Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 73

Chapter 73: *Taichi Master* – Thirty Million! You Came at the Right Time

A greenhorn couldn’t possibly fool a seasoned veteran!

Ma Xun actually knew from the beginning what the outcome would be.

Yu Xiaosheng would definitely see through Bai Xiaohang, then bypass him to talk directly to Hong Jie!

But, regardless of whether Bai Xiaohang succeeded or not.

The *Taichi Master* project would be even more successful.

In other words, Bai Xiaohang was Ma Xun’s benefactor.

Now, let’s all have a drink.

They specifically went to Fengzeyuan.

This restaurant holds a very high status in the Capital City.

And, this time, Ma Xun didn’t stint on the money.

“Whoa! Ma ge, this, this… we can’t finish all this!”

“We can pack the leftovers to go.”

“Haha… then I won’t be polite!”

Ma Xun was quite surprised because he didn’t see any dejected emotions on Bai Xiaohang’s face.

You know, this guy had just experienced his first failure since entering the business world.

He lost on his first try, and lost quite badly.

However, this was also good.

Ma Xun didn’t say much; the two just ate and drank.

Until it was almost time to go.

“How did you do it in Harbin?”

“Ma ge, I just found someone, just like you said, that old guy was really hard to find.”

“He’s a sly one.”

“Exactly, exactly…”

The two of them had quite an interesting conversation.

Ma Xun actually didn’t dare say he knew Yu Xiaosheng very well.

This guy was incredibly secretive.

From a future perspective, Yu Xiaosheng only had one public title.

There was a very catchy advertisement in the future, for ‘Tianqi’ (Tianqi Toothpaste).

The moment someone mentioned ‘Tianqi,’ people would laugh.

A laugh revealing big white teeth.

This advertisement was incredibly catchy, and many people should have seen it.

Tianqi Toothpaste belonged to Aoqili, and the chairman of this company was Yu Xiaosheng.

That was his only title.

And, this title was actually… Tianqi Toothpaste did become a huge hit because of the advertisement.

But advertising couldn’t last forever.

After the hype subsided, the company… sold itself to Yu Xiaosheng.

Yes, that’s how it happened, and this man became the chairman.

But anyone who has worked in the advertising industry, or understands the stories of domestic marketing planners,

knows about Yu Xiaosheng.

He was so good at hiding, so good at keeping a low profile, yet even while hiding.

Many people commented on him this way.

Yu Xiaosheng controlled core media resources.

Whoever he made famous, became famous.

Nickname: Yu Caishen (God of Wealth), a living God of Wealth.

Such a person, even if he hadn’t yet become the future king of Chinese advertising agencies,

was definitely not someone Bai Xiaohang could fool.

In fact, Ma Xun initially thought that Bai Xiaohang might not even be able to find Yu Xiaosheng.

If this guy was fixing cars on the roadside, nobody would suspect anything.

You wouldn’t think a car repairman would be a big shot in the advertising industry.

He really did look that way, no matter how rich he became later, his skin color and appearance never changed.

So now…

“Ma ge, I also forged a contract.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Not bad, you’re quite daring.”

“Look!”

The content of their conversation was quite… unscrupulous.

However, it was nothing unusual in those days.

Nobody did business in a completely above-board way.

And then…

“Ma ge, did you know from the beginning that I would be played by Yu Xiaosheng?”

At that moment, Bai Xiaohang seemed to have used all his wisdom.

Ma Xun looked at him and nodded.

At that moment, Ma Xun even felt the urge.

To just tell him everything.

Of course you would be played!

He’s been in the game for years.

He’s fooled countless people.

That Harbin Cup, even thirty years later, was still sold, but only for twenty or thirty yuan.

Yu Xiaosheng managed to get over 200 yuan.

You, Bai Xiaohang, are just starting out, how could you win?

But, Bai Xiaohang’s trip was of great significance!

Once he went, Yu Xiaosheng and the others would know about *Taichi Master*.

And once they knew about *Taichi Master*, it would definitely trigger competition from other forces.

Bai Daqing would make a move, right?

Other forces would definitely make a move too.

This would create a rush to “buy” *Taichi Master*!

More customers, you see.

Previously, we had successfully made this TV series a target of several television stations.

At least Beijing Television and Hunan Television 2 were very interested.

Now there were many more advertising agencies.

This drama had become a hot commodity!

Ma Xun originally planned to sell it for two to thirty million.

Now it was directly at the top end of thirty million!

Bai Xiaohang would lose, but Ma Xun would definitely win!

And now, Ma Xun even planned to simply tell Bai Xiaohang.

I was tricking you!

But at this moment!

“Thank you, Ma ge.”

Bai Xiaohang’s words made Ma Xun momentarily…

“Thanks for what?”

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. If it weren’t for you, Ma ge, I wouldn’t even have had this chance.

I understand now that business is really not easy.

I also understand, ge, that he was protecting me.

I experienced a lot in Harbin and learned a lot.

Ma ge, even if you were tricking me, I still thank you.”

“Really?”

To be honest, Ma Xun felt that Bai Xiaohang’s gratitude was almost palpable.

But did Bai Xiaohang really think that way?

“Of course it’s true,” clear eyes, “You definitely wouldn’t trick me, Ma ge.”

What else could Ma Xun say?

“I’d be crazy to trick you!”

Bai Xiaohang was delighted.

“Come, come, drink!”

“Cheers!”

The two clinked glasses, having a great time.

In fact, if it weren’t for Ma Xun, Bai Xiaohang wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience this failure.

From this perspective, Bai Xiaohang should indeed be grateful to Ma Xun.

No problem with that.

And then…

“What are you planning to do next?”

“Ma ge, can you still help me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Can we become partners? I’m a bit slow, you can guide me. If we make money, you can take a share, I’ll be your apprentice.”

Ma Xun really didn’t expect this change.

“What if we don’t make money?”

“If it really doesn’t work, I’ll ask my brother for help.”

Ma Xun laughed.

“Alright then, you’ll help me strike everywhere, fool everyone. Our business model is, as long as one person falls for it, it’s a success.”

“Great! Haha…”

Bai Xiaohang was overjoyed.

And Ma Xun couldn’t help but laugh.

Not only did he thank me, he also wants to work for me.

I, Ma Xun, really have no reason to refuse.

…

Several days later.

“*Taichi Master* is about to air!”

“Popular before it even airs! *Taichi Master* has many highlights!”

“Our station bought it at a high price! It will definitely show the audience a wonderful martial arts action TV series…”

After a minor setback, the drama *Taichi Master*

was finally settled!

Yu Xiaosheng’s side purchased the show’s inserted advertisements for thirty million.

An initial deposit of fifteen million was paid upfront.

And when the ratings reach eleven percent.

Thirty million will be paid in full.

Any higher, it still remains at thirty million.

In other words, this guy cleverly negotiated a fixed price.

But it’s no big deal.

Ma Xun had enough confidence in this drama.

Furthermore, there was an unexpected gain from this drama.

Beijing Television invested five million!

Originally, the inserted advertisements were already ours, so Beijing Television didn’t need to pay anything.

But this time was different; Station Director Ouyang was very enthusiastic.

Then it all depended on who offered more.

Actually, buying a TV series originally required money.

Ma Xun was the first to try this, offering the series to the television station for free, as long as we got the inserted advertisements.

So, there was nothing wrong with it.

With that settled,

Ma Xun transferred ten million yuan to Old Man Zhang Xin Yan.

They were also happy.

*Taichi Master* quickly completed post-production.

The post-production wasn’t difficult.

It was handled by Yuan Baye; after filming was finished, it was almost done, we’re not doing any animation or CG.

So don’t overthink it, get it on air as soon as possible.

Therefore, pre-release publicity, broadcasting.

Let’s get this show on the road.

Now Ma Xun had ample funds.

There was nothing to say, let’s just make some advertisements.

Bus stop signs, and buses, etc.

In fact, Ma Xun had a particularly stable bottom line in his trickery of Bai Xiaohang.

That is, Ma Xun originally had over ten million yuan.

In other words, whether Bai Xiaohang succeeded or failed, or even messed the whole thing up.

It didn’t matter, Ma Xun could still make up the ten million from Old Man Zhang.

He could cover the losses!

Therefore, no matter how this situation turned out, it wouldn’t collapse.

And how Yu Xiaosheng and Bai Daqing would fight, or how other forces would interfere.

Ma Xun was completely relaxed, watching the show unfold.

Without this safety net, Ma Xun wouldn’t dare let Bai Xiaohang go out and be reckless.

What if something went wrong?

For example, in the end, everyone discovered that you, Ma Xun, were Ma Bangde.

Or everyone teamed up and decided not to buy!

Then Ma Xun would face a breach of contract risk.

But now, everything was going well.

He even got a thirty-million contract.

Ma Xun was even more confident.

This drama was absolutely going to be a hit!

And Beijing Television was very serious; before the broadcast, they invited the main cast of the crew to appear on their program.

Yuan Baye didn’t come, so Old Man Zhang, along with Wu Liang, Yu Hai, Ying Hongjie, Hao Tong, Yuanyuan, and Li Xiaoran.

They all appeared on the show.

They even wore the clothes from the drama.

It has to be said, Hao Tong, wearing those Qing Dynasty clothes, really had the vibe of Thirteen Yi.

She was charming and cute, her expressions lively, clearly a very skilled actress.

While Yuanyuan was pure and beautiful, rarely speaking, and very well-behaved.

As for Li Xiaoran, she was also very low-key now, tall and well-proportioned, very attractive.

After the recording was finished, everyone went their separate ways.

The program would air tomorrow, and tomorrow was the premiere of *Taichi Master*.

Like this…

“She seems to really live with Ma Xun.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Hao Tong and Yuanyuan watched Li Xiaoran return to that small courtyard.

Now the two of them had guessed.

Li Xiaoran and Ma Xun were cohabiting!

This…

But even knowing this, what could they do?

Looking at each other… helpless.

…

No matter how big the *Taichi Master* events are.

Ma Xun wouldn’t appear.

But it’s not bad, leisurely and carefree.

Hong Jie finished her business and went back to Hunan to film.

There’s no way they can be together.

Summer days, under a persimmon tree.

Brewing a good pot of tea.

Ma Xun drinks tea and admires the moon.

A sound from the door, someone came in.

“Ma ge.”

“Oh, you’re back.”

Li Xiaoran saw Ma ge drinking tea, lightly bit her lip and walked over.

Then she slipped under the stone table.

Ooh~

Ma Xun only felt the aroma of tea filling the air.

Xiaoran had been well-trained.

But if she was tired, Ma Xun would also offer her tea to let her rest.

The tea was warm and soothing, and the feeling afterwards…

But at that moment, the door was pushed open again.

Ah! Xiaoran fell in surprise, bumping her head.

It was Hao Tong!

Seeing this scene, her pretty face flushed.

Ma Xun laughed, “You came at just the right time.”

(End of Chapter)

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