Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 218, Section 216: "Red Flag"

February 24, 1999, dawn was breaking.

A few rays of pale early spring sunlight pierced through the gaps in the heavy curtains of the executive suite at the Wangfujing Hotel, casting long, narrow strips of light across the luxurious carpet.

On the large bed, Cecilia Cheung was like a lazy cat, her breathing even and long.

Wang Sheng has a precise biological clock and wakes up at the appointed time.

As soon as he moved, Cecilia Cheung, nestled in his arms, let out a soft moan of dissatisfaction, tightening her arms around him and nuzzling her cheek against his chest in a dependent manner, mumbling, "Brother Sheng... um... sleep a little longer..."

His voice was hoarse and heavy with sleepiness.

Wang Sheng patted her smooth back: "Time to get up."

"No..." Cecilia Cheung was half asleep, acting coy, and groping him with her eyes closed, her possessiveness childlike.

After another hour of tender playfulness, Wang Sheng finally escaped from this gentle embrace.

……

Nine o'clock in the morning, ninth floor of Jingxin Building.

Wang Sheng walked into the office, still carrying a trace of the fresh outdoor air with him.

As usual, Li Tingting brought him the documents he needed to review and a cup of hot tea.

Wang Sheng instructed, "Call the head of the historical drama group over here."

"it is good."

Soon, Zhou Fang, the head of the historical drama team, walked into the office.

Zhou Fang was about forty years old, wearing black-rimmed glasses and dressed simply, exuding a scholarly air.

He was originally a senior screenwriter in the Literature Department of Jinling Film Studio. He is skilled at handling delicate narratives against a grand historical backdrop, has a solid foundation in writing, and is rigorous in his research of historical materials. He has previously participated in the scriptwriting of several historical TV movies, demonstrating steady performance.

"Mr. Wang, you wanted to see me?" Zhou Fang asked respectfully, with the composure of an intellectual.

"Sit down." Wang Sheng gestured for Zhou Fang to sit down opposite him and got straight to the point: "There's an urgent task that your history group needs to handle first."

Zhou Fang immediately straightened her back, took out her notebook, and prepared to take notes.

"I plan to make a patriotic TV movie, tentatively titled 'Red Flag'."

Wang Sheng leaned forward slightly, his gaze calm: "The background is set on the eve of the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The core story focuses on a group of ordinary people who worked behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of the simple electric flag-raising device at the top of the flagpole in the square."

He envisioned the classic framework of the "Eve" segment from "My People, My Country," but it needed to be adapted and expanded to suit the technological conditions, narrative pace, and censorship environment of this era.

“The protagonist could be an engineer with an almost obsessive attention to detail in technology, or an experienced craftsman,” Wang Sheng continued, outlining the story: “He was given a critical mission to ensure that the first five-star red flag of the new China was raised smoothly, on time, and without any errors. In the process, he would encounter various difficulties such as material shortages, technical bottlenecks, time constraints, and even the lack of understanding from those around him.”

"What is the main point of the story?" Zhou Fang asked, looking up intently as he quickly took notes.

"What stands out is 'reverence' and 'persistence'." Wang Sheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table and emphasized, "Reverence for history and persistence in responsibility. There are no earth-shattering feats, only a group of ordinary people at a certain point in the torrent of history, devoting all their sincerity to a seemingly simple but extraordinary task."

The emotions must be genuine, the details must withstand scrutiny, and the audience must feel that the flag of the Republic can fly high only because of the sweat and wisdom of these unsung heroes.

He looked at Zhou Fang: "You guys go and visit the real-life inspiration for the story first, and then start writing once it's finalized."

Zhou Fang closed his notebook, adjusted his glasses, and said firmly, "President Wang, this topic is very meaningful. Our team guarantees to complete the task!"

"Okay, let's go."

……

In the evening, the lanterns are lit.

Inside the "Jiangnan Pavilion" private room at the Wangfujing Hotel, the antique-style decorations exude elegance, while outside the window, the dazzling night view of Beijing gradually emerges.

Wang Sheng arrived on time, accompanied by Cai Yinong.

Inside the private room, a man in his thirties or forties, with slicked-back hair and a well-tailored suit, was already waiting. Upon seeing Wang Sheng enter, he immediately stood up to greet him with a broad smile, his steps quick and his posture very humble.

This person is Xia Yushun, a well-known agent and producer in Taiwan.

"Mr. Wang! I've long admired your name! It's truly an honor to meet you today!" Xia Yushun warmly grasped Wang Sheng's hands, shaking them vigorously, his tone flattering and carrying a distinct Taiwanese accent.

His gaze swept quickly over Wang Sheng, scrutinizing and assessing him, but more so with the caution one would show when facing a powerful local tyrant. "Mr. Xia, it's a pleasure to meet you," Wang Sheng said, shaking his hand with a calm and composed demeanor.

The group took their seats, one as host and one as guests.

Xia Yushun had clearly done his homework, and his posture was extremely proper.

He didn't boast or flaunt his seniority like he would at some banquets in Taiwan; instead, he acted like a respectful junior.

"Mr. Wang is young and promising. In just two or three years, he has built such a successful business in the mainland, created a phenomenal idol like Ms. Cecilia Cheung, and produced blockbusters like 'The Four' and '30 Days.' When I heard about this in Taiwan, I was filled with admiration!" Xia Yushun raised his glass and toasted Wang Sheng.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Xia Yushun then changed the subject, mentioning "My Fair Princess," which has been gaining popularity in mainland China recently.

"To be honest, Mr. Wang, I happened to see that 'My Fair Princess' was being broadcast on several local TV stations during my visit, and the response has been very enthusiastic."

Xia Yushun's tone was tinged with emotion, but also with a barely perceptible hint of probing: "Producer He's side has indeed handled things quite well. However..."

He lowered his voice slightly, with a hint of intimacy as if sharing inside information: "I've also heard about some of the setbacks during filming, including the last-minute cast changes, which is no small feat. It's truly a wise move for Producer He to reach a cooperation agreement with you, Mr. Wang, and successfully open up the mainland market."

Wang Sheng smiled faintly and did not respond to the question.

Seeing this, Xia Yushun understood and said nothing more, but clapped his hands.

The assistant, who had been waiting outside the private room, immediately came in carrying two long, rectangular brocade boxes that looked quite valuable.

"Mr. Wang, it's a pleasure to meet you. This is just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope you'll accept it." Xia Yushun personally opened the brocade box.

The first box contained a Parker Century Edition fountain pen, entirely black with a gleaming gold nib—understated yet luxurious.

The second box contained a scroll. Xia Yushun carefully unrolled it, and it turned out to be a painting titled "Shepherd Boy Riding an Ox" by the famous contemporary painter Fan Zeng. The brushwork was vigorous and the painting was full of charm, with considerable market value.

“I’ve heard that Mr. Wang needs to review documents on a regular basis, so this pen might come in handy. As for this painting, it’s just for your appreciation, to add a touch of refinement to Mr. Wang’s office,” Xia Yushun said with a beaming smile.

This generous gift, presented as a gesture of goodwill, is both practical and elegant, demonstrating the thoughtfulness of the person who presented it.

Wang Sheng glanced at the gift, a faint smile still on his face. He neither declined nor showed excessive joy, but simply said calmly, "Mr. Xia, you are too kind."

He instructed his assistant to accept the gift.

Seeing Wang Sheng accept the gift, Xia Yushun's smile became even more sincere, knowing that this first step had been successfully completed.

The following conversation mainly revolved around the collaboration on "The Legendary Twins".

Xia Yushun reiterated Zhenglong International's emphasis on this cooperation and the "validity" of their "authorization documents," and stated that they would fully cooperate with Shengying Media's production requirements.

"Lin Zhiyin and Su Youpeng's schedules and intentions have been confirmed, and they can sign contracts and join the production team at any time."

Xia Yushun assured, "The other roles will be decided entirely by President Wang and President Cai."

The conversation also extended to the current state of the entertainment industry in Taiwan and some of the artists.

Xia Yushun introduced some of the artists under his "Xia Family Team" as if they were his own treasures, as well as some promising newcomers from Taiwan. His words revealed his desire to establish a long-term cooperation with Shengying Media and to introduce more of his artists to the mainland market.

However, he was very tactful and did not directly ask for roles for his artists during their first meeting. Instead, he kept emphasizing things like "we will have to rely on Mr. Wang a lot in the future," "we hope to have more opportunities to cooperate," and "the mainland market is vast and needs the support of leaders like Mr. Wang."

Throughout the dinner, the atmosphere appeared lively, but in reality, Wang Sheng maintained firm control of the proceedings.

Xia Yushun, a prominent figure in Taiwan's entertainment industry, showed considerable respect and tact when facing Wang Sheng, a local bigwig with vast resources and channels in the mainland market.

The dinner party ended around 8:30 p.m.

Wang Sheng and Cai Yinong escorted Xia Yushun to the hotel entrance.

"President Wang, please wait! I am deeply grateful for your hospitality today! I will follow up on the matter of 'The Peerless Twins' with all my might and report to President Cai at any time!" Xia Yushun clasped his hands together again and bowed slightly.

Watching Xia Yushun's car merge into the traffic, Cai Yinong said softly, "This Xia Yushun is known in Taiwan's entertainment circle as a troublemaker with a wide network of connections, but he's also a bit arrogant. Today, he's been quite restrained."

Looking at the dazzling night view of the capital, Wang Sheng said calmly, "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. He understands the situation clearly. Cooperation can be discussed, but the rules must be followed."

"Understood." Cai Yinong nodded.

(End of this chapter)