Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 584 Bai Zhi Sets an Example! The Chinese Entertainment Industry is About to Usher in an Era of Fairness!
Holy crap! That's incredible!

"Gillian Chung is too flat-chested, her figure is terrible."

"No, your point of observation is seriously flawed. The focus shouldn't be on the mouth..."

"Stop spreading it! Someone's been arrested!"

"Damn it! I finally found a college application, downloaded it for ages, and when I unzipped it, it turned out to be Calabash Brothers!"

"The Calabash Brothers were lucky; when I got down there, it was Princess Pearl..."

"That's not bad, at least no virus was downloaded."

"Brothers! We can't continue, we really can't continue, they're arresting people!"

This incident first went viral online.

It's important to understand that at this point in 08, the internet was not yet considered mainstream media.

You still have to listen to the TV station on many things; even the radio has more prestige than the internet.

But the internet is fast!

As the saying goes, good things don’t go out, but bad things spread thousands of miles.

This is definitely a bad thing. On the internet, it will spread by leaps and bounds, if not by a thousand miles a day, at least ten thousand miles a day.

In fact, from a legal perspective, this incident itself...

Edison Chen and his ilk are all victims; their privacy was exposed.

From a secular ethical standpoint, they deserved it for their reckless and chaotic behavior.

Therefore, the mainstream media is talking about this very issue.

Who is right and who is wrong? Who is the victim? How much responsibility should Edison Chen bear? And how pitiful is Gillian Chung?

Meanwhile, the parties involved were busy holding press conferences.

Gillian Chung, in particular, uttered that famous line: "Very silly and naive."

But netizens on the internet can be very venomous.

He immediately followed up with: "Very yellow and very violent."

Is someone who's so good at matching couplets going to become a clerk in the Prince Ning's mansion?
Anyway, it's causing quite a stir in the public discourse right now.

There were discussions, flame wars, and people defending their idols, but most of all, people were rushing to download the app, fearing they might not be able to download it someday.

And what about Ma Xun?

That makes things much simpler for him.

I bought a policewoman outfit online... for cosplay, of course.

It's impossible to go into detail about exactly how to cosplay or how to play the game.

This incident also made Baizhi feel a sense of crisis.

"Brother Ma, will we Hong Kong artists also suffer in the future?"

Wearing a police uniform, Bai Zhi asked while wiping her face with her fingers.

Ma Xun paused for a moment, then realized that Bai Zhi was a tiny, slender woman.

He simply picked up his glass and took a sip. The alcohol energized him, and he said, "It doesn't really concern you. As long as you focus on acting, do your job well, and keep a low profile, you'll actually benefit from it."

"Oh? Really?" Bai Zhi tried to lean closer again.

Ma Xun really liked this fairy. "Don't worry, netizens in mainland China won't do the kind of thing where everyone is punished. You are you, and they are them. Moreover, if you are low-key enough, you will actually gain a good reputation and increase your number of fans."

"How exactly do we do it?" Bai Zhi asked curiously.

Ma Xun naturally had a solution, but this time his suggestion was rather simple.

"I'm asking you, were there times when you were treated differently?"

This question, of course, refers to Bai Zhi's situation on mainland film sets.

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhi blushed again; she was prone to blushing during intimate contact.

"It has happened before."

"I'm not blaming you, I'm just telling you that when you take on roles in the future, you should just bring it up yourself and ask for the same treatment as everyone else, without seeking special treatment, understand?"

"I'm fine with it, but if I do this... won't people say I'm doing that?"

What did Bai Zhi mean by that?

Ma Xun understood immediately. "You're afraid of being scolded by your colleagues in Hong Kong?"

That was a metaphor; "colleague" meant Hong Kong actors.

Bai Zhi's face fell after hearing this. "Those guys have a sharp tongue."

This is true.

Ma Xun's solution was to have Pak Chi set an example by simply canceling some of the special treatment Hong Kong actors received in mainland China.

But if she were to do it first, the mainland would certainly welcome her, but what would the Hong Kong actors think?

100% of the time, they'll badmouth Baizhi behind his back.

He might even yell at her to her face.

This situation is quite common, and now, during this special period, it's even more unusual.

Will Ma Xun change his mind?
Of course it’s impossible!

"So this is your pledge of loyalty? I didn't ask you to kill anyone and give me your head."

Wow! We even got to use that movie.

After hearing this, Bai Zhi knew she had no other choice. "Brother Ma, of course I'll listen to you."

It's just a pledge of allegiance, here you go!
After saying that, Bai Zhi kissed him again, and the kiss went further and further down.

Hiss~ Ma Xun put the wine glass down again, and didn't care about the wine left inside.

……

In fact, the "pledge of allegiance" that Ma Xun asked for this time seems simple, but it is actually not simple at all.

Bai Zhi took the initiative to request the removal of special treatment, which wouldn't have been a big problem under normal circumstances, but in the current environment.

The implications are very rich.

This could even be described as the beginning of a new era!
If Pak Chi sets this precedent, then it will be very difficult for any Hong Kong artist to ask for special treatment in the future.

She's not stupid; in an instant, she realized she would be scolded, and by her own 'fellow townsman'.

However, there are many benefits to doing so.

Cypress will definitely gain a lot of positive word-of-mouth.

But that's not the key point at all. The key point is... that this rule of differential treatment has been abolished!
If it were the original timeline, there wouldn't be much difference between Hong Kong and Taiwanese artists and mainland artists. Big stars all have their own arrangements, so it doesn't really matter.

However, this result came out gradually, and now, Ma Xun's arrangement is like pressing the accelerator button.

It's important to understand that this differential treatment of mainland and Hong Kong artists is not as simple as adding an extra piece or two of meat to their lunchboxes.

The real issue is that the same work is paid for different jobs!

In fact, anyone who has worked on a co-production between mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong probably knows that it's not a case of everyone doing the same amount of work and then the people from Hong Kong and Taiwan getting paid more. The reality is that mainlanders do the vast majority of the work, but they might only receive a third, or even less, of the pay from their Hong Kong and Taiwanese counterparts!
Yes, that's the truth!

The situation is actually a bit better for the big stars; it's the crew members who are having a harder time.

Why is it that the guys from Hong Kong and Taiwan can boss people around on set, do little work themselves, and order us mainlanders around to work hard, only to have their hands sore from counting money when it comes to pay?
This situation has been going on for more than just a day or two, and now, let's just stop it!
What is the true core of Ma Xun's move?
Fair! Fair! It's fucking fair!
It can also be a grand narrative.

Only in a fair environment can China's entertainment industry develop healthily.

While Ma Xun's actions may not be enough to benefit hundreds of millions of people, millions of people working in the mainland film and television industry will certainly enjoy some benefits.

He did this casually while playing with the cypress branches.

There's no need for everyone to thank him. As long as our film and television industry continues to flourish, that's the best thing for him.

The bigwigs in Hong Kong's entertainment industry are really anxious and worried right now.

Hengdian.

A fleet of warships, fully equipped and ready to set sail.

Rows of armored soldiers stood ready for battle.

With just a command, the entire timeline seems to be transported back to the Three Kingdoms period.

A decisive battle that will determine the course of history is about to break out!
And this is the crew of "Red Cliff".

Wu Yusen, who is currently nominally the top Chinese director, basically idled away his time on this film set.

Just give him a title, and try to mind your own business as little as possible.

Ma Xun had really messed him up badly before.

But right now, guests have arrived.

"Boss, the situation is very bad right now."

"What's so bad about it? It's just that some pervert got caught."

"But this lecherous guy is quite famous, and he has a lot of admirers in mainland China. As a result... his affairs will affect us Hong Kongers... you know what I mean."

"Hmph! Let him step up and take the blame!"

"It's no use him trying; he can't hold on."

"Then what do you mean?"

This guest was no ordinary person either; it was none other than Chen Jiashang.

Don't underestimate this man; he's more than just a famous director now.

He is currently the chairman of the Directors Guild within the Hong Kong Film Association, and also the chairman of the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Anyway, he took over.

From an external perspective, Chen Jia's titles are quite impressive, even more prestigious than Wu Yusen's.

However, Chen Jiashang knew in his heart that he still had to be Wu Yusen's subordinate.

There's nothing we can do about it, especially this time, since he came to ask a big shot for a favor.

Wu Yusen was naturally aware of the incident that had been exposed in Hong Kong; it was simply a case of a young man being unable to control his penis and having affairs everywhere.

However, he was certainly aware of Edison Chen's identity.

He comes from a very wealthy family, is quite handsome, and usually acts arrogant. Isn't that the kind of guy young girls like these days?

Originally, Wu Yusen didn't think this matter would be too big, but now that he sees it... things are not good.

He wasn't stupid; he could see that this matter had a significant impact.

This might shake the detached status of Hong Kong filmmakers.

Chen Jiashang is coming to see him again, so...

"All we can do now is try to shift our focus."

This is a good method; Wu Yusen is quite a capable fellow.

Chen Jia nodded and asked for details, "Then it should be..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wu Yusen interrupted him, "You're not going to make me work for free, are you?"

Yes, you have to offer some benefits!

Don't be so immature!

The boss's tone was undeniably forceful, leaving Chen Jia with no choice but to say, "Then let's go with this movie..."

Unfortunately, his attempt to flatter backfired.

"What movie!" Wu Yusen felt sullen whenever he thought about it.

Chen Jia was also taken aback, and continued to ask, "Then what is it...?"

Wu Yusen is known for his straightforwardness, saying, "My disciple directed the film 'Paradise Lost'."

Chen Jia nodded, "Understood!"

Give them some awards, after all, the Hong Kong Film Awards aren't their own thing yet.

The film "Blood Brothers" was quite embarrassing for Wu Yusen. He had made a big promise with the investors, but it didn't make much of a splash during the summer season.

The box office of over 2000 million seems decent, but looking at the cast... it's a terrible movie!
Yes, that's exactly how the audience criticized them.

If they can win something at the Hong Kong Film Awards, it will be a way of repaying their sponsors.

Anyway, that's how these filmmakers operated back in Hong Kong; wasn't that how they did it with "Days of Being Wild"?

After this, even the bigwig Deng Guangrong couldn't say anything.

Now that Chen Jiashang has readily agreed, what kind of trouble will Wu Yusen cause?

"I happen to have a pretty good one on hand..."

As she spoke, she came close to Chen Jiashang's ear.

The two of them soon burst into laughter.

……

The beginning of 2008 was truly a news explosion.

The movie "CJ7" has been released, but it still can't stop the story of someone's laptop being repaired.

Anyway, the number of downloads is increasing.

But in February, a piece of entertainment gossip suddenly broke out.

Breaking news! Chow Yun-fat has dropped out of "Red Cliff"!

"Renowned director Wu Yusen recounts the events to the media..."

"Is Chow Yun-fat breaching his contract?"

"Chow Yun-fat and Ng Yuk-sen's relationship has broken down!"

"Breaking news! Chow Yun-fat withdrew from the film due to a scheduling conflict! He's busy filming 'Dragon Ball'!"

What a wonderful melon!

But can this scandal cover up what happened to Chen?
(End of this chapter)