Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

The two returned to the company.

While they were queuing for food in the cafeteria, Zhang Lu led Han Sanping in.

"Brother Han? What brings you here today?"

Zhuang Huai'an was somewhat surprised. This person was the type who wouldn't visit unless there was a reason, and he hadn't mentioned making any moves recently.

"Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?" Han Sanping said in a strong voice. "I've heard that the food in your company cafeteria is very good, so I came to freeload a meal."

Although 91 Company and China Film Group are separated by an alley, they share the same parking lot, and their employees occasionally have dealings.

"Alright, as long as you don't mind." Zhuang Huai'an nodded, handed the lunchbox to Liu Yifei, and personally went to the kitchen to get a set of sterilized tableware for Han Sanping.

Old Han looked at the iron plate in his hand, then at the exquisite blue and pink lunchboxes in the young couple's hands, and suddenly felt a little unbalanced.

"Hello, Chairman Han." Liu Yifei greeted him quickly when she saw him looking at her.

"Hi, hello." Han Sanping smiled at her. Who doesn't like a well-behaved girl?

The three of them got their food, and the clever little girl went to join Zhang Lu at the same table.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and said, "That's a bit meager. How about we have the kitchen cook up a few stir-fries and we can have some drinks?"

"There aren't that many rules."

Han Sanping picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork and put it in his mouth. "Back when I was at the Emei Film Studio, the food wasn't even as good as this. People who came to freeload didn't have so many demands."

"OK."

Zhuang Huai'an could tell that he had something to say, so he finished his meal in a whirlwind. Han Sanping across from him did the same, tearing into his food with big bites.

"Phew, that's awesome!"

Han Sanping put down his chopsticks, took out a tissue to wipe his sweat, and said, "Your company's chef's Sichuan cuisine skills are almost as good as those at Emei Restaurant."

"An army marches on its stomach," and good logistics are essential for boosting employee morale.

Zhuang Huai'an put the lunchbox on the table, stood up, and said, "Shall we go upstairs and make a pot of tea?"

"I should brew a pot to aid digestion," Han Sanping said with a smile as he walked out. "When I was your age, I could eat half a bucket of rice in one sitting using those wooden steamers."

"I believe that."

He gestured to Zhang Lu to clear the table, and the two went into the office. As soon as they sat down, Han Sanping impatiently offered them a cigarette.

"A cigarette after a meal is better than being a god." Old Han exhaled a smoke ring with great satisfaction.

After finishing a cigarette and boiling water, Zhuang Huai'an washed the teacups.

"Hey bro, you didn't come here just to freeload, did you?"

"It's true I'm asking you for a meal, but I also have something to ask you."

Han Sanping sat up straight. "I heard your company has been making quite a splash with TV dramas lately? You have two unreleased ones in hand, and two more in production?"

"To be precise, it's three parts."

Zhuang Huai'an laughed and said, "Happy Together and The Deer and the Cauldron are about to wrap up filming. I just went to the Beijing Film Academy and finalized the filming schedule for The Return of the Condor Heroes."

"Wow, judging from your current scale, this is even bigger than a local TV station's self-produced drama."

Han Sanping listed them off as if they were his own treasures: "The Disguiser, Liancheng Jue, Chinese Paladin, Shuiyue Dongtian, Snow Goddess Dragon (which I invested in), and the Happy Land, The Deer and the Cauldron, and The Return of the Condor Heroes that you just mentioned. Just these TV series alone would be enough for you to go public."

All of these are registered with the State Administration of Radio and Television. With Lao Han's abilities, he could easily find them.

That's not untrue. In fact, the annual net income of 91 Company is several times higher than the annual profit of a small listed company, not even counting the profits from the US.

After reviewing the situation, Han Sanping was quite emotional. He felt that this kind of approach was like an adult beating a child in the current climate. As long as the absolute core Zhuang Huai'an didn't fall, 91 Company would eventually become the number one film and television company in mainland China.

Of course, in a sense, it is already number one now.

After a pause, Han Sanping didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "To be honest, my main purpose in coming here this time was to get involved in your company's TV drama business, but after taking stock just now, I've decided to give up. China Film Group can't handle your approach."

The China Film Group (CFG) that Han Sanping was referring to was not the CFG headquarters, but rather the CFG United Film and Television Company, which he was primarily responsible for. CFG mainly invested in television dramas, with notable examples including historical dramas such as "Emperor Wu of Han" directed by Hu Mei.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled without saying a word; he was hoping Han Sanping would back down.

If Han Sanping wanted to invest in his film, he would readily give up a portion of it, but it's different with TV series.

In 91 Company's future development plan, TV dramas are a very important part. In addition to promoting people and making money, they are also related to the future layout of video websites. If they accept investment, it will be difficult to deal with copyright issues. It is better to produce them independently and sell them to TV stations.

Just look at MGM to see how important film and television copyrights are. Even after the company went bankrupt, its film and television library was still worth more than 30 billion US dollars.

Looking at Han Sanping, Zhuang Huai'an's heart stirred. This guy still owed him a few favors, and he had to hurry up and pay them off, otherwise they would easily become worthless.

After thinking for a moment, he handed over a cup of tea and tentatively asked, "Brother, I heard that United Film and Television has a cooperation agreement with CCTV?"

"That's right. When United Film and Television was reorganized last year, the State Administration of Radio and Television intended to support it, so CCTV opened a special channel for it. Hu Mei's Emperor Wu of Han was broadcast through this channel on CCTV-1."

Han Sanping is such a shrewd person; he knew as soon as Zhuang Huai'an opened his mouth that Zhuang was trying to get a favor from him.

"Here's what we'll do, I'll put in a good effort for you. I've looked at the information for your two dramas, one is a bit of a stretch, but eight will definitely be secured."

Zhuang Huai'an was overjoyed. Channel 8 was the drama channel. In the current closed-circuit era, CCTV channels did not need satellite dishes to cheat in order to receive signals. Its coverage was nationwide, which was incomparable to local channels.

Just to be on the safe side, Zhuang Huai'an still asked, "Do we need to sign a contract with United Film & Television?"

"You underestimate me, don't you?"

Han Sanping laughed and said, "We don't need to go through a joint venture. Just put my name on the list of co-producers, and I'll handle the rest. Just wait for news."

"Okay, I'll have someone take charge."

Tsk, as expected of you, Zuo Shandiao, you even managed to make a name for yourself at CCTV, which is a level above China Film Group.

I would respectfully call you the ultimate version of Red!

Han Sanping: Bah! You didn't even use the formal "you"!

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Old Han took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. "The 'Transcendent' episode was rejected by the censors. Their reasoning is that some parts of the plot are not ethically sound. Could you take a look and see if you can revise it?"

"I've already made preparations, and I'll have someone send it over later."

Zhuang Huai'an shook his head. Fortunately, he understood the habits of men and added some material during filming. In particular, the scene where the grandfather forced himself on his daughter after he went insane could be changed to one where he didn't force her but just hit her, and the daughter committed suicide after breaking down.

It can also drive the male protagonist's psychological changes.

"As long as you know what you're doing," Han Sanping secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that Zhuang Huai'an would be like the fifth generation, inflexible and lacking in adaptability.

He didn't ask about "Love Like a Bouquet" because Zhuang Huai'an didn't involve China Film Group in this film, so he let Shanghai Film Group deal with the Film Bureau, which saved him some trouble.

After drinking a pot of tea, Old Han left with light steps. Although he hadn't managed to gain any advantage... cough, or even secure a cooperation deal, he had at least repaid a favor.

He used his connections at work to repay a favor.

Tsk, *Style*