章節 576: Chapter 576: Delivering a Fatal Blow to Jiahe Again
"Universal Cinemas? The young big shot who conquered the television industry is now setting his sights on the film industry?"
"Shao Lao Liu is really having a hard time!"
As Lei Juekun imagined Shao Yifu, he couldn't help but sneer.
Since the wireless television station was also in Kowloon, Lei Juekun had some dealings with Shao Yifu over the years and naturally knew him quite well. It could be said that besides Wen Hunhuai dealing Shao Yifu a blow, Shao Lao Liu had only ever bullied others.
Who would have thought that the mountain would have a higher peak? Shao Lao Liu ran into the rising stock god Xia Yu and was completely outmatched.
He couldn't compete openly, and he couldn't dare to retaliate in secret. With continuous setbacks, Shao Lao Liu's frustration was evident.
But...
"Heh, why am I still worrying about Shao Lao Liu? What should I do now?"
Thinking about his own ambitions, Lei Juekun felt a bit frustrated.
The entertainment industry, while highly exposed and resource-rich in public opinion, is minuscule compared to industries like finance, real estate, shipping, or manufacturing. The entire profit of the Hong Kong film industry in a year might not be comparable to the annual profit of a single real estate company. Hence, real major players in Hong Kong are generally indifferent to entering the entertainment industry.
Although there are always traditional industry tycoons or wealthy heirs who are enthusiastic about the entertainment circle, it is usually just to pursue personal interests or hobbies, spending lavishly on chasing stars. But once they get bored after a few years, they usually exit the scene.
Of course, real super-rich figures look down on the small money in audio-visual entertainment. However, slightly lower-tier big shots are still very enthusiastic, such as Shao Yifu and Wen Hunhuai in the Hong Kong film industry.
Lei Juekun also started to have such thoughts.
The Lei family in Kowloon is also a prominent family in Hong Kong. Their traditional industry is Kowloon Bus Company, specializing in passenger bus services in Kowloon. After the 1970s, they expanded into Hong Kong Island and the New Territories, acquiring competitors, and gradually became the monopoly leader in the Hong Kong bus industry. They successfully listed their company a few years ago, finally giving the Lei family a listed company.
Running a bus company is not too difficult, as it is a public service industry, but the Hong Kong government imposes significant restrictions, confining Kowloon Bus Company with numerous regulations. Even a fare increase needs government approval.
However, as a monopoly industry, even though the fare is low, Kowloon Bus's annual revenue and profit are still considerable.
Without needing much effort, Lei Juekun enjoyed a comfortable life.
The money earned from Kowloon Bus was invested into the real estate industry. In 1961, the Lei family partnered with the Wu Zhao Can family to establish Kowloon Construction Limited, entering the real estate market.
Additionally, the Lei family operated four large theaters: Lisheng, Kaisheng, Lesheng, and Jinhong. These four theaters formed the Lisheng Cinemas chain.
However, the Lisheng Cinemas were rented to Jiahe for their use, becoming part of the Jiahe Cinemas chain. The four theaters were large, with Lisheng Cinemas being one of the leading theaters in Hong Kong, making it an extremely important part of the Jiahe Cinemas chain.
In recent years, the film industry has been thriving, and benefiting from Jiahe Film's movies, the income of Lisheng Cinemas has been rising. Lei Juekun started to feel dissatisfied, and since he had some free time and money, he began to think about entering the film industry to grab a share of the pie.
Compared to Shao's family and Jiahe, the Lei family's capital is undoubtedly substantial. With four large theaters providing a solid foundation, there is a significant opportunity to succeed if they start with the cinemas industry.
Because of this idea, when Jiang Zhiqiang recently came to acquire Lisheng Cinemas, Lei Juekun refused.
But now, seeing the news about Universal Cinemas, Lei Juekun hesitated.
An intense inner struggle ensued as he contemplated whether he should still enter the film industry.
Although he was interested in the profits of the film industry, he was daunted by Universal Cinemas and the people behind it. The Lei family, being a family confined to the Kowloon region, was just average when it came to Hong Kong Island. Although stronger than the Shao family and Wen Hunhuai in Hong Kong, they were nothing compared to real major players.
Moreover, they were up against Xia Yu, who was gradually gaining the reputation of the "King of Kowloon."
Because Xia Yu was also in Kowloon, Lei Juekun felt the formidable power of the stock god Xia Yu more acutely.
The Lei family had money and could stand up to the Shao family and Jiahe without fear, but now behind Universal Cinemas was Hong Kong's stock god. Considering the power of the Jiuding Financial Group, Lei Juekun realized helplessly that he absolutely could not win.
Moreover, Xia Yu was notorious for being ruthless, domineering, and greedy. Once he entered an industry, he aimed straight for the top spot.
It was clear that the Hong Kong film industry would soon be engulfed in fierce competition. According to Xia Yu and his companies' past records, there was a 90% chance of Xia Yu winning the war. Was there any need for him to get involved?
"Besides, Kowloon Bus has been listed. Even if I miraculously win in the film industry temporarily, with Xia Yu's influence in the financial sector, if he seizes my lifeline to threaten me, what can I do?"
After nearly half an hour of deliberation, Lei Juekun realized helplessly that entering the film industry would inevitably lead to conflict with Xia Yu, with minimal chances of winning. Even if he won, he would still suffer and gain nothing.
It wasn't worth it!
"Forget it, I'll steer clear of this muddy water. I'll focus on running Kowloon Bus and the real estate company. Sigh..."
"I might as well give up the idea. If Universal Cinemas wants to buy my cinemas, then sell them. Concentrate capital and energy and perhaps tie up with the Jiuding Financial Group for some mutual benefit."
With a resolute expression, Lei Juekun made up his mind and felt relieved.
He shook his head and smiled, picking up the phone on the table. He found Jiang Zhiqiang's business card and dialed the number.
At this moment, Jiang Zhiqiang was receiving calls from the heads of film companies. Suddenly, a subordinate came to report that the phone in his office was ringing. The caller was Lei Juekun from Kowloon Bus.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhiqiang immediately put aside his current tasks and thought of a plan.
When he answered the call, Lei Juekun mentioned discussing the Lisheng Cinemas issue and asked when he was available. Jiang Zhiqiang was thrilled and, fearing delays, arranged to visit the Lei family with his team that morning.
The acquisition negotiations were completed quickly. Jiang Zhiqiang had already thoroughly investigated Lisheng Cinemas' four theaters, so he made a very precise offer. Additionally, Lei Juekun was indeed looking to exit, making the deal easy to finalize. With mutual intentions, they signed the transfer contract that same morning.
The four large theaters of Lisheng Cinemas were acquired in full!
As a result, Universal Cinemas grew from twenty to twenty-four theaters, with the number of large theaters increasing from five to nine. The five leading theaters in Hong Kong now had two monopolized by Universal Cinemas: Tai Ping Theater and Lisheng Theater.
On the other hand, Jiahe Cinemas, which was severely affected, lost its leading and large theaters, reducing from nineteen to fifteen theaters, with a nearly 30% loss in strength. Its ranking fell below the Shao family's cinemas.
After returning, Jiang Zhiqiang immediately took over Lisheng Cinemas, severing ties with Jiahe Cinemas and announcing the merger with Universal Cinemas.
The news quickly reached Wen Hunhuai, who was initially in disbelief. After calling Lei Juekun, Wen Hunhuai felt like everything went black and almost fainted. He then furiously smashed up his office. Reports later said that Wen Hunhuai angrily cursed Lei Juekun and Jiang Zhiqiang.
Shao Yifu also received the news, and after confirming its accuracy, he sat in his chair, silent for a long time. There was no excitement, only a sense of the inevitable and oppressive despair.
Other industry professionals, especially the heads of small and medium-sized film companies in Hong Kong, were initially shocked but then filled with endless excitement. They rushed to collaborate with Universal Cinemas with their films.
Universal Cinemas enjoyed an unparalleled success!
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