Chapter 0865 Little Schemes

In truth, Jiang Wen had no choice. Making a film was not much different from doing business. For a director, asking an exorbitant price was their job, while for an investor, bargaining hard was their trump card.

Under normal circumstances, if Jiang Wen were making a film for someone else, Zhao Fusheng would support him without a second thought. Not only would he give him ten million, but he would even help him come up with ideas to secure more funding for the shoot.

But the problem now was that Jiang Wen intended to have Phoenix Films invest.

In other words, the money would come out of their own pockets, so Zhao Fusheng naturally couldn't allow him to waste it.

One's position determines one's perspective. No matter the matter, if you want to see clearly how a person operates, just put yourself in their shoes and consider their starting point, and you'll understand what they will do.

Take Zhao Fusheng now, for example. As a member of the investor side, he would not allow Jiang Wen to casually spend tens of millions to shoot a film like *The Missing Gun*.

"At most five million, and it has to be funded by three companies together." Zhao Fusheng held up his fingers to Jiang Wen and said flatly.

Jiang Wen frowned: "Five million, and three companies?"

Clearly, he was very dissatisfied with the conditions Zhao Fusheng had laid out—in fact, extremely dissatisfied.

After all, he was a prestigious Best Actor, and Lu Chuan, though a newcomer, was no pushover either, with his father's connections backing him. To give only five million in shooting funds—Zhao Fusheng was practically the epitome of stinginess.

Glancing at him, Zhao Fusheng said irritably, "Phoenix Films will put up a portion. I can persuade Future Films to chip in some, and the rest will naturally come from Huayi. Old Jiang, after all, your contract is still with Huayi. Unless you plan to leave later, there's no need to sour relations with them."

Jiang Wen fell silent. His relationship with Huayi was complicated. His management contract was with Huayi, but it was about to expire. The Wang brothers wanted to renew, but Jiang Wen wasn't considering it.

He had signed with Huayi back then to support a friend. When Huayi started making films in 1998, they had no notable stars under their wing. Jiang Wen's joining gave them some prestige.

Now, Huayi was a powerhouse in the domestic film and TV circle. Even Wang Jinghua, that woman, had begun to disregard Zhao Fusheng, breaking their earlier agreement and treating Fan Baobao perfunctorily. This showed just how formidable Huayi was in the private film and TV circle at the moment.

So Old Jiang's thinking was simple: after *The Missing Gun* wrapped up, he planned to leave Huayi.

He had never told anyone about this, but unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng had seen through it.

Zhao Fusheng hadn't seen through it by observation; he guessed based on his memory. After all, in his memory, Jiang Wen seemed to have parted ways with Huayi later. Though this was normal in the entertainment circle, for Zhao Fusheng, it was a good opportunity.

"Alright, you're right. Part on good terms." Jiang Wen was silent for a moment, then suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. He knew that this guy Jiang Wen must have already planned to leave Huayi.

But since Jiang Wen was still with Huayi, he naturally couldn't recruit him outright. The Wang brothers and Jiang Wen had a decent friendship, and saying certain things too eagerly would be beneath him.

"But speaking of which, do you think the script is good?" Jiang Wen quickly shifted the topic to the script and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Pretty good. If done well, I think it can make money."

Hearing this, Jiang Wen's eyes lit up. He hadn't been having an easy time lately. Directing *Devils on the Doorstep* had nearly cost Huayi tens of millions, and if Zhao Fusheng hadn't suggested sending it abroad for exhibition and selling the overseas distribution rights, they might not have even recouped the costs. As an actor, he had starred in that *Warriors of Heaven and Earth*, which was released during the Spring Festival and got panned.

Plus, he had been trading barbs with a certain big director in the circle recently, and for a time, Old Jiang had hit a low point in his life.

Now, Zhao Fusheng telling him that the script for *The Missing Gun* was good and could even make money made Jiang Wen's heart stir.

"As for the investment, you can discuss it further with Ye Jing. I think it's no big deal." Zhao Fusheng glanced at Jiang Wen and said slowly.

Jiang Wen nodded. He knew that this matter had to be communicated to Ye Jing and Yu Feihong. After all, the company wasn't just his and Zhao Fusheng's. According to the rules set earlier, at least three of the four partners had to agree.

"Then you handle your company's side," Jiang Wen said after thinking.

Zhao Fusheng immediately said no problem. He would personally convince Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie at Future Films.

For him, this was completely effortless. After all, Future Films wasn't the main investor. With Huayi Brothers leading the way, both Future Films and Phoenix Entertainment were just throwing in a bit of money as bit players.

It's often said that self-knowledge is valuable, and that's true. At least, in Zhao Fusheng's view, although the current film and TV circle wasn't as entertainment-oriented as in his previous life, it still wasn't a place where he and Future Films could easily play around.

Making money quietly—that was Zhao Fusheng's plan.

After parting with Old Jiang, Zhao Fusheng didn't go home but drove straight to the company.

"Why are you here again?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng appear at her office door, Dong Chenxi asked in surprise.

"Looks like you're not very welcoming," Zhao Fusheng said with a chuckle, not standing on ceremony, and walked over to sit on the sofa. Since they knew each other well, he was always casual.

Dong Chenxi was completely speechless at this habit of Zhao Fusheng's. She put down the documents in her hand, walked over to sit opposite him, and frowned: "What's up now?"

In her view, Zhao Fusheng never came to the temple without a reason. If he was here to see her today, there must be something.

Zhao Fusheng didn't waste words either. He nodded and said, "Today Jiang Wen came to me. He has a script..."

He went on at length, explaining the situation with *The Missing Gun*, and finally spread his hands: "That's how it stands. If you're interested, we'll invest some money. If not, I'll tell him to figure it out himself."

"Hey, hey, figure out what? Interested, of course I'm interested!" Dong Chenxi quickly stopped Zhao Fusheng, her eyes practically sparkling: "Are you saying that Teacher Jiang Wen is very optimistic about this film?"

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and nodded: "You could say that."

"Then let's invest." Dong Chenxi nodded and made the decision directly.