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

Chapter 544 of "House of Cards" - Manuscript Submission

The primary audience for the first roadshow consisted of actors and directors from Hollywood, so the interactive segment focused more on artistic expression, cinematic language, and the creation of character charisma.

Liu Yimin first went on stage to share the creative idea behind the script—to use art to awaken everyone's love for nature and the love between humans and animals.

"We must use art to awaken love. America's steel, concrete, cars, and machinery have made life more convenient, but they have also weakened the relationships between people. Art should take on this responsibility and awaken the love in everyone's hearts."

The United States is a powerful nation, but it is also a nation lacking love. Love among people is more important than a powerful America.

Because of the growing indifference in interpersonal relationships, people are beginning to seek companionship with pets, and we must acknowledge this psychological need of our audience. Let art become everyone's last and warm haven.

The American directors and screenwriters in the audience seemed to be deep in thought. Besides expressing themselves, what artists like to do most is to preach to the audience and readers.

However, some people feel that what Liu Yimin said seemed to be entirely based on their own opinions. Since when did it become the turn of Chinese screenwriters to talk about art, love, and warmth in America?

Steven Spielberg, the director who had suffered a setback in China last time, was sitting below watching Liu Yimin with a faint smile on his lips.

He deliberately sat in the spotlight, hoping Liu Yimin would see the goodwill on his face. Steven was eager to rebuild trust with Liu Yimin.

As soon as Liu Yimin finished speaking, Steven immediately stood up with the microphone and said, "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" is the best movie I've seen this year, and the story moved me to tears.

After speaking, he pretended to take out a tissue and gently wiped the corner of his eye, so slowly that the media's camera could easily capture it.

"The artistic techniques used here also prove to us that the filming style of Chinese directors is maturing. We are eager to exchange ideas with our Chinese counterparts and work together to promote the progress of art."

As soon as Steven finished speaking, both the director and the actors applauded in response. Steven had been famous for a long time, and no one in Hollywood would not give him face.

Steven took a deep breath and said loudly, "Hachi: A Dog's Tale is a strong contender for the Academy Award, and I think it would be a shame if it didn't win."

After he finished speaking, Steven clapped first, thinking to himself that he had done all the flattery he could, hoping that Liu Yimin would understand his good intentions in rebuilding their friendship.

Upon hearing the translation, Huang Zumo and Jiao Huang were so excited that their legs went weak. Fortunately, Liu Yimin stepped forward and blocked everyone's gaze.

Oscars, was my film really that amazing?

When Huang Zumo communicated with the American director, he clearly lacked confidence. However, he skillfully applied the essence of Liu Yimin's speech, constantly mentioning "art, love, and environmental protection," naturally placing himself in a correct position.

In front of so many people, Jiao Huang displayed the demeanor of "the first Baturu of the Qing Dynasty," his voice steady and powerful, winning applause from the American actors.

One of the directors immediately called out to Jiao Huang, inviting him to play a Chinese character in Hollywood.

Jiao Huang glanced at Liu Yimin, waved his hand, and said, "I'm afraid I don't fit your image of an actor. The Chinese people in your movies are either ignorant or foolish. Even if I closed my eyes, I couldn't portray that feeling."

After hearing Jiao Huang's mockery, scattered dry laughter rang out from the audience.

Liu Yimin echoed Jiao Huang's words, saying, "I hope that the directors present can view Chinese people correctly and portray them accurately. You are all artists, and art should not have national boundaries. Just like 'Hachiko,' it represents the most basic emotions deep within the hearts of all mankind."

The exchange lasted fifty minutes in total, with the last ten minutes dedicated to several representative directors evaluating the films. After Steven's evaluation, the other directors could only echo his praise.

However, one should not overly show that one agrees with Steven, but strive to agree in the overall sense while revealing differences in the details.

Steven is a wealthy man with various connections to Hollywood's financial circles. The fact that he could pay a staggering $100 million in divorce settlements in 1989 speaks volumes about his financial power.

His earning power was far beyond what Frank could match. That's why Steven wanted to befriend Liu Yimin; he felt that if Liu Yimin had his scripts, he, as a director, would earn at least several times more than Frank.

Most directors, naturally, would not want to offend Steven.

After the interview, the American director and actors walked up to "Xiao Ba" to take pictures. As "Xiao Ba" became more and more popular, these people also wanted to ride on its coattails.

It's a pity that we don't have mobile phones and social media platforms now, otherwise "Xiao Ba" might have become a social asset for many people.

After most of the people had left, Steven shook Liu Yimin's hand and said, "Liu, you are a great screenwriter. I hope we will have the opportunity to work together in the future. Great screenwriters should work with great directors."

"Steven, thank you. I'll definitely cooperate with you in the future if there's an opportunity," Liu Yimin said calmly.

"Liu, it seems you still have some misunderstandings about me," Steven said with a smile.

"I think it will disappear."

Upon hearing this, Steven smiled and left the movie theater.

Liu Yimin looked at Jim, who had a big smile on his face: "Jim, you know what to do, right?"

“I know, the news that ‘Hachiko’ might win an Oscar will be on the front page of American newspapers tomorrow!” Jim reached out and gave Liu Yimin a high five.

After that, they didn't return to Los Angeles. They changed locations every day, and the media following them grew larger and larger. After a week, Huang Zumo and Jiao Huang couldn't take it anymore, and the frequency of 'Xiao Ba's' tail wagging decreased significantly.

Liu Yimin feeds it meat every day, and he guesses it won't be used to the food from the August First Film Studio when it gets back.

After the Ohio event ended, Liu Yimin and his team sat wearily on the plane. Jim took out several badges from his bag, each with a dog on it, namely 'Hachiko'.

"This was commissioned by a San Francisco environmental group, and they asked me to give it to you. Liu, don't you think this badge is very beautiful and exquisite?"

The three men held the badge in their palms. A standard image of a Chinese rural dog was printed in the center. It was made of bronze and surrounded by a circle of English letters. Above the letters were several lines of English that meant environmental protection and loyalty.

Liu Yimin looked at the badge and said meaningfully, "That's interesting."

Jim looked at Liu Yimin: "Liu, what are you thinking about?"

"Do you think this badge could be sold?" Liu Yimin asked.

Jim immediately understood Liu Yimin's idea, but he wasn't as interested as he had imagined: "Liu, some people will buy it, but not many."

"Then let's do charity work!"

"Doing charity?"

Liu Yimin thought that since they couldn't sell them, Joseph and the others could use them as a way to recognize the donors. Anyone who donated money could receive such a badge.

Jiao Huang and Liu Yimin said, "I never expected our native dogs to be so popular in America."

"Maybe America will fall in love with our native dogs. Our dogs are intelligent, gentle, independent, and most importantly, loyal," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

If this film can promote the export of Chinese rural dogs, it would be an unexpected bonus.

Jim wasn't interested in dogs: "Liu, we're about to arrive in New York and Washington. After these two roadshows, we'll fly back to San Francisco from the southern United States. Our marketing campaign has been a huge success. Now, we don't pay the media; they come to us for interviews on their own initiative."

"We made about $10,000 just from movie tickets for the promotional tour. Tickets weren't selling well in some places initially, but they sold out completely after the newspapers reported on it. Box office revenue increased by eight million dollars within a week."

Based on the current box office performance, the American distributors have already made a fortune. Jim and his team have set their sights on "Brotherhood of Blades," hoping to make another killing in early 1987.

After the film ends, China Film Group will most likely sell the rights to "Hachiko" to an American television station, which will generate another source of revenue.

When the plane arrived in New York, representatives from the local film association and the Chinese community came to greet it, and a Chinese man was also there with his country dog.

The New York roadshow was on Broadway. Bond, the head of the Broadway theater, smiled and said to Liu Yimin, "Liu, I was so excited to know you were coming that I couldn't sleep last night."

“Bond, me too,” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Bond told Liu Yimin that "The Favourite" had been performed more than 400 times on Broadway, but unfortunately it did not win a Tony Award last year.

They want to rehearse "The Pilgrimage of One Man" this year and hope Liu Yimin will grant them permission.

"Does such artistic drama still have a market in your America?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

Bond proudly stated, "Broadway itself is a place of artistic cultivation, and the people who come here naturally have exceptional taste. Back in the day, not many people could understand Mei Lanfang's plays, but Americans were still willing to pay for them."

Art is not about making people understand it; its greatest function is to make people feel that they understand art.

“Bond, it seems you understand art. I agree. As for the contract, it’ll be the same as last time,” Liu Yimin said.

"no problem."

The roadshow in New York went smoothly as usual, the only difference being that Alice Walton, the Walmart princess who won Liu Yimin's trophy for 100 million yuan years ago, appeared at the event.

"I will donate $500,000 to provide movie tickets for American primary and secondary school students, so that American children can experience love and warmth in the movie theater."

Liu Yimin thought to himself, "Walmart really knows how to use this tactic; they always manage to ride the wave of a trending topic. With this 500,000 yuan, I might as well donate it to the forest farm."

Amid cheers from the crowd, Liu Yimin pinned the badge bearing the name "Xiao Ba" to Alice Walton's chest.

"Liu, I heard you're off tomorrow. How about I invite you to dinner?" Alice said softly.

“Ms. Alice, I am not fond of moving around.”

“Liu, my father wants to see you. He is more passionate about charity than I am. He likes your book, ‘The Pilgrimage of One Man.’ He feels that since he started doing business, he has lost too much and even lost himself.”

Liu Yimin looked at Alice. This girl was using his father as bait. Since that was the case, he had no choice but to go.

After the roadshow, Liu Yimin and others returned to the hotel and told the Walmart founder that he wanted to meet with them. Huang Zumo and others did not express their opinions, only saying that they would listen to Liu Yimin.

Nowadays, no hotel prohibits them from bringing their dogs in; the staff treat the dogs better than people.

Just as Liu Yimin was about to rest, the hotel doorbell rang. Liu Yimin opened the door, and Georges, the editor of The Paris Review, greeted him with a smile.

"George, you've come at just the right time! I was just getting ready for bed!"

George said with a smile, "Liu, you must be tired lately? Do you want me to find you a massage?"

"Fine, George, you should just give up!"

If I go for a massage today, I'll probably be on the front page tomorrow.

Just then, the doorbell rang again. George's coffee had arrived: "Liu, I know you're tired, have a cup of coffee to perk you up."

Liu Yimin took the coffee, took a sip, turned around, took out a stack of manuscripts from his bag, and handed them to George: "This is my latest work, take a look."

George glanced at the title, looked up, and said, "House of Cards? I thought it was 'JFK's Assassination.' What is this about?"

"George, look for yourself, I'm going to take a shower."

"it is good."

Liu Yimin soaked in the bathtub for half an hour. When he came out, George was engrossed in watching him. He had finished his coffee but was still holding it and forgot to put it down.

Liu Yimin lay down on the bed thinking he would take a nap, but he fell asleep very quickly. When he woke up in the morning, he saw George sleeping on the sofa.

After Liu Yimin finished washing up, he nudged George with his foot, and George quickly sat up: "Liu, where am I?"

“George, you drank coffee, not alcohol.”

George slapped his forehead: "I forgot, I wanted to talk to you about the novel yesterday, but you were asleep and it got a bit late, so I just slept here. Liu, your novel is really well written, and you have such a good understanding of the politics of our two parties."

After George regained consciousness, he kept praising Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "George, how have I treated you? I've been working on this novel ever since you left."

“Liu, stop talking. The royalty rate has increased by 0.5 cents. This novel will be a bestseller not only in America but also in Europe. Our political systems are similar, and so are our flaws,” George said happily.

Huang Zumo and the others called Liu Yimin to come eat, and when they heard a man's voice inside the house, they knocked on the door out of curiosity.

Huang Zumo and Jiao Huang looked at George, exchanged a glance, and indeed there was a man there.

"Director Huang, Lao Jiao, this is George, the editor of the American magazine *The Paris Review*."

“Hello, George,” the two said, extending their hands.

Huang Zumo asked the other person curiously what was making them so excited, as if they had taken stimulants so early in the morning.

George said with a smile, "Liu has written another remarkable work, offering an in-depth analysis of American politics and exposing the shady side of politicians."

The two were completely confused, but they understood one sentence: Liu Yimin was going to publish another novel in the United States.

"Yimin, congratulations!"

"Hey, there's no need to say congratulations every time. Just keep a calm and normal attitude!"

(End of this chapter)