My Wandering Swordsman

After returning, I drafted a plan for distributing the extras' fees overnight.

Assistant Director Wang will definitely return the money; that's a foregone conclusion. A dignified assistant director wouldn't risk his reputation for such a small amount of extra fees.

But once I have the money, I feel uneasy if it's paid out in full.

After all, the extras in this production crew are paid more than the market rate, 25 yuan a day, which is considered upper-middle class in Hengdian.

The extras were happy when the cards were handed out, but then a problem arose.

Some extras slack off, some have genuine family difficulties and need support, and others have excellent acting skills... If we were to uniformly pay everyone 25, it would be unfair to those who truly put in the effort.

How can we ensure that the money flows to the extras while also making everyone feel it's fair?

I sat on the edge of the bed, smoking one cigarette after another, lost in thought.

Got it!

Our great leader also faced this situation in the early days of the founding of the nation, and at that time he put forward eight words.

"Distribution according to work and distribution according to need."

Yes, let's do it that way.

I spread out the paper and started writing quickly.

......

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, I took a taxi directly to Yatang Village.

Ruan Tang is also part of my plan; I can't do without her. Most importantly, I still owe her a service fee.

"Knock knock knock—"

The wooden door was pounded on loudly.

"Tangtang, Tangtang, your husband is home, open the door!"

A moment later, the door was slammed open.

Ruan Tang's slipper flew straight at my face: "Ji Xiaosong, do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill someone?"

I don't have time to argue with her; I'm fine as long as I'm awake.

So I grabbed her arm and started walking:

"Stop dawdling, something important is happening today."

We rushed to the film set at the film studio.

Looking around, I didn't see Deputy Director Wang today. That bastard must have been so angry last night that he didn't even want to go to work.

But I'm not looking for him today, so it doesn't matter.

I walked straight up to Niu Juwu.

Niu, the production assistant, was squatting on the sidelines eating a steamed bun. When he saw me coming, he looked at me like I was a god.

Seeing his expression, I could guess the truth pretty accurately. It was obvious that Assistant Director Wang had already returned the money overnight.

"Who exactly are you?" he swallowed hard and asked, his voice trembling.

I chuckled softly and waved my hand:

"My name is Ji Xiaosong from Foshan."

Niu, the drama director, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

I didn't explain too much, but just took him to a quiet place and got straight to the point.

"Hey, Production Manager Niu, how much did Assistant Director Wang give you?"

Seeing my serious expression, Niu, the production assistant, didn't waste any more time. He glanced around a few times, then pulled out a wad of cash and an account book from his pocket, and said in a low voice:

"Ahem~ This week, the entire crew plans to use a total of 290 extras, with each extra receiving a fee of 25 yuan per day. Today happens to be Monday, so Assistant Director Wang gave me a total of 7250 yuan."

"The shooting schedule for next week hasn't been finalized yet; the demand for extras will be determined later."

I took the ledger and flipped through it briefly; the details were clear.

"very good."

The production assistant, Niu, was a little bewildered and also a little distressed. He tentatively asked, "Master Ji, are you really prepared to pay the full amount?"

I shook my head, took out the plan I had drafted overnight from my pocket, and laid it out in front of him: "No, no, no, it has to be issued, but it has to be issued according to the plan and according to performance."

Niu, the production assistant, and Ruan Tang sidled over, frowning as they watched.

I held up one finger: "First and foremost, all previous rules in the production crew regarding deducting extras' pay are null and void!"

Niu, the production assistant, immediately frowned and was about to speak, but I silenced him with a look.

Then I pointed to what was written on the paper and explained it point by point:

"Our production has a lot of outdoor scenes and action scenes, so the extras' fees are higher than the market rate, which is understandable. But filming can't be all outdoor scenes and action; there will definitely be dialogue scenes and indoor scenes. So, I've drawn a line..."

"Anyone involved in filming outdoor scenes or action scenes will receive a full daily wage of 25. Those not involved will be paid the market rate of 21 per day."

"what?"

Just as Niu was about to speak, I raised my hand to interrupt him: "Let me finish speaking first, then you can ask your questions."

"The first rule is based on the difference in screen time. The second rule, naturally, is based on the difference in performance."

"Our crew has been hiring at a rate of eighteen yuan per person, and the people we've been getting are all terrible. You, the production manager, know that too. Forget about acting properly, they can't even play a corpse properly without fidgeting. And they can't even turn around and give a peace sign to the camera while playing a passerby. How can that be acceptable?"

"Therefore, from now on, we will pay extra actors based on their performance. Those who take filming seriously, have formal training, and have a good sense of the camera will get an extra three yuan per day. Those who just coast along will have three yuan deducted from their pay. Those who perform well will get more roles, giving them a chance to shine."

"There is also a third point."

"For any extra who has a seriously ill elderly person at home, a breastfeeding child, or has experienced a major life event... the previous two conditions are all nullified, and regardless of the amount of screen time or performance, the full amount will be paid."

"I can't live with myself if I deduct this money."

After I finished stating the three ironclad rules, both Drama Manager Niu and Tang Ruan were stunned.

"Wait, wait, Immortal Ji, are you raising assassins?" Niu, the production assistant, finally managed to stammer out a sentence after a long while.

As a seasoned production assistant, he had already foreseen how the extras would react after these three rules were released.

I chuckled and patted him on the shoulder:

"The people's money should flow to the people."

Ruan Tang, quick-witted, blinked and asked the crucial question: "What about the rest of the money?"

With this method of allocation, there will definitely be a surplus in the funds. At the very least, before the acting skills of the extras are significantly improved and more are added, the budget will be more than sufficient.

I had already thought of this, and I held up my finger: "We'll summarize everything weekly, and give me the rest. Our team can't work for nothing; I'll split the profits proportionally."

After a moment of digestion, Niu, the production assistant, grasped the key point: "Us?"

I nodded: "That's right, us. Now that the rules are set, someone has to be responsible for overseeing their implementation. The daily performance of the extras, who's filming outdoor scenes, who's slacking off, and who's working hard—Niu, you and Tangtang, are responsible for keeping an eye on these things every day, recording them clearly for me, and summarizing them for me every week."

"You two keep an eye on each other. If either of you dares to take bribes or demand anything, I won't let him get away with it."

Niu, the production assistant, and Ruan, the sugar lady, remained silent for half a minute.

"I'll do as you say, I'll do it."

"That's interesting..." Ruan Tang muttered.

Seeing that they both agreed, I gave Ruan Tang a wink.

Ruan Tang understood immediately and silently stuffed a wad of banknotes into her pocket.

This girl has a rather unpleasant personality, but you can tell she's not a bad person. I feel safe leaving my money with her.

I chuckled:

"Alright then, let's announce these rules in a bit, before the official start of construction, to give everyone some motivation."

"Tangtang, our new financial manager, you should make an appearance."