1990: Starting from Baojia Street

In order to lend people to Chen Kaige, Zhou Yan specially called Liu Hang and others to a meeting to study the team list.

After more than two hours of discussion, it was finally decided to send a team of 20 people, led by Hong Xin.

Of course, the 20 people are only temporary, and more people will be sent later. After all, the filming time of "The Emperor and the Assassin" has not been determined yet, so there is no way to confirm the list.

After the meeting, everyone left, but Zhou Yan kept Jiang Mengfei.

"Meng Fei, your department is just starting out, so I only transferred two people away, otherwise it would affect the development of your department."

Jiang Mengfei smiled and said, "I thought you wouldn't transfer anyone."

"The two people who were transferred over, Xiao Liu and Xiao Wu, are both young people who lack experience. It would be a good idea to let them hone their skills in a large crew. How is it going? Have you encountered any difficulties in setting up your department?"

"There are some difficulties, but they can basically be overcome. The only thing I am worried about now is that when the department is complete, there will be no TV series for us to shoot."

Jiang Mengfei has indeed been worrying about this matter.

The scripts submitted to their studio are not only movie scripts, but also some TV drama scripts. When Jiang Mengfei has nothing to do, he will go and see if there are any excellent scripts.

He not only looks at TV drama scripts, but even movie scripts. In his opinion, no matter what the script is, as long as the story is good, it can be made into a TV drama.

But unfortunately, he hasn't found a good script yet.

In addition to reading the scripts that are submitted, they are also collecting scripts themselves.

He did find some decent scripts, but they were just passable and none of them really caught his eye.

Qizi Company also sent us some scripts, but the quality was average.

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "There is a project now that you can participate in."

"What project?" Jiang Mengfei asked eagerly.

“It’s a CCTV project.”

"CCTV's project?" Jiang Mengfei was very confused. How could they participate in CCTV's project?

"It was originally CCTV's own project, but it will probably become our cooperative project later," Zhou Yan explained.

"What project?" Jiang Mengfei asked.

"The Yongzheng Dynasty." Zhou Yan said the name of the TV series.

"Is there a book with this name?" Jiang Mengfei asked.

Zhou Yan nodded. "There is indeed a novel with this name, the author is Er Yuehe. There are three parts in total of Yongzheng Dynasty, published in 91, 93 and 94 respectively. It's not been that long."

"I just remember seeing it at a bookstall, but I didn't open it."

"This project is only in its infancy. There is not even a script yet, and it is not even certain whether it will be filmed or not."

It is not easy for CCTV to finalize a plan, which requires consultation among multiple levels of departments.

Zhou Yan first learned about this plan from Yang Dongsheng.

At that time, he was chatting with Yang Dongsheng about the Taimiao concert. He asked Yang Dongsheng if CCTV had any plans recently, and Yang Dongsheng casually mentioned "The Yongzheng Dynasty".

At that time, the project of "Yongzheng Dynasty" had not even been formally brought to the meeting.

When Zhou Yan heard about "The Yongzheng Dynasty", he became interested and wondered if he could take part in it.

Whether or not to make money is secondary. Zhou Yan wants the newly established TV drama department to get a chance to take advantage of this big job so that it can grow rapidly.

And with this kind of project experience, it will be very easy to attract other projects in the future.

Using a tiger's skin to make a big banner is very effective.

It’s not that CCTV cannot cooperate with others on its own projects. After all, CCTV is also short of money.

The main reason why the project is difficult to finalize is lack of money.

The TV station has limited funding, and if it is used for this project, other projects will have to be cut.

Zhou Yan asked Liu Hang to contact CCTV and offered very good conditions. It can be seen that the TV station was also very interested.

However, the two sides have just come into contact, and the specific outcome is still uncertain.

Zhou Yan is telling Jiang Mengfei this now so that he can be mentally prepared so that he won't be at a loss when the project is finalized.

Although Zhou Yan said that it was uncertain whether the film would be shot or not, Jiang Mengfei rubbed his hands excitedly: "CCTV's project is good, but ordinary small projects are not interesting. What is the time node of this plan? When can it be confirmed whether it will be shot or not?"

"It will be soon. The TV station has been busy discussing it recently. If it goes fast, there may be a result before the end of the year."

Jiang Mengfei was even more excited. "There are only a few days left before the New Year. If you decide to shoot, when can you confirm whether to cooperate with us?"

"The results will come out at the same time, because they are now discussing the two issues together, and after the results come out, Liu Wenwu will start looking for a director."

The Liu Wenwu that Zhou Yan mentioned is the producer of "The Yongzheng Dynasty" this time, and Liu Hang is also in contact with him.

"Then I'll come over as soon as the New Year is over."

Zhou Yan waved his hand. "Even if it's done, there's no need to worry, because this cooperation is led by CCTV. The director, screenwriter, photographer, art director...all of these will be determined by CCTV first. We're just there to assist, so you have to be mentally prepared."

Jiang Mengfei didn't care. "It doesn't matter. With our current manpower, we can't handle any big show anyway."

Although Jiang Mengfei had not watched "The Yongzheng Dynasty", he knew from the name that the scene would not be small. The key was that it was filmed by CCTV, so it was impossible to be a small scene.

"I only have one request, can Shen Yan be allowed to be an assistant director in the crew?"

Shen Yan is a big name in TV dramas, so Jiang Mengfei certainly wants him to participate in "The Yongzheng Dynasty".

Zhou Yan thought about it and said, "I can guarantee him a position as assistant director."

In fact, there is nothing wrong with having an assistant director. After all, this kind of position is nominal. Whether you can do anything depends on what the director and producer say.

If you are asked to work, you are the assistant director. If you are not asked to work, you are no different from a waiter.

However, Zhou Yan still didn't want to interfere too much, so he only agreed to the position of assistant director.

"That's fine." Jiang Mengfei said very straightforwardly.

Jiang Mengfei also knew that there was actually no difference between an assistant director and an assistant director. It all depended on how the director and producer gave the power.

Zhou Yan nodded, "In addition, you will definitely serve as the producer."

There will be many producers for this drama. Zhou Yan asked Jiang Mengfei to be one of the producers, which means he wanted Jiang Mengfei to be the representative of the studio.

"No problem, but what role should I play?"

"Just take a look at the scene and report any special situations in time. Don't worry about anything else. If the producer or director needs anything, you can also communicate with me."

"clear."

"Well, just go back and wait for the news. Even if there is no result before the New Year, it won't take too long after the New Year."

"it is good."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Go back and have a good New Year."

"You too."

...Zhou Yan returned to Jinling on the day of the beginning of spring. On that day, the box office of "Time Traveler" happened to exceed 80 million RMB.

All major media outlets had been paying close attention to the box office of "Time Traveler". As soon as its box office exceeded 80 million, various media outlets quickly reported it.

And their information basically came from the Yanjing Film Studio.

"Time Traveler" has performed so well, Han Sanping certainly hopes that the media can help promote it, as this is his first film after he proposed the Lunar New Year film plan.

The bigger the popularity of this movie, the easier it will be to implement the plan of making a New Year's film.

I think there will definitely be more movies added during the Lunar New Year holiday next year.

In order to enable the media to obtain information faster, Han Sanping even set up a temporary department specifically for connecting with major media outlets for information.

Not long after Zhou Yan landed, he received a call from Xu Feng and heard the good news.

Zhou Yan was not very excited when he heard the news, after all, it had been confirmed in advance that it could be achieved.

After he got home, he only rested for one day before it was New Year's Eve.

In the past, every Chinese New Year, grandma and others would definitely ask Zhou Yan about their marriage, but Zhou Yu was already married, and Zhou Yan already had Joey Wong, so everyone's attention was basically focused on Zhou Hong.

Zhou Hong is about to turn 30. In his circle, most men of his age have already started families, and there are no single girls of his age.

"Secretary Liu's daughter got married in the middle of the year. She had been on a blind date with Hong'er before. She is two years younger than Hong'er. What a good girl! Hong'er, you didn't like her. Now that she's married, you have no chance."

The old lady attaches great importance to the marriage of her second grandson. After all, he is really old, and the key is that there is no sign of it at all. If he has a girlfriend like Zhou Yan, they don't have to be so anxious.

In response to his grandmother's nagging, Zhou Hong always just smiled and didn't argue.

Seeing her grandson's reckless attitude, the old lady sighed and said, "Don't wait for Xiaoyan to get married. You don't even have a partner."

Zhou Hong smiled and said, "Grandma, I'm not in a hurry. Let Xiaoyan get married first."

"If you really don't want to find a partner, then you can only let him get married first. You can't let him and Xiaoxian wait for you forever."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "I'm not in a hurry either, grandma."

The old lady rolled her eyes and said, "You've been dating for such a long time, it's time for you to consider getting married. You're not in a hurry, but you should also consider Xiaoxian. She's a little older than you."

Joey Wong is three years older than Zhou Yan and just celebrated her 30th birthday two days ago.

In the old lady's opinion, at Wang Zuxian's age, she would definitely be in a hurry to get married, and she didn't want her grandson to delay her.

"We're not in a hurry."

The old lady shook her head, "No one is worry-free."

Of course, it's not that there's nothing to worry about. At least the eldest son Zhou Yu is doing very well. Their sister-in-law Gu Fangfang is now pregnant, and the Zhou family will have a new baby next year.

Finally, their Zhou family will have four generations living under one roof.

Because of this, our family was particularly lively during the Chinese New Year this year, as if a new baby had been born.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Joey Wong called.

Before Zhou Yan had a chance to talk to his girlfriend, Xiaojiu and the others took over the phone and rushed to talk to Joey Wong.

After the younger brothers and sisters finished playing, several elders went over and chatted with Joey Wong for a while.

By the time the call reached Zhou Yan, more than ten minutes had passed.

Zhou Yan walked into the house holding the phone and said with a smile, "Do you miss me?"

There was no sound from the other side.

Just when Zhou Yan was wondering, he heard Wang Zuan's voice, "Brother-in-law, it's me."

Hearing Wang Zuan's voice, Zhou Yan coughed lightly and said awkwardly, "Second brother, it's you."

"Well, when I heard Xiaoxian called you, I wanted to say Happy New Year to you. Have you had the New Year's Eve dinner?"

"Have eaten, how about you?"

"We've eaten too. We were just talking about how we would definitely drink a lot more today if you were here. When will you be able to come to Taiwan after the New Year?"

"It should be time soon."

"Wait for you to come over..."

Wang Zuan chatted with Zhou Yan for five or six minutes, and then he heard a voice calling him on the other end of the phone. Wang Zuan said, "Brother-in-law, my mother is calling me. I'll go see her."

Before Zhou Yan could reply, he heard Wang Zuan's footsteps getting farther and farther away.

After Wang Zuan left, Wang Zuxian's voice came from the other side, "Second brother is a little drunk and talks a lot."

"Haha, I can't hear it."

"I'm not completely drunk yet, otherwise I would be sleeping in bed right now. I made a fool of myself last time, so I don't dare drink too much now."

"I made a fool of myself last time, too."

"You're much better. Anyway, you better be careful next time you come here. My brother and the others are thinking about revenge."

"Next time I go there, I'll drink less."

“They may not agree.”

"Next time before I go over, I'll arrange more work for myself. If they want to persuade me to drink, I'll say I have work."

"That's a good idea, but it can't be used often."

"Bring them to Jinling when you have time. I'll find someone to have a drink with them."

"If you get them drunk, my mom will definitely scold you."

……

The two chatted casually without any core topic.

Zhou Yan thought this was good. Although they had been together for several years, they would not feel bored when talking about trivial things.

As the call continued, Zhou Yan felt better when he heard Joey Wong's voice.

Sometimes Joey Wong would share her experience in real estate speculation with Zhou Yan, and her tone was full of pride, after all, she did make money by speculating in real estate.

Zhou Yan has no interest in real estate speculation, but he is willing to listen to her and occasionally give her suggestions, but he doesn't say too much.

If he wanted to help Joey Wong speculate in real estate, there are too many ways and channels.

But in that case, although Wang Zuxian could make more money, the fun of making money would be much less, and she would lack a sense of accomplishment.

Zhou Yan didn't help too much, hoping to allow her to maintain this sense of accomplishment while also allowing her to have more things to do.

Now that she is not filming anymore, she would be very bored every day if she has nothing to do.

The two talked on the phone for a long time, but later Wang Zuxian hung up the call because she felt sorry for the phone bill.

The cost of phone calls between them is indeed high, even a wealthy woman like Wang Zuxian finds it unaffordable. (End of this chapter)