Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 101, Section 100: 'King of Beijing'

The meeting in the department ended, and the attendees left the meeting room with varying expressions.

Although Han Sanping had made up his mind, he did not show much joy on his face, but his steps were slightly lighter than when he came.

"Director Sanping! Wait, wait!" The deputy director of Beijing TV station quickly followed, a warm smile on his face, with Director You of the Arts Center beside him, whose expression was still somewhat unnatural.

Han Sanping stopped and turned around, a formulaic smile appearing on his face at the opportune moment: "Deputy Director, Director You, is there anything else you would like to say?"

"Oh dear, Director Han, you're really putting us down."

The deputy director stepped closer, lowered his voice, and complained with a hint of familiarity: "How could we dare to offer advice? We had no choice at the meeting just now! You don't know, as soon as the news of your 'Thirty-Route Alliance' spread, friends from the broadcasting departments of various regions started calling us, all trying to find out the truth. Some even complained that our Beijing station might have received some benefits beforehand and kept it from everyone. We're really in a bind!"

Director You forced a smile but remained silent.

Han Sanping chuckled and waved his hand, appearing quite magnanimous: "I understand, I understand. Deputy Director, you're too kind. It's all just work. The department has now clarified its direction and established a guidance group. From now on, everyone will act according to the rules, which is good."

His words, though seemingly lenient, actually pointed out that the alliance is now "acting on orders," and its status has changed.

The deputy director, being extremely shrewd, immediately seized the opportunity to climb the social ladder: "Yes, yes! The ministry leaders are truly visionary! Now it's all right! Director Sanping, you've been entrusted with a heavy responsibility by the ministry, taking on the burden of reforming and revitalizing film studios nationwide! In the future, our Beijing TV station will rely on your and the alliance's support in many areas!"

As he spoke, he gave Director You a wink. Director You quickly stepped forward, his tone apologetic and conciliatory: "Director Han, I might have spoken a little too hastily at the meeting just now, please don't take it to heart. It's just that... this matter was too sudden. In the future, our art center will have to rely more on the alliance channels you lead for the distribution of the TV dramas and movies it produces."

Han Sanping narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the two faces. He sneered inwardly, knowing that this was a case of opportunism, an attempt to quell any potential misunderstandings and pave the way for the future.

His smile remained unchanged as he said calmly, "No problem, no problem. As long as it's a good work and meets the alliance's standards, we naturally welcome cooperation."

Seeing that Han Sanping didn't seem to want to bring up old grievances immediately, the deputy director felt a little relieved and said to Director You, "Old You, you go back to the center first. I'll have a few more words with Director Han."

Director You felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly took his leave.

Watching Director You walk away, the deputy director warmly put his arm around Han Sanping's arm, as if they were old friends: "Old Han, come on, let's find a place to have a cup of tea. Consider it my apology to you. We really overreacted to this today's matter and didn't inform you in advance."

Han Sanping did not refuse, and the two went to a quiet teahouse near the ministry compound.

After everyone was seated and served tea, the deputy director sighed, "Old Han, to be honest, you guys have really gone too far. You've created a huge mess. But I admire you, brother! You dare to think big and act boldly, and you've actually made it happen! Now that the ministry has given its approval, things are looking bright and promising."

Han Sanping blew away the foam on the tea, remaining noncommittal: "The road ahead is long, let's feel our way across the river."

The deputy director leaned closer and whispered, "To show our sincerity and to ensure smoother cooperation in the future, I have some ideas. Your alliance is just starting out; besides the distribution network, shouldn't your content library and derivative products also keep up?"

I heard that Wang Sheng, that little... no, Mr. Wang, came up with the idea for that dating show called "It's You"?
Although the response after the pilot broadcast last month was... well, it was relatively stable, but the format is quite novel, and it might become popular in the future.

"Our station can decide on the copyright for this program; as a way of supporting the alliance's development, we can transfer it to the Beijing Film Studio Audio-Visual Company. What do you think?"

Han Sanping raised his eyelids slightly, knowing that the program was currently lukewarm, and that Beijing TV was using a useless program to curry favor.

But then he thought that this was a program organized by Wang Sheng, and that it might become popular in the future, so he nodded and said, "The deputy director is very thoughtful."

Seeing that Han Sanping accepted, the deputy director was delighted and continued to offer more: "Also, the VCD rights for some of our station's and arts center's older films, such as 'Stories from the Editorial Office,' 'Yearning,' and 'A Native of Beijing in New York,' can be packaged and licensed to your Beijing Film and Television Company. Didn't you come to talk to us about this a while ago? These are classics, recognized by the public! This should be helpful to you, right?"

This is the real, practical information.

These dramas have a huge influence, and their VCD copyrights are quite valuable.

Han Sanping's heart skipped a beat, knowing that this was the other party going all out to appease his possible dissatisfaction and to buy tickets for the future art center project to get on the fast track of the alliance.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Since the deputy director is so sincere, I, Old Han, am not one to be ungrateful. As for the copyright fee, let's go with the fair market price. Our Beijing Film Studio won't let our friends suffer a loss."

As for future projects at the arts center, as long as the quality is excellent, the alliance's distribution channels will definitely give them priority.

Instead of demanding an exorbitant price, he emphasized "fair price" and "high quality," demonstrating both his strategic vision and his control of the situation.

The deputy director wanted this promise of "priority consideration," and immediately beamed: "Great! We'll do as Director Han says! I'll have my people coordinate with Beijing Film and Television Company on the details as soon as possible!"

The two toasted each other with tea instead of wine, which was considered a new tacit understanding.

……

the other side.

Beijing Television Art Center.

Director You returned to his office, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Zheng Xiaolong is waiting for his news.

Upon seeing him return, Zheng Xiaolong asked with concern, "Old You, what did the ministry say at the meeting?"

Director You gave a brief account of the meeting, especially the Vice Minister's final decision to establish the guidance group, legalize the alliance pilot program, and Han Sanping's strong defense of Wang Sheng.

Even the usually composed Zheng Xiaolong was stunned for a moment after hearing this, somewhat incredulous: "The Beijing Film Studio really managed to make this distribution alliance work? And it even became a pilot project recognized by the Ministry? And Wang Sheng is completely unscathed?"

Director You gave a bitter smile, tinged with sourness and helplessness: "Han Sanping is shrewd! He's elevated the issue to the level of 'concerning the survival of dozens of film studios and hundreds of thousands of employees and their families.' This is using the big picture to pressure us! What can the ministry do? Are we really going to watch so many factories go bankrupt?"

As for Wang Sheng… that kid now has the Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award protecting him, plus his wedding film project and the current alliance, which have indeed indirectly created many jobs. He's got all the credit and hard work, and he's riding high. His current position, while not absolutely secure, is probably untouchable.

Zheng Xiaolong remained silent for a long time, then lit a cigarette and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

He thought of his own Lunar New Year drama, "Everything Goes Well," which he was preparing to compete with "Family Harmony Brings Prosperity," and Feng Xiaogang, whom he relied on. A sense of urgency and powerlessness arose in his heart for no apparent reason.

Director You noticed his thoughts and asked, "How's the progress of our 'May All Your Wishes Come True' project?"

Zheng Xiaolong rallied his spirits: "We're filming now. Feng Xiaogang is putting in a lot of effort this time; the script is well-polished. We expect it to air around New Year's Eve or New Year's Day."

Director You nodded and reminded him, "It's good to have drive. But Lao Zheng, I have to remind you, the station has basically decided that on New Year's Eve, December 31st, during prime time, they will definitely be broadcasting the Beijing Film Studio's 'Family Harmony Brings Prosperity'."

This is a political task, and also to support the newly formed alliance. Our drama needs to avoid the limelight. Besides, in the future… we might really have to rely on that distribution alliance organized by the Beijing Film Studio to sell the drama to other regions.”

Zheng Xiaolong hummed in agreement and didn't say anything more, but the indomitable spirit in his eyes didn't disappear.

He knew that the comfort zone of their "old Beijing circle" had been broken by a young man from the film studio system in a domineering manner.

Future competition will likely no longer be about simple creativity and personal connections, but rather a contest of resources, channels, and systems.

King of Beijing's elite circles?

Zheng Xiaolong came up with this adjective.

Compared to him, Wang Shuo was worlds apart. If Wang Shuo had the protection of the television system, he wouldn't have had to leave for a distant land...

(End of this chapter)