Chapter 741: The Rules of Capitalists
Li Quanwang thought that this "Civilization" was going to break out of Asia and go global, but after listening to Lu Yiming's analysis, he immediately became depressed and couldn't help but curse: "Damn it, after all, this is still a business?"
Lu Yiming said casually: "How can there be so much true love in the world? To put it bluntly, it's all a routine. But even though it's a routine, at least he wants to make a lot of money in Xia Country and wants to be our friend. This is not without benefits to us. We can use each other for mutual benefit."
These days, foreign investment is taken very seriously, and attracting investment is almost a catchphrase on the lips of governments at all levels. In order to attract investment, some places are willing to treat foreigners as their grandsons from top to bottom - there is no other way, this thing is considered KPI. As we all know, anything related to KPI basically means that people and dignity are separated.
Andre is quite adventurous in foreign investment, otherwise he would not have called the Baiyun City Investment Promotion Bureau to intercede for Lu Yiming just because he couldn't meet him in Beijing.
A few days later, the news that Andre invited the "Civilization" team to perform in Europe was reported in the newspapers. It was not known whether it was reported by someone in the interview at that time or was deliberately leaked later.
When people heard that "Civilization" was invited to perform in Europe, there was .
The Xia State of this era had just emerged from its predicament of poverty and weakness. Looking around, it saw the prosperity and advancement of developed countries such as Europe, the United States, and Japan. In comparison, although the Xia State had vast territory and abundant resources, it seemed so poor and backward. Therefore, it urgently needed recognition from the outside world and needed something to boost national self-confidence and national pride.
When people learned that a luxury goods merchant from Paris was going to invite "Civilization" to perform in Europe, society was immediately in an uproar and everyone started talking about "Civilization".
In this era when people are eager to integrate into the world and gain recognition abroad, such a thing happened: "Civilization" quickly became popular and was regarded as spiritual sustenance by countless people.
On the Internet, discussions about "Civilization" have also exploded in various forums.
"Is our Xia country's traditional culture so awesome? Even foreigners have to kneel down."
"Chinese culture is the best!"
Many people cheered and shouted, very excited.
However, what the Internet lacks the least is dissenting voices. Among the many voices of support, there are also discordant noises.
"Those so-called traditional costumes are nothing but remnants of the previous dynasty. How dare you bring out something that has been wiped out by history? What's your intention?"
"What is Hanfu? Isn't that feudal superstition?"
Someone immediately refuted the post.
"Don't the islanders wear their traditional costumes during festivals? Are they also feudal and superstitious? Ridiculous, this is clearly a fine cultural tradition!"
"That's right. If foreigners like something, it must be good. Foreigners come to admire us, but some of us are still kneeling?"
"Oh, what a sin."
There was a huge uproar on the Internet, and the popularity of "Civilization" in real life also soared rapidly. When the notice for the second performance came out, the number of reservations quickly broke the record, and tens of thousands of tickets were sold out. Some people even chose to pay a higher price to buy scalper tickets.
The cast and crew were also exposed, and the versatile Lin Yuzhen received everyone's special attention. After her identity information was revealed, it was discovered that she was Lu Yiming's classmate, and everyone's gossip fire was burning even more.
Lin Yuzhen's fame suddenly expanded to several circles. Even after returning to Baiyun City, some people recognized her and excitedly took out notebooks to ask Lin Yuzhen for her autograph.
After this happened several times, Lin Yuzhen couldn't help but call Lu Yiming to complain.
"You've killed me. Now I have to wear sunglasses and a mask when I go out, otherwise I'll be recognized and a bunch of people will want my autograph and take photos with me. I don't even dare to go shopping now. You have to compensate me!"
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "You have become a quasi-superstar now. Maybe there are several times more people in the country who know your face than those who know mine. If you endorse a product in the future, you may get millions or even tens of millions of dollars in endorsement fees. I will ask you for a share of the profits, and you still want me to pay you back? Is this reasonable?"
After hearing about the high endorsement fee, Lin Yuzhen's inner resistance suddenly decreased a lot.
Making money is not shameful.
"Okay, then I'll forgive you temporarily. As for the profit share, huh, forget it."
Lu Yiming complained: "Damn, you really are a little money-grubber."
"None of your business!"
Lu Yiming changed the subject and said, "Hey, are you ready? Andre and I have already agreed. We will strike while the iron is hot. After the second performance in China, we will arrange for you to go on tour in Paris. The relevant departments have also asked me to persuade you to become the official cultural ambassador."
When Lin Yuzhen heard this, she was shocked and said quickly, "Cultural Promotion Ambassador? I can't do it. How about you be the one to do it?"
Ordinary people have a natural fear of the government. When they have not come into contact with that circle, they will think of it as something very sacred and stay away from it. Lin Yuzhen is just a girl in her early twenties and has no experience in dealing with the government, so she is very nervous.
Lu Yiming said with a smile: "Are you kidding me? I haven't even been on stage, and I'm not a member of the crew, so how can I be a cultural ambassador? Don't have any mental baggage, this thing won't do anything to you, it's just a title. However, with this identity, you will have an official backer, which is very beneficial to your future development. For example - your endorsement fee will be higher."
After hearing this last sentence, Lin Yuzhen finally felt relieved and muttered, "That's better!"
Then, Lin Yuzhen suddenly had an idea and remembered something very important: "If someone is too attentive to you for no reason, he is either a traitor or a thief. Tell me the truth, what is your purpose in doing these things so enthusiastically?"
Lu Yiming coughed lightly and confessed honestly without hiding it from Lin Yuzhen: "As for the plot, there must be some, after all, you can't live on the wind if you are engaged in culture. If you just use love to generate power, it will not last long.
Therefore, this time I plan to make good use of this incident to promote our domestic tourism industry.
For example, we focus on some historical sites with strong cultural atmosphere and cooperate with local officials.
Didn’t the first season of Super Travel Group end? I heard from Director Chen that the feedback was very good and several TV stations came to discuss the broadcasting rights.
It just so happens that we can take this opportunity to launch the second season of "Super Travel Group", which will focus on traditional culture.
By then, whether it is land development or the promotion of tourism-related express hotel business, it will be profitable and the rate of return will be considerable. "
After listening to this, Lin Yuzhen was stunned by Lu Yiming's operations. She had no idea what these business leaders were thinking, but she felt that they were very powerful. Lu Yiming seemed to always be able to use every opportunity to make money.
This is outrageous.
"You still have the nerve to call me a money-grubber. I think you are the biggest money-grubber! You are obsessed with money."
Lu Yiming thought of the scene when Lin Yuzhen performed in Hanfu before, and said with a sigh: "Hey, you look so good in Hanfu. It's a pity that I didn't take a good photo at that time. I must arrange it when I go to Paris this time."
Lin Yuzhen said dissatisfiedly: "You mean, I only look good when I wear Hanfu?"
Lu Yiming was a man with a strong desire to survive, so he quickly said, "You look good even when you're not wearing it! But Hanfu has a bonus effect on your appearance, especially for pretty girls, who look extra beautiful when wearing it."
Regardless of whether it was the truth or a compliment, Lin Yuzhen felt overjoyed when she heard it: "Really?"
"Of course it's true!"
Lu Yiming thought back to the time and space before his rebirth. Hanfu fever and national trend had already emerged, but there was no well-known Hanfu brand. Brands like Minghuatang only had some influence in the Hanfu circle, but had no influence outside of the Hanfu circle. In fact, their voice in promoting traditional culture was very limited.
Thinking of this, Lu Yiming continued, "Since Hanfu is so beautiful, and exquisite Hanfu can be found in all dynasties, spring, summer, autumn, winter, Tang, Song, and Ming, then why don't we just restore these Hanfu so that Hanfu lovers can easily buy them, and even tailor them like high-end suits abroad?"
Lin Yuzhen was very surprised and asked, "You want to sell Hanfu? There isn't much demand for this thing, right? It's usually only needed for movies, TV series or stage shows, so you can't make much money from it."
Lu Yiming said, "You don't understand this. Let me give you an example. The island country's kimono industry has formed a specialized industry chain. At its peak, it once reached a scale of more than 100 billion. Although it has been hit hard by the island country's economic decline, it still maintains a level of 30 to 40 billion per year, which is still quite profitable."
"In the final analysis, it's all about popularization. Do you think there will be a day when we go out and see everyone wearing our own clothes, just like when you go out, you can see young people wearing suits everywhere? How many billions of dollars is the domestic suit market worth now? Why can't it be converted into Hanfu?"
Obviously, as a product with its own cultural attributes, Hanfu has a lot of room for profit.
The key is how to create a widely recognized mass brand and achieve cultural identity.
Although the ideal is full, the reality is very skinny. Lu Yiming has invested in many companies, but they are all technology companies. He has no experience in the field of clothing. Although he has a big strategic direction, he lacks practical operation.
But soon, he thought of someone.
Well, there is no problem in this world that cannot be solved with money.
It doesn’t matter if I don’t know how to do it. Can’t I just go find someone who does?
On this day, Lu Yiming knocked on Zhu Hanwen's door carrying a bunch of gifts.
"Teacher Zhu."
Zhu Hanwen, who was breastfeeding in the living room, saw Lu Yiming coming and hurried over to open the door.
"Lu Yiming, how come you have time to come here today? Lin Yuzhen went to film a movie and hasn't come yet."
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "I'm not here to look for Lin Yuzhen. Is Teacher Sun at home?"
Sun Jiatong, who was cooking, poked her head out of the kitchen and said enthusiastically, "Hey, Xiao Ming is here? Come and sit down. I'll pick the vegetables first. Lao Zhu, go make some tea and bring out the candies."
Lu Yiming quickly said, "Don't be so polite. I came here today to ask Teacher Sun for help."
Upon hearing this, Sun Jiatong quickly wiped her hands, took off her apron, and walked out of the kitchen, saying excitedly, "It's rare. You're the richest man in Asia, and you still need my help?"
Lu Yiming smiled and said, "Teacher Sun, you are too modest. Aren't you now the agent of your old classmate's Liren clothing brand on Taobao? I would like to ask you to help me contact your old classmate. I want to discuss a business deal with him."
"real?"
When Sun Jiatong heard that Lu Yiming wanted to cooperate with her old classmate, she was immediately excited and said, "I'll call him now and ask him to come over for dinner. Then you can talk slowly."
Half an hour later, a couple appeared at Sun Jiatong's door.
They are Sun Jiatong’s old classmates, the owner of Liren Clothing, Chen Qianhui, and his wife Nie Baoyun.
"Teacher Sun, Teacher Zhu, long time no see."
Chen Qian would put the fruit in his hand on the table.
Nie Baoyun came over and hugged Sun Jiatong, saying with a smile, "Teacher Sun, I heard that your Taobao store business is very prosperous recently."
Sun Jiatong was a little proud and said, "That's a must. My store is among the best in the women's clothing category."
Chen Qianhui said: "Teacher Sun is really amazing."
Sun Jiatong said modestly: "Your products are of excellent quality and novel styles. That's why they sell well."
Then, she introduced, "Okay, let's stop talking nonsense. Come, let me introduce you. This is my husband's student, and the current richest man in Asia, Lu Yiming."
Nie Baoyun looked at Lu Yiming who was sitting next to her and was shocked: "What? Asia's richest man Lu Yiming? Is he a student in Teacher Zhu's class?"
Which businessman doesn't know the title of Asia's richest man?
But what many people don’t know is that Lu Yiming is a student of No. 1 Middle School.
Lu Yiming did not beat around the bush and said directly: "With the rapid economic development of Xia Country, I think there is great potential in the clothing industry. Your Liren's design and production are very good, so I plan to invest."
After hearing Lu Yiming's words, Chen Qianhui and Nie Baoyun looked at each other and saw joy in each other's eyes.
Getting investment from Mr. Lu, the richest man, is almost synonymous with success in Xia Country!
Chen Qianhui asked: "How does Mr. Lu plan to cooperate?"
Lu Yiming said: "What I want is to create a sub-brand called 'Tianyi' under Liren, focusing on the mid-to-high-end Hanfu market."
"Hanfu?"
Both Chen Qianhui and Nie Baoyun found it extremely incomprehensible.
Chen Qian would say, "Who would spend money to buy that?"
Lu Yiming said calmly: "I have already been promoting Hanfu, and I can accept the loss of the Tianyi brand in the first ten years. The key is that after ten years, we must gain a firm foothold and then work towards becoming a century-old brand."
A century-old brand!
Both Chen Qianhui and Nie Baoyun were frightened by Lu Yiming's ambition.
Given Xia’s current business environment, is it possible for a century-old private brand to be born?
Chen Qianhui couldn't wait to say: "Then, Mr. Lu, let's talk about the specific cooperation."
In mid-October 2003, the second performance of "Civilization" was an unprecedented success. Not only did all the tickets sell out, but people also came to discuss copyright cooperation.
This shows that "Civilization" has gained a certain degree of recognition in the country.
After the second performance, all the crew members of the "Civilization" stage play took a chartered plane and headed to Europe under the leadership of Andre, preparing to start a tour of European countries.
Lu Yiming was also on the accompanying plane.
As for traditional culture, in Xia State, it still has to rely on the method of "export to domestic sales" to make progress.
So this trip to Paris is very important, we must succeed and not fail.
However, as soon as the plane took off, Andre appeared in front of Lu Yiming with an apologetic look on his face.
"Lu, just now I received very unfortunate news that the Paris Opera House rejected our cooperation. They said that this was the intention of Felix Middleton, the Deputy Minister of Culture of France."
It is said that a strong dragon cannot defeat a local snake. Obviously, in Paris, Lu Yiming's title as Asia's richest man is not very useful, and no one gives him face.
After listening to this, Lu Yiming did not show any special expression on his face. He just said lightly: "Okay, I understand."
After Andre left , Lin Yuzhen, who was sitting next to Lu Yiming, said worriedly, "What's going on? They invited us, but the theater doesn't let us use it? Isn't this crazy?"
Song Meiyun quickly said, "Lin Yuzhen, why are you talking like that? Maybe they have other plans."
Afterwards, she said to Lu Yiming, "When we get to Paris, we'll go talk to them first, but don't get angry with them. After all, we're abroad and we represent the image of our country. Don't ruin the relationship."
Lu Yiming shrugged slightly and said, "Teacher Song, I don't like asking for help from others since I was a child. What's more, asking for help can't solve the problem right now. If we want to find someone, we have to find someone who can make the final decision."
Song Meiyun advised, "Don't do that. If they can't arrange the schedule, it's okay for us to wait. There's no need to get angry. If there's a diplomatic dispute, we'll be criticized."
However, Lu Yiming was not afraid at all. After all, France is a capitalist country, and the rich are the boss here. What schedule can't be arranged? Isn't that discrimination?
Lu Yiming doesn't like being discriminated against.
"Teacher Song, don't worry about these things. I know what's going on. I never cause trouble, but I'm not afraid of it either. Since I've encountered difficulties, I'll just solve them."
"How are you going to solve this?"
