Entertainment Era: My Good Sister Is All Over the World

The spring breeze sweeps across ten thousand miles, inspiring lofty aspirations; a century-old dream embarks on the Long March.

— Yao Xueyin, Spring Festival couplet, 1979.

……

Li Hanxiang, also known as Li Heizi.

Born in Huludao, Liaoning in 1926, he had a very rich life experience, with many ups and downs, making him a legend in the film industry.

He was once Shaw Brothers' ace and the king of Huangmei opera films, but Shaw Brothers was too stingy and demanding, and Li Hanxiang simply couldn't stay there.

In 1963, he left Shaw Brothers and was noticed by Lu Yuntao, a super-rich second-generation from Southeast Asia, to start a film company in Taiwan.

The Lu family was incredibly wealthy in Southeast Asia, dominating the Shaw Brothers, and they also crushed the Shaw Brothers in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

He said he would inject US$5 million into Wan Island Films, vowing to create a cinematic utopia. It should be noted that the total annual box office of Hong Kong and Wan Island Films back then was less than US$5 million.

Li Hanxiang felt that his spring had finally arrived, but the following year, Lu Yuntao's plane crashed, and none of the passengers on board survived.

Even so, Li Hanxiang still made many movies and built many film studios in Taiwan, and can be considered the founder of Taiwan's film industry. Unfortunately, he was soon ostracized by the Taiwan authorities and ended up with no films to make. He was discarded after his usefulness was over.

In 1972, Li Hanxiang could no longer stay in Taiwan, so he returned to Shaw Brothers and became a pioneer of anthology films and erotic films, experiencing a second spring in his career.

The reason he came to the mainland was because he had heart problems last year and needed to go to the United States for surgery. He was worried about complications during the surgery, so he secretly came to the mainland to visit relatives and friends.

Then I met some old friends, and on their advice, I decided to co-produce a few movies with the mainland.

However, after contacting several film studios, they still couldn't reach an agreement on the script.

Li Hanxiang grew up in Yenching and greatly admires Beijing culture, so he initially wanted to adapt Lao She's works, such as "Teahouse".

Although the play "Teahouse" was already very popular at the time, many people felt that there was too much dialogue in it, and with the limited runtime of the film, it would be difficult to capture its highlights. Film distributors in various regions were not very optimistic about it.

Ding Qiao, then deputy director of the Film Bureau, advised Li Hanxiang that since they hadn't come up with a suitable subject matter yet, he should start making "Teahouse" first. Director Wang expressed his support and told him to come to the Beijing Film Studio to start filming at any time.

However, Li Hanxiang soon regretted it. Adapting "Teahouse" into a film script was too difficult. He had to retain the essence of the story while not compressing the dialogue too much.

In the end, Ding Qiao expressed his support, saying that changing the subject matter is a common occurrence and that he should rest assured and prepare for a new subject matter.

Li Hanxiang wanted to film "My First Half of Life" about Puyi, but it was rejected by high-ranking officials because the book involved many figures whose fates were still uncertain, and they suggested choosing another subject.

By the time filming was permitted, an Italian had already beaten them to it.

At this time, Li Hanxiang really wanted to film Empress Dowager Cixi and was already collecting information, but he was afraid that it would be rejected again, so he was also writing a script with another screenwriter as a backup.

Even if these backup scripts can't be filmed in mainland China, they can be brought back to Hong Kong for filming.

Before he traveled through time, Huang Wenbin had collected a lot of information about Li Heizi. He knew that Li Heizi was a very complex person, but as long as he wasn't filming a movie, he was a man of good character who could joke around at any time.

Li Hanxiang, his face dark with displeasure, questioned, "Are you deliberately targeting me?"

Fearing that Huang Wenbin might anger Li Hanxiang and ruin the deal, Wang Yang lightly nudged Huang Wenbin's back with his elbow.

"Yes, it's targeting you." Huang Wenbin said calmly, "Others may not know, but I've heard of your name, Li Heizi. If you don't secure your money, you'll squander it all sooner or later. And I've also heard about how you revise the script eight times a day on set."

"Hahahaha!" Li Hanxiang suddenly burst into laughter, then patted Huang Wenbin on the shoulder: "These are all misunderstandings about me from the outside world, don't believe them. However, I agree to your two conditions."

Li Hanxiang said directly, "This isn't the place to talk. How about this, my treat, let's all go out for a meal!"

Upon hearing this, the others instead took their leave.

Li Hanxiang reached out and grabbed one of them with each hand: "No one's going to run away, or I'll roll on the ground and you'll see what happens."

Wang Yang was speechless. The other two editors had never seen anything like this before, so they had no choice but to agree.

"That's right!" Li Hanxiang said with some pride, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He led the group to the restaurant on the first floor, ordered a private room, and then called a few more people to join them.

Among them was Gu Leiming, whom we just met. He was a heavy drinker and had a high alcohol tolerance.

Gu Leiming had heard Chen Huaikai mention Huang Wenbin before, but he didn't really believe it.

But just now, he had someone buy the issue of Film Creation that contained the scripts for "Shaolin Temple" and "The Cotton Robe".

After reading it, he also gave Huang Wenbin's writing ability a very high rating.

The meal was enjoyed by everyone.

Li Hanxiang's mouth is indeed a general store; he can rattle off more than a dozen different anecdotes from the martial arts world and everyday jokes, making his stories fascinating.

After the meal was finished, everyone dispersed.

Li Hanxiang insisted on going to the Beijing Film Studio with Huang Wenbin and Wang Yang.

Looking at Li Hanxiang, whose face was flushed and whose steps were unsteady, Huang Wenbin couldn't help but shake his head.

He himself never drinks, so he doesn't know what the fun is in drinking. He doesn't object to others drinking, but he doesn't really like people like Li Hanxiang who have a low alcohol tolerance but still drink baijiu like a glutton.

Fortunately, Li Hanxiang did not act out while drunk. Apart from his face turning red, he seemed more sober than usual.

No wonder he claims to be a descendant of Li Bai, the "Immortal of Wine".

Wang Yang hailed a tricycle and took him, Huang Wenbin, and Li Hanxiang back to the Beijing Film Studio. Everyone else went home.

Li Hanxiang's arrival at the Beijing Film Studio quickly caused a sensation.

Many people from the factory came over, wanting to see this world-renowned Hong Kong director.

Even Chen Kaige and his group came.

In Wang Yang's office, Li Hanxiang drank a few sips of tea, regained some of his senses, and the flush on his face faded considerably.

Here, he met some young actors from the factory and also talked with college students from Yenching Film Academy, such as Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou.

Huang Wenbin couldn't help but sigh that Li Heizi was indeed a complex and fascinating person. He usually seemed harmless and could chat and laugh with anyone, but once on set, he was a strict and almost harsh tyrant. When filming "The Burning of the Yuanmingyuan", he tormented Liu Xiaoqing and other mainland staff members so much that they all cried in their room for more than 20 minutes.

As more and more fans gathered, directors and producers from other film studios also rushed over.

Wang Yang had no choice but to block them all, close the office door, and call in guards to stand watch outside.

Only then did Li Hanxiang get down to business with Huang Wenbin: "I haven't read the scripts you wrote, but since Zhang Xinyan and the others like them, they must be pretty good."

"I want to co-produce a film with mainland China this time. My plan is to make a film about Empress Dowager Cixi, but I don't know if it will be approved, so I need to have a few scripts in reserve."

Slightly tipsy, Li Hanxiang became a bit rambling, ignoring the expressions of Huang Wenbin and the others, and said as if to himself, "I see that your two scripts seem to have something to do with Shaolin Temple, so you can write one for me about Shaolin Temple too."

"Also, I've always wanted to make a film about the Ming Dynasty. Could you write one for me?"

"I'm also very interested in the Assassin's Chronicles. Could you...?"

"What else?"

They said it several times in a row, and Huang Wenbin was getting a headache from listening to them.

"Stop, take your time!" Huang Wenbin interrupted Li Hanxiang. "I'm not a heartless script-producing machine, and I don't care what kind you want. I'll send you a copy of whatever script I write in the future. If you like it, you can buy it; if you don't, I'll sell it to someone else. How about that?"

"Okay, that's a good idea." Li Hanxiang then patted his pocket. "I have a cash check here for 30,000 yuan, consider it a deposit."

Huang Wenbin took the check, looking speechless, and said, "HSBC? Where am I supposed to withdraw this money?"

HSBC had established a branch on the Bund in Shanghai during the late Qing Dynasty. It withdrew from the mainland market in 1955, but retained an office in Shanghai.

After 1980, the branch in Shanghai expanded its business scope. It was not until the year after the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration that it re-entered inland cities and opened a branch in Shenzhen.

At the time, Hong Kong media had a sensational headline: Don't let HSBC get away.

"It's alright, you can withdraw it at the post office or the central bank," Wang Yang explained from the side.

Li Hanxiang said casually, "If it doesn't work out, just come to Hong Kong. I'd like to invite you to visit there."

"That's a good idea." Before Huang Wenbin could answer, Wang Yang became interested. "Hong Kong's film and television industry is second only to Europe and America. Since it's not open to people going abroad yet, we could organize a study group to go to Hong Kong to learn from them."

Li Hanxiang picked up the conversation and casually said, "That's easy. When we get back to Hong Kong, I'll have the company send out an invitation."

Last year, Li Heizi ended his contract with Shaw Brothers and is now a free agent, running his own film company.

Of course, left-wing filmmakers could extend invitations, but that would mean other venues and companies in Hong Kong might not be open to the study group.

Regardless, Huang Wenbin agreed to write a novel about Shaolin Temple for Li Hanxiang first.

Although he has already written two books on the theme of Shaolin Temple, he still has many similar themes in his mind.

In two years, once "Shaolin Temple" becomes a hit, at least dozens of Shaolin-themed movies will be released. However, this has nothing to do with Huang Wenbin; he just takes the money and sells the scripts.

After staying for another half hour, Li Hanxiang's head began to ache, so he said goodbye and left.

Huang Wenbin also returned to his room.

However, within minutes, Zhang Yimou, Zhang Lai, Liang Xiaosheng, Zhang Guoli, and others all squeezed into his room.

"What are you doing?" Huang Wenbin asked, a little frightened by their menacing demeanor. "Don't do anything rash! It's not dark yet!"

Zhang Guoli rolled his eyes at Huang Wenbin: "You're still just a kid, making such lewd jokes, isn't that inappropriate?"

Although Liang Xiaosheng was thirty years old, he didn't immediately understand: "What do you mean?"

"Stop with the small talk." Zhang Yimou couldn't wait any longer and asked directly, "What did you talk about with Director Li? Can you tell us?"

"Yes, yes, I've seen all his films." Zhang Lai couldn't wait any longer and asked, "Is he going to be making films here? Could I work as his camera assistant or something?"

Looking at these people, who would become the core team for his future company, Huang Wenbin didn't hide anything and said directly, "He just wants me to write a few scripts and is offering me 20,000 yuan per script."

"How much? How much?" Zhang Lai was so surprised he almost bit his tongue.

Zhang Yimou was also astonished: "Twenty thousand dollars, in Hong Kong dollars, that's outrageous."

Liang Xiaosheng shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I only earn twenty yuan a month. How many years would it take me to earn twenty thousand? Let alone twenty thousand, I could get married and live a good life with just a thousand yuan."

"You don't need to be envious, I couldn't write this much by myself!" Huang Wenbin said with a smile. "I'll definitely need your help when the time comes, and you'll be well rewarded."

The group immediately felt excited and had many more hopes for the future.