Chapter 299: Movie Premiere, First Day Breaks Records! Giving Hong Kong Cinema a Shock

Ni Kuang always had quick wit, but faced with today's situation, he could only flee first, and the Ta Kung Pao reporter beside him also captured with his camera the scene of him sneaking away with his wife.

Although this kind of toilet humor report doesn't fit Ta Kung Pao's tone, it could be published under its more populist sister paper, the Xin Wan Bao.

Besides, so many interesting things happened at Liyuan today—how could one or two articles possibly satisfy? This reporter also planned to use pseudonyms to submit pieces to other populist tabloids.

Not only could he earn extra article fees, but he'd also receive additional payment from Comrade Wei Ming—why not?

Although the only official reporters were these two leftists, hundreds of people were present, each with a mouth—and rumors about Liyuan, the elephant Tian Nu, Zhao Debiao, and "Heroes Emerge from the Young" began spreading through tea houses, living rooms, buses, and offices.

Some tabloid reporters, scenting the story, had already begun gathering information—ordinary folks loved outrageous news most.

After Wei Ming cleaned up the aftermath at the zoo and shook hands with Ah Kun, he saw Lao Gui stroking Tian Nu's trunk, speaking to it, then waving farewell.

"What were you talking about?" Wei Ming asked the old man.

Lao Gui said: "I told him his living space will become larger, and he'll live more comfortably."

"Will it?"

"That depends on how successful your publicity stunt is—I hope the zoo's owner realizes Tian Nu's value," Lao Gui said. His enthusiastic cooperation with Wei Ming stemmed not only from grandfatherly affection but also from wanting to improve Tian Nu's living conditions.

"Want to come to our shop for dinner later? We've got classic snacks from both north and south."

"Do you have douzhi?" Wei Ming asked.

Lao Gui thought, then corrected: "We've got classic delicacies from both north and south."

Good—douzhi was excluded. If your favorite snack isn't listed, look to yourself for the reason.

Wei Ming smiled: "Wait until these two days are over—I still have to take Biaozi and the others through interviews and TV recordings. I need to teach them what to say to the media."

"Then you'd better hurry—your pen pal is eager to meet you. I heard she comes to the shop right after school every day to help out, just to see you," Lao Gui reminded him; he'd worn himself out worrying over this grandson.

Wei Ming understood the urgency of meeting an online friend, but after so many experiences, he felt no special anticipation—what could you expect from a fourteen-year-old girl?

Still, Lao Gui's reminder came just in time—he remembered he'd promised Amin a song. Tonight he'd have to think hard about which one to copy.

Whether or not he ever meets her on this trip to Hong Kong, he'd definitely give her this song.

The next day, before all newspapers had fully launched their campaigns, the aftermath of yesterday's elephant tug-of-war had already arrived.

Xia Meng suddenly called Wei Ming with good news.

"Mr. Qiu Degeng has promised to lend us the two theaters at Liyuan and Songcheng. You actually pulled it off!"

Qiu Degeng had once been a cinema tycoon, owning over a dozen theaters at his peak, but as his business expanded, theater operations gave way to real estate—now he retained only two theaters, at Songcheng and Liyuan amusement park, capable of screening films and hosting performances.

That morning, while eating breakfast, Qiu Degeng read in Wen Hui Bao a report on the elephant tug-of-war spectacle at Liyuan zoo.

Seeing the sea of people in the photos, he felt disoriented—was this really Liyuan zoo, or Hong Kong Ocean Park?

How long had Liyuan been this lively? Before acquiring Lidd's, he'd still valued amusement parks—he immediately called to ask what exactly had happened yesterday, and how this elephant tug-of-war came about.

Logically, adding just one elephant tug-of-war attraction shouldn't have caused such a sensation.

So the zoo manager recounted the entire sequence of events to his boss: how the famous writer Ni Kuang was the first to stand up, then promised to eat shit and fled without paying.

Then came the fitness team from St. Paul's Co-educational College, fifty hoodlums, and finally the four-man group behind "Heroes Emerge from the Young," especially Zhao Debiao, who descended like a god from heaven.

The report included a photo of the four with Tian Nu—tall Biaozi sat directly atop Tian Nu's head, like an elephant rider.

Qiu Degeng immediately praised the manager's competence lavishly.

The manager, remembering Lao Gui's Youming -like eyes, dared not take credit: "Actually, it wasn't my idea—the 'Heroes Emerge from the Young' crew proposed the collaboration themselves."

"They proposed it themselves?" Qiu Degeng asked, surprised. "Which company made this film? Shaw or Golden Harvest?"

"A new company—Qingniao Film Company, founded by Madame Xia Meng of the old Great Wall Three Princesses."

People Qiu Degeng's age couldn't possibly not know the Great Wall's Three Princesses—Xia Meng was famed throughout Hong Kong.

"So it's Madame Xia Meng," Qiu Degeng immediately declared generously: "Tell Qingniao to contact me—I'll lend them both my theaters for the film."

The manager recalled Lao Gui's advice and added: "Boss, could we improve Tian Nu's living conditions? His current enclosure is too cramped—he's showing signs of a comeback."

"Handle small matters like this yourself," Qiu Degeng said, then hung up.

Others feared association with left-wing filmmakers, but Qiu Degeng feared nothing—the Free Association wouldn't dare make him sign a guarantee.

Thus, the number of theaters screening "Heroes Emerge from the Young" rose from eight to ten.

Two on Hong Kong Island, three in Kowloon, the other five in the New Territories.

When Wei Ming first asked Xia Meng to make a few costumes, she'd thought the boy was delusional—yet he'd actually pulled it off. Now their film could reach far more viewers.

At this time, making a film in Hong Kong meant first figuring out how to get more people to see it, since most theater chains only screened films from their exclusive partners—small studios struggled to survive.

What Xia Meng hadn't expected was that this influence extended further: the day before the film's release, multiple media outlets reported on the heroic deeds of "The Invincible Man Zhao Debiao."

Whenever they mentioned him, they also referenced "Heroes Emerge from the Young" and Ni Kuang's promise to eat a kilogram of elephant dung.

"The Devil's Muscles vs. Divine Elephant Tian Nu! The Tug-of-War at Liyuan Shakes Hong Kong!"

"Earth-Shattering Pull! The Muscular Man's Bursting Clothes Terrify Elephant Tian Nu!"

"Heaven-Sent Man! Look What This Man Did to the Elephant!"

"Father of Wei Shi Says He'll Eat Shit—Thousands Witness!"

"The King of Biao Arrives! The Northern Master Declares Himself Invincible in Hong Kong!"

Although only Ta Kung Pao and Wen Hui Bao were true major papers, the tabloids' headlines stuck in people's minds and outsold their usual circulation.

Hong Kong hadn't seen such entertaining chaos in a long time.

Biaozi, seeing the embarrassing headlines Wei Ming had collected from tabloids, felt a secret thrill—he planned to take these papers home for Yanzi.

"But I never said 'invincible in Hong Kong,'" Biaozi said.

Wei Ming held up the paper: "I didn't say it either—this article wasn't mine."

In fact, many of these articles were written by Wei Ming himself—some papers hadn't realized his pseudonym, found them amusing, and published them without contact info, happily avoiding payment.

Zhen Zidan worried: "Could this stir up trouble with Hong Kong's martial arts community?"

Biaozi asked: "What kind of trouble?"

Zhen Zidan thought: "Worst case—they come to challenge you during the film's promotion."

"That's it?" Biaozi relaxed instantly—just a fight? His master had taught him plenty of practical techniques before leaving.

Although Wei Ming trusted Biaozi's combat skills, he was his own protégé, and the child wasn't even born yet—he had to ensure his safety, so he gave Biaozi detailed instructions on how to handle challengers.

At this moment, in a convenience store in Wan Chai, Li Zhi, dressed in a tight uniform, had just seen off a customer.

Her father, Li Yongxi, worked at a theater as a stage actor, but with a new wife and child to support, getting Li Zhi to Hong Kong was his limit—he couldn't offer her much more.

This cashier job was Li Zhi's own find—she adapted quickly; after all, she'd run away from home at eight, traveling alone from Xi'an to Guangzhou, then back to Shanghai.

Because the previous customer had been lewd, staring at Li Zhi, he accidentally left his newspaper behind.

With no customers now, she picked it up to read—it helped her learn about Hong Kong and practice reading traditional characters and Cantonese script.

"Again with the horse racing? Hong Kong people are obsessed with horse racing," Li Zhi muttered, skipping past the horse racing reports, then flipping to a headline: "The King of Biao Arrives! The Northern Master Declares Himself Invincible in Hong Kong!"

Was this about martial arts?

Li Zhi knew little about that world and didn't recognize Li Lianjie, the national martial arts champion from the mainland.

Still, it was more interesting than horse racing—she read on and learned the "King of Biao" was the actor playing the villain in "Heroes Emerge from the Young."

He'd attracted media attention after winning the tug-of-war against the elephant yesterday.

Li Zhi, having a high school education, thought: pulling an elephant? That's nonsense.

Oh, not just him—he had a kid and two short guys; he only turned the tide after joining. Still nonsense.

But Li Zhi noticed the film's title—wasn't the Beijing writer Wei Ming the one who said "Heroes Emerge from the Young" was his screenplay? She'd met him at Liyuan just two days ago.

Though he hadn't respected her charm enough, she still wanted to support this film—it was made by fellow mainlanders.

As one of those Hong Kongers' "northern girls," Li Zhi longed to fit in, yet seeing mainland things still felt familiar—she'd gone to see "The Herdsman" when it screened in Hong Kong; oh, that film was also by Wei Ming.

Last time she'd wanted to talk to him about it, but he vanished.

Li Zhi wasn't the only one who saw this article—Zhou Huimin saw it at school too, when male classmates were reading a newspaper. She only borrowed it after hearing the title "Heroes Emerge from the Young."

Unfortunately, the entire article focused on the shirt-ripping man—there wasn't a single word about Ah Ming, and he wasn't in the photo with the four.

Had it not been for Grandpa Lao's mention of the investment, she'd have thought Ah Ming never came to Hong Kong—just too busy.

Wei Ming was indeed busy—he had to give an interview with Ming Pao tonight, targeting the whole crew, but especially the self-proclaimed "invincible" Biao.

This morning, Ming Pao's owner Jin Yong, reading his former employer Ta Kung Pao, discovered Qingniao's debut film was about to premiere—and had become famous for defeating an elephant in Liyuan. He immediately sent reporters to interview the parties involved.

"Interviewing Mr. Ni Kuang?" the reporter asked.

Jin Yong: "Definitely Zhao Debiao!"

On the surface, chasing trends and riding the wave—but what he truly thought remained unclear. Even after three marriages, which man didn't secretly crave a woman he could never have?

Jin Yong had long since stopped writing; Ming Pao had long passed the era of relying on wuxia novels for sales—now its circulation exceeded 100, 00 per issue, its readers primarily Hong Kong's elite, the most commercially valuable 5 million people in Hong Kong.

If Ming Pao joined the film's promotion early, it would greatly boost its visibility.

Before the interview began, Wei Ming asked: "Will this article appear in Ming Pao or Ming Pao Weekly?"

"Both. Ming Pao will publish it tomorrow; Ming Pao Weekly will wait until next week, with a different emphasis—it'll be more entertainment-focused," the interviewer replied sincerely.

Wei Ming had no further questions—Old Cha was truly professional!

For the first question, Biaozi declared: "I never said I'm invincible in Hong Kong. Some Hong Kong media are irresponsible, making things up. We believe in facts—until I've truly defeated every martial artist in Hong Kong, I'll never claim invincibility. I can only say I'm the strongest in Shichahai Martial Arts School—and Shichahai is the strongest martial arts school on the mainland."

Wei Ming nodded approvingly—say exactly that.

The reporter "hissed," feeling this sounded even more arrogant!

"What martial art do you specialize in?" the reporter asked.

Zhao Debiao glanced at Wei Ming and replied: "Shen Xiang Zhen Yu Jin."

"What?" The reporter doubted his ears—this technique sounded unreal.

Biaozi repeated: "Shen Xiang Zhen Yu Jin is an internal-external martial art, extremely rare—fewer than five people in all of China know it. When mastered, it grants the strength of an elephant."

"Some say you won the tug-of-war not by strength but by intimidating Tian Nu with your aura—is that because of this Shen Xiang Zhen Yu Jin?"

Biaozi: "I don't know exactly how I won—I didn't even look at the elephant. All I held was the rope. And right now, I've only just begun to master this divine art."

"So what are your expectations for this film?"

Zhao Debiao: "Of course I hope everyone goes to see it—not watching is your loss. Miss Xia Meng said if the box office is good, she'll give us red envelopes."

"Have you ever thought about staying in Hong Kong's film industry and becoming a kung fu superstar like Li Xiaolong or Cheng Long?"

"Never thought about it. My wife is pregnant—I just want to finish up quickly and go back to take care of her, to see my child born." This was genuine from Biaozi, not taught by Wei Ming.

The reporter nodded, deciding this display of tough-guy tenderness must be included.

When this article appeared in the Ming Pao, "Heroes Born in Youth" officially premiered.

At this time, Cheng Long had just returned from the United States; a few days earlier, Golden Harvest's "The Cannonball Run" had opened in North America with decent box office results. Though overshadowed by "Raiders of the Lost Ark," it still stood a chance at making the annual top ten.

Both Cheng Long and Xu Guanwen had roles, but Cheng Long found it embarrassing—it wasn't the kind of film he wanted to make. Just thinking about it premiering in Hong Kong a month from now made him uncomfortable.

His good mood from "Disciples of the Master's Return"'s success in Japan was gone, and he felt regret over his uneventful year of 1981.

After returning, his senior brother Hong Jinbao showed him the Ming Pao article: "These northerners are too arrogant."

But Cheng Long's focus was this: "Senior brother, you've seen the world—have you heard of the Divine Elephant Subduing Hell Power?"

Hong Jinbao: "Don't listen to his nonsense—it's pure fabrication. But I'm curious about it, so..."

"So you want to go watch the movie with me?" Cheng Long interrupted.

Hong Jinbao lightly tapped Cheng Long's head: "I thought we should go wrestle the elephant too. We haven't gathered as brothers in a long time. When we were kids, I took you all to Liyuan. This is a chance to bond. Even if we can't get everyone, forty or fifty should be possible, don't you think?"

Beyond his duty as senior brother to maintain brotherhood, Hong Jinbao also recognized the buzz around the elephant wrestling. For the past two days, the Liyuan zoo had been packed. If the Seven Little Fortunes could take part, whether they won or lost, it would be excellent publicity.

He and Cheng Long didn't need it—but the other brothers did.

Cheng Long thought for a moment and nodded: "Fine, but we'll watch the movie too. Today we watch the film, tomorrow we wrestle the elephant."

"Great. You pay for the movie," declared Senior Brother.

The Peking Opera "Seven Little Fortunes" had seven roles, but Hong Jinbao and Cheng Long's so-called "Seven Little Fortunes" was actually a fourteen-man group, performing in two fixed teams.

Back then, over seventy brothers studied under Master Yu Zanyuan, but only a few rose to prominence.

Today's group gathered to watch the film included Cheng Long, Hong Jinbao, Yuan Biao, Yuan Hua, and other familiar faces from the film industry.

Yindu Cinema was one of the better leftist-run cinemas; the future Yindu Group, which consolidated leftist film forces, originated from here.

When the brothers walked into the cinema, they found it packed.

"So many people!" Yuan Biao exclaimed. "I wonder how the mainland's action scenes are~"

(End of Chapter)