Chapter 422: First meeting with Li Xiaolong
Chapter 422: First meeting with Li Xiaolong (asking for monthly votes at the end of the month)
It took Yang Wendong about ten days to solve KFC's problem. Even if Sanders (retires) is gone in the future, the company is still capable of developing according to its original history. It is only because of long-term lack of money that its development has been slow.
But now that it has been acquired by myself, I will definitely support it with all my strength. Not to mention other things, just the fact that it controls how billions of people eat will have a huge influence.
In the future, Best Catering Group will be one of the companies with the largest number of employees in the world. Although it is dispersed, the front-end procurement cannot be ignored. In the future, it will even be able to control a part of the food, and with the chicken farm + food processing plant, everything will form a closed loop.
However, it is still a long way to go. No matter how rich you are, business expansion takes time. Even if you want to join a franchise, talent training, store selection, etc. are all very time-consuming and energy-consuming.
At present, there is no rush. Just wait for Sanders and the future related teams to slowly lay a solid foundation. Yang Wendong only needs to do one thing, that is, to make money in other fields and then help KFC develop rapidly at the right time.
On December 12, Yang Wendong accompanied Bai Yujie to Hollywood. This was Yang Wendong's first time here.
"Brother Dong, I watched an American movie a few days ago and I thought it was pretty good. Do you think we can show American movies in Hong Kong?" Bai Yujie asked as they walked.
Yang Wendong said with a smile: "It is possible, but generally there is no success. Unless it is a movie that has achieved very high success in the United States, Hong Kong may import it. The reason is the same as Southeast Asia used to only buy Hong Kong's top box office movies."
Before Yang Wendong acquired Lujia Cinemas, only a few third-party films could be sold overseas, because cinemas in Southeast Asia also absorb films from various countries.
This is why when Changxing Group's overseas cinemas are open to Hong Kong local films, it means so much to various film companies and even supporting personnel such as stars.
"Well, I also checked the box office of American movies. It's much higher than Hong Kong." Bai Yujie said, "If Hong Kong movies can be released in the United States one day, it would be great. Zou Wenhuai would probably be so happy."
"Haha, I am the same, but it is too difficult." Yang Wendong shook his head and said, "It is so difficult for some Hong Kong culture to enter the United States. Even if I buy theaters in the United States with capital investment, it is useless because most locals will not watch it."
Capital operation also has profit-making purposes. Even if it is for strategic investment, efforts should be made to avoid losses or minimize losses.
The core reason for acquiring Lujia Cinema Chain was that Lu Yuntao was also Chinese. He had been running Southeast Asian cinema chains for his entire life, and they were also built around local Chinese people. The customer base could easily accept Hong Kong films, so he spent a lot of money to acquire it. Otherwise, even if there were real estate income, it would not be cost-effective, because from a real estate perspective alone, it would be easier to manage if you just bought the land and built office buildings.
"Well, let's go and see other places." Bai Yujie said again.
Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Okay, the scenery here is also nice."
This time he came to Hollywood for no other purpose, just for fun. He cannot control this market at present, and it will be difficult even after many years. Even if he wants to cooperate, the best way is to form an alliance of interests with local giants.
After playing for a few days and seeing most of the famous attractions, Yang Wendong took Bai Yujie to a street in downtown Los Angeles. On this street, there was a store called "Jen-Fan Gung Fu Institute".
There is also a Chinatown in Los Angeles, where there are many shops with Chinese signs. It seems strange to see a store suddenly appear on a street with only English signs, but judging from the bustle inside, this store is doing good business.
After entering, a doorman hurried forward and said in English: "Sir, are you here to learn martial arts?"
At the same time, he also glanced at the bodyguards next to the leader. There were six burly men in total. Through the glass door, he could also see several men in black standing in many corners. You know, it's winter now, there's no need. Who would be willing to stand outside?
I can only say that the Asian man in front of me must be of extraordinary status, as he has so many bodyguards around him.
Yang Wendong said in Cantonese: "I came to take a look."
"Are you from Hong Kong, sir?" the doorman asked immediately.
Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Yes."
Accents can still be distinguished. Many people in the United States can speak Cantonese or Mandarin, but they sound a little different when you listen to them. Even in Hong Kong, the accents of people from eastern Guangdong can be heard.
"Please come in." The doorman said hurriedly, and then another person from inside took over and introduced the situation inside the martial arts hall to Yang Wendong.
After walking in, you can also find a dozen blond-haired and blue-eyed foreigners learning martial arts.
"How much does it cost to learn martial arts here?" Yang Wendong asked curiously.
Anna, a Chinese woman, said: "It depends on the time they sign up for. The longer the time, the cheaper it is per hour. On average, it is about $5 per hour.
It also depends on who is teaching. If it is Mr. Li himself, it is usually more than $200 an hour.”
"Well, Mr. Li Xiaolong should be in Los Angeles recently, right?" Yang Wendong asked again.
The reason I came here is naturally to meet Li Xiaolong, this brilliant international superstar in Chinese history. His fame is so great that no one can compare to him. It's a pity that he died young, otherwise his achievements might be unimaginable.
Although I don't plan to let him return to Hong Kong to make movies for the time being, now that I'm in the United States, I happen to know that he's in Los Angeles, so it would be nice to meet him. After all, I was also a fan of his when I was a child in my previous life.
Anna said, "Yes, Mr. Li is in Los Angeles recently, but he is also very busy and has to return to Seattle before Christmas. If you have anything to say, you can tell me and I will pass it on to him."
"Well, give him this business card for me and tell him that I want to see him." Yang Wendong also took out his gold-edged business card and handed it to Anna.
Although Li Xiaolong had not yet officially entered Hollywood in 1964, he was already quite famous in the United States. It can even be said that the reason he was able to play the leading role as a Chinese directly after entering Hollywood was precisely because of his current fame.
In 62, Li Xiaolong defeated a Japanese karate master. Another time, he subdued four knife-wielding gangsters with his bare hands. Last year, he defeated Chuck Norris, who had won the championship for three consecutive years, and won the championship. Then, he was invited to perform blindfolded interception and inch punch at the opening ceremony of the Long Beach International Karate Competition in California, which caused quite a stir. So it is indeed impossible for ordinary people to meet him. This is normal. Anyone with a little fame and status must be screened.
"Yang Wendong?" Anna took a look and asked, "Hong Kong Changxing Group? Are you the boss of a Hong Kong company?"
"Yes." Yang Wendong smiled and nodded, saying, "Is Mr. Li here now?"
Obviously, this little girl doesn't know about Changxing Group, but this is normal. In this era, information communication efficiency is very low. Few people in the United States know about Changxing Group. Even Chinese people may not pay attention to Hong Kong because they may have grown up in the United States and are descendants of immigrants for several generations.
"Yes, I'll give you my business card now." Anna also realized that Yang Wendong was not an ordinary person. After all, he had so many bodyguards behind him that ordinary people could not afford to support them.
On the third floor of the martial arts gym, a man in his early 20s was exercising when suddenly a woman knocked on the door and walked in.
"Mr. Li, there is a Chinese from Hong Kong outside who wants to see you." Anna said, "This person should be someone special. This is his business card."
"Unusual?" Li Xiaolong stopped what he was doing, took the business card, saw the name on it, stood up suddenly, with a look of shock on his face, and immediately asked, "Where is Mr. Yang?"
"It's just downstairs..." Anna saw Li Xiaolong's special expression and realized that her guess was correct.
Li Xiaolong quickly grabbed the towel beside him, wiped his sweat, and then said, "Let's go down."
Soon, the two came down the stairs. Li Xiaolong also saw Yang Wendong and immediately stepped forward and said, "Mr. Yang, I have heard of your name for a long time."
"Hello, Mr. Li." Yang Wendong had already seen Li Xiaolong coming down the stairs, and he smiled and shook hands with him.
Li Xiaolong is originally from Hong Kong. He left Hong Kong in 57. If he pays more attention to Hong Kong while in the United States now, then it is normal for him to know himself.
"How about we go upstairs and sit for a while?" Li Xiaolong said again.
"Okay." Yang Wendong nodded. There were still many idle people here, and it was not suitable for communication.
Soon, they arrived at a house upstairs decorated in Chinese style, with some tables and chairs in ancient style inside.
Li Xiaolong also made tea himself and asked, "Mr. Yang, what do you want from me?"
"It's nothing serious." Yang Wendong smiled and said, "I heard about your fame, and I came here because of your reputation. In the field of martial arts, you have fought hard for the Chinese people."
Although technology has entered the age of firearms, modern warfare, social stability and other factors still require people with strong physical strength. Therefore, many people around the world also love sports or martial arts competitions;
For example, football, basketball, running, etc., the top athletes in these fields are no less famous than entertainment stars.
"Haha, you are quite famous." Li Xiaolong was also very happy, and then he said: "But compared with Mr. Yang, you are far behind."
"Every profession has its own specialties. I'm a businessman, so there's no comparison." Yang Wendong added, "The second thing is that I hope you can endorse some of my products."
"Endorsement?" Li Xiaolong paused and said, "I haven't done this before."
Yang Wendong said with a smile: "Since you don't have it, it won't hurt to give it a try. Besides, endorsements like this can also get you on TV, which is good for your reputation."
At this time, Li Xiaolong's fame was only average, but commercial investment itself was to take advantage of the opponent's weakness. For example, before the Olympics in the past, many brands would bet on whether an athlete could win the championship and sign an agreement in advance. If successful, they would make a lot of money.
"What product will you endorse?" Li Xiaolong asked.
Yang Wendong replied: "It's hard for me to say. I have a lot of products. If you agree, someone will come to negotiate with you and listen to your opinions. Once it's confirmed, we will discuss the endorsement time, price, etc."
If the other party was not Li Xiaolong, he would not bother to meet other American stars.
Li Xiaolong nodded and said, "That's right, then we can talk about it first, if it's appropriate."
"Okay, my people in the United States will contact you soon." Yang Wendong paused and asked, "Mr. Li, I heard that you are planning to enter Hollywood?"
This is no secret. Li Xiaolong's fame has already attracted the attention of Hollywood giants.
PS: Please give me a monthly ticket at the end of the month
(End of this chapter)