Huayu became famous overnight

Chapter 261 The True Light of the Chinese

3 month 4 day.

It was also Sunday.

Xu Ming met Wen Ziren in the conference room provided by CAA.

The other person wore red-rimmed glasses, was not tall, and seemed a bit repressed.

He is a prodigy in the directing world, born in 77, and made a name for himself in 04 with "Saw".

And his career has been smooth sailing all the way. Last year, his directorial work "Lurking" was released with a production cost of less than 2 million and grossed 100 million US dollars worldwide.

This extremely high rate of return makes him a highly sought-after figure in Hollywood.

That's why I was willing to come and see Xu Ming.

Naturally, it's because the latter is currently a much more sought-after product.

At the last banquet, Xu Ming's speech was spread to various media outlets by the people present, and then disseminated throughout the United States.

Anyone who follows the film industry knows that a Chinese man has come to Hollywood with a billion US dollars and started throwing money around.

Just like the Japanese thirty years ago, they held the wealth of the entire country in their hands and then stirred up trouble in Hollywood.

After Sony acquired Columbia Pictures for a record $60 billion in 1989, Hollywood filmmakers felt that nothing was impossible.

Some people are already betting on how long it will take for Xu Ming to squander his billion-dollar fortune, and many others are eyeing the funds, hoping to get a share.

The only thing they didn't consider was that nine-tenths of the billion figure was inflated...

"Director Wen, it's a pleasure to meet you. You're surprisingly young," Xu Ming said with a smile, extending his hand to shake Wen's.

Wen Ziren opened his mouth, then said helplessly, "This should be my line, bro."

“It’s different. You are the pride of the Chinese people. I’ve seen horror movies like Saw, Dead Silence, and Insidious. You have a perfect blend of Eastern and Western cultures.”

In this respect, you are someone we younger generations should learn from.

Xu Ming showered the other person with compliments as if they were free.

The two sides were quietly drawn into the same camp: the Chinese.

However, he didn't really treat everyone as one family; Chinese and Huaxia people are completely different concepts.

Not to mention, overseas, people are often the most ruthless when they betray their own kind.

"That's too much of an honor. I only have a slight understanding of Eastern culture. My major in college was the classification of the Chinese nation."

Wen Ziren waved his hand, but couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips.

Xu Ming was taken aback upon hearing this, as he had never heard of the other person's major before.

Enough water...

Does it really mean that non-professionals get a bonus when making movies?
“You are exactly the kind of talent we are looking for. From the experience of Hong Kong film industry going overseas in the 1980s, we have found that simply integrating into Western culture or exporting Eastern culture cannot achieve good results.”

Only by combining Eastern and Western cultures can a film truly win the hearts of audiences in both regions; films like *Hero* and *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* are examples of such attempts.

Xu Ming stared at Wen Ziren with an excited look, "And you are clearly more outstanding than Zhang Guoshi and Li An in this regard."

hiss~
This flattery was so effective that Wen Ziren couldn't help but rub his arms.

But this also gradually built up his impression of Xu Ming, a guy who spared no effort to gain access to the Hollywood market.

As for his intention to spread Eastern culture, that's not surprising; most of the Easterners he knew did so before they renounced their nationality.

“Xu, I need to remind you of something: I am Australian, but I was born in Malaysia,” Wen Ziren said cryptically.

He's just a Chinese American; strictly speaking, he considers himself more of a Westerner.

"It's okay, nobody cares about that. Most people only see the surface."

Xu Ming pointed at the other person, then at himself, "We are very similar, at least more similar than those black and white people, and that's enough."

I don't know if you know Tsui Hark, a Hong Kong director. He's from Vietnam, but that doesn't affect his status in the Chinese film market. Similarly, Li An, a pure Hollywood filmmaker, is also popular in China.

He paused, met Wen Ziren's thoughtful gaze, and said, "And you, with the North American market, we can also help you get the mainland market. You can have it both ways and become a true beacon of light for the Chinese people, a leader among Chinese filmmakers!"

Fame and fortune are both laid out before the other party.

He refused to believe that he couldn't win over the other party.
Wen Ziren's eyes were thoughtful; he had no interest in becoming a source of pride for the Chinese people or a leader among Chinese filmmakers.

As he said, he sees himself more as a Westerner.

However, in Xu Ming's vision, the vast Chinese market represents a huge interest that he cannot relinquish.

Furthermore, if he can truly become a leader among Chinese filmmakers, it would mean that his influence could reach an even higher level.

After all, whether he likes it or not, as Xu Ming said, the skin on his body will only turn yellow.

With this thought in mind, Wen Ziren smiled and said, "I am very happy to receive such high praise from you. Although I am Australian, I have Eastern blood in my veins and am willing to do my best to spread Eastern culture."

“The billion US dollars in our account are prepared for you,” Xu Ming said, adding weight to the argument.

Wen Ziren's heart skipped a beat, and his smile became even more sincere.

"By the way, this is the script for 'Lucy.' You can take a look first, and if you're interested, you can decide whether to direct it. You'll definitely be our first choice." Xu Ming handed over the script.

Wen Ziren accepted the document and carefully examined it.

Xu Ming picked up his coffee, took a small sip, and the rising steam concealed the indifference in his eyes.

If the other party is a source of pride for the Chinese people, then who is he?
The way he showered Wen Ziren with praise was not only because he genuinely valued Wen Ziren's potential and worth, but also to create a bulwark in front of him to draw enemy fire.

Would Hollywood want the rise of Chinese filmmakers?
The answer is obvious.

He can't even accept the rise of Chinese filmmakers, let alone a Chinese person like himself.

He needed cover, a body that could shield him from the shadows.

Clearly, James Wan is one of the few Chinese directors capable of undertaking such a great task.

More importantly, this guy's movies are really profitable.

This would be enough for Huaxia Capital, the company behind him, to come up with more funds, even up to the billion US dollars he had boasted about.

Xu Ming's attitude and the reasons he gave.

It did indeed move Wen Ziren, who couldn't think of any reason to refuse; it seemed to be in his own best interest no matter how he looked at it.

The other party's enthusiasm for their first meeting was also evident.

For a moment, Wen Ziren even felt that there really was a pie falling from the sky.

“That’s interesting. I heard its English title is Lucy.”

Wen Ziren looked up at Xu Ming and remarked, "Your understanding of Western culture is comparable to that of the natives."

"We should learn from the barbarians' superior techniques to control them," Xu Ming said with a smile.

When Wen Ziren heard the word 'Yi', his brows furrowed slightly, but then relaxed.

The fact that someone can be completely open with you is also a sign of trust.

Once you actually stand in the position described by the other party, you can decide who you cooperate with.

“However, I’m currently preparing for a film, so I might not be able to find the time right now,” Wen Ziren said.

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow, implying that he could accept the offer, but he would have to wait.

“If you can come, we can wait.” If he remembered correctly, the movie the other party was preparing should be the first film in the Conjuring universe.

Produced on a low budget of $20 million, it grossed $3.18 million worldwide, becoming the dark horse of the 2013 North American summer box office.

Undoubtedly, this is a gold mine that is about to be tapped.

Do you need to invest?

Xu Ming looked at Wen Ziren's amused face and slowly said, "An investment that is entirely at your disposal, with the returns entirely up to you."

Wen Ziren's eye twitched. He was starting to wonder if he had a half-brother.

No, even a father shouldn't be this selfless towards his son, right?

Xu Ming remained calm: "I said I would help you become a true source of pride for the Chinese people."

Oh, I forgot to add the parentheses at the end, little bro.

This investment is like making money on your knees, but the investment comes from Wanda, Star Media and other Chinese capital. They are making money on their knees, so what does it have to do with Xu Ming?
He even dared to guarantee that the box office results for "The Conjuring" would be available soon.

These Chinese capitalists will only think that it's good that they're kneeling, that it's brilliant to kneel, that there's gold under their knees, and that now is the time to cash in.

For movies like "Lucy," the bulk of the funding comes from Qiming.

He also believes that compared to his own "Lucy," Wanda and Stellar Media would prefer to invest in James Wan's "The Conjuring."

Xu Ming never forgot that he was merely carrying the banner of representing China Capital, and that it did not represent the truth.

The bones are given to these capitalists, but the meat is left for our own people to eat.

……

three days later.

Hollywood tabloids have reported that this flamboyant representative of China Capital met with Chinese-American director James Wan at CAA, and they are suspected of reaching a cooperation agreement.

Following this, Pani, as Xu Ming's representative in the United States, announced that "Lucy" would be directed by James Wan.

Many Hollywood companies have also received news that Wen Ziren's new projects are bringing in China Capital.

One by one, they became alert, like old foxes who had caught a whiff of something.

A group of dark-skinned people gathered together is already enough to make them suffer; if yellow-skinned people were to gather together as well, wouldn't they be trying to steal food from their mouths?
Just as they were trying to get information from Xu Ming, the mastermind behind these actions, they discovered that he had actually returned to China.

At this moment, Xu Ming was meeting with association members from Wanda, Xingmei, and others who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

"The investment agreement offered by 'The Conjuring' is too harsh. Ten million US dollars can only get you less than one-fifth of the shares. This is simply fraud!"

One of the members spoke up indignantly.

He was an investor brought in by Zhang Ziyi, and Xu Ming agreed to let him join because he believed that there was strength in numbers.

Ten million US dollars is not a very high figure for the association he founded, especially when divided among multiple parties.

However, the share they held made them suspicious that Xu Ming might have some private dealings with Wen Ziren.

"What's this gentleman's name again?" Xu Ming asked Xiao Juan.

“General Manager Li from Chenghua,” Xiao Juan said.

"Well, Mr. Li, you don't need to pay your share, so you don't need to worry about fraud anymore," Xu Ming said unhurriedly.

They just kicked them out like that?

Mr. Li was taken aback, his face turning even angrier: "Why can't I pay?"

He was just expressing his dissatisfaction; who said he wasn't contributing money?

Given the high returns on Wen Ziren's previous projects, most people would accept it even if they earned less if they could get involved.

“I think someone who is so irrational and lacks a spirit of adventure is not suitable to stay in the association. What do you think?” Xu Ming looked at the others present.

"agree."

"support."

Everyone agreed without hesitation.

They all had access to information about the commotion Xu Ming caused in Hollywood.

I didn't have high expectations, but I didn't expect to make a good start.

Even if this start wasn't as satisfactory as they had hoped, it was still a start.

If it were someone else, they probably wouldn't be as good as Xu Ming.

Moreover, after realizing the association's potential, they also felt that there were indeed too many participants.

Before Mr. Li could react, the security personnel in the room grabbed him and took him out of the room.

Xu Ming nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that the arrangements he made before returning had indeed come in handy.

When facing opponents, we must learn from Quan Xiaojiang and strike hard.

"Although Mr. Li was a bit extreme, what he said was not without reason. The investment contract offered by 'The Summoning of Souls' was indeed a bit harsh."

"However, a share of ten million US dollars isn't much. If anyone is unwilling to participate, they can say so directly. Qiming will make up for any shortfall. I hope everyone will consider this carefully and make their decision entirely voluntarily," Xu Ming said in a deep voice.

Although he considered "The Conjuring" to be just a bone, the extremely high return on investment meant that there was plenty of meat on that bone.

If these people are unwilling, he wouldn't mind Qiming taking over everything.

If the film is successful, all conflicts will be eliminated.

"Ahem, Wanda is willing to take it all on."

“Xingmei is also an option.”

“I don’t have as much money as the groups behind the two of you, but I’m still willing to do my part.”

Seeing that both major cinema chains were interested in the share, no one hesitated any longer.

The group, who had originally planned to use this meeting to question the investment contract and gain a voice in the association, suddenly started arguing amongst themselves.

Xu Ming never took this rabble seriously; he was only interested in their money and connections.

After all, without these people cheering him on, Hollywood filmmakers wouldn't have easily believed his billion-dollar plan.

"You can discuss the specific share. I have other things to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer."

Xu Ming instructed Xiao Juan to continue providing support before leaving the meeting room.

As Xu Ming left, the meeting room became increasingly noisy, clearly indicating that the former's dominance over them was not nonexistent.

It was only at this moment that everyone gained a new understanding of Xu Ming's core influence in the association.

Although the association was established by the latter, the later members were more attracted by the names of Wanda and Xingmei. Only after joining did they realize that Xu Ming, whom they regarded as a mascot, was the real core.

Next to the conference room is the preparation room for "My Love from the Star".

Guo Fan and a group of behind-the-scenes production staff were also arguing.

"Cheon Song-yi is not just a great beauty; she's portrayed as a silly beauty who's also responsible for creating some laughs. I think Yang Mi from our company is a good fit, both in terms of fame and style."

“I still feel that Chen Hao is more suitable. She played the role of the charming woman before, and her image is not much different from that of Cheon Song-yi.”

"If I had to name a top beauty, Fan Bingbing would be the first one. Moreover, this drama is aimed at the entire Asian market, so her international fame is higher than the other two."

(End of this chapter)