Huayu: Starting from managing the Mahua FunAge Theater Troupe

2004年2月12日，早上7点23分。

Shen Feiyang, Wei Yonggang, and others boarded China Southern Airlines flight CZ6116 bound for Shenyang.

Wei Yonggang brought two assistants with him.

The group of four all bought economy class tickets.

There were still more than ten minutes before the plane took off.

Wei Yonggang asked Shen Feiyang in a joking tone, "Mr. Shen, is this your first time meeting Teacher Zhao Benshan? Are you nervous?"

Shen Feiyang nodded slightly: "This is indeed the first time I've met someone like this in real life. I wouldn't say I'm nervous. I doubt even Professor Benshan will talk to me. The main matters will have to be discussed by you, Mr. Wei."

"You are the core planner of this program. If you have any suitable suggestions, you can make them. You are young, and if you express your own insights, people will look at you with more respect, just like when you and I talked a few days ago," Wei Yonggang reminded him.

"I see."

Wei Yonggang then asked, "Is General Manager Shen also from Northeast China?"

"Yes, from Qiqihar."

"Quite a coincidence."

"..."

The plane took off at 7:45.

……

At 9:15 a.m., the plane landed at Shenyang Taoxian International Airport.

I walked out of the terminal.

Shen Feiyang and Wei Yonggang met Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang was not tall, wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses. He was followed by four bodyguards, one of whom was holding a sign that read "Welcome Mr. Wei Yonggang of Huanle Media". At first glance, the group looked like some kind of active social organization.

Wei Yonggang walked towards him.

Zhao Gang took off his sunglasses, stepped forward, and extended his hand with a smile: "President Wei, thank you for your hard work. I'll take you all to the hotel first. Chairman Zhao will host a banquet for you all at noon."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao. I'm sorry to have troubled Chairman Zhao." Wei Yonggang shook hands with Zhao Gang.

"Hey, you're all guests here, no need to trouble yourself, please get in the car." Zhao Gang turned to the side and gestured for the two Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans parked on the side of the road to enter.

The four people following behind Zhao Gang helped with the luggage, and others opened the car doors.

Before getting into the car, Shen Feiyang glanced at the license plates of the two vehicles.

Liaoning E88888, Liaoning K99999.

Zhao Gang drove another Toyota Prado.

……

More than half an hour later, Shen Feiyang and the others checked into a luxury suite at the Shenyang Royal Dynasty Marriott Hotel, arranged by Zhao Gang.

Arrive at the hotel and drop off your luggage.

Zhao Gang then led everyone to Ma Dashuai's restaurant for lunch and to discuss business.

……

"Ma Dashuai" has only recently finished its premiere on various local channels.

However, "Ma Dashuai Restaurant" already had this name when it opened in 2002.

The restaurant owner and Zhao Benshan were good friends, and he obtained the right to use the name "Ma Dashuai" in advance.

The restaurant's signboard was all inscribed by Zhao Benshan himself.

"Ma Dashuai" was originally scheduled to air on CCTV-8 during the Spring Festival, and it looked like it was going to continue the success of "Liu Laogen" and become a hit across the country. However, it was pulled from the schedule at the last minute for unknown reasons.

Zhao Benshan said it was to sell more first-broadcast rights on terrestrial channels and make more money.

But Zhao Benshan is clearly not short of money; what he needs more is exposure on a major platform.

In short, although it did not become a nationwide sensation by airing on CCTV, "Ma Dashuai" still achieved impressive ratings after its broadcast in the three northeastern provinces, with ratings reaching 28% in Shenyang and Changchun, and as high as 46% in Harbin.

After this drama finished airing, I dare not say that everyone in Northeast China, but everyone in Shenyang knew about Ma Dashuai Restaurant.

……

Ma Dashuai Restaurant adopts the style of an ancient mansion in Northeast China, reminiscent of the mansions in the region beyond the Great Wall.

The large and medium-sized private rooms are named after various prefectures, such as Fengtian Prefecture and Shengjing Prefecture.

The most popular large private room is Jilin Mansion, which comes with a private tea room, restrooms, and other amenities, and can comfortably seat 30 to 40 people.

But at this moment, the huge private room was only occupied by Zhao Benshan, the head of Benshan Media, Ma Ruidong, the second-in-command of Benshan Media, Zhang Jiahao, the vice president of Benshan Media, and four leaders from the provincial cultural system and radio and television system. One of them was the executive vice president of Liaoning TV, surnamed Shi.

Zhao Benshan sat firmly in the main seat, talking with several people.

Until the knocking sounded.

Zhang Jiahao went over and opened the door. When he saw that it was Zhao Gang and his men, he opened the door completely and stepped aside.

Shen Feiyang and Wei Yonggang stepped into the private room.

Upon entering the private room.

Shen Feiyang's eyes immediately fell on Zhao Benshan, who was sitting in the main seat.

The real Zhao Benshan is completely different from the image he portrays on television.

It's very impressive.

It makes you feel as if you've stepped into a hall of righteous gathering.

Shen Feiyang followed Wei Yonggang toward Zhao Benshan.

When they were still two or three meters away, Zhao Benshan got up, took a few steps, and extended his hand: "President Wei, welcome to Shenyang."

Wei Yonggang grasped Zhao Benshan's hand, beaming, and said, "Chairman Zhao looks incredibly energetic."

"Haha, sit down, sit down." Zhao Benshan didn't care about Shen Feiyang who came with Wei Yonggang and directly invited them to sit down.

Shen Feiyang didn't mind and found a seat that wouldn't be in the way.

After everyone was seated, Wei Yonggang introduced Shen Feiyang to Zhao Benshan: "Chairman Zhao, this is Shen Feiyang. He is the one who came up with the idea for the show 'Chinese Comedians'."

Zhao Benshan glanced at Shen Feiyang but made no other move.

Wei Yonggang added, "In addition, he started from scratch and runs a theater troupe in Beijing called Happy Twist. At the end of last year, they launched the country's first New Year's stage comedy. The show has already grossed over three million yuan and is about to reach five million."

After hearing these words, Zhao Benshan began to seriously examine Shen Feiyang, and the others present also turned their gazes towards him.

Everyone assumed this was Wei Yonggang's assistant.

"Truly, the younger generation is formidable," Zhao Benshan casually praised.

Shen Feiyang bowed slightly: "Teacher Benshan, I grew up watching your programs."

Hearing the faint accent in Shen Feiyang's voice, Zhao Benshan's expression changed again, and he asked, "From Northeast China?"

Shen Feiyang nodded: "Yes, my hometown is Qiqihar, Heilongjiang."

"The barbecue in your area is quite famous. That's right, we Northeasterners are really daring and enterprising. Zhao Gang, give Mr. Shen his business card."

Zhao Gang took out a business card from his pocket, got up and walked over.

Shen Feiyang accepted it with both hands.

The business card only had Zhao Benshan's name and two private phone numbers on it.

Shen Feiyang expressed his gratitude once again.

Zhao Benshan nodded and didn't say anything more.

The focus of the subsequent conversation shifted to Wei Yonggang.

Each person drank half a bottle of Maotai before they started discussing business.

Shen Feiyang's role during this period was to repeat the entire program format and how to do it several times.

The program's creative concept was merely a backdrop at this dinner party; the main focus was on the distribution of profits.

Content producers like Joy Media are at a complete disadvantage when facing television stations, especially satellite channels.

Director Shih was in a bad mood because he had just lost his wife last month.

In just a few words, the question of how to divide the cake became Zhao Benshan's decision.

Zhao Benshan spoke and gestured, "Since General Manager Shen has taken 10% of the gross profit, let's follow this approach. Benshan Media and Huanle Media will each take 30%, and the production and advertising costs will be absorbed by Benshan Media and Huanle Media from their respective 30%. The remaining 30% will be distributed to Liaoning TV. Let's do one season first and see how it goes. Is that alright, everyone?"

Several leaders indicated that it was acceptable.

Wei Yonggang readily agreed.

For him, earning more or less money is no longer important; the most important thing is to be able to return to Beijing safely.

Shen Feiyang definitely has no objections. Who knows, his actual income from this project might be more than that from Benshan Media and Huanle Media.