The Wind of China Entertainment 2005

Chapter 661 Epilogue
Lu Yuan didn't want to go, but under the insistence of Feng Xiaogang and Lao Zhao, he couldn't refuse.

"Shi Shi, come together." Old Zhao waved.

"Teacher Zhao, I won't go."

Liu Shishi declined, took the car keys, and habitually reminded: "Drink less, I'll go around and go back to the hotel later."

"Okay!" Lu Yuan agreed, gave her a dismissive look, and got into Lao Zhao's car.

Feng Xiaogang seemed to realize something and asked, "When did Shi Shi come here?"

"Just arrived this morning."

"Oh, it's my negligence." Feng Xiaogang slapped his forehead and said apologetically, "I'm sorry to bother you two."

"Don't bother me, it's nothing serious."

Liu Shishi waved her hand calmly, but in her heart she wanted to chop him into seven or eight pieces. I have been holding it in for almost two months just for tonight.

Soul pale!

Lu Yuan got on the car, and there were only two people in the back seat.

Feng Xiaogang lifted his butt and moved to the middle to make room for him.

A dark-skinned man in the driver's seat turned his head. He had small eyes, a big nose, and a thin and skinny body.

"Hello, Mr. Lu."

"Hello, hello." Lu Yuan responded politely, but he couldn't remember who the other person was, only had a vague impression of him.

Old Zhao is very good at this. He introduced the person: "This is my 32nd apprentice, Song Xiaobao."

After Xiao Shenyang became famous with the sketch "We're Not Short of Money", he received many endorsements and commercial performances, and his income skyrocketed.

According to the agency contract, Benshan Media would take 78%, which Xiao Shenyang was dissatisfied with, so he expressed his desire to start his own business.

Old Zhao was not easy to get along with either, and he limited his resources.

Not long after Xiao Shenyang rose to fame, his career began to go downhill.

Especially after starring in several low-quality works in succession, his popularity and popularity have been declining year by year.

After suppressing his disobedient apprentice, Lao Zhao decided to follow suit and try to create a second "Xiao Shenyang".

So I chose Song Xiaobao.

Old Zhao has high hopes for this apprentice.

Because Xiao Shenyang's performance style in the 09 Spring Festival Gala sketch "We're Not Short of Money" was actually an imitation of Song Xiaobao.

The most important thing is that he is more loyal than Xiao Shenyang.

Old Zhao sighed regretfully: "Originally, I planned to bring Xiaobao to the 12 Spring Festival Gala, but unfortunately the program was rejected by the director."

"Then we can bring him this year." Feng Xiaogang naturally took over the topic.

Lao Zhao smiled and shook his head: "I have retired for two years. That stage is too unfamiliar to me."

Before this, Lu Yuan was very confused and didn't understand the real intentions of these two people.

After all, Feng Xiaogang and Lao Zhao do not have a harmonious relationship.

"Assembly" won many awards a few years ago, and Lao Zhao's comedy films also won major awards.

Feng Xiaogang and Lao Zhao met on the award ceremony stage.

To thank Lao Zhao for providing apples and fertilizers when he was filming "Assembly".

Feng Xiaogang personally went to read the "award speech" to Lao Zhao.

Unexpectedly, he spoke without restraint and said something wrong, which made Lao Zhao's face turn black on the spot and he slapped him lightly.

Afterwards, Feng Xiaogang held a banquet to apologize.

At this moment, Feng Xiaogang's simple words made Lu Yuan suddenly realize the real purpose of their meeting tonight and his intention to invite him to dinner.

Spring Festival Gala.

Inside the box, Lu Yuan, Feng Xiaogang and Lao Zhao sat around a table in a subtle atmosphere.

Lu Yuan picked up the dishes nonchalantly.

"Tsk."

Feng Xiaogang grinned and took a sip of Maotai, frowning: "I have officially received the notice to serve as the chief director of this year's Spring Festival Gala."

"Wow, this should be the first time in the history of CCTV Spring Festival Gala that an external director is invited." Lu Yuan pretended to be amazed and raised his glass to congratulate: "Director Feng, congratulations!"

"What are you congratulating me for?" Feng Xiaogang grinned with a bitter expression.

"Everyone knows that the director of the Spring Festival Gala is a hot potato. Even a god will be scolded. CCTV is eager to hire an outside director. I was pushed out."

He knew long ago that organizing the Spring Festival Gala was no easy task.

However, after the appointment was officially issued, he realized that the difficulties were far beyond his imagination.

When I received the notice, I first praised him on the phone for his resilience, his ability to direct good films, and his enterprising spirit, which is a good thing.

Then he was reminded to go ahead with the transformation boldly and strive to give the 2014 Spring Festival Gala a brand new look that would satisfy the audience.

Unexpectedly, I received a reminder immediately after I ended the call.

First of all, don't be too self-centered and be careful with things that may hurt a certain group of people.

Secondly, how to choose actors to invite.

I received no less than ten similar calls, and each time I came up with something new.

This was a hundred times more troublesome than filming "1942".

Therefore, Feng Xiaogang could especially understand Ha Wen's difficulties, and he also completely realized that the explanation on the phone was equivalent to no explanation.

"My life is so difficult." Feng Xiaogang sighed.

Old Zhao leaned back in his chair, glanced at him, and said lazily, "Then you might as well just refuse. They can't force you to be a director."

Having said that, as a frequent guest of the Spring Festival Gala, he knew very well why CCTV chose Feng Xiaogang.

It is an indisputable fact that the ratings of the Spring Festival Gala have been declining year by year and have been criticized by more and more viewers.

Of course, the rapid development of the Internet era and the increase in entertainment channels for audiences are factors, but more important are the influence of other factors.

CCTV hopes to reform the Spring Festival Gala, and this idea came up a long time ago.

What to do? We can only rely on external forces.

There is a saying that goes, "Outsider monks are better at chanting sutras." To CCTV, Feng Xiaogang is ultimately just an outsider.

It would be fine if Feng Xiaogang did a good job.

If it is not done well, then it is Feng Xiaogang's own ability that has problems, and the audience can scold him if they want.

And in this process, if Feng Xiaogang offended anyone, I'm sorry, he has to bear the responsibility himself.

"Of course I wanted to refuse, but I really couldn't refuse." Feng Xiaogang swallowed the wine, looked worried, and spoke slowly.

"Last year, when I was filming 1942, I owed a friend a favor. We have been friends for many years. Long ago, when we were filming a movie, he even wrote a self-criticism to his superiors because of me. This time, he came to my house in person and asked me to direct the Spring Festival Gala. How could I refuse?"

Lu Yuan and Lao Zhao looked at each other and read similar views from each other's eyes.

Feng Xiaogang's words are half true and half false.

Human factors are certainly one aspect, but it is undeniable that he must have his own ambitions.

Zhang Yimou has been promoted to the level of "national master" for directing the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As a well-known director, Feng Xiaogang naturally also desires to obtain similar honors, stand on a bigger stage, and become a part of the national memory.

In the Chinese community, the Spring Festival Gala is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to bring such a sensational effect and long-term influence, so he decided to give it a try.

Therefore, the other party's purpose of meeting with Lao Zhao and inviting himself was obvious.

"This tofu stewed with grass carp tastes good." Lu Yuan picked up a piece of fish.

Lao Zhao introduced with a smile: "In our corner of Northeast China, it's called Demoli stewed fish."

"Demoli?"

"Yes, this is a Manchu word, meaning ferry."

"Try this, the pork slices."

The two of them were chatting about the dishes on the table, and Lao Zhao was talking eloquently and nonstop.

After Feng Xiaogang drank a few glasses of Moutai, he saw that they were deliberately not mentioning the Spring Festival Gala, so he had to speak with a hint of pleading in his tone.

"Old Zhao, how about bringing your apprentice to compete again this year?"

According to his plan, if the ratings of this year's Spring Festival Gala are to be raised, it must rely on the return of old viewers and the attraction of new viewers.

Among the elderly people, Lao Zhao is undoubtedly the most important one.

In the two years since he left the Spring Festival Gala, netizens have been calling for his return.

Because new sketches come out every year, the audience will compare them.

The final result showed that Lao Zhao was better and the new sketch lacked the same flavor as before.

As long as Lao Zhao is willing to go on stage again, there is no doubt that the ratings will rise.

As for newcomers, naturally, they would invite those popular stars to appear, and Lu Yuan is undoubtedly the best choice.

Lu Yuan's popularity is astonishing, he is very popular with the audience, and he has never participated in the Spring Festival Gala since he became famous.

If he can be convinced this time, it should not be a problem for the ratings of the Spring Festival Gala to increase by a few percentage points.

It's just that this person is difficult to invite. In recent years, the chief director of each Spring Festival Gala has tried to invite him, but has never succeeded.

Old Zhao smiled, but his attitude was firm: "Forget it. Even if I agree to your request, it will be useless. You must know that my skit has no educational significance and is not suitable for the Spring Festival Gala."

He paused, and said in an inexplicable tone: "I have always felt that the greatest significance of skits is to bring happiness to the audience. People who have been busy for a year come to relax and entertain themselves on the Spring Festival Gala."

"If skits on New Year's Eve are still to be treated as educational films, then skits have no meaning at all. The audience watches you to have fun, not to be taught a lesson. The audience is tired, and so am I."

Lao Zhao's refusal was so straightforward that it exceeded Feng Xiaogang's expectations.

He put down the wine glass he had just picked up and said, "Think about it again."

"I really can't do it. I don't have the passion to create now." Lao Zhao refused again.

Seeing that he insisted, Feng Xiaogang had to turn his gaze to the other person at the table.

Lu Yuan apologized and said, "I don't know how to do anything else except filming. What can I do if I go up there?"

If you go up, people will watch you. Feng Xiaogang roared in his heart, having already guessed that he would refuse: "Sing!"

"You've seen me sing in public a few times. I can't do it."

Feng Xiaogang still did not give up: "I will help you find the best sound engineer."

"Don't do that." Lu Yuan refused again: "I hate this kind of fake thing the most."

If he wanted to be on the Spring Festival Gala, he should have been on it in 08 when "The Disguiser" was a hit. Why would he have to wait until now?

The Spring Festival Gala didn’t add much to his career.

Feng Xiaogang pursed his lips. Both of them refused, which meant that his trip to Northeast China was in vain.

He couldn't force it yet.

Lao Zhao has expanded into multiple industries based on sketches. Now, together with Benshan Media and other companies, his net worth has reached tens of billions.

Although Lu Yuan started later, his business achievements are not bad at all.

Although Feng Xiaogang holds shares in Huayi, he is ultimately just an employee.

Identities are not equal.

Seeing him like this, Lao Zhao hesitated for a moment and suggested, "How about this, we both act as consultants."

"No problem!" Lu Yuan agreed after a little thought. He didn't need to be on the Spring Festival Gala, but the people around him did.

While Feng Xiaogang was drinking, he glanced at Lao Zhao inadvertently. Compared with Lu Yuan, he seemed to value the Spring Festival Gala more.

He is not qualified to be a consultant, he has to be the assistant director.

At the end of June, the filming of "The Cliff" came to an end.

After Sun Yuejian's successful rescue, the organization ended Zhou Yi's undercover mission ahead of schedule and allowed Zhou Yi to retreat to the Soviet Union with his wife and son.

Zhou Yi dismissed his nanny Liu Ma, withdrew a large sum of cash, and applied for two border passes.

All of this was seen by Lu Ming, who was insidious and had always been targeting Zhou Yi. Lu Ming reported the situation to Gao Bin.

Gao Bin planned to go to the train station to arrest Shasha in order to force Zhou Yi to show up, and Zhou Yi fell into the trap.

"Action!"

Lu Yuan smoked his last cigarette before being tied up and taken to the execution ground. The moment the prison door opened, the sunlight filled his face and he squinted.

Just like the darkness before dawn, those who hold on the edge of the cliff will eventually see the light of dawn.

There was heavy snow outside, falling on him, as if saying goodbye to Lu Yuan.

Walk up a flight of stairs from low to high, reach the end, and stop in front of a high red wall.

Snowflakes were floating in the sky and there was a thin layer of white on the ground. Lu Yuan was still wearing the black suit, which was a little wrinkled compared to before, and he stood there quietly.

In the last moment of his life, he looked up at the sky with a smile on his face.

This is Zhou Yi's own pride and self-confidence, and more importantly, his earnest hope and expectation for the world he is fighting for. The world he hopes for should be very different.

And such a world is right in front of us, not far away.

The three colors of black, white and red intertwined, causing a great visual impact to the heads of the four satellite TV stations standing behind the monitors.

Liu Ning, deputy director of Heilongjiang Satellite TV, originally wanted to find fault and did not want Zhou Yi to die.

Looking at this scene, we have to admit that Zhou Yi’s death may be the best ending of "The Cliff" and a sublimation of the protagonist.

Zhou Yi, behind his firm belief, is ultimately just an ordinary person.

He could not give up his son Jiaqiao, nor could he give up his adopted daughter Shasha. As fathers, one side had more responsibilities, and the other side had more emotions.

Perhaps, when he saw Sun Yuejian and Jia Qiao successfully cross the border, he turned around to save Shasha and Gu Qiuyan. This fulfilled his responsibility and choice, and also relieved him of his guilt and reluctance.

So he smiled, which was both a silent farewell and a relief for his body and mind.

The directors of the other three TV stations also stared at the venue in amazement, moved by this scene.

The guards in front of the red wall raised their guns.

"boom!"

With two gunshots, Lu Yuan fell down without any hesitation.

The thin layer of snow around him reflects his life and his faith which is as pure and white as snowflakes.

(End of this chapter)