From Becoming Penguin's Major Shareholder to Building an Entertainment Empire

Note that this book is a slow-burn novel, and it will become increasingly exciting as the story progresses.

It starts from 2002, beginning at the Beijing Film Academy, and starting with the H...

Chapter 337 Personal Connections

Wang Hui pulled Shen Fang to sit down and made him a cup of tea.

Shen Fang gave Shen Kun a wink, and Shen Kun handed over the prepared items: two packs of Lucky Strike cigarettes and a case of Bordeaux red wine.

"Principal Wang, this is Lucky Strike cigarettes from the United States, they're quite famous. And this is a Bordeaux from a private winery, I think the taste is alright, you should try it."

Wang Hui smiled and said, "If someone else had given it to me, I might not have accepted it. But since it's from you, I definitely want it. Thank you. Your teacher should also prepare one, otherwise he'll definitely make things difficult for you and be jealous of me if he finds out."

Shen Fang laughed heartily: "Principal Wang, I've already arranged Teacher Wang's share. I'll arrange it for him when he enrolls."

Wang Hui opened a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes.

"Oh, it's in a tin box."

He handed a book to Shen Fang.

"How much is a box of these? They don't look cheap."

Chen Fang lit a colorful smoke.

"I forgot, a friend gave it to me. By the way, Principal Wang, this time I'll ask someone to help my senior with the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Our school's honor wall should be added to it too."

Wang Hui's hand trembled upon hearing this: "What? Conquer the Oscars???"

Shen Fang nodded.

"It cost me a lot of money."

Wang Hui remained silent for a long time.

"Shen Fang, I don't even know what to say about you."

Shen Fang exhaled a smoke ring.

“Wang Xiao, you’re an academic, so you should have your own views on these awards. Good works can win awards based on their merits, but the Oscars are commercial awards, controlled by Americans, and the US is a discriminatory country. You’ve seen the quality of Hero, so where is its merit to win the award? But if I don’t spend money and do public relations, Hero will definitely fail. Actually, it’s the same in China. No matter how well it’s made, what’s the use if you don’t promote it and wait for the movie to slowly spread its word? By the time everyone thinks it’s a good movie and wants to see it, the movie will have already left theaters.”

"Of course, I also have my own principles. I'm willing to spend a lot of money on public relations and promotion for good works, but I won't exaggerate the promotion or fool the audience for bad works."

Wang Hui nodded.

“You run a media company, so you have your own way of doing things. But let me just say this: you can’t let money turn the art of film into a weapon to fool the audience.”

Shen Fang smiled and said, "Principal, please rest assured, I won't be so shameless."

Wang Hui nodded.

"Tell me about the Three Kingdoms and the Ambush from Ten Sides."

"I'm planning to make a film about Zhao Zilong from the Three Kingdoms period, portraying him as an invincible war god. I'm a huge fan of the Three Kingdoms and Zhao Zilong, who is full of personal heroism. In our Chinese history, Zhao Zilong is also famous for his loyalty to the emperor, his noble character, his superb martial arts, and his handsome appearance. From any point of view, he is a true hero. It would be much better than making films about Guan Yu, Lü Bu, Liu Bei, or Cao Cao, and there would be much less controversy."

Wang Hui nodded.

"If you're going to make a film about Zhao Yun, you have to make a film about the Battle of Changban. This battle was the beginning of Zhao Zilong's legendary status."

Shen Fang gave a thumbs up: "That's the same idea. We should make the scene as big as possible and do it all for real. It would be best to use soldiers from the military region to participate in the filming. Commander Wang, you'll have to give us your support."

Wang Hui didn't frown upon hearing this: "Is that really necessary?"

"Yes, the soldiers of the Three Kingdoms period were known for their bravery and courage. Moreover, I'm planning to make this a series. If we don't shoot the first arrow, we won't be able to make any sequels. It'll be big-budget and high-class. Hero is very popular now, so we should strike while the iron is hot and make another large-scale historical epic to maintain our position. Bad movies are not an option. This time, the investment is 50 million US dollars, which is 20 million US dollars more than Hero. President Wang will need a lot of professional talent. I hope you will support us."

"50 million US dollars??? Playing that big?" Wang Hui's mouth dropped open.

"Don't worry, the heroes have won one battle after another. The global box office is almost 900 million RMB, and the final box office is estimated to reach more than 1.5 billion RMB. Let's keep up the good work. Now that the commercial films have been successful, we need to strike while the iron is hot and make a few more masterpieces."

Wang Hui nodded: "Okay, I understand. I'll do my best to help if needed."

"Thank you, Principal Wang."

Wang Hui waved his hand: "Shen Fang, you know our school. Senior students in the directing department need to intern with film crews. You see..."

"No problem, Principal Wang. Just let me know how many people want to go, and I'll arrange it for them."

Wang Hui nodded happily.

“They’re going, and you don’t need to pay them. Just provide them with meals and lodging. You can give them any dirty or hard work. I thank you on their behalf.”

Shen Fang waved his hand: "Principal Wang, you are too kind. As a member of Beijing Film Academy, it is only right for me to help my fellow alumni."

Wang Hui patted Shen Fang on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Okay, okay, okay."

"By the way, Principal Wang, I have something else to tell you. Xixi and I are going to take a long leave to film a TV series."

Wang Hui glanced at Chen Fang.

"Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils?"

Shen Fang laughed: "You know about this?"

Wang Hui rolled his eyes at Chen Fang.

“Zhang Jizhong went around publicizing that the actress he chose was a beauty that comes along only once in a millennium, praising Liu Tianxian to the skies, and talking about how much investment he made and how he planned to film it. This was all over the newspapers and media, how could I not know?”

Shen Fang chuckled and said, "This bearded man loves to pull this kind of stunt."

Wang Hui sighed: "It's true that you should become famous as early as possible, and you have the resources to promote her. But Shen Fang, while Qianqian has good potential, she's still too inexperienced. Haven't you considered what might happen if you promote her too much...?"

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