Chapter 185: Hiring Someone to Make a Movie

Shekou Industrial Zone, Pengcheng.

Today, the Shekou Industrial Zone is bustling with activity; compared to the desolate scene from a year ago, it is a completely different picture.

Ever since Chen Jiajun earth-shatteringly circled a piece of land in Pengcheng and invested heavily, many Hong Kong businessmen also set aside their misgivings and followed suit with investments.

The Qiu De-geng family of the Far East Group also invested 100 million in the Shekou Industrial Zone to build a flour mill.

The heavy investment from two large groups suddenly sparked a craze for investment among Hong Kong businessmen.

And throughout the entire Shekou Industrial Zone, the name of "Chen Tai" Huang Bi'an is known to all.

Huang Bi'an invested in a 1,000-square-meter foreign currency shopping mall in the Shekou Industrial Zone—Junan Shopping Center.

On the day of the opening, a long line of hundreds of people formed at the entrance, which even drew reports from CNTV and local Pengcheng television.

The original name of Junan Shopping Center was "Junan" (Jun'an), but because it didn't sound good, it was changed to Junan (Junan) by Chen Jiajun.

Meaning: National Peace and Stability.

Of course, the more eye-catching halo of "Chen Tai" Huang Bi'an is that she is the wife of Chen Sheng, the Chairman of Guojun Group and Hongxing Group.

At this moment, she is leading HSBC investor Pu Weishi to tour the 100,000-square-meter factory building that Chen Jiajun leased at the time.

"These game consoles are about to be exported to Taiwan and the Hong Kong region; they are the most popular with customers worldwide, high quality and inexpensive."

Chen Tai Huang Bi'an introduced.

One cannot treat people differently; the Pengcheng government and the One-Word Shoulder-to-Shoulder King "Gu Yuanshuai" withstood all opposition to get such a large plot of land for Chen Jiajun, so Chen Jiajun naturally had to return the favor.

Immediately following this, under the guidance of Chen Tai, the group arrived at the Guojun Garment Factory. Chen Tai picked up a pair of canvas shoes and introduced: "This sole uses the latest technology developed by our company; the sole is very soft."

After touring the Shekou Industrial Zone, under the guidance of Chen Tai Huang Bi'an, the group arrived at the Guojun Industrial Park.

In Pu Weishi's impression, Pengcheng should have been very depressed; he did not expect to see a scene more prosperous and lively than Hong Kong here at the Guojun Industrial Park.

Although the Guojun Industrial Park and the nearby five-star hotel were only half-built, he knew that in time, this would definitely be a prosperous urban center.

When all the data was summarized and subjected to comprehensive analysis, Shen Bi was completely plunged into shock.

The market value of the Japan stocks held by Chen Jiajun had quietly risen by another 10%, reaching 2.016 billion US dollars, equivalent to 11.088 billion Hong Kong dollars.

The dozen or so gambling halls of the Hongxing Group entertainment company's Macau branch had a monthly profit of 150 million...

Relying on these two points alone was enough to become a top-five financial tycoon in Hong Kong; other families just had a deeper foundation than Chen Jiajun, but the operating data of their groups were definitely far inferior to the groups under Chen Jiajun.

This was simply earth-shattering news.

In time, the Chen family would surely be the number one financial tycoon in Hong Kong.

And what puzzled Shen Bi the most was that such a financial tycoon was actually born in the darkness; it seems HSBC had overlooked the triad and society clients in Hong Kong before this...

In mid-June, HSBC Chief Executive Shen Bi personally invited Chen Jiajun to the HSBC headquarters: "Chen Sheng, according to your qualifications, we should lend you 10 billion Hong Kong dollars, but hindered by HSBC's current development, we can lend you at most 5 billion Hong Kong dollars."

"How about this, we at HSBC are also very optimistic about the future of the Japan stock market; we can take out stocks with a market value of 5 billion Hong Kong dollars as collateral, what do you think?"

Chen Jiajun nodded upon hearing this and said: "That is fine, then thank you, Mr. Shen."

A 5 billion loan could generate as much as 700 million in interest over one year, but this interest was not in Chen Jiajun's consideration at all; it was just that HSBC could not provide more loans, otherwise Chen Jiajun would have wanted to borrow more.

Why?

Because the exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar will plummet next year; even if Chen Jiajun left this money completely untouched, it would be worth 8.7 billion when converted into Hong Kong dollars next year.

The remaining 3 billion Hong Kong dollars would be pure profit.

He summoned the members of the Landlord Association; 4.5 billion of the loan was converted into US dollars and immediately invested in the Japan stock market, while as for the remaining 500 million in funds, Chen Jiajun had other uses for them.

Last year, Hongxing Film produced four or five movies.

Among them, 【Ghostly Wisdom Star】, not only had a box office explosion but also won the Golden Horse Award in Taiwan.

And 【Chasing Girls】 started the trend of girl-chasing films in Hong Kong, with a box office of nearly 10 million, losing to 【007】 in the same period.

This proud achievement was partly due to the resourcefulness of the Yicheng Seven Freaks, and partly due to the full support of Chen Jiajun.

At this time, in the conference room of Hongxing Film, everyone was gathered together.

Jing Kun and Da Fei were also there; both had changed careers to work at Hongxing Film, and neither had ever thought that filming proper movies would be more profitable than erotic films.

Although Jing Kun was the president of Hongxing Film, Chen Jiajun was the undisputed Supreme Emperor; where Chen Jiajun was, he naturally sat in the main seat.

"Chen Sheng, you haven't been here for a long time."

Lei Luo's top lieutenant Pig Oil Boy's son—Ceng Ziwei—nodded and bowed, smiling straight at Chen Jiajun when he saw him.

"Chen Sheng."

"Big Brother."

The Yicheng Seven Freaks, Da Fei, and Jing Kun greeted him one after another.

"Sit, everyone sit."

Chen Jiajun held a cigar in his hand and gestured for everyone to be seated: "I heard the company's results last year were good; this is inseparable from everyone's hard work. Are there any new film plans recently?"

"Ada, these are the films to be shot by Hongxing Film in the second half of the year, as well as the scripts."

Jing Kun placed a stack of documents in front of Chen Jiajun.

Among them were 【Best Partners】, 【Rainbow Song】, 【Difficult Brothers】, 【Night Terror】, 【Papa, Can You Hear Me Sing】, and so on.

When filming 【Ghostly Wisdom Star】, the film's budget was only a little over one million, but the budget for 【Best Partners】 was directly increased to over six million.

"Chen Sheng, we want to invite Zhou Runfa to come and film 【Best Partners】, but Zhou Runfa feels that our Hongxing Film is too small." Mai Jia was particularly annoyed.

After filming 【Shanghai Bund】, Zhou Runfa had already become red-hot across the country and was currently the most popular film and television star in Hong Kong.

But the current Zhou Runfa was in a bit of an awkward position; he looked down on ordinary small companies, but he couldn't get the better films, and many of the films he shot did not have high box office, so he had already become box office poison.

"Ada, why don't we go and teach Zhou Runfa a lesson?" Da Fei suggested.

Jing Kun hurriedly said: "Don't, do you think it's still the past? Be careful of the police station coming to invite us for tea."

Chen Jiajun could not help but laugh inwardly upon hearing this; he did not expect that Li Qiankun, who feared nothing in the past, had actually become like this.

Jing Kun looked at Chen Jiajun: "Ada, I think there is only one person in all of Hong Kong who is most suitable for the best male lead in Best Partners."

"Oh?" Chen Jiajun raised an eyebrow.

Jing Kun smiled broadly: "I believe the lead role in Best Partners is yours and yours alone. When it comes to looks, you leave Zhou Runfa three streets behind."

"Eh?"

"Mr. Chen, if you use your image to film a movie, I guarantee it will be a massive hit!"

"Yes, yes, yes, is Mr. Chen interested?"

"Make a cameo, Big Brother, this is the first film from our Hongxing Film with a budget exceeding 5 million."

As soon as Jing Kun said this, the others in the conference room started discussing it directly.

Chen Jiajun smiled and shook his head: "You don't need to beat around the bush to flatter me. I'm too busy, and for Best Partners, I think Xu Guan-jie is very suitable."

The three Xu brothers of Hong Kong: Xu Guan-wen, Xu Guan-jie, and Xu Guan-ying.

In the seventies and eighties, the "three Xu brothers" could be said to have been unrivaled in the Hong Kong film scene for a time, serving as a guarantee for popularity and box office.

Hearing their Big Brother's personal recommendation, the eyes of the Yicheng Seven Freaks lit up.

Huang Baiming immediately said: "Mr. Chen, I will go invite Xu Guan-jie for coffee right away."

"The script quality for these few films is very high. You all should film them well. Huang Baiming, your script is written quite well; it's very moving." Chen Jiajun praised Huang Baiming.

"Thank you for the praise, Mr. Chen." Huang Baiming immediately felt as if he were walking on air.

Chen Jiajun continued: "I came here specifically this time to produce a blockbuster called A Better Tomorrow, and I plan to invite director Wu Yusen to film it."

"Mr. Chen, I am very familiar with Wu Yusen; let me talk to him." Xu Ke reached out his hand and said.

Before Chen Jiajun acquired Arts City Company, Arts City had already filmed a debut work.

However, at the time, Wu Yusen had a contract with the Hong Kong film giant Jiahe Film, so he could only use the pseudonym "Wu Shangfei" to film this movie for Arts City.

Afterward, Arts City hoped Wu Yusen would use the name "Wu Shangfei" again to help Arts City Company film a movie, but Wu Yusen refused; he recommended Xu Ke, whom he called a genius.

After listening to Xu Ke's account, Chen Jiajun felt slightly surprised: "That's even better. Tomorrow, help me invite him out for tea."

"Mr. Chen, I'm afraid that won't work. He has a contract with Jiahe Film..." Xu Ke said, feeling somewhat troubled.

Chen Jiajun smiled and shook his head: "Don't worry. With me stepping in, can Jiahe refuse to give me face?"

Xu Ke, Mai Jia, Ceng Ziwei, Huang Baiming, and the others looked at one another, their eyes filled with fervor.

"Also, isn't that kid Zhou Runfa quite arrogant? Dumu, Da Fei, you two make a trip yourselves and invite him over to film a movie for me."

Chen Jiajun's tone was filled with an overbearing quality that allowed no refusal.

If Chen Jiajun had nothing else in the film industry, he had money.

He could crush people just by throwing money at them.

Noon.

"Brother Ren, Sheng Ge, come have a cigarette."

The cast and crew of Patrol Horse finished work. Liang Jiaren and Fan Haisheng were wearing their costumes, hiding under a large umbrella to drink water. Zhou Runfa approached and offered cigarettes.

Don't look at Zhou Runfa as a popular young star now famous across the land; his status in the film circle was far inferior to kung fu stars like Liang Jiaren and Fan Haisheng.

At this moment, a crew member ran over, out of breath, and shouted: "Afa, a group of gangsters came outside looking for you, saying they want to have a chat."

"What?" Fan Haisheng frowned upon hearing this and flicked his cigarette ash: "Which gang is it? Don't they know this place is under my protection?"

"They specifically named Afa; they didn't say which gang."

"No matter." Zhou Runfa stood up and threw his cigarette into the ashtray.

"I'll go take a look too." Fan Haisheng also stood up with a cigarette in his mouth.

The two stood up and walked to the entrance of the set.

Looking up, what entered their eyes was a muscular tank, two meters three tall with muscles all over his body, followed by a burly man with disheveled, messy hair.

Behind them followed muscular men with an average height of about one meter nine.

As soon as the two saw this group, their momentum immediately shrank by half, and they couldn't help but want to retreat. Fan Haisheng opened a pack of cigarettes and stepped forward: "Brothers, what's the matter? Which gang are you from?"

Since one doesn't hit a smiling face, Da Fei took the cigarette and put it in his mouth, revealing a smile: "The Underground Emperor of Hong Kong Island, Dalao Jun. Ever heard of him?"

"I've heard of him." Fan Haisheng had truly heard of the name Dalao Jun.

It was just that he was too far removed from their film circle; they had only heard his name but never seen the person, not knowing his true face.

Fan Haisheng put on a smile: "Brother, I'm sorry, it was me who broke the rules. How much is the protection fee?"

"What protection fee?" Dumu raised his eyebrows.

"We don't collect protection fees!"

Fan Haisheng pointed to Zhou Runfa beside him and said: "Sorry, sorry. I don't know what happened with Afa; is there some misunderstanding between us?"

"There is no misunderstanding."

"My Big Brother entrusted me to bring something for him. After he gets off work, invite him for tea to make friends."

Dumu opened a document bag, and inside lay a gun with a metallic sheen, along with a thick stack of scripts.

Zhou Runfa and Fan Haisheng leaned over to look and were immediately terrified.

"Damn it."

Dumu placed the script into Zhou Runfa's hands, with a business card clipped to it.

Zhou Runfa understood instantly. A triad boss wanted to invite him to film, but what kind of film could a triad boss invite him to film these days?

The answer was only three words: pornographic film.

Thinking of this, Zhou Runfa felt bitter and unspeakable in his heart.

He was a popular young star at Shaw Brothers Film now. Was he actually going to be invited to film a pornographic movie?

Zhou Runfa took a deep breath, his expression steadying slightly. He took out a few banknotes: "Brother, I finish work at six. If he is free, let's have tea at the Shangri-La Hotel. This is a little money for the brothers to have tea."

"Forget it. How about this, we'll wait here for you to get off work." Dumu crossed his arms. Now, every time he ran an errand, he could earn 10,000 Universe Coin, which converted to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars.

Back then, he only earned 10,000 Universe Coin for a fight, but now that his status was different, his fees had gone up too.

Chen Jiajun could have completely avoided calling Dumu and not spent this 10,000 Universe Coin, but he no longer looked down upon such small change, so naturally, it did not matter to him.

Once Zhou Runfa heard this, he understood that this group of people was determined to invite him; at this moment, he had no other choice, for since these Big Brothers were waiting for him to get off work, what else could he say?

He could only let the film set staff properly entertain the few Big Brothers, serving tea and cigarettes, while the script in his hand remained unopened.

Returning to the film set, Liang Jiaren and the others all came up to greet him and asked, "Afa, is everything alright?"

"Do you want to call the police?"

"Do you want us to kick them out? There are only a few of them."

Zhou Runfa waved his hand: "It's nothing, it's nothing, just a Boss who brought a script over, saying he wants to invite me to film a movie."

But when it came down to it, Zhou Runfa still felt a bit apprehensive in his heart: "Sheng Ge, Ren Ge, can you accompany me to go have a cup of tea tonight?"

"Alright." Fan Haisheng and Liang Jiaren agreed immediately.

(End of this chapter)