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

After seeing the old factory director off, Cheng Xuemin returned to his office and began to ponder!
The money for 650 copies is about to arrive, and preparations for "Tai Chi 2" can be put on the agenda, but the more urgent matter right now is the Hong Kong distribution.

If the film is released in Guangzhou first, and then pirated copies flow into Hong Kong, the losses will be enormous.

It's important to remember that Hong Kong dollars are also foreign exchange, and we can't afford to miss out on earning even a penny less.

Cheng Xuemin quickly approached Huang Jianzhong and asked him to reorganize the distribution materials for "Tai Chi" and prepare for its distribution in Hong Kong.

Upon hearing that he was going to Hong Kong, Huang Jianzhong's expression immediately changed. He reassured Cheng Xuemin that everything was prepared and there would be no problem.

Cheng Xuemin nodded in agreement. After all, he had been busy with the affairs of the Eastern Depot, and the distribution of Tai Chi in Hong Kong was being prepared by director Huang Jianzhong.

Then, Accountant Liu was asked to calculate the travel expenses for the trip to Hong Kong.

Just as I finished my work, Secretary Li walked in carrying an enamel mug and asked slowly, "Xuemin, I heard from Lao Wang that you're going to Hong Kong? This is a big deal. We need to report it to the higher-ups clearly so there won't be any mishaps."

"Don't worry, I'm about to submit a report to the ministry!" Cheng Xuemin said with a smile. "Actually, the main concern is that pirated copies will get there first and affect the box office. After all, Hong Kong dollars are foreign exchange, and we want to earn as much as possible."

Secretary Li nodded: "You've thought this through. This is exactly what our Dongfang branch should be doing!"
"Just lead the group there; let me know if you need my signature anywhere."

The next morning, Cheng Xuemin took the report and went to see the old factory director.

Upon reading the report, Wang Yang immediately nodded and said to Cheng Xuemin, "You're right, we need to go right away!"

"There's still a month until Chinese New Year. Go to Hong Kong first to finalize the distribution details. You can come back just in time for Chinese New Year and celebrate with the crew."

If we go too late, we'll have to spend the entire Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, and our families will be worried.

“That’s what I think too!” Cheng Xuemin nodded and said, “Now we’re just waiting for the key members of Tai Chi to arrive!”

"Well, the main thing is to release it before the Spring Festival. Actually, there's nothing to be afraid of about piracy!"

"Right now, China Film Group is working overtime to clean up your mess, busy reprinting those foreign exchange-earning copies for overseas distribution!"

"The copies of films from various film companies across the country will have to be postponed again. I think it's unlikely that they can be released before the end of the year!"

When the old factory director mentioned it, Cheng Xuemin nodded repeatedly, after all, he had signed a contract with an outside company worth more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange.

But so far, they've only received a deposit of $6.6 million!
The remaining balance needs to be paid quickly so that China Film Group can produce the film and send it to the foreign customers. Only then can we collect the final payment.

Of course, it's a cash-on-delivery transaction. The contract is clearly written, so there's nothing to argue about.

"What if something unexpected happens?" Although the contract was clearly written, Cheng Xuemin was still worried that China Film Group might be resentful about cleaning up his mess and cause him trouble.

"What kind of trouble could possibly arise!" the old factory director scoffed. "If we give domestic copies, China Film Group might try to sabotage us!"

"But those are copies sent abroad, and the people at China Film Group are most concerned about foreigners!"

"Don't talk about doing anything weird. I heard that the materials they're printing are all imported, and they're not even in the same league as the ones they're supplying domestically!"

"Stop spouting nonsense about going abroad to win glory for the country. We can't let those foreign devils say we cut corners on quality!"

"Xuemin, all the materials used are imported! Those guys at China Film Group just love to squander money. They don't earn a single US dollar or foreign exchange, but they spend it faster than anyone else!"

“That just spoils those foreign devils!” Cheng Xuemin nodded in agreement.

Then, together with the old factory director, they went to the lake and submitted the report to Old Wu.

"Go to Hong Kong to promote Tai Chi?"

When Mr. Wu saw the report, his expression showed some surprise.

“Yes, Mr. Wu, we were indeed a bit rushed when we went to Bolin last time!” Cheng Xuemin nodded in agreement and explained to Mr. Wu, “Originally, according to the normal procedure, we could have taken the opportunity to screen the film in Hong Kong before going to Bolin to participate in the competition and exhibition!”

"But the post-production work for Tai Chi was too rushed at the time. When we set off, it was only a few days before the opening of the Bolin Film Festival, and we missed the opportunity to release it in Hong Kong!"

Cheng Xuemin continued to explain, "So I've been thinking that after we come back from Bolin, we'll send Tai Chi to Hong Kong for a screening. So I was thinking of taking a few of the main cast members to Hong Kong to promote and distribute it!"

Old Wu put down the report, looked at Cheng Xuemin and said, "Alright, Xuemin! I approve this application! Go and draft the list and send it up, I'll just sign and approve it!"

“However, it’s best not to send too many people to Hong Kong!” Old Wu decided on the spot, and then said, “How about this, I’ll give you nine slots, is that enough?”

"That's enough! Mr. Wu, with nine people accompanying us to Hong Kong, my publicity work will be much easier!" Cheng Xuemin was indeed somewhat surprised to hear that nine people had been approved directly.

After all, when they went to Bolin last time, Old Wu only approved six spots for them.

"Alright, Xuemin, go for it! We old guys definitely have high hopes for you!" Old Wu said readily. "Besides, your Dongfang branch factory has just been established, so we'll definitely deliver on our support and provide it to the fullest extent!"

"So if you encounter any difficulties, don't try to overcome them on your own. Just bring them up if you need to, okay?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Wu!" The support from the ministry was indeed very strong. Even the money from selling Tai Chi copies was all allocated to the Eastern Depot. This level of support was unprecedented.

Of course, the greater the support, the greater the pressure on Cheng Xuemin!

After repeatedly agreeing, Cheng Xuemin quickly added, "Mr. Wu, I happen to have a small request, and I hope the ministry can approve it!"

"Oh?! Tell me first!" Old Wu hadn't expected that, despite his earlier politeness, this kid would actually make a request right there and then!

That works!

I was worried you wouldn't make any demands. It's a good thing you can make demands to his face. If you can support him, you definitely should!

"It's like this, Mr. Wu!" Cheng Xuemin organized his thoughts and continued, "You may not be aware, but this time in Bolin, due to copyright issues, we may have offended the Japanese!"

"In addition, earlier this year, I went to the Economic Commission to help out, which also offended the Japanese quite a bit..."

"Right, right, Xuemin, I haven't had a chance to tell you about your trip to the Economic Commission yet!" Old Wu said, reminded of this. "I was drinking with Lao Luo from the Economic Commission before, and he praised you a lot!"

"They said you helped their Economic Commission recover huge losses and even got them a production line for free. They said the equipment has arrived in Shanghai and is currently in the debugging and installation phase!"

"When the debugging and installation are completed and construction officially begins, we'll need you to cut the ribbon!"

Hearing this, the old factory director looked quite surprised, wondering when Xuemin had ever helped the Economic Commission.
Cheng Xuemin nodded repeatedly and said to Old Wu, "I received an invitation, but I didn't really help much!" "Xuemin, you just mentioned the Japanese. Do you mean you're worried they might retaliate against you in Hong Kong?" Returning to the main topic, Old Wu was very astute and quickly realized what Cheng Xuemin was trying to say.

“Yes, Mr. Wu! I’ve heard that the Yamaguchi-gumi, a Japanese yakuza group, is very active in Hong Kong!” Cheng Xuemin nodded and said directly, “So I would like to ask Mr. Wu for a favor. I hope you can send us two guards!”

"That's a good idea! As the saying goes, it's better to guard against a virtuous person than a petty one. We definitely need to be wary of the Japanese!" Old Wu nodded repeatedly and said.

After finishing their business, Old Wu did not invite Cheng Xuemin and the others to stay for lunch.

"Xuemin, when did you go to the Economic Commission to help out? Even Old Wu's side was alerted, how come I didn't know?"

On the way back, the old factory director kept thinking about it with suspicion, but he couldn't recall that Cheng Xuemin had ever gone to the Economic Commission to help with this matter!

"Old Factory Director, that was before I came to Yanying Factory!" Cheng Xuemin replied as he drove, "The car you're sitting in right now was a reward from the Economic Commission!"

"Oh, right! That's right! I was wondering why your car has the Economic Commission's sign on it!" The old factory director suddenly realized what was going on. In fact, when Cheng Xuemin first joined Yanying Factory, he had specifically asked about the car and why it had the Economic Commission's sign on it!

However, Cheng Xuemin didn't say it outright at the time, and we still don't know why!
So the old factory director brought up the old matter again, asking, "Why was the Economic Commission so generous, giving you a car as a gift?"

"Old Factory Director, it was top secret before, so I couldn't just tell you!" Cheng Xuemin nodded in agreement and continued, "But now that everything's settled, the equipment we got for free has already been delivered to the Shanghai steel mill, although it's still not appropriate to spread it around too openly!"

"We exploited the Japanese's technological weaknesses and got a production line worth 500 million US dollars from them for free!"

"What?!" The old factory director was so shocked that his eyes practically popped out of their sockets!

Get 500 million US dollars in foreign exchange for free?!
So that's how they got the car they were sitting in?
"Old Wu, you've been tricked by that kid!" Liao Gong reported to Old Wu, along with Cheng Xuemin's application for bodyguards to accompany him.

Liao nodded at Old Wu and said with a smile.

"Huh!? I've been tricked by him? Mr. Liao, what do you mean by this?" Old Wu was truly bewildered.

Cheng Xuemin and his group of nine went to Hong Kong to distribute Tai Chi, worried that the Japanese yakuza organization Yamaguchi-gumi would come after them.

So requesting bodyguards to accompany you sounds perfectly reasonable!

Say it again!

Even if that kid doesn't take the initiative, the higher-ups will still arrange for them to be accompanied by security personnel after the approval is granted for their trip to Hong Kong!

Firstly, they are real bodyguards to protect their personal safety outside; secondly, and most importantly, they monitor whether there is any possibility of them defecting!

This isn't a question of whether or not we trust Cheng Xuemin; it's that this procedure is necessary.

After all, it was their first time going out on their own, and they didn't have any senior comrades with high awareness accompanying them.

"How can I put it? Just like the old leader praised, that kid's become incredibly clever!" Liao Gong waved his hand with a smile, praising without any reservations.

"It's become a spirit again?" Old Wu was dumbfounded again. This wasn't the first time he'd heard Liao Gong and the others praise that kid for becoming a spirit!
"It was General Manager Xu who told you!" Liao Gong didn't answer Old Wu directly, but instead had General Manager Xu, who was watching a movie with him, tell Old Wu.

"Old Wu, you..." Commander Xu nodded with a smile and said, "Do you think that kid Cheng Xuemin needs bodyguards or guards?"

"That kid is a legendary soldier who single-handedly killed over a hundred wild monkeys in the deep forests of southern Xinjiang!"

"I heard that Li Lianjie from their film crew is a national martial arts champion, right? She can't even last one move against him!"

"You think this kid would be afraid of the Japanese or some Yamaguchi-gumi gang?"

Commander Xu truly values ​​talent and genuinely likes that kid, which is why he visits Liao Gong's place whenever he has free time!

I'm hoping we can make an exception and let that kid go to southern Xinjiang for a while.

I don't expect that kid to fight on the battlefield, I'd be content if he could help us train a few good young soldiers in the army!
Unfortunately, I heard that the kid has been given an even heavier responsibility for generating foreign exchange, and he's now running a large factory that generates foreign exchange. It might be difficult to borrow more people from him now.

"Uh, it really is!"

After being told what Commander Xu said, Old Wu finally realized what was going on!
Don't let Cheng Xuemin's usual refined and gentle demeanor fool you. No one can deny his glorious achievement earlier this year: when he went south to the front lines to visit and collect folk songs, he got trapped in the heart of the wild monkey territory and killed those wild monkeys for more than two whole months!

That kid is a tough, bloodthirsty soldier at heart!
So why would someone like that be afraid of retaliation from the Yamaguchi-gumi (Japanese guerrilla group) if he went out?

Do I need to submit a report to him and request two accompanying bodyguards?
"So that kid's got some nerve!" Liao Gong said with a smile, continuing to explain to Old Wu, "Old Wu! He's not asking us for security guards, he's actually asking us for someone to accompany and supervise him!"

"He's trying to reassure us old folks, to let them go to Hong Kong to promote the campaign!"

"What we really need to do is supervise, to put the power we've given him into a cage!"

"This young comrade's awareness is truly... phenomenal!"

Liao Gong shook his head and sighed repeatedly as he spoke, unable to help but admire and like him from the bottom of his heart!

"Then...should we send someone to accompany and supervise?" Old Wu's expression changed upon hearing this, and he secretly admired Cheng Xuemin, who was truly insightful and a good comrade!

"group!"

"We will definitely send comrades to supervise him; this is also a way to protect Comrade Xuemin!"

Liao Gong made the decision immediately, saying, "President Xu, I will report to my superiors and ask you to transfer two capable comrades over here. What do you think?"

"That's great! I'd love to have that opportunity!" Boss Xu was overjoyed upon hearing this, and then said, "Don't worry, Lao Liao, I'll definitely select two top-notch soldiers to come over!"

"You'd better give that kid a good talking-to when the time comes, and when you have some free time, give him a good talking-to too!"

Liao Gong was stunned upon hearing this and asked, "Old Xu, then who's supervising whom here?"

"I don't care! I can't take that kid with me when I go to the capital this time, but he has to help us train two more!"

…………

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