least."

Cai Liming nodded, "So if your next film maintains the standard of Animal City—actually, based on my experience, companies new to the industry who have initial success with their first film, often have great potential for their second to be a hit due to increased experience. In such a scenario, your expectations for the North American box office will certainly be higher, and Huashi’s capacity is indeed limited, which would lead to serious conflict and dissatisfaction."

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Cai Liming’s words were very foresighted. Huashi makes a good teacher for those entering the industry but is not a long-term partner capable of mutual promotion with Taoyuan Film and Television.

The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan could lay a solid foundation for Guo Jing, but they could not make him a top-level master. The Seven Disciples of Quanzhen could cultivate Guo Jing into a top-level master but not one of the Five Greats. When one side’s strength improves, it must choose a better partner. The purpose of cooperation is mutual benefit, not holding each other back.

Suming didn’t say it outright but smiled and asked, "Mr. Cai, aren’t you afraid that your boss at Huashi will be displeased with you speaking this way?"

"Mr. Su, as someone in the industry, you should be able to tell that Huashi Film Industry has a government background. Their purpose is not solely to make money but more so to promote Huaxia culture. If Taoyuan Film Industry can get a better platform, we won’t oppose Taoyuan Film and Television changing partners. Additionally..."

He smiled and said, "I have some personal principles. I hope my accomplishments are built on satisfying clients and thereby bringing me economic benefits and achieving my life’s value. To put it bluntly, I don’t like engaging in things that hurt others for my own gain; that’s too low-end for me."

He pointed to his temple, "I believe there are countless opportunities in the world to benefit both others and oneself, as long as one is willing to use their brain. That’s also a kind of enjoyment in life, isn’t it?"

Suming fell silent, squinting and scrutinizing Cai Liming from head to toe for a long while until Cai Liming felt somewhat uneasy.

"Mr. Cai, I want to cooperate with Huashi. My biggest gain isn’t the million US Dollars in revenue sharing but discovering talent. I wonder if you’d be interested in joining Taoyuan Film and Television, as I am in need of someone to oversee the big picture."

Cai Liming was slightly startled, pondered for a moment, and then said seriously, "I’m quite expensive. Among Huashi’s vice presidents, I’m ranked first in terms of earnings."

Suming smiled slightly, replying in Cai Liming’s style, "That shows Huashi has good judgment, but their vision isn’t good enough, which is why I have the opportunity to tempt you with the position of a general manager that pays more than all the vice presidents combined."

Cai Liming laughed, "Mr. Su, I’ll give you an answer within twenty-four hours. Regardless of our future professional relationship, I am very grateful for your appreciation."

...

Twelve hours later, Cai Liming called to accept the position of the company’s general manager, agreeing to take on the role after wrapping up his current work and handing over responsibilities within a week.

For this incoming general manager, neither Jiao Shou nor Nangong Huang showed the slightest discontent.

Suming was well aware that Jiao Shou had his own ambitions and ideals. He wasn’t going to stick with Suming for the long haul. Currently lacking capable hands, and with Jiao Shou lacking experience and capital, the two complemented each other in the short term. In the future, it was highly likely Jiao Shou would strike out on his own.

Nangong Huang was Suming’s confidant and his obvious plant in the company. Given his relationship with Suming, even if he were a janitor, no one would look down on him. Besides, Nangong Huang was young, lacking experience in many aspects and needed to start from the ground up and gain more experience.

With the addition of Cai Liming, an industry expert, the core team of the film company was now fully in place. Seizing the opportunity, Suming formally separated the film company from the entertainment company and established Taoyuan Film and Television.

Upon assuming his role, Cai Liming acted decisively. Within a week, Taoyuan Film and Television completed its staff recruitment and departmental organization, officially setting up an office in a downtown building. Cai Liming even had the spare capacity to fulfill Suming’s previous arrangements, reviewing scripts submitted from all quarters.

However, the results were disappointing. Out of the seven screenplays—some written by Beijing Film Academy students, others submitted by industry screenwriters—all were vetoed by Cai Liming.

Suming perused a few of the rejected scripts and, indeed, they did not meet the company’s requirements either being unfit for full animal casts or too much of a follow-the-leader for the domestic market.

Without a script, there was no way to continue filming. Cai Liming’s primary focus shifted to searching for screenplays.

And Taoyuan Film and Television wasn’t the only company working frantically for the sake of film.