Chapter 114: Sowing Discord

The box office growth of *Avatar*, averaging over 100 million every two days, has made not only the domestic film and television circle restless, but the authorities as well.

At this rate, those twenty or thirty domestic films are completely finished; it would be no exaggeration to describe it as losing everything.

When Lin Nan returned to the capital, he heard that tickets for *Avatar* were hard to come by at all 3D cinemas, and scalpers were making a fortune.

There were even cases of cinema staff participating in the resale.

This shows just how popular *Avatar* is.

The crew of *Thirty Days of Love* is also filming in the capital.

Since this film started production, this is the first time Lin Nan has come over.

As a female director, Xue Xiaolu films with great delicacy, so the pace is inevitably slow.

I have to say, when Zhu Yawen acts effeminate, he is indeed quite effeminate.

"Lin Nan, I thought you had forgotten that you even invested in this film."

After finishing a take, Xue Xiaolu teased him.

"How can you say that? I believe in Sister Xue's ability and trust you, that's why I didn't come."

Zhu Yawen and Wang Luodan came over with smiles.

"It could also be that you're too busy. After all, the producer for *Brotherhood of Blades* is Liu Yi, heh heh..."

Old Zhu joked with a mischievous smile.

Lin Nan widened his eyes, looking at Zhu Yawen, and instantly got goosebumps all over.

It was just because of the tone of his voice, the way he held his pinky finger, and his coquettish posture...

"I say, let you play a character with an ambiguous orientation, but don't actually make yourself have an ambiguous orientation!

If that's the case, I'll have to stay away from you in the future."

The people around them also burst into laughter.

"What are you saying? I am a real man!"

Thumping his chest, Zhu Yawen instantly switched back from his character.

In this crew, most people are from the Beijing Film Academy, so the atmosphere feels very good.

Wang Luodan, Jiang Yiyan, Zhang Jiayi...

Lin Nan didn't stay long during his visit, because the only people he could talk to were Xue Xiaolu, Zhu Yawen, and Wang Luodan.

As for the others, he was either not familiar with them or they were reserved, at most barely exchanging greetings.

The State Administration can be said to have made a big fuss this time.

A tiger has entered the sheepfold, and since they can't deal with it, they can only let it eat its fill before sending it away.

In the morning, a large number of vehicles gathered outside the State Administration.

Major film companies, producers, directors, etc., arrived right on time.

Huayi is currently in the limelight, and Wang Zhonglei was full of airs, surrounded by people, all with smiling faces.

Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, Xiying, Ningying, Changying...

Wanda, Enlight, Orange Sky, Bona...

Ning Hao, with dark circles under his eyes, quickly caught up with Lin Nan.

"Were you a thief last night?"

"You're the thief. I was staying up late thinking about the script.

It's just that I often unconsciously think of *No Man's Land*, and instantly lose the mood..."

Lin Nan didn't respond to such a sad topic.

He heard that Ning Hao is now occasionally taking a few different versions to annoy those people in the censorship department.

Just as one is rejected, another is resubmitted; anyway, they are locked in a standoff.

While talking, they saw Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang, and a few Hong Kong directors had also arrived.

"I was actually looking forward to Zhang Weiping coming along, heh." Ning Hao laughed.

"Then you're overthinking it. He has no friends, and he was firing shots at everyone earlier; even if he came, no one would welcome him."

Inside the venue, every seat was taken.

Lin Nan and Ning Hao were arranged in the second row, together with Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang, and others.

Huayi, Enlight, and other large private companies were also in this row.

Companies like Bona were relatively further back.

The leaders began to speak.

"...According to current market analysis, *Avatar*'s domestic box office will likely exceed 1 billion."

As soon as Director Tong said this, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Half a month ago, if anyone had said the mainland market could produce a blockbuster with a billion in box office, they would definitely have been called brain-dead.

But at this moment, everyone had nothing to say, with only a sense of "bitterness" in their hearts.

Many film companies present had films currently in theaters, losing money, losing money every single moment...

"Based on last year's mainland film industry data, *Avatar* is equivalent to taking up nearly one-fifth..."

The theme of this meeting was very clear: all companies and filmmakers must strive to catch up.

Whether state-owned or private, the films produced cannot always rely on policy "tilting" and "protection."

"Encourage film and television companies to actively go public if they meet the corresponding qualifications..."

"Fully open up the financial industry to enter the film and television production industry and provide sources of funding."

"Encourage and support film companies to create high-quality blockbusters and improve competitiveness."

The group of people below, including Lin Nan, could all hear that this was about to truly enter the fast lane.

The financial industry!

It means money!

Previously, policies were restrictive; if they are fully opened up now, it means an endless stream of money.

Everyone instantly had their own thoughts, especially the film companies.

Lin Nan knew that the first major industry-wide surge in salaries was coming.

The policy given from above had good intentions, but how the people below use it is hard to say.

The meeting lasted until the afternoon, and a small group of people was kept behind for a while at the end.

"Lin Nan, what is your box office expectation for *The Thieves*?"

This question was truly direct.

"Post-production hasn't been done yet, and special effects have only just begun, so I can't predict it."

Han Sanping, Feng Xiaogang, and others watched Lin Nan and Director Tong exchange pleasantries.

"You still need to have some confidence; the record for domestic films is in your hands, heh."

Ning Hao wanted to talk to Director Tong about *No Man's Land*, but in the end, he held back and didn't speak.

Instead, as they were leaving, Zhang Yimou called out to Lin Nan and Ning Hao.

"You are young directors, give me some honest opinions. In your view, where did *A Simple Noodle Story* fail?"

Some people around them saw this scene and, having no interest in gossip, walked away quickly.

Ning Hao opened his mouth and said tactfully: "Maybe the casting and the script both had problems..."

Lin Nan looked at Zhang Yimou's inquiring eyes and felt a bit helpless; did this kind of question even need to be asked?

"Director Zhang, to be honest, if this film had been made by someone else, it would actually have been okay. Of course, it wouldn't have had that box office."

Zhang Yimou was not displeased; instead, he nodded. "Continue."

"A film shouldn't have two people in charge. And the main person in charge was clearly not you, Director Zhang..."

Just as Lin Nan finished speaking, he saw Zhang Yimou turn around and walk toward the car waiting for him in the distance.

His usually steady pace was a bit heavy this time. "Mm, thank you."

Ning Hao had a look like he'd seen a ghost and leaned toward Lin Nan.

"Are you crazy, bad-mouthing Zhang Weiping here? They've been working together for over a decade!"

"There are only three people here, who else could spread it? You or Director Zhang?"

Ning Hao shook his head.

"Besides, he wanted to hear the truth, and what I said wasn't false.

Even married couples have a seven-year itch, let alone just business partners."

Lin Nan glanced in Zhang Yimou's direction and said indifferently.

In his view, a single *A Simple Noodle Story* should have already made the rift between these two very large.

He guessed that Zhang Weiping hadn't noticed these things at all, or rather, his mind was full of money and he hadn't even thought about considering Zhang Yimou's thoughts and feelings.

"At most one more time, and they should break up..."

"What are you muttering about?" Ning Hao asked, looking at the rambling Lin Nan.

"Nothing. You said, if Director Zhang and Zhang Weiping broke up, what would the situation be?"

"Then I guess Zhang Weiping would be miserable. Over these years, he has offended a large group of people in the circle, haha..."

Lin Nan felt the same; without Zhang Yimou, Zhang Weiping would likely have a hard time getting by in this industry.

…………

The policies discussed at the meeting were leaked just a few days later.

The top-tier companies were the first to take action.

High-quality film companies were the first choice for the financial industry.

Huayi had successfully gone public and was holding a large amount of cash, so they didn't really care.

After all, Wang Chang did not want to share the shares they held.

Many struggling small and medium-sized companies were very eager to receive financial support.

Unfortunately, those who needed money the most were the ones being ignored.

In just two days, quite a few strangers came to Lin Nan's company to pay a visit.

The answer they received was very firm: Lin Nan Film Industry did not need investment.

This made many peer companies both envious and helpless.

Ning Hao's Bad Monkey was also a key target for attention, but the couple was equally resolute in not accepting investment.

……

News about film and television companies successfully raising funds began to appear online one after another.

A large number of films and television dramas began to be greenlit in clusters; one look and it was clear they had secured investment.

The film and television circle seemed to become lively in an instant.

Xu Zheng took the initiative to come to the company to find Lin Nan.

"Director Lin, the time is about right; I am preparing to officially start filming."

Of the four films, only *Lost on Journey* remained now.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, the crew was prepared beforehand, and these few days are the perfect time."

"Then go ahead and start."

Lin Nan asked Jiang Xuerou to follow up on this matter, as he had to stay at Tiangong Color to oversee the editing of *The Thieves*.

"Lin Nan Film Industry, *Lost on Journey* officially starts filming today, with Xu Zheng as director, and starring: Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang..."

……

Huayi had successfully gone public more than two months ago, and I heard this year's annual meeting was grand beyond measure.

As a shareholder, Lin Nan also received a gift.

This annual meeting was widely reported by the media.

The reason wasn't how much money it cost or how much was paid out in dividends.

It was the future development direction proposed by the brothers Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei at the annual meeting.

"In the next few years, Huayi will prepare multiple blockbusters and also prepare for diversified development...

Once the timing is right, we will use our film and television business as a foundation to march into other peripheral industries..."

Lin Nan even specifically watched this news.

This plan, as it looks now, fits the money-oriented economic situation very well.

But it is completely contrary to the authorities' hope that Huayi would "deeply cultivate" the film industry.

Moreover, this development plan is very easy to go off track...

The profits from *Lunar Eclipse* were exchanged for more expensive special effects equipment.

This batch was much more expensive than the first.

"Lin, this batch of machines has already been shipped by sea, and the equipment manufacturer's engineers will arrive on time.

Also, the departure times for those employees have already been arranged..."

"Mm, I know."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Nan took a moment to compose himself; it was another few hundred million, and it would be a lie to say it didn't hurt.

Thinking again about those three floors at Tiangong Color, he wondered when they would ever be filled.