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

Li Jiangbo picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Director Liu, the price is negotiable. However, I have a question."

"Speaking."

"Is China Film Group planning to buy out the entire project? Or...?"

Director Liu laughed heartily, "Of course it's a buyout."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangbo understood that the mainland was now also starting to adopt the import route, but had not yet carried out reforms.

He wasn't very familiar with the reforms in mainland China, only knowing the general development path, which should have started in 93.

At present, actors in mainland China have low salaries, directors can only rely on their salaries and a small amount of bonuses, and even screenwriters did not receive screenwriting fees until the late 80s.

In fact, he wanted to make some contribution to Chinese cinema, hoping to introduce a small number of Hong Kong films into the mainland market and stimulate those directors who only received salaries and film studios with outdated systems.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages to doing this.

The advantages are: Hong Kong films are no longer limited to the Taiwanese market; they can now target the mainland. They can also identify a group of patriotic individuals who are close to the mainland in advance.

The downside is that it may impact the mainland market and disrupt the development plans of mainland leaders.

Thinking of this, Li Jiang tentatively asked, "A buyout is fine, but I wonder if it will be in Hong Kong dollars? Or...?"

"Renminbi (RMB)".

Li Jiangbo nodded and agreed to settle the payment in RMB, which he could also accept.

"Director Liu is indeed very straightforward. Here's what we'll do: you name your price first, and we'll discuss it further."

It was Director Li who gave the quote; he quoted a number.

After listening, Li Jiangbo didn't say anything, but simply picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Li Hanxiang quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "The price can be discussed further, no rush. Come on, let's have a drink first."

The group raised their glasses, and the atmosphere eased.

After chatting for a while, Li Hanxiang brought up the story of "The Burning of the Yuanmingyuan".

"Director Li, the script for this film has been finalized. Now we're in the casting and crew preparation stage."

Li Jiangbo nodded and asked in a low voice, "Why has it taken so long? I remember we started casting last year."

"Hey! I submitted five versions of the script in a row, and none of them were approved. In the end, it was Liao Gong who took the script to the leader and got it approved."

"When will you turn it on?"

Li Hanxiang gave a bitter smile, "Sigh! It seems like it's a long way off!"

Li Jiangbo looked at Li Hanxiang with a puzzled expression. He didn't understand how long it would take for the script to be approved, the casting process, and the crew to prepare.

Li Hanxiang noticed Li Jiangbo's confusion and quickly explained, "Director Wang of the Beijing Film Studio is too ambitious. He actually told his superiors that he wanted to build a replica of the Old Summer Palace for film crews to shoot on. Tell me, how long do you think it would take to build such a replica?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangbo laughed heartily, "Director Li, you're underestimating the speed of things on the mainland."

"How so?"

"I bet you, the Old Summer Palace will be completed in less than three months!"

Upon hearing this, Li Hanxiang's eyes widened. "Really?"

Before Li Jiangbo could speak, Director Li, who hadn't said much, chimed in, "Director Li Hanxiang, rest assured, we have experts who know the Yuanmingyuan best, as well as a group of patriotic architectural experts."

He paused for a moment, then added, "So, I think three months is a bit too much; it should only take a month and a half."

Upon hearing this, Li Hanxiang was puzzled. He knew that in Hong Kong, it would take at least a year and a half to do this kind of thing. Li Jiangbo was ridiculously saying three months, but this Director Li was even more outrageous, actually spouting nonsense that it could be done in a month and a half.

Li Jiangbo, standing to the side, ignored the preoccupied Li Hanxiang and turned his gaze to Director Li, who had just spoken.

"Director Li, let's be frank. Besides buying 'Peking Opera Blues,' does China Film Group have any other motives for coming here this time?"

Director Li picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and smiled without saying a word.

Director Liu chimed in, "Director Li is indeed straightforward. Well then, I'll be frank too. This time, we're here to buy films and TV series. We don't have any other plans for the time being."

Li Jiangbo nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. After a moment, he suddenly stopped.

"Then I'd like to ask, how many Hong Kong films does China Film Group import in a year?"

The two exchanged a glance, and Director Liu spoke up, "Well... there's no definite answer. It depends on the quality of the film and also on what the higher-ups want."

"How many films are you planning to import this year?"

Director Liu paused, held up three fingers, and said nothing.

Li Jiangbo smiled. "Three movies? So, which two are you planning to buy?"

Director Liu chuckled, "Director Li, what is this...?"

"I'd like to recommend this to my peers; they're looking to explore new markets."

He paused, and seeing that the two didn't respond, he continued, "To be honest, the Hong Kong market is too small. A film can only make a maximum of twenty or thirty million. As for Taiwan, while we can get in, there are limitations. And other places aren't our country, so we don't have an advantage. Therefore, could we open a door for Hong Kong? After all, we're all Chinese!"

The two remained silent for a moment, and the private room fell into silence.

After a long silence, Director Li finally spoke, "Director Li's words are truly beyond our comprehension! However, this matter... is not something we can decide."

Li Jiangbo nodded. "I know that. So I just ask that when you two go back, you convey my words to your superiors and let them know that there are people in Hong Kong who are willing to cooperate and contribute."

Director Liu put down his wine glass, looked at Li Jiangbo, and his eyes held a complex emotion.

"Director Li, if I may be so bold as to ask, what's your motive for being so enthusiastic?"

Li Jiangbo pondered for a moment, and after thinking for a long time, he finally spoke: "Perhaps, deep down I still remember how our ancestors from the pre-Qin period gradually arrived at where we are today!"

Director Liu and Director Li were shocked upon hearing this, and their hands holding the wine glasses trembled.

Based on today's conversation, they have been able to confirm that Director Li is a very patriotic person who dares to say such things at the risk of being blacklisted by Taiwan.

Thinking of this, the two exchanged a glance. "Director Li, we'll remember this."

Li Hanxiang, standing to the side, let out a long sigh of relief and quickly urged, "Come on, let's drink! Don't just talk!"

The atmosphere in the private room warmed up again.

The rest of the conversation was just casual chatter. The group talked about all sorts of things, from Hong Kong to the mainland, then from the mainland to Southeast Asia, and finally to the United States.

Li Jiangbo has unique perspectives on each place, which leads Director Li and Director Liu to have different opinions about him.

It was past nine o'clock at night when the show ended.

After Li Jiangbo saw off the people from China Film Group, only Liang Jiahui, Li Hanxiang, Pan Yingzi, and Zhao Yazhi remained in the private room.

Li Hanxiang pointed to Liang Jiahui, "This is someone I borrowed from TVB, his name is Liang Jiahui, and this time I plan to have him play Emperor Xianfeng."

Liang Jiahui, who was standing nearby, quickly raised his glass and said, "I've heard so much about Director Li. I'll drink this, you can drink as you like."

Li Jiangbo glanced at Liang Jiahui and then downed his drink in one gulp.

"They only chose this one actor?"

Li Hanxiang shook his head, "We've only confirmed the lead actress; Liu Xiaoqing will play Empress Dowager Cixi. We're still looking for the other actresses."

Li Jiangbo laughed and said, "Then go to Uncle Liu's wireless training class! There are lots of talented people there."

Li Hanxiang gave a wry smile. "We can't just hollow out the whole place, can we?"

The two exchanged a glance, and then a hearty laugh echoed through the private room.