Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 868 Loss
"No way, absolutely impossible."

Chen Fan flicked his cigarette ash without the slightest hesitation, raised his head and said, "Last year, Shanghai Film Studio rejected the script I submitted. It was Director Wu and Director Kuang of Jiangxi Film Studio who personally came to my door, promising to do their utmost to cooperate with the filming, and that all matters would be decided by my word. Only then did I reach a cooperation agreement with Jiangxi Film Studio."

A man of his word is his bond. Regarding the film *Monk Comes Down the Mountain*, we agreed to collaborate with Jiangyin Film Studio, and we will see it through to the end. This is a matter of principle, and there's no room for negotiation.

Seeing Chen Fan's firm refusal, Old Liu and the others showed no displeasure whatsoever, not even an embarrassed expression.

As soon as Chen Fan finished speaking, Old Liu chuckled and said, "We know about this situation too. We just received the news two days late. Our people had just bought their plane tickets when they found out that Jiang Film Studio had already beaten them to it, so they had to give up with regret. Jiang Film Studio had the advantage of being in a good location."

After pausing for two seconds, he added, "However, since the die is cast and Director Chen has kept his promise, we can only admire you and will not have the slightest complaint."

only,……"

Old Liu turned to face Chen Fan and said with a smile, "The situation of Liaoning Film Studio is indeed quite awkward. Like most of its brother units across the country, it was established in 1958 and was called 'Provincial Science and Education Film Studio' at the time. After it was shut down in 1961, it underwent several name changes and reorganizations until it was restored to its original status in 1977 and was still named 'Provincial Science and Education Film Studio'."

Chen Fan nodded slightly as he listened, thinking to himself, "What a coincidence, I also came here in 1977."

Actually, it wasn't really a coincidence. Just like the "Jiangnan Literature and Art" magazine, many units in the arts and literature system were reinstated in that year, and Liaoning Film Studio was just one of the inconspicuous ones.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Old Liu continued, "Compared with other film studios, Liaoning Film Studio is even worse than Jiang Film Studio. Take Jiang Film Studio for example, before meeting you, Director Chen, it at least made a few stage films, so it wasn't completely shut out."

The Liaoning Film Studio fared much worse. When it was first established in 58, it only held a "newspaper film training class," producing just a few news reports, documentaries, and educational films. It didn't produce a single proper film, not even a stage film.

Chen Fan couldn't help but click his tongue and laugh, "Actually, it's not bad. Back then, when we carried out the campaign to bring science and technology to the countryside, the main force was documentaries and educational films produced by film studios in various places. Without these organizations, our farmers wouldn't have had so many opportunities to come into contact with modern agricultural knowledge."

"Just for this point alone, Liaoning Film Studio's efforts haven't been in vain."

Agricultural technology stations, local universities, and science and education films were the three magic weapons for popularizing modern agricultural planting and breeding techniques back then.

As mentioned before, in the early days of the People's Republic of China, the farming and animal husbandry techniques of Chinese farmers were still very primitive, almost no different from those of a thousand years ago.

It was Mr. Li who made the request to bring the advanced modern agricultural knowledge from the agricultural university to the fields of rural areas to help farmers increase production and income. For example, many seedling raising techniques, seedling spacing, and field management skills that are now common were taught to farmers in various ways at that time, and then passed down orally from generation to generation.

Before this, aside from putting on a show with a golden hoe, who among those in power had ever truly cared about farmers?

Therefore, Chen Fan was speaking from the heart at this moment. These film studios, which had basically never made movies, had indeed made a lot of contributions to popularizing agricultural knowledge.

Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, a glint of surprise flashed in Old Liu's eyes, and he laughed heartily, "It's rare that Director Chen still remembers the film studio's insignificant contribution."

He glanced at Deng Bo and Ke Yu, who were also somewhat excited, then looked at Chen Fan and smiled, "I heard that Director Chen's household registration is still in the countryside?"

Chen Fan nodded, "Yes, we're still in the countryside. This wedding was also held there."

Old Liu immediately smiled and said, "Director Chen has not forgotten where he came from and has taken root in the countryside. He is truly admirable."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Liaoning Film Studio did make some insignificant contributions, but a film studio still has to make movies. It can't keep making educational films forever, can it? Don't you think that makes sense?"

Chen Fan grinned and chuckled. His words were practically a request for help, as if to say, "I've done my part for the country, and now we want to give it our all. Could you lend me a hand because of my past contributions?"

However, this "merit" is not a meritorious service, but rather the merit of arranging food, lodging and transportation for 108 Taoist priests for this ancestral worship.

Chen Fan nodded with pursed lips and said, "At last year's literary and art congress, the leaders proposed to emancipate the mind, be rooted in the people, and let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend. Liaoning Film Studio's courage to forge ahead is naturally a great thing."

If there's anything I can do that's within my ability, I will do my best and never refuse.

The implication is that you shouldn't force yourself to do something you can't. This favor isn't a huge deal; we can just do it on equal terms and not make unreasonable demands.

Upon hearing this, Old Liu immediately laughed and nodded, "I knew Director Chen was a generous person."

He then looked at Deng Bo and gestured, "Little Deng, did you see that? Director Chen has agreed to lend a hand. You'd better seize the opportunity."

Deng Bo nodded and immediately smiled at Chen Fan, "First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Director Chen for his generous help. I was indeed rash just now and should not have made such a request."

Seeing that Chen Fan smiled and waved his hand without saying anything, he continued, "I wonder if Director Chen's schedule is tight this year? Is it possible that you could collaborate with our studio on a film?"

Hearing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but smile wryly and say, "It's not that I'm being pretentious, I really just don't have the time."

As she spoke, she looked around at the people around her and said, "You may not know this, but I am currently studying for a master's degree and have not officially graduated yet. My teacher also arranged a job for me at the school, where I have to teach two classes a week, each lasting half a day."

In addition, after the New Year, I plan to start filming the second part of "The Taoist Priest Comes Down the Mountain," and I also have my regular work to do at the Jiangnan Writers Association. ..."

He frowned deeply, pondered for two seconds, then looked up at Old Liu and Deng Bo and said, "How about this, I can provide a script first, so your factory can practice with it."

He laughed as he spoke, “Jiangxi Film Studio also started with ‘Little Lotus Just Beginning to Show Its Tip’. The filming of that movie was a practice project for the comrades at Jiangxi Film Studio and me.”

Since Liaoning Film Studio had no prior experience in making formal films, it might be wise to start by making a film with less difficulty to gain some experience.

When I have time, at the latest next year, I will definitely bring the script and ask you to collaborate again, how about that?

He had already refused once, and felt a little embarrassed to refuse again, so he made a promise.

When he saw Old Liu, Deng Bo, Ke Yu, Jiao Fei, and others, all of them beaming with joy and unable to stop smiling, he immediately realized what was going on.

Oh no, I've fallen into a trap!

It's not that I did anything bad, but I got caught up in their hype just now. I only wanted to give them a script to repay a favor, but I ended up getting involved in a whole film project instead. What a loss!

The great philosopher Lu Shuren once said that if you want to open a window in a room, people may not agree, but if you first ask to open a door and they refuse, then if you ask to open a window, they will most likely agree.

They just used that tactic.

First, he made an impossible request, and then Old Liu personally played the victim and appealed to Chen Fan's emotions, which lowered Chen Fan's guard.

Then Deng Bo proposed a relatively high condition.

Chen Fan's second refusal seemed rather cold-hearted. At this point, even if Chen Fan didn't make a promise, what if the other party asked for one or two more scripts? Would he give them to them or not?
However, before they could even speak, Chen Fan felt bad about it and directly made a promise to collaborate on making a movie.

No wonder everyone is grinning from ear to ear; the results have far exceeded expectations!

Having figured all this out, Chen Fan couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Even a god would stumble if someone was prepared to attack unprepared; it's truly impossible to guard against such a thing.

However, he wasn't about to go back on his word. He just shook his head with a wry smile and didn't say anything more.

Seeing Chen Fan's reaction, Elder Liu and the others understood that he had come to his senses.

As long as they don't go back on their word, it's fine.

Besides, whether it's collaborating on a movie or requesting a script, we always pay them according to the rules. It's not like we're using them for free, so they don't feel embarrassed at all.

However, one cannot be ungrateful after reaping the benefits; no one behaves or acts that way.

Old Liu and his companions immediately treated them with great hospitality.

Director Chen, please rest assured that the script fee will be paid at the highest standard. If the response is good, you will also receive a share of the bonus.

When it comes to filming again, in addition to Jiangying Film Studio, our art association, music association, and writers association will also fully cooperate, providing manpower and resources as needed.

There's no way around it; among the three northeastern provinces, Liaoning and Shenyang are the weakest in the arts. To avoid being laughed at by our brothers, we must catch up.

Chen Fan was flattered and swayed by their praise. He first watched one of his own movies in the VIP room, and then was taken to a restaurant for food and drinks. Only after the party ended was Ye Yanshan escort him back to his hotel.

……

After Ye Yanshan left, Jiang Lili immediately helped him into the room, whispering, "Why did you drink so much?"

Chen Fan winked at her, then straightened up and did a few breathing exercises. Instantly, the room was filled with the smell of alcohol, but his complexion returned to normal.

Jiang Lili's eyes widened. "What kind of kung fu is this?"

Is this a way to sober up?

Chen Fan walked to the sofa and sat down. He picked up Jiang Lili's teacup and took a big gulp before saying, "You're still far from it. I'll teach you this little trick when you reach the Transformation Realm."

He paused for a moment, then looked at the door. "It should be Yali and Tiantian coming over. Go open the door."

Although she didn't hear a knock, Jiang Lili never doubted his words and immediately went to the door and opened it.

Outside the door, Zhou Yali had her hand raised to knock when she saw Jiang Lili open it. She was startled and asked, "Are you going out?"

Jiang Lili shook her head. "No, Xiao Fan said you were here and asked me to open the door for you."

Zhou Yali raised her eyebrows, looking at Chen Fan sitting on the sofa by the window drinking tea with a strange expression, and muttered, "Strange and mysterious."

He then walked straight toward him and said, “Hey, I’ve been thinking about this all morning, and the more I think about it, the less reliable your suggestion seems.”

After Jiang Tiantian came in, Jiang Lili closed the door and asked curiously from behind, "What suggestion is unreliable?"

Zhou Yali sat directly on the bed, turned to look at her, and said, "It was during dinner last night that Xiao Fan suggested that I should try to set up a joint venture factory with the locals, saying that it could help me improve my management skills."

At first, I thought it was okay, but after going back and thinking about it again, I still felt it wasn't quite right.

Chen Fan looked at her and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Zhou Yali frowned and said, "If I am in charge of production, then it is understandable for me to get involved in the management of the joint venture factory."

But that's not it. What is our ultimate goal in investing? Isn't it to obtain cheaper, higher-quality products?

As long as the factories here can absorb the technology and production lines I provide and supply me with qualified and sufficient products, isn't that enough? Why do I have to get involved in their management?
You said yourself that the workers here are used to treating the factory as their home. So let them treat it that way, as long as the products are up to standard, what does it have to do with me?

After she finished speaking, Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and sighed softly, "No wonder your father told you to learn more from me. After all this time, you don't even understand what management is. It's really a bit risky to put you in charge of the growing Qianfan and Wanmuchun companies in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yali immediately lowered her eyes and glared at him fiercely, "What do you mean? Explain yourself!"

Chen Fan put down his teacup, crossed his legs, and looked at her, saying, "In short, the essence of management is the art of coordination. First, it involves coordinating resources such as human, material, and financial resources, and then achieving predetermined goals through functions such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling."

In this process, you will learn a lot. Leaving aside everything else, let's just talk about one thing: how to deal with people, motivate employees, and get them to do things your way.
This is a very large topic, and you need to study the relevant courses carefully and combine them with practical application.

In the United States, or other places with relatively mature management systems, you can simply follow the rules step by step. In fact, it may take you several years to truly understand the art of management.

But now you have a very good opportunity,..."

Chen Fan took the teacup from Jiang Lili, blew on it, took a sip, and then looked up to continue, “How do you get a group of workers who have no concept of management to obey your ideas in a system that overturns all your previous imaginations?”

He put down his teacup, leaned forward, and looked at Zhou Yali, who seemed to be deep in thought, and said, "On the surface, this seems difficult, but as I said before, the workers in China are all highly qualified. As long as you can persuade them to obey your ideas, it's actually quite simple."

To be honest, even without this incident, I would have found a suitable opportunity to let you experience the process of factory management reform in China.

Zhou Yali pouted and said, "Aren't you just creating difficulties for me even when there aren't any?"

Chen Fan smiled slightly, "That's exactly what I mean. Because compared to the benefits brought by the joint venture, I think my uncle would prefer that you achieve significant improvements."

Overcoming difficulties is the easiest way to grow. Creating more challenges to help you improve is certainly not a bad idea.

(End of this chapter)