1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 249: Hong Kong's Most Fiery Woman
After three Category III films were released in succession on October 1024 last year, many film companies in Hong Kong followed suit.

However, most of them are low-budget and shoddy productions. They just put the movies in theaters for three to five days with a gimmicky poster to make a profit from a wave of perverts. Once the box office shows a slight downward trend, they are immediately taken off the screen. In this way, each movie can make a small profit of hundreds of thousands.

Only two of them are the most famous.

One is "The Wild Woman of the Tang Dynasty", which was produced by Zhaoshi but actually planned and produced by Sanming Company.

The other is "The Ghost Story" produced by Mak Wing-hung Film Company.

Mai Yongxiong is indeed not a human being.

They made horror movies under the guise of eroticism, tricking perverts into going to the theater and making them scream with fear.

This version of "The Detective Conan" is more complete than the later versions, with many more horror cuts and various close-ups, jump scares and face-scare scenes. In addition, under the influence of the 1024 cinema line, the number of local mini-theaters has gradually increased, and horror films have a stronger atmosphere in small theaters.

In the end, this movie, which cost less than one million to produce, actually grossed over four million at the box office.

The more sophisticated and more expensive "The Bold Woman of Tang Dynasty", although without Wan Ziliang, also earned more than 4 million at the box office, but it was obviously not as profitable as the other one.

"Xia Wenxi and Wang Xiaofeng both seem pretty good. Although Wang Xiaofeng had a scene in "The Ghost" where she clapped for love, it was obvious that she was a stand-in. Xia Wenxi just devoted herself to art."

Zhai Yuan asked several main creators to discuss among themselves and allocate the shares for shooting the third-level films this year.

He returned to the office with a mug of strong tea, took out a stack of scripts from the safe, and selected them.

The script for pornographic films is as easy to write as that for martial arts films. The difference is that in a martial arts film, the screenwriter will mark a certain scene as "two full pages here", while for pornographic films, the screenwriter will mark it as "two full pages here".

There may be differences in action guidance.

As an old artist, Zhai Yuan likes to create when he has nothing to do. Mainly because he is afraid of forgetting the stories in his mind, so he has accumulated quite a few scripts in the past few years.

"There are three plays in May, so just make one masterpiece and two supporting ones."

While selecting the script, Zhai Yuan went through the actress candidates in his mind: "Xia Wenxi should have no problem playing the leading role in a fine film. Wang Xiaofeng is a woman who refuses to expose her nipples, but she can be invited to star in Mr. Zombie."

There are three generations of ghost queens in the film industry. If we arrange them in the order of their emergence, Wang Xiaofeng is the first generation, followed by Roland and Angelica Lee.

Among the current actresses in Jiuyi Entertainment, there are actually some who can play the female ghost Xiaoyu in "Mr. Vampire", such as Zhong Chuhong and Lan Juying, but it would be a bit of a waste of talent to give her a small role.

So we should stick to the original film and let her act with Zun Long to see the effect.

Now that Zhai Yuan had decided on Xia Wenxi, it became much easier to choose a script.

After "The Fantabulous Daughter of Tang Dynasty", she quickly became popular and was given the title of a domineering and heroic woman. This time, Jiu Yi's movie let her create some contrast to attract attention.

"The second episode of the family massacre is launched!"

Zhai Yuan pulled out a script from among the numerous manuscripts and slammed it on the table. The bold black words on the title page were particularly eye-catching.

"The Evil Killer"

…………

"You two just came to the company, so you must shoot a Category III film. This is a token of your loyalty. Wang Jin and I have both done it."

In the tea room, Wu Yusen tried his best to persuade Liu Zhenwei and Xu Qi. Wang Jiawei was transferred to the screenwriter position. Zhai Yuan was just an idler with a few thousand yuan a month, but no one cared about him.

Xu Qi shook his head with a strong sense of conviction and said, "No! I have my own principles, and the storyboards for the two dramas "Huang Feihong" and "Mr. Vampire" are not finished yet, so I can't spare the time."

Liu Zhenwei scratched his head and smiled: "It doesn't matter. Brother Jin and I have the same idea. As long as the boss is willing to pay, there is no problem in making a Category IV film."

Wang Jin shook his hand with approval, "That's right. You can finish a play in a month or two and get the director's fee. What's the point of pursuing me?"

The glass door was pushed open.

Zhai Yuan returned with three copies of the script.

"How is it going? The script has been selected. Have you decided who will be the director?"

Wang Jin and Liu Zhenwei both raised their hands.

Zhai Yuan asked Wu Yusen: "Do you want to try it?"

Wu Yusen shook his head repeatedly: "'Across the World' is about to be filmed overseas, and I'm also very busy recently."

Zhai Yuan said "oh" without commenting, and did not ask Xu Qi. In order to improve the quality of his two films, early polishing is more important.

"Then one for Fatty and one for Old Liu."

Zhai Yuan gave them two copies of the script and said, "Fatty, this is the second episode of "The Massacre of a Family" that you filmed before. The previous episode did well at the box office. This time I plan to invite Xia Wenxi to come over and make the quality a little better."

Wang Jin's eyes lit up: "Xia Wenxi? Great, great!"

Zhai Yuan then said to Liu Zhenwei: "Your film is called "Desire and Passion". The plot and production don't matter. Just spend a few hundred thousand and hire a few newcomers to make up the numbers. I don't have any requirements."

Liu Zhenwei opened the script and took a look at it. His script was obviously much thinner than Wang Jin's, and it could be said that it only had an outline.

'The heroine was lured from Malaysia to Hong Kong to sell sex. She met the hero who was in charge of security at a chicken club. The two had physical relations and fell in love. In order to get the hero, the nightclub owner tried to separate the two of them by using a treacherous scheme. The plot was eventually discovered and the owner was furious and wanted to kill the two.'

“It’s really concise.”

Liu Zhenwei looked at the annotations throughout the film saying "I'm too lazy to edit here, the director is free to play", and suddenly felt that there was a lot of room for creativity.

Two copies of the script were given out, and Zhai Yuan held the last one in his hand.

He silently turned his gaze back to Wu Yusen.

The relaxed expression on Wu Yusen's face gradually turned solemn, and after more than ten seconds, he finally succumbed to the gaze of his boss.

"Pa pa pa pa, you are the boss and you have the final say."

He sighed helplessly: "But I still just want the money, no signature."

"You don't need to sign it if you want to. You have free girls to shoot with but you are so picky. You don't know what is good for you!"

Zhai Yuan muttered unhappily and assigned the work in his hands to others: "Your film "Wild Rose" is the same as Liu Zhenwei's. Just shoot a few dirty scenes to fill the running time. It will be easier than the last "Shocking Change". Finish it sooner and you will be free sooner."

Wu Yusen opened the script and found that the outline was more concise than Liu Zhenwei's:
'A woman with a philandering heart flirts with several men, which leads to jealousy.'

…………

"This May, the three Category III films were still released under the name of Sanhe Film Company."

At eight o'clock in the evening, Zhai Yuan drove to Xu Jiaqiang's residence.

Xu Jiaqiang, who had already ascended to the throne of Xinji's leader, welcomed Zhai Yuan into the living room with enthusiasm.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhai. I just took over the position not long ago, and the club has too many things to deal with. I haven't visited you recently. I'm sorry to bother you to keep Sanhe in mind."

Xu Jiaqiang made a cup of tea with an earnest attitude and brought it to him, rubbing his hands and saying, "When the society's business is back on track, I'll show you the account book."

Zhai Yuan waved his hand and said, "Xinji's affairs have nothing to do with me, and I don't intend to share your accounts. Just remember to return the 10 million I lent you, including the principal and interest."

After Huang Jun fell from power, Zhai Yuan gave Xu Jiaqiang tens of millions of cash in order to help him come to power, and asked him to use it to bribe the leaders of various gangs.

The funds naturally went through the formal channels. Jiuyi Entertainment invested in Sanhe Film Company and set up a multi-million-dollar film project in the United States. It just found a random passerby to offer a few hundred thousand dollars in salary, built a temporary set worth a few thousand dollars and then burned it, and the account book spent millions of dollars.

Xu Jiaqiang took the money and ran around, and now he has barely secured his position as the leader. However, during the period of leaderlessness, he still lost a lot of business to Hutchison and the Number Gang, and now he has become the weakest of the three gangs.

But it was enough for Zhai Yuan.

As for security, he now has a security company registered in Panama, with shotguns to pave the way, and Xinji, a group of weaklings, only needs to deal with the small thieves who come to cause trouble.

"Also, I heard that you brought Xu Jiasheng back from Albania?"

Zhai Yuan lit a cigarette and took a puff, then squinted at Xu Jiaqiang.

Xu Jiaqiang's smile froze slightly: "Yes, I don't have much experience in the underworld, so let him come back to help."

Zhai Yuan hummed, retracted his gaze and said lightly: "Just don't make trouble."

Xu Jiaqiang nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhai, I will definitely control him!"

Today’s Xinji is no longer dominated by the Xu family alone.

In addition to promoting Xu Jiaqiang, Zhai Yuan also promoted Guizai Tian.

Although Guizaitin worked on a gambling boat and had cleared his record and was no longer a member of the Sun Kee, he had gained the title of Hong Kong's gambling king.

In order to get a piece of the pie from Natural Selection, Hong Kong's stackers have flocked to him. Guizaitian's parking business, which originally occupied only a few streets in Xinji, has now grown several times stronger, and even some small-time bosses have come over to him.

People in the underworld now call him Ximi Tian.

The two men sat in the living room for a few minutes, briefly chatting about business and then fell into silence.

Zhai Yuan coughed and said, "I heard your wife is pregnant?"

Xu Jiaqiang's smile suddenly widened: "Yes, Mr. Zhai, this year is really a double blessing. In short, all of this is inseparable from your cultivation."

Zhai Yuan had just picked up the teacup, but upon hearing this, he put it back silently and did not dare to drink it.

Do you know something? Satellite is guarding outside the door. Is it too late for me to shout now?
I was just daydreaming.

The bedroom door opened and Chen Lan walked out of the room.

Xu Jiaqiang immediately smiled and said, "Alan, come over and greet Mr. Zhai."

Zhai Yuan looked at Chen Lan. She was still in good shape. Her belly was slightly bulging, but it was not noticeable unless you looked closely.

Chen Lan had a smile on her face and nothing looked unusual. She sat next to Xu Jiaqiang and greeted Zhai Yuan with a smile.

Xu Jiaqiang continued to chatter on and on, telling her that Zhai Yuan had given three Category III films to Sanhe Film Company for production.

Chen Lan smiled naturally and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhai. I've been to the hospital for a lot of checkups recently. I'll be back to work in a few days."

Zhai Yuan said: "Don't worry, your health is more important."

With Xu Jiaqiang between them, Zhai Yuan wanted to ask more details but couldn't. He pretended to chat with Chen Lan about movies. In front of Xu Jiaqiang, this woman was businesslike the whole time. Zhai Yuan occasionally winked at her but she refused to respond, fearing that her husband would notice something.

After staying in the living room for a while, Zhai Yuan didn't want to waste any more words, so he just stood up and said goodbye.

Xu Jiaqiang sent Zhai Yuan to the door and said with a smile, "I'm sorry for not welcoming you well. I'm sorry for not welcoming you well."

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "No, I'm just afraid of causing you trouble."

Xu Jiaqiang said hurriedly: "It's not a bother, Mr. Zhai is too polite, just tell me if you have anything to say."

Coming out of Xu Jiaqiang’s house.

Zhai Yuan got into the car and asked Weixing to take him home.

When the car was halfway there, his phone rang.

Chen Lan's voice came from the phone, with a hint of teasing: "Are you surprised? Did you come up here just to confirm?"

Zhai Yuan glanced at the satellite, covered his mouth like a thief and asked in a low voice: "Am I so accurate?"

Chen Lan sneered: "Don't worry, I've calculated my life, it has nothing to do with you."

Zhai Yuan heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this, and leaned back in his chair and said, "This is the best way. Otherwise, I will have to kill Xu Jiaqiang to prevent him from causing trouble in the future."

On the other end of the phone, Chen Lan was silent for a moment and then spoke again: "I understand."

Zhai Yuan nodded, said nothing more, and hung up the phone.

in the car.

Satellite held the steering wheel, stared at the road ahead and asked without looking back: "Do you want me to help you get rid of him?"

Zhai Yuan kicked the back of his seat in annoyance: "You eavesdropped on my phone call, right?"

Satellite grinned and said, "I don't feel any psychological burden in killing a gangster leader."

Zhai Yuan said helplessly: "Do you think I'm a born killer? Let's wait a few months and see whether it's right or wrong. It's not time to talk about taking action..."

Satellite's face became serious: How could a love affair lead to a struggle between the left and the right?

…………

Xia Wenxi, together with fellow apprentices Dong Wei and Lin Zhengying, reported to the company the next day.

Shi Nansheng placed the information of the three people on Zhai Yuan's desk.

"According to your instructions, Mr. Zhai, Dong Wei will start as a martial arts instructor, just like Hui Tianci. Lin Zhengying has paid him 200,000 yuan in advance. Now let him learn about the script of Mr. Zombie. Xia Wenxi's current salary is quite expensive. I think it's not worthwhile to sign him. What do you think, Mr. Zhai?"

Shi Nansheng introduced the three people one by one, and finally turned the topic to Xia Wenxi.

Zhai Yuan asked: "What is her current price?"

Shi Nansheng said: "She is now offering a price of 100,000 yuan, but it will cost double for a Category III film."

A salary of 100,000 yuan is not low for an actress, because actresses do not rely on the box office. Even if they become first-tier actresses, they only make 300,000 or 400,000 yuan.

Xia Wenxi's first film after entering the industry was "The Burning Youth" with Zhang Guorong. She was awarded the Best Newcomer award at the second Academy Awards, but she did not become famous at the time. It was not until she became famous after filming "The Fantabulous Woman of Tang Dynasty" that her salary increased.

She has taken on four dramas in half a year, which has enabled her to buy a fully furnished western-style house outside. This shows the speed at which a third-level actress can make money.

Zhai Yuan thought about it and felt that the price of one hundred thousand yuan was not expensive for him now.

So he asked Shi Nansheng: "Is he outside now?"

Shi Nansheng asked sensibly, "Should we ask him to come in and take a look?"

Zhai Yuan nodded.

Not long after, Shi Nansheng brought Xia Wenxi in from outside.

(End of this chapter)