Chapter 292 Doing Whatever You Want: This is the true master of "drawing a pie in the sky." ...
Entering the 1980s, life at both Feiyan Factory No. 1 and Feiyan Factory No. 2 underwent tremendous changes. In fact, for the workers, the biggest change was in monthly bonuses and year-end bonuses.
Monthly bonuses have become the norm. Many factories set up bonuses to encourage outstanding employees each month. In addition to bonuses, the most important thing is the "TV ticket". Only those who are recognized as outstanding employees in the factory can get the TV ticket.
An ordinary textile worker, including bonuses, overtime pay, and piece-rate fees for outsourced orders, can earn twice as much annually as a worker with the same length of service in another factory.
Many workers at Feiyan Textile Factory earn over 100 yuan a month, or even 200 or 300 yuan.
Of course, this is relatively rare nationwide, but not uncommon in the southeastern coastal region. More and more contract manufacturing plants are emerging in the Pearl River Delta, where workers earn higher wages than those in state-owned factories. However, these contract manufacturing plants are mostly located in coastal areas. Only cities near ports can handle contract manufacturing orders.
With improved performance at Feiyan No. 2 Factory, there was ample funding for housing construction. Outstanding employees were allocated apartments in the workers' new village, and these apartments now had independent kitchens and bathrooms, a far cry from the old-style public housing.
"We have black and white TVs now, when will we be able to use color TVs in the future?"
Qin Xiangxiang stayed at home. After finishing reading "Echoes of Spruce," she was also pondering the word "philosophy."
Human existence implies "desire," and desires are endless. Once a good life is achieved, one wants an even better one. Humans are always pursuing something better, climbing one mountain only to chase after another.
“Who would have thought that ten years ago, my desire was to divorce Li Jianzhi and have him send me money every month to support me… I would have been very satisfied if he sent me fifty yuan every month.”
“He went home to visit his family and told me he wanted a divorce. He even offered to send me money. At that time, I thought he was the best man in the world.”
Li Jianzhi: "..."
"People's joys and sorrows are not shared, you stinky wife."
Qin Xiangxiang: "Now I feel that your health is more important than money."
Should I thank you for your compliment?
"It's so cold outside, I want to snuggle up in your arms and read a novel."
Qin Xiangxiang patted the back of the black and white television. Amidst the couple's conversation, the static on the screen gradually stabilized, forming a stable picture.
"The TV program... is actually showing 'The Blue Sea and the Silver Shuttle'... I'll cut it off, turn off the TV, I'm not watching it anymore."
Li Jianzhi turned the TV back on. "Look, let's keep watching and let the kids see what their mother looked like when she made the movie."
Qin Xiangxiang: "Aww! How did I even survive all these years?!"
"Mom, the radio is telling the story of 'Director Qin'."
Qin Xiangxiang was on the verge of tears: "Can't TV or radio stations come up with something new?"
These things were like publicly torturing her, a nobody, time and time again.
Li Xiaopang: "Mom, the teachers at our school require every middle school student to read 'Echoes of Spruce'."
“Our Chinese teacher said that a literary prize is about to be established, and this book, ‘Echoes of Spruce,’ may be eligible for it.”
Li Jianzhi: "Then you can take your sister to see more of these things. Maybe in the future, they'll take a section from the Chinese exam and give it to you for reading comprehension."
"It could also be a college entrance exam essay!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
This world is truly absurd.
"Brother Qidong, is that story you told about the 'thousand-year-old female corpse' who taught me martial arts true? I need that kind of inspiration!"
Director Mao Shan is preparing a film called "Mr. Vampire". He really wants to break the curse that zombie films always lose money, but he hasn't had a good idea yet. He hasn't figured out how to make the movie so that the audience will like it.
Horror movies can stimulate people's senses, and everyone likes stories of cause and effect, where good people are rewarded and bad people are punished... However, if it's just these elements, the audience may not necessarily buy it.
In the end, it became a third-rate film and failed to gain any box office revenue.
So Mao Shan decided to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless. He wanted to come to the mainland to meet this "Factory Director Qin" and learn some details about Mawangdui and the thousand-year-old incorruptible female corpse, hoping to find his muse.
Fortunately, this Factory Director Qin is in Shanghai, so I can go there directly; the transportation is relatively convenient.
Mao Shan, accompanied by several key members of the production team, arrived at Feiyan No. 2 Film Studio in Shanghai and explained their purpose.
"Director Qin, I've read many of your novels and stories, and I hope to hear more specific details from you, such as what exactly happened when you went to Mawangdui?"
When Qin Xiangxiang saw the thatched tree and learned that the other party was going to shoot a "zombie movie", she was dumbfounded.
"You Hong Kong people actually make movies like this? Zombies? Zombies?"
Qin Xiangxiang originally thought that "A Pair of Embroidered Shoes" was terrifying enough, but these overseas ones were simply outrageous.
Of course, she was also a little curious.
"Director Qin, we're not here to promote feudal superstition. We're here to dispel feudal superstition and create film stories that everyone enjoys. We hope to receive your guidance."
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
"Director Qin, could you please take a look at our movie script and offer some suggestions on the details?"
Qin Xiangxiang was being stared at by Mao Shan and couldn't bring herself to refuse directly. This time, Mao Shan was also well-prepared, saying he wanted to donate video recorders to their factory and also brought a lot of movie videotapes.
He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding; he who takes another's money is obligated to do his bidding.
Secretary Li and others stood guard nearby, their eager expressions suggesting they were itching to "betray the factory director for personal gain" at any moment.
"This is a director from Hong Kong."
"So many movie videotapes, martial arts movies! Martial arts movies! Can our factory show movies in the canteen?"
"Can people from our factory... appear in movies? Many people from Feiyan No. 1 Factory have acted in movies."
"Is this a zombie movie? Are you going to play a zombie? Or a dead person?"
...
Under Mao Shan's watchful gaze, Qin Xiangxiang finished reading the entire movie script. She was drenched in sweat. Why did she always have to look at these scary things in Feiyan No. 2 Factory, this old and antique factory that had been passed down from the Republican era?
"Director Mao... this script of yours is really scary."
Mao Shan: "Our movie is Mr. Zombie, so of course it has to be scary. Many people watch this kind of movie to seek thrills."
Qin Xiangxiang: "But many people can't accept horror. It's too scary. Some parts make me feel disgusted."
Mao Shan: "...You're really outspoken. Does that mean zombie movies will always flop?"
Qin Xiangxiang said, "Can't you guys make some fun zombie movies? For example, one moment the scene is terrifying, and then suddenly it turns into a comedy that makes people laugh."
"Make people laugh? A horror movie makes people laugh?" A sudden thought flashed through Mao Shan's mind.
Qin Xiangxiang said, "Take this zombie for example. Its limbs are stiff, and despite its terrifying appearance, it does some really stupid things. How about we make a cute little zombie? That would be a good zombie!"
Qin Xiangxiang tried hard to clear her mind of those terrifying scenes and images, striving to make the story more heartwarming.
This time, she didn't want to go home and have nightmares again.
"Zombie movies, comedy movies... zombie comedy movies?" Mao Shan's eyes lit up. In the past, no one had ever thought of linking zombie movies with comedy.
However, this seems like a good idea.
"Okay, from today onwards, we'll rename our movie 'Mr. Vampire' to 'Mr. Vampire: Funny Moments'."
Qin Xiangxiang stared in disbelief: "..."
Secretary Li and the others were also dumbfounded: "????!!!"
Is it really possible to change a movie's name so arbitrarily? In China, movies, from project approval to filming... all have to go through censorship and must have positive values and educational significance.
As a result, this guy not only made a zombie movie, but also called it "Mr. Zombie's Comedy".
"Director Mao, aren't you being a bit too casual? Just because you changed the name, does that mean you have to rewrite the entire script?"
Mao Shan: "Of course, but the script doesn't matter, and it doesn't matter if there's no script either."
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
Wow, you guys do whatever you want, whether it's making movies or doing business... Qin Xiangxiang used to think she was running a textile factory with her feet, but now it seems she was quite serious.
We should learn from this carefree attitude—in fact, she was quite carefree in the past.
"Director Qin, I see that your factory is... a textile factory? Could you sponsor a batch of costumes for our film crew? I'll consider this as an investment in your factory, and when the box office revenue comes in, I'll consider it as your factory's profit sharing. This can be converted into about five percent of a stock investment."
"In addition, since your core suggestion was adopted, I will personally take two percent of my director's share as your creative share."
Mao Shan was excited at this moment. He had many ideas in his mind. He was also grateful to Qin Xiangxiang for giving him inspiration. Although it had not been verified yet, he was confident that if he could combine zombie movies and comedy, it would definitely be a box office hit and a pioneering achievement.
In addition, the total production cost of the film was around HK$700,000 to HK$800,000. Mao Shan worked hard to attract a lot of investment, but—he cut corners wherever possible, using resources wisely. Costumes were cheaper to make in mainland China, and since they were already there…
"If this movie loses money, I accept it; if it makes money, we'll split the profits!"
Mao Shan offered a separate 2% profit share, which was quite generous. He knew that if the company really made money, there would be some money that wasn't rightfully his, and he couldn't take it.
Qin Xiangxiang: "..."
I've learned something new; this is a true expert at "drawing empty promises."
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