Chapter 1267: Making a Movie

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat baffled by the interaction between Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen.

He couldn't quite understand what the two of them were hinting at.

"What are you two up to?" Zhao Fusheng asked curiously.

Jiang Wen chuckled: "Fusheng, what do you think—if we turned this into a script and put it on the big screen, would it sell?"

Yu Feihong added from the side: "A TV series might be tough, but as a movie, I think it shouldn't be a problem. And the relevant authorities will probably give it strong support."

As professionals, they naturally saw things more clearly than Zhao Fusheng. While Zhao Fusheng considered the case closed, Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong saw a different opportunity within it.

After hearing them out, Zhao Fusheng sat there in silence for a long time. Finally, he looked up at Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong: "You mean to write this as a movie script and film it?"

Jiang Wen nodded solemnly: "Regardless, I think your senior's story—and even Wang Zhen's and yours—moves us. After all, in this day and age, people like you are becoming rarer."

Zhao Fusheng remained silent.

He knew Jiang Wen was telling the truth. Though he wasn't familiar with that senior, Zhao Fusheng felt that his deeds should be known by more people.

Some people and some things should not be buried in the dust of history.

"Investment won't be a big issue. I'll write the script, and I happen to be free to direct," Jiang Wen said earnestly. "As for the cast, we can get recommendations from Huayi and Xinbaoyuan. They have plenty of young male actors waiting for a break. We'll make them sponsor the film—no sponsorship, no role. China Film Group will probably support it too, since it promotes positive energy."

Clearly, though the idea had come to him on a whim, upon further thought, he had actually figured out a viable path.

Lowering his head in thought, Zhao Fusheng said: "In principle, I have no objections. But you'll need to discuss the specifics with Ye Jing when you get back to the capital."

Jiang Wen nodded: "Got it. Don't worry about it."

Yu Feihong blinked: "What about me? What about me?"

Clearly, she felt she should have a role to play.

Zhao Fusheng suddenly felt playful and chuckled: "Sis, don't forget, there aren't any major female roles in this story. What do you think you can do? You can't really play a kind-hearted person, can you?"

Yu Feihong rolled her eyes. After thinking it over, she realized Zhao Fusheng was right. The entire incident had no significant female characters. If it were as Zhao Fusheng said, she would indeed have no place to use her talents.

With that thought, Yu Feihong turned her gaze to Jiang Wen.

"What do you mean?" Jiang Wen asked, bewildered. He felt the temperature in the room drop and said to Yu Feihong oddly: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Yu Feihong grinned: "Actually, I think if you write this script, the director scouting locations could easily be changed to a female role. What do you think?"

"Huh?"

Old Jiang suddenly felt terrible. So Yu Feihong wanted him to write her into the script as her own role.

"Then what about me?" Jiang Wen blinked, looking utterly confused.

"You're the screenwriter and director—you shouldn't meddle in this, right?" Yu Feihong said matter-of-factly.

Then she turned to Zhao Fusheng: "Fusheng, what do you think?"

Zhao Fusheng blinked. Though he wanted to say it wasn't appropriate, seeing Feihong's expression, he knew that if he uttered a single word of dissent, she might go all out. For the sake of his future happiness, Zhao Fusheng decisively abandoned Old Jiang. After all, better him than me—let Jiang Wen deal with the headache.

"Old Jiang, I think my sister is right. As a director, why do you have to act in the film? We're all young people—don't overthink it," Zhao Fusheng said to Jiang Wen with a feigned honest look.

Jiang Wen was speechless. He shot Zhao Fusheng a hard glare, clearly seeing that the guy had chosen to follow his heart just to avoid trouble with Yu Feihong.

But on second thought, Jiang Wen did feel that Yu Feihong had a point. After all, serving as both director and screenwriter, he was stretched too thin, especially since this film was a commercial one that needed to consider market appeal. Without a standout female role, it wouldn't be suitable.

After thinking it over, Jiang Wen said to Yu Feihong, "In that case, I'll agree to it."

After all, good things shouldn't go to outsiders. He was quite at ease giving this role to Yu Feihong.

Yu Feihong was naturally delighted. No TV actor doesn't want to act in films, because compared to film actors, TV actors' acting skills have always been criticized.

The two of them discussed the script and the role, and what Zhao Fusheng had said earlier was no longer on anyone's mind.

Zhao Fusheng was happy to have it that way.

…

…

Turning around, the negotiation team dispatched by Zheng Yao finally arrived in Dongyang City. The leader was named Liu Ming, the deputy director of the Strategic Planning Department of Future Group.

"Chairman." Liu Ming naturally recognized Zhao Fusheng. Although Zhao Fusheng was mysterious in the eyes of ordinary employees, he had never considered keeping his identity secret from middle and senior management.

"Mm, you've worked hard." Zhao Fusheng said to Liu Ming.

"Here are some materials on Dongyang City." Liu Ming handed a document to Zhao Fusheng, and while Zhao Fusheng was reading it, continued, "According to our information, Beitong County and even the entire Dongyang City are in urgent need of attention from investors. The main leaders of the Dongyang Municipal Party Committee and Government have taken office in the past two years. They hope to gain political achievements by improving Dongyang's economic development. In other words, if our Future Group chooses to invest in Dongyang City now, we will receive strong policy support."

"What does this mean?" Zhao Fusheng frowned. "Do you mean we need to adopt some strategies?"

Liu Ming nodded: "Simply put, we calculated that if we follow your suggestion, we would first need to build a road before starting the processing and operation of mountain products. Our Strategic Planning Department believes that this approach is somewhat risky, the investment is too large, and it's completely unnecessary."

Although reluctant to admit it, Zhao Fusheng had to say that their analysis was very correct.

"Then what should we do?"

Since he didn't understand, Zhao Fusheng was still eager to learn.

"Just create an environment where they have no choice but to build the road." Liu Ming explained to Zhao Fusheng. "In short, it's bar marketing."

Bar marketing?

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly. He felt something was off.

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's expression, Liu Ming smiled and explained: "Here's an analogy: a man brings a dog into a bar, leaves temporarily, and entrusts the dog to the bartender. Then another person enters the bar, acts as if he's discovered a treasure, and starts offering money to buy the dog, eventually offering a very high price. But since the dog isn't his, the bartender naturally refuses. The buyer then leaves his phone number and goes away. Later, the dog's owner returns, and the bartender tries to persuade him to sell the dog. The owner is convinced and sells the dog to the bartender at a reasonable price before leaving. But when the bartender tries to contact the previous buyer, he finds he can't reach him..."

"Isn't this fraud?" Zhao Fusheng was speechless, looking at Liu Ming in surprise.

After listening for a while, he finally understood. This was exactly the kind of fraud that had been rampant in many places in China, like someone suddenly winning a prize from a soda can on a train or bus, using the same routine.

Could business be done this way?

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's displeased expression, Liu Ming knew his boss was probably thinking of something else. He quickly explained: "Chairman, we don't intend to commit fraud. We just want to paint a picture for the Dongyang Municipal Party Committee and Government and the Beitong County Party Committee and Government, making them understand that once this road is built, we will invest and carry out projects. Conversely, if they don't take the initiative to build the road, then unfortunately, our Future Group will not take the risk to do this."

Zhao Fusheng finally understood. It turned out that his previous idea was not the correct approach in the eyes of these Strategic Planning Department people.

"So, you don't think highly of my previous plan?" Thinking this, Zhao Fusheng asked.

Liu Ming shook his head: "It's not that we don't think highly of it. According to what you said, we calculated that if the domestic e-commerce market continues to develop, the courier business will also grow significantly. Including mountain products, even many household items will be traded online. This is a huge market. But the problem is that Beitong County has special circumstances—poor transportation. If we want to ship products out, our costs are too high. So building this road is imperative."

"In that case, we need to consider how high the cost of building the road is. With the current strength of the group, building this road alone is undoubtedly uneconomical. Having the government fund it is the most appropriate."

After finishing his lengthy explanation, Liu Ming looked at Zhao Fusheng, clearly waiting for his decision.

After all, he was just an employee. No matter how eloquently he spoke, the real power to decide lay with the boss. Zheng Yao had already instructed him on this before he came.

Present the facts and reasoning clearly before Zhao Fusheng; the rest was for Zhao Fusheng, as chairman, to worry about.