After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 515 Art Troupe

Gu Dandan is a dancer; she has a sweet face and a great figure.

She was a beautiful young woman in her early thirties.

Zhou Haoran wanted to invite her to dinner that evening, but it wouldn't be convenient for a man and woman to be alone together, so he invited Hu Xiaochen and Li Shen along as well.

"You really went to become the regimental commander?"

Hu Xiaochen was somewhat puzzled as to why her master, who owned so many companies, would choose to participate in the management of an arts troupe instead.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "There are so many beautiful women!"

"Stop coming!"

Hu Xiaochen didn't believe it. Even if his master was a lecher, he wouldn't let beauty ruin his plans.

“I’m a big shot, and my ability to mobilize social resources includes beautiful women.” Zhou Haoran had learned from past mistakes. “If, as you say, I formed my own song and dance troupe in the Red Mansion Teahouse, and word got out, I would really be seen as a lecher. Now it’s much better; the arts troupe in my workplace is under my management.”

Hu Xiaochen asked, "Do you have the final say?"

"Whoever has money calls the shots."

Zhou Haoran realized early on that the arts troupe's poverty and hardship were his opportunity.

"The theater troupe is really poor; they have to beg for money everywhere..."

Hu Xiaochen has many classmates and friends in the arts troupe, and she is very familiar with the situation there.

"We just need to find the right path for market-oriented development." Zhou Haoran didn't seem to feel any pressure about it. "This is a harbor, with the best offline theater market in the country."

Hu Xiaochen lowered his voice, "Master, don't forget, you're just a deputy regimental commander on assignment, you're an outsider!"

"Ok?"

“The troupe is in trouble now and has to ask you for help, so you definitely have power, and everyone is accommodating to you. But once you actually make a contribution and find a path for the troupe to develop on its own through the market economy, what value will you have left? Your power will be taken away by the real leaders of the troupe.”

"well said."

Zhou Haoran nodded.

Hu Xiaochen whispered, "If you really want to take over this state-run theater troupe, you have to do two things. First, make sure the troupe can develop on its own; second, the troupe will be finished without you."

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "You have a good eye!"

Hu Xiaochen sighed, "The lesson from 'Family Matters' was too profound. Teacher Tang was too naive; she actually got kicked out. Oh, by the way, Yi Changping got into trouble. How is Lin Guiyan doing now?"

"The boomerang has pierced its own forehead."

Zhou Haoran went to He Jin's place to relax the night before last, and she mentioned it to him.

"what?"

Hu Xiaochen found his statement amusing.

Zhou Haoran said calmly, "She can get rid of Tang Shiyi, and others can get rid of her too. She is still the producer of 'Family Matters,' but the ratings have been low. I estimate that she will step down this month or next month."

"He was won over by Director Song?"

Hu Xiaochen opened his eyes wide.

Zhou Haoran said, "More or less."

Hu Xiaochen was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Why bother? Power is blinding!"

"We've taken down all three culprits from the previous 'Family Matters' incident, one by one, which is a kind of revenge." Zhou Haoran stretched, somewhat puzzled. "What's wrong with Li Shen? I sent her to pick someone up, where is she? Why is she so slow?"

"Huh? They're here!"

Hu Xiaochen stood up with a smile.

Deputy Regiment Commander Gu Dandan was sizing up the beautiful young woman.

With just one glance, I knew exactly what was going on.

Her master wouldn't covet her body. Although she was sweet-looking and slender, she had a flaw: her breasts were too small. That's how it is for dancers; large breasts are a burden... so much so that it would be difficult for her to meet the master's taste.

After the introduction, Gu Dandan's eyes lit up when she heard that Hu Xiaochen was the producer of the famous program "Everyone's Artistic Achievements," and she didn't dare to reveal her identity at all.

Hu Xiaochen came over to support the group. She pointed to Zhou Haoran and said, "He is my mentor. He is the one who created 'All People's Art.' I am his assistant."

"what?"

Gu Dandan was taken aback.

Zhou Haoran said with a smile, "Next, I will integrate several major variety shows on Hongxing TV to provide as many opportunities as possible for the young actors in our troupe."

"Does Commander Zhou also hold a position at the television station?"

Only then did Gu Dandan finally understand what kind of powerful backer she had encountered.

“These are all easy to discuss…” Zhou Haoran couldn’t be too low-key here with the troupe, so he didn’t answer her, presuming on his status. “Director Dandan, tell me, how did you find funding when you were short of money?”

"To be honest, I'm embarrassed to say it," Gu Dandan said with a bitter smile. "I kept saying nice things and drinking with the bosses. Now my stomach hurts when I eat anything cold because I drank too much liquor."

"Sometimes, you also need to bring some of the young actresses from the troupe along, right?"

Zhou Haoran made no attempt to hide anything.

"Correct."

Gu Dandan felt somewhat embarrassed and didn't need to say anything more.

Zhou Haoran was silent for a moment, then asked her what reason she had for needing funding.

Gu Dandan's answer coincided with Zhou Haoran's.

Cultural performances to express appreciation and support.

“The troupe is short of money every month. Director Xie, myself, Director Liu, Director Zhang of the song and dance troupe, and others will all go out and contact various organizations to provide them with performances for their benefit.”

Gu Dandan responded in detail.

She already understood.

This young man in front of me might very well become my powerful backer in the future. If I want to escape the fate of working as a hostess, I might really have to rely on him.

Gu Dandan continued, "Last month, I went to the Disabled Persons' Federation to organize a performance for disabled people. They promised to allocate 40 yuan, but in the end they only gave 20 yuan, which is why the salaries were not paid in full."

Zhou Haoran asked, "Who do you usually ask for money from?"

“We’ve contacted every department. Mainly propaganda and arts departments, or the veterans’ bureau, sanatoriums and other places. Occasionally we also contact the military region…” Gu Dandan said helplessly. “Anyway, we put on a show for them, and they give us performance funds.”

Zhou Haoran nodded. "So the current theater troupe operates on a semi-planned, semi-market model."

Gu Dandan said softly, "Yes, Red Star Media's requirement is that we be self-reliant in the market and develop into a corporate entity. How is that possible? Apart from the drama center and the song and dance troupe, the other art troupes can't sell tickets. They're not allowed to disband, so they can only keep them afloat. Many times, they have to rely on government funding and begging from various units to survive."

Zhou Haoran tapped the table with one hand and said slowly, "The normal procedure should be that relevant departments have a need to organize a gala, and then they come to the theater troupe with money. Now it's the other way around."

“We went to them and begged them, but they still refused.”

Gu Dandan thought he was oversimplifying things.

Zhou Haoran shook his head. "They're unwilling because our troupe doesn't have a brand. The 'Heart to Heart Art Troupe,' which Crown TV collaborates with, is very popular all over the country and has guaranteed funding."

"They have connections; they collaborate with military art troupes, featuring nationally renowned actors. We're different. We're just a local art troupe, and one that's already been corporatized. When we go to impoverished and remote areas to offer our services, they simply don't want us."

Gu Dandan was aware of this.

Zhou Haoran said, "There's still no brand."

How to build a brand?

Gu Dandan looked suspicious.

Zhou Haoran squinted, thought for a moment, and muttered, "If all else fails, I'll have to go to the United Nations again..."

(End of this chapter)