Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

Zhang Ze put down his teacup and brought up a field she had never thought about in depth.

"Mr. Cai, have you ever heard of... online literature?"

Cai Yinong paused for a moment, clearly finding the word unfamiliar.

Zhang Ze had already anticipated this.

It's 08 now. Although online literature has been developing for several years, it is still a niche within a niche, far from being as widely known as it will be in later generations.

In the minds of these traditional film and television company bosses, literature is still those physical books lying in bookstores with printed words.

"Mr. Cai can be understood as a novel published on the Internet."

Zhang Ze then delivered his prepared explanation in a detailed and engaging manner.

"Most film and television adaptations nowadays are based on traditional novels or popular games like the Legend of Sword and Fairy that have already achieved great success."

He looked at the thoughtful, strong woman opposite him and continued to offer his arguments.

"But with the development of the Internet, a huge amount of literary works have been accumulated online."

"These online novels cover a wide range of topics, have boundless imaginations, and most importantly, they have a huge readership—a natural fan base!"

Zhang Ze continued, "Compared to game adaptations, online novels have more complete story logic, more well-developed characters, and the copyright fees for adaptation are currently very low."

"I believe that in the near future, online literature IPs will inevitably become one of the biggest sources of film and television adaptations."

"This is Tang Ren's way out in the future."

Cai Yinong was completely stunned by the vast blueprint described by Zhang Ze.

She was a shrewd businesswoman and grasped the key point almost instantly.

A large readership base means natural popularity.

A wide variety of themes means a greater diversity of choices.

Low cost means extremely high cost-effectiveness and room for trial and error.

If what Zhang Ze said is true, then online literature will not only be an important part of film and television, but it will completely subvert the production model of the entire industry!

Is this kid just talking nonsense, or has he really seen the future?

Cai Yinong's heart was in turmoil. Looking at the calm and composed young man in front of her, she felt for the first time that she couldn't understand him.

Thinking of this, Cai Yinong could no longer sit still.

Ignoring the fact that Zhang Ze was right in front of her, she picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number.

"Hey, Xiao Chen, can you find out right now what websites in China are doing online literature, and what their current scale is, especially the largest ones? The more detailed the better, right away!"

After hanging up the phone, a brief silence fell over the private room.

Cai Yinong picked up the teacup, but only held it in her hand, with no intention of drinking it at all.

She looked up and re-examined the young man in front of her.

His vision was so grand and tempting that even she, a seasoned veteran of the business world, was tempted.

A few minutes later, the cell phone rang abruptly.

Cai Yinong answered almost instantly.

The person on the other end of the phone was reporting something, and her facial muscles changed constantly with the content of the report, from initial expectation to doubt, and finally to an undisguised look of astonishment and complexity.

"Okay, I understand."

She hung up the phone and remained silent for a long time, just looking at Zhang Ze.

That look in his eyes carried a mixture of inquiry, regret, and even a hint of awe.

Before Zhang Ze could ask, Cai Yinong spoke up, her voice tinged with helplessness.

"I just had someone check."

"You're right, online literature is indeed a huge blue ocean with unlimited potential."

She laughed self-deprecatingly.

"I even just considered acquiring a website to make some early moves."

"In the end, I underestimated the heroes of the world."

Cai Yinong sighed.

"Penguin, Ali, Baidu... these internet giants have long had their eyes on this lucrative market and have already started making moves."

"We, Tang Ren, simply don't have the resources to compete with them."

Zhang Ze showed no surprise upon hearing this.

Just kidding, this is a huge market worth hundreds of billions or trillions in the future, how could a company of Tang Ren's size swallow it up?

Cai Yinong's appetite is indeed a bit too big.

However, this also proves that she was already moved by what Zhang Ze said.

"So, Mr. Cai, do you believe what I said now?" Zhang Ze steered the conversation back on track.

Cai Yinong looked at him deeply, finally letting go of all her doubts and probing.

She nodded, regaining her capable and straightforward demeanor as a female CEO.

"I keep my word."

"For the drama 'Chinese Paladin 3,' apart from the male and female leads who have already been cast, you can choose any of the other roles."

That's exactly what Zhang Ze wanted to hear.

Without the slightest hesitation, he directly uttered the name he had prepared long ago.

"Xu Changqing".

"Um?"

Cai Yinong was clearly stunned for a moment, and even doubted whether she had heard correctly.

You mean... Xu Changqing?

She was very puzzled.

In her opinion, although this role is an important supporting role, it is not the best choice in terms of screen time and likability.

"That's right, it's Xu Changqing," Zhang Ze confirmed.

Unable to understand, Cai Yinong couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

"In terms of screen time, although Mao Mao's character has a tragic ending, he is present throughout the entire series and has a very positive image, making it easy for him to win the audience's sympathy and affection."

"There's also the Demon Lord Chonglou. Although he doesn't appear often, he has a domineering personality and great strength, making him a very popular character."

"The character Xu Changqing... how should I put it, is a bit too upright. In the early stages, he is even a bit rigid and unlikable. His character arc is all in the later stages. If he is not played well, he can easily be overlooked by the audience."

She provided a professional analysis from a producer's perspective.

Zhang Ze understood what she meant.

The scene where Mao Mao cuts his own flesh to exchange for grain is one of the most tear-jerking moments in the entire series. If acted well, it will definitely be remembered by countless viewers for a lifetime.

Chonglou's domineering yet devoted nature, coupled with his sophisticated style, makes him a sure-fire way to win over fans.

But Zhang Ze's choice of Xu Changqing was naturally based on his own considerations.

The character Xu Changqing possesses an ethereal and otherworldly air, perfectly matching his identity as a cultivator, making the performance twice as effective.

Moreover, coming from the future, he knew even more clearly that the three lifetimes of love between Zi Xuan and Xu Changqing was the most heart-wrenching and brilliant chapter in Chinese Paladin 3.

Even after ten years, with the rise of short videos, this clip is still a topic of conversation.

He naturally couldn't explain these reasons to Cai Yinong.

So he simply smiled faintly and answered in a profound and enigmatic tone.

"Because I have a special connection with this senior disciple of Mount Shu."

It's that same kind of mystical reason again.

Cai Yinong chuckled, but was powerless to refute.

After all, Zhang Ze had just demonstrated his abilities and wonder.

"it is good."

Without asking any further questions, she decisively decided, "Then it's Xu Changqing!"

"I personally called director Li Guoli to discuss this matter!"

As expected of the female president of a well-known film and television company, Cai Yinong finally revealed her decisiveness and sharpness.

Just a few days ago, Li Guoli complained to her that he couldn't find a suitable actor for the role of Xu Changqing.

Now that Zhang Ze is going to act, it's just right to give it to him.

Before Zhang Ze could leave, Cai Yinong had already picked up her phone and dialed director Li Guoli's number.

She waved her hand at the air, indicating that Zhang Ze could do as he pleased, but she didn't even lift her head, clearly her mind was entirely on the phone.

"Guoli, it's me."

"I already have someone in mind for the role of Xu Changqing in 'Chinese Paladin 3,' so it's ready to be finalized."

Li Guoli on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback.

He then said somewhat awkwardly, "Mr. Cai, this... I just finalized things with Huo Huajian. The script has already been sent over, and he really likes the role and has verbally agreed to take it."