Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 272 Finale Banquet
"Mr. Zhang, we should toast you!"

At the wrap party at noon, Dong Ping brought several investors and insisted on toasting Zhang Yan, saying that if it weren't for Zhang Yan's help, the production team would probably have fallen apart, and the initial investment would have been wasted.

"But what I admire most is that you, Mr. Zhang, can keep Jiang Wen in check—if it were me, I probably would have already started fighting with him."

Zhang Yan actually felt unworthy of these words. If he had entered the game from the beginning, he might not have been able to suppress Jiang Wen.

It was precisely because Jiang Wen went too far in the early stages that he was able to gain support from top to bottom when he joined the project halfway through. Even Er Yong and others, whom Jiang Wen personally recruited, were worried that Jiang Wen would completely ruin the production.

After finishing his drink, Zhang Yan waved his hand and said, "I can't drink anymore. I have to meet with the leaders of Optoelectronics this afternoon—we need their help to get our film to be exhibited abroad smoothly."

Hong Kong businessman Wen Xie was most interested in this topic and pressed further, asking, "Is the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television in charge of reviewing all films and television dramas? I heard that if Hong Kong films and television dramas want to enter the mainland, they are also under their jurisdiction?"

"Yes."

Dong Ping patted Zhang Yan on the shoulder and laughed, "The leader our boss Zhang is going to meet is the deputy director in charge of exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and the mainland—haha, that person has an old relationship with our boss Zhang. Back then, he was able to be transferred from Tianjin to Beijing, and half of that was thanks to our boss Zhang."

It seems he hasn't been idle lately; at least he's figured out Zhang Yan's network of connections.

As for Dong Ping's purpose in investigating Zhang Yan's background, there's no need to delve into that; in any case, he has no intention of turning against Zhang Yan.

"I dare not say so."

Zhang Yan quickly replied modestly, "It's all thanks to the leader's skillful command. I was just offering suggestions and giving some encouragement."

Hearing this, Wen Xie took it even more seriously.

The biggest concern in Hong Kong's entertainment industry right now is whether the policies will change after 97.

Now there are connections that allow direct access to leaders in this field, and judging from the conversation between Zhang Yan and Dong Ping, Zhang Yan is also this leader's advisor and strategist...

So, during the latter half of the wrap party, Wen Xie practically revolved around Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan also wanted to learn about the current situation in Hong Kong Island so that he wouldn't be completely clueless when he arrived, so he and Wen Xie hit it off immediately.

Around 1:30, Jiang Wen slipped under the table. Liu Xiaoqing and Ning Jing went to help her up at the same time, but both froze on the spot.

In the end, Liu Xiaoqing backed down and signaled to Zhang Yan that they would meet that evening.

Zhang Yan refused without hesitation. It wasn't that he couldn't be a backup option, but he couldn't be so obvious about it.

Besides, he also had plans to meet Zhou Tao that evening.

After the wrap party, Zhang Yan washed his face, brushed his teeth, and changed into a new set of clothes before driving to the State Administration of Optoelectronics.

Because I was driving a nice car, getting in didn't take much effort.

While parking in the yard, Zhang Yan received a call from Guo Chuanlin, who asked if he had acted as a peacemaker for Zang Tianshuo and the Face Band.

Zhang Yan asked in surprise, "How did the news reach you so quickly?"

"Neither side is satisfied, and they all say to the outside world that they are doing it because of you. Now everyone in the industry who needs to know this knows."

It's good that neither side is satisfied. If one side is satisfied, Zhang Yan will definitely be the one complaining in the end.

"Let them say whatever they want—Fourth Brother, you called just for this?"

"Not really."

Guo Chuanlin hesitated and said, "Actually, I heard it from Cui Jian. Cui Jian thinks we should form an organization to crack down on the current unhealthy trends, otherwise rock and roll will eventually be buried in the ground."

"How to kill? With a knife or with a gun?"

Zhang Yan disagreed, saying, "Old Cui is just being too naive. What they're fighting for now isn't loyalty, it's profit. As the saying goes, cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. We can keep an eye on them occasionally, but if they really try to dig deep, they're not far from disaster."

Hearing Zhang Yan say this, Guo Chuanlin could only smile wryly. In fact, he knew this principle all too well, but as one of the first generation of rock musicians in China and one of the key figures in the rock craze, he still hoped that rock music would continue to improve.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Then don't worry about it. I'll talk to Cui Jian."

hang up the phone.

Zhang Yan couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. Since Cui Jian had joined him in leading the aid-to-Xinjiang operation, his ambition had clearly increased, but unfortunately, he wasn't channeling that ambition in the right direction. After asking around, they arrived at Deputy Director Lin's office, where they found a considerable number of people already waiting.

Seeing that the secretary outside was an unfamiliar face, Zhang Yan was hesitating whether to call Leader Lin directly when the secretary took the initiative to greet him and asked, "Are you President Zhang from Yuanmeng?"

"You know me?"

Zhang Yan was somewhat puzzled.

The secretary smiled and said, "In government agencies, it's rare to see someone as young and promising as you."

The man introduced himself as Secretary Hu, and appeared to be in his early thirties. He looked shrewd and capable.

"Mr. Zhang, please wait here for a moment."

He led Zhang Yan to sit down to the side and said, "The leader has already instructed that you should go straight in when you arrive—but there are people inside right now, so..."

"understand."

One was a close associate of a leader, and the other was a strategist and lucky charm in the leader's eyes. They both wanted to befriend each other and got along very well when they talked.

The department and section-level cadres waiting nearby were all very envious of this scene and began to inquire about Zhang Yan's identity and background.

After waiting for about ten minutes, two middle-aged cadres came out backwards from inside, and Secretary Hu immediately led Zhang Yan into the office.

"You're here, have a seat."

When Leader Lin saw that it was Zhang Yan, he was sketching something on a piece of paper while gesturing for Zhang Yan to sit on the sofa opposite him.

After Zhang Yan sat down, Secretary Hu served tea and refilled Lin's cup by half before leaving and closing the door behind him.

After sketching on the paper for a while, Leader Lin looked up and asked, "What's Han Sanping from Beijing Film Academy up to?"

"They probably didn't know about our relationship and wanted to take the opportunity to curry favor with me—the idea of ​​creating a movie channel to generate revenue was my suggestion to them, but our optoelectronics team snatched it away."

"I said so."

Leader Lin suddenly realized: "Although he has accomplished some things at the Emei factory, he is mainly good at solid work and has a lot of courage. Innovation is not his forte."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but shake his head and say, "It's a pity you're too young and not suited for a career in politics. Otherwise, I would definitely have suggested that the bureau transfer you here to be in charge of the restructuring of the eight major film studios."

Zhang Yan raised his hands in surrender: "Please spare me, I dare not wade into this mess—if you ask me, the future of film still lies in private capital, the higher-ups just need to focus on the general direction."

Leader Lin also shook his head: "It's easier said than done, and it's even harder than restructuring."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Actually, it would be good for you to go to Hong Kong Island and take a look. When it comes to new things outside, you young people in the private sector are definitely the ones who learn faster and see things more clearly."

As he spoke, he handed a form to Zhang Yan and said, "Go back and fill out the form for the people accompanying the group, and then give it to Xiao Hu."

Zhang Yan took it and looked at it carefully. He found that the visit to Hong Kong was scheduled for mid-March, and Yuanmeng had three spots available for the tour group.

Below are a whole bunch of rules, which can be summarized as: Don't embarrass yourself, and even more so, don't lose face – this 'losing face' refers to staying illegally in Hong Kong Island, or simply using Hong Kong Island as a springboard to go abroad.

Zhang Yan shook the document in surprise: "This time, all the people who went were the heads of the film studios. Surely no one would run away?"

"Haha~"

Leader Lin sneered, "Besides restructuring, the film studio is also fighting corruption."

understood.

Leader Lin then instructed, "When you get there, try to communicate more with the film and television companies in Hong Kong. They are all private enterprises, so it should be easier for them to talk to each other."

"I hope so."

Zhang Yan wasn't so optimistic. He shrugged and said, "They're notorious for fawning over the mainland and bullying the people. Compared to someone like me with no official position, they might actually be more supportive of state-owned factories, at least their level is high enough."

(End of this chapter)