So what if I work with celebrities?

Between 1975 and 1976, Xu Zan was focused on making movies, believing that as long as the quality of the movies was high, he could make money.

As a result, he suffered a huge loss on the project he was most confident in. If Jiao Yinghui hadn't made a stupid decision to go to Japan, he might have really been ruined.

After much painful reflection, Xu Zan established his own photo printing factory and purchased state-of-the-art equipment from abroad, which almost depleted the company's existing working capital.

In addition, the company expanded its post-production team by recruiting new staff, which suddenly put the company in dire financial straits. If it weren't for some financial assistance from Qinghetang, Xu Zan would have had trouble paying salaries.

In addition, he began to use his connections at Gunstone Magazine and the friends he had made in the film industry to collect information about the film industry.

For example, who the hell is trying to compete with him to film "Dream of the Red Chamber"?

Xiao Hei, who had evolved from a military general into an intelligence chief, spoke of the information he had gathered.

"I've gathered enough information, Brother Zan..."

The first major event in the entertainment industry in 1977 was the controversy surrounding the Dream of the Red Chamber.

Today's Film Company produced "The New Dream of the Red Chamber" directed by Jin Han; Siyuan Film Company produced "The Dream of the Red Chamber in Spring" directed by Jin Xin; Development Company invested in "The Awakening of the Dream of the Red Chamber" directed by Qiu Gangjian; the rest are Shao's "The Dream of the Red Chamber in Spring" and "The Dream of the Red Chamber in Perfect Match".

None of these people were newcomers. Jin Han and his wife, mentioned earlier, were big stars who came from Shaoxing. Siyuan Pictures was Wu Siyuan's company; he had a keen sense of smell and could always catch the winds of the film market.

Chiu Kang-chien graduated from the Formosa Arts School and worked as a screenwriter at Shao's Studio. Chu Yuan's "Love Slave" was written by him.

As for the development company, it was no small fry either. The boss's surname was Lu, and it was rumored that he had some connections in official circles. Upon arriving in Hong Kong, he boasted that he couldn't let Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest dominate, and he went on a massive recruitment drive to establish a film company.

He borrowed two million Hong Kong dollars from a bank in Kowloon to make a film, and for a time he was all the rage. A common bad habit of businessmen is that they put aside the question of success or failure and start making boasts first.

"The internal problems of the Shao family... it's just that those people don't like Li Hanxiang, they just want to disgust him." Xiao Hei Ke Shouliang was speechless. How could people from the same gang betray each other?

"Sigh, they're not a gang, just company employees. Oh well, you haven't really had much of a job anyway. Any news about me?"

Xu Zan had a general understanding of these adaptations of *Dream of the Red Chamber*. Apart from *The New Dream of the Red Chamber* and *The Awakening of the Dream of the Red Chamber*, they were all erotic films and not worth worrying about.

The mainland Chinese version of "Dream of the Red Chamber," starring Xu Yulan and Wang Wenjuan, was previously banned but has now been unbanned and is being re-released in Hong Kong with lightning speed.

They did get to drink the first soup!

"Yes, some newspapers and magazines are saying that you... invested hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars just to win a smile from a beauty, and even produced a series of portraits of you as a beauty since your debut..."

Xiao Hei pulled out a cartoon, which clearly featured Xu Zan, Hu Huizhong, Brigitte Lin, Sylvia Chang, Hu Yinmeng...

"Holy crap! Who the hell is Li Lihua? These people are so damn cunning..." Xu Zan read the article repeatedly, without mentioning him at all. He had to admit that the magazine was sly.

This truly proves the saying, "Those who wield swords will die by their own swords." He used the opportunity to hype up "The Eight Hundred Heroes," keeping it in the news, but the boomerang came back to hit him right on the forehead.

Xu Zan found Huang Jiaxi and urged him to send the props and set crew to the Guolian Film Studio in Taiwan as soon as possible to complete the construction of all the sets within ten days.

At the same time, they communicated with Li Hanxiang, emphasizing that no matter what, they couldn't fall behind, otherwise they would be at a disadvantage after the other "Dream of the Red Chamber" films were released.

Back then, Li Hanxiang and Shaw Brothers competed to produce "The Seven Fairies." Shaw Brothers sued Li Hanxiang for copyright infringement, preventing his film from being released. Shaw Brothers then released their own "The Seven Fairies" and withdrew the lawsuit after some time.

What's the point of Li Hanxiang playing around then? That show was a complete flop.

With the hardware being expedited, the software naturally couldn't be neglected either. Xu Zan then made another trip to Teacher Fen Juhua's school.

Let's see how well these main actors have practiced their physique and movements.

In the schoolyard, he saw students practicing their skills diligently, basking in the sun, drenched in sweat.

These are all children from poor families. They have no other way out, so they come here to learn a trade. The master provides them with food and lodging, and naturally, he also helps them find employment.

Teacher Fen Juhua has many students, among whom the more famous ones include Lam Ching-ying, Siu Fong-fang, Tung Wai, Chan Po-chu, John Lone, Chung Fat, Meng Hoi, Law Kar-ying, etc.

So the film industry is a circle; you can connect with others by making connections.

It's a pity that John Lone rejected Shaw Brothers in the early 1970s and went to the United States to study, spending his best years working part-time while studying.

Otherwise, with his handsome face, he would definitely be able to make a name for himself in the film industry.

Master Yimei, who only plays when things are going against him, is still playing minor roles. Fatty Hong, although a martial arts instructor, hasn't truly become a master yet.

The Hong family stunt team, the Jackie Chan stunt team, and the Yuen family stunt team had not yet truly taken shape. Only the Liu family stunt team had shown its potential, with Liu Jialiang able to direct and lead his brothers to make money.

In the film industry, the roles of a director and a martial arts choreographer are vastly different. The director has absolute authority, while the martial arts choreographer is similar to the head of the photography or props department.

Xu Zan and Li Hanxiang arrived at the school and looked around the courtyard for a while. Xu Zan asked, "Director Li, is it alright for them like this?"

"What's wrong with 'can't' it? Just go for it!"

Li Hanxiang suddenly felt that this kid had too many shortcomings. He had thought he was a genius, but now he realized that his ability in period dramas was just average.

"Xiao Xu, why did you decide to cast these three as the leads? Why not Lin Fengjiao?"

Li Heizi practically said that Sylvia Chang's appearance didn't actually fit the role of Lin Daiyu, and that she was much better at modern films than period dramas.

However, the other two, Brigitte Lin and Hu Huizhong, were truly exceptional. The two looked quite alike, which is why Jia Baoyu in the drama married Xue Baochai instead of Lin Daiyu.

"Director Li, how do you rank Lin Fengjiao? Will she be content to be at the bottom?" Xu Zan asked.

With the "Two Qins and Two Lins" dynamic established, how could Lin Fengjiao be willing to relinquish the top spot to Lin Qingxia? Furthermore, this woman has connections with the Ma brothers.

Old Xu looked down on those involved in the "sex trade," so he didn't want to get involved with the Ma brothers' business. Besides, the Ma brothers wouldn't be able to stay in the business for long; they'd be arrested next year. It's a pity they managed to escape to Taiwan.

Thinking about this, Xu Zan had an idea: if he stabbed them in the back in Taiwan, could he take the opportunity to swallow their newspaper business?

In the past, he wouldn't have had the power, but next year, multiple forces, including Hong Kong, the United States, and Interpol, will be targeting the Ma brothers. Furthermore, he now has connections with some influential figures in Taiwan.

With some collusion, things might actually work out.

"Director Li, Director Xu!" A teacher from Chunqiu Drama School came over to greet them. "I'll go get them!"

"No need, we'll just go over there!"

As they spoke, the two followed the teacher to the classroom, where they saw a teacher on the stage instructing them on how to speak and sing.

"Brother Zan! Director Li!" Hu Huizhong was the first to stand up and shout.

"Shut up! You need to behave like you're in class!" the teacher snapped, looking displeased at the three people standing at the door, clearly their presence was disrupting the lesson.

Xu Zan and Li Hanxiang had no choice but to wait outside the door. The accompanying teacher explained that this teacher was his senior brother, who had a fiery temper but was highly skilled and had inherited the true teachings of Teacher Fen Juhua.

After the class ended, the actors inside rushed out to greet Xu Zan and Li Hanxiang. To them, the two directors were their bread and butter, and they couldn't afford to offend them.

"Brother Zan, it's so boring here, and the teachers are too strict. I wish I hadn't come!" Hu Huizhong took a year off from school to film this movie.

Hu Huizhong greatly displeased her parents, who almost went to Panda Entertainment to confront Xu Zan.

But when they heard that it was a collaboration with the renowned director Li Hanxiang, their attitude changed incredibly quickly. The couple are both fans of Li Hanxiang and enjoy watching Huangmei opera films.

Lin Qingxia sweetly called him "Zan-ge" (Brother Zan), then looked at Xu Zan's hand, thinking he had brought her something delicious again.

He arrived empty-handed and was somewhat disappointed.

"Next week, everyone will go to the Guolian Film Studio to prepare," Xu Zan announced the schedule. "Later, you'll all demonstrate what you've learned to Director Li!"

Brigitte Lin, Sylvia Chang, Hu Huizhong, Yueh Hua, Deborah Lee, Hu Jin…

Actors of this era were generally well-educated. It's not that they were professional, but rather that they all had a hardworking spirit. When playing ancient characters, they learned to walk, sit, and lie down, and some even learned martial arts.

Looking at those young heartthrobs of later generations, their headdresses sway wildly as they walk, and their martial arts moves are all done by stunt doubles. If it weren't for their ancient costumes, you'd think they were modern young people!

Watching the actors' performances, Xu Zan couldn't help but sigh that this was truly a golden age.