Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 303 Arrival in Hong Kong
afternoon.

Several Hong Kong film industry tycoons, including Raymond Chow of Golden Harvest, Raymond Wong of Oriental Cinemas, Raymond Lui of Golden Princess Cinemas, and Poon Tik-sing of D&B Films, arrived at Kai Tak Airport early to await the arrival of the inspection team.

Zou Wenhuai, who was in the center position, leaned on his cane and stared blankly outside, seemingly lost in thought.

Although Pan Disheng was sitting with Lei Juekun, he didn't even glance at him, after all, the two had been engaged in a lot of open and covert struggles over the years.

Across from Lei Juekun, Pan Disheng asked Huang Baiming, "Baiming, what do you think the mainland is after this time?"

"What else could it be but the introduction of Hong Kong investment?"

Before Huang Baiming could speak, Lei Juekun interrupted, "Nine out of ten people are businessmen. In recent years, many Hong Kong tycoons have gone to the mainland to make their fortunes. Now it's finally our turn! If you ask me, we need to unite this time and try to negotiate better terms."

Pan Disheng glanced at him and said with a sneer, "Then why don't you take the lead, Lei Sheng? As long as you can bring benefits to everyone, we will definitely support you."

Lei Juekun is known in Hong Kong circles for being domineering and tough, and he usually likes to act like a senior figure. However, when Pan Disheng wanted to push him forward to compete with the inspection team from the mainland, he backed down without hesitation.

"Who gave me the right to speak up?"

Lei Juekun said, looking at Zou Wenhuai in the center, "With Mr. Zou here, he's definitely the one who calls the shots."

Zou Wenhuai seemed not to hear, still staring blankly outside.

The two were actually not that far apart in age. Lei Juekun felt ignored and coughed in annoyance, trying to get Zou Wenhuai's attention. However, Zou Wenhuai suddenly stood up with his cane and said, "The person who wants to make the decision has arrived."

Lei Juekun paused for a moment, then subconsciously turned around and saw that Shao Yifu, the retired head of the Shaw Group, was also walking towards them with a walking stick.

Although Shaw Brothers had largely withdrawn from the film industry in the 90s, and even its cinemas were acquired by Poon Tik-sing, it still maintained its influence in the film industry through TVB.

Moreover, with less direct competition, Lei Juekun and others actually showed more respect for Shao Yifu.

Upon seeing him there, the three of them went up to him in unison and greeted him, "Boss Shao, what brings you here?"

"Haha~"

Shaw smiled slightly: "The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television not only manages movies, but also all the television stations in mainland China. TVB will definitely have to deal with them a lot."

Pan Disheng, the youngest member of the family, smiled and said, "With you, Uncle, on our side, we feel at ease. After all, there are very few people on the entire Hong Kong Island who know better than you how to deal with the mainland."

Shao Yifu waved his hand modestly, then looked at Zou Wenhuai, who was standing alone to one side.

Zou Wenhuai silently made a gesture of invitation and moved to a corner to the side.

The two were master and apprentice for more than ten years, but later became enemies and fought for more than ten years. In the end, Raymond Chow personally brought down Shaw Brothers, which had dominated the Hong Kong film industry for 30 years. However, Shaw Brothers still thrived after moving to TVB.

Shao Yifu took the seat of honor without hesitation and then naturally steered the conversation.

After half an hour.

Seeing the passenger plane slowly come to a stop on the tarmac, Shao Yifu stood up with his cane and said, "Let's go and see how this Deputy Director Lin plans to make his first big move."

Upon hearing this, Hong Kong tycoons, including Raymond Chow, stood up and led their men toward the VIP exit.

A few minutes later.

As Leader Lin led the inspection team out of the passage, he immediately saw Shao Yifu waiting across from him. He quickly took a few steps forward and extended both hands to greet him, saying, "Mr. Shao, it should be me who takes the initiative to visit you."

Just as Leader Lin quickened his pace, someone else also sped up and overtook him from behind, smiling reservedly at Shao Yifu and the others.

Shao Yifu hung his cane on his arm, grasped Director Lin's hands with both hands, and said, "Director Lin, now that you're here, we feel more at ease."

The reporters who had been waiting nearby immediately started snapping photos non-stop.

At this moment, Lei Juekun suddenly felt that the smiling woman next to Leader Lin looked familiar, but after all, he was almost 70 years old and his eyesight wasn't very good, so he asked Huang Baiming next to him, "Baiming, isn't that Gong Li next to you?"

“It’s Gong Li.” Huang Baiming adjusted his glasses and said with some puzzlement, “Why is she in the inspection team? And she seems quite close to this Director Lin.”

However, before the two could come to any conclusions, Shao Yifu turned around to introduce a few people to Leader Lin, and they quickly stepped forward to exchange pleasantries.

After Shaw Yi-fu finished introducing the Hong Kong film industry tycoons who took the opportunity to speak, Director Lin began to introduce Director Teng of the Film Bureau and the directors of the eight major film studios.

Finally, we introduce Zhang Yan.

Upon hearing that there was a private enterprise in the inspection team, the group members became quite interested. Shao Yifu looked Zhang Yan over and suddenly laughed, "The script for 'Tianjin Wei' back then was written by Zhang Sheng, wasn't it? TVB even wanted to poach Zhang Sheng and write a few more similar scripts, but who knew... Haha, the younger generation is indeed formidable."

As he spoke, he reached out his hand to Zhang.

"You flatter me."

Zhang Yan quickly clasped his hands together, seemingly modestly saying, "I just caught the wave of the times. There are countless people like me in the mainland. I just took a half step earlier than others, and there's nothing to be proud of."

Leader Lin explained from the side, "I specifically asked Xiao Zhang to come along. Firstly, he was the one who suggested opening up the mainland to private film and television capital and the marketization of television copyrights; secondly, as a self-made private film and television company owner, I believe he will have more common topics with our colleagues in Hong Kong."

Everyone was already quite curious about Zhang Yan, and now, judging from what Leader Lin said, it was clear that he was encouraging everyone to communicate more with Zhang Yan, which made people even more interested in Zhang Yan and his dream.

Just then, two foreigners came over with a few people and formally invited the inspection team to settle in the hotel first. As for who would be responsible for receiving them afterwards, it would depend on the final decision of the GY government, since Hong Kong Island did not have a department that matched optoelectronics.

Upon hearing this, Zou Wenhuai and the others exchanged glances, all feeling that the situation was rather complicated.

The GY government clearly did not welcome the inspection team, which made them somewhat unsure whether to get too close to them—after all, the foreigners wouldn't be leaving for another three years.

Shao Yifu replied without hesitation, "If it is inconvenient for the government to receive you in person, I can do so on your behalf."

The two foreigners exchanged a glance, and one of them shrugged at Shao Yifu and said, "Sir, we are just following orders. The specific arrangements depend on what the higher-ups decide."

Leader Lin smiled and said, "Let's go along with the host for now. I'll pay you a visit after the inspection team is settled."

…………

That night.

During the mahjong game organized by Zhang Guorong, Brigitte Lin said while playing mahjong, "Handsome, let's change the channel."

Upon hearing her words, Zhao Wenzhuo quickly grabbed the remote control and changed two channels, only to find that the content was almost identical, both reporting on the mainland inspection team.

Lin Qingxia was a little puzzled: "Is this inspection team very important? Why is it being broadcast on TV?"

Zhang Guorong deftly built the Great Wall and casually said, "Of course it's important. I heard that the person in charge of the team is in charge of managing Hong Kong's film and television industry before and after 97. It's a matter of great interest, so the TV station will definitely pay attention."

"Then let's..."

Just as Mei Yanfang from across the hall was about to say something, she suddenly pointed at the screen and exclaimed, "Huh?! Isn't that Gong Li?!"

"Really!"

Zhang Guorong and Brigitte Lin were also drawn to the scene. Just then, the camera shifted to show Zhang Yan shaking hands with Shao Yifu.

"what?!"

Mei Yanfang was even more surprised: "Isn't this Zhang Sheng, the one whose dream came true? What's he doing here?"

"Zhang Sheng? The one who sang 'The Romance of the Western Chamber'?"

"No, this Mr. Zhang is a big shot in the mainland record industry. He's the one who created 'I'm Crazy for Singing.' This year, his company released four albums, and every single one of them went platinum!"

(End of this chapter)