Chapter 284 Jordan's Abacus and George's Careful Thoughts
Zhang Junping is not being modest when he says that he is a toddler.
Rather, it is his true situation now.
He acquired various skills in a way similar to enlightenment.
The advantage of this is that as long as the skill level does not exceed the intermediate level in all dynasties, he can imitate it perfectly.
However, a skill is just a skill. It is not a skill that you have learned through hard work and has no soul of its own.
In other words, Zhang Junping's works do not have his own style.
Zhang Junping has only accepted the skills perfectly and can use them skillfully, but it has not really become his own and has not formed a unique mark of his own.
It takes a lot of practice to really digest the skills and truly make them your own.
This is like Xu Zhu in Jin Yong's martial arts novels. He has deep inner strength and knows many exquisite moves, but he can use them but fails to master them.
"Mr. Zhang is too modest. Your painting of ladies captures the essence of Tang Yin's painting of ladies. If Mr. Zhang changed the inscription and postscript, at least in terms of painting skills, no one would be able to tell the difference between the original and the imitation." Jordan.
Penniman's expression also softened, he put on a respectful tone, and spoke to Zhang Junping in fluent Mandarin.
A capable person is always respected and forgiven easily.
Zhang Junping, however, was shocked that a foreigner could study Chinese ink painting so deeply that he could see that his paintings of ladies were imitated by Tang Yin.
In Chinese history, although Tang Yin was not the best painter of ladies, he was still at the forefront.
Of course, there are people who are better at painting pictures of ladies, such as Zhou Fang. Each of Zhou Fang’s pictures of ladies is a national treasure-level calligraphy and painting, which he cannot imitate.
This is not important. What is important is that a foreign devil has such a profound study of Chinese landscape painting and can speak fluent Chinese.
Conspiracy theorists, the first thing that comes to mind is: What does this foreign devil want to do?
Could it be that the desire to destroy China is not dead?
"I didn't expect that Mr. Penniman not only has in-depth research on Chinese ink painting, but also speaks Chinese so well, especially Mandarin, which is more fluent than most Chinese people." Zhang Junping sincerely admired.
"Jordan's ancestors were missionaries. Three generations of his ancestors and grandsons have been in China for nearly a hundred years, and they were once appointed officials by the Chinese emperor.
Although Jordan has never been to China, he has learned Chinese culture from his grandfather since he was a child, is proficient in Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, and has also been to China for study tours." George Fairburn introduced with a smile.
"Mr. Zhang is honored. In comparison, Mr. Zhang's French is also very fluent. For such a young man, he is not only proficient in Chinese ink painting, but also proficient in Western oil painting. He is really talented and admirable." Jordan Penniman has the model.
He cupped his fists at Zhang Junping in a certain way.
He is really a master of China, even the fist-cup salute is so standard.
It is understandable, since Jordan Penniman's grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-grandfather have been preaching in China for three consecutive generations, and even served as officials in the Qing court, so it is normal for them to be familiar with Chinese culture.
"Thank you, Mr. Penniman! It's just a fluke that I achieved some success." Zhang Jun said with a flat smile.
Men, it doesn't matter what your talent is, the key is to have a hang-up.
"Mr. Zhang, I am personally very interested in traditional Chinese art, including calligraphy and painting. I wonder if there is a chance to collaborate together." Jordan Penniman said with a smile.
"I wonder how Mr. Penniman plans to cooperate?" Zhang Junping was moved and asked with a smile.
"I heard from George that your company plans to open a gallery and art company on the Champs Elysées.
In fact, art is different from other things. Every gallery has its own fixed customer group.
Rather than opening your own gallery and art company, it's better to entrust it to us.
Just like some luxury stores now, some are self-operated stores by luxury goods companies, and some are franchise stores.
We can cooperate as a franchise store.
You can also register a company as a joint venture, and then let this company handle the art." Jordan Penniman said his plan slowly.
It can be seen that this idea is not a temporary idea. It is estimated that after George Fairburn brought back his conditions yesterday, Jordan Penniman had some such ideas.
Zhang Junping's mind was spinning rapidly, thinking about the pros and cons.
Jordan Penniman is right when he says that the customer base for art is relatively fixed.
The only ones who can truly afford to consume art are the capitalists.
Purchasing art abroad is an investment behavior, and many countries have introduced relevant art tax deduction policies.
When collectors buy art collections, they value its function of maintaining and increasing value more.
Since preservation and appreciation of value are considered, consumers naturally choose established art stores and art stores with high reputation when purchasing art.
This is also the main reason why people like George Fairborn and Jordan Penniman hold their noses and still want to hype imitations.
As a former collector, Zhang Junping had already considered this situation.
There are also countermeasures, that is, every item sold by galleries and art stores can sign a value preservation and premium recovery contract.
For example, if you buy a painting from a gallery and sign a value guarantee and premium recycling contract, the company will promise to recycle it at 120% of the purchase price after one or three years.
Of course, you can also trade by yourself.
In fact, many luxury goods are following this routine.
There are also disadvantages to doing this, and that is Jordan Penniman in front of him.
Now that Jordan Penniman has proposed cooperation, if Zhang Junping does not agree, it is inevitable that the other party will not make small moves behind the scenes.
As a veteran art dealer, it can be said that the whole of France and even the whole of Europe is his territory.
If you really want to do something small, it's really hard to guard against it.
Zhang Junping cursed in his heart: What an old fox, he has such good timing.
"Mr. Penniman, we want to cooperate in the form of franchise. How will we cooperate?
How exactly do we cooperate in the form of a joint venture?" Zhang Junping asked with a smile.
"It would be simple to cooperate as a franchise store. For example, Mr. Zhang, we can jointly agree on a sales price range for your work.
If the product is sold within the price range, the proportion will be divided into shares.
If it is sold beyond the range price, at what price will it be divided into shares?
As for joint ventures, naturally you and I jointly invest in setting up a company to deal in Chinese art.
This joint investment can include sales channels and supply channels." Jordan Penniman said with a smile.
This further strengthened Zhang Junping's idea just now.
All this was planned in advance.
The two cooperation plans Penniman mentioned both have hidden traps.
"Mr. Penniman, I am more optimistic about the cooperation method of franchise stores.
The sales price is subject to the price set by us. We will supply Mr. Penniman with 30% of the sales price.
Must be a cash transaction.
Of course, as a guarantee of rights and interests, each piece of art in our company has an independent number and a corresponding value preservation and appreciation contract.
All products sold by our company have contracts, promising to maintain and increase their value and recycle them.
Taking three years as a stage, our company promises to recycle it at the original price after three years.
Five years, 120% recycling.
Ten years, 170% recycling.
The original price here refers to the retail price required by our company.
If you calculate it this way, Mr. Penniman, if you open a store and purchase goods, even if you don't sell one item, you can get 30% profit in three years." Zhang Junping held a cup of wine without any seasoning.
Black Tea, said to Penniman relaxedly.
"Ten percent premium a year?" George Fairburn said with emotion.
"Mr. Stuart can calculate it this way. However, consider that the profit paid to Mr. Penniman must be deducted.
Within three years, our company only promises to repurchase at 70, 80, or 90% of the original price.
Only after three years or more can you enjoy the right to repurchase the value to maintain and increase the value.
Can Mr. Stuart understand what I say?" Zhang Junping explained with a smile.
"understand.
How can you guarantee that your promise will be fulfilled?" George Fairburn nodded and continued to ask.
Jordan Penniman kept winking at George Fairburn, but unfortunately he thought he didn't see it.
“The galleries and art shops on the Champs Elysées will serve as our company’s directly operated stores.
These two directly operated stores are a guarantee!
In addition, our Chinese Art Company is not an individual company, but a state-owned enterprise.
Mr. Stuart should know what state-owned enterprises are like, right?
What we represent is the national image and national credibility." Zhang Junping said domineeringly.
"Okay! I understand!" George Fairburn nodded with satisfaction.
Jordan Penniman was gnashing his teeth angrily. His plans were disrupted by this guy George Fairburn.
"Mr. Zhang, it seems inappropriate for you to open a self-operated store on the Champs Elysées, right?
This is our basic base. You open a self-operated store in our home and then ask us to open a store outside. Isn’t this inappropriate?” Jordan Penniman said with a forced smile.
Zhang Junping did not speak, but glanced at George Fairburn, and then pointed at Christina and others who were having a verbal spat.
It means telling Jordan Penniman that I opened a store on the Champs Elysées on the terms negotiated with George Fairborn in exchange for benefits.
It has nothing to do with the cooperation you mentioned.
"Mr. Zhang, I think the previous agreement can be terminated.
Let's talk about new ways of cooperation.
You can entrust Chinese works of art to us, and we guarantee to sell them at a high price so that Mr. Zhang will not suffer a loss.
As Mr. Zhang said, China Art Company belongs to the state.
The money purchased also belongs to the state.
But when we cooperate, the money we make belongs to us.
This is a win-win cooperation, isn't it?" Jordan Penniman stopped talking in circles and said straight to the point.
"Sorry, I'm not interested in the cooperation you mentioned.
I'm not short of money!
To put it bluntly, with my skills and painting skills, money is just a number to me.
If Mr. Penniman wants to cooperate, then cooperate according to the plan I just mentioned.
Of course, you now also have the right to terminate previous cooperation and terminate negotiations.
This is your right.
I have said before that France is not my only choice.
The Bald Eagle's Fifth Avenue in New York, Oxford Street in the UK, Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, etc.
All can be our choice!
However, by that time, imitation will no longer be exclusive to you.
I believe that there are many art dealers in the world who are willing to provide us with better services in exchange for the exclusive rights to copy." Zhang Junping said with a smile.
"Mr. Zhang, don't forget, this is Paris and the Stuart Manor!" Jordan Penniman said dangerously.
"I know! How can I do that?
Mr. Penniman is trying to tell me that if I don't satisfy you, I won't be able to leave this manor?
Mr. Penniman, China today is not the Qing government a hundred years ago, and the experience left by your ancestors is outdated." Zhang Junping said with a smile.
"Calm down, calm down!
Mr. Zhang, Jordan doesn’t mean this!
Stuart Manor is mine, and Mr. Zhang is my most distinguished guest.
Even if cooperation fails, we can still be friends." George Fairborn quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
He glanced at Jordan Penniman lightly and warned him not to mess around.
Jordan Penniman glared at George Fairburn fiercely. If you hadn't interrupted, would I have used threats?
Zhang Junping stopped talking and drank tea quietly. He said everything that needed to be said and expressed everything that needed to be expressed.
Next, it depends on how they choose.
Is it win-win cooperation, or is it a fight or a collision?
Perhaps noticing the situation here, the lawyers on both sides of the negotiation temporarily suspended the negotiation and looked at their respective bosses.
Consensus between bosses is the basis for their negotiations.
If the boss has already broken down the conversation, then there is no need for them to continue the conversation.
"Mr. Zhang, I think we should cooperate according to the conditions we discussed yesterday.
As for the cooperation that Jordan just mentioned, it is completely different from the cooperation yesterday." George Fairburn waved his hand to his lawyer, indicating to continue, and said to Zhang Junping with a bright smile.
Zhang Junping also gave Christina a continuing look.
"Since Mr. Stuart said so, let's continue our cooperation yesterday.
We’ll talk about the rest later.” Zhang Junping said with a smile.
Next, everyone no longer talked about franchise store cooperation, but just chatted about some historical anecdotes and the international economic situation.
Zhang Junping is not afraid of talking about this, or in other words, no BJ man is afraid of talking about this.
There are so many books in Zhang Junping's space that even the words "learned and rich" are not enough to describe his knowledge reserve.
Whether it's the history of France, the history of archrival Prussia, or the history of pig teammate Italy, Zhang Junping has it all at his fingertips.
After seeing the boss, they started chatting, and Christina and others also accelerated the process.
Zhang Junping and the others chatted for more than half an hour, and Christina came over with the other party's lawyer.
"Boss, we've already negotiated. Here's the summary. Take a look." Christina walked up to Zhang Junping, handed him a piece of paper, and then reported the report in a low voice.
Zhang Junping took it and took a look. This is an excerpt of the rights and obligations in the contract, as well as matters that require special attention.
Don't look at it, the contract is dozens of pages long, but the useful content is only on one page.
Of course, it cannot be said that other clauses are useless. Other clauses are interpreted in various laws and judicial languages to protect the content on this page.
In the eyes of lawyers, every law has loopholes.
The meaning of lawyers' existence is to find these loopholes and fill them with other legal provisions and judicial interpretations.
Otherwise, lawyers are a very popular profession abroad.
Because, whether you live, work, or do business abroad, you cannot do without a lawyer.
When watching foreign movies and TV series, a line often appears: You talk to my lawyer.
This is a very real thing, because you don't know when you will break the law.
Therefore, it is really difficult to move forward without a lawyer abroad.
Of course, some poor people abroad are basically in a state of ruin. They cannot afford lawyers, so naturally they do not need lawyers.
Because their choice is: mess it up.
There were two contracts in total, and Zhang Junping expressed no objection after reading them.
George Fairborn and the other three K also expressed no objections.
Both parties signed and stamped it.
A private seal also has legal effect.
“I wish us a happy cooperation!”
“A pleasure to work with!”
Zhang Junping and George Fairburn shook hands respectively.
"Mr. Stuart, I hope to organize a touring exhibition of traditional Chinese arts and crafts in the near future. As for the time, it would be best to hold it this summer.
In addition, I hope that the store on the Champs Elysées can be confirmed before I return to China." Zhang Junping directly stated his request.
"No problem! I will arrange for someone to help Mr. Zhang find a suitable store tomorrow.
In addition, our media will also warm up the Chinese traditional arts and crafts exhibition.
July is a sunny season, and everyone will definitely enjoy going to the air-conditioned exhibition hall to watch the exhibition." George Fairburn promised with a smile.
"July is a hot season, and it is also the most charming season for the Champs Elysees." Zhang Junping said with a smile.
George Fairborn clapped his hands, and the butler and his servant came in pushing a small cart.
On the trolley was a bottle of champagne that had been sobered and wine glasses arranged in the shape of a pagoda.
"Mr. Zhang, let's drink together and wish our cooperation a complete success."
With a soft bang, George Fairburn opened the champagne and started pouring the wine from the top of the pagoda.
After all the bottles of wine were poured, George Fairburn picked up the top two glasses of wine and handed one to Zhang Junping.
"Of course I sincerely hope that our cooperation will be a complete success." Zhang Junping took the wine glass with a smile, clinked it with George Fairborn, and drank it all.
"Mr. Zhang, actually I am very interested in your cooperation plan.
Let’s talk later!” George Fairburn whispered to Zhang Junping.
"Let's talk later!" Zhang Junping raised his glass and gestured.
