So what if I work with celebrities?

The next day,

Xu Zan took the initiative to play tennis with Mei Changling again in the morning. He booked the entire venue so that the two of them could have time to talk alone.

"Mr. Mei, that was a tricky shot! I tried to catch it even with my legs twitching!"

"You have to use force to play tennis. If you just go straight for the ball, how can you win?" Mei Changling began to tell him how to hit a spinning ball.

The two sat on the sidelines and exchanged their experiences playing ball for a while before getting down to business.

"Go find Mingji in a bit and sign the contract. Your fee is 350,000 yuan. Don't think it's too little. The company has been investing a lot recently, so funds are tight."

"No way! The opportunity the boss gave me this time is more than enough. I can work for free!" Xu Zan laughed.

"That won't do. Public and private matters must be kept separate!" Mei Changling took the white towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"By the way, what are your thoughts on the costumes and props?"

Xu Zan knew the main event was coming. He was able to win this project because the project proposal was well-written, and there was plenty of sweet water hidden under the ice floes.

"We need to make uniforms that match the style of military uniforms at the time," Xu Zan said, referring to the approximate number of actors needed for the film. "The buttons on the Japanese army uniforms need to be large so that the people look shorter."

"Yes, that would increase the production cost!" Mei Changling said.

"Chairman Mei, if Taiwanese films want to go international, their production quality must become increasingly sophisticated, even surpassing international film standards. I don't have many connections in the garment factory; I wonder if you know anyone there..."

"Hmm, I'll think of something. Where are the props?"

Xu Zan took out a budget booklet from her bag. It had pictures of various guns and ammunition, with the quantities written in small print below. Behind it were pictures of room decorations, all old photographs. It has to be said, Taiwan sells everything imaginable; there are just so many old items from the past.

In addition, many buildings need to be blown up to create a brutal atmosphere of war.

"You always do your homework. Okay, give me this one. I'll go back and discuss it with the board of directors." Mei Changling was very satisfied.

Xu Zan suddenly realized that he seemed to have set a bad precedent. The current era was still in a relatively crude and primitive state when it came to the tricks of filmmaking. His "advanced" ideas were like a sword striking the sky.

He didn't intend to make a single penny while filming "The Eight Hundred Heroes." He was after fame, while the officials from China Film Group were after profit. The two sides hit it off immediately.

"This play must be wonderful and moving. That's my only requirement for you!" Mei Changling said.

"Mission accomplished!"

Xu Zan drove a red Shelby Cobra to the Central Motion Picture Corporation. This car wasn't easy to buy; he got it through the Lianzhuhui (a local association for those who work with the Communist Party of China). It has to be said, old cars have an old-car charm.

The signing went smoothly. In the conference room of China Film Group, Xu Zan and Ming Ji each held the contract and shook hands, while reporters took photos on the other side.

"Director Xu, when do we start casting?"

"These next few days, I'll be filming another movie soon," Xu Zan said.

"Alright, Director Xu, come with me to the office for a detailed discussion!" Ming Ji supported Xu Zan from behind, and the two went to the general manager's office.

This time, even the secretary wasn't in the room; it was just the two of them.

Mingji took out a list from his desk. "Take a look. These are the candidates recommended by the board members. Director Xu, see if there are any suitable people. If they are, use them; if not, replace them."

"The people nominated by the board of directors are naturally carefully selected. Let me take a look!" Xu Zan looked down at the list.

Wow~

These are all well-known celebrities from Taiwan. For example, Koo Chen-fu recommended Sylvia Chang, and Ming-chi recommended Qin Han, Hsu Feng, and Jin Han...

On the contrary, Mei Changling did not recommend anyone, and Xu Zan guessed that the person recommended by a certain director was the one he instructed.

"I'll take it all. I have ideas for the lead role; I'd like Ko Chun-hsiung to play it. He just won Best Actor at the Asian Film Festival, and his acting skills and qualifications are absolutely top-notch," Hsu Tsan said.

He was drinking with Ko Chun-hsiung yesterday, so they're friends now.

"However, I think we should still go through the formalities and select some elite troops."

"No problem! Leave this to China Film Group; I'll notify them!"

After agreeing on the schedule with Mingji, Xu Zan tossed down a box of cigars and left.

News of the auditions for "The Eight Hundred Heroes" quickly spread throughout Taiwan, and even the Shaw Brothers in Hong Kong called to ask if they could get some people in.

"Ms. Fang, who would you like to send? Oh, Jiang Dawei, Dillon... I'll coordinate, but they might not all get selected. China Film Group has a lot of influence, but I have more power over filming. Okay, okay."

Xu Zan put down the phone and remembered what Hu Huizhong had said: Lin Qingxia often came to see him.

"The Eight Hundred Heroes" is different from the 76 version and also different from the 20 version, but the general plot is still based on the 20 version.

The male characters will have the majority of the roles; Hsu Tsan plans to cast Ko Chun-hsiung as Old Gourd; Chin Han as Sheep Knuckles; Chang Yi as Old Abacus; and Dillon as Xie Jinyuan…

Lin Qingxia... Lin Qingxia...

Xu Zan thought for a moment and decided that since Brigitte Lin had practiced swimming for several months, she should play Sister Rong. After all, it seemed too easy to get the role one wanted just by having a few meals together.

Things that are too easy are not cherished.

In the evening, Hu Huizhong rushed over by bus. As soon as she entered, she hugged Xu Zan and mumbled something:

"Brother Zan, you went to Hong Kong and didn't even call me. Do you know how I've been these past few days?"

"I thought you didn't want me anymore and had eloped with some other woman."

"I've been at school a lot lately, and a lot of people are spreading rumors that I've been abandoned. All I'm doing is trying to get better grades, and they're slandering me like this."

Xu Zan patted her shoulder and felt that her chest was a little wet. He then cupped her cheeks and squeezed hard, causing her little mouth to pout.

"Oops, you've ruined my makeup!"

"Come sit over here!" Xu Zan leaned back in the boss's chair, patted his thigh, and shouted.

"Oh, you don't know how to be gentle with women at all." Although she said that, she still obediently came over.

The publicity department of China Film Group Corporation spent some money to have newspapers and magazines publish articles speculating on the nominees for the casting of "The Eight Hundred Heroes".

"Qin Han has been frequently visiting China Film Group, suggesting he may have already signed a contract to play Xie Jinyuan."

"XX magazine is talking nonsense. Qin Han is playing his father, General Sun!"

"Rumor has it that Sylvia Chang has joined the cast of 'The Eight Hundred Heroes' and has begun acting training."

The news, both true and false, frequently appeared in the media. Even the news programs of three major television stations, TTV, CTS, and CTV, joined in the reporting and invited film critics to analyze the situation.

Even the sailors came over and said that a certain celebrity wanted to join "The Eight Hundred Heroes," wondering if it was possible...

After asking around for a while, it turned out that this celebrity had deposited 200,000 yuan in a karaoke bar controlled by Qinghetang.

Lin Qingxia couldn't sit still any longer. She asked Qin Han directly and learned that he had been selected for the film through Mingji.

"And what about me?"

"Qingxia, listen to me. I only joined this time through Mingji. I... you know I have a conflict with Xu Zan, so I can't show my face."

"Then why don't you ask Mingji to let me join too?"

"It's already difficult enough to get even one role. It's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that there aren't many female roles available..."

Lin Qingxia didn't believe Qin Han's nonsense. Ever since last year, when he made her give up Xu Zan's movie and learn some kind of swimming, and humbly begged Ding Shanxi, what was the result of all that smiling and drinking?

At this moment, a surge of resentment rose in her heart, especially when she thought of his so-called promises. These past few years have been laughable; it's a shame she loved him.

At this moment, I remembered Xu Zan's words: some men lack responsibility and like to have their cake and eat it too. They throw the problems to women to solve, pretend to be innocent on the sidelines, and in the end, they become the victims.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's end this here! Don't bother me anymore!" Lin Qingxia slammed the door and left.

She found a convenience store and made a phone call.

"Hello, is this Brother Zan? It's Brigitte Lin! You're back? Yes, I made you some soup. Shall I bring it over now? Sure, sure!"

Lin Qingxia put down the phone, threw down the money, and took a taxi to a Cantonese restaurant. She ordered a pork bone soup with Morinda officinalis and Eucommia ulmoides, along with several other dishes that included both meat and vegetables.

Then I went out and found a hair salon, washed my hair and put on makeup again, and with the groceries I had bought, I rushed to Panda Entertainment Company.

When the company's receptionist saw the famous actress Brigitte Lin carrying an enormous bag and walking unsteadily, she immediately went to help her.

"No need, no need, is Brother Zan here?"

"Here I am."