Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 528 France not only lacked Napoleon, but also De Gaulle.

"Redemption of a Slave" had its run extended in Europe and North America, adding about $30 million to the box office, and Liu Yimin's script share eventually reached $6 million.

Upon hearing Frank's words, Liu Yimin slammed on the brakes: "A million dollars in taxes?"

Neither Frank nor George were wearing seatbelts, and the sudden braking nearly threw them out of the car.

After realizing what had happened, Liu Yimin quickly stepped on the gas again and put the two back in place.

Frank rubbed his head and complained, "Liu, you overreacted a bit. Actually, I'm in a worse situation than you. If you don't believe me, ask George."

“Liu, your tax rate is something Frank can’t even imagine. If he paid such a low tax, I believe he would jump for joy.” George explained the US tax rate to Liu Yimin.

"Should we thank your government for signing the U.S.-China Tax Agreement?" Frank said enviously.

Before the 80s, the United States was a country with a high tax burden, with the highest tax rate reaching 70%. In the earlier years, in order to counter the Soviet Union, the tax on the wealthy reached 90%.

In an industrialized country like the United States, it is unimaginable that more than half of the country's tax revenue comes from personal income tax.

The income threshold for the highest tax rate is $20 per year. Not only is it high, but the tax threshold is also low, as low as 0.

For amounts under $2,100, the starting personal income tax rate is 11%.

After 1980, the United States gradually reduced the personal income tax rate, but it was still very high in the mid-1980s. If Frank received a director's fee of six million dollars, he would only get less than half of it.

The United States has federal taxes, state taxes, and other types of taxes, which proves the strength of the US tax system. Even when data was not readily available, the US had already made taxation very transparent.

At this time, China's tax system was still in the process of gradual improvement. Signing tax agreements with various countries to avoid double taxation was an important step in improving the tax system.

The 1984 Sino-US Tax Agreement clearly stipulates that royalties levied by a contracting party on an individual in another country shall not exceed 10%, meaning Liu Yimin only needs to pay $600,000 in taxes.

This money will generally be taxed when it returns to China, but the tax rate won't be too high. If both sides impose heavy taxes, Liu Yimin will really be squeezed dry.

“Liu, but I can’t give you this money yet. This tax agreement won’t take effect until the end of November. If you settle the bill now, your losses will be too great.” Frank’s headache had subsided.

“Okay, your tax burden is really too heavy. The key is that the tax threshold is 0, which is very unfriendly. Frank, aren’t you French? Have you become an American citizen?” Liu Yimin asked.

Frank said, "No, I'm still a French citizen. But my personal media company is an American business, and because I'm based in the US, the tax treaty between the two countries doesn't apply to me. It's better for us; at least we can still live a relatively good life after taxes, but it's difficult for ordinary people."

With an annual income of two thousand dollars, you have to pay more than two hundred dollars in taxes.

"Yes, I don't care about the rise of a great power, I only care about the dignity of ordinary people." Liu Yimin shook his head regretfully.

George explained his situation: The Paris Review was already poorly profitable, but it had to pay high sales taxes.

Liu Yimin gave him a sympathetic look: "Frank, George, since you two are in China, stay a little longer before you leave. Beijing has many beautiful sights with Chinese characteristics. Although our economy is not as good as yours, our scenery is no less impressive than that of America."

Frank and George exchanged a glance: "Okay, Liu, as long as you're willing to submit your work (for authorization), we can wait."

As the car entered Yenching University, many students stopped to watch. Liu Yimin rolled down the window and greeted the students.

Frank and George stuck their heads out to greet the students as they toured the Yenching University campus.

In October, Yenching University is a sight to behold, with its gray bricks and tiles, red walls and ancient buildings, and yellow leaves all reflecting each other. The autumn scenery around Weiming Lake is at its peak, with a touch of golden yellow and a hint of desolation.

Frank suddenly realized that the conversation had gone off-topic. He had clearly mentioned Watergate and the assassination of Kennedy, but somehow the topic had veered to taxes.

Compared to taxes, the script is undoubtedly the most important. Watching Liu Yimin greet the students, Frank couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only pinch his thigh in frustration.

Frank felt that if he made a film called "JFK," it would be a huge hit, but it involved too much power struggle and would be difficult to write.

Thinking of this, Frank lost all desire to see Yenching University. George looked at the autumn scenery of Yenching University, took a deep breath, and felt the air was filled with the scent of literature.

"George, how is it? Doesn't the air smell sweeter than in America?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile as he parked the car in front of the Chinese Department.

"Fresh and moist, it must have rained recently, the air isn't dry," George said with a smile.

Liu Yimin led Frank and George into the Institute of Literature, where the two were very curious about its interior structure.

Many professors mistook Frank and George for international students, but the two international students looked far too old.

Upon seeing this, Yan Jiayan called out to Liu Yimin: "Yimin, when did your Institute of Literature start recruiting international students?"

"Professor Yan, you're joking. There's no such thing as an old international student. This is Frank, an American director; this is George, an editor and manager of The Paris Review."

"The manager?"

"It's the editor-in-chief," Liu Yimin explained with a smile.

"Oh!" Yan Jiayan extended his hand to shake hands with the two men in turn, welcoming them to China, and then asked Liu Yimin, "They came to see you? Is there anything wrong?"

"It's nothing, just about the script."

"Alright, then you can go ahead and get busy." Yan Jiayan walked to the door and saw Liu Yimin's big crown. He couldn't help but say, "Yimin, have the students from the Institute of Literature and Art clear away the grass and bricks in front and make a parking space specifically for your car."

“Okay, Professor Yan, you’re not being precise. It’s not my car, it belongs to the government or the ministry,” Liu Yimin corrected.

"Oh, never mind, I'll find someone to get it for you in a bit."

"Thanks!"

Liu Yimin walked into the office, picked up his lesson plan, and prepared to go to class. Dozens of training teachers and graduate students from the Institute of Literature and Art followed behind him.

Seeing the menacing crowd, Frank and George quickly closed the distance between themselves and Liu Yimin, asking in a low voice, "Liu, is this a custom in Chinese universities?"

“They are all teachers, but they came to listen to my lectures voluntarily,” Liu Yimin explained.

After Frank and George understood what was happening, they greeted the people behind them. Some of the teachers spoke English, while others did not, but "hello"s echoed throughout the room.

With the increase in the number of teachers in the Institute of Literature, there were not enough seats in the large classrooms, so they brought their own stools, which were scattered around the classrooms.

The second-year course has been taught for several years now, and Liu Yimin can actually teach a class without a textbook.

Liu Yimin's lecture covered American modern literary thought, but after one class, I found it rather uninteresting.

“George, many people think I’m prejudiced against America, and against American literature. Well, you’re the editor of The Paris Review, so why don’t you give a talk?” Liu Yimin smiled and raised his teacup to take a sip.

Although George was surprised, he still went up on stage to speak, but he spoke in English. Since the second-year students' English skills were not strong, Liu Yimin had to translate for them.

"Hemingway is my idol. It was in pursuit of Hemingway's footsteps that we founded The Paris Review. Mr. Hemingway was a fighter. He did not belong to America, but to the world. He was an internationalist who dedicated his life to fighting for international democracy."

He is a spiritual monument to America. After Hemingway, American newspapers and magazines became much more commercialized, and literature increasingly became shrouded in a fog of 'sex, celebrities, and sex.'

Hemingway's life was that of a tough guy; he joined the Spanish guerrillas and even served as a double agent for the US and the Soviet Union.

"Students, your teacher is very good. He is accomplished not only in literature but also in literary theory. He has a deep understanding of the politics, economics, and culture of various countries and is aware of their drawbacks."

Of course, I understand that many people haven't been to America and have a romanticized view of it, but there isn't a true ideal world yet. The other side of beauty is suffering; I've been a journalist, and I know too much about it.

After George finished speaking, Frank went on stage and talked about Hollywood in the United States. He didn't speak from the perspective of a Hollywood professional, but from the perspective of a Frenchman.

"What do people think Hollywood is? Is it the center of American cinema? A place where countless cultural figures linger? No, it's another aircraft carrier of the United States."

Europe is becoming Americanized, with the US using Hollywood and countless cultural products to bind European thought. While we can also see Europe moving towards autonomy, striving for unity and an independent place in the world—the French, who once almost owned Europe, were more ambitious than other Europeans—I unfortunately see no real hope for European autonomy. The US military, industrial products, and culture are all infiltrating Europe, tying its hands and feet. Politicians are making deals; they have their own interests to pursue.

If we look at the countries on Earth from outside the planet, or even through a globe, we'll find that it's a rare thing for a country to be able to independently determine its own destiny. We had de Gaulle before, but I don't know where the next de Gaulle is.

With his hands and feet bound, De Gaulle couldn't dance on stage either. As for Napoleon, France will never have another! Glory once belonged to France, but now France has lost its glory.

As Frank finished speaking, he gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and thunderous applause erupted in the classroom.

Liu Yimin stepped onto the stage and said, "You think what I say is false, but you don't think what the Americans and French say is false, do you?"

"Hahaha!"

"Don't laugh, everyone. Many simple questions actually involve complex factors. You are all students of Yenching University, so you should think about them more."

Frank, who had already stepped down, said again: "Here, I should also apologize to the Chinese on behalf of the French people. Our past actions caused you great harm."

Applause rang out again in the classroom. After class ended, the second-year students packed their bags while discussing Frank and George's conversation with great interest.

Many people have heard Liu Yimin talk about cultural invasion, but this is the first time they've heard this term from a foreigner, so they find it quite strange.

At 5 p.m., when Liu Yimin was driving past the Triangle Area, he heard a lot of students chatting. He slowed down and listened carefully, and found that they were discussing the relationship between Europe and the United States.

Meanwhile, students were also discussing whether Europe could truly achieve unity and autonomy. Yenching University's Chinese Literature Department students have a great passion for politics, and this topic sparked a major discussion throughout the department.

The discussion then spilled over to the political science and history departments, where the three sides held differing views, and students would occasionally engage in private debates.

Then came the economics department, whose students liked to use the total economic output to measure the situation, believing that a united Europe with a large economy would certainly be able to resist the influence from the United States.

It was originally a good case study, but no one could have predicted that Young Master Ou would act so unpredictably, making himself the sucker. He's caught in the middle, pleasing neither side, and everyone seems to be able to take a cut.

When he's out and about, everyone says that our young master Ou is a great philanthropist!

The school is also happy to see this, as it helps students broaden their horizons and cultivate a global perspective. Some departments are even planning to hold a public debate.

The school newspaper wanted Liu Yimin to write an article expressing his views, but Liu Yimin refused. After all, it was the students arguing, and his intervention would be a complete defeat for them.

Of course, if the discussion goes astray, he can quietly set things right.

In the courtyard at dusk, Frank and George were chatting with Liu Yu and Liu Lin. Xi Mei was preparing to cook when Liu Yimin came over and said, "Xi Mei, go ask the neighbors and buy their big rooster. It crows every morning, so we can solve this once and for all and make a 'Farewell My Concubine' dish."

Xi Mei hesitated for a moment, then nodded, took the money, and left the courtyard. She returned shortly afterward: "Professor Liu, they say this is their only rooster!"

"Not selling?"

"No, do I need to pay more?"

"Give him more money!"

"It's much more expensive than the market price, so it's a bit of a rip-off," Xi Mei said hesitantly.

"It's alright, Frank and George are here, we can't be stingy."

After a while, Ximei heard the sounds of chickens running and dogs catching roosters not far away. After Ximei returned with the rooster, the neighbors chased after her to the door and asked if she wanted another rooster, as her cousin's family had some.

Xi Mei quickly refused, closed the door, ran back home, and began preparing to kill the chicken.

Frank turned to Liu Yimin and asked, "Liu, what do you think of the plot of 'JFK'?"

"Frank, do you really want to film this?"

"Speaking from a director's perspective, absolutely yes," Frank assured.

The American film "JFK," made in the 90s, won two Academy Awards and received six nominations.

"To be honest, I don't have much information about the assassination of Kennedy."

Frank moved closer, carrying a stool: "I can find it for you. I can find as much information as you want. I'm confident that with your abilities, you can write a good script, and with my filming skills, I'm sure I can make a good film."

"Okay, then let's have a good time cooperating." Liu Yimin said, extending his hand.

After shaking hands, Frank excitedly made a celebratory gesture, and then said, "Actually, I came here for other scripts. For example, 'The Pilgrim of Harold Fry,' which I think is a low-budget art film that can be profitable."

“That won’t work. We’re also planning to film it. You can remake it after our film is released, but you can’t do it before China,” Liu Yimin immediately refused.

Once it's made in the US and becomes a global hit, there's no point in making one domestically.

“Liu, you can only earn a few thousand dollars in China, but in America it’s millions of dollars,” Frank continued to persuade.

"Frank, this is a Chinese story, let's not discuss this anymore."

Seeing Liu Yimin's firm attitude, Frank was unwilling but stopped talking and instead asked about the filming rights for "Green Book".

"Frank, this is fine."

Frank was overjoyed; at least he wouldn't leave empty-handed this time.

Zhu Lin returned at that moment. She remembered Frank, but this was the first time she had met George.

After exchanging greetings, George praised, "Liu, Zhu, you two are a perfect match. I still vividly remember the photo on the cover of Time magazine back then. That heartwarming photo of you two is worth a heartwarming movie."

"Zhu's acting in last year's Chinese film 'Fearless' was also outstanding, better than any other actor I've ever seen. Zhu, you're also a stage director, that's even more remarkable." Frank said sincerely.

Zhu Lin's English improved significantly after studying under Liu Yimin, and he could handle communication without any problems. After finishing, he muttered to Liu Yimin in Chinese, "Aren't they saying foreigners don't understand social etiquette? This flattery is even more skillful than Feng Xiaogang's!"

"Haha, that's flattery from a foreigner."

"What are you talking about?" George asked curiously.

Liu Yimin laughed and said, "She said she would treat you well."

The two praised the food Ximei cooked, but they couldn't eat spicy food, so they had to rinse it with water before eating.

After dinner, Liu Yimin asked, "Frank, have you found investors for the script 'Green Book' yet?"

"Not yet. As long as I have the script, I won't have trouble finding investors. Your script is your brand."

How much do you think the filming will cost?

Frank frowned and pondered for two or three minutes, then went to Liu Yimin's study, picked up a pen and paper, calculated the costs, and returned to tell Liu Yimin that the filming should cost around eight million US dollars.

"However, it will cost a lot for publicity, at least as much as the film's production cost, and may eventually reach around 15 million US dollars," Frank said.

Liu Yimin said, "That's not a lot."

"Liu, what do you mean?" Frank looked up at Liu Yimin, sensing something unusual.

Liu Yimin stated bluntly, "It's obvious that I didn't earn enough from a movie that cost over 100 million US dollars."

(End of this chapter)