Chapter 658

Chen Zhixi was deeply unsettled by the Principal's words, not knowing what he intended to do.

Preventing a film from being released requires heavenly abilities; culture is extremely sensitive at the top, and no one can dominate the discourse.

The incident with Lust, Caution was still fresh in memory; it was said the film was released only because southern capital pushed hard behind the scenes.

This enraged a certain big shot, prompting the tightening of film censorship.

Previously, censorship for Hong Kong-Taiwan co-productions was very lenient, with green channels: as long as no serious issues were violated, you just revised and resubmitted, even submitting in phases.

You could pass with just a story outline, and content would be reviewed later.

This was one reason why co-productions were so numerous before 2008—censorship was lenient—but those people, especially Hong Kong and Taiwan filmmakers, didn't cherish it, shooting all sorts of nonsense, even praising the West.

This ultimately led to the Lust, Caution incident, whose most direct effect was the death of the "rating system"—everyone had been blabbing about ratings, and the General Administration had genuinely discussed implementing one.

But this film made the General Administration say outright: no more discussion, no rating system for now.

Also, Hong Kong-Taiwan co-productions must now submit an "ideological risk" report before filming; scripts involving history or politics are no longer reviewed solely by the General Administration.

They must undergo joint review by multiple departments—no one can say exactly which ones.

Phase-by-phase review is banned: you must submit a complete script, and revisions are limited to three times—after that, no more chances.

This caused many Hong Kong films to fail censorship, one reason for Hong Kong cinema's decline—The Beast Stalker, for example, was a casualty of that incident, too bloody.

They especially love shooting bloody, violent scenes—things like Young and Dangerous—and shit, piss, and fart humor; worst of all, they constantly praise others as perfect.

The fallout also led to media and newspapers being regulated; back then, demons ran wild, and many people held a dangerous illusion—one that had to be controlled.

If you were a General Administration leader, what would you do? Let these people shoot nonsense to insult and defame, while praising the West?

Tighten it, and they complain the censorship is too strict, stifling creativity and harming the film industry.

It's a major blow to domestic film development.

If you were the leader, what would you do? Answer me, lookinmyeye—wasn't a chance given?

Does the top not know this will hurt film development? If culture and beliefs aren't controlled, they'll be fully infiltrated; our ancestors will be defamed—so tell me, should we intervene or not? Answer me.

That group of people: loosen control and they curse; tighten it and they complain that censorship is so weak it's why their films can't go global.

So whether a film is released or not, no one has that power—completely avoiding capital interference.

Any film, as long as it passes censorship, has the right to be released, unless under special circumstances—or unless you truly have heavenly connections.

Chen Zhixi asked in surprise: "Principal, what are you planning to do?"

"You don't need to worry about this—I'll handle it. Your task is to keep our artists in line and provide them with psychological counseling," Fang Hong waved off.

This is a special period; Yutu Yiren artists are basically being vilified, and their black materials are being spread everywhere.

Some with weak mental resilience can't bear it and cry silently; Nazha simply shut off comments on her Weibo.

"Principal, you can't use special methods—film censorship is already sensitive; if you use special methods, we'll likely suffer too," Chen Zhixi warned.

She meant: don't use capital means to interfere with censorship—bribe this one, smooth over that one.

This is extremely taboo and will not be tolerated.

"No, I won't touch official channels—rest assured," Fang Hong knew the severity.

Huayi also didn't dare to go too far; previously with "Bad Genius," they only dared to stall.

But this was still within reasonable limits—a film could be under review for months, even a year; timing was unpredictable.

Moreover, Huayi has powerful backing, but Fang Hong wasn't afraid of him—his achievements overseas had long since paved the way to the top.

His struggle with Yan Zi proved he was already on someone's radar.

But that doesn't mean he can use capital means to interfere in matters—it's forbidden. You may be permissive, but you must not be reckless.

Chen Zhixi was anxious, fearing the Principal would lose his reason and actually use capital means to interfere—then he'd surely face the iron fist.

The Principal didn't entrust her with this matter, nor did he hint at his plan—he only told her to prepare for the response and keep their artists in check.

Now Fang Hong felt artist management was a burden, always fearing some scandal would erupt.

If caught with a moral flaw, the entire person is ruined; all the resources and funding invested would vanish.

Just like Fang Hong didn't want Mr. Six released—he could only act through the artists.

Yes, he'd act through the artists—were they lecherous? Did they have PC issues? Especially these artists—they were extremely desperate.

They had to maintain a single image, dared not date, but how did they satisfy their physical needs? Besides trusted partners, they turned to escorts.

Fang Hong submitted a proposal to the top: "Firmly resist law-breaking and morally corrupt artists."

Establish a Blacklist mechanism: if an artist violates rules, their works must be taken down and banned from broadcast.

Of course, this was the core goal, but the report was phrased in lofty terms—for the sake of the motherland's flowers, to protect teenagers from being corrupted by morally corrupt artists.

These teenagers lack the ability to distinguish right from wrong; they're naive and must be protected.

Whether it's implemented or not is unknown—just have a contingency plan, leave an impression on the leaders; when a scandal erupts and negative effects arise, they'll remember.

His proposal would certainly get a glance—only because it bore the Principal's name, not some unknown nobody.

The most ruthless part of this proposal was linking the artist's personal issues to their works, making the works suffer collateral damage.

In the Huang Haibo incident, his works weren't taken down—only he himself was punished.

But this time Fang Hong would escalate it—regardless of effectiveness, it would definitely have an impact.

This proposal was also sent to the Performance Industry Association—the association has no authority, but can issue public statements of boycott.

The top may never say "we've blacklisted so-and-so," but this association will issue a written announcement.

It will directly tell you: this artist is blacklisted.

This association is merely a self-regulatory body—meant to make members self-discipline—with no real power.

At dusk, Fang Hong arrived at the Yutu Film and Television Base's residential area, Lu Dabo's stronghold: Bo Ge Supermarket, right here.

Lu Dabo had named his family's supermarket this—previously it didn't have this name, but after everyone kept calling him "Bo Ge, Bo Ge," they changed it.

"Bo Ge, busy?" Fang Hong walked straight in as he counted money at the register.

Now Lu Dabo only needs to manage security at the film base, guard its equipment and property, and also oversee extras.

But it doesn't involve any film crew—just manage the film base here, and make sure the extras at the film base are well controlled.

This film base is so large, with hundreds or even thousands of extras every day; to put it bluntly, he knows everyone in both the legal and illegal worlds, and they all know him.

He's also familiar with several behind-the-scenes celebrities.

If you want to dig for information, there's plenty to get from Lu Dabo.

"Principal." Lu Dabo looked up and saw Fang Hong, his expression one of stunned surprise.

The Principal hadn't sought him out in years—so long he'd forgotten when it last happened.

It was only because he hadn't done anything for the Principal in a long time.

"Sis, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and serve the Principal a seat, bring him a drink." Lu Dabo quickly told his sister to attend to him.

"No need, no need—I'm here to see you about something." Fang Hong gestured for the girl to stop.

The delicate-looking young girl blushed slightly, yet still took a bottle of the most expensive drink from the fridge and placed it on the table before him.

"You want something from me?" Lu Dabo's heart stirred—the Principal hadn't asked him to do anything in years.

The last time the Principal asked him to do something was years ago; since then, he'd just been kept on the payroll.

"Yes, this matter requires you to handle it." Fang Hong said.

"Principal, this way, please." Lu Dabo's expression turned serious. He put down his work and signaled for the Principal to follow him to the back.

The fact that the Principal came in person meant this matter had to be kept secret—no one could know.

He told his sister: "No one is allowed near the warehouse."

"Yes, brother." She nodded seriously.

Lu Dabo led Fang Hong into a small warehouse. The space was small, with no blind spots—everything could be seen at a glance, though it felt cramped, filled with drinks and instant noodles, all taking up room.

Facing each other, Lu Dabo said solemnly: "Principal, speak. I'll get it done for you."

He assumed it was something illegal or borderline.

"No need to be so serious—it's not a big deal."

Fang Hong said casually, then added: "Do you follow celebrities?"

"I don't follow them, but I know all the stars in the entertainment industry." Lu Dabo replied.

"Do you know Yata and Li Xiaocao?" Fang Hong prompted.

"I know them—these two are currently very popular, with lots of fans." Lu Dabo nodded immediately, already understanding the target.

"It's nothing major—just find out about their private lives: who they're with, what background that woman has, whether she's an escort or just a fan—get all the details." Fang Hong made it clear.

Whether they're hooking up with prostitutes or sleeping with fans—just find evidence.

Both are actors in Mr. Six, with decent screen time; if their scandals break, combined with the proposal I already submitted, it'll still pack a powerful punch.

The more fans they have, the louder the outcry when scandals break—this is a double-edged sword.

"Investigating like that will drain connections and be too troublesome—it'll take time. Let's just set up a trap. After all, which man isn't weak to lust?"

Lu Dabo meant setting a scheme, like last time with Zeng—something simpler, easier to control.

"No, don't do that. If it drains connections, let it drain. If it takes time, let it take time—it doesn't matter." Fang Hong didn't care.

"But then it's hard to control. These stars hide their private lives tightly and are very cautious—if we can't get useful information, it'll delay your plans." Lu Dabo voiced his concern.

"Just do your best. Don't use any underhanded methods. Let's go with the flow." Fang Hong said.

"..." Lu Dabo lowered his head, silent, as if wanting to speak but holding back.

Why did it feel like the Principal had changed—grown timid?

"Dabo, you and I are both nearly thirty now—not the reckless youths we were. Back then, we had nothing; taking risks was necessary because circumstances forced us.

But now we don't need that. We have money, we have lives—we're wearing shoes now. Some things shouldn't be done just for ourselves; we must think of our family, our future. You're married, you have children—shouldn't you think of them?"

Fang Hong spoke like an elder, explaining what one should do at each stage of life.

Back then, everyone was common folk—no resources, no connections, no money—so extreme measures were necessary.

Now we're all big shots—we don't need low-level tactics to get things done.

If it's troublesome, let it be troublesome—it doesn't matter!

Besides, times have changed. Low-level tactics easily backfire.

"I understand, Principal." Lu Dabo nodded, enlightened.

He felt deeply moved—the Principal was helping him clean his record, so he'd never again have to do the dirty things others saw as filthy.

He just needed to gather information, collect evidence.

If you do it yourself, if your own life is sloppy, that's on you—it has nothing to do with them. They're just going with the flow. If your own life is clean, no one can touch you.

This confused him—how did those male protagonists in entertainment novels with so many female leads survive? One quick scandal like this and they'd be done in the industry.

Not just the person—his works would be done too.

The Principal has survived this long for a reason—at least his private life has never been messy.

Even if you're a director, do you know Wang Quan'an? One of the Sixth Generation directors—he had problems and got directly destroyed.

Once a work bears his name, whether front or back, it's zero tolerance—no release. Later, he made a film that won at Cannes—still no release.

That happened just last year—not long ago.

"Good, now you understand!" Fang Hong clapped him on the shoulder, then walked out of the small warehouse—the matter was settled.

Lu Dabo didn't leave. Instead, he pulled out a cigarette, lit it with a lighter, and smoked, smoke curling around him as he pondered how to proceed.

The Principal had given him a harder path—but also the safest one.

When the cigarette burned halfway, he seemed to have made up his mind, took out his phone, and called Zhuo Wei.

Once, this man had secretly photographed the Principal and Liu Tianxian—he'd caught him, and ever since, he'd held his leverage without using it. Now it was finally useful.

Anyone Zhuo Wei targets almost never escapes.

Wenzhang and Yao Di; Xie Biwang and Wang Fei; Dong Bailian; Chen Chichi and Zhang Zixuan; Guoji Zhang and Xiao Sa—all were exposed by him.

There were also Liu Kaiwei's screenplay incident; Chen Sicheng's ambiguous incident; Li Xiaolu and PG's overnight incident; Zhao Xiaodao's pregnancy incident, and many more.

This person is still very powerful; once targeted, almost no one can escape, except Liu Tianxian.

Of course, if you are truly clean and can endure it, staying home and using your own hands, like Fang Hong, or paying enough protection fee, then no one can touch you.

Just like Liu Tianxian, she was targeted for decades but never yielded anything.

(End of Chapter)