You were asked to write a political intrigue drama, but you wrote "Da Ming 1566".

Chapter 110 Hollywood's Genius Screenwriter! My Legs Are Weak! (Part 2)

"That place is simply unsuitable for pursuing higher artistic heights; it's a filthy, stinking ditch, an airtight prison. Even the most brilliant genius will have their edges smoothed out and their inspiration lost if they go in. Ultimately, they won't have the space to fully display their talents and can only slowly sink into oblivion."

"Unless Chen Yu can also have the courage to break free from constraints like I did back then, make the most decisive decision, dare to leave that place, and pursue a truly free creative environment, his achievements will end there. In a few years, like countless other former geniuses, he will be assimilated by that environment and eventually become just another ordinary person."

"Even if he really changes his mind and is willing to develop in Hollywood, whether he can overcome the difficult period of adjustment is another matter. I've already firmly grasped the most lucrative resources in Hollywood. As the so-called 'second Choto,' he won't get much access to quality resources and support anymore."

"So for me, he poses absolutely no threat. We've never been on the same level; he's not even close."

However, Xiao Tuo's gaze immediately fell on the news below about Chen Yu publicly calling for Guo Gang to step down.

His eyes flickered slightly, he put down his wine glass, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number.

The call was answered quickly, and a sweet and respectful voice came from the other end, with a touch of girlish charm: "Teacher, is there something you need?"

After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Tuo slowly said, "Freya, you're currently on a global promotional tour for the Cannes Film Festival in three months, right? I remember you should be in Newport News right now? That's quite close to China."

"Yes, teacher," Freya replied respectfully. "I'm in Newport News now, and I was supposed to fly to Europe tomorrow."

"Then you'll have to change your itinerary," Xiao Tuo said in an unquestionable tone. "You'll need to make a special trip to China. I'll have the marketing department prepare a completely new promotional plan for the Chinese market right away."

On the other end of the phone, Freya, Chaut's most prized disciple and now a renowned Hollywood screenwriter hailed as Chaut's successor, spoke with obvious doubt and hesitation.

"Teacher, I'm going to Dragon Kingdom to do promotional work?" Freya asked, puzzled. "But have you forgotten the ban on Dragon Kingdom markets?"

The ban on Chinese films and television that Freya mentioned started ten years ago after Chaut abandoned China and went to Hollywood, and wrote several scripts that seriously insulted China.

At the time, the leaders of the relevant departments in China were furious and immediately convened an emergency meeting, deciding to strictly restrict the screening and dissemination of foreign films and television dramas in China, especially those containing elements that insulted China, which were all banned from entering the country. This created an implicit ban, which, although not explicitly enacted, was strictly enforced by cinemas and platforms across the country for a full ten years.

This put immense pressure on Chautau at the time. Many Hollywood film companies, unable to accept the loss of the huge Chinese market, even united to boycott Chautau, demanding a public apology or else they would blacklist him.

It was only through his exceptional talent and skill, along with the support of several major financial backers, that Choto weathered that crisis, established himself firmly in Hollywood, and gradually climbed to his current position.

That's why Freya was so puzzled and confused when Xiao Tuo suddenly mentioned going to China for promotional work. Logically, this should have been an unforgettable and deeply etched memory for Xiao Tuo, so why was he suddenly telling her he was going to China for film and television promotion? Wasn't this like walking into a trap?

Xiao Tuo chuckled and forwarded the news he had just seen about the turmoil in the Chinese film and television industry to Freya. Then, in a meaningful tone, he said quietly, "I know Guo Gang's character better than anyone else, as the president of the Chinese Screenwriters Association. I had a lot of dealings with him back when I was still in China."

"When he was young, this man was a screenwriter with some talent, and he wrote a few decent works. But ever since he became the president of the Writers Guild, he hasn't written a single word of a script. All he does is engage in power struggles, form cliques, and eliminate dissidents. He has long since become a complete bureaucrat."

"His most prominent characteristics are short-sightedness, stubbornness, and greed. In particular, he values ​​his own face and prestige above all else. If anyone dares to make him lose face, he will fight tooth and nail to get revenge."

"Chen Yu has been so disrespectful this time, publicly humiliating him in front of the entire internet and going against him. Guo Gang will stop at nothing to suppress Chen Yu. He will absolutely not allow anyone to challenge his authority or shake his dominant position in the screenwriting world of China."

"But the problem now is that Chen Yu's momentum is too strong. He has two phenomenal works, the whole internet supports him, and even some leaders within the system praise him highly. Within China, there is no screenwriter who can suppress Chen Yu in terms of talent and influence."

"Therefore, at this time, if we were to give Guo Gang a little push and a small boost, telling him that we are willing to support him and help him suppress Chen Yu, then Guo Gang would definitely be extremely grateful. He's good at dealing with superiors..."

He's quite adept at interpersonal relationships. In order to suppress Chen Yu, he'll spare no effort in lobbying the leaders of the relevant departments; this ban, which has been in effect for thousands of years, should be relaxed soon.

"As my student, going to China at this time is the perfect opportunity to ride this wave and grab the biggest slice of the pie. You know how big the Chinese market is without me having to explain. Once we can open the door to the Chinese market, our profits will multiply several times over."

"Hehe, besides, China has never lacked sycophants who fawn over foreign things. As long as we give them a little opportunity and package ourselves a bit, they will wag their tails and rush to become your loyal fans. At that time, your fame and influence in China will even surpass that in Hollywood."

Upon hearing Xiao Tuo's words, Freya on the other end of the phone suddenly understood and exclaimed sincerely, "So that's how it is! Teacher, your trick is truly brilliant!"

"Teacher, your understanding of the situation and human nature in China is truly profound. I admire you so much!"

A barely concealed, sarcastic smile crept across Xiao Tuo's lips. He leaned back in his bartender's chair, gazing at the dazzling Los Angeles cityscape outside the window, and slowly said, "Of course. I've lived in China for over thirty years; my understanding of that place is deeper than that of any native-born Chinese."

"Outsiders managing insiders, a group of people who don't understand scripts or art at all hold the most power. They can arbitrarily shut down a company or a creator. Just say one thing, and the people below will add layers of pressure, and then something that was originally nothing becomes something that can't be written. Creative freedom? It's a joke there. I left back then because I couldn't stand this kind of thing."

"How can a truly good script be written in such a place? How can a truly great artist be born?"

"Over the years, the creative environment in China has not changed at all; it's even worse than when I left. Of course, I know this very well."

Xiao Tuo paused, then said in a tone that carried a hint of arrogance and condescension, "Freya, when you go to the Dragon Kingdom, if you have the chance, please teach that arrogant Chen Yu a lesson for me."

"Tell him not to be a frog in a well, but to open his eyes to the world. The small pond of China can't support a big fish like him."

Only Hollywood is the true temple of art. As his senior, I could give him a chance to reform and come to me. If he's willing to submit to me, I can give him a chance to develop his career in Hollywood.

After the phone call ended, in the presidential suite of one of the most luxurious five-star hotels in Xinhang, a young woman with dazzling long blonde hair, fair skin, and delicate features like a porcelain doll slowly put down the phone. She walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the bustling night view of Xinhang outside, a strange look appearing in her eyes, and softly repeated a name: "Chen Yu?"

"To surpass my teacher and become the greatest screenwriter in the world—that's the goal I've strived for since I was a child."

I study and create relentlessly every day, all so that one day I can surpass my teacher and prove my worth.

"But in the end, you actually beat me to it? In that backward and closed-off country of China, a place my teacher said was worthless, you broke the record for the fastest ascension to godhood set by my teacher, and were even elevated to a godhood by those ignorant people of China?"

A barely concealed anger, along with an almost morbid fanaticism and obsession, gradually surfaced in her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, and said in an icy voice, "The teacher is perfect, insurmountable! In this world, only I can surpass the teacher! And only I can!"

"I absolutely will not allow the brilliance of my teacher to be tainted by the stain of someone from a backward country like you... I absolutely will not allow anyone to tarnish the honor of my teacher!"

"This time when I go to China, I will personally wash away this stain on your reputation, making you clearly understand how vast the distance is between you and your teacher. You are not worthy to be mentioned alongside your teacher's name! I will show you what a true screenwriter is, and what true art is!"

Meanwhile, in a lavishly decorated conference room at the headquarters of China Film Group Corporation, several top executives sat around a long conference table, each one looking extremely uncomfortable, their faces etched with anxiety and unease. The atmosphere in the conference room was oppressive and suffocating; no one spoke, only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

"Sigh," finally, the chairman of Huaying sighed, breaking the silence, "Didn't Master Wang say before that everything was under his control? That Chen Yu wouldn't last long and would soon be crushed by us? But look at him now? Not only has Chen Yu not been crushed, but he's become even more popular, and he's actually become a master screenwriter!"

"Yes," the general manager said, frowning. "Da Ming Dynasty 1566 has only been airing for less than a week, and its ratings have already broken into the top ten nationwide, with rave reviews. If this momentum continues, it's not impossible for it to surpass 'In the Name of the People.' Chen Yu's current fame and influence are not something we can easily shake."

"I have a feeling things are getting worse..." a deputy general manager said worriedly. "We teamed up with Guo Gang and released so many press releases to smear Chen Yu, but not only did we not harm Chen Yu at all, we also put ourselves in the eye of the storm. Now the internet is full of people criticizing us, saying that we are suppressing newcomers and engaging in industry monopoly. Our company's stock price has already dropped several percentage points."

"How about we go and urge Master Wang again?" another senior executive suggested. "Let's see what solutions he has. He's our last hope. If even he can't solve this, then we'll be in real trouble."

"Yes, hurry and go call Master Wang! It'll be too late if we wait any longer!"

Just as everyone was agreeing and preparing to get up to call Master Wang, the conference room door was gently pushed open from the outside.

Master Wang, having leisurely completed his extremely elaborate tea-brewing process, which resembled a tea ceremony performance, strode in, carrying an exquisite purple clay teapot in one hand and two small teacups in the other. He wore a relaxed, confident smile, as if everything was under his control.

Seeing the restless, anxious, and pacing executives of Huaying Film Studio, Master Wang couldn't help but shake his head, a look of disappointment on his face.

"Look at you all, getting impatient again, aren't you?" Master Wang slowly walked to the head seat and sat down, placing the teapot and teacups on the table. He said earnestly, "Sigh, I told you long ago, everything is under my control. Why are you all so anxious? A mere Chen Yu, a greenhorn, what can he possibly do?"

"Let me tell you, the more he jumps around now, the harder he'll fall in the future. I've already laid a trap, just waiting for him to walk right into it. It won't be long before I ruin his reputation and make sure he can never work in the screenwriting industry again."

"It's alright, I'm here. The sky won't fall. I'll take care of it."

Upon hearing this, the senior executives of Huaying breathed a long sigh of relief, as if they had been given a reassuring pill. The anxiety and unease on their faces vanished, replaced by immense relaxation and joy. Looking at Master Wang, their expressions showed even stronger admiration.

"Master Wang, you truly live up to your reputation! You remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapses before you, and unfazed even if a deer runs past on your left!" The chairman quickly gave a thumbs-up, praising, "Compared to you, we are far inferior!"

"Yes, yes," the general manager quickly chimed in, "It seems that 'Ming Dynasty 1566' breaking into the top ten in ratings and Chen Yu successfully becoming a master screenwriter—was all within your expectations? You are truly a genius, comparable to Zhuge Liang!"

"Of course," a deputy general manager said obsequiously. "How can a newly minted master be compared to a seasoned master like yourself, who has been immersed in the industry for decades and is highly respected? If we were to use fantasy novels, Chen Yu is merely a newly advanced master, his foundation is not even stable yet. You, on the other hand, have at least reached the pinnacle of mastery, returning to simplicity and perfection, just one step away from breaking through to the legendary grandmaster realm. Suppressing Chen Yu would be a piece of cake, a matter of course."

"That's right, that's right!" another senior executive said. "With Master Wang here, Chen Yu is like a grasshopper in autumn, he won't be able to jump around for long! It seems we can delete that conciliatory Weibo post we made before. This time, let's be more assertive and even openly declare war on Chen Yu, competing with him for that spot in the system's key script study program! With Master Wang in charge, are we afraid of some greenhorn like him?"

"Yes! Let's confront him head-on! Let him know how powerful Huaying is!"

Just as the executives of Huaying Film Studio were vying to praise Master Wang, his confident and nonchalant expression gradually stiffened. His smile vanished, and he nearly dropped the purple clay teapot he was holding. His eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, and he stared incredulously at the Huaying executives who were showering him with praise, as if he had seen a ghost.

"Wait, wait a minute?" Master Wang finally couldn't help but interrupt them, his voice trembling, "What, what did you just say?"

"I...I didn't hear you clearly, could you say it again?"

The executives at Huaying Film Studio were taken aback by Master Wang's sudden reaction and exchanged bewildered glances. The chairman said, puzzled, "Master Wang, we were saying that 'Da Ming Dynasty 1566' has broken into the top ten in ratings, and Chen Yu has become a master screenwriter. Wasn't this all within your expectations?"

"What?!" Master Wang jumped up from his chair, screaming shrilly, his voice as sharp as a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Da Ming Dynasty 1566 has broken into the top ten in ratings? Chen Yucheng has become a master screenwriter?"

"How...how is this possible?! I only brewed a pot of tea for a short while, how did the weather change so drastically?!"

Master Wang felt a sudden darkness engulf him, the world spun around him, his legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground. He quickly reached out to steady himself on the table, his face as pale as paper, and his forehead beaded with cold sweat.

"Quick, quick, someone help me! My legs are giving way! I can't stand up!"