Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 50

Chapter 50: Excellent Work! “That Mountain” Becomes a Key Project!

January 21, 2025

Chapter 50: Excellent Work! “That Mountain” Becomes a Key Project!

“”That Mountain, That Person, That Dog” is an excellent work!”

“For a long time, we have overlooked many excellent grassroots postmen. They have been delivering mail in mountainous areas for years, bringing news and warmth from their families to the people in the mountains…”

In fact, many people in later generations don’t know the situation in 1997.

That is, the postal system in this era was incredibly powerful.

‘Post’ and ‘electricity’ hadn’t separated yet.

The ‘electricity’ here refers to telecommunications.

That is, the future’s three major mobile carriers… Of course, this statement is certainly inaccurate, but understanding it this way isn’t a big problem either.

Moreover, “That Mountain, That Person, That Dog” also mentioned this.

The son taking over had an important reason: postmen were, after all, government cadres.

Note that they were cadres, not ordinary state-owned enterprise employees.

Of course, the novel is a work from the 1980s.

Policies have certainly changed now, but they are still far from ordinary.

Ma Xun remembered that the postal and telecommunications services separated in 1998.

The current postal system is truly incredibly powerful.

Before, when Sun Donghai heard that Ma Xun wanted to find someone from the postal service, he immediately shook his head. This was largely related to it.

On the one hand, he thought this film, “That Mountain,” wouldn’t make money.

On the other hand, people from the postal system were difficult to find.

So, Sun Donghai simply pretended to be clueless.

Now, shortly after Ma Xun returned to the Capital City, this project has been connected with the postal system.

Furthermore, the postal service has published many articles.

Not only did they praise the film and novel highly, but they also said they wanted to set an example.

Previously, there wasn’t enough care shown towards grassroots postmen in the mountainous areas.

Now, they’re making up for it.

As soon as Sun Donghai received this news, he was stunned.

He immediately called.

“Brother, you’re too awesome! You even have connections with the postal service?”

“See! I sought you out because I respect you.”

“Exactly, that’s why we’re good brothers.”

“But, this project…”

“I understand. I won’t interfere this time. However, the Hong Kong side…”

Sun Donghai’s words were full of envy, but Ma Xun could still hear it.

He remained pessimistic about a film like “That Mountain.”

Ma Xun had to sigh; having connections certainly makes things easier.

Xu Qing’s background was strong enough; her father simply found a few people and said a few words.

Everything went smoothly.

No wonder Liu Bo went through so much trouble.

However, Sun Donghai wasn’t stupid.

This film’s current momentum is indeed significant, but the more “official” involvement, the harder it is to make money.

Ma Xun, of course, had his unique profit points, which he couldn’t tell Sun Donghai now.

As for the Hong Kong issue…

Ma Xun smiled, “Long Wu that guy isn’t as easy to manipulate as before, right?”

As soon as he said this, Sun Donghai on the other end of the phone made a surprised sound.

“Brother, you’re incredible! You know things thousands of miles away as if you saw them with your own eyes. That’s right, Long Wu is indeed different from before. Although he still has the necessary connections, when it comes to sharing the money, he’s not only stingy but also has a tough attitude! Ctmd! Did his face change the moment he returned to Hong Kong?”

“It’s not that I’m incredible,” Ma Xun wasn’t being humble, “Brother, sometimes you need to understand more about the international situation.”

“What’s wrong with the international situation?” Sun Donghai was even more confused.

Ma Xun said with a smile, “You haven’t forgotten the “Black Mask” I mentioned before, right?”

“Oh, I remember.”

“This film exploded overseas, and I estimate that Long Wu received copyright fees of over ten million US dollars.”

Ten million US dollars?

Sun Donghai immediately understood after hearing this.

“Wow! So, he’s recovered! No wonder he’s changed his attitude! Damn it!”

Ma Xun had known about this.

In a sense, “Black Mask” saved Long Wu.

It can’t be said that this film saved many, but it certainly greatly eased Long Wu’s financial pressure.

The Asian financial crisis was imminent, and many Hong Kong tycoons were suffering.

Long Wu, who relied heavily on films, was even worse.

The unexpected explosion of “Black Mask” overseas.

Although Long Wu couldn’t enjoy the full benefits, he could still get a considerable share.

The overseas box office of this film was about 600 million Hong Kong dollars.

At the most conservative estimate, Long Wu could earn 100 million.

Of course, he actually earned money from overseas copyrights, meaning Long Wu couldn’t enjoy many subsequent benefits.

The copyright was bought out by overseas distributors.

But even so, these 100 million were a timely help to Long Wu.

This is why Long Wu’s attitude towards Jet Li later was completely different.

Back to the present.

“Just tell me how much Long Wu plans to give us.”

“That bastard said, at most 2 million.”

“Okay.”

“Brother, you won’t just accept this, will you?”

“Damn! Of course I won’t! Do you think I’m a pushover?”

“Hehe, I knew my brother has a way.”

“Let’s find an opportunity to suppress this Hong Kong Five Brother.”

“How?”

“How are you so dumb? Is there only one Five Brother in Hong Kong? Don’t other brothers exist?”

“Oh, I understand.”

“Like Wong Jing, or Johnnie To… don’t they all want to go north?”

“Good! I’ll do it right away.”

The two ended the call.

Sun Donghai went to work on getting close to Hong Kong tycoons.

Ma Xun knew in his heart.

Long Wu has definitely recovered now. It will certainly take some effort to completely control him in the future.

Getting close to other tycoons might not be enough.

But now, Ma Xun didn’t have a good strategy.

But it’s okay, Long Wu has recovered, and my Ma Xun’s strength has also increased.

So, the impact isn’t significant.

It’s just that Sun Donghai’s attempt to pursue that Miss Zhi is unlikely to succeed.

There will definitely be opportunities to deal with Long Wu in the future.

I’ll give that guy a hard time then.

After the call ended, Ma Xun returned to his projects.

But not long after, the doorbell of his grand house rang again.

Who is it?

“Oh! Ma Xun, I didn’t expect this.”

“Hong Jie, what’s going on this time?”

Chen Hong came in and put her arm around Ma Xun’s neck.

Enthusiasm is fine, but this seems a little over the top.

“Tell your elder sister, did you sleep with that little vixen, Xu Qing?”

How did she know?

Ma Xun couldn’t admit it, his acting skills were at their peak.

“Hong Jie, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“Still pretending?”

“What am I pretending about?”

“You won’t admit it?”

“It’s not true, what am I admitting? Am I that kind of person?”

“Bah! What kind of person you are, I don’t know better?”

“Hong Jie, what you said… What evidence do you have?”

“Need evidence? Hehe… the Mercedes-Benz at the airport, it couldn’t belong to anyone else besides you.”

This…

It seems like he couldn’t fool her anymore.

Hong Jie continued, “This film “That Mountain, That Person, That Dog” has become a key project of the postal service. Is it all such a coincidence?”

Ma Xun could only smile, “I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, Hong Jie.”

He admitted it, but to be honest,

Ma Xun was a little worried.

A woman’s heart is as unfathomable as the ocean.

If Hong Jie gets jealous, would it affect their future cooperation?

Ma Xun had no idea.

Unexpectedly, Hong Jie directly kissed Ma Xun several times.

Her reaction…

“Excellent work!”

This “excellent work”…such a reaction from such a refined lady surprised Ma Xun.

“This time, it’s mainly because of this film.”

He looked reluctant, which made Hong Jie happy.

“Tell your elder sister, did you enjoy it?”

“What are you saying, if outsiders hear it, my reputation will be ruined.”

“It’s just you and me here, what outsiders? Hehe… it must have been wonderful.”

“Ahem… Hong Jie, let’s talk about business.”

Actually, Hong Jie’s reaction was simple.

“This film, you’re definitely going to let me direct it, right?”

Understood!

Xu Qing is just an actress in this film.

And Hong Jie is now transitioning to directing, and she’s a director in a period of strong ascendancy.

In this film, Hong Jie not only surpasses Xu Qing in status but can also order Xu Qing around.

How could Hong Jie not be happy?

But Ma Xun originally thought that Huo Jianqi’s direction of the original film was excellent.

Now…

“Someone suggested Huo Jianqi and his wife as the screenwriter…”

Hearing this, Hong Jie was even more excited.

“Ma Xun! You must give it to me! I’ll be the director, and Huo Jianqi will be the assistant director.”

Yes, this is how it should be!

Ma Xun immediately agreed.

“Hong Jie is right, we can’t let that couple take over the entire film.”

That’s right, Hong Jie becoming the director, even if it’s just a name, is good.

It better protects our interests.

Ma Xun still had some ingrained thinking because the original film was indeed well-made.

But Hong Jie is different.

The reason she quickly came up with this solution was because of the previous film, “The Song Dynasty”.

That film, seemingly a huge investment, was a big production.

However, in reality, it was also a husband-and-wife team!

Zhang Wanting and Luo Qirui.

They and the Huo Jianqi couple are the opposite.

The wife directs, and the husband is the screenwriter.

But Ma Xun’s evaluation of this couple was:

If investors had a Death Note, the first line would be the names of this couple.

They are good at winning awards, but they don’t really make money.

Let’s not talk about them, Hong Jie is completely unfamiliar with “That Mountain” now.

She just asked, “Is Xu Qing the female lead?”

Ma Xun casually replied, “She’s getting older, I originally planned to have her play the ‘mother’ role.”

Xu Qing’s current figure is quite suitable for playing a virtuous wife in the mountains.

But Hong Jie was even happier when she heard this.

She kissed Ma Xun again.

What’s going on?

Ma Xun didn’t think much about it and simply carried Hong Jie’s legs again.

…

After searching for a long time, she still couldn’t find her exam number.

Bingbing’s eyes were filled with tears.

She failed the Shanghai Theatre Academy entrance exam.

She passed the second round of the Central Academy of Drama, and the third round of Shanghai Theatre Academy.

People say that passing the third round is almost a guarantee.

But now…

“It’s okay! There are still opportunities! Now there’s a talent show looking for ‘Xiangjiang Girls’!”

Bingbing’s mother wasn’t convinced. Her daughter looked like this.

Those examiners are blind!

Let’s participate in a talent show, and we can still become big stars!

Bingbing could only nod with tears.

The talent show became her last chance…

Thank you for your support! Thank you, thank you!

By the way, I woke up late today, I’m sorry, I’ve been very tired recently, please understand.

(End of Chapter)

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