Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

9: am.

Li Jiangbo was leisurely brewing tea in his office when the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

Li Jiangbo answered the phone and heard a familiar voice.

"Bo-zai, are you busy?"

Li Jiangbo took a sip of tea and smiled, "Sixth Uncle, you can be busy, but you can also find time to rest."

Shao Yifu nodded. "I see! Do you have any plans to film anything recently?"

Li Jiangbo was stunned. Shao Daheng was in a hurry!

That's right. Since "Taken" was taken off the screens, I haven't worked for almost two months. It's all been my directors who have been working.

During this period, Wong Jing's "The King of Gamblers" just finished its run in theaters, although its performance was decent, with a box office of only five million.

But Johnnie To's "The Deadly Sword" was a huge hit.

Shaw Brothers pulled the film from theaters after only 13 days.

With an investment of 400,000, the box office revenue was less than 1.3 million. After deducting costs, the company only made 120,000.

Inspector To was too ashamed to ask Director Lee for a share of the box office revenue; it was simply too embarrassing.

In Li Jiangbo's words, the company had never seen such poor results.

However, Li Jiangbo did not blame Du Sir, but simply comforted him and told him to try harder next time.

But Du Sir felt guilty and went back to being an assistant director.

Thinking of this, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Sixth Uncle, I've been writing a script lately, but I'm not very satisfied with it no matter how I write it."

Shaw Yifu on the other end of the phone fell silent. Then he thought about it and realized that Li Jiangbo was right. Who could guarantee that he could consistently produce high-quality films like Li Jiangbo? Even the most talented people run out of ideas sometimes.

Thinking this, Shao Daheng said in a deep voice, "If you're not entirely satisfied, take a break. Maybe you'll get some inspiration!"

"Uncle Liu is right, but the people in my company all depend on me for their livelihood! I can't afford to take a break."

Hearing this, Shao Daheng laughed in anger and cursed, "You good-for-nothing, you gave out so many red envelopes during the New Year and even gave your subordinates a share of the profits from the movies. You deserve to be so afraid to take a break."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, on the other hand, when your film is released, the attendance rate goes up. But as soon as you stop showing, the numbers plummet. You know what that means..."

Shao Yifu didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear.

Li Jiangbo's lips curled into a playful smile. "Sixth Uncle, I understand. I'll put in some effort recently and try to write a good script."

"OK!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Jiangbo chuckled.

This has pushed Shao Daheng to the brink! It also proves that his previous decision was correct.

If he reduces his own production, Shao Daheng's cinema chain will not be able to hold on.

This is good, as it will make it easier for Li Jiangbo to discuss Shaw Brothers cinema chains with Shao Daheng later.

Just then, the receptionist knocked on the door and came in.

"Boss, Zhang Xinyan, the director of Great Wall Film & Television, has come to visit."

Li Jiangbo was stunned when he heard this. He was very familiar with the name Zhang Xinyan.

He directed the 82 film "Shaolin Temple," which made Jet Li a star!

But what is he doing here at this time? Shouldn't he be filming "Shaolin Temple" in mainland China?

Thinking about this, Li Jiangbo had a vague idea in his mind.

However, he didn't think much of it and directly had his secretary bring people in.

A short while later, Zhang Xinyan, led by the secretary, arrived at Li Jiangbo's office.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhang Xinyan put down his teacup, took out a document from his briefcase, and handed it to Li Jiangbo with both hands.

"Director Li, I've come here to ask you for a favor."

Li Jiangbo took the document and glanced at it. Sure enough, this guy had come for this matter.

He flipped through the script while sipping his tea.

After a while, Li Jiangbo closed the script, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I don't know, Director Zhang, what's going on here...?"

Zhang Xinyan sighed, "To be honest, Director Li, this film project was approved at the beginning of the year, and a small portion was filmed recently. It's just a pity that the leaders weren't very satisfied with the sample footage. So, I thought of you."

"Director Zhang, you can't make this kind of film?"

Zhang Xinyan gave a wry smile.

"Director Li, to be honest, our company is capable of filming. But to capture a different feel is a bit difficult."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I've seen your films 'A Better Tomorrow' and 'Taken,' and we can't recreate the fight scenes and pacing. So, we'd like to ask Director Li to come over and give us his opinion."

Li Jiangbo fell silent.

Filming in mainland China? He had thought about it before, but had never seriously considered it.

The main issue is that he's not familiar with the situation there. Will he be able to film it well? If he does film it, what will happen to his share of the credit? If it's released, Taiwan might ban him, which would be a bad deal.

But then he thought about it again, and realized that he did have some free time right now.

Before RTV showed any signs of decline, Shaw Yi-fu called to urge him to film a movie. He wanted to take the opportunity to put Shaw Da-heng under his thumb!

The company has hired quite a few people recently, all of whom came from Lihteng.

With the arrival of the three talents promoted by Huang Xizhao—Maidang Xiong, Li Zhaoxiong, and Tu Yongxiong—as well as the screenwriting master Xiao Ruoyuan, the company suddenly has too many talents.

I'm just idling around anyway, and if I go to the mainland to film, I can just use a pseudonym. If all else fails, I can be a consultant.

This film is sure to be a huge hit in mainland China; it's the perfect time to capitalize on its popularity.

Just when I was about to fall asleep, someone brought me a pillow!

Just as he was about to speak, the receptionist knocked and came in.

"Boss, Miss Lin Qingxia is here."

Li Jiangbo was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Please let her in."

Seeing this, Zhang Xinyan quickly stood up. "Since Director Li is busy, how about we reschedule for another day?"

Li Jiangbo waved his hand, "No need, we're all in the same industry, let's chat together."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xinyan sat down and continued drinking tea.

A short while later, Lin Qingxia was brought in by the receptionist.

As soon as she entered, Lin Qingxia saw someone and quickly said, "Director Li, I'm sorry to bother you. Perhaps I can come another day?"

Li Jiangbo smiled and gestured for her to sit down, saying, "Ms. Lin, don't bother us. We're in the same industry, let's exchange ideas!"

"This is Director Zhang Xinyan, and this is Ms. Lin Qingxia."

The two exchanged a smile and a nod, which was their way of greeting each other.

Lin Qingxia looked at Li Jiangbo, about to say something, when she heard Li Jiang say:

"Director Zhang, are you asking me to give you my opinion this time, or do you want me to direct?"

Zhang Xinyan hesitated for a moment before saying, "If we could ask Director Li to direct, that would be perfect. If Director Li is worried about Taiwan, he could also go and give us his opinion."

Lin Qingxia understood the implication perfectly: Li Jiangbo was going to film in mainland China! Otherwise, she wouldn't have expressed concern about Taiwan.

She suddenly remembered something her father had asked her to do some time ago. She swallowed the words she was about to say goodbye.

At this point, Li Jiangbo had already finalized the time with Zhang Xinyan.

After seeing Zhang Xinyan off, Li Jiangbo's gaze fell on Lin Qingxia.

"Miss Lin, what brings you here today?"

"Director Li, are you going to film a movie in mainland China?"

Li Jiangbo nodded subconsciously, "Mm!"

Lin Qingxia was silent for a moment, then said, "Director Li, I have a favor to ask."

Li Jiangbo didn't speak, but his eyes held a hint of suspicion.

Then Lin Qingxia continued, "I heard from my father recently that I have an older sister who is still in mainland China, but we can't get in touch with her. So, I want to go to mainland China with you to find my sister."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly.

"My father is old and in poor health. He just wants to see my sister again before he dies."

Li Jiangbo immediately understood. In his memory, Lin Qingxia had an older sister, whom he found in 84 and met again in 90.

Thinking this through, he said in a deep voice, "No problem! Miss Lin's trip to the mainland to find her relatives is a serious matter. Besides, I have some connections, and I might be able to help."

"Director Li, thank you. When do we depart?"

Li Jiangbo thought for a moment, "How about three days later? Go back and pack your things."

Lin Qingxia hurriedly said, "Director Li, I've packed everything..."

Before she could finish speaking, she realized that she had tidied up, but Director Li hadn't.

Thinking of this, her cheeks flushed, and she whispered, "Director Li, then see you in three days."

"it is good."