Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 309 Making a musical ringtone for the sake of raising a son? A deserter from the Battle of X

Chapter 309 Making a musical ringtone for an adopted son? A deserter from the Battle of Xiangji Temple…

It seems like just yesterday, and now it's 2002.

It's also possible that Ma Xun's big bed is a bit too soft.

Or perhaps Xu Qing is just too much of a troublemaker.

Anyway, the last day of 2001 has passed just like that.

Xu Qing was delighted, so she got up and went to the large balcony outside the master bedroom.

She planned to greet the first rays of the sun in 2002.

What does Ma Xun think?
Of course, you should watch it while lying down.

At this moment, Xu Qing gave him a primal sense of beauty.

Especially when the sun rises, she excitedly twists and turns her body a few times.

It is beautiful, indeed.

Why didn't you come along?

"I've seen it many times."

"Oh, thank goodness I'm here this time."

"Indeed, I am even more beautiful with you in my life."

"Haha...you're really good with words, you must have fooled a lot of girls."

"Look at you, I won't say it again then."

"Oh, I was just kidding."

Xu Qing, brimming with positive energy, is in a very good mood right now.

Actually, Ma Xun was just joking with her.

They were both very happy and cheerful, which was wonderful.

The sun had already risen quite a bit, so Xu Qing went back inside.

It was just a few stumbles and falls, which really caught people's attention.

Ma Xun was still watching while lying down.

Xu Qing came closer, lightly kissed his forehead, and then said, "It seems like you've been putting a lot of effort into movies lately?"

This is clearly a veiled message.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "You don't want the child anymore?"

His meaning is very clear: making movies and having children are contradictory, you must know that, right?

Xu Qing rolled her eyes at Ma Xun, "You know, people just want to show some concern for your career."

"Okay, I am indeed going to focus on movies, and I'm already doing it."

"See, I knew it...that..."

"Which should we choose? The child or..."

"Oh, don't be in such a hurry. I just wanted to ask, is there anything I can do to help you?"

"You really want to?"

"Of course, I also have to think about our future children."

Xu Qing's words sounded a bit like a child's, yet they also revealed a touch of cleverness.

Obviously, she understood that if she could get involved in Ma Xun's business, she could definitely make money too.

Ma Xun laughed and pulled the fair-skinned woman into his arms.

“If you’re really only thinking about the child, then it’s not like I don’t have money.”

Xu Qing felt like she had been seen through, so this time she simply said, "I'm not young anymore, who knows how many more years I can act? I might as well learn from others and have my own career."

Okay, the meaning is already very clear.

Ma Xun understood everything perfectly, but she still said a few things she wanted to hear.

“You’re not in that situation yet, you should still be able to continue acting, but it’s also good to want to do something on your own, so why not just make the most of your strengths?”

"What are my strengths?" Xu Qing did like hearing Ma Xun's words, but did she really have any strengths in doing business?

How come I don’t know?
Ma Xun smiled and said, "You did quite well with the telecommunications company before, so why don't you continue to develop along this path?"

"Huh? But that's a big company, they're really powerful now. As for me..."

Xu Qing can do some business with telecommunications companies, but it's difficult for him to scale it up.

After all, that's her family's situation; going too far would cause problems. She has to find a balance.

Ma Xun had obviously thought of these things long ago. He continued with a smile, "You're so afraid of everything. How can you achieve anything with that kind of attitude?"
However, I know you have difficulties, but what I'm going to tell you is a business that can definitely avoid those problems.

"Really? Tell me quickly, I'm so anxious..."

Xu Qing was incredibly eager, but Ma Xun was being somewhat secretive, so she... well, she just wanted to stick close to him...

Fruit poking? Poking your face?
Ahem, Ma Xun was amused.

"Okay, okay, here's the deal: you use your connections to partner with a telecom company and create a music ringtone service. How you negotiate the details depends on your abilities and network, but I doubt you'll be able to close many deals."

At least we should be able to get a piece of meat.

And I can support you with many music copyrights, understand?

"A cell phone ringtone?"

"Yeah, haven't you used it yet?"

"Of course I've used it, but how much development can this thing achieve?"

"My dear young lady, you really aren't good at business. Don't underestimate this little ringtone, there are so many people using it! One number, one tune, you charge a dime, and I'm telling you, you'll make a killing!"

"Really?"

"It depends on how far you can negotiate. Also, you must be careful not to assume that all big companies follow the rules."

"This... seems complicated."

"What? Don't want to do it anymore?"

"Who is it?! I'm determined to close this deal!"

Xu Qing even swung her little fist.

To be honest, although she's quite old, she still has a youthful vibe.

Ma Xun still liked it, and this business was indeed suitable for Xu Qing.

Mobile phone ringtones—this technology has actually existed for a very long time.

But it only really became popular in the last two years.

It should be said that this is only the beginning of a trend.

However, Ma Xun has a special advantage.

I received a very interesting message from Duan Yongping.

That is, the current situation of domestic mobile phone manufacturers is that they are not very good at innovation. To put it simply, many of the current mobile phone patents are held by European and American companies, like Nokia, right?

That puts us in a difficult position.

But we can't just not do it.

Simply put, if a new product doesn't have a compelling enough gimmick, then it's definitely not going to work.

So, where do we start with the gimmick?

Music ringtone!

Many domestic manufacturers are preparing to focus their efforts in this area, including Bubugao.

When Duan Yongping talked to Ma Xun about this matter, he was actually feeling quite helpless.

This is a last resort.

However, Ma Xun certainly knew that in the next few years, music ringtones or mobile phone music would be a very important selling point!

Bubugao has also launched many classic products. Oh right, I think Song Hye-kyo was the spokesperson for it.

This time, why not just have Bingbing or Yuanyuan endorse it, or even bring in Jay Chou?

In addition, Yang Yuying also sent news a while ago.

She's doing well in the music business, but she still needs new business, though she can't find any good new business for the time being.

The music market in our country is indeed not easy to manage.

This piracy is truly outrageous.

Musical ringtones are definitely a fantastic breakthrough!

Then, Xu Qing also has a good background and connections.

Now she's thinking of starting a business for fun.

Perfect!
From this perspective, it's clear that Ma Xun has connections with mobile phone manufacturers, music copyright holders, and can also contact telecommunications companies.

It would be such a waste not to do this business!
Of course, Ma Xun also knew that one should never mistake those state-owned enterprises and central enterprises for benevolent people.

If you're a business, you have to follow business principles.

They will stop at nothing to gain profit!
Ma Xun remembered the horse incident in Hangzhou, which seemed to have happened in the last two years.

It seems that Hangzhou Ma collaborated with a certain company on a project, which was actually an e-commerce project. However, later, the company used a very underhanded tactic and swallowed up the entire website and company.

This Hangzhou horse suffered a great loss.

Of course, this guy later rose to prominence and became quite a figure.

Ma Xun doesn't like this Hangzhou Ma, but looking at his entrepreneurial story, there's definitely something to it.

As for what this thing really looks like...

Those who understand Japanese should know very well that "Ari" and "Ant" are easy to understand once read.

Therefore, Ma Xun's main concern now is to warn Xu Qing to be extremely careful around that telecommunications company.

Xu Qing listened attentively, but she certainly couldn't imagine how big this business really was.

Then, she remembered the movie.

"It seems you've written another script."

"That's right." "And this time..."

Didn't I just let you choose?

"I'm not going to act, look how anxious you are. I just want to hear the story of this movie."

"Oh, I see. Actually, this story..."

Just as I was about to talk more about "Warriors of Heaven and Earth", Ma Xun's phone rang.

"Where is it? I need to have a serious talk with you about this script."

It was Jiang Wen; he was clearly moved by the script.

Ma Xun chatted with him for a bit, then said to Xu Qing, "Jiang Wen is coming over, how about we discuss the script together?"

In this situation, Xu Qing had no room for discussion.

He simply mounted Ma Xun's back.

Before Jiang Wen arrived, he had done everything he could.

……

sunny.

Sanya really doesn't feel like winter here.

"I have to say, you really know how to enjoy yourself."

Wearing sunglasses, Jiang Wen arrived at Ma Xun's villa and looked at the swimming pool and various facilities.

envious.

Ma Xun laughed heartily, "Teacher Jiang, you've come from afar, are you hungry?"

Good grief, this guy has made Hainanese chicken rice again!
You're really good at saving money by serving this!
But I must say, it's really good.

Jiang Wen flew over and was indeed hungry; after eating, she couldn't help but praise it highly.

"You're living like a god!"

Ma Xun remained noncommittal, then brought up the script, asking, "Do you have any new thoughts on this script?"

Jiang Wen thought of many things along the way, so she simply told them all.

"That's right, I think it should be a small team, and after arriving in Kucha, they will defend the city together with the white-haired veterans in the city."

"Oh, that's a good idea."

"And the composition of our team should be 'complex,' and our film should even focus on this aspect of the plot."

What is Teacher Jiang thinking?

"No need for Teacher Jiang, your script is amazing."

"Okay, Brother Jiang, what are your thoughts?"

"That is to say, everyone in the team is as unconventional as possible, either a prisoner or a thief, or... well, there are no decent people. Then, when they arrive in Kucha City, they show different aspects of their humanity in the process of defending the city."

To put it simply, this arrangement is to highlight the character's arc.

The contrast between the beginning and the end makes the story more compelling, and in the end…

But before Jiang Wen could finish speaking, Ma Xun abruptly interrupted, "Seven Samurai?"

Ma Xun suggested the name of the movie, and Jiang Wen burst into laughter upon hearing it.

"Brother Ma, you're really amazing! You came up with this movie idea right away."

Ma Xun said with a helpless expression, "Anyone in the know can figure this out."

That's right, the formula that Jiang Wen just mentioned is actually the formula of "Seven Samurai".

Akira Kurosawa's classic film is indeed a classic.

The samurai in "Seven Samurai" are not exactly respectable people, and the process of helping the villagers fight bandits is chaotic, with all sorts of messy things happening.

But that's how it has to be!
This arrangement is indeed beneficial for showcasing the character's arc.

Or you could say this is the brilliance of humanity.

Filmmakers in China, well, not just in China.

Many film directors around the world admire Akira Kurosawa's films.

This old man is really good at making movies.

For example, the very famous film "A Fistful of Dollars" plagiarized "Yojimbo".

This is blatant plagiarism; even Akira Kurosawa sued him.

They eventually reached a settlement.

The reason for reconciliation is quite simple.

You got a huge share of the box office revenue from "A Fistful of Dollars"! And your name was even credited in the movie!
Akira Kurosawa also wanted to uphold the justice in his heart, but unfortunately, they gave him too much.

That's a lot. It seems that the combined box office of all of Akira Kurosawa's later films doesn't even equal the box office share of this one.

There's no way around it; the Japanese market is just too small, and Hollywood movies really do have impressive box office returns.

Therefore, we drew inspiration from Akira Kurosawa's films.

It's not a problem.

However, Ma Xun felt that we really didn't need to learn from foreign countries.

We have our own ready-made ones!
He said, "Actually, I also plan to focus on filming the composition of this team, that is, each member who joins has their own story."

Brother Jiang, it's true what you're thinking. For example, these people aren't exactly respectable, and they're not exactly decent people either.

But I don't plan to make it into a "Seven Samurai" movie.

"Ah? You mean..."

“We will defend this city, but the focus of our filming should not be here; the focus should be on the journey we take.”

"All the way?"

"Yes, that's the key point – all the experiences we've had along the way."

"This...is it a road movie?"

Jiang Wen's suggestion is correct.

The movies we've seen along the way are actually all road movies.

Ma Xun laughed and said, "Why can't it be 'Journey to the West'?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wen suddenly realized what was going on!

“That’s right!” He slapped his thigh and then said, “It seems that we are the ancestors of road movies! Isn’t Journey to the West the earliest road movie? There are eighty-one tribulations along the way.”

His statement was so funny that the two of them burst into laughter.

Journey to the West?
Not to mention, according to historical records, the last high monk to see the Anxi army was Wukong.

Absolutely!

So, our team members...

Ma Xun and Jiang Wen then started discussing it.

"I think we should add a deserter instead."

"A deserter? That's not right."

"No, this deserter is no ordinary deserter."

How extraordinary is it?

"Brother Jiang, have you heard of the Battle of Xiangji Temple, which took place near Chang'an in 757?"

"Huh? Xiangji Temple?"

Jiang Wen's reaction was clearly that she had never heard of it, but that's normal.

Because historical records contain very little information about the Battle of Xiangji Temple.

However, it is also clear that this is the most brutal, bloody, and chilling battle of the era of cold weapons!
"In the Battle of Xiangji Temple, more than 100,000 Tang soldiers and rebels died in one day."

This one sentence sent a chill down Jiang Wen's spine...

But he immediately thought, if we film the Battle of Xiangji Temple, wouldn't our blockbuster have a grand spectacle?
What Ma Xun had been thinking before was:

That deserter was one who fled during the Battle of Xiangji Temple. He was originally from the Anxi Army, but his squad went to Kucha...

They should be old and gray-haired by now!
……

Beijing.

Wang Changtian is very happy lately, as "Nightclub" has been a great box office success.

It is still growing.

Enlight Media is thriving.

It's perfect time to enjoy the New Year's Day holiday.

However, an unexpected message arrived, disrupting his rest schedule.

"Oh no! Someone has reported 'Meteor Garden'!"

"Huh? Who?"

"Of course we don't know exactly who it is, but our TV series is likely to run into problems..."

"This...it's probably still those two from Huayi!"