Huayu: Starting from managing the Mahua FunAge Theater Troupe

Why does Guo Wengang only want to apprentice under crosstalk performers of the "Wen" generation?

Yu Kai and Shen Feiyang moved to a snack shop near Dashilan for a late-night snack. Each of them ordered a bowl of braised pork. Recalling what had happened at Guangdelou earlier, Yu Kai asked with some doubt.

Shen Feiyang, based on his knowledge, replied: "The widely accepted generation names in the traditional crosstalk circle are De, Shou, Bao, Wen, and Ming. Guo Gang learned his craft from a crosstalk performer named Yang Zhigang in his early years, and Yang Zhigang was a member of the Wen generation in the crosstalk circle."

The two verbally addressed each other as master and apprentice, but later they broke up and did not hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony. However, Guo Gang always referred to himself as a member of the Ming generation, so he could only become an apprentice of the Wen generation.

The crosstalk performers of the "Wen" generation are people like Hou Yaowen, Ma Ji, and Niu Qun.

Yu Kai wasn't familiar with the generational naming system in the crosstalk world, but after hearing Shen Feiyang's list of names, he subconsciously sensed that this was going to be difficult: "Can you find any crosstalk performers with the generational naming system?"

Shen Feiyang wasn't too sure either: "I remember there was someone from Zhao Benshan's circle who was a crosstalk performer, but I'm not sure what generation he was in. If it's suitable, I'll try my best to push it forward; if not, then forget it."

"Alright."

Yu Kai then asked curiously, "Why is the crosstalk circle so concerned about lineage?"

"You can think of this as a professional qualification certificate. Without a formal apprenticeship, it's considered illegal practice."

Shen Feiyang added, "There's also the issue of who gets a spot first and who gets one later. Well-known crosstalk performers have all entered the system early on, and their relationships with TV stations and media are a mess. They control resource allocation and are very resistant to talented crosstalk performers without a mentor."

Shen Feiyang leaned back in his chair and said, "Guo Gang is less interested in becoming an apprentice and more interested in finding a powerful backer. It's all the same old stuff. Crosstalk originated from the old society and has close ties with the Canal Gang and the Green Gang, like their system of introducing and guarantor to apprentices."

Yu Kai nodded, then joked, "So you're a little mountain stronghold now, aren't you?"

Shen Feiyang smiled and said, "Sooner or later I'll become a big mountain."

……

The next day.

October 2th, Sunday.

It was a little after 10 a.m.

Shen Feiyang stood in the living room of Fuyiyuan and called Zhao Gang.

It rang a few times before being answered.

A voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, Mr. Shen?"

"Hey, Brother Gang. I have something I'd like to ask you," Shen Feiyang said.

"Just say it, no need to be so polite," Zhao Gang said in a rather friendly manner.

Zhao Benshan had privately told Zhao Gang that Shen Feiyang was a promising young man and that they should keep in touch. Zhao Gang naturally had no doubt about Zhao Benshan's judgment.

Shen Feiyang nodded: "Then I'll get straight to the point. There are two things. First, I wrote a TV drama script that's about..."

Shen Feiyang gave a brief overview of the story of "Country Love 1," then asked, "This is a new-era rural comedy based on my hometown in Northeast China. I wonder if it could be submitted to Benshan Media for production?"

The prototype of "Country Love 1" appeared in 2002, but the original version told a story about rural Shandong. It was originally planned to be filmed in 2003, but it was interrupted due to force majeure.

It wasn't until the latter half of 2004 that Zhao Benshan noticed the script and had the screenwriter adapt it into "Country Love 1". Shen Feiyang was telling the finished version of the story at that time, and the two were quite different, only the themes were similar.

Zhao Gang, the producer of "Ma Dashuai," was quite skilled in television drama production and had his own judgment on the quality of a story. He immediately decided, "Have someone send the script over, and I'll give it to Teacher Benshan to take a look."

"Okay, but there are only a few episodes so far. I'll send them over first, and if you guys think they're good, I'll continue to refine them. Brother Gang, how does this work?"

"Okay. What's the second thing?"

Shen Feiyang paced back and forth a few steps: "Here's the thing, I've discovered a crosstalk performer with a lot of potential, but there's a problem with his lineage; he doesn't have a clear master. I wonder if there are any crosstalk performers of the 'Wen' generation in Northeast China who would be willing to take him on as an apprentice. If there are, I'd like to invite them to watch this crosstalk performer's performance, or I could take him to Northeast China to perform in person."

Crosstalk performers of the "Wen" generation...

Zhao Gang thought of one of Zhao Benshan's big-headed friends: "I'll ask around for you."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Brother Gang. I'll treat you to drinks next time."

"Haha, okay."

I hung up the phone.

Shen Feiyang stood there and thought for a moment.

He submitted his script to Benshan Media not for Guo Gang's sake, but simply to expand his television drama business. Guo Gang's matter just happened to coincide with this, so he took care of it at the same time.

Why are you up so early?

Xiong Naijin came out of the bedroom without making a sound and hugged Shen Feiyang from behind.

Shen Feiyang replied, "Aren't you supposed to go back to school this afternoon?"

Jiang Yan, Yu Shasha, Wei Xiang, Ai Lun, Huang Bo, Li Jian, Qi Kui, and others, including Xiong Naijin, have not yet graduated. With the troupe's performances suspended, they naturally have to go back to school to live and attend classes.

Xiong Naijin said somewhat discontentedly, "So, you're just replacing me, the old hand, with a new one, right?"

Shen Feiyang turned around, reached out and slipped his hand inside Xiong Naijin's clothes, and said with a mischievous grin, "No, I just wanted to make sure you still have the energy to have lunch together later."

"Hey, stop messing around, we have a posture class tomorrow..."

"What does tomorrow have to do with today?"

"Then be gentle, you've wrinkled my clothes."

"It can't be any lighter..."

……

The next two days.

Shen Feiyang brought Shen Teng and others over and first wrote the script for five episodes of "Country Love 1".

Around 5 PM on February 24th.

Shen Feiyang received a call back from Zhao Gang.

"Hey, Steel Bro."

Zhao Gang said, "Feiyang, I've found the crosstalk performer of the 'wen' generation that you're looking for. His name is Liu Liu, the last disciple of Master Zhao Chuntian. He has a commercial performance in Beijing on February 27th and will be there. I'll give you his phone number so you can contact him."

"Liu Liu? Is that the Mr. Liu who participated in the crosstalk performance 'The Twelve Zodiac Animals' New Year Greetings' at this year's Spring Festival Gala?"

"Yes. Teacher Liu and Teacher Benshan are very close friends. Teacher Benshan has already spoken to Teacher Liu. You are both from Heilongjiang, so please don't let us down."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Teacher Benshan, and thank you, Brother Gang."

Shen Feiyang then said, "By the way, Brother Gang, I just finished writing five episodes of the script with my team these past two days. I'll send them to Shenyang tomorrow morning."

"Alright, I won't be in Shenyang for the next couple of days, so I won't be drinking with you. I'll have Mr. Zhang treat you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Brother Gang."

Zhao Gang then gave Liu Liu's phone number to Shen Feiyang.

Shen Feiyang wrote down the phone number and called Liu Liu.

Shen Feiyang thought it was Liu Liu's assistant calling, but it turned out to be Liu Liu himself.

An agreement was made.

We are scheduled to meet at Guangdelou at 10:00 AM on February 27th.

I hung up the phone.

Shen Feiyang called Guo Weigang and told him to get ready.

On the other end of the phone, Guo Weigang expressed his gratitude profusely, saying, "President Shen, I will definitely cherish this opportunity. I'm so grateful to you, really... Are you free tonight? Would it be convenient for me to treat you to dinner?"

Shen Feiyang said calmly, "The matter hasn't been settled yet, so I won't eat."

"As long as things go smoothly, I will serve President Shen faithfully from now on."