The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 107 A reward of tens of millions! Glory of billions!
The host, Jingwei, invited Han Sanping to give a speech.

Han Sanping walked to the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, and the noisy hall quickly quieted down.

He didn't have a script; his voice was steady and powerful, carrying through the microphone to every corner.

"Good evening, colleagues, friends, and media friends."

"Today, standing here, I feel the same as everyone else, very excited, and even a little emotional."

“Just over a month ago, many people were saying that period dramas were dead, that audiences were tired of them, and that the market was saturated. Some people also questioned whether our young directors could handle such large productions and whether they could tell China’s own historical stories well.”

"Today, 'Du Gong' has answered all these questions with its tangible results!"

"Today, we are not just celebrating our victory, but also vindicating Chinese cinema!"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word he spoke was firm and resounding.

"The film 'The Eunuch' proved with its 300 million yuan box office that Chinese audiences want upright Chinese stories, not films with dark and obscure metaphors!"

Although no name was mentioned, it's obvious which movie was being referred to.

Han Sanping had just finished speaking.

Some people's expressions changed slightly, but they were drowned out by the thunderous applause from the entire audience.

Han Sanping smiled slightly.

Defeat breeds resentment, victory leads to retaliation and revenge.

This is the moment of victory. If we don't finish them off now, when will we?
The path is clear; all that's left is to follow it.

Han Sanping was well aware that the direction could not be contradicted; if the route was wrong, the execution would definitely be distorted.

Shen Shandeng's next three projects each have an average cost of only 50 million. Even if the movie flops, he can still make it profitable.

They're already in an invincible position!
Laugh to death!

Xiao Deng was ultimately too short-sighted, thinking it was an outrageous demand, when it was only 1.5 times the salary of Jet Li.

If he truly didn't understand the formula of "The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger," then his use of John Woo's "Red Cliff" already indicated that he was preparing a copycat film, "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" being one of them.

The Three Kingdoms theme has a huge advantage: it appeals to Southeast Asia and carries relatively less risk.

However, the market and talent pool are limited, and there is a lack of a reliable and capable executor.

Despite putting in a lot of effort, the results were often minimal, and I always felt that something was missing.

awkward!
It wasn't until he met Shen Shandeng that Han Sanping finally tasted happiness. He only needed to play the role of China Film Group and didn't have to get involved himself.

He had the rebel leader Li Zicheng charging into battle for him!
Han Sanping said with high spirits, "This is not a victory for me alone, nor is it a victory for China Film Group. This is a victory that the entire creative team of 'The Eunuch', from director Shen Shandeng to every actor and every behind-the-scenes worker, fought hard with their blood and sweat!"

"It's a victory cast by the vast Chinese audience with every movie ticket! It proves a path: rooted in our local culture, respecting our audience, delving into our own cultural heritage, and making films with the utmost seriousness and sincerity, the market will definitely give you a positive return!"

"From the moment China Film Group decided to produce 'The Eunuch,' the project was imbued with the significance of exploration. We regard it as a pilot project, a comprehensive pilot project for the industrialization process of Chinese films, the new model of period blockbusters, and the training system for young directors."

"Now, I can tell you all without a doubt!"

Han Sanping raised his voice and exclaimed excitedly, "This pilot project has been an unprecedented success!"

"it is good!"

"Chairman Han is right!"

The audience erupted in applause and cheers.

Han Sanping continued, "It has successfully explored a new path for period blockbusters, not by piling up spectacles, nor by pandering to overseas audiences, but by relying on solid scripts, excellent action design, precise genre-based storytelling, and modern production management!"

"It has successfully demonstrated the potential of young directors; given enough trust and support, they can unleash amazing creativity!"

"It has more successfully boosted the confidence of the entire Chinese film industry!"

"We are in the Chinese film market, but we still know too little about it! We have underestimated our market potential!"

"The success of 'The Eunuch' may be just one example, but it has brought new energy and injected youthful vitality into Chinese cinema."

"The success of 'The Eunuch' marks the initial transition from period dramas to historical epics. In the future, China Film Group will adopt a high-spirited approach to advance its blockbuster strategy and upgrade the film industry through this strategy."

"The success of 'The Eunuch' is not only a success for the film industry and the cultural industry, but also a successful manifestation of the marketization path. It is a successful attempt to deepen and solidify our film marketization path, and we must unswervingly promote the reform of the film market."

clap clap clap!
This series of almost universally affirmative statements interrupted Han Sanping's speech several times with applause.

Many film company executives and creators in the audience looked thoughtful.

Wang Zhongjun, who was at the banquet, could not hide his shock.

Wang Changtian and Yu Dong exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Reporters who have been deeply involved in the film industry were also extremely shocked, as Han Sanping had elevated "The Eunuch" to an unrealistic level.

Han Sanping looked around the room and smiled, "Of course, 'The Eunuch' is just the beginning!"

"China Film Group will continue to firmly support young filmmakers, support various beneficial genre explorations, and support all excellent film projects that are rooted in Chinese culture and serve Chinese audiences!"

"Finally, I would like to thank everyone who worked hard on 'The Eunuch'! Thank you to all the viewers who supported 'The Eunuch'! Thank you to director Shen Shandeng for his hard work!"

"For the future of Chinese cinema!"

"cheers!"

Media reporters frantically recorded every single word.

This speech undoubtedly laid the official groundwork for the success of "Du Gong".

The tone is set very high!
It also points out the future direction of China Film Group!
Jingwei looked at Shen Shandeng, his eyes conveying a profound meaning, and said, "Welcome to our film's greatest contributor, director Shen Shandeng, for his speech."

"Come."

Han Sanping patted Shen Shandeng on the shoulder with a smile and gave him the seat of honor.

When Shen Shandeng was invited to the stage, even though he had already prepared a speech, at this crucial moment, looking at the excited, joyful, and expectant faces below the stage, he couldn't help but be deeply moved!

To get the project approved, I used all sorts of deception, and from the project's inception until now, ten months have passed, and I've hardly taken a single vacation.

If Zhou Qifeng and Wu Jing are like cattle and horses...

He is the biggest beast of burden.

However, success is success after all, and success is the most wonderful thing.

While we shouldn't only look at the results, a good outcome can undoubtedly comfort everyone and is the best reward for one's efforts.

Shen Shandeng's voice sounded somewhat deep through the microphone, yet it was incredibly clear.

"Thank you, Chairman Han, and thank you, China Film Group. Without China Film Group's support, 'The Eunuch' wouldn't have been born. It seems I'm destined to be a pioneer; I'll continue to take on challenges in the future."

Laughter and applause erupted from the audience.

Han Sanping's face was practically frozen with a grin; he'd been waiting for those words.

After the cheers subsided, Shen Shandeng continued, "Thank you, Brother Jing, Kun'er, Xiaoming, Bingbing, Teacher Chen Hao, Teacher Daoming, thank you to every brother and sister in the crew. And Mimi, thank you for believing in me and accompanying me all this way."

"Many people say that I'm a loudmouth and talk big."

Shen Shandeng paused, a faint smile curving his lips: "But every word I said was something I wanted to do, and something I would definitely strive to do, and something I did."

"The Duke of Du is not the end point; it is just the first step we have taken."

"Behind the cold box office figures lies a burning market enthusiasm and the cultural needs of the audience."

"This shows that a Chinese core technology combined with Chinese visual spectacle not only works, but can also be explosive!"

"By deeply understanding the emotional needs of local audiences, the audience can feel it!"

"The idea that evil will be punished is a narrative pattern deeply rooted in the psychology of local audiences, and they can feel it too!"

"The action effects, which are full of Eastern imagination and highly refined, such as internal energy and flesh and blood, and the clash between cold and hot weapons, can be felt by the audience!"

"Not only can we feel it, but it also gives us the most generous returns, unleashing unprecedented commercial energy."

Shen Shandeng did not forget to spread his creative philosophy, and then said: "The road is still long, and 'Jiajing,' 'The Embroidered Uniform Guard,' and 'The Eunuch 2' are still waiting for us."

Shen Shandeng is never one to mince words; at the celebration banquet, he directly announced the follow-up projects, which was also for the purpose of promoting the film.

The news of the three films being greenlit was not a secret among China Film Group, top industry circles, and the main creators, but this was the first time it had been made public.

The interview on the movie channel hasn't aired yet; we'll have to wait until tomorrow night.

"Director Shen, could you elaborate?"

Is this a sequel to "The Eunuch"?

Shen Shandeng's words immediately ignited a firestorm among the media reporters.

In the audience, Wu Jing, Chen Kun, and others raised their glasses and shouted, "To Director Shen!"

Fan Bingbing, with her curly hair cascading down her shoulders, moved among the guests carrying a wine glass, like a bright flame.

As reporters' cameras followed her, Fan Bingbing disregarded her composure and boldly declared, "Next time you use me, I'll give you a 20% discount on your fee."

Her eyes were full of charm.

Da Mimi almost couldn't control her expression; she was so angry that she was flirting with her man in public.

Mad!
Chen Hao also disapproved of Fan Bingbing's behavior, finding her too unrestrained!
Huang Xiaoming chimed in from the side, "Then I'll get a 30% discount!"

This immediately made the atmosphere even more cheerful.

"Speaking of salary."

Shen Shandeng raised the glass the waiter offered him and said with a smile, "Many people in the crew call me 'Little Stingy.' Last night, I talked for a long time with Brother Jing, President Yu Dong, and President Wang Changtian, and finally convinced them. Then we dragged China Film Group into it too."

"Our production company has decided to award ten million to our production team!"

These words shocked the entire audience! A successful film would certainly bring a bonus, but this was a whopping ten million!

"Holy shit!" Wang Zhonglei cursed.

Wang Zhongjun gasped, his fear of Shen Shandeng growing even stronger.

Shen Shandeng, who had been a leader in his previous life, knew very well that the team would not say anything about the huge box office success of "The Eunuch," but they were all waiting to see it happen.

Perhaps celebrities don't care much; for them, their paychecks are just one part of their income.

Especially in movies, you're lucky if you can even get a role; only TV dramas offer decent pay.

We are not yet in a future where film salaries will explode; celebrities mainly earn their income through endorsements and commercial performances.

However, the crew members, excluding the stars, were all watching.

If Shen Shandeng doesn't share the spoils, or shares a small amount, he won't say anything, but his enthusiasm will definitely be greatly reduced.

Despite being busy with all sorts of work and earning a salary higher than the industry average, in the end, the director and producers made a fortune, while he only received a fixed salary.

What's the point of risking your life?
The most important quality a boss has in the eyes of his employees is whether he can share the pie, without exception.

Anyone can make a pie-in-the-sky promise, but whether or not the pie is actually shared, especially when it's a matter of whether or not the profits are shared, is what employees care about most.

Secondly, it comes down to the leader's commitment and responsibility.

The most disgusting kind of leader is the one who thinks they have good intentions and a high moral standard, but actually takes advantage of their subordinates' work for free.

For example, Xiang Yu would show concern for his subordinates' well-being and was very polite to them.

However, he became ridiculous when he made promises of official positions and bestowed rewards upon his subordinates.

In contrast, Liu Bang was very generous when it came to bribing people with crucial benefits.

When powerful figures like Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai gave money to their subordinates, they were truly generous with their own money.

The silk Gao Huan gave Peng Le was so heavy it almost crushed him to death. The Northern Zhou Dynasty continued to pay the reward to the young general who killed Gao Aocao until the Sui Dynasty.

Modern cards also exist.

The reason his men were willing to deliver fatal blows with several blows in a second was because there was plenty of meat and money to be had.

Wen Kaka, who had only served in the army for a few months, received a considerable resettlement allowance, equivalent to four or five years' salary.

During the later investigation, no matter how they asked, Quan Kaka insisted that he had spent over 200 billion yuan and consumed tens of thousands of kilograms of meat.

Conversely, Xiang Yu and his family, being prominent noble families in the Chu state, were always well-off and seemingly aloof, but in reality, they were the most disgusting.

Of course, the leaders' backgrounds—whether from wealthy families or rising from humble beginnings—have nothing to do with the people doing the work.

Leaders from high-ranking backgrounds will also enjoy meeting good people.

He can withstand any pressure, and he can find any channel or connection. He only cares about fame and seniority, not profit.

A leader who comes from humble beginnings can be very happy when he encounters a good leader. He understands everything, from technical aspects to construction and interpersonal relationships.

Working with this kind of person is tiring, but you'll definitely get to eat meat and learn something.

Shen Shandeng knew very well that only by dividing the money could they have fighting power.

He offered salaries two to three times higher than the industry average and provided generous year-end bonuses. Even though he was constantly grumbling, his employees still felt that he was genuine.

Shen Shandeng directly announced the distribution plan: "Of this ten million, part will be used to make up for the salaries of our main actors, most of whom took pay cuts to act. The majority will be used to give a big bonus to everyone in the production team."

"As long as someone signs a contract, even if they're just a temporary actor, we'll try our best to give them a red envelope (cash gift). The success of 'The Eunuch' belongs to everyone!"

Shen Shandeng raised his glass and said, "Today we're drinking to celebrate our victory and dividing the gold! Tomorrow, we'll continue our journey! The next target awaits us ahead!"

Emotional appeals and declarations of victory are essential.

A huge round of applause and cheers erupted from the audience, especially from Zhou Qifeng and others, who clapped enthusiastically with burning eyes.

They're really splitting the money!

The ice-breaking ceremony that followed saw Han Sanping, Shen Shandeng, Wu Jing, Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun, and others raise drumsticks together, laughing and shouting, and smash the ice sculpture with all their might!
Ice shards flew everywhere, and champagne gushed out.

Golden ribbons rained down from the ceiling with a roar, like a shower of gold!

The whole place was excited!

Laughter, cheers, applause, and the clicking of camera shutters mingled together, pushing the atmosphere to its climax!

The celebrities laughed and dodged each other, then raised their glasses in celebration. Fan Bingbing's skirt was stained with a few drops of champagne, but she didn't care and laughed heartily.

Huang Xiaoming jokingly made a Bruce Lee signature pose.

Wu Jing and Shen Shandeng hugged tightly again. Shen Shandeng would cover the cost of this reward for him; his trusted confidant would definitely take good care of him.

The flashes from the press area created a sea of ​​white light, capturing this night of celebration destined to be recorded in the annals of Chinese film history.

Shen Shandeng stood in the center of the golden rain, letting the ribbons fall on his shoulders.

The media area was already in an uproar.

The camera was pointed at the creators, and the questions were getting sharper and sharper.

"Director Shen! Was the attempt to praise 'The Sin' to kill it all premeditated?"

"Chairman Han! Is this related to industry suppression?"

When a reporter approached to ask him about his opinion on the film's removal from theaters, Shen Shandeng only smiled and did not answer.

"commit a sin"?
Just one on the side of the road.

Ma Youde stepped in, saying, "Today we're only celebrating our success, nothing else. The market will decide, and the audience will vote with their feet."

The banquet concluded in a warm and lively atmosphere.

"Finally, I don't have to stay in a hotel anymore."

Ignoring Fan Bingbing's hints, Shen Shandeng returned to his home, which he hadn't been to for more than half a month.

Shen Shandeng wrapped his thin down jacket tighter around himself, while Da Mimi, wrapped in a white cashmere coat, quietly walked up behind Shen Shandeng.

He strode into the building entrance; the hallway was quiet. The motion-sensor lights turned on with his footsteps, casting a dim yet warm glow.

A familiar and peaceful feeling arose spontaneously.

The cacophony of the non-stop movie promotion period still seems to be ringing in my ears: the screams of fans, the media's relentless questioning, the scorching flashes of cameras, the flattery and pleasantries at the parties, and the allure of female celebrities.
All these dazzling lights and shadows of the world of fame and fortune seemed to be abruptly cut off by an invisible barrier the moment Shen Shandeng opened his door, quickly diminishing and fading away.

Pushing open the door, a dry, warm breeze rushed in, completely shutting out the cold wind outside.

Shen Shandeng closed the door behind him, and the world seemed to be silenced.

Da Mimi turned on the light, handed over a cup of hot tea, and said, "Hotels are so much better. Home is still in the old neighborhood. Nothing beats the comfort of a hotel."

"You'll understand when you've been away from home for a while: even the best hotel is still just a hotel, and even the worst home is still home."

Shen Shandeng took the cup of hot tea handed to him by Da Mimi and took a sip.

Da Mimi's lips curled up slightly.

Shen Shandeng called his parents to report his situation.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Shandeng patted Da Mimi's head: "Why do I feel like you're closer to my mom than I am to her?"

“My aunt often sends things over, and I send them back in return. We've gotten to know each other over time,” Da Mimi said, puffing out her chest.

Shen Shandeng felt the familiar soft touch.

Looking down, I saw a pair of blinking eyes.

"Give me."

Honey hugged him.

Da Mimi kicked off her slippers and stepped barefoot onto the sofa.

The sounds of them snuggling together echoed in the living room.

There are no people to socialize with, no smiles to wear, and no words to carefully consider.
The two young people were only accompanied by the tireless heat emanating from the radiator and the occasional crackling sounds, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

The living room was small and simply furnished, but it became extraordinary thanks to the imaginative creations of the couple.

Several common potted green ivy plants on the windowsill, still drooping under the heat of the heater, are still growing tenaciously.

The curtains were drawn, and by lifting them, one could see scattered lights in the distance, and the hazy glow of the city further away.

Da Mimi said affectionately, "I don't care about victory or noise, I only want you."

The air was still, time flowed slowly, and we could clearly feel each other's heartbeats and deeply connect with one another.

Shen Shandeng felt that the shadows symbolizing opportunity and competition were fading, and a more vibrant version of himself was emerging.

A growl is a man's promise.

"All the glory is yours alone!"

After the victory celebration banquet.

The intensive promotional tour for "The Supervisor" has come to an end.

However, the victory of "Du Gong" has only just begun.

With reports of the celebration banquet on Friday appearing in the newspapers, the movie channel's exclusive interview also met with the audience.

The box office miracle of "The Eunuch" continues, like climbing a ladder to heaven, striding towards the great ship at the end of the Chinese film market!

For others, it was like falling into a deep winter, like standing on the edge of an abyss!
(End of this chapter)