Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 602 Advanced Individuals in the Education System
As Frank grasped Liu Yimin's hand, he happily extended his left arm and gave Liu Yimin a hug.

"Liu, $150 million, and the final box office is expected to exceed $200 million. Liu, this is our success," Frank said excitedly.

Liu Yimin joked, "For us, two hundred million US dollars is not considered a success. At the time, we dreamed of more than five hundred million US dollars."

"Haha, if the theatrical run can reach four months, I think 500 million might be possible," Frank joked.

According to the original agreement, if the box office reached $200 million, the basic script fee for "Green Book" would be $200,000, with box office revenue sharing to be calculated separately. Including investment profits, Liu Yimin estimated that he could not only recoup his investment but also gain another company along the way.

On the way back to the city, Frank laughed and said, "Liu, director Oliver Stone is already impatient to know if the script for 'House of Cards' is finished. He was originally going to come to China, but I persuaded him to go back."

“Now that you’re here, I don’t need to send it. When you go back, just take the script with you,” Liu Yimin said.

Frank looked at Liu Yimin in surprise: "Liu, did I hear that right? It's really healed?"

"Of course!"

Frank explained to Liu Yimin the collaboration he had agreed upon with Oliver Stone, stating that the total investment for the filming of "House of Cards" was eight million US dollars.

Oliver Stone adopted a profit-sharing approach, plus a 5% investment.

Universal Pictures invested five million US dollars, accounting for more than 62%, and the remaining funding gap was made up through fundraising.

“Liu, Oliver Stone suggested increasing the production budget, but I refused. Political films are appealing, but box office performance is a serious concern. If the investment is too high, the overall profitability will definitely be affected. Eight million dollars is the figure I calculated, which is more than enough to cover the filming and promotion.” Frank handed a document to Liu Yimin from his bag.

Liu Yimin glanced at it and immediately recognized it as the budget sheet for the filming of "House of Cards": "Frank, my opinion is that the investment can be increased to a maximum of ten million US dollars."

"Okay, if there is insufficient funds at that time, I will make additional investments."

Liu Yimin took Frank back to the Yanjing Hotel and told him to get some rest and call him after he adjusted to the time difference.

Frank didn't come to China for any particular reason; he mainly came to share the good news with Liu Yimin and inquire about the script's progress.

“Liu, this is the Palme d'Or. I think this trophy should belong to you. I’m just accepting it on your behalf.” Frank took the Palme d'Or out of his bag; the golden olive leaf shimmered in the sunlight.

Liu Yimin took the Palme d'Or and looked at it. The Palme d'Or consists of a one-kilogram crystal base and 19 gold olive leaves.

Unlike the Hong Kong Film Awards, this olive leaf isn't coated with gold paint; it's made of solid 24K gold.

"Liu, this honor will always belong to you. As for me, I will rely on my own abilities to win other awards that belong to directors." Frank pushed the trophy to Liu Yimin's chest, without a trace of reluctance on his face.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Liu Yimin walked out of the Yanjing Hotel holding the Palme d'Or trophy, the gleaming gold attracting the attention of many people.

Liu Yimin placed the trophy on the passenger seat and drove back to the courtyard house.

At noon, Zhu Lin was immediately attracted to this golden object when he got off work. When he learned that it was pure gold, Zhu Lin kept marveling at how wealthy the French were.

"A trophy made of leaves is truly unique. And with pure gold, it's even more extraordinary." Zhu Lin wiped the trophy with a soft cloth and put it in the cabinet in his study.

Most trophies are displayed on shelves, but Zhu Lin, fearing something might happen to his pure gold one, dared not place it on the table.

“Thieves are becoming increasingly brazen, just like weeds, they can’t be burned out by wildfires, they just keep growing back in the spring breeze. Now you can get several years in prison for stealing, but there are always people who will try to break the law,” Zhu Lin said incredulously.

"Yes, there are always people who like to break the law."

The notorious bandit Bai Baoshan was sentenced to four years in prison for theft during this period, and his sentence was extended to ten years after being reported by a fellow inmate.

Liu Yimin walked over to Zhu Lin, put his arm around her shoulder to signal her not to worry, and that if she was really worried, she could stay at the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

Overseas Chinese Apartments have property management, so they are relatively safe.

Zhu Lin said, "It's actually quite safe here. It's not far from the Forbidden City, and this area is where top leaders live. Ordinary people definitely wouldn't dare to come here."

"Very clever," Liu Yimin praised.

Zhu Lin smiled and said, "Let's go eat!"

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin went to Yenching University for class. When he returned to the courtyard house in the evening, Frank was chatting with Ximei, gesturing with his fingers.

"Frank, how was your rest?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

“Liu, it’s great. Coming to China feels like coming home. These past few days, I’ve had the most comfortable rests in the afternoons.” Frank picked Liu Yu up high, making her giggle nonstop.

Liu Yimin shook his head; Frank's flattery was rather clumsy: "Xiaoyu, call him Uncle Frank."

“Uncle Frank,” Liu Yu chuckled.

Frank said enviously, "Liu, you have a lovely daughter." "I also have a lovely son." Liu Yimin hugged Liu Lin and took Frank to the study to look at the script.

Frank asked Liu Yimin about the script for "God's Visa," and Liu Yimin told Frank to focus on working with Oliver Stone on "House of Cards" first, and then consider "God's Visa" after that.

Frank knew how much Liu Yimin valued "God's Visa," so he promised Liu Yimin that he would put his heart into making "God's Visa" and would plan out all the shooting procedures in advance before filming began.

“Liu, we can discuss the plan then. I believe our cooperation will definitely be successful,” Frank said earnestly.

Liu Yimin handed the script for "House of Cards" to Frank and asked him how many days he would be staying in Yanjing this time.

Frank plans to stay in Yanjing for three days, rest for a while, and then return to the United States. Investment for "House of Cards" has already begun, and the actor for Oliver Stone has been basically finalized; only the final signing remains.

“Oliver Stone is very proactive, you could even say he’s a bit impatient. As soon as the script arrives in the US, the actors can sign contracts and the film can start shooting. This is a great learning opportunity for me to learn from him how to make political films.”

"Frank, I believe in you. You will succeed." Liu Yimin patted Frank on the shoulder.

Liu Yimin specially asked Ximei to cook several dishes that Frank liked. When they got into the conversation, Frank insisted on drinking baijiu (Chinese liquor).

One bite and he felt as spicy as if he were the Monkey King eating chili peppers. Even so, he didn't give up and kept praising Liu Yimin as he drank.

After consuming half a jin (250 grams), it lay down on the table and remained motionless.

Liu Yimin shook his head and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp: "What are you showing off for? I'll have to carry you to the car later."

“Come on, Teacher Liu, let’s have a drink together,” Zhu Lin said.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Yimin decided to just let Frank stay in the courtyard house. It would be too tiring for him to carry Frank to the Yanjing Hotel by himself.

Besides, you can't drive if you've been drinking.

After Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin had a few drinks, Liu Yimin escorted Frank to his guest room. Fortunately, Frank was only drunk and did not vomit.

That night, Liu Yimin lay next to this guy and listened to him speak English all night.

The next day, Frank looked at Liu Yimin lying next to him and subconsciously asked, "Liu, what are you doing here?"

"Don't worry, I don't have any bad taste. I'm afraid you'll wander off at night if you're drunk." Liu Yimin rubbed his messy head, quickly got up, put on his clothes, and left the room.

After breakfast, Frank took the script and left the courtyard. Today he was going to visit Beijing, mainly the Forbidden City.

He had been there once before, but Frank believed that one visit was simply not enough to understand Eastern aesthetics.

While Liu Yimin was busy grading students' exam papers, he was also busy arranging He Fengshan's speech.

After arriving in Yenching, He Fengshan will give a speech at Yenching University, and the initiator of the event is Liu Yimin. After the speech, he will be a guest on the "Youth Night Talk" program for an interview.

People's Literature Publishing House acquired the publishing rights to He Fengshan's autobiography and, following Western sales models, held a book signing event during He Fengshan's lecture.

After arriving at Yenching University in the morning, Liu Yimin made a special trip to the academic lecture hall next to the Yenching University Library, where people from the school's Youth League Committee were hanging banners and setting up the venue.

"Professor Liu, what do you think of the arrangements?" the Youth League teacher asked.

"Sure, but the lecture hall at Yenching University is too small."

The academic lecture hall, converted from a study room next to the library, has a limited capacity for students, and more importantly, the conditions are not very good.

The teacher from the Youth League Committee said helplessly, "Professor Liu, there's nothing we can do; these are the conditions we have right now."

"Okay, it's nothing. I just came to take a look." Liu Yimin turned and walked out of the venue.

Just as Liu Yimin reached the entrance of the Chinese Department, Yan Jiayan stopped him: "Yimin, the ministry just called to tell you some good news."

"what's up?"

"The Ministry has decided to select you as an outstanding individual in the national education system and award you the honorary title of 'People's Teacher.'" Yan Jiayan patted Liu Yimin on the back happily: "How about it? Happy or not?"

"The department actually reported me?" Liu Yimin said in surprise.

"This is the principal's suggestion. Although you haven't been working for very long, we've seen your performance since you started. The textbooks you've written are used in major universities across the country, and your courses are very popular. Who else should we mention if not you?"

"I really didn't expect that. I'm still very young and have little work experience."

"Our Yenching University must break away from the seniority-based system and embrace the ability-based system. If it's meant to be you, then it's you," Yan Jiayan said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)