Students a core asset
Zhao's commercial success is thanks in part to the contributions of his students.
Currently, Zhao has 53 students, including almost all of the famous er ren zhuan performers of Northeast China. As requirements loosen, more and more singers, dancers and actors continue to join, implying that Zhao is expanding his cultural empire with er ren zhuan at the center.
In addition to performing at the Liu Laogen Theater, the students also take part in TV series and films produced by Zhao. They often account for the majority of the cast.
With high audience ratings, some of Zhao's students are now celebrities, further increasing ticket prices for the theaters.
Xiao Shenyang is such an example, a comedian who became an overnight sensation after the CCTV New Year's gala in 2009.
Real estate for balance
Realizing that an empire supported by intangible pillars such as TV shows and movies is not stable, Zhao began investing in real estate in 2006 to strengthen his commercial portfolio.
That year, Zhao invested 80 million yuan ($12.5 million) to establish a film base in Qipanshan of Shenyang, Liaoning Province. Many movies and serials have been shot there since then, driving the base's market value up to about 700 million yuan ($109.6 million).
Zhao also bought 800 mu (132 acres) of land in Sanya, Hainan Province, which is valued at 1.5 billion yuan ($235 million) at least. According to Zhao's plan, the land will be used for another film base and a new branch of the Liu Laogen Theater.
