Chapter 239: Scheme for the Celestial Mother

Stop talking nonsense.

The Factory Director leaned back in his chair, hand on his forehead, and said irritably, "We'll discuss the budget later; for now, think about the venue arrangements and such."

"Factory Director, if the budget issue isn't resolved, nothing else can even be talked about."

"And we still can't take a loan."

The Factory Director waved impatiently and said, "Go away, I have other matters to attend to."

Chen Lin showed a disappointed expression, left with lingering resentment.

Around noon, Chen Lin called Xu Yuexin, apologetically reporting that the budget expansion had fallen through.

Xu Yuexin listened to Chen Lin's complaints without speaking the whole time, until after the venting he abruptly said something.

"The Factory Director refuses the loan; does that mean you won't take one?"

"Ha?"

On the handset, Chen Lin was left a bit at a loss by Xu Yuexin's remark and didn't know how to reply.

"What, you want me to spell it out completely?"

Xu Yuexin leaned against the headboard of his hotel room, squinting slightly, and said, "I've said everything I can; you decide for yourself."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin hung up.

Xu Yuexin didn't know what decision Chen Lin would make.

Anyway, as long as the total budget falls short of his expectations and Hengguang Group refuses to increase his investment share, he'll simply look for another production company to adapt it.

For a work like *The Ming Dynasty 1566*, is there still any fear of not finding a partner?

Doo, doo…

On the other end, after the call ended, Chen Lin still held the handset in his hand for a long time without putting it down.

Could it be…

Really have to act first and report later?

That night, Chen Lin couldn't fall asleep.

Early the next morning, he opened his eyes and grabbed his house deed, then took it to the bank.

A 50‑square‑meter two‑bedroom inside Hu Hai's inner ring, Chen Lin used it to secure a 20,000‑yuan loan from the bank, then went to the Factory Director with the cash.

When he opened the Shoulder Bag filled with bundles of cash, the Factory Director startled and sat up from his chair.

"Chen Lin, what on earth are you doing?"

"I agreed to let you take a loan?"

The Factory Director spat saliva, angry, and said, "Aren't you just messing around?"

"If the sequel falls through, how am I supposed to pay you the interest!"

These days bank deposit and loan rates are high; the interest on just those 20,000 yuan could eat up more than half of Chen Lin's salary as Production Department Director.

"So, Factory Director, I'm forced into a corner."

Chen Lin suppressed a laugh, feigning helplessness, and said, "Now Xu Yuexin insists on adding to the budget; if the factory doesn't take a loan, the film can't be made."

"If the film can't be made, I, the debtor, will be finished."

"Alright, this is a power play, right?"

The Factory Director stroked his beard, narrowed his eyes, and said, "I can tell you clearly, the factory will never borrow as much as 500,000."

Ha, this is drama.

Hearing the Factory Director, Chen Lin keenly sensed an opportunity.

A 500,000 loan is impossible.

But borrowing 200,000 or 300,000 should be doable, right? "That's easy; let's follow what I said yesterday: first set up the crew, then mobilize everyone to get a loan."

"You chip in a bit, I chip in a bit, the factory adds some more, and we reach 500,000."

Chen Lin clapped his hands, excitedly saying to the Factory Director.

This guy…

The Factory Director was left helpless by Chen Lin; after this loan, he's now in a situation where he can't get off the tiger.

"I'll think it over."

The Factory Director frowned and said.

"Alright then."

Chen Lin slung the Shoulder Bag over his back, left cheerfully, and upon reaching the doorway turned back and added, "Factory Director, times have changed; many things we couldn't do before are now actually worth considering."

"Like taking a loan to shoot a film…"

"Fine, fine, I'll think about it myself; no need for you to say it."

The Factory Director furrowed his brows, waved his hand, and said, clearly frightened by Chen Lin.

…

That evening, the conference room of Hengguang Production Company stayed brightly lit.

After a full day of contemplation, the Factory Director convened a leadership meeting to discuss Chen Lin's loan‑to‑film proposal.

The meeting dragged on until midnight, when the Factory Director finally left the venue with the other leaders, and the next morning conveyed the result to Chen Ling.

"The factory has decided: the maximum loan is 200,000."

"The remaining 300,000 will be raised collectively after the crew is formed."

The Factory Director, dark‑circled, said to the anxious Chen Lin.

"What if we can't raise the 300,000?"

"If you can't raise it, it's on you: either find a way to fund the shortfall, or you'll lose your post."

The Factory Director said irritably.

Having been forced to this point, he truly had no choice but to take Chen Lin.

First cut and then report—I've never seen anything so unprincipled.

"Fine, I'll first go ask those comrades who are slated to join the crew and see if we can gather 300,000."

"Go ahead, go ahead."

The Factory Director closed his eyes, waved his hand and said.

"Bang."

Chen Lin lightly stepped through the door and began to hustle continuously inside the factory.

Finally, after several consecutive days of repeated inquiries, he finally settled the loan matter.

The moment the result came, Chen Lin called Xu Yuexin to inform him of the outcome.

"The additional budget issue has been resolved."

"The factory lent 200,000, and the crew members lent 300,000."

"Let's meet this afternoon and discuss the TV drama."

"So quickly."

Xu Yuexin received the call, slightly surprised, and said, "Your production studio's people are really proactive."

"That's right; nowadays everyone is making money in business, and we don't want to earn only a dead‑end salary."

"Fine, see you this afternoon."

Xu Yuexin nodded and said, "I'll go to Hengguang to find you."

That afternoon, Xu Yuexin kept his appointment and arrived at Chen Lin's office to continue discussing the TV drama's filming arrangements.

Some arrangements had already been settled between the two; today was just a reconfirmation.

For example, Xu Yuexin registers a sole proprietorship, affiliated under the production department.

Also, Xu Yuexin invests sixty percent and enjoys seventy percent of the profits.

Beyond that, there is the filming location selection and views on the storyline direction.

"I suggest that this time we could make Hengdian in Dongyang County, Zhejiang Province the planned filming site."

Xu Yuexin volunteered the suggestion.

"Film in Dongyang?"

"Is there a suitable set site there?"

Chen Lin replied with a hint of puzzlement.

Dongyang is not far from Hu Hai, roughly a little over 300 kilometers away.

As someone whose ancestral home is Zhejiang Province but grew up in Shanghai, Chen Lin is not unfamiliar with the place name. The problem is, he seems never to have heard of anyone filming a TV drama there.

"There's no venue, but I can build one."

"And rest assured, this money won't be counted as the film's production cost; it's my personal investment."

"The main reason is the book Great Ming, where most of the plot occurs in Zhejiang Province. Shooting in a location within the same province makes the cultural and natural settings more authentic and less likely to cause anachronisms."

Xu Yuexin analyzed methodically, "Dongyang isn't far from Hu Hai, and for your Hengguang, travel back and forth is also very convenient."

"Is that so… are you sure you can raise enough site funds?"

Chen Lin asked Xu Yuexin for confirmation.

It's not that Chen Lin underestimates Xu Yuexin; rather, he thinks that as a writer, Xu Yuexin being able to muster the full 3,000,000 for filming is already the limit.

Taking more money to build an entirely new site is something Chen Lin hardly dares to imagine.

"Money isn't the issue; you don't need to worry for me."

Xu Yuexin said lightly, "The only thing you need to consider is how to make a good film."

"Alright… then."

Chen Lin was impressed by Xu Yuexin's demeanor, nodded, and said.

Since he said all that…

"The money shouldn't be a problem, right?" Chen Lin mused.

The next few days, both were very busy.

Chen Lin had to be busy assembling the crew, reporting to the factory, and coordinating various matters.

Xu Yuexin was busy handling the Registration of Sole Proprietorship, affiliation, and remittances.

Especially the Registration of Sole Proprietorship, because the private economy has been active these two years and many want to go solo, the business registration queue is very long.

Xu Yuexin spent some time before finally obtaining the sole proprietorship license.

As for the money, Xu Yuexin had Chen Qiaoqiao transfer 600,000 to him, with the remaining 2,400,000 coming from an account in Xiangjiang.

The site construction funds also came from Xiangjiang.

Xu Yuexin initially set aside 800,000 to build a 1:1 Forbidden City in Hengdian for the palace scenes of Great Ming 1566.

When everything settled down, it was already late spring.

After Xu Yuexin and Chen Lin exchanged their preparation statuses, they began casting.

The lighting and makeup crew is provided by Hengguang Media, while casting requires traveling all over the country.

This round of traveling almost made Xu Yuexin graduate.

"Director Chen, I need to go back to get my diploma."

One day, after finalizing the actor for Zhang Juzheng in the drama, Xu Yuexin said to Chen Lin.

"You're still a student, huh?"

"That's right; just wait for me a while."

After saying goodbye to Chen Lin, Xu Yuexin took a train back to Jing and rushed to his alma mater to attend the graduation ceremony.

On the day of the ceremony, not only Chen Qiaoqiao came to the school, Da Yizi Chen Yixue and Tian Xianma also came over to congratulate him.

After the grand graduation ceremony, Xu Yuexin placed his degree certificate and diploma into Da Yizi's genuine leather Shoulder Bag, and, chatting and laughing with them, walked toward the Mercedes and got in together.

"I'll treat today; let's have a nice meal together."

In the back seat of the Mercedes, Chen Yixue, with a spring‑like smile, congratulated Xu Yuexin.

"It's my graduation; let me treat."

Xu Yuexin, hand on the steering wheel, spiritedly said, "What do you want to eat?"

"You decide."

Tian Xianma, shy in the back seat, said, "Today is your graduation."

Having not seen each other for a long time, Tian Xianma now feels that Xu Yuexin not only grew a bit taller, but… also became more handsome!

Every time she interacts with Xu Yuexin, Tian Xianma's heart races, and she can't help but recall the moments when the two were inseparable…

"I'll decide; let's go have hot pot."

"Let's go."

After Xu Yuexin finished speaking, he pressed the accelerator and headed toward a nearby Sichuan hot pot restaurant.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the restaurant, and the four ordered dishes and began chatting while waiting.

"Where have you been all this time we haven't met?"

Tian Xianma put down the menu and asked curiously.

Having not seen Xu Yuexin for such a long time, when they met again she felt excitement but also a sense of being neglected!

But in front of Chen Qiaoqiao and Chen Yixue, Tian Xianma couldn't show it and had to act happy for Xu Yuexin's graduation.

"Went to Hu Hai, busy filming a TV drama."

"They both know about this."

"TV drama?"

Hearing those three words, Tian Xianma's eyes lit up, she thought of many things, and asked Xu Yuexin several questions about the TV drama.

After finishing the hot pot, the sisters Chen Qiaoqiao and Chen Yixue headed back together, and Xu Yuexin took Tian Xianma to Wanshou Temple.

"Since the TV drama is adapted from your work, could you arrange me a bit part in it?"

On the way, Tian Xianma tentatively asked Xu Yuexin, her heart full of yearning.

She wants to enter the film and television industry?

Hearing Tian Xianma's request, Xu Yuexin's eyebrows twitched.

"What, you won't even give me a bit part?"

Tian Xianma asked plaintively.

"It's not about willing or not."

Xu Yuexin shook his head and said, "The main reason is that you dance seriously; teaching at a university is fine, and entering the film industry may not be a better path than this one."

"Ah…"

Tian Xianma was stunned by Xu Yuexin, who is a few years younger than her.

Tian Xianma has a star dream; in her mind, those household‑name national actresses are the most glamorous women.

Xu Yuexin's words somewhat contradicted her perception.

"What, you disagree?"

Xu Yuexin's hand steadily gripped the steering wheel, and looking ahead, he asked in an even tone.

"No… it's just that…"

"I think if you give me a chance, I should be able to make a name for myself in the film industry."

"Make a name, and then?"

Xu Yuexin retorted, "Your income would rise, your fame would grow, right?"

"Mm‑hmm, as long as I can shoot one or two good movies, it should be like you said."

"Then you really overestimate the film industry and underestimate universities."

"In the film industry, only a tiny fraction of actors achieve both fame and fortune. In contrast, top scholars and teachers in universities have a far higher overall social standing than stars."

"Take your dance major as an example: if you compile a good textbook, your name will be mentioned for twenty or thirty years. Conversely, even outstanding film stars usually have only a few peak years, and only a handful remain evergreen."

"Moreover, university income includes housing benefits, lecture fees after obtaining a title, royalties from textbook reprints, and part‑time earnings from social organizations, which are quite substantial."

"Besides, universities are still in a bonus period; if you can secure a formal position within three years, future development will be limitless."

Xu Yuexin listed them calmly and unhurriedly.

Tian Xianma, listening beside him, was stunned: "Universities… are they really as good as he says?"

Why do many teachers at the institute often complain to her that they only receive a dead salary? Nevertheless, despite all the doubts, Tian Xianma still decided to listen to Xu Yuexin.

Because in her mind, Xu Yuexin is an exceptionally outstanding man, whose achievements in every aspect reach a level that leaves her in awe.

Listening to Xu Yuexin is certainly the right choice.

"I've inquired about the staffing with the school."

After being convinced, Tian Xianma said to Xu Yuexin, "The school intends to open two new majors next year and plans to select a group of outstanding Assistant Teachers among us to become formal lecturers."

"Do you think I have a chance to rise up?"

(End of chapter)