1990: Starting from Baojia Street

After hanging up the phone with Zhang Youan, Zhou Yan thought about the operation of the studio, and then got up to go to the cafeteria to eat. However, the phone on the table rang again, and he turned around and picked up the phone.

"Hello."

"Zhou Yan, it's me, Li Yiding."

Zhou Yan was a little surprised when he heard Li Yiding's voice. Li Yiding had not taken the initiative to call him since the work on "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" ended.

"Teacher Li, what's the matter?"

Li Yiding smiled and said, "As you know, "Three Kingdoms" was broadcast on Neon in September last year, and the response was quite good. Now NHK wants to organize a few "Three Kingdoms" special concerts on Neon, so I came to ask Ask what you mean."

"This is a good thing. Does it require me to appear?"

"Of course it would be best if you can appear. If you don't, see if your group can be transferred here. Your group should be the most familiar with the music in "Three Kingdoms". It will save time if you let them perform. ”

Zhou Yan thought for a while and asked, "Is this what the leader means?"

The reason why he asked this was because he knew that performing abroad was a "fat job". Not only could he make money, but he could also gain limelight.

Just imagine, with such a fat job, there must be many people who want to get involved. Can the production center give up this good job to his studio for nothing?

Moreover, the music of "Three Kingdoms" was not recorded by Zhou Yan. At that time, Zhou Yan and Li Yiding were only responsible for the creation of the soundtrack. During the recording, the Broadcasting Art Troupe Orchestra was mainly responsible for the performance.

To say that they are familiar, they should be more familiar with Guangyi’s orchestra.

Guangyi is a brother unit to the production center. This time when I went to the neon performance, Yu Qingyuli also wanted to find them. This is a great political achievement for Guangyi.

Li Yiding probably knew what Zhou Yan was thinking. She said with a smile, "Yes, we have already discussed it within the center. At that time, in the name of the production center, your group will only be responsible for the performance. And this time the music There will be not only the performance of the soundtrack, but also the singing of the songs, and the radio choir will also be there.”

Although Li Yiding said this, it still did not solve Zhou Yan's doubts.

"Teacher Li, is there no schedule at Guangyi?" He didn't go around in circles and directly asked the doubts in his heart.

Hearing Zhou Yan's words, there was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment, and then Li Yiding said, "Actually, it was NHK who made the request."

Li Yiding didn't say anything else, but Zhou Yan probably understood that it was probably NHK that wanted to invite Zhou Yan or the Piano Youth Orchestra in order to increase the influence of the concert.

They probably did not make this request for free. They might have promised to produce the Chinese opera. If they could invite Zhou Yan, they would pay a certain amount of money, and if they could invite the piano youth orchestra, they would pay a certain amount of money.

Under such circumstances, the production center will definitely not insist on using Guangyi’s orchestra.

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yan said, "The Piano Youth Orchestra has a heavy performance workload this year, so it is probably difficult to spare time. As you know, Mr. Li, many of these members are still students. Going abroad will delay their studies."

Li Yiding was stunned for a moment. She hadn't told Zhou Yan when the NHK concert would be held, but Zhou Yan started to shirk it. He just didn't want the orchestra to come.

She didn't understand why Zhou Yan wouldn't want such a good opportunity?
Zhou Yan's words put Li Yiding in trouble.

Her call to Zhou Yan was a task assigned to her by her boss.

After NHK made the request, their unit took it very seriously and said that even if they couldn't bring Zhou Yan, they would still bring the Piano Boys Orchestra.

It's a pity that Zhou Yan's situation is special and they can't directly transfer him, so they can only lobby.

The best candidate to lobby Zhou Yan was Li Yiding, because the two of them co-composed the soundtrack for "Three Kingdoms" and had many contacts and a good relationship.

But Li Yiding was not a good lobbyist. She even started to settle for the next best thing and settled on hiring the Piano Youth Orchestra as soon as the phone call was connected.

Without hearing Li Yiding's reply, Zhou Yan asked again, "Teacher Li?"

"Oh, I'm here." Li Yiding replied, and then said, "The performance is in mid-April. See if you can make arrangements in advance. I know that the students' schoolwork is not easy, but I still hope to overcome it. In fact, going out Performances are also beneficial to improving their skills. And if you and your band don’t go there, there will be much less support from NHK.”

She tried to persuade Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan smiled, Li Yiding was really not suitable to be a lobbyist, he revealed his true identity in just a few sentences.

But I have to say that her behavior made Zhou Yan feel sincere.

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "I said that the orchestra didn't have time, but I didn't say that I didn't have time. Teacher Li, do you think this will work? The Piano Youth Orchestra won't go. Then I will go with your group."

Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Li Yiding said in surprise, "Really, are you willing to go?"

"I never said I wouldn't go. As for the orchestra, let's bring Guangyi."

The reason why Zhou Yan does not lead the Piano Youth Orchestra is partly due to the reasons he just mentioned. The Piano Youth Orchestra already has enough performance tasks this year. Any more performances will delay their studies. Sometimes too many performances are not a good thing.

Appropriate performances, combined with appropriate study and accumulation, can better improve the performance level of the members.

If the orchestra is forced to perform at a desperate pace, it will go against Zhou Yan's original intention of forming this orchestra.

On the other hand, for the Piano Boy Band, this neon tour is actually unnecessary. They will have a tour this year, including neon.

One more trip to Neon will have no impact on them.

But for Guangyi, the meaning of this neon trip is different. This should be the first time for Guangyi's orchestra to perform abroad.

Zhou Yan actually hopes that more and more Chinese orchestras can go abroad and be known to more people, instead of just the Piano Youth Orchestra being famous.

It is difficult to support a tree alone, and it will not last long if it continues like this. Only when flowers bloom everywhere can we truly prosper.

Zhou Yan has been thinking about this issue since last year.

On the one hand, he is considering letting Wei Yuru lead the band to form a women's band to try out neon first. On the other hand, he is also planning to organize a folk band to go abroad to perform some performances.

Li Yiding was naturally relieved when she received a positive reply from Zhou Yan. In this way, she could be regarded as completing the task assigned by her leader.

"Then let's make an agreement. I'll go talk to the leader right away." Li Yiding said impatiently.

Zhou Yan said with a smile, "Teacher Li, don't worry too much. You have to tell me what I'm going to do with the group this time. Since NHK wants me to go there, it must be that I want to make an appearance, right?"

"Yes, yes, I'm so happy that I almost forgot to mention this. We discussed internally that if you are the only one who comes with the group, we will arrange one or two solos for you. Anyway, they are all your own songs, and you are familiar with them. When the time comes, just go on stage and do whatever you want.”

Li Yiding also knew Zhou Yan's reputation in Neon, so Zhou Yan went to Neon with a group. As long as he could go on stage to talk and show off, he would be able to satisfy the audience.

Although Li Yiding didn't know what specific conditions NHK had promised her unit for this concert, she could tell from the smiling faces of the leaders after the conversation and their determination when assigning tasks that the conditions must be very high.

When he heard that he only had one or two solos, Zhou Yan nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. I will go to your unit later to make contact."

"That's daring."

"Okay, let's just say, you..."

"By the way, I almost forgot the most important thing. Letting you join the group will definitely not make your work in vain. I have to tell you about the cost."

"According to your standards, I have no objection."

"This... okay, I understand, I will report your opinion to the leader."

……

Zhou Yan knew that the production center couldn't afford to pay too much. Since it wasn't much, a little more or less wouldn't have any impact on him. He might as well just be more generous and save face and let the center pay for it.

I have to say that NHK really made a good plan and wanted to hire him and the Piano Boy Orchestra through the production center in a roundabout way.

If both Zhou Yan and the Piano Boys Band can be present, and then Zhou Yan can stand from beginning to end, NHK will make a lot of money.

Zhou Yan and the Piano Boy Band are so popular in Neon now that they don't have to worry about not selling out the tickets when they hold concerts in Neon. Now with the added bonus of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the market is even more explosive.

Not two days after this happened, Li Yiding called again, saying that NHK was very happy to know that Zhou Yan was willing to go with the group.

But for the sake of insurance, NHK hopes to add a clause to the contract, that is, there will be six concerts. Zhou Yan must perform on stage for at least three, and each concert must not be less than ten minutes.

After listening to this, Zhou Yan said, "Since it is written into the contract, there should be punishment after breach of contract?"

"Yes, if there is a breach of contract, we need to pay five million yuan in compensation."

Zhou Yan said with a smile, "They are quite ruthless, five million. Can their TV station give your center five million this time?"

"I don't know about this, but it should be quite a lot. NHK also said that if you agree, they can give you one million individually."

One million, I have to say, NHK is quite generous. Although Zhou Yan is relatively expensive now, the other party only requires him to play three games, and each game should be no less than ten minutes.

For Zhou Yan, this is relatively cost-effective.

If their concerts were held in serious concert halls, the ticket revenue might not even be able to break even.

After all, the number of people who can sit in the concert hall is really limited, so even if the tickets are more expensive, it will not help.

Of course, there are many ways for NHK to make money. Even if the tickets do not earn back the cost, it will not have any impact.

"Let's do this, Teacher Li, I'll let someone go and connect with them." Zhou Yan said.

Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Li Yiding breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay, okay, it's best if you can connect with each other. I'm worried about sending the message wrong in the middle."

Li Yiding was really not good at doing this. She didn't even understand why the NHK TV station didn't go to Zhou Yan directly and had to contact Zhou Yan through the center.

Moreover, the leaders of the unit did not send a special person to contact Zhou Yan, but insisted on letting her come. This was not a embarrassment to her.

What she didn't know was that this was the genius of leaders.

The leaders of the center knew Zhou Yan relatively well and knew that although Li Yiding might not have any skills, the effect would be very good.

After talking to Li Yiding on the phone, Zhou Yan called Zhang Youan and told him about the matter.

Zhang Youan smiled and said, "That's just right. "Spring of the Cowherd Class" will be released on Neon in mid-April. I will arrange two events for you then, and a book signing event to promote the new album."

"Okay, just look at the arrangements. Also, I told you before that I want to form a women's folk band, and I want them to go on a neon tour."

"Of course that's no problem. I can contact the Music House and let the orchestra go directly to the Music House program."

"A new group, can the Music House accept it?"

"They must give you face. The relationship between the Music House and us is already very good. Shu Nomura often calls me and asks if it is possible for you to attend their shows live."

"As long as they agree."

"Don't worry, Bao agrees." Zhang Youan smiled, and then said, "I suggest you form this orchestra as soon as possible. It would be better if you can bring the orchestra with you when you go to Neon in April."

"Yeah, I understand, I'll try my best."

"Okay, I'll contact NHK now."

After hanging up the phone with Zhang Youan, Zhou Yan took out a blank piece of paper and started writing a candidate list for the girl band.

His idea was that the band size would be somewhere between seven and fifteen.

If there are too few people, the form will be too monotonous. If there are too many people, mobility will be poor, which is not conducive to popular communication.

Appearance is definitely important in this band, but it doesn’t mean you have to be pretty to get into it, and it’s not an idol group. It mainly depends on your performance level.

Moreover, Zhou Yan always feels that as long as a girl's playing level is high, she will be more pleasing to the eye.

For example, Wei Yuru, in terms of facial features alone, can only be regarded as an ordinary beauty, but her overall impression is very good, especially when she performs on stage, she is even more dazzling than those female stars in film and television. In addition to playing level, Zhou Yan also needs to consider the musical instruments that each person is good at, so that they can be better matched.

Zhou Yan originally thought that there were quite a few girls in their folk band, but when he thought about it carefully, he realized that there weren't many because many of the instruments were repeated.

For example, the pipa players in their folk band are all girls, and there are no girls playing the dongxiao. The same goes for the erhu, all of them are boys.

After much deliberation, I couldn't get enough of a lineup.

Finally, Zhou Yan decided to go to the Central Folk Orchestra and order more people from there.

……

That afternoon, Zhou Yan went directly to the office of the group leader Yu Songlin.

Yu Songlin was also very happy to see Zhou Yan.

After Wei Yuru, Wang Ciheng and Zhou Yan went to the United States, they became popular. Their folk band was very shameless, and now the superiors are paying more attention to them.

The leaders came to inspect the hall two days ago and said that the condition of their concert hall was poor and they wanted to see if they could allocate funds to repair it. Although there is no clear picture of the funding for the time being, it is still much better than before.

In addition to the concern of the leadership, they also received more and more small jobs in China, and the band's life gradually improved.

Yu Songlin stood up from the chair and said with a smile: "Zhou Yan, why do you have time to come here today? Sit down and make you a cup of tea."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Captain Yu, I came here this time to ask for a favor from you."

Yu Songlin paused while pouring tea, "You want something from me?"

He didn't understand what Zhou Yan could ask of him.

"I would like to ask how many people you want to borrow from your group." Zhou Yan said.

Hearing this, Yu Songlin laughed, "What do I think? It's just borrowing two people. Didn't I say it before? If you want to borrow someone, just ask, and I will do my best to satisfy you."

At this time, he also made the tea and walked over and handed it to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan took the tea cup and said with a smile, "I'm not borrowing it for a day or two this time, nor a week or two. It may be a long time."

Yu Songlin asked in confusion, "How many people do you want to borrow, and what are you borrowing them for?"

Zhou Yan took out the list directly from his pocket, "I want to form a women's folk band. This band will have many performances in the future, so it may not be able to take into account some of the tasks in your group. Of course, if you encounter some more important performance tasks , I will definitely give priority to your side and try not to delay your work."

"Women's National Orchestra..." Yu Songlin took the list from Zhou Yan's hand, glanced at it, and then smiled, "You are really good at choosing. You have poached half of the backbone of our orchestra in one go. And you just did it this time Nine people are really a lot.”

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Tell me, Yu Tuan, how many people can you give?"

Yu Songlin looked at the list and pondered, "Our band must be maintained normally. Among these nine people, we can give you at most five people. Qiao Xiaomeng can't move. Now there is a shortage of erhu in the band. If she leaves, the pressure will be great. . But you can choose anyone else on the list, including Yuru.”

Zhou Yan laughed secretly when he heard Yu Songlin said that it could be given to five people.

He made a list of nine people. Of course, he didn't expect the folk band to actually give nine people, he just wanted Yu Songlin to bargain.

Before coming, he thought that three or four would be enough, but five was already more than he expected.

"Okay." Zhou Yan took out his pen and scratched the list, "I want these five, Wei Yuru, Zhu Lanxi, Fan Yunling, Chen Sanmei and Mei Min."

Yu Songlin nodded happily, "No problem, you can just take these back."

"Do I need to go through any formalities?"

Yu Songlin smiled and said, "What age are you still going through the formalities? I can make the decision on this matter."

Zhou Yan nodded. He liked to be in contact with courageous leaders like Yu Songlin. Although it is common for units to borrow people now, many leaders are timid and unwilling to let them go.

It is especially difficult to borrow five people at once and form a band to perform.

After all, if you look deeper, this matter is against discipline.

If it was a secondment between units, it would be easy to talk about anything, but Zhou Yanlai was borrowing people in the name of a private enterprise. If he encountered someone more serious, he might be labeled as poaching socialist enemies.

But these days, if the bold are starved to death and the timid and timid leaders cannot make big mistakes, they will definitely not be able to accomplish great things.

If a folk orchestra wants to develop, it cannot be done without being proactive.

In the end, it’s all about results anyway. As long as the results are good, even if someone makes a snitch, it’s impossible for the superiors to pursue them.

"Okay, since Yu Tuan is so cheerful, I won't be polite."

"You're welcome. Of course, the personal wishes of these people must be respected. You still have to ask them for their opinions. If they don't agree, then there's nothing I can do about it."

Zhou Yan nodded, "That's natural. What we focus on is your own free will. If you don't want to go, it's useless to force him to go."

There is something Zhou Yan didn't say, that is, he really doesn't lack people.

Although the folk band of the Piano Youth Orchestra does not have enough people, there are a lot of girls studying folk music across the country, and it is not just the Central Folk Orchestra.

If nothing else works, Zhou Yan can just go back to school and recruit more people from school.

Of course, Zhou Yan didn't need to say this, Yu Songlin knew this.

He understood that Zhou Yan had many choices. Even if they didn't let him go, Zhou Yan could just turn around and go to other units to ask for him, so he was so happy and even a little impatient.

"How about I go find them with you?"

"No, I'm quite familiar with them. Just go there. Oh, by the way, since it's a loan, the expenses must be discussed first. I will pay double the salary of these people every month. Inside, there is no need to pay them anymore in these money groups, I will pay them extra wages.”

Yu Songlin said politely, "Don't be so polite. If you feel bad about it, just bear their salary. There is no need to pay extra."

Zhou Yan smiled and waved his hand, "Yu Tuan, please don't argue with me about this matter. I'm very grateful for the loan. How can I let the group suffer?"

Yu Songlin declined again, and finally nodded and said, "Okay, I won't be polite to you anymore. You can go find them now and tally up their opinions. If there is no problem, I will give it to you in the group." Just a note. They should be rehearsing in the concert hall now, you can just go there."

"Okay, then I will take my leave."

"Well, walk slowly."

After Zhou Yan left, Yu Songlin picked up the list on the coffee table and looked at it, then sighed, "These guys are very lucky."

Yu Songlin has a deep understanding of Zhou Yan's current fame. He clearly knows that the band formed by Zhou Yan will definitely become famous.

Apart from anything else, as long as Zhou Yan brings this girl band to perform together when he holds a concert, the exposure cannot be underestimated.

Today's era is no longer what it was ten years ago. Musicians like them also need to be in line with the public and the world. If they stick to their own routine every day, they will never be able to step out.

In fact, there was a question that Yu Songlin wanted to ask just now, but he didn't ask it.

He wanted to ask if his daughter Yu Jia was in the women's band this time, but the question was too selfish and could easily cause Zhou Yan to misunderstand.

……

When Zhou Yan arrived at the concert hall, the orchestra was resting and chatting on the stage.

Seeing Zhou Yan coming, everyone greeted him one after another.

In order to prepare for the Spring Festival Gala, Zhou Yan hung out with them every day and had already become familiar with them.

"Junior brother, why are you here today?" Tang Feng asked.

"Come here to see you guys. What shows are you arranging recently?"

"There are no special programs, just regular rehearsals. There is still some time before the Dragon Boat Festival, so there is not much to do."

Organizations like the folk orchestra basically have some performance duties during the New Year and holidays.

Now it's the Dragon Boat Festival, and there's May Day in the middle. But in previous years, they didn't have many performance tasks on May Day, and they were all done during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Zhou Yan was relieved to hear that they had no special programs in the near future.

If they had a performance assignment recently and he suddenly removed five people, it would have a huge impact on them.

After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Zhou Yan directly called the names of the five people.

"Guys, I have something to trouble you with, please move to the office."

Wei Yuru and the others were also very confused when Zhou Yan suddenly called him by name.

However, they were already familiar with Zhou Yan, so they followed Zhou Yan to the office without asking any questions.

After arriving at the office, Zhou Yan told them about the formation of the women's folk band.

"I have already made an agreement with Yu Tuan. He supports this, but it still depends on your own wishes. This matter is not forced."

Several lesbians showed surprised expressions. They didn't expect that Zhou Yan would lend them out to form a group alone.

For such a big matter, several people couldn't make up their minds for a moment and looked at others, waiting to see their reactions.

Because Wei Yuru and Zhou Yan went to the United States before, they all felt that this time was an opportunity, but it was still risky to go out and form a group alone. After all, they had been in the group for such a long time and were used to being in the group.

"Then where will we live in the future?" Mei Min was the first to ask.

"When there are no performances, where you lived before is still where you live now. This doesn't need to change."

"What about regular rehearsals?"

"Rehearsal is going to my studio."

"Then our relationship is still in the group, right?"

"Of course, these will not change. In addition, after you come out, your monthly salary will increase, but the specific increase is not fixed, and everyone is different."

When Zhou Yan mentioned salary, few people had any reaction, but this was the least of their concerns.

After Mei Min started, several lesbians also asked questions that they were concerned about.

After about ten minutes, almost all the questions that needed to be asked were asked.

Wei Yuru thought for a moment and was the first to raise her hand and said, "I have no problem."

Several other people looked at Wei Yuru and raised their hands.

"That's okay with me too."

"As long as the relationship remains the same, I'm fine with it."

In the end, all five people agreed, and Zhou Yan nodded with a smile, "In that case, I told Yu Tuan. You prepare for a day tomorrow, and report directly to my studio the day after tomorrow. Sister Yuru knows where my studio is, and then you will We can go together.”

"No problem." Wei Yuru nodded with a smile. (End of chapter)