October 7, 1998, 23 days until Halloween in the United States.
Just when Yi Feiyang was frantically revising the script of "Ghost Story", he unexpectedly received a call from Mr. Tuo in Chinatown.
On the phone, Mr. Tuo said that he had found a place to open a film company.
Chinatown itself is not a big place. Yi Feiyang always thought that it would be good to find an office building with an area of 200 to 300 square meters to set up a company here. But he never expected that Mr. Tuo would be so generous.
No. 13, Chinatown.
This unlucky number, which Westerners dislike very much, brought good luck to Yi Feiyang today.
Standing in front of the third floor, looking around, the huge company looks like an ancient castle, which is shocking.
"How's it going, A-Yang, this place isn't bad, isn't it?" Mr. Tuo said with a smile.
"Not only is it not bad, it is simply great!" Yi Feiyang praised sincerely.
"I didn't expect you to find such a big place, with an area of three thousand square meters, right?"
"Not only that, if the area of the three floors is calculated together, it is about more than 10,000 square meters." Tuo Ye said, "This was originally a factory, but unfortunately the efficiency was not good, and the products produced could not be sold at all. The boss was so cruel
, just declared bankruptcy, and now all the machines and equipment inside have been sold, leaving only this empty shell. I thought the place was quite big and would be a good fit for you to be a film company, so I came here."
"What was this place used to do?"
"It's a sock maker. The boss is an American. His name is Henry Miller. He's an old capitalist in Los Angeles. I heard that this man is cunning and mercenary. Many people don't like him... I just don't understand why he is in Chinatown.
Opening such a factory and selling socks makes no money, unless it's their Christmas... This old guy has capsized in the gutter this time." Mr. Tuo showed a rare Western sense of humor.
"However, when he capsized, he gave us an advantage. I called him and visited him. The old guy was very confident at first and refused to let go of the $800,000 lease for three years. In the end, I bargained down to 600,000.
what do you think?"
"Lease for 3 years for 600,000 US dollars?" Although Yi Feiyang doesn't know much about real estate in the United States, he also knows that this is definitely a good deal. However, he is naturally cautious and never believes that pie will fall from the sky, especially after listening to Mr. Tuo.
This person is said to be cunning and cunning. How could a person like this suffer so easily?!
"Master Camel, if possible, I would like to meet Mr. Henry."
"Of course, you are the boss after all!" Mr. Tuo said cheerfully.
"Okay then, how about two hours from now?"
"So urgent?"
"I can't help it, I'm racing against time now." Yi Feiyang smiled bitterly.
"Don't worry, I'll try my best to arrange it!"
Mr. Tuo didn't understand that Yi Feiyang's request to meet within two hours had a deeper meaning.
If the other party is not in a hurry to rent, he will refuse such a hasty date, because according to Western tradition, appointments must be made in advance. They have very planned and regular arrangements for their time, which is different from what Chinese people do.
Business, impromptu interactions, and straight to the wine table.
On the other hand, if the other party agrees to such an impolite impromptu date immediately, it means that the other party is eager to rent the factory, and then there must be something wrong with it.
How could an old capitalist not put on airs and be so eager to rent a factory as soon as possible? Even if you think about it, you know there is something fishy in it!
The camel master was very fast. He dialed the phone and it took him less than three minutes to say to Yi Feiyang, "Okay, Ayang, Mr. Henry Miller, promise you to meet as soon as possible within two hours."
.”
Yi Feiyang smiled. It seemed that Henry, the boss, was more anxious than himself.
Since it had been agreed, of course Yi Feiyang had to make some preparations before meeting with Henry, the boss. So he picked up the phone, hesitated, and finally dialed the number of Gusta, the boss of Lionsgate Pictures.
Telephone.
If the estimate is correct, Gusta is a banker by background, and he knows the details of those old capitalists in Los Angeles very well.
As for the relationship between Gusta and himself, Yi Feiyang didn't think too much about it. After all, the two parties have always been in a relationship of mutual benefit. Friends? In a place like Hollywood, the word friend seems to be very cheap!
…
It was 11 o'clock that morning.
Yi Feiyang is a very punctual person, but that boss Henry is not so punctual.
In an exquisite coffee shop in Los Angeles, from 10:30 to 11 o'clock, Yi Feiyang had been waiting for half an hour.
When he looked at his watch again, the camel sitting opposite him suddenly said, "Mr. Henry is here!"
Yi Feiyang turned around and saw a man in a striped suit walking over.
The man was about fifty years old, with bulging goldfish eyes and slicked-back hair.
When he came to his seat, he greeted Mr. Tuo and Yi Feiyang warmly, and then apologized, saying that he was too busy with work and came late.
I have to say that this guy who looks like an old capitalist is very sociable. At least he has a smile on his face, giving people a sense of harmlessness.
"I don't have much time, so let's get to the point." Goldfish-eyed Henry said.
"You may have seen my factory building, it's 600,000, with a three-year lease. I think this is a very good price. You can't find a cheaper place than mine all over Los Angeles!"
"Yes, I have seen your factory building, but the place seems a bit dilapidated." Yi Feiyang said.
"Dirty? Oh, really? So you noticed it too, haha, but then again, if it wasn't for the place being too shabby, I wouldn't have rented it so cheaply, right?" Henry crossed his legs and narrowed his goldfish eyes.
.
"But what I want to know is," Yi Feiyang said firmly, "in the past three years, whether we can use your factory without any worries, or whether it will be taken away directly by a bank, and we
Will you lose all your money?"
Boss Henry seemed to be stabbed in the spine, "Oh God, how can you say that? I am an honest businessman, how could I do such a two-sided thing? Besides, go out and find out how many factories there are in this factory.
I hope to rent it. If it weren’t for the old hunchback’s sake, I wouldn’t rent it to you so cheaply!” Goldfish-eyed Henry looked so angry that his words were a little unpleasant.
The camel master was called "old hunchback" by him and felt very depressed.
I have a hunchback, but my front is straight, and as straight as a javelin! So I am not an "old hunchback", I am just a hunchback! Your mother's head...
Yi Feiyang smiled and looked at Boss Henry, who seemed to be furious, and said: "Calm down, dear Mr. Henry. I never like to talk nonsense, nor do I like to doubt others for no reason, but..."
Yi Feiyang paused for a moment, then picked up the coffee cup and took a sip, "But this deal really makes me suspicious..."
"Suspicious? Oh God, why are you so suspicious? 600,000 yuan is a big deal. If it were me, I would have laughed from ear to ear... Well, since you are so insincere, I don't want to do it anymore.
If I keep talking to you, I have to leave, yes, I really have to leave! Damn it, I don’t know how much business you have delayed with this date!”
Looking at the angry boss Henry, Mr. Tuo tried his best to persuade him to stay, "He is a young man and doesn't know how to speak. Mr. Henry, please stay!"
The goldfish-eyed Henry didn't give the camel any face, and pretended to run away, looking at Yi Feiyang arrogantly, waiting for him to give in.
Yi Feiyang smiled, picked up the coffee, and said to goldfish-eyed Henry: "Boss Henry, why are you in such a hurry? Why don't we sit down and have something to drink."
"Sorry, Mr. Yi, I don't like the coffee here very much, it's too bitter!" Henry said with his nose raised.
"That's because you haven't had real good coffee, like the cappuccino here...it's absolutely sweet and delicious."
"Hmph, no need to worry, I have something to do, so I'm leaving now! Goodbye, my Mr. Yi!" Henry turned to leave.
"I wonder how Lehman Bank will deal with your bankruptcy application, and Mr. Henry, can you successfully immigrate to Canada?" Yi Feiyang said slowly.
Henry Miller, who was about to turn around and leave, was stunned.
"What are you talking about? Dear Yi, I don't quite understand?" Henry Miller turned around, his face turned slightly ugly, and he looked at Yi Feiyang with his bulging goldfish eyes and said.
"You should know better than me what I'm talking about, right, dear boss Henry?" Yi Feiyang took a sip of coffee and then said: "As far as I know, your immigration procedures to Canada have been completed.
is down, and your bankruptcy application procedures will be completed before you immigrate, right? By then, many of your properties will be confiscated by the lending bank, such as this sock factory that should not have been opened in Chinatown... It is estimated that
The time will be taken away directly by the bank, and we poor renters can only beg for help. God, this is the favorite trick of the old capitalists, but it has deceived many people!"
"That's enough, don't you think it's enough?!" Boss Henry was furious, "The reason why I came to meet you today is because I think highly of you, yes, I think highly of you, you know?! If there wasn't my dear old hunchback standing in the middle
Wait, I won't see you at all! God, you insulted me so unfoundedly. You have damaged the reputation of a gentleman, and even the heart of a businessman! I strongly demand that you apologize to me!"
"Apologise?" Yi Feiyang smiled, then drank the coffee in the cup and stood up...
"What do you want to do?" Henry took a step back warily.
Do you want to use force? Damn the Chinese!
However, Yi Feiyang did not use force, and directly took out a faxed information from his briefcase, "Here, take a look, my dear boss Henry! Didn't you say you want evidence? This is the evidence!"
"What?" Henry Miller picked up the information suspiciously. When he saw it, he was dumbfounded. It turned out to be information about his loan with the bank and his bankruptcy application.
"Damn, why do you have these things? This is a crime, you know?" Henry became angry.
Businesses in the United States are very strict about keeping information confidential. Behavior like this, which uses improper means to obtain private loan information, is a serious illegal act and an act of unfair competition. The government will crack down severely.
"What about you, Mr. Henry? You intend to commit fraud. Isn't this a crime?" Yi Feiyang showed no sign of weakness. "If I hand over this information to the police, I wonder if you, Mr. Henry, can successfully immigrate?"
"Oh damn, what do you want?" Henry seemed to be pinched seven inches by a snake. He never thought that the other party would see flaws in his flawless plan. And he produced this evidence.
Blackmail yourself, damn the Chinese!
"It's very simple. I don't care what you want to do. I want to rent this factory for 300,000 yuan for three years!"
"Impossible! 300,000 yuan for three-year lease? 600,000 yuan is already the lowest! It can't be lower! Yes, it's impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible! You have eaten so much, now I just want you to vomit a little. Otherwise, you can stay in the United States, wipe your butt and get ready to go to the police station for coffee. I think the coffee there must be better than here
It’s still hard, Mr. Henry, I wonder if you’re used to it?!”
"Are you threatening me?"
"Don't speak so harshly around me. We are discussing the problem. We are discussing... You can refuse, right?" Yi Feiyang sat down again with a smile.
The hunchback next to him has been confused by this dizzying confrontation. What on earth is going on?! Could it be that Henry is a liar? But it seems that Ayan has convinced him.
Yes, Boss Henry is very cunning. He originally opened a factory in Chinatown and ran a sock business. His plan was to wait for bankruptcy. The reason was that many of his companies owed a large sum of money to banks and were already insolvent.
Boss Henry's plan is very simple. He is trying to get into the law. On the one hand, he is secretly applying for immigration and preparing to live in Canada with his wife and children. On the other hand, he is selling all the factories and companies that will be confiscated by the bank after bankruptcy, and puts the money into his own pocket.
, after one of our own people flies away, we won’t care about whoever is unlucky.
But now, Yi Feiyang, a Chinese guy, has dug out his secrets and threatened him to rent out the factory at a low price. Of course, the premise must be that the factory cannot be confiscated by the bank... Now, what should I do?!
Taking a deep breath, Boss Henry, as an old capitalist who had experienced countless storms, tried to calm himself down, then put a smile on his face and sat down in front of Yi Feiyang again.
"Oh, dear Yi, is that right? How about we make friends? I have a very good relationship with Mr. Tuo. We often drink tea and wine together... Haha. How about this, how about 500,000? You
As long as you give me 500,000, I will rent this damn factory to you for three years, and I will guarantee that the bank will not confiscate it, and will never come to you! I guarantee it in the name of God!"
"I'm sorry, dear Boss Henry, first of all, I never believe in God, so I don't need you to make any guarantees to God; secondly, I only have 300,000 yuan on hand, and I don't have any more; thirdly, I don't
I really want to make friends with you, but only after you rent the factory to me first!"
Yi Feiyang's words made Boss Henry's eyes become more bulging, "Damn it! Is there really no need for negotiation?"
"Yes, no discussion!" Yi Feiyang nodded with a smile. "But I don't like forcing people. You can choose to sign or leave!" Then he pushed a document that had been prepared.
The efficiency of Yi Feiyang's new friendship is that Louis Carle is really excellent. In just one hour, he made a lease contract that was "very in line with the interests of Party B". Of course, Yi Feiyang is the "Party B" in the contract.
"Damn it, you were already prepared!" The muscles on Boss Henry's face were twitching. For a person like him who loves money as much as his life, renting 300,000 yuan for three years would not only make him less 300,000 yuan, but he would also have to
The proposal to withdraw the factory's bankruptcy application will directly affect the millions of dollars he borrowed from the bank. This is a big loss!
But now, as Yi Feiyang said, he has no choice.
For the first time, our dear boss Henry understood a truth: Chinese people are smarter than those damn Jews!
Taking a deep breath, "Yi, I need to let my personal lawyer take a closer look at this contract. I hope you can understand..."
"Of course, I will also send my lawyer friend to go with you. To be honest, I am really anxious to rent this factory... Well, it is 11 o'clock in the morning on October 7, 1998
25 minutes, well, even if it is 12 o'clock, I hope Mr. Henry that you can finish this matter before 3 o'clock this afternoon, giving you a full 3 hours, what do you think, dear Henry-
Mr. Miller?"
"3 o'clock this afternoon? 3 hours?! Oh damn God, this is too urgent, I need time!"
"I know this is very difficult, but I really don't have time!" Yi Feiyang smiled, then took out something and handed it to Boss Henry: "I'll give you a gift before I leave. I hope you like it."
"What? Oh damn!" Henry looked at it, but it was a copy of "American Business Law" newly published in California, USA.
"I hope you can read the contents, especially about the lease contract... But your laws in the United States are really interesting. The laws in each state are different. Joliet, Illinois stipulates that if a clothing store allows
It is illegal for a woman to try on more than 6 pieces of clothing in this store, and the woman will be arrested. Alabama law prohibits women from entering casinos. If discovered, the casino can arrest the woman and take her to the casino.
All cash and trimmings. Pennsylvania law states that when a woman purchases a sewing machine, she must..."
Boss Henry couldn't stand hearing it anymore. This Chinese man is not only cunning, but also very insidious! Yes, very insidious!
(Book friends have raised questions and suggestions. I will accept them with an open mind and make modifications to the good suggestions. I would like to express my gratitude to those friends who pointed out the shortcomings of Bingtie's writing. After all, bystanders know better. I, a fan of the authorities, need your reminders.
