Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Chapter 158 Unite all forces that can be united

Three days later, at a secluded teahouse by the sea in Shichahai.

Zhou Hongli was extremely efficient; he not only organized this gathering but also specially chose a good place where he wouldn't be disturbed by the outside world.

When Ren Pingsheng pushed open the door, Tianxia Bachang had already arrived.

The author who wrote the pioneering work of Chinese tomb raiding novels had a crew cut.

However, there was a hint of wariness in Zhang Muye's eyes.

He had seen far too many film and television companies that constantly clamored to adapt his novels into movies, and he had been far too disappointed by them.

"Teacher Zhang, I've heard so much about you," Ren Pingsheng said, extending his hand and then stepping aside to let Li Yang, who was standing behind him, step forward. "This is Director Li Yang, the director of 'The Adventures of Li Xianji'."

Zhang Muye paused for a moment, then shook hands with Li Yang.

Although he writes novels, he also frequents the internet, so of course he knows about this animated short film that has become a sensation online.

"Director Ren, let's be frank," Zhang Muye said after sitting down, getting straight to the point. "President Zhou gave me a general overview. To be honest, I don't understand screenwriting, but I'm also afraid that my hard work will be completely distorted. I have just one question."

He looked directly at Ren Pingsheng. "What's in the tombs in your movies?"

This question seems simple, but it's actually a trap.

Of the people who have consulted Zhang Muye before, eight out of ten simply said they wanted to follow the original text.

It sounds respectful, but it's actually just empty talk.

Half of the content in the original work couldn't pass censorship, and the other half would cost a lot of money to film.

Eight books, dozens of tombs, which one do you choose?

Those who say to follow the original work either haven't thought about how to implement it at all, or they're just trying to get you to sign the contract first.

Ren Pingsheng did not answer immediately.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and pondered the question seriously.

Zhou Hongli looked at him nervously, but Ren Pingsheng's expression remained calm.

"To be honest, I haven't thought it through yet."

Zhang Muye's eyebrows twitched; this was not the answer he had expected.

"But I know what can't be there," Ren Pingsheng put down his teacup, "There can't be monsters with cheap special effects chasing people, there can't be male and female protagonists falling in love in a tomb, there can't be Hu Bayi suddenly turning into a superhero and killing everyone on his own, and there can't be anything that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television would reject at a glance."

"Rules are very important in the tomb. People light candles, ghosts blow them out, and once the candles go out, you have to leave. If you remove these rules, it's just a yellow-skinned, white-hearted American superhero movie."

Zhang Muye stared at Ren Pingsheng for a few seconds without saying a word.

But the defensiveness that had been on his face since he entered the door clearly relaxed.

Ren Pingsheng did not continue to try to persuade him with words; instead, he turned to look at Li Yang.

Li Yang took an iPad out of his bag, opened the live-action short film "Li Xianji," and pushed it in front of Zhang Muye.

"Teacher Zhang, this is the film adaptation we just finished," Ren Pingsheng said. "Director Li is the original director, and I am the director of the live-action version. You can ask him if I changed the soul of his story in this film."

Zhang Muye looked at Li Yang with some doubt, and Li Yang nodded at him.

Forty minutes later.

"Director Ren, your film..." Zhang Muye took a deep breath, his guard completely gone.

"This is just a short film," Ren Pingsheng said, taking another document out of his bag and pushing it over. "This is the development draft for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light,' with a total investment of 300 million yuan. It's a joint production by Sohu, Wanda, China Film Group, iQiyi, and our company, Shengping Vision. We have funding, theater chains, and policy backing all in place."

Zhang Muye glanced at the names of those investors, whose names were widely known, and his breathing became noticeably heavier.

"Teacher Zhang, I invited you here today not to be a mascot," Ren Pingsheng stared at him. "I want you to serve as the world-building architect and plot consultant for the entire 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' project, with script credits. I need you to keep an eye on us in the team, and you can point it out anytime we make any mistakes."

"Moreover, this is not just a movie," Ren Pingsheng revealed his ultimate ambition. "It's the beginning of a tomb-raiding universe."

Zhang Muye was completely shocked.

He looked at Ren Pingsheng, a man who truly understood his work and had the ability to transform it into images!

"Let's do it!" Zhang Muye slammed his hand on the table, agreeing decisively.

Zhou Hongli watched in awe. He had witnessed Ren Pingsheng's methods firsthand. Without throwing money around or making empty promises, he had cut to the heart of a creator's deepest desires, pulling a proud platinum-level artist into the trenches and turning him into a steadfast ally.

"Now that Teacher Zhang is fine, let's talk about the troubles on the other side," Ren Pingsheng said, turning to Zhou Hongli.

Zhou Hongli gave a wry smile: "Director Ren, you asked me to pass on a message to the copyright holders of the first four films, and their attitude has softened, but..."

"Trying to raise the price on the spot?" Ren Pingsheng sneered.

"Yes," Zhou Hongli sighed, "their appetite grew after they heard that China Film Group and Wanda Group were involved."

"Mr. Zhou, could you please pass on another message to them?"

Ren Pingsheng leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes becoming extremely sharp.

"Tell them, what will happen in the future if the copyrights for the first four and last four books of 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' are separated?"

"There will be two completely different Hu Bayi, Fatty Wang, and Shirley Yang! There will be comical situations where someone survives a near-death experience in the Jingjue Ancient City in one movie, but in the next movie, their character doesn't even match up in the Yunnan Worm Valley! Audiences expect continuity from movies. Once the world-building, timeline, and cast become chaotic, the IP will fall into serious internal conflict, and in the end, everyone will die together!"

Ren Pingsheng's words seemed to foreshadow the chaotic state of Chinese tomb raiding films over the next thousand years, sending chills down Zhou Hongli's spine.

Zhang Muye's face turned ashen; this was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

"Therefore, if we want to make 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' the number one fantasy IP in China, we must establish a unified 'treasure hunting universe,' and everything from the cast, art style, world view setting to timeline must be completely unified."

""

"How they film it is indeed their own business, but I hope that Shanda Literature and Teacher Zhang can try to encourage them to cherish this IP."

Zhou Hongli looked troubled: "That makes sense, but the other party feels that they have the copyright in their hands and are holding you by the throat. Unless you pay an exorbitant price to buy it out, they will not let go."

"Who said I was going to buy it out?" Ren Pingsheng retorted. "Aren't they just trying to profit from my success? There are many ways to eat at the table; you don't have to sell your bowl to me."

Zhou Hongli was taken aback.

"We can cooperate through joint development, revenue sharing, and priority renewal rights. As long as they don't mess things up, I guarantee they'll earn ten times more money than if they just hoarded the copyright and sold it as worthless paper."

The tea room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Hongli looked at Ren Pingsheng and nodded in sincere admiration.

He immediately pulled out his phone: "Director Ren, I'll call them right now."

The private room was quiet; only Zhou Hongli's low voice could be heard negotiating.

He passed on Ren Pingsheng's proposal, while subtly revealing Tianxia Bachang's attitude.

Three minutes later, Zhou Hongli hung up the phone and looked at Ren Pingsheng.

"Director Ren, they've relented; they've agreed to come to Yanjing to discuss this in person."

"However, they also said that they are willing to negotiate, but they must have control over the content of the first four parts."

>