Chapter 303

Originally, Wei Ming didn't attach much importance to *The Legend of Qin*. It was just to find something for A Long to do, and by the way, to make secondary use of the pre-Qin knowledge he learned while writing *A Terracotta Warrior*, as well as to preserve a spark of commercial comics for the Mainland.

The Mainland at this time had no soil for commercial comics, only *lianhuanhua* (picture-story books), and *lianhuanhua* wouldn't be popular for many more years. Don't look at how hot it was now, with annual sales of over 400 million copies, and it could double in two years, but in a few more years, with policy adjustments, it would be wiped out in one wave.

It wouldn't be until the 90s—to be precise, the founding of *Drawing Book King* in 1993—that Mainland commercial comics could be said to have stood up.

Although this magazine only lasted for a year, it achieved a maximum single-issue sales volume of 400,000 copies. A group of early Chinese comic backbones like Yan Kai, Chen Xiang, Yao Feila, Ziyou Niao, and Hu Qianrong all started from here and, together with those pirated Japanese comic books, cultivated the first batch of domestic "two-dimensional" fans.

But since it opened up in the 90s, there was no need to wait until the 90s to start developing. Wei Ming felt it was very necessary to prepare ten years in advance, otherwise, once the market opened, domestic comic production capacity and quality wouldn't keep up, and they could only be beaten by Japanese comics.

Since there was no market in the Mainland, he would just publish them in Hong Kong. Although the market was a bit small, it was enough for "sneaky development," and there was also a part of the market in Southeast Asia. Maybe one day they could even counterattack Japan.

However, Huang Yulang wasn't cooperating, so Wei Ming began to think about how to break the situation, and whether he could take his place.

Having lived two lifetimes and being a film and television worker, Wei Ming understood the importance of IPs too well. Novels were the source of IPs, and comics were also an upstream industry for IPs.

Japan's *Weekly Shonen Jump* could obtain a valuation of 30 billion US dollars based on the anime copyrights accumulated over decades.

Even if Marvel in the United States was on the verge of bankruptcy, it could still return to its peak and dominate the global film industry based on the anime characters under its command.

And China's Qidian Chinese Network, which could firmly occupy the industry leader position, also relied on its monopoly on the entire male-frequency IP and its continuous blood-making ability.

Similarly, the subsequent development of IPs could also benefit the source of the IP. The situation where a hit movie feeds back into novel subscriptions was one such case.

Wei Ming, even if his speed of writing novels was fast, even if he used himself as three people, how many stories could he write in a lifetime? And how many of these stories could he eat off for a lifetime?

The things he was most confident in now were nothing more than the *Black Cat Detective* series and *The Lion King*, but he wasn't 100% sure they could still make money forty years later.

But what if he had many, many such works?

Taking *The Legend of Qin* as an example, except for the time spent setting it up at the beginning, after doing the initial work well, the text plot he wrote in one day was enough for A Long and his team to draw for a month or two.

He was only responsible for character design, the main plot, and the plot direction, while the story details were filled in by A Long, and the comic details were handled by A Long and his team. This cooperation model allowed him to participate in more IP developments, using one person as a hundred.

Thinking of this, Wei Ming's heart couldn't help but become enthusiastic. It seemed very necessary to get involved in Hong Kong's comic industry!

If he did it well, even if he missed those big opportunities, even if he lost all his money for some reason, as long as these IP sources were in his hands, he could completely rest easy for his retirement.

They would turn into movies, animations, TV series, games, theme parks, etc., to support their father!

Thinking of this, Wei Ming could no longer hold back. He picked up a blank notebook and started writing. His pen flew, and he couldn't stop at all.

This matter had to be fast, not only because his days in Hong Kong were numbered, but also because of Huang Yulang.

Huang Yulang was by no means a person without vision. He must have understood the value of *The Legend of Qin*, but he still gave such harsh conditions. Either he looked down on A Long as a newcomer, or he looked down on A Long's Mainland background, feeling he had the capital to manipulate him.

Moreover, Huang Yulang had already seen the first two chapters. With his ability, it was possible he could come up with a "borrowed" version very soon, so their actions had to be fast.

"Ah Ming, when are we leaving?" A Long asked.

"Brother Ming, where are we going?" Seeing Seeing Biaozi asked.

"Teacher Wei, what are we eating today?" Wu Jing asked.

Because he slept late yesterday, Wei Ming got up late today. He glanced at the luminous watch Mei Linda had given him. *Oh no! *

"We'll talk about that matter in the afternoon. I have something else to do."

After all, he hadn't agreed with Mao Mao Amin in advance, so Wei Ming planned to accompany her in the morning and then find a way out for *The Legend of Qin* in the afternoon.

"Ah Ming, wait a moment."

Just as Wei Ming went downstairs, he ran into Mr. Fu Qi again. He was the husband of Shi Hui, one of the "Three Princesses of Great Wall," and the father of Fu Mingxian, who had "cut off" Louis Koo's arm. At the same time, he was also a director at Great Wall Film Company and had once co-directed *The Jade Bow* with Zhang Xinyan.

Fu Qi was also one of the founders of the Zhongyuan Film Company, which was behind *The Shaolin Temple* that Zhang Xinyan was currently producing.

After all, he was staying in someone else's territory, so no matter how urgent Wei Ming was, he had to stop.

"Mr. Fu, is something the matter?"

Fu Qi smiled: "I just received some good news and was about to congratulate you."

This good news was the box office results of *Heroes Born of Ancient Times*. A statistic received early this morning showed that the total box office had already exceeded 5 million Hong Kong dollars, temporarily ranking third for the year, just having suppressed Shaw Brothers' *The Gambler*.

And *The Gambler* was precisely Wong Jing's directorial debut, and the starring cast included Patrick Tse, who had just had a son last year.

Fu Qi speculated: "Following this momentum, a ten-million box office is almost a certainty. Moreover, the Beijing Film Studio has also started making copies, preparing for release."

"That's great. It's just that Yuen Cheung-Yan might be quite uncomfortable."

"Why?"

"Because he is the martial arts director. The movie's results are good, but he can't tell others that his contribution is in it."

Fu Qi laughed out loud after hearing this. Wei Ming looked at his watch: "Mr. Fu, then I'll be going first. I have another appointment."

"Oh, please do."

Watching Wei Ming's departing back, Fu Qi couldn't help but look forward to his company's *The Shaolin Temple*. Hopefully, it wouldn't fail everyone's efforts either.

When Wei Ming arrived at the meeting place, Mao Mao Amin had already been waiting for a while. Today she had changed into a new outfit—after all, a woman dresses for the one she loves—and she was increasingly willing to spend time on her appearance.

"Sorry, you must have waited a long time."

"No, no," Mao Mao Amin looked concernedly at Wei Ming's somewhat dark eye sockets, "I know you want to write the most satisfying song for me, but don't stay up late."

Wei Ming smiled vaguely: "I haven't had breakfast yet. Let's go together."

"Mm, eat on the way."

"Where do you plan to take me today?"

Mao Mao Amin: "Let's stroll around Wan Chai."

She had spent most of her 14 years of life on Hong Kong Island, so she was more familiar with the Central and Western District, Wan Chai District, Eastern District, and Southern District. As for Kowloon and the New Territories, she was relatively unfamiliar.

While eating wonton noodles at a small stall, Wei Ming told Mao Mao Amin: "I have some work matters to attend to this afternoon. I think your sick leave can end."

"Ah?" Mao Mao Amin felt very uncomfortable, so uncomfortable that she really wanted to take sick leave. She had originally wanted to accompany Ah Ming for the last few days, but it had only been a day and a half.

"What are you busy with? Maybe I can help." Mao Mao Amin still wanted to pester Wei Ming. As the old saying goes, a determined man fears a pestering woman.

Wei Ming: "I want to find some people who do printing and publishing, and I also need to find a comic company."

Mao Mao Amin: "Printing? I know. Come with me."

After breakfast, Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin took Wei Ming to a street that was somewhat antique. The street was full of festive red.

This was Lee Tung Street, a small street sandwiched between Johnston Road and Queen's Road East.

Mao Mao Amin introduced: "Here, this is Hong Kong's most famous printing street. Whether it's printing books, magazines, or printing flyers, business cards, or *lai see* (red packets), you can come here."

"But it seems there are more people printing wedding invitations," Wei Ming said, looking at those festive colors.

Mao Mao Amin's eyes smiled: "That's right. Now there are more and more people printing wedding invitations here, so some people call it Wedding Card Street."

Hearing the name "Wedding Card Street," Wei Ming almost couldn't help humming.

"The gold foil on the wedding invitation printed that 'him'/The wall where the wedding photo was framed/And all the beautiful old years/Tomorrow will be dismantled together..."

Wyman Wong, who graduated from HKU, was as famous in the lyric world as Lin Xi from HKU. This *Wedding Card Street* written for Kay Tse could be considered a very beautiful color in the "Dharma-ending age" of Cantonese songs, but the most famous was still *Exaggerated* written for Eason Chan.

It was just that this song was about the demolition and reconstruction of Wedding Card Street, which didn't match the prosperous Wedding Card Street at this time at all. It is said that in those days, in order to facilitate the supervision of publications, the Hong Kong-British government placed all of Hong Kong's publishing businesses on this small Lee Tung Street.

Even though the publishing industry was blooming everywhere now, this was still the most prosperous and dense place for the publishing industry. When walking past a storefront, Mao Mao Amin's face turned red. Inside, they were actually printing pornographic books, with naked women directly pasted outside as advertising signs.

With Mao Mao Amin there, Wei Ming walked past without looking sideways. *Let's criticize it next time. *

He mainly inquired about the price of printing comics. Of course, color comics and black-and-white comics were definitely different, and newspaper comics and magazine comics were also different. Price and service were equivalent.

Wei Ming was busy with his business, while Mao Mao Amin was more concerned with those colorful and beautiful wedding invitations.

Thinking that she might be able to use these wedding invitations in two years, her face couldn't help but turn red. She looked at the wedding invitations, then at Ah Ming, who was seriously asking about prices, and then secretly bought two from the boss behind Wei Ming's back.

"Ah Ming, are you planning to make comics?" Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin asked when leaving Wedding Card Street.

"Mm, I have this idea."

"Then will you have to come to Hong Kong often in the future? Or even settle in Hong Kong?" Mao Mao Amin asked expectantly.

"I will definitely come often, but I probably won't settle here. Hong Kong's housing prices are too expensive; I can't afford it."

Originally he could afford it, but after supporting Old Ghost with some US dollars, he couldn't manage it.

Mao Mao Amin sighed in her heart: "It is indeed very expensive. We still live in a public housing estate."

Buying a house was still out of reach for the Zhou mother who was starting a business.

"Then can you finish your work before returning to the Mainland?" she asked again.

"I'm not returning to the Mainland."

"Not returning to the Mainland? Don't tell me you..."

Wei Ming: "Before returning to the Mainland, I have to fly to England. I have some cooperation to discuss there."

Mao Mao Amin: *Are you sure it's to discuss cooperation? *

She knew what was in England—an ex-girlfriend, right?

Wei Ming didn't explain anything. He said: "Next, I really have to be busy with serious matters. Let me send you back first. Going home or back to school?"

"If I go home and Mom finds out, it'll be a disaster," Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin glanced at the schoolbag on her back, "Better go back to school."

Mao Mao Amin got into Wei Ming's van. Wei Ming told her again: "When I leave Hong Kong, this car will be handed over to Uncle Bin to drive. You can all use it."

"Remember to find me before you leave Hong Kong. You have to deliver the song to me with your own hands."

"Definitely."

Watching Wei Ming's car drive away, Mao Mao Amin took out the two wedding invitations from her bag and admired them for a long time before putting them back.

Not long after, Wei Ming's car had four more people: A Long, Seeing Seeing Biaozi, Wu Jing, and Tsui Kam-Kong.

Tsui Kam-Kong was also a painter, and comics were also drawing. He led the group to the office of *Joyful News*.

There was once a family surnamed Kwong. The father ran a grocery store and rented out comics in half of the storefront. The eldest brother, Kwong Cheuk-Hung, was influenced by what he saw and heard and often drew some self-made promotional posters to paste in the store.

Later, the eldest brother was spotted by a comic distributor who thought he drew well and recommended him to his father to become a comic apprentice.

This eldest brother later took the pen name "Shangguan Xiaolong."

He not only drew comics himself but also brought his two younger brothers into the trade. Following his pen name, they were called "Shangguan Xiao Bao" and "Shangguan Xiaowei."

*Joyful News* was the industry of the brothers Shangguan Xiao Bao and Shangguan Xiaowei.

In the 70s, Bruce Lee set off a kung fu craze. Shangguan Xiao Bao and Huang Yulang rose to the occasion, creating the comics *Bruce Lee* and *Little Rascal* respectively. The latter was eventually renamed *Dragon Tiger Gate*.

These two comics could be considered the hottest Hong Kong comics of the 70s. However, Huang Yulang had more business acumen. The Jade International he created and the comic matrix under it were far more popular than *Joyful News*.

Now, Huang Yulang was even extending an olive branch to the Kwong brothers, hoping they would join Jade International and continue to exert their talents in Jade International's comic empire. Moreover, their works would still belong to them, just on a larger platform.

To be honest, Shangguan Xiao Bao was a bit tempted, feeling that what he and his brother had painstakingly managed earned less than what Huang Yulang gave.

Just as he was thinking, his younger brother Shangguan Xiaowei came in: "Second brother, there are guests visiting."

"Who is it?"

"The visitor claims to be Wei the Madman."

"Wei the Madman?" Shangguan Xiao Bao was a bit surprised. "We only watched his movie two days ago, why did he come looking for us? Don't tell me he found out we wanted to make a *Biao Wang* comic?"

Shangguan Xiaowei said: "Biao Wang is also here, just as mighty as in the movie."

Shangguan Xiao Bao: "Let's go, let's go out and see."

At this time, Wei Ming and his party were being received by Shangguan Xiaowei's disciple, Ma Wing-Shing.

Ma Wing-Shing, who was the same age as Wei Ming, looked refined and handsome. He dropped out of school at Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin's age and entered the comic industry, studying under Shangguan Xiaowei and having been an assistant to Shangguan Xiao Bao. Currently, he only drew some scattered drafts, mainly imitating those famous comic artists.

Who could have imagined that this young man would become a famous comic artist as famous as Huang Yulang, and whose work popularity in the Mainland would even slightly surpass Huang Yulang's?

Even if you haven't seen *Chinese Hero*, could you not have seen *Wind and Cloud*?

It was already remarkable for a comic artist to have one representative work in a lifetime, but Ma Wing-Shing had two hit IPs.

But sorry, Wei Ming looked at him, now they are mine, but I can let you be the lead artist.

Besides Ma Wing-Shing, the Kwong brothers' *Joyful News* could be said to be full of talent. Niu Lao, who drew *Young and Dangerous*, was Shangguan Xiao Bao's disciple and was only 20 years old now.

There was also Fung Chi-Ming, who would draw *Sword and Knife* in the future; he was only 14 years old now and had just entered the industry. Tsui Kam-Kong, next to Wei Ming, had even acted in the movie adaptation of this comic.

In addition, there were Huang Guoxing, who was good at funny comics; Li Chi-Ching, who was good at ink-wash painting; and Zhao Rude, Xie Zhirong, Huang Weizhao, and others who would help Jade International expand its territory in the future. They were all people from *Joyful News* now.

These people were basically young people in their teens or twenties with average or even very poor family conditions. The two masters gave them meager salaries but also taught them how to draw comics, which could be considered giving them a skill to eat.

So later, when Shangguan Xiao Bao and Shangguan Xiaowei broke away from Huang Yulang to stand on their own, many disciples were willing to mix with their masters again.

In terms of teaching disciples, the success rate of Xiaobao and Xiaowei was much higher than Huang Yulang's.

Wei Ming looked at these young men who would support half the sky of Hong Kong's comic industry in the future. His brain was spinning wildly, and then he saw a refined man with glasses come out.

"Distinguished guests have arrived. I failed to welcome you from afar. Disrespect, disrespect."

Shangguan Xiao Bao locked onto Wei Ming directly: "Is this Wei the Madman?"

"It is I. Hello, Mr. Xiaobao." Wei Ming shook hands with the other party.

Although Shangguan Xiao Bao had been in the comic industry for more than twenty years, he was only 36 years old at this time.

The Shangguan Xiao Bao brothers invited the four into their office. Only after they couldn't see their disciples did they ask about the purpose of their visit.

Wei Ming asked: "I heard Huang Yulang is preparing to invite the two of you to join Jade International?"

Shangguan Xiao Bao admitted: "There is such a thing. It seems there are many rumors in the world."

Wei Ming said: "Then if you go to Jade International, are you interested in selling *Joyful News* to me?"

(End of chapter) *** **CHAPTER 304** **【304-0】 My Stunning CEO Little Aunt**