Chapter 1894: Troubles

The things of this world, when put simply, are really very simple. Sometimes, just a heartfelt word can touch the softest place in someone's soul.

Jiang Wen was like that. When he learned that Zhao Fusheng had specifically instructed Ye Jing not to interfere with the film's production and to leave everything to him, he was deeply moved.

People have different levels of needs. When a person lacks food and clothing, only those with strong principles can afford to care about face and dignity.

Ordinary people generally don't have such thoughts.

Survival is human nature.

At Jiang Wen's level, what he cares about more is respect and trust.

Just like now, Zhao Fusheng's specific instructions to Ye Jing were, for him, a form of respect and trust.

Although in fact, given Jiang Wen's personality, even if Zhao Fusheng hadn't said anything, he would have firmly held the initiative on the set. But Zhao Fusheng saying it or not saying it were two different concepts.

Life in this world is inherently full of inequalities. When two people stand there doing something, before they even speak, the better-looking one always makes people feel pleased, while the uglier one naturally makes people unconsciously annoyed.

This isn't about looking down on people; it's an instinctive reaction.

The same goes for choosing a wife or a husband.

Good looks sell.

By the same token, a friend who knows how to handle people can make others feel more comfortable than those so-called outspoken friends.

Of course, that's not to say outspokenness is bad, but comparatively, people who know how to speak and act are more popular.

Especially for someone with Jiang Wen's temperament, Zhao Fusheng's approach, without exaggeration, truly moved him.

"You must make a great film."

Ye Jing said to Jiang Wen.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Jiang Wen nodded and said no more.

At his level, if he still lacked confidence in his directing skills, he wouldn't have lasted this long.

A great director's confidence lies in being able to make any film look like a blockbuster.

The prerequisite is that you're willing to spend money.

...

...

Zhao Fusheng was undoubtedly willing to spend money, so he gave Jiang Wen an investment of 150 million.

Not only because he and Jiang Wen were friends, but also because Zhao Fusheng believed that even if history changed a bit, good things would still shine through—gold shines, and so do good films.

Zhao Fusheng didn't attend the opening ceremony; it was full of reporters, and he still didn't like that kind of atmosphere.

"You're so lazy."

Fan Baobao sat on the sofa and asked Zhao Fusheng speechlessly.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I've done everything that needs to be done. What's the use of me going?"

That was his honest opinion. The preparations were mostly complete, the crew was assembled, and whether the boss attended the opening ceremony really didn't matter.

What mattered was ensuring the smooth production of the entire crew.

Zhao Fusheng didn't like failure, especially for projects he personally oversaw; failure was not an option.

"By the way, Zhou Yun and I plan to visit the set in Western Sichuan in a while. Do you want to come?" Fan Baobao remembered something and casually asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng's expression changed slightly, but he tried not to let Fan Baobao notice anything unusual. He smiled and said, "How about we wait until after May? I still have some company matters to handle. I'll go with you then, okay?"

Fan Baobao was taken aback. Although she found Zhao Fusheng's reaction a bit strange, she nodded and agreed.

Watching Fan Baobao return to the room to rest, Zhao Fusheng let out a long sigh.

Only then did he realize that the time for that incident was drawing closer.

As a Chinese person, Zhao Fusheng didn't want to see tragedy happen, but the problem was that he could do very little, so he could only try his best to help his fellow countrymen in his own way.

For now, all he could do was pray that his small butterfly effect could change something.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng took out his phone and dialed Sister Feihong's number.

"What made you think to call me?"

Yu Feihong was a bit surprised. If she remembered correctly, today was the start of filming for *Let the Bullets Fly*. Zhao Fusheng calling her was quite unexpected.

"Nothing much. I was chatting with Fan Baobao about school matters. We've built quite a few schools in Western Sichuan, haven't we?"

"Of course."

Hearing Zhao Fusheng ask about this, Yu Feihong smiled and said, "Over the years, we've built more than two hundred Hope Primary Schools. In the entire Southwest region, no one has built more than us."

This was what she was most proud of. Over the years, she had campaigned and appealed, and finally accomplished this task.

For Yu Feihong, ever since Zhao Fusheng talked with her about philanthropy, she had devoted all her energy to it, and until now, she had lived up to expectations.

In the blink of an eye, many years had passed.

"Very good."

Zhao Fusheng nodded, very satisfied: "No quality issues?"

"Don't worry about that. For every school, we had someone specifically responsible for inspection and acceptance."

Zheng Yao explained to Zhao Fusheng: "As you said before, this is very important."

"That's good."

Zhao Fusheng nodded in satisfaction. He knew Yu Feihong's work style well.

As a woman, Yu Feihong's greatest strength was her meticulousness. She might not do things quickly, but she was certainly thorough, never missing any detail.

"What, do you want to go see them?"

Yu Feihong asked Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

She thought Zhao Fusheng was planning to visit those schools.

"No, that's not necessary." Zhao Fusheng shook his head in denial. "I just remembered this matter. Old Jiang and his team are going to Western Sichuan to shoot exterior scenes. If you have time, you can get together."

Yu Feihong laughed: "Got it, don't worry."

After hanging up, Zhao Fusheng frowned deeply, thinking about how to get Jiang Wen, Yu Feihong, and the others to come to the capital from Western Sichuan when that incident occurred.

"Maybe celebrate Mom's birthday?"

Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself, then shook his head helplessly.

It seemed that was the only option.

...

...

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed in April.

The *Bullet* crew officially set off for Western Sichuan, while in the capital, Zhao Fusheng was actually free.

Not that he wasn't busy, but since the subsidiaries had general managers and management, as the big boss, he mostly just reviewed documents and gave broad directional instructions.

Whether to be hands-on depends on the perspective. At least in business, being hands-on during the startup phase is fine, but once the company is on track, it's better to trust the people below and delegate tasks to them.

Why did Zhuge Liang die young? Largely because he didn't trust his subordinates, handling even the smallest matters himself, exhausting his mind and body—no wonder he fell ill from overwork.

What are subordinates for?

They are meant to handle affairs. If the superior has to do everything, what's the point of having subordinates?

Whether it was Future Technology or Future Investment, Zhao Fusheng only gave broad directional suggestions and instructions. He didn't interfere with the specific execution or how to achieve the goals.

Those were matters for Dong Chenxi and Dong Guoxiang to consider.

Of course, they wouldn't let Zhao Fusheng down; otherwise, they wouldn't have come this far over the years.

Strive to be a good commander.

That was how Zhao Fusheng defined himself.

"You really don't need to go with the crew?"

Sitting in Zhao Fusheng's office, Zheng Yao asked with some confusion: "I originally thought you might go with the crew."

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Old Jiang is the director and screenwriter, and with three Best Actors, they don't need me at all."

Then he glanced at Zheng Yao: "What, you're that unwilling to have me stay in the capital?"

This was naturally a joke. Zheng Yao was the CEO of Future Group and one of Zhao Fusheng's most trusted people. Their relationship couldn't be separated by a few jokes.

Zheng Yao chuckled, completely ignoring Zhao Fusheng's teasing, and said on her own: "Dong Guoxiang called me. There are still hidden risks in the cooperation with Tencent Technology."

Zhao Fusheng knew what she meant. Tencent Technology's approach had always been to copy; whenever a popular game or software emerged, Tencent would develop a similar one.

Now that Future Technology's games were a hit, even though they were cooperating, Zhao Fusheng would be lying if he said he didn't think Tencent had other ideas.

Although Ma Huateng was low-key, he was no saint. He wouldn't pass up a money-making opportunity just because Zhao Fusheng was a wealthy man and a shareholder of Tencent Technology.

With that in mind, Zhao Fusheng looked at Zheng Yao: "What do you think?"

"I think maybe we could support Future Technology in developing a new instant messaging software," Zheng Yao said after thinking for a moment.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "It's difficult."

That was the truth. At the time, Tencent's QQ was the most active software in China. Surpassing them was no easy task.

Moreover, people are creatures of habit. They stick with the software they're used to. Many people had used QQ for over a decade, and getting them to change their habits was not simple.

"Then what do we do?"

Zheng Yao frowned slightly, looking at Zhao Fusheng in confusion.

Clearly, she had guessed that Zhao Fusheng must have a decision in mind to say this to her.