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

As soon as Deputy Factory Director Zhao finished speaking, the office fell silent.

Cheng Xuemin frowned slightly; he hadn't expected Deputy Factory Director Zhao to suddenly extend such an invitation.

Liang Xiaosheng and Feng Jiazhao also looked at Deputy Factory Director Zhao in surprise. They had not expected that he would even poach people!

He Chengwei's eyes lit up. "That's right!"

Just poach Comrade Xuemin and send him to Shanghai!

Although their magazine, *Story Club*, is indeed not up to standard in mainstream literature, they are not qualified to poach Cheng Xuemin.

But the Shanghai Film Studio, managed by Deputy Director Zhao, is a completely different story. If Comrade Xuemin could be recruited to Shanghai, wouldn't their Storytelling Club have an easy time getting the job?
Seeing that Cheng Xuemin did not answer immediately, Deputy Factory Director Zhao knew that this matter could not be rushed, so he continued:

"Comrade Xuemin, rest assured, as long as you are willing to join us in Shanghai, we will definitely provide you with excellent conditions."

You can be in charge of a department's production work. From script selection, project approval, pre-production and filming to the selection of directors and actors, you can make all the decisions yourself, and the studio will never interfere.

Furthermore, we guarantee that at least one project per quarter of each year will be from your department.

Such conditions are considered very generous even within the entire film industry.

Deputy Director Zhao did indeed come with the sincerity of their Shanghai Film Studio, and the conditions he offered were indeed very tempting.

Being in charge of production for a department means that Cheng Xuemin will have a great deal of autonomy and decision-making power, and can give full play to his talents and creativity.

Moreover, having projects to work on every quarter of the year provides Cheng Xuemin with stable creative opportunities, allowing him to continuously produce excellent works.

The brother-in-law, Feng Jiazhao, listened from the side, his eyes widening as he became increasingly interested!
You should know that nowadays, almost all film studios have become rigid!

Like their Yan Film Studio!

There are simply no companies that can launch a project script every quarter!
Even the most senior and experienced director in the factory cannot have complete control over everything from script selection to actor onboarding.

and!

If they guarantee to produce one script every quarter, then Yan Film Studio will have even less.

But I never expected this!
The Shanghai Film Studio's scale is truly astounding; they dared to offer such terms.

Liang Xiaosheng, standing next to him, swallowed hard, equally shocked, but even more so with envy.

If other film studios invited me in the same way, what else could I say but nod and agree without hesitation!

He Chengwei from the story club swallowed hard; the offer was just too tempting.

Cheng Xuemin was equally shocked and surprised!

I never expected the Shanghai Film Studio to have such a large budget; I really felt it.

However, despite being moved, Cheng Xuemin had his own considerations.

He sighed slightly and said, "Director Zhao, thank you very much for your recognition and appreciation, and thank you for offering such generous terms."

However, I'm afraid I cannot accept your invitation.

Upon hearing Cheng Xuemin's words, Deputy Factory Director Zhao showed a hint of disappointment on his face, but he still suppressed his disappointment and asked, "Comrade Xuemin, why?"

Is it that our conditions aren't good enough? Please feel free to tell us what you need, and we will do our best to meet your requirements.

Cheng Xuemin shook his head and said, "Director Zhao, it's not a matter of conditions."

"The conditions you've offered are already very good. If it were someone else, they might have already agreed."

However, for me, there are some factors that I have to consider.

"First of all, my home is in Yanjing, where my wife and children live. I don't want to be too far away from them because of work. Family is very important to me."

Cheng Xuemin's first thought was definitely his wife!

Unexpectedly, Deputy Factory Director Zhao said directly, "Comrade Xuemin, this is actually very easy to arrange! Just bring your wife and children to Shanghai!"

"Don't worry, our film studio is currently building a new film village. We're going to build new residential buildings for all the factory workers, the kind where every household has running water, a private bathroom and toilet, and a kitchen!"

"As long as Comrade Xuemin comes, we can guarantee that you will be given priority in arranging a house of no less than 100 square meters!"

"And your spouse, our factory guarantees to arrange a suitable position for her!"

Hey!
Isn't this a commercial residential building?
When Deputy Factory Director Zhao said that, not only was Cheng Xuemin surprised, but his brother-in-law and Liang Xiaosheng next to him were green with envy.

"Director Zhao, my wife is still studying at Yenching University..."

Before Cheng Xuemin could finish speaking, Deputy Factory Director Zhao readily agreed, saying, "That's easy. As long as you go there, we have several top universities in Shanghai. Your wife can choose any one and transfer there!"

"Really? Director Zhao, you can make this decision?" Cheng Xuemin rolled his eyes. Old Zhao, you may be bragging, but isn't this a bit too much?

"Well... I believe that our Shanghai government will definitely welcome you and your husband to settle in Shanghai, and will certainly welcome you to Shanghai with open arms!"

Old Zhao also felt that these words were spoken hastily and that the boasting was a bit excessive.

However, considering Cheng Xuemin's foreign exchange earnings of over 20 million US dollars, the local government would definitely be willing to pay any price to acquire him!

“Then I believe you!” Cheng Xuemin nodded, then asked directly, “How many chances can you give me?”

"Huh?" As expected, Deputy Factory Director Zhao was completely taken aback and asked, "Comrade Xuemin, what kind of opportunity are you talking about? Anyway, we'll say it again: you can make any requests you have, and our factory will definitely cooperate fully and try our best to meet them!"

Cheng Xuemin smiled and didn't mention his file, which was currently sealed up at Yenching University.

Therefore, Cheng Xuemin cannot simply choose which unit he wants to work for!
Let's leave those aside for now!

Cheng Xuemin only mentioned this point, and then directly pointed out, "Director Zhao, the reason your Shanghai Film Studio extended such an invitation is simply because our foreign exchange earnings from this trip to Bolin were quite impressive! They wanted to help me invite them over!"

"So I'm asking you, Director Zhao, one question: how many chances can you give me?"

"After I arrived, you all cooperated fully with me to launch new projects, but they failed and fell far short of your expectations!"

"After that, how many more chances will I have to try and fail? Once, twice... or even more?"

When Deputy Factory Director Zhao was asked this question by Cheng Xuemin, he was completely dumbfounded and had no way to respond.

The reason Cheng Xuemin was recruited was to generate foreign exchange, just like this trip to Bolin.

But if he fails once, will he be given a few more chances to try and fail?
Ok!

Their film studio never even considered such a problem.

Moreover, given the complicated situation of their Shanghai film studio, Deputy Director Zhao honestly suspected that there might not be a second chance.

"Haha! Director Zhao, we were just chatting casually, just chatting casually, don't take it to heart!" Seeing that Old Zhao was speechless, Cheng Xuemin waved his hand repeatedly to comfort him, and then nodded in agreement, saying, "Of course, I definitely appreciate the kindness of your Shanghai Film Studio!"

"Actually, I'd like to speak frankly with Director Zhao: even if I wanted to go to Shanghai, it's not something I could just do whenever I wanted!"

"I'm still awaiting my official judgment, even though I'm a criminal!"

"Uh... Comrade Xuemin, you're joking!" Deputy Factory Director Zhao smiled awkwardly, but he knew that Cheng Xuemin was right.

In the past, Cheng Xuemin was already a pioneer of reform and opening up appointed by the higher authorities, and he was not someone that the local authorities could just dig up and take away!

What's more, this time, it earned the country more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange!

Then they can forget about poaching people from their area.

But that doesn't stop them from digging and trying, just in case they accidentally dig it up.
After Cheng Xuemin politely declined Deputy Factory Director Zhao's offer, the atmosphere in the office became slightly awkward.

Seeing this, He Chengwei quickly tried to smooth things over: "Director Zhao, Comrade Xuemin is in a difficult situation, and we can't force him to do something he doesn't want to do."

"But the script is settled now, you'd better sign the contract quickly, or someone else will snatch it away."

Deputy Factory Director Zhao then snapped out of his daze and hurriedly nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, the script is the most important thing! Comrade Xuemin, let's sign the contract now. Three scripts, six thousand yuan. Let's sign the copyright agreement now, and I'll call the factory right away to have the royalties wired over!"

Cheng Xuemin smiled and nodded, saying, "No rush, it's not too late to have the finance department transfer the royalties after you return to Shanghai!" After arranging for He Chengwei and Deputy Factory Director Zhao to return to the guesthouse, his brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao was still immersed in the shock of the six thousand yuan.

He rubbed his hands together and said, "Xuemin, the Shanghai Film Studio is too rich! Two thousand yuan a script, I never dared to dream of that before."

Liang Xiaosheng echoed this sentiment, saying, "The Shanghai Film Studio is truly wealthy and powerful; our Yanying Studio doesn't have that kind of financial strength!"

Cheng Xuemin patted them on the shoulder and said:
"That's why I'm telling you all to hurry up and take advantage of the momentum of Tai Chi to produce more martial arts works!"

"And Lao Liang, hurry up and finish the novel 'Tai Chi,' Lao He is still waiting."

As for how to divide the 6,000 yuan script fee?
Cheng Xuemin hasn't told his brother-in-law and Liang Xiaosheng yet. Logically, his brother-in-law should take the lion's share, around 70%!
Thirty percent of the score goes to the original author, Liang Xiaosheng!

However, Liang Xiaosheng's share must be divided with Cheng Xuemin, since it was a collaboration between the two of them.

Moreover, although Liang Xiaosheng wrote the most, he was essentially just a ghostwriter, so he actually received the least.

But then again, there's really nothing to argue about!

Cheng Xuemin didn't intend to take a single penny of the royalties from these five scripts. Of the six thousand yuan given to Shanghai, Cheng Xuemin planned to give one thousand to Liang Xiaosheng and keep the remaining five thousand for his brother-in-law.

The same film, "The Legend of Huo Yuanjia," will be given to my brother-in-law in every possible way, regardless of how much Yan Film Studio offers.

After all, Cheng Xuemin wrote this himself and didn't let Liang Xiaosheng handle it, so he didn't need to share the royalties with him.

As for the portion left for Xi'an Film Studio, it will be strictly split 30/70, with Liang Xiaosheng receiving 30% of the royalties.

Cheng Xuemin wouldn't want it either!

In the following days, the guesthouse at Yanying Film Studio was packed with people.

A leader from the August First Film Studio, with great sincerity, wanted to invite Cheng Xuemin to make a military-themed martial arts film.
So, it's an anti-Japanese war drama?!

Representatives from Changchun Film Studio offered to resolve the issue of family members' household registration in exchange for a martial arts film script.

But Cheng Xuemin already has a Beijing household registration, so why would he need them to solve his household registration problem?

There were also people from the Pearl River Film Studio who brought a box of cash and said they wanted to buy all the scripts in Cheng Xuemin's possession on the spot.

Local government agencies also wanted to recruit Cheng Xuemin, this outstanding individual, to boost their foreign exchange earnings.

It just so happened that it coincided with China Film Group's screening event for the last quarter of the year, and all the bigwigs from film studios across the country had an excuse to come to Beijing.

They all came for Cheng Xuemin, hoping to get the script for their next martial arts film from him, or even poach him to oversee the filming of their martial arts films.

Cheng Xuemin had to deal with these people every day, leaving him exhausted and dizzy.

Two days later, Hu Tianming from Xi'an Film Studio rushed into Yan Film Studio, looking travel-worn.

Upon seeing Cheng Xuemin, she grabbed his hand and wouldn't let go, asking, "Comrade Xuemin, I've heard that you have a script for 'Treasure Hunt Beyond the Great Wall' that you've left for our factory?!"

Seeing Old Hu's anxious look, Cheng Xuemin laughed and said, "Director Hu, your information network is truly impressive!"

Yes, I do have a script, specifically for you, Director Hu!

"But you're in too much of a hurry. Why did you have to make the trip yourself?"

Hu Tianming sighed and said, "How can I not be anxious? Right now, film studios all over the country are vying for your script. If I don't come, and someone else snatches it away, how am I supposed to explain it to the people at the studio?"

He paused, then added, "By the way, you should know, right?"

"China Film Group's last screening of the year is about to begin, and film studio heads from all over the country have come. I heard that a discussion is also being organized in Haizili to specifically discuss film foreign exchange earnings, and it's quite a high-level event."

Cheng Xuemin was taken aback: "A discussion meeting? To discuss film revenue generation?"

“Yes!” Hu Tianming nodded and said, “Ever since you earned more than 20 million US dollars in Bolin, the higher-ups have paid special attention to foreign exchange earnings from the film industry.”

"I hear that both Mr. Wu and Mr. Liao will be attending this discussion, so we'd better prepare well."

Cheng Xuemin's heart skipped a beat; this was a great opportunity!
His previously proposed experimental field plan might be finalized at this discussion meeting.

only!
It seems no one notified me to attend this discussion. Was I not qualified, or was I simply forgotten to be invited?
A few days later, the screening by China Film Group was held as scheduled.

Cheng Xuemin attended the screening with the former factory director, Wang Yang. As soon as he entered the screening room, he saw film studio leaders from all over the country discussing "Tai Chi" enthusiastically.

Some say the fight scenes in "Tai Chi" are spectacular, others say the plot is fast-paced, and still others say we should learn from "Tai Chi" and make more martial arts films.

Because the first screening was of "Tai Chi," which earned more than 20 million US dollars, these bigwigs from various film studios finally got a sneak peek!
They were all amazed, exclaiming that it truly lived up to its reputation!

Next up was "Romance on Lushan Mountain" from Shanghai Film Studio, which was also screened internally at this screening event.

Although Lushan Love did not win any awards at Bolin, it still made a significant impact on everyone.

In particular, the daring kissing scene between Cheng Xuemin and Gong Xue truly shocked everyone.

They all asked directly, "Should this scene be cut?"

Immediately after the screening, a discussion about Hai Zi's life began.

However, Cheng Xuemin still hadn't received an invitation to the conference, which left him completely bewildered.

Such an important cultural conference, especially one sparked by his book "Tai Chi," yet he, as the absolute protagonist, did not receive an invitation to attend.

Isn't this a little strange?

Perhaps Cheng Xuemin's rank wasn't high enough, after all, only the former director of Yan Film Studio, Wang Yang, participated.

The Haizili Cultural Forum, which brought together bigwigs from all sides, was filled with the smell of secondhand smoke throughout the conference hall.

The choking caused the women to cough incessantly, but they were mostly used to it; after all, this is how meetings are these days, from top to bottom.

Even if women don't adapt, they have to make themselves adapt.

The atmosphere became very tense as soon as the discussion began.

Mr. Wu, who was chairing the meeting, picked up a document and said in a serious tone:
"The main reason I called everyone here today is to talk about foreign exchange earnings from film production. I have a report on China Film Group's foreign exchange earnings over the past five years here. Please listen to it first."

He cleared his throat and read:
"In the past five years, China Film Group Corporation has exported more than 3,200 films overseas, involving more than 20 countries and regions."

However, the total amount created was zero.

Furthermore, the ministry allocated US$4.3 million in foreign exchange funds for the promotion, transportation, and copying of these films.

"Wow!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the conference room.

Wang Yang, the former director of Yanying Film Studio, simply dropped the pretense, slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and asked, "Old Wu, how is this possible?"

"More than 3,000 films, and not a single penny was made back, while more than four million US dollars were spent? What were the people at China Film Group doing?"

Xu Sangchu from the Shanghai Film Studio chimed in, saying, "Exactly! That won't do! Comrade Xuemin earned over 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country with just one film, Tai Chi!"

China Film Group has exported over 3,000 films, yet it takes government money but fails to produce anything of substance. What's the point of keeping such an institution around?

Other studio executives echoed this sentiment, and the meeting room was filled with voices denouncing China Film Group.

They demanded that China Film Group be simply dissolved on the spot!
Director Zhou, who had just taken over China Film Group, sat there with his face flushed, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

Although I've thought about how badly my ex did things!

He never expected things to turn out so badly, leaving him speechless despite having prepared a rebuttal in his mind!

……

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