Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 509 Yang Rong Has Figured It Out
"Join forces?"

"Yes, it's about joining forces."

"But that's not right."

"Brother, what's wrong with that?"

"Aren't we joining forces now?"

"Oh, haha... Well said! Well said!"

Jiang Zhiqiang was overjoyed upon hearing Ma Xun's reply.

Wait a minute, is this supposed to be an answer?

At least Jiang Zhiqiang felt that this was the answer Ma Xun had given.

In fact, it's not hard to understand.

Ma Xun said that we are already working together, and that's absolutely true; they did work together before.

Moreover, they're also collaborating on "Fearless" recently, and there's bound to be "Red Cliff" in the future. This movie is huge, and although Jiang Zhiqiang isn't a main character, he'll still get a share.

This is definitely a joint effort.

But it wasn't exactly a formidable alliance.

Because there are still many areas where they haven't joined forces, and some are even competing with each other.

Moreover, there is another very important issue.

What is Jiang Zhiqiang here for this time?

Let's talk about "Curse of the Golden Flower"!

Yes, that's exactly what he came here to talk about, and judging from his attitude, it's pretty clear that he's telling the whole story.

For example, why did he mention Yang Rong?

Jiang, a big shot, said that a relatively unknown actress, who was just a new face around Ma Xun, could star in the film.

What is this doing?
They're basically setting conditions!
Moreover, it also shows his attitude: between us, we have a very good relationship and things like this are nothing.

Perhaps Jiang Zhiqiang did misunderstand; he mistakenly thought that Yang Rong was a woman Ma Xun had recently gotten involved with.

However, given Jiang Zhiqiang's attitude and the conditions he offered,

Full of sincerity.

However, Ma Xun's 'response' actually highlighted one point.

That is: Unchanged!

Jiang Zhiqiang, the collaboration you mentioned is with this film, "Curse of the Golden Flower".

But when I, Ma Xun, said we were joining forces, I meant that everything would remain the same, but I didn't say we would collaborate on this movie.

Jiang Zhiqiang understood perfectly well that he had indeed said it was good, but of course, it wasn't good enough.

So let's be straightforward.

"Brother, we can talk about a lot of things now."

"of course."

"Alright then, brother, you can tell me your conditions directly."

"Oh, why am I the one setting the conditions?"

Ma Xun's rhetorical question was quite interesting; Jiang Zhiqiang was actually being teased.

There was nothing we could do but continue negotiating.

“Brother, it’s not like we’re... well, I’ll be frank, whatever your conditions are for this ‘Curse of the Golden Flower,’ you can name them, and we can discuss it.”

I've researched this, and this isn't a term that Hong Kong tycoons like to use. Clearly, Jiang Zhiqiang's behavior stems from spending a long time in the north and coming into contact with many important figures.

Ma Xun smiled. He had been fishing the whole time, and he was very patient.

Given Jiang Zhiqiang's current attitude, it's definitely time to talk.

"Alright, regarding the film 'Curse of the Golden Flower,' let me make this clear: I won't invest money, but I certainly won't have any problem providing the necessary support. However, in return, I'd like to ask for some things."

The script must be written according to my instructions.

But I can assure you here that I will absolutely not make any major changes.

You guys handle the casting.

Finally, I need at least 10% of the box office revenue.

Wow! That's really something!

Why do we need so much money when we didn't invest a single penny?
Jiang Zhiqiang, this bigwig, swore that he had never heard of such an unreasonable demand.

However, he cannot get angry or lose his temper right now; he even has to put on a smiling face.

"Okay, we can study it."

accepted?
Of course not, we'll do some research.

Ma Xun didn't press him any further, but just smiled and nodded.

"no problem."

The two shook hands, and in the end, everyone was all smiles.

Ma Xun even invited Jiang Zhiqiang to stay for dinner, which Jiang Zhiqiang accepted, and he even hired a famous chef to cook for him at the villa.

Everyone enjoyed the meal immensely, although there weren't many people at the table, with Yang Rong accompanying them.

However, the atmosphere was fantastic.

However, Yang Rong really couldn't understand it!

why?

Why is Jiang Zhiqiang so humble towards Ma Xun?

This this……

Indeed, Yang Rong did do something interesting.

……

into the night.

The desert in Palm Springs has cooled down.

It's fun to sit on it.

Yang Rong liked this very much; she could look at the stars and the moon.

Honestly, when she was in China, she had no idea that such a place existed on our planet.

Surrounded by desert, Palm Springs is a bustling city with upscale shops, luxury villas, golf courses, tennis courts, and other attractions.

This is a desert, how can there be these things here?
Even if this is an oasis, maintaining those things still requires enormous resources.

But all of this serves the wealthy people here.

Yang Rong witnessed the power of the American capitalist stronghold, but for some reason... she genuinely enjoyed it and found it very comfortable.

but……

"What are you thinking about?"

The sudden sound from behind startled Yang Rong.

"Old, boss."

Ma Xun appeared, and seeing Yang Rong's behavior, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Were you thinking about me just now?" This question is a bit cheesy, but it's also very accurate.

"Ah, I..." Yang Rong's face instantly turned red. There was nothing wrong with her question!
Actually, it's not hard to guess. Given Yang Rong's current situation, who else could she be thinking of?

But Ma Xun wasn't guessing that.

How much did you overhear?

Good grief, it worked again!

Yang Rong was even more surprised this time; her mouth was agape.

"Did you install surveillance cameras in the villa?"

Yang Rong's guess was quite off.

Ma Xun laughed, "So, in your eyes I'm just a pervert?"

Wow, that really knocked Yang Rong out of her battery.

"No, no, how could that be? I was just... yes, I was thinking about you just now, but as for eavesdropping, I was just really curious."

Isn't Jiang Zhiqiang quite famous? Why would he do this this time?

That's a good question, even though it's quite common.

Ma Xun didn't hold back either, saying directly, "In this world, many things are actually not that difficult to understand."

Simply put, it's based on strength.

"From a strength perspective?"

Yang Rong really didn't understand what this meant.

This time, Ma Xun was more patient. "Do you know what project we're talking about?"

"Curse of the Golden Flower." Yes, everyone knows that.

This is the latest masterpiece by director Zhang Yimou, but it is still in the filming stage.

Ma Xun nodded, and what he said next was something that not everyone knew.

"It is indeed a movie, but the filming of this movie requires many conditions."

First of all, "Curse of the Golden Flower" requires a palace complex, and it needs to be very large and on a grand scale.

Secondly, Zhang Yimou did not want to follow the "grand Tang Dynasty style" in his previous films this time.

There have been many period dramas set in the Tang Dynasty in China, and the palaces in those dramas are basically either in Wuxi or the Qin Palace in Hengdian.

After all, the time period Zhang Yimou designed this time is very different from the previous ones; it's not the Tang Dynasty, but the Later Tang Dynasty.

I don't know the specifics, but one thing is clear.

He wanted to make a huge difference from his previous works, and this time, he planned to use a lot of vibrant colors.

Bright red, bright blue, bright yellow, and so on... golden armor, chrysanthemums, you know.

Yang Rong listened intently, making no attempt to interrupt.

Ma Xun continued, "But with such a requirement, problems arise."

First of all, the largest existing palace complex in China is now off-limits to photography.

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong smiled and said, "The Forbidden City, right?"

Ma Xun nodded, "It's the Forbidden City. But filming is no longer allowed there. However, there are still many palace dramas, especially Qing Dynasty dramas. Most of them were filmed in places like the Summer Palace, but those places are too small to satisfy Zhang Yimou's needs."

Hengdian started construction on a project last year, which is a Ming and Qing dynasty palace complex modeled after the Forbidden City.

At this point, Yang Rong had a general understanding.

"Director Zhang Yimou wants to film in this Ming and Qing palace complex in Hengdian?"

Ma Xun nodded again, "That's right, you must be wondering, this isn't the style of the Sui and Tang dynasties."

"Yes."

“That’s normal, because Zhang Yimou is actually adapting Cao Yu’s ‘Thunderstorm’ this time. And Zhang Yimou doesn’t intend to film this work exactly according to the script. He wants to innovate, to disrupt it, and to put it in a fictional era.”

That makes sense now.

Yang Rong finally understood everything.

Jiang Zhiqiang is one of Zhang Yimou's investors. Although he is not the boss, he is still an important investor.

Zhang Yimou seems to be facing a problem now.

He wanted to film the blockbuster "Curse of the Golden Flower" in the Ming and Qing palace complex in Hengdian, but he needed Ma Xun's help.

So Jiang Zhiqiang came to talk, and his attitude was like that... which shows that the problems on set are really serious, and they must have been holding them up quite a bit.

but……

"Hengdian..."

"What? You doubt my abilities?"

Good guy!
Yang Rong truly hadn't expected that Ma Xun could even control Hengdian.

Although Ma Xun cannot completely control Hengdian, his shareholding and influence are considerable.

He also has a part in this Ming and Qing palace complex.

Now Zhang Yimou wants to film it... What? You think you can just film it like that? Did I agree to that?

That's right! Ma Xun did it on purpose!

He just wants a piece of the pie.

After all, although "Curse of the Golden Flower" was heavily criticized, its box office was quite high, even quite high in the original timeline.

Moreover, Ma Xun's current condition is that he also wants to revise the script.

Yang Rong's current level of surprise...

"Therefore, everything stems from strength. I have the strength to do such a thing."

What is Zhang Yimou?
What is Jiang Zhiqiang anyway?
Even without my approval, they'd have to keep going like this!

Now that everything was clear, Yang Rong's shock was beyond words.

But what about her...?

"Do I also base my decisions on merit?"

That's a strange statement. What does it mean?
Ma Xun then said something even stranger: "It also depends on the choice. I must emphasize that I cannot guarantee that you can star in 'Curse of the Golden Flower'."

Does this mean... you don't even intend to take responsibility?
However, Yang Rong did not blame him at this moment. Instead, she said, "I understand."

Upon hearing this, Ma Xun stood up and said, "It's late at night, and places like the desert aren't safe. Even America isn't safe."

After saying that, he returned to the villa.

What about Yang Rong?
She was actually thinking, hesitating, struggling... but it was her last struggle.

Soon after.

Ma Xun lay on his large bed reading a novel.

When the door was pushed open, Yang Rong walked in timidly, wearing a silk nightgown...

"Close the door."

A soft sound.

Yang Rong obediently closed the door, and at that moment, Ma Xun also put down the book in his hand.

It's obvious he'll have something even more interesting in his hands...

(End of this chapter)