Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 240 Declaration of War (Two Chapters in One)

Zhang Chao landed at Yenching University, exited the station, said goodbye to his classmates at the affiliated high school, and promised to give lectures at the school when he had time. Then he got into the car that Song Jialai came to pick him up and returned to the "Park Hyatt International" house he had bought two months ago.

This was the first time he had moved in after buying the house. Although it was delivered fully furnished, he still had to buy most of the appliances and furniture himself. He had a lot of things to do, so he left it to Song Jia to handle.

"Crossing the Guandong" had not started filming yet, and Song Jia happened to be in a free period. He worked for more than a month before he finally filled this nearly 1-square-meter house halfway and made it habitable.

After Zhang Chao finished washing up, he was just about to enjoy some gentle comfort to comfort himself for the hardship of traveling all over the country for more than a month, but Song Jia put an invitation in front of him.

Zhang Chao picked it up and looked at it, frowning and saying, "The world premiere of The Banquet? September 9th?"

Song Jia nodded and said, "You were so busy last month that you were nowhere to be found. When Wang Zhongjun of Huayi gave me the invitation, he also gave me yours. Are you going?"

Zhang Chao threw the invitation on the table and said, "I'm not going." His attitude was very cold.

Song Jia was very surprised. She knew that Zhang Chao had rejected Huayi's acquisition request last time, but that was a normal business decision, and Zhang Chao did not show any aversion to the Huayi brothers.

But this time, his "no" was full of contempt and disdain. Song Jia rarely saw Zhang Chao show this kind of attitude towards others.

Seeing Song Jia's puzzled expression, Zhang Chao sighed and asked, "Did you watch the TVB show I was on in Hong Kong?"

When Song Jia heard Zhang Chao talk about this, his face turned red, but he still nodded and said, "I didn't expect the Hong Kong program to be so direct."

Zhang Chao shrugged and said, "There's nothing to avoid. I never covered my face when I went shopping with you. In fact, which domestic entertainment reporter doesn't know this? They're just giving me face by not hyping it up."

Song Jia asked, "What does this have to do with Hua Yi?"

Zhang Chao explained: "There were only four people at the casting for 'Youth Like You', including the director, deputy director, producer and me as the screenwriter. Even you didn't know the details, so how did the Hong Kong side know?
Seniors Zhang Aijia and Lu Jianqing are so bored that they want to expose my secrets? Then there is only one possibility left."

Song Jia thought about it for a while, and agreed with Zhang Chao's guess, then said, "Then I won't go either."

Zhang Chao said: "Aren't you afraid of offending Huayi? They are now at the peak of their careers."

Song Jia shrugged indifferently, imitating Zhang Chao's expression, and said, "They are not the only company in the world that makes movies." But he still asked, "Are you going to turn against me without any evidence?"

Zhang Chao smiled and said nothing. Why do we need evidence for this? Just a piercing evidence will do.

However, he had only been back in Yanjing for a few days when TVB sent him "evidence". Although Lin Zhien was Taiwanese, he would not dare to be so bold without the permission of his superiors.

Lin Zhien slipped away that day without even handing over his work. However, through the confirmation of others, TVB finally caught a "ghost", a middle-level manager in charge of drama copyright and introduction.

In order to distance themselves from the case, TVB conducted a diligent investigation this time and soon uncovered numerous connections between him and Taiwan and the mainland, one of which was a mainland entertainment reporter.

The reporter provided him with photos of Zhang Chao and Song Jia, as well as inside information about the casting of "Better Days" at the time.

Lin Zhien and this middle-level manager were naturally fired by TVB, but the clues can only go so far, after all, their hands cannot reach the mainland and Taiwan.

But it was easier to find a name. Zhang Chao did a quick search on the Internet and found that most of the gossip the reporter posted was related to Huayi's projects and artists. In fact, there are no "independent and objective" professional paparazzi in the mainland these days. They are basically supported by film and television companies or celebrity management companies who deliberately release gossip.

Of course, the brothers Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei would not be stupid enough to do it themselves, so it was normal to ask a paparazzi to do it for them. Zhang Chao's last doubt was dispelled, and the rest was just the process.

Song Jia looked at the information Zhang Chao searched, covered his mouth and smiled, and asked, "What are you going to do?" There was a hint of expectation in his tone. Usually, I always see Zhang Chao making great strides in the literary world, but I didn't expect that the "war" would spread to the entertainment industry so quickly.

Zhang Chao said calmly, "I haven't made up my mind yet. Let's play the cards I have now."

The two brothers of Huayi were gloomy in the office at this moment, and neither of them was willing to speak first. The news that the middle-level executives of TVB who were on good terms with them were arrested spread quickly in the industry, and they also knew the news at the first time.

Although the photos and inside information were released by a paparazzi under the instruction of Wang Zhonglei, Zhang Chao had such a keen sense in this area that he would not be fooled by such a trick.

After successfully hosting the 8th "New Concept Writers Competition", Zhang Chao's reputation was pushed to a peak both officially and among the public.

Just looking at the leaders who attended the award ceremony, you can tell how important he is now. Anyway, Wang Zhongjun thought that it would be impossible for Huayi to invite a leader of this level to endorse any of its films.

If it is said that Zhang Chao was originally far ahead in the field of young writers, leaving behind the "previous waves" such as Han Han and Xiao Si, now he seems to have changed track and started to have an influence that transcends his works.

The two brothers drank a few sips of wine each, and finally Wang Zhonglei couldn't help but said: "No matter how awesome Zhang Chao is, he is still in his own small territory. The worst that can happen is that we won't cooperate."

Wang Zhongjun glared at his brother, his voice already filled with anger, and he scolded: "I told you not to mess with him, I told you not to mess with him. Do you think such a small scandal can make him lose face on TV?"

Wang Zhonglei said unconvincedly: "Aren't those who use hidden rules on female celebrities the most hated?"

Wang Zhongjun slammed his wine glass on the table, making a loud noise, and cursed: "You know nothing! Zhang Chao is a writer, a writer, a famous writer, do you understand? People like us, directors, and stars are hated for doing this!

The writer called this a "talented scholar story" or a "romantic affair", which only makes people talk about it with relish, thinking that the seduced female star took advantage of Zhang Chao, not the other way around! "

Wang Zhonglei said in disbelief: "This...this...is the gap so big?"

Wang Zhongjun said angrily: "Look at the poet who wrote 'The night gave me black eyes'. He not only had two wives, but also killed one of them with an axe. How did the domestic public opinion evaluate him? It was full of sympathy and regret.

Do you think Zhang Chao's fame and influence are lower than his? Is Zhang Chao as crazy as him? I told you to read more and sleep with women less, but you did the opposite, right? "

Wang Zhonglei was scolded by his brother and was speechless. He tilted his head back and took another sip of wine. Then he said, "Things have already come to this. What do you think we should do?"

Wang Zhongjun thought for a long time and said in a deep voice: "Zhang Chao's falling out with us has two major impacts on us. One is that he may not sell the copyright of his works to us in the future. This is actually not a big deal. We have other sources of works. The combination of Liu Zhenyun and Xiaogang will be enough for a while.

The second is that he started to slander us in the media, affecting the box office of our movies and the reputation of the company. This is more troublesome, as he has proven many times that he can really turn the tide in public opinion.”

Box office and reputation are the key to whether Huayi can realize its listing plan. Wang Zhonglei could not say anything harsh at this moment. He could only hold the wine glass and sit in the boss chair with a pale face.

Wang Zhongjun felt sorry for his brother when he saw him like this. After all, they were brothers. He comforted him, "It's not that there is no way to save the relationship. For a scholar, the most important thing is face..."

As he spoke, he called his subordinate Yizhe: "... Contact Zhang Chao recently. Didn't he just publish a new novel about the police called 'Glory'? Talk to him about the adaptation rights of this book."

As for the copyright fee, you can boldly make an offer, which can be up to 20% higher than the highest price on the market. ... Don't ask why, just contact us. As soon as possible!"

After hanging up the phone, Wang Zhongjun said, "Let's see what happens with Yizhe's contact. If Zhang Chao is willing to sell, it means that either he doesn't associate TVB's affairs with us, or he doesn't care.

No matter which result, it's a good thing." Wang Zhonglei said worriedly: "Nowadays, the filming of criminal investigation dramas and movies is very strict. We can't start filming in the short term after buying it, right?"

Wang Zhongjun was helpless with his brother and sighed, "Did you buy it for filming? Think about it again, drink less and use your brain more!"

Zhang Chao soon received a call from Yizhe, asking him if he had time to meet.

Although Yizhe was definitely the one who reported the casting meeting to his two bosses, he should have been kept in the dark about TVB's affairs. There was no abnormality in his tone, and he spoke like an old friend.

Although Zhang Chao had no ill feelings towards him, he did not want to get entangled with Huayi's people, so he politely declined the invitation to meet and just explained the matter over the phone.

When he heard that the other party wanted to buy the copyright of "Crime Police Glory" and offered a price of 300 million, which was higher than the domestic market price, Zhang Chao knew that it must be Wang Zhongjun or Wang Zhonglei who asked him to test him.

So he refused without hesitation: "I will not sell the copyright of "Crime Police Glory" to Huayi, sorry."

When Yizhe heard that Zhang Chao said "not selling" but "not selling to Huayi", he became anxious and asked hurriedly: "What's going on? Didn't we cooperate well before?"

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "Then you should ask the big and small kings in your company. Well, let's not talk about this in the future. We can still chat and drink tea." After that, he hung up the phone.

Yizhe is also an old hand, how could he not understand the hidden meaning of Zhang Chao's words. On the surface, the "big and small kings" refer to the brothers Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, but in the playing cards, what are the images on the two cards of "big and small kings"?
Zhang Chao had always left him the impression of a talented but not arrogant young man. How had his two bosses offended him? Yizhe was confused, but he could only report truthfully that Zhang Chao had refused to sell the copyright to Huayi.

After listening to Yizhe's retelling, Wang Zhongjun said "I understand", hung up the phone, and paced around the office with a gloomy face.

Wang Zhonglei asked tremblingly, "What does Zhang Chao mean by this?"

Wang Zhongjun sighed again and said, "Although it's not enough to declare war on us, it's almost the same. We should be ready to fight him in public opinion at any time.

At least he will definitely not come to the premiere of The Banquet next month."

Zhang Chao actually felt quite distressed after he said "I won't sell it to Huayi", after all, that was 300 million yuan! Before the Internet capital came in and started spending money, the number of domestic novel adaptation copyrights that could be sold for this number could not be counted on one's fingers.

Song Jia looked at Zhang Chao's grinning face and said with a smile, "Are you feeling sorry for him?"

Zhang Chao said: "A little bit... But I am not in a hurry to sell the copyright of "Crime Police Glory". When the restrictions on criminal investigation themes are relaxed in two years, it may be able to sell for a higher price. And its English version is being translated by Xu Ruiya, and it will be published in the United States next year.

When they want to buy it, they might have to offer me a price based on Hollywood standards." He then smiled a little smugly.

Song Jia looked at the man in front of her, her eyes blurred again.

After a storm, Zhang Chao, feeling satisfied, turned on the TV. It was 9 o'clock in the evening, the prime time, and CCTV-1 was broadcasting the 22nd episode of "The Cliff".

After the TV series changed its director, the style was significantly different from what Zhang Chao remembered, and the narrative rhythm and character performances also changed significantly. So even though he had watched it many times in his previous life, Zhang Chao still watched this episode with great interest.

Song Jia was a little nervous and asked, "What do you think of my performance?"

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "You acted very well, and Wang Zhiwen also acted very well. But..."

Song Jia quickly asked, "But what?"

Zhang Chao said, "The two of you combined are not as scary as Mr. Chen Yu, who played Gao Bin, the chief of the Special Agents Section of the Puppet Manchukuo Police Department."

Song Jia patted Zhang Chao hard and said, "It's scary, it scared me to death... But Teacher Chen Yu really acted well. Whenever his scenes were filmed, his eyes gave me chills."

Then he continued: "I read the comments online, saying that the character 'Gu Qiuyan' did all kinds of bad things in the drama and acted on impulse. Netizens scolded her to death."

Zhang Chao said: "You're right to scold me. When Quan Yong and I discussed the script, we said that we wanted to design 'Gu Qiuyan' as a character with growth. Think about it, she was only in her 20s when she was appointed in a critical moment, which is about the same age as you are now.

She is not Zhou Yi or Gao Bin, how can she be as sophisticated as them? Besides, if Gu Qiuyan is also an old fox with a stern face all day long, it will be repeated with Zhou Yi, which will not easily create chemical reaction or dramatic conflict.

Netizens hope that everyone in spy dramas has a high IQ and that every action is like 007 stealing intelligence. This simple wish is good. But in fact, the real underground work in history is much more boring than they imagine, and misunderstandings and mistakes often occur.

We minimized the mistakes Gu Qiuyan made in the play. So it’s right for this character to be criticized. If she wasn’t criticized, it would mean that the character failed.”

Song Jia finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Chao asked casually, "When will the filming of "Crossing Guandong" start?"

Song Jia thought for a moment and said, "August 8th, maybe. The filming will take about half a year and will end around March next year."

Zhang Chao said: "Then there is still time."

Song Jia asked curiously: "What?"

Zhang Chao smiled mysteriously and said, "I'll take you to a good place!"

Two days later, Song Jia was lying in the hot spring pool of "Qingjiyuan" in Tokyo, Japan, which was specially used by Kadokawa Group to entertain distinguished guests. Although it was a bit strange to take a hot spring bath in summer, he was here...

Zhang Chao was invited by Kadokawa Group to come to Japan to attend the internal preview of Your Name. Also invited were the vice presidents of four major domestic cinema chains, including China Film Star and Shanghai Film United.

After eight months of production, "Your Name" was finally completed recently. Makoto Shinkai is not as big a star as he was later, and he is not qualified to make an animated film for two or three years.

Under pressure from Kadokawa Shoten, Shinkai Cheng, who refused to lower his demands, had to work overtime, so much so that when Zhang Chao saw him again, he could not recognize that the man in front of him was so haggard that he looked like him.

Fortunately, this animated film was finally completed with high quality. Putting the plot aside, the picture perfectly reflects Shinkai Cheng's aesthetic pursuit, and every frame can be screenshotted and used as a computer desktop wallpaper.

In particular, the technique of rendering real scenes into animation backgrounds made most viewers amazed by the presented effects.

Zhang Chao looked at the flashing images in front of him, his heart calm. He had known for a long time that there would be no problems in the production of "Your Name" if it was handed over to Shinkai Makoto. The only concern was whether the current market would accept this type of animation.

When the screen dimmed and the lights came on, many voices of praise were heard in the small theater. The Japanese were congratulating Kadokawa Lehiko and Shinkai Makoto, and several Chinese theater chain bosses were congratulating Zhang Chao and eagerly asking when the film would be released in China.

Zhang Chao only asked one question: "When was the premiere of The Banquet?"

(Two chapters in one)

(End of this chapter)