Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

Changan.

Li Jiangbo stood up in a large private room at the Bell Tower Hotel and glanced at the five or six middle-aged people in the room.

"Gentlemen, what do you think of my proposal? Are you interested in expanding and strengthening the factory?"

A middle-aged man with hair resembling that of the Golden Wheel Monk put down his cup. "We agree with Boss Li's suggestion, but the factories are all state-owned now. If we want to expand..."

The others nodded in agreement. "We've been dreaming of getting a can packaging machine from Boss Li. But the cost is a bit high; it's like having to change our production line."

......

The group started discussing amongst themselves, while Li Jiangbo sat quietly to the side, listening attentively.

The can-making machine was obtained by Zhao Dong from the United States through Li Jiangbo. Starting in the 1970s, the United States printed money like crazy in order to control oil, and this model led to the de-industrialization of light and medium industries.

Various large-scale manufacturing industries have shifted their operations to Southeast Asia, which is why Japanese entrepreneurs are waving huge sums of money and clamoring to buy up Wall Street.

Then came the rise of the Four Asian Tigers, and aluminum can technology, which belongs to light industry, was also among the technologies to be phased out.

Liu Dianxiong, who went against Li Jiangbo in the simulator, earned his first pot of gold in such an environment, selling all the fans he produced to the United States.

Extremely low labor and material costs, coupled with Hong Kong's tax-free policy for automobiles, cigarettes, and alcohol, made Liu Dianxiong a multi-millionaire.

This room was filled with influential local figures brought together by Li Jiangbo's connections with the Xi'an Film Studio or Huayuan Group, including Bingfeng's studio director.

These days, state-owned enterprises have begun to reform, but it's just a simple matter of delegating power and sharing profits; other rights are still in the hands of the state.

People were very interested in Li Jiangbo's suggestion that he provide the technical equipment for aluminum cans, that Chang'an Food Factory provide the beverage technology, and that Bingfeng beverage be sold in Hong Kong.

However, the current situation is not very clear, and the policies from above are not static, so no one dares to respond.

In the end, it was Director Liang, the deputy director of Chang'an Food Factory, who made the final decision, saying, "Boss Li, we will report your suggestion to our superiors."

Li Jiangbo frowned, feeling displeased. This was delaying people from making money!

Seeing that Li Jiangbo's expression was off, Director Liang quickly said, "Don't worry, Boss Li, I guarantee you'll see results within a week."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangbo chuckled and said, "Then I'll await Director Liang's good news."

Why did Li Jiangbo value the Bingfeng project so much? It's actually quite simple. Back then, a bottle of Bingfeng only cost two cents, plus an eight-cent deposit for the bottle, which meant a bottle of Bingfeng cost twelve cents. Not to mention, Li Jiangbo got the goods directly from the factory, so the price was even lower.

Now that Li Jiangbo has solved the transportation problem, he can transport Bingfeng to Hong Kong and sell it for three dollars. After deducting transportation and cargo costs, it seems like he only makes a small profit per bottle of Bingfeng. But what about a million cans, or ten million cans? The profit is unimaginable.

You know, ice cream paired with noodles and roast meat from Chang'an is simply amazing.

How big is Hong Kong's market? Just look at how many dai pai dongs (open-air food stalls) there are, not to mention cinemas. Otherwise, how would the "Cheese in the Milky Way" have come about?

Li Jiangbo felt that his influence was still somewhat low. If he could control both the television station and the newspaper, he would have complete control over public opinion.

He felt that at that time, when doing business with people in the mainland, they would rush to make concessions to him, no matter where he went.

Li Jiangbo had a few more drinks with everyone and chatted about the development of Chang'an. Then it was time to go to Yanjing, where he and Li Hanxiang still had to go to cast actors.

Yanjing.

Li Jiangbo and Li Hanxiang entered the Beijing Film Academy under the guidance of Wu Yinxian.

As Wu Yinxian led the way, he introduced the Beijing Film Academy to the two of them.

The group arrived at the teacher's office.

Wu Yinxian poured two cups of tea for the two directors and sighed, "Directors, our school only started classes last year, so there aren't many students. In addition, the acting department didn't recruit anyone this year, so we only have one class from last year."

Li Hanxiang smiled and said, "These are all minor matters. Let's come here first and take a look. We've also made arrangements with the major film studios. We can hold an audition ceremony later."

Wu Yinxian nodded. "That's to be expected. This movie has such a vast world-building; there's bound to be a lot of people who want it."

As the group was chatting, there was a series of knocks on the office door.

Wu Yinxian went over and opened the door, then welcomed the person in.

Li Jiangbo then saw a middle-aged woman in her fifties or sixties walk in.

"Directors, let me introduce you."

"This is Professor Zhang Xiuli from our school's Performing Arts Department. The students being interviewed today are all her current students."

Li Jiangbo and Li Hanxiang both stood up to shake hands and greet the people.

Zhang Xiuli said with a smile, "A few days ago, I told my students that this time it was compatriots from Hong Kong who were selecting roles. I really didn't expect you to come so soon."

Li Jiangbo said, "I had some business to attend to in Chang'an, which is why I was delayed."

"How about we go take a look first?"

Li Hanxiang and Li Jiangbo nodded simultaneously, "No problem."

The group of people chatted and laughed as they arrived outside a large classroom, which was where the Beijing Film Academy's acting department held classes and rehearsals.

As soon as Li Jiangbo followed Li Hanxiang into the room, they heard a deafening burst of applause from the crowd.

The four of them sat down at the table at the front of the classroom. Wu Yinxian gestured for everyone to be quiet.

The students were very obedient and stopped clapping.

Li Jiangbo looked around and was instantly startled.

Good heavens! This isn't that... that Sha Ruijin... oh no, it's Zhang Fengyi.

The ones next to him are Emperor Zhang Tielin and Zhang Chao, the police chief of the Serious Crimes Unit 6.

Also included are photographers and directors: Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Gu Changwei...

However, after circling around, he couldn't find Zhu Lin. Could something have happened to him?

Zhang Xiuli first introduced Li Hanxiang and Li Jiangbo, and then asked Li Hanxiang if he could start the audition.

After receiving approval from the two students, she began organizing auditions for them.

Before we could even get everything organized, the classroom door was pushed open.

Zhu Lin stood at the door, panting, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

"I'm sorry... I'm late."

Zhang Xiuli looked at Zhu Lin at the door with a puzzled expression and asked, "Who is this student?"

Li Jiangbo said, "Professor Zhang, this is someone we invited. Zhu Lin, please find a seat."

Upon hearing Li Jiangbo's explanation, Zhang Xiuli didn't say much and then went to busy herself with group assignments.

After everyone had been assigned their tasks, Li Hanxiang walked to the center of the classroom, looked around, and said:

"I'll give the girls a test first, and then after they've finished their interviews, I'll give the boys a test."

Everyone sat up straight, listening intently to Li Hanxiang's questions, afraid of missing any details.

"In the depths of the palace, a concubine learns of a change in her family. There are no lines, only her eyes and body language to express the process of hearing the news and the emotional ups and downs."

After discussing it, students began to step forward and try it.

Li Hanxiang and Li Jiangbo were talking in hushed tones, while Zhang Xiuli and Wu Yinxian listened intently.

When it was Zhu Lin's turn, she walked to the center of the classroom, bowed, and stood quietly for a moment.

She turned to the side, her gaze lowered.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, her shoulders tightened, her right hand touched her left arm, and her back straightened.

His right hand slipped down, his fingers curling up and then relaxing.

His face was turned to the other side, his jaw tense, and his lips pursed. His eyes stared into the void.

She turned to face the crowd, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

He nodded, and the performance ended.

Li Hanxiang nodded, indicating that Zhu Lin could go back. Then he whispered, "Director Li, Zhu Lin isn't really suited for Qing Dynasty dramas!"

"You don't really want to use it?"

Li Hanxiang chuckled, "Director Li, I do want to use it, but would you dare let me?"

Li Jiangbo looked at Li Hanxiang with a questioning gaze.

"This is a co-production. If Zhu Lin appears in it, Taiwan will have to block your film."

It was only then that Li Jiangbo remembered that Taiwan had a ban on mainlanders! For example, Tony Leung Ka-fai was banned there because of this film.

He hadn't considered this. If all else failed, he would talk to Zhu Lin and take the person directly to Hong Kong.