Chapter 1049: Suggestion

A man must always keep his word. No matter what, if you cannot do something, never make a promise. You may be short of money, but you must never break your word.

Because without trust, a person cannot stand. Money, sometimes, is no different from a bastard. If you don't have it, just work hard to earn it. If you can't earn much, can't you at least earn a little?

The wheels of history roll ever forward. Although they have now taken a path Zhao Fusheng was not familiar with, he could still ensure that he would not stray too far from the right track.

To be fair, Zhao Fusheng knew well that without his foresight and decades of life experience as a foundation, he might not be a match for the people he was now dealing with.

Their levels were far apart, let alone the experiences they had been through.

The Great Ancestor said, 'Struggling with heaven is endless joy, struggling with earth is endless joy, struggling with people is endless joy.'

Life in this world is nothing but a constant struggle.

...

...

"This play is quite interesting."

Sitting in the theater of the People's Art Theatre, watching the play being performed on stage, Jiang Wen said softly to Yu Feihong beside him.

Yu Feihong chuckled: "Oh? Have you figured out the trick?"

Jiang Wen nodded gently and said in a low voice: "At the very least, something so positive and full of mainstream energy is bound to receive strong support from the top. I think this play is very likely to go on a national tour, with the endorsement of the authorities."

"Really?" His speculation surprised Yu Feihong, who looked at Jiang Wen with astonishment: "Aren't you exaggerating?"

From an actor's perspective, she could also see that the quality of this play was quite good. At the very least, this drama gave one the desire to keep watching.

But to say, as Jiang Wen did, that it would reach the level of a national tour is surely an exaggeration.

You have to understand, the current theater market is very sluggish; if there really were a new play that could tour the country, it would mean the People's Art Theatre had made another big splash.

Many of the older artists at the People's Art Theatre were well acquainted with Yu Feihong, and she naturally hoped they would show their faces more often in front of the audience.

Hearing Yu Feihong's question, Jiang Wen smiled meaningfully and said mysteriously, "Don't forget, sometimes administrative power is stronger than media power."

Upon hearing this, Yu Feihong fell silent immediately.

Jiang Wen was right; if administrative power intervened, those entertainment media really amounted to nothing.

This point was actually well understood by insiders, but everyone tacitly acknowledged it.

If you don't believe it, just look at when CCTV-1 ever aired those romantic love stories; the reason is simple—the authorities simply don't allow it.

But conversely, once a mainstream-themed work is broadcast, the promotional intensity is simply overwhelming.

The performance ended quickly, and a crowd gathered around the People's Art Theatre actors to congratulate them. Fan Baobao was naturally among them, but Zhao Fusheng, the behind-the-scenes boss, quietly slipped away. He wasn't one to seek the limelight, and besides, this time he had only done the preliminary preparation work; everything afterward was handled by the Future Film and Television people, with the People's Art Theatre cooperating.

Taking credit for others' achievements was not Zhao Fusheng's style.

At this moment, it was time to enjoy the flowers and applause—both the cast and crew and the producers deserved praise. As for himself, he would just quietly make money.

It's often said that after passion subsides, a man enters a sage-like moment, when his mind becomes extremely clear, truly like a sage.

There is some truth to that.

To put it bluntly, it's because after reaching the peak of excitement, a person becomes extremely relaxed, and in that relaxation, naturally the mind clears.

And for Zhao Fusheng, he was very clear-headed right now.

Because the sense of achievement that comes from watching a major undertaking succeed while personally breaking down the shackles surrounding the future of film and television, bit by bit, was truly exhilarating.

"So, do you feel especially happy?" Yu Feihong's voice sounded beside Zhao Fusheng. Turning his head, he saw his sister standing there with a beaming smile.

Of course, there was also a certain Old Jiang who had inopportunely appeared by her side.

"I must say, you're something else. You go off on your honeymoon, come back without even a phone call. I had to hear from Fan Baobao that you were back. Old Jiang, you've changed," Zhao Fusheng said to Jiang Wen with a pained expression.

The corner of Jiang Wen's mouth twitched. He looked at Zhao Fusheng and bared his teeth.

There was no helping it; Zhao Fusheng had delivered those words in the tone of a wronged wife. Anyone listening would think the two of them were intimate lovers.

"Sis, you must never learn from certain people. Before marriage, it's 'brother this, brother that'; after marriage, overnight, brothers are cast aside. Ah, such men..." Zhao Fusheng said to Yu Feihong with an expression that said, "I'm deeply hurt and need comforting."

Yu Feihong watched Zhao Fusheng's theatrical performance and couldn't help laughing. Covering her mouth, she said, "I think you could pass the Beijing Film Academy entrance exam."

"Hey, hey, why take the BFA exam? His wife is from the Central Academy of Drama. If he takes any exam, it should be for the Central Academy," Jiang Wen said, dissatisfied, glaring at Yu Feihong.

"Oh! Jiang Wen, you're getting bold, aren't you?" Yu Feihong's eyes widened. Before she got close to Zhao Fusheng, she was known as "Brother Fei." Though she seemed warm, those who knew her well understood that she never stood on ceremony with close friends.

Seeing Yu Feihong about to flare up, Jiang Wen immediately hid behind Zhao Fusheng: "Hey, hey, there are people around. People. Watch your image."

With others present, Yu Feihong couldn't be too unrestrained. She shot Jiang Wen a fierce glare and shook her fist at him, then had to let it go.

Zhao Fusheng smiled as he looked at the two and said, "So, what do you think of this play?"

They were his best friends, so naturally Zhao Fusheng cared about their views on Soldiers' Sortie.

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng and shrugged: "The play is a front. I think you want to turn it into a TV series, right?"

It had to be said that Old Jiang's talent in this area was truly unmatched. He saw at once that Zhao Fusheng's interest was not in the play itself; the play was just a decoy to test market reaction. His real goal was the TV series.

Zhao Fusheng didn't hide it from him. He nodded and admitted directly, "That's right. The TV series project has been approved. All that's left is to start filming."

Then he looked at Jiang Wen: "Any suggestions?"

Jiang Wen thought for a moment and said to Zhao Fusheng, "My advice is that you should use all newcomers. I think that's the most suitable way to shoot this show."

"Newcomers?" Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then suddenly burst out laughing.

It had to be said that Old Jiang's words really struck a chord with him.

Relationships between people are often like this. The reason two people become friends might be inexplicable, perhaps starting over a dinner of drinks. But as time and various events test them, they eventually become friends and discover they are quite compatible.

The meaning of good friends is that you might only say the beginning, and they already understand the ending.

Just like Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen now. Although Zhao Fusheng hadn't said it outright, Jiang Wen already knew that Zhao Fusheng was asking for his thoughts on the show.

After all, Jiang Wen had deep expertise in both TV series and films, and he was also one of the people Zhao Fusheng trusted most.

Jiang Wen naturally understood this. He thought for a moment and was about to speak when Fan Baobao and a group of people approached from the other side. He immediately shut his mouth.

"Fusheng, I really have to thank you this time," Yang Lixin said, taking Zhao Fusheng's hand with a polite expression.

For him, this was not only the success of the play but also a confirmation that his earlier decision had been correct.

People, after all, no one dislikes success—even artists are the same. Who would hate the feeling of being praised?

Life at the People's Art Theatre had been tough, and as the head of the performance troupe, Yang Lixin was also very anxious.

But now, he found that some things seemed to be changeable.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "You're too kind, Teacher Yang. It's all thanks to the wonderful performances by the teachers at the People's Art Theatre."

Not taking credit, not being arrogant—at this moment, Zhao Fusheng's image was immensely noble.