Chapter 229: Wu Dao, I am the little punk you want!

From Wu Zongxian's joyful smile, one could see that he must have sold it for a good price. But his words made everyone in the company shocked!

Everything was normal before the New Year, right? How could the boss sell the company after just one New Year!

"Brother Xian, how could this happen? What happened?" Wen Lan's voice became sharp.

Wen Lan was also excavated by Wu Zongxian after participating in the singing competition. At that time, her parents didn't agree, but Wu Zongxian personally visited the door and guaranteed that he would definitely make her popular before signing Wen Lan to debut. In these few years, Wu Zongxian had indeed treated her well, and the company's good resources were given to her first. But now the company was packaged and sold, so her future fate was hard to say.

Zhou Jielun also hurriedly opened his mouth: "Brother Xian, is the company short of money? If there is no money, I can write songs to earn money for the company. Don't sell the company, okay?"

Although life in the company was a bit bitter in these years, he really made a few good friends in the company, and he successfully debuted and became popular, which made him have feelings for the company.

Wu Zongxian waved his hand directly: "What kind of reaction are you all? I said it's a good thing! My ability is limited, and my funds are also insufficient, so I can't provide you with more help. However, your new boss is powerful. As long as you perform well, the future will definitely be bright!"

At this time, Liu Geng-hong asked a question that everyone cared about: "Brother Xian, who is the new boss?"

Wu Zongxian patted his forehead: "Look at me, I haven't told you all along. The new boss is the Bai Xiong Media Company that made F4 popular! Very powerful!"

Zhou Jielun, Liu Geng-hong, and Fang Wenshan were all stunned. Zhou Jielun and Liu Geng-hong looked directly at Fang Wenshan. Was this guy's mouth opened? Yesterday, he said it would be good if the boss was Bai Xiong, and today Wu Zongxian ran over to announce that he had sold the company to Bai Xiong!

No, if you think back carefully, it seems that as soon as this guy finished speaking, Wu Zongxian called to say there was something to announce. Do you have to be so responsive!

Fang Wenshan also couldn't help but touch his mouth and said blankly: "I giao! If I knew it earlier, I would have wished for the lottery to win the jackpot!"

Wu Yuchen also remembered a few songs that Wen Lan sang, such as *Summer Wind*, *Roof*, etc. How to say it, Wen Lan's singing skills were also good, but she just couldn't get popular and was always lukewarm. And because she and Zhou Jielun met in the micro-end, the relationship was good, so little Zhou wrote 16 songs for her, far exceeding the "single digit" of his rumored girlfriend Cai Yilin.

"Not bad, President Cai, the price is okay." Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this. He was quite satisfied with this price.

Converting the exchange rate, the Alpha at that time was probably 75 million Hong Kong dollars. It was extremely cost-effective to buy it at the price of 12 million now.

According to Wu Yuchen's idea, the Alpha on the Taiwan side was naturally retained as a branch company on the Taiwan side, mainly serving Zhou Jielun personally. Of course, there were quite a few good music creators on the Taiwan side in this period. If you encounter any talents, you can also recruit them.

Wu Yuchen said to Cai Yinong: "President Cai, take it down as soon as possible. The film I shoot this year will use them when the time comes. Let them prepare early."

Wu Yuchen was listening to Cai Yinong's phone call at this time:

"Wu Dao, the Alpha company on the Taiwan side has already been bought from Wu Zongxian, costing 12 million Hong Kong dollars, which is a bit of a premium."

"Good, then thank you, President Cai!"

After Zhou Jielun's second album *Fan Texi* is released this year, the price of Alpha company will be more than this.

Cai Yinong also understood Wu Yuchen's meaning, and in her heart, she raised the importance of Zhou Jielun to a level.

However, Wen Lan was just a foil. The real value of Alpha was still here with Zhou Jielun. Zhou Jielun's first album *Jay* was released from November last year, and so far, it has sold more than 300,000 copies in about 3 months. As a newcomer, the results are good, but among all singers, it can only be said to be a small fire.

In his past life, Wu Zongxian probably sold Alpha in 2002. At that time, Zhou Jielun had already released two albums, especially the song *Nunchucks* in *Fan Texi*, which made him completely popular. A company offered 200 million Taiwan dollars to dig Zhou Jielun to jump ship, but he was grateful to the company and didn't leave. As a result, not long after, Wu Zongxian turned around and sold the company to Holiday for 300 million Taiwan dollars, making little Zhou feel like he had been backstabbed.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen said again: "And raise the treatment of the company for them. There are quite a few talents inside, but the focus is still around that Zhou Jielun. After he releases the album, provide more promotional support."

Yang Junrong was the one who truly discovered Zhou Jielun. Under his strong recommendation, Wu Zongxian agreed to make a record for Zhou Jielun.

However, he didn't worry about these small things and left it to the people below to handle.

"Their boss Zhu Jiaxin went abroad for the New Year and will come back in two days. We have already agreed on a time for an interview."

Alpha, this company, actually has about 10 people in total. Now the ones with some value to the outside world are actually Zhou Jielun and Wen Lan.

"Wu Dao, rest assured, I will definitely get this done!"

Then Cai Yinong asked again: "Wu Dao, what about the development of Alpha company?"

Wu Yuchen thought for a while and said: "Their current manager Yang Junrong is doing well. After that, the daily management of the company will be handed over to him."

Judging from the current situation, the price of 12 million Hong Kong dollars to buy Alpha company is indeed a bit of a premium. However, a slightly higher price doesn't matter. Quick knife cuts through tangled hemp. If there is no premium, how could Wu Zongxian sell it so happily?

Then Wu Yuchen turned to ask: "President Cai, how is the talk with Centro Digital?"

"Wu Dao, it's all my duty~"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen smiled. Buying Alpha, with F4 and Zhou Jielun, one group top stream, one individual top stream, is enough to support Bai Xiong to be brilliant in the Chinese music scene for more than 10 years.

And the special effects company, on one hand, he really wants to use it himself, and on the other hand, he also wants to get it done as soon as possible, and then integrate forces to catch up with Hollywood's special effects level.

Domestic special effects, not to mention now, just according to the sci-fi film *The Wandering Earth* that was generally recognized by everyone in his past life, and according to its director Guo Fan, its special effects level is at least 15 years behind Hollywood, and the production level is 25-30 years behind Hollywood.

This so-called production level is the gap in the entire film industry level, not something Wu Yuchen can change alone. And for special effects, there is a relatively simple comparison method, which is to refer to Hollywood blockbusters. *The Wandering Earth*'s special effects can't compare to the 2007 *Transformers*, and it is about the same as the 2004 *The Day After Tomorrow*. Therefore, a gap of about 15 years was drawn.

Wu Yuchen doesn't ask for the special effects company he engaged in to catch up with Hollywood's top level. This is not realistic. Being able to shorten this gap to within 10 years can already be considered his not small contribution to Chinese films.

Wu Yuchen didn't tell Han Sanping a lie. He is indeed preparing the next Chinese film now, and this section is also writing and drawing.

As for what type of film, it is actually very simple. Naturally, it is the popular martial arts in the Chinese film scene in the next few years!

The revival of this martial arts trend was brought up by *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*. After *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film this year and sold 200 million dollars globally, martial arts heat surged here in the country.

Investors took a fancy to the overseas market's love for martial arts themes, while directors took a fancy to the Oscar and box office results. Therefore, in the next few years, Old Mouzi, Chen Kaizi, and Feng Xiaogang all invested in this ancient costume martial arts craze one after another. And Old Mouzi shot three films at once: *Hero*, *House of Flying Daggers*, and *Curse of the Golden Flower*.

This market is placed here, so Wu Yuchen naturally also wants to shoot. In fact, martial arts films have an advantage, which is that they are suitable for making big scenes. In fact, China's martial arts theme is similar to Hollywood's fantasy films.

American audiences don't understand what internal strength and light work are at all. Explaining to them is all white, and various flying over walls and violating physical rules are all just existing in fantasy. Therefore, people have always regarded Chinese martial arts films as fantasy films.

In the next few years, martial arts films will be popular, which is indeed a vent for domestic special effects to display and grow. Therefore, he wants to integrate the special effects company early.

In fact, if there was no trouble with Disney last year, forcing him to spend half a year shooting *Pirates of the Caribbean*, then Wu Yuchen's Chinese film should have started construction last year and could be released this summer.

And now, being tossed and delayed for a whole year, he can only take advantage of the time at home to prepare the script and storyboard in all aspects first, and then look for actors to let them prepare. After all, he still has a *A Beautiful Mind* waiting for him to shoot. This new Chinese film can only wait until the second half of the year to start.

Subsequently, he called the person in charge of the Xiangshan Film and Television City: "The Ming Dynasty street part I requested last year is all built, right?"

"Wu Dao, it was all built last year, and the supporting costumes and props you mentioned, we have also prepared them. The Qin Palace will be completed in two months after the Spring Festival..."

Listening to the other party's report, Wu Yuchen also nodded. The Qin Palace is naturally prepared for *Hero* that Old Mouzi will shoot later.

And as for himself, since he specially asked people to build the Ming Dynasty street completely first and do all the supporting facilities, naturally he is shooting a martial arts story with a Ming Dynasty background, *Brotherhood of Blades*.

Looking at the history of Chinese martial arts films, if 2000 is the dividing line, before 2000, the peak work of martial arts films recognized by everyone is *New Dragon Gate Inn*.

In fact, even in the 21st century, *New Dragon Gate Inn* is the best martial arts film in most people's hearts. It's just that because *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, another wave of people put the title of best martial arts on *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, and the two groups of people quarreled endlessly. And it is very coincidental or very unfortunate that these two films were both originally intended to be played by Li Lianjie, and then he resigned...

After 2000, to tell you the truth, there are really few martial arts films that can be remembered. Except for *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, there are Old Mouzi's *Hero*, *House of Flying Daggers*, Wu Baige's *Reign of Assassins*, and then *Brotherhood of Blades*.

Chen Kaizi's *The Promise* is a bloody fairy tale wearing a fantasy skin. And *Curse of the Golden Flower* and Feng Xiaogang's *The Banquet* cannot be counted as martial arts, completely palace fighting. One imitates *Thunderstorm*, one moves *Hamlet*, and *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate* is a remake of *New Dragon Gate Inn*. It can be seen that a group of big directors are also exhausted in terms of scripts.

As for the *Detective Dee* series and *The Four*, they are considered ancient costume suspense and case-solving themes that inherited the mantle of martial arts.

This film *Brotherhood of Blades* is still very good. It takes the opposite path from the traditional martial arts of the past. The perspective is not on the big figures like the so-called heroes and heroes, but on the small people, the helpless choices and powerless resistance of small people who are manipulated in the big environment, showing the desperate struggle under the precarious Ming Dynasty.

Old Mouzi's *Hero* wins in the picture being shot beautifully enough, the use of color can be said to be top-notch, the scene is grand, and the intention is also very high. As for the shortcomings, setting aside what a group of experts spray

In fact, after so many years, everyone has come to know the characteristics of Zhang Yimou. His filming foundation is certainly no problem, absolutely first-class, but the script has always been his weak point. This can be seen from "Hero," "House of Flying Daggers," "Curse of the Golden Flower," and his subsequent films.

The film "Brotherhood of Blades" is the exact opposite. Due to a limited budget of only 30 million yuan, there are no grand scenes at all, but its script and story are very exciting. The plot is full of twists and turns, and every character is three-dimensional and rich, not just symbolic.

However, if Wu Yuchen were to film "Brotherhood of Blades" this time, he wouldn't be short of money. He could actually make something of the scenes and visuals; after all, it still needs to be sold overseas, and foreign audiences love grand scenes.

Therefore, he has been busy working on the script and storyboards for "Brotherhood of Blades" during this period.

This year's Spring Festival is relatively early, with New Year's Eve falling on January 23rd, so some people already started working on January 31st. In previous years, for most people in the film and television industry, they basically wouldn't come out of their homes until after the Lantern Festival to start their work for the year.

But this year is different. Many actors are rushing toward Beijing. They aren't taking trains; it has to be by plane, for fear of missing out on a rare opportunity. Because just two days ago, the great director Wu Yuchen announced that starting February 1st, he would begin a two-week audition period for his new film, "Brotherhood of Blades," which he is preparing to shoot this year.

Once this news spread, it naturally shook all quarters. Many newspapers reported on the matter, and "Brotherhood of Blades" even specifically posted the requirements for each character online for all actors to view and compare, to see if they met the criteria.

"Chao'er, what are you doing?"

The middle-aged woman looked at her son's already packed luggage and asked in surprise.

"Going back to school!"

"Why are you going back so early? Isn't it still a long time before school starts?" the middle-aged woman asked in alarm.

"Sigh, Mom, you don't know. Wu Dao Yuchen's new film is holding open auditions. I'm already late in finding out; I have to rush back to Beijing, otherwise, it'll be too late!"

After Deng Chao briefly explained a few things to his parents, he hurriedly pulled his luggage and walked out. He had only heard about it from a classmate this time, and after hurriedly checking the requirements online, he discovered he met the criteria for the role of Jin Yichuan in "Brotherhood of Blades," so he immediately bought a ticket, packed his bags, and rushed back to Beijing.

After a long and tiring journey, when Deng Chao arrived at the dormitory, he found his roommates had also arrived, so he said with a smile, "Yo, are you guys all back to participate in the auditions too?"

"You bet, this is Wu Yuchen's new film!"

"Hey, so which role are you all planning to audition for?"

"Which one can we apply for? The only important role that fits the criteria is Jin Yichuan. If that doesn't work out, I'd be happy just to land a small supporting role!"

As Zhu Yuchen spoke, he said to Deng Chao, "Chao'er, hurry up and sign up. We've all already signed up!"

Deng Chao dropped his luggage and hurriedly took his resume to sign up.

Three days later, both Deng Chao and Zhu Yuchen received calls. Both had passed the preliminary screening and were told to prepare for the second round in two days. The two couldn't help but high-five each other in the dormitory in celebration.

The day after the second round, there were those who rejoiced and those who were sad. Deng Chao made it to the final round and would be selected directly by Wu Yuchen, while Zhu Yuchen was helplessly eliminated.

In this situation, Deng Chao originally wanted to comfort his roommate, but felt it was hard to speak up, since he had made it to the next round. Instead, Zhu Yuchen patted Deng Chao and said:

"Chao'er, I'm fine. Being eliminated was already expected. But you have to do your best and win glory for us!"

Deng Chao then revealed a bitter smile: "It's not just about me wanting to. You saw it yourself; just for the role of Jin Yichuan, there are quite a few big names—Senior Liu Ye, Senior Huang Haibing, and Chen Kun from the Tao Jingying Academy. I heard even Huang Huang Xiao Ming came to sign up. In front of them, I'm just a nobody!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuchen also sighed: "We're really unlucky to have been born two years late. If we could have entered school a few years earlier, maybe we could have fought for a role in Wu Dao's films from a few years ago!"

The seniors from previous classes, whether it was Liu Ye, Sun Honglei, or Duan Long from the Central Academy of Drama, or Chen Kun and Fu Dalong from the Tao Jingying Academy, all made their mark thanks to Wu Yuchen's works and are now famous in the current Chinese film and television industry.

Afterward, Zhu Yuchen said to Deng Chao: "Just do your best. Treat this as practice. Being able to see Wu Dao is a victory in itself! My goal now is to try to act in a Miracle Film production before I graduate!"

Deng Chao chuckled upon hearing this. What Zhu Yuchen said was indeed realistic and a feasible plan for them. However, Deng Chao also harbored a glimmer of fantasy in his heart—what if he really could be chosen...

On the other side, Jiang Qinqin was holding the script in her hands, then planted a kiss on Wu Yuchen's face, smiling like a flower: "Hubby, you're so good!"

This time, Wu Yuchen didn't hold any auditions for the female lead, Zhou Miaotong; he gave it directly to Jiang Qinqin. Although the role of Zhou Miaotong is important, it isn't the lead, and Wu Yuchen has confidence in Jiang Qinqin.

Besides, he isn't shooting "Brotherhood of Blades" to win awards this time; it's a commercial film, and Jiang Qinqin meets the requirements in both image and acting skills.

Wu Yuchen hugged Jiang Qinqin and said: "Qinqin, you should really study the character, especially regarding her temperament and eyes. You'll need to nail those details."

In his past life, the role of Zhou Miaotong was played by Liu Shi Shi. The character was a government official's daughter who innocently fell into the world of prostitution. Actually, her figure, appearance, and demeanor weren't out of place, but her eyes, which were almost completely devoid of fluctuation, couldn't show the struggle of love and hate, nor the weariness of the red-light district. She acted out a vibrant character as if it were a stagnant well, which led to her "eye acting" being criticized quite a bit, and the nickname "Blind Sister" was well-deserved.

Therefore, Wu Yuchen specifically reminded her.

"Don't worry, Hubby, I definitely won't hold you back!" Jiang Qinqin promised confidently.

Wu Yuchen was quite at ease with her; Jiang Qinqin's acting skills were decent, as she had already proven in his "Classic Again."

At this moment, Wu Yuchen's phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was Jiang Wen, so he pressed the answer button:

"Hello, Director Jiang..."

Jiang Wen on the other end interrupted directly: "Hi, don't call me Director Jiang. I'm banned now, so what kind of director am I? Just call me Jiang Wen! Wu Dao, I have to ask you, what part of me didn't meet the requirements? How did I fail your second round of auditions and not even make it to the final round?"

Jiang Wen is currently banned and cannot work as a director, so he can only return to acting to satisfy his craving. For the selection of "Brotherhood of Blades" this time, he signed up directly, and he even applied for the male lead, Shen Lian.

Wu Yuchen immediately sighed:

"Sigh, my big brother Jiang, with your temperament and your image, you don't fit my male lead at all! My male lead is that kind of sullen, obscure little person who is swept along and unable to determine his own fate. If I let you play that, and you stand there, who would believe it!"

Jiang Wen on the other end immediately retorted:

"No, Wu Dao, why do you think I can't play such a little person? I'm already a little person who can't do anything right now!

Look at me: the films I shoot are banned, and now I'm banned too. Anything I have, I have to keep bottled up inside. Isn't that just making me that kind of sullen little person? Isn't that just a little loser who is swept along and unable to determine his own fate? It's perfectly fitting for me to play it!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but cover his forehead with his hand. This Jiang Wen is really damn good at quibbling; he can find a reason for anything!