1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 548 Price Increase?

"Ouch."

Jiang Xian was startled.

I don't know whether to say I'm lucky or that "Stories from the Editorial Department" is lucky.

In short, this wave is in the bag.

Alright, now that Comrade Li is vouching for us, who can still question this show? Who still thinks "Stories from the Editorial Department" is in danger?

On the other side, Zheng Xiaolong quickly found "Seahorse" and the filming location of "Stories from the Editorial Department".

"Hmm, I think it's a good idea." Veteran actor Lü Qi from the Beijing People's Art Theatre took off his glasses and nodded.

After saying that, he put his glasses back on and asked Li Dongbao, "What was the title of your article again?"

“‘My Troubles as a Nanny’,” Ge You said, pointing to the article.

"Correct."

Editor-in-Chief Chen, played by Lü Qi, nodded. "Everyone has their troubles, especially a nanny. This combination of pictures and text makes our intentions clearer."

"Hey?"

Ge Ling, played by Liu Bei, takes the manuscript from Ge You, glances at it, and frowns.

"But, Dongbao, the picture you took of the orange is too shabby."

As she spoke, Ge Ling shoved the manuscript into Li Dongbao's face. "Look at you, all frowning and disheveled. Can't you take a better picture? This isn't your usual style. Are you just trying to fool me?"

"That's called the reality of life."

Holding the manuscript, Li Dongbao said, "I just want people to see that there are still cases of discrimination and harm against nannies in society. Through Xiao Ju's experience, I hope to awaken people's conscience."

The filming of episode seven of "Stories from the Editorial Department" is underway on set. Although CCTV doesn't buy the rights, filming here has never stopped.

Of course, it's no secret that CCTV decided not to buy it.

If Jiang Xian still insisted on filming under these circumstances, he would inevitably be gossiped about behind his back by the crew. Many people started to have second thoughts and wanted to give up, feeling that it was not worth wasting time on a TV series that could not be broadcast.

Therefore, during this period, many people withdrew from the filming of the TV series, including two actors.

As for director Zhao Baogang and cinematographer Zhang Yimou, they each had their own ulterior motives.

Zhao Baogang was hoping for a turnaround in "Stories from the Editorial Department." He was eager to prove himself; he had finally gotten to direct, how could he possibly botch it like this?
Zhang Yimou was also looking forward to the broadcast of "Stories from the Editorial Department". He even skipped the Tokyo International Film Festival to prepare for the show, and he won the Best Actor award at that festival.

A great opportunity to go abroad, such a great honor—all gone for a TV series.

If all this hard work is ultimately wasted and the show doesn't air on CCTV, Zhang Yimou will be furious.

"Comrade Jiang Xian!"

"Teacher Jiang!"

Jiang Xian was watching the filming when he turned around and looked in the direction of the sound, only to find Zheng Xiaolong with a big smile on his face.

"Xiaolong?"

Jiang Xian took a sip of water. "What's wrong?"

"Good thing."

Zheng Xiaolong beamed with joy as he announced, "My boss called me in today."

"Looking for you? What do you want?"

"We, CCTV, have bought 'Stories from the Editorial Department'!" Zheng Xiaolong said with a grin, while also hoping that Jiang Xian would show the same warm smile.

However, this expectation was quickly dashed, because Jiang Xian didn't seem particularly excited, as if all of this was within his expectations.

Zheng Xiaolong reluctantly wiped the smile off his face. "Let's hurry up and prepare the contract. We'll sign for three episodes first. What was the price you said per episode?"

"Xiaolong."

Jiang Xian interrupted Zheng Xiaolong.

"You say."

"I've been thinking about it for a while now, and I feel..."

"What do you think?"

"I think the TV series 'Stories from the Editorial Department' actually has enormous artistic value, far exceeding what we see on the surface."

Zheng Xiaolong was a little confused:

"what do you mean?"

Jiang Xian coughed twice. "I think I might have been too conservative before. I didn't expect the filming of this drama to be so difficult. I even had to run around to raise the funds for the filming. Do you know what a toilet cleaner is?"

"Toilet cleaner substitute? I think I've heard of it. What's up?"

"We approached them about sponsorship, but we never expected their attitude to be so bad," Jiang Xian sighed. "Before filming, I didn't realize how difficult making a TV series would be; I underestimated everything."

Zheng Xiaolong, seeing Jiang Xian still beating around the bush, could no longer hold back:
"Teacher Jiang, please just say what you want to say."

"Then I'll tell you."

"You say."

"It's nothing really."

Jiang Xian smiled at him, "Actually, what I mean is easy to understand. To sum it up in four words: I want to raise prices."

"Price increase?"

Zheng Xiaolong was stunned.

Jiang Xian selling CCTV dramas to them is a first for them.

Is the price going to increase again?

"How much would you like to raise it?" Zheng Xiaolong asked tentatively.

"Let's calculate it by the number of episodes."

Jiang Xian asked, "How about 100,000 yuan per episode?"

"Seize the young master?"

Zheng Xiaolong was stunned again.

One hundred thousand?

A TV series costing 100,000 per episode?

The first three episodes alone cost 300,000 yuan!

This is robbery!
Zheng Xiaolong was at a loss when he heard Jiang Xian ask another question:
"Isn't the price a bit high?"

"Uh-huh."

Zheng Xiaolong nodded quickly, thinking that Jiang Xian had also realized this and felt it was inappropriate.

In fact, Jiang Xian did realize this:

"I also think the price is a bit high."

Yes, Teacher Jiang.

Before Zheng Xiaolong could finish speaking, Jiang Xian interjected, "However, you get what you pay for. You may not know this, but a while ago, we sent the film to Comrade Li."

"Comrade?"

Zheng Xiaolong was deeply shocked.

He then understood why "Stories from the Editorial Department" had received Zhang Yongjing's personal protection.

It turns out that this is the reason.

"Comrade Li also said that he particularly appreciates our film. I think that with his words, even if CCTV doesn't buy it, other channels will probably take the initiative to contact us. We are so tight on funds for filming, so please understand that."

Zheng Xiaolong wanted to curse.

It wouldn't warrant cursing Jiang Xian.

He wanted to curse the people in the station and the leaders above him.

A bunch of idiots!
They could have bought "Stories from the Editorial Department" at a bargain price, but they stubbornly refused, and even gave him a severe dressing-down for advocating for the purchase, practically pointing their finger at him and saying that Zheng Xiaolong had done a bad job.

it's good now.

Now I have no choice but to buy it.

As a result, they raised their prices.

One hundred thousand yuan per episode, thirty yuan for three episodes.

Zheng Xiaolong has made up his mind.

This time, if anyone tries to stop him from asking the station for funds, he'll slap them in the face and say, "Didn't you forbid us from buying when it was cheap?!"

While she was pondering all this, Jiang Xian hadn't finished speaking when he said, "Of course, this price of 100,000 yuan per episode is the price I set for the first three episodes. We definitely can't sell them like that later."

"Yes, you're right." Zheng Xiaolong felt a little relieved after hearing Jiang Xian's words.

100,000 yuan is too expensive.

Fortunately, Jiang Xian also said that it was only the first three episodes that were so expensive.

As he was pondering this, Jiang Xian unexpectedly added:
"We plan to set the price based on the performance of the first three episodes. If the performance is good, we'll raise the price more; if the performance is bad, we'll raise it less."

"???"

Zheng Xiaolong fainted.

If I understand correctly, so what you're saying is that you're going to raise prices no matter what!

So he's up to his old tricks again.

I thought only the first three episodes were expensive, and the later episodes would be cheaper.

As it turned out, Jiang Xian meant that the first three episodes were already cheap, and the rest would be at the normal price.

Moreover, according to Jiang Xian's current statement...

"If," Zheng Xiaolong meant "if."

If "Stories from the Editorial Department" does well, then Jiang Xian's prices will keep rising like "profits compounding," with each episode more expensive than the last, and the final episode will sell for a huge sum.

"Uh, this is a huge matter, I can't make the decision myself. Could you give me some time to go back and discuss it with the station?" Zheng Xiaolong asked.

"no problem."

Jiang Xian looked calm and confident.

There's nothing he can do; he's got CCTV wrapped around his little finger now, and Zheng Xiaolong will definitely come back for him.

However, opening champagne at halftime is not advisable.

Jiang Xian decided to put the matter aside for now and wait until Zheng Xiaolong made the payment before officially announcing that "Haima Film and Television Creation Center" had secured its first order and achieved a great start.

Mi Jiashan waited in Beijing for Jiang Xian's reply, and the days seemed to drag on forever.

He had made up his mind that he was determined to film "The Troubleshooters" this time. He even planned to make a pledge to the studio: if "The Troubleshooters" didn't earn enough copies, they would stop all his salary to make up for the studio's losses, stop his directing work, and never let him make movies again.

Mi Jiashan actually had his own plans in mind.

He wants to be famous!

Back when he first got together with Pan Hong, his directorial debut, "The Winding Stone Path," won the first prize for television drama at the 3rd China TV Drama Flying Apsaras Awards.

Pan Hong has also created a series of classic roles, such as Du Shiniang, a courtesan who remains pure despite her surroundings, in "Du Shiniang," and Lu Wenting, an intellectual woman facing the dual pressures of family and career in the TV series "Middle Age."

The couple was a perfect match, both handsome and beautiful, and neither could completely overshadow the other.

Unfortunately, due to various reasons, Mi Jiashan has never had the opportunity to take his career to the next level over the years.

After finally managing to produce "The Unsinkable Horizon," they encountered some bad luck.

And what about Pan Hong?

His career continued to rise step by step.

Over the years, Pan Hong has been putting all her effort into her career.

To perform well, he really went all out, spending most of the year on set.

Mi Jiashan still remembers that in order to film the classic "Middle Age", Pan Hong stayed in the hospital for several months, eating and living with the doctors and nurses, just to figure out how to bring the character to life.

She delivered a truly outstanding performance, and even after winning the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress, she didn't let up and continued to strive on her acting journey.

Films like "Cold Nights," "Fire Dragon," and "The Last Empress" have garnered her numerous accolades, from Hong Kong Film Awards nominations to Best Actress awards at international film festivals.

Putting aside family background.

His wife's career is so successful, and the imbalance of power between the two men makes Mi Jiashan feel particularly uncomfortable. He longs to make a name for himself in his career.

Moreover.

That damned Yang Yanjin has produced quite a few works over the years. First, he proved his directing skills with "Little Street," and everyone said that his film was as beautiful as a prose poem.

Last year, they released "T Province in 1984 and 1985" and "The Private Life of the Female Mayor". They weren't great movies, but the copies sold very well, and they reflected some social issues. Their style was very innovative.

In short, everything was stimulating Mi Jiashan.

He longed for success.

In his view, Jiang Xian's "The Troubleshooters" is his best chance to achieve success.

He couldn't say for sure.

But there was always a hunch that he was destined to make a good film adaptation of "The Troubleshooters" because he understood the novel very well.

After spending several days huddled at his father's friend's house, anxiously pacing around Mijia Mountain, he finally received Jiang Xian's summons that day.

He was both excited and nervous. He took two bottles of Moutai to meet Jiang Xian. The two of them, along with Xie Jin, ate together at Quanjude Restaurant.

"What have you decided?" After a few rounds of drinks, Mi Jiashan asked, his voice tinged with trepidation and anticipation.

"Um"

Jiang Xian was silent for a while.

Mi Jiashan was so frustrated his heart almost stopped before he finally heard him give a positive reply.

"I don't think there's any problem with giving you this novel to film."

"real?!"

Mi Jiashan was almost overwhelmed by this sudden happiness and immediately began to make a guarantee: "Comrade Jiang Xian, you can rest assured. Although I am not from Beijing, I guarantee that your novel 'The Troublemakers' will be well made and will capture the authentic flavor of a new Beijing-style novel."

"A novel with a new Beijing flavor?" Jiang Xian looked at him in confusion. "Where did you come up with such a term?"

"Oh, that's not what I wanted."

Mi Jiashan shook his head. "You don't know? I see many literary critics saying this about the novel 'The Troubleshooters.' They think that there used to be a type of novel called 'Beijing-style novels,' but 'The Troubleshooters' doesn't count. It should be considered a new type of Beijing-style novel, belonging to this category."

"I haven't actually heard of that." Jiang Xian scratched his head, finding it quite amusing himself.

The author of "The Troubleshooters" changed from Wang Shuo to him, which altered the timeline, but the emergence of the term "new Beijing-style novel" is exactly the same as the original timeline.

However, "new Beijing-style novels" is not exactly a groundbreaking new term. After all, people have been mentioning this concept before, and Jiang Xian's "The Troubleshooter" is the most representative of them, truly popularizing this concept.

"I have only one request: I'll take a look when they're casting the actors, but I'll try not to get involved or interfere in anything else."

“No problem.” Mi Jiashan nodded vigorously. “If you have any other requests, please feel free to ask.”

"Any other requirements?"

Jiang Xian smiled and said, "I don't have any other requests, but there's something I need to let you know."

(End of this chapter)