1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

"Brother Cheng! Director Huang!"

Cheng Xuemin and Huang Jianzhong had just arrived at the hotel when Cheng Xuemin told Huang Jianzhong not to worry about anything or say anything, and to let Cheng Xuemin handle everything himself.

Little Li suddenly appeared out of nowhere and greeted them.

"You really didn't go in?"

Seeing that Xiao Li was frozen like a muggle, Huang Jianzhong couldn't help but ask in surprise.

It's starting to snow in Bolin!

Judging by the time, the Western New Year is just around the corner, and West Germany will definitely have a holiday!

So the film festival's closing ceremony was held the day before their holiday.

"No! Brother Cheng didn't let me in, how could I dare to go in?" Li Lianjie was very obedient at this moment, because Cheng Xuemin could take him out to film movies, and he might even recognize him as a godfather.

"Why don't you go in and see what's going on inside!"

This guy is really honest; he just stood outside waiting like an idiot, without even going in to peek inside. What if Director Hu was busy with an exchange program and wasn't at the hotel?

In fact!
Director Hu and his team weren't actually at the hotel. Although "Romance on Lushan Mountain" might not win any awards, there were still many other films competing for the competition, and premieres were being arranged one after another.

He must have been invited to attend the ceremony, so he has been busy outside these days and usually doesn't come back until very late.

as predicted!

When Cheng Xuemin and the other two returned to their room, they did not see Director Hu, nor did they see Deputy Factory Director Zhao or Gong Xue.

Only Zhu Lin said she wasn't feeling well and was left at the hotel!
Seeing that they had finally returned, Cheng Xuemin was overjoyed. He asked why they hadn't returned yet, as there had been an exchange activity scheduled for Lushan Love today.

"Sister Lin, you have no idea..."

"Since Director Hu and the others haven't returned yet, let's have a quick meeting!"

Before Li Lianjie could rush to share the good news with Zhu Lin, Cheng Xuemin solemnly called everyone over and announced a brief meeting.
"Brother Cheng, just tell me! What instructions do you have? Just give me whatever you want!" Li Lianjie had come to realize Brother Cheng's abilities and was truly convinced and admired him. He would never dare to go west if he was told to go east.

"Then come sit down, everyone!" Huang Jianzhong responded, and then instructed Li Lianjie, "Little Li, go and lock the door from the inside!"

At this moment, Huang Jianzhong guessed what Cheng Xuemin wanted to say, so he asked Xiao Li to lock the door to prevent Director Hu of China Film Group from suddenly returning and catching them off guard.

"Xuemin..."

Zhu Lin originally wanted to ask about their results, but seeing Cheng Xuemin's solemn expression, she swallowed her words.

"Sister Lin, I heard that the Japanese film company Yamato visited Director Hu again this morning?"

"How did their talks go?"

Neither Lao Xie nor Deputy Factory Director Zhao were present, and they didn't call to contact us during the process, so we're not entirely clear on the final details.

"Some students!"

"The Japanese film company, Yamato, contacted Director Hu today. It was about the same thing that Director Xie mentioned to you on the phone last night!"

"They said Director Hu should sign the agreement today, and he originally intended to sign it!"

"However, Director Xie and Deputy Factory Director Zhao were both stalling, and later the chairman of the film festival also arrived!"

"They said they were helping to arrange an exchange meeting about the 'Romance on Lushan Mountain,' so Director Hu was busy with that meeting, and the Japanese film company, Yamato, also went along!"

"I'm not really sure whether the final contract was signed or not!"

Zhu Lin recounted everything she had seen and heard at the hotel that day to Cheng Xuemin.

Cheng Xuemin nodded in agreement and said, "Old Xie and the others haven't called us, so they probably haven't signed yet!"

“It shouldn’t be signed!” Huang Jianzhong nodded as well, because Xuemin had instructed last night that if Lao Xie and his team couldn’t hold out any longer, they should call and notify them immediately.

But so far today, I haven't received a call from Lao Xie or the others. Presumably, the Japanese devils' scheme hasn't succeeded yet.

"Is such that!"

Cheng Xuemin then took over the conversation and got straight to the point, saying, "Sister Lin, by now you should have guessed something about our trip to Bolin!"

Of the entire Tai Chi crew in Bolin, only Zhu Lin is unaware of the specifics, so Cheng Xuemin needs to inform her first.

Seeing Zhu Lin nod and wait for Cheng Xuemin to continue, he said directly, "That's right, Sister Lin, you guessed correctly!"

"I started making this film, 'Tai Chi,' with the Bolin Film Festival in mind from the very beginning!"

"We just want to promote Chinese films to the world at the Bolin Film Festival!"

"But the China Film Group is indispensable in this matter, because all the films produced by all the film studios across the country, whether they are sold domestically or have overseas distribution rights, are in the hands of the China Film Group!"

"The film studios below have absolutely no right to sell copies for distribution; otherwise, it would be a serious violation of organizational regulations and a serious infringement on national interests!"

Upon hearing Cheng Xuemin say this himself, Zhu Lin's face turned deathly pale.

Because of their trip to Bolin, Cheng Xuemin bypassed China Film Group and privately promoted and sold the overseas distribution rights of Tai Chi to overseas film distributors.

If what Cheng Xuemin is saying is true, this is a serious violation of organizational regulations and a serious infringement on national interests.

If Director Hu of China Film Group were to report this back to China, Xue Min would obviously not fare well upon his return!
"Brother Cheng, how can what we've done be considered a serious infringement on national interests?"

"We earned over 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country, so how can it be considered an infringement on national interests?"

"Are we wrong to help the country earn foreign exchange and US dollars?"

Xiao Li was quick to speak his mind and didn't think Cheng Xuemin was right. They had earned more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country this time, so why were they wrong?

"what?"

"How many?!"

"More than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange?"

Li Lianjie was just arguing for their achievements, but what she said unintentionally was taken seriously by Zhu Lin, instantly startling her.

She, Gong Xue, and Director Xie were all waiting for Xuemin's results.

But it never came!

Now that Xuemin had finally arrived, before she could even ask him anything, she saw his solemn expression and his insistence on a meeting. Thinking something serious had happened, Zhu Lin didn't dare to ask any more questions.

But Li Lianjie's words shocked and startled them instantly.

"Indeed, we have generated $20.9 million in foreign exchange revenue for the country this time!"

"This achievement is truly invaluable, and it is closely related to the hard work and dedication of Sister Lin, Little Li, and Lao Huang!"

"Anyway, no matter what happens when we get back, someone will definitely help you get commendations..."

"No, Xuemin, what do you mean by that?" Huang Jianzhong felt as if Xuemin was making his last wishes, saying that someone would naturally help them to claim credit for those who deserved it.

He then pressed on, "Even if we're going to ask for credit, shouldn't it be you, Xuemin, who's going to ask for it for us?!"

"Besides, what credit could we possibly have? We just made a movie, and from the script to organizing the crew, to filming and post-production, you basically handled everything from start to finish, Xuemin!"

"Moreover, this trip to Bolin was entirely your doing. Without you, Xuemin, our Tai Chi would definitely have failed just like Lao Xie and his Lushan Love story!"

"So, Xuemin, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Huang Jianzhong asked all the questions in one breath, and they had already earned more than 20 million US dollars and had already sent more than 6 million US dollars in advance payments back to China.

Now is the time to return home in glory, Xuemin said this in such a solemn tone!
What's going on here?
"Yes, Xuemin! Please don't scare us like that!"

"If something really happens, we'll definitely share the burden. How can we let you bear it all by yourself?" Zhu Lin hadn't recovered from the shock of the twenty million US dollars when she was startled by Huang Jianzhong's frightening words.

"Old Huang, I just told you! Revolutionary struggles have always been brutal!"

"Just because we earned more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country doesn't mean we can land safely!" Cheng Xuemin emphasized the same sentence he had just mentioned to Huang Jianzhong outside.

"Xuemin, do you mean that China Film Group will still target you?"

“That’s for sure!” Cheng Xuemin nodded, because he knew better than anyone that the internal struggles between China Film Group, Yanying Film Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, and other major film studios had reached an extremely sharp point.

Originally, it would have been fine if everyone had failed together at Bolin Film Studio, as no one had broken the balance. China Film Group could still maintain its dominant position and restrain Yan Film Studio and others below it.

This left the film studios below them utterly humiliated, forced to continue to defer to China Film Group.

but now!
Cheng Xuemin made a name for himself in Bolin with his book "Tai Chi," earning the country over 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange and completely overturning the delicate balance.

So, will China Film Group just sit idly by and obediently hand over their lifeline?
To know!
Distribution rights are the lifeblood of China Film Group. If they hand over distribution rights, they will not only lose an arm, but will be completely emasculated.

Imagine, would they obediently wait for Cheng Xuemin, this eunuch, to emasculate their publishing rights?

They will definitely fight back desperately!
Moreover, they will inevitably retaliate against Cheng Xuemin, the core figure who disrupted this delicate balance.

Only by getting rid of Cheng Xuemin and snatching this foreign exchange earnings of over 20 million US dollars can China Film Group Corporation rest easy and continue doing what it used to do.

At most, the film industry will contribute a little more to their foreign exchange earnings in the future. After all, Tai Chi has earned more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country overseas, which is an indelible and unparalleled achievement.

Since China Film Group has taken credit for this achievement, they must continue to work hard and strive for new heights!
Of course, that's a story for later.

Now, the intense struggle may be about to erupt, and it all depends on when Director Hu of China Film Group realizes it.

Fortunately, there's something in Cheng Xuemin's favor!
Director Hu is an old comrade. He can't understand what the foreigners are saying, nor can he understand their newspapers and news.

So as long as Cheng Xuemin and his group don't expose themselves, there shouldn't be any major problems.

"What do we do now?" Huang Jianzhong was also frightened when he heard Xuemin emphasizing that the struggle was cruel. He was completely at a loss and asked urgently, "Why don't we, Xuemin, book tickets and fly back to China now while Director Hu is still unaware, find the old factory director and ask him to make the decision?"

This is indeed a possible solution. While Hu Jintao of China Film Group is unaware of anything, he can apply to return to China early, citing the fact that the film's participation in the exhibition has ended.

But it would be a bit like protesting too much, and it would make Director Hu suspicious. He would definitely go outside to inquire, and then the incident would be exposed on the spot.
While Cheng Xuemin and his team were still flying in the sky, Director Hu's transoceanic international call had already been made back to China, reporting the situation to the China Film Group headquarters in advance.

At that time, Cheng Xuemin will likely be taken away from the airport by relevant comrades as soon as he lands and questioned about his situation.

"It hasn't come to that yet!"

"What I mean is, let's have a brief meeting and agree on a common story!"

"First, we can't let Director Hu know for now! Fortunately, he's an older comrade and communication with this side is inconvenient. If we keep it from him for a few more days, there shouldn't be any major problems!"

Because Cheng Xuemin, who is fluent in foreign languages, was on the group, the consulate did not arrange for another interpreter, which actually helped Cheng Xuemin a lot.

But Director Hu didn't expect that the consulate hadn't arranged an accompanying translator, and Cheng Xuemin, who brought his own translator, was completely cooperative with his work.

Poor Director Hu, he relies entirely on the interpreter provided by the other party for communication. If the accompanying interpreter doesn't speak Chinese, he's completely lost.

"Don't worry, Xuemin. We'll stay with Director Hu from now on and prevent him from learning about the specifics of Tai Chi!" Huang Jianzhong nodded and said to Cheng Xuemin.

Li Lianjie and Zhu Lin nodded in agreement. In short, it was all about bullying an older comrade.

If China Film Group had sent someone fluent in a foreign language, Cheng Xuemin and his team would have been in trouble.

"Secondly, once you return to China, you will all inevitably be asked to explain your mission!"

Upon hearing Cheng Xuemin's words, everyone was stunned. Li Lianjie even asked urgently, "Brother Cheng, will I also be called in to give instructions?"

"Of course, everyone on our trip to Bolin, whether it's our Tai Chi team or Lao Xie's Lushan Love team, will be asked to give instructions!"

"Of course, it's just a formality, so I don't want you to make things worse and complicate matters further!"

"What do you mean?" Huang Jianzhong asked.

"Just say one thing: whatever they ask you, say you don't know, you're unaware!"

"If you ask again, I'll tell you it was all my orders, and you knew nothing about it before!"

"Don't say anything unnecessary, and don't worry that pushing this onto me will hurt me in any way."

"If you take it upon yourselves to assume responsibility for things you have no idea about, you'll only make things more complicated and put me in a very passive position, you know?"

Cheng Xuemin's main goal was to get them to agree on a story and not to spread rumors if they didn't know something. In fact, all they knew was that Taiji was coming to Bolin to generate foreign exchange.

As for how they would generate foreign exchange, I really don't know.

For example, Cheng Xuemin planned to bypass China Film Group from the very beginning. Not to mention Zhu Lin and Xiao Li, who had just learned about it, even the director Huang Jianzhong did not know that Cheng Xuemin was planning to bypass China Film Group.

I always thought that Cheng Xuemin's trip to Bolin was to work with Director Hu of China Film Group to promote Tai Chi.

But who knew!

After arriving in Bolin, Cheng Xuemin immediately broke away from Director Hu of China Film Group and began privately negotiating with foreign film distributors.

Therefore, they truly never knew Cheng Xuemin's intentions, which meant it was fine for them to stick to the same story.

"But……"

Zhu Lin's face had already turned deathly pale with fright, and she was so flustered that she couldn't speak. Huang Jianzhong also wanted to say something, but Cheng Xuemin interrupted him directly, saying:
"Actually, this is the worst-case scenario. Perhaps it won't be that bad; perhaps we will be warmly welcomed by the people of the whole country!"

“That’s how it should be! Xuemin, you’ve devoted so much effort to the country and generated over 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange earnings for it. How could they… how could they turn around and harm you?!” Zhu Lin said, choking back tears.

"Sister Lin..."

Cheng Xuemin wanted to say a few words of reassurance, but then Gong Xue knocked on the door, indicating that Director Hu and the others had finished their conversation and returned!
"That's settled then. Lin-jie, you should also get Gong Xue's story straight. Since you two live together, she probably knows something!"

Finally, Cheng Xuemin gave Zhu Lin one last instruction and then told Xiao Li to open the door.

"Are you all here?"

"Why is one of the doors locked from the inside?"

Gong Xue was taken aback when she saw that it was Li Lianjie who opened the door. Wasn't this her and Zhu Lin's room?
But when he peeked inside and saw Cheng Xuemin and the others, he couldn't help but ask in bewilderment.

"We just got back too!" Cheng Xuemin nodded, said casually, and then asked, "How's it going on your end? I heard there's an exchange meeting for Lushan Love today?"

"Don't bring up things that are hard to talk about. Director Hu and the others are already feeling down!" Gong Xue muttered, gesturing towards Old Xie outside, and whispered.

Perhaps hearing the noise from this side, Director Hu, Lao Xie, Deputy Factory Director Zhao, and the others also came over here.

"Director Hu!"

No matter how many internal conflicts there were, they still had to maintain basic politeness in person, so Cheng Xuemin greeted them.

"Xiao Cheng, is the copy editing of that Tai Chi project finished yet?" Director Hu nodded to him, clearly having lost interest.

"...It's all done..." Cheng Xuemin was initially taken aback. What kind of copying and editing was this?

However, he quickly realized that this was just an excuse Huang Jianzhong made up to deal with Hu Jian's inspection and questioning.

Before Cheng Xuemin could finish speaking, Hu Jian waved his hand dejectedly and said in a weary voice, "The film festival organizers just spoke to me and said that today is the last exchange activity for 'Romance on Lushan Mountain,' and I don't need to attend the closing ceremony afterwards."

He paused, as if he was having difficulty saying it, but he still explained it directly: "What I mean is, we didn't win an award, nor were we shortlisted for the next stage, so we can go back to China early."

These words were like a stone thrown into the room, and the air instantly fell silent.

Xie Jin leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling, his eyes filled with disappointment. Although he was mentally prepared, hearing the words "I don't need to attend the closing ceremony" still felt like a slap in the face.

Deputy Factory Director Zhao wanted to say a few words of comfort, but when he opened his mouth, he found that he couldn't say anything.

Gong Xue clutched the hem of her clothes and muttered stubbornly in a low voice, "Those foreigners don't understand our culture at all, it's normal that they didn't win any awards."

Hu Jian gave a wry smile, sat down on the sofa, and said self-deprecatingly, "Yes, they really don't understand!"

"But we went through so much trouble to bring out the first film in China, and in the end we didn't even get a consolation prize. How are we going to explain this to President Ding?"

He suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Cheng Xuemin, and asked, "By the way, Cheng, how's things going with your Tai Chi team?"

"Yamato Films from Japan has been urging us to release 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' and 'Tai Chi' together today."

Cheng Xuemin's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Hu Jian wanted to make up for his "diplomatic achievements" with "Tai Chi" because of the failure of "Romance on Lushan Mountain".

He deliberately frowned, showing a troubled expression, and said, "Director Hu, the situation of 'Tai Chi' is not good either, it's basically the same as 'Romance on Lushan Mountain'!"

Ultimately, it comes down to cultural differences; these foreigners don't understand our cultural essence at all!

"As for the Japanese wanting our distribution rights?!"

Cheng Xuemin pretended to ponder for a moment, then said, "Director Hu, I was thinking, why don't we take it back to Hong Kong and try it out first?"

"People from Hong Kong are from the same mother country as us, and there is no cultural barrier between us!"

"And if Great Wall's 'The Haunted Cop Shop' could achieve such high box office numbers, I don't think our 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' and 'Tai Chi' would flop as badly as they did at Bolin!"

He was definitely only telling the truth!

Hong Kong is indeed an important market for kung fu films, but the overseas rights to "Tai Chi" have already been sold out. Saying "bring it back to Hong Kong to try" is just a way to buy time.

Hu Jian's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "That's right! Hong Kong, how come we didn't think of that!?"

Director Hu suddenly stood up, his tone instantly invigorated, and said, "Western culture is far behind ours. Hong Kong is different; everyone here is Chinese and understands our culture! Maybe 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' can find a market in Hong Kong!"

He seemed to have grasped at the last straw and continued, "Xiao Cheng, that's a great idea! Since neither film has done well in Bolin, why not take them back to Hong Kong and give it a shot?"

Huang Jianzhong, who was listening nearby, almost couldn't help but laugh!
"Tai Chi" has sold over 20 million US dollars, yet they still say it "hasn't achieved much." Only someone like Fujian, who is "illiterate in foreign languages," would believe that.

But he still nodded in agreement: "Yes, Director Hu, Xuemin is right, the Hong Kong market is worth a try. We have some connections with Great Wall Film Company in Hong Kong, so maybe we can reach an agreement."

Deputy Factory Director Zhao quickly chimed in, "Yes, Director Hu, it's good to go back early. The weather here in Bolin is getting colder and colder, and everyone is homesick."

Hu Jian was persuaded and immediately agreed: "Okay! Let's do it this way! I'll contact the consulate right now and book a flight to Hong Kong for tomorrow!"

"After you get back, report the situation to General Manager Ding first, and then arrange the distribution in Hong Kong!"

He got up to leave, but then remembered the matter with the Japanese side. He turned back and instructed Cheng Xuemin, "By the way, I'll stall the Japanese side. Just say the copy is still being processed, and we'll talk to them again when we get back to Hong Kong."

...(End of chapter)