Chapter 731: One Round, Turning the Tables

By mid-morning, the slogan on the official Weibo account of "The Creation of the Gods," vowing to shatter the box-office record in Chinese film history, had spread across the entire internet.

And the reposts and momentum-building efforts by over a hundred first- and second-tier actors and celebrities in the industry made the film's momentum even more surging and overwhelming, unmatched for a time!

As for how the general public's viewing experience would be, that would have to wait a bit longer.

At the earliest this afternoon, at the latest tomorrow morning, online film reviews would surely flood in from all directions... Who could blame it, when the film's promotional gimmicks and grand scale were so massive?

Approaching noon, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei, both staying at home, successively received two phone calls.

The former concerned the Hundred Flowers Awards; the news conference for the awards was officially announced to be held in late August, which was also the time for the nomination list to be released.

The latter was about the copyright transaction issue for "Eternal Love," which would likely take another week to ten days to be fully finalized, because the television stations were at a stalemate.

According to the General Administration's policy, a single drama's first-run broadcast platform could have at most two satellite television stations, known as "one drama, two stars."

But Mango still wanted to eat alone, demanding exclusivity, so now the deal was stuck on the price.

After all, although other satellite stations couldn't offer the exclusive "sky-high price," the "two stars" joining forces could easily outbid Mango's so-called exclusive high price.

And, adhering to the principle of maximizing profits, Jiang Rou was also happy to see this, hoping they would continue to compete like this.

Thus, a group of satellite stations tugged and pulled for several days without deciding a "winner."

This morning, after negotiations and consensus among all parties, the final bidding time was officially set for one week later, when the hammer would fall and decide everything!

"So, for the first-run broadcast rights, Director Jiang's bottom line is 4.4 million per episode?"

Liu Liu Yifei slightly parted her red lips, looking at Lin Nan with some astonishment; this number was not low!

"Yes, the base price for the first run is to sell for at least 4.4 million per episode, with each station competing to decide whether Mango gets exclusivity or if two other satellite stations jointly secure it."

Liu Qianqian, you usually don't pay attention to these things, so you don't know the current madness of the TV drama market; in terms of making money, hit blockbusters have completely achieved dimensionality reduction crushing of ninety-nine percent of commercial films!

Besides, didn't Brother Xun's "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" break the domestic TV drama transaction record? The first run sold for 6 million per episode, secured by two stations, each paying 3 million per episode..."

"First run, second run, and even multiple runs, plus higher exclusive online broadcast rights, merchandise..."

Although Miss Liu was not the type to care much about money, this was the first TV drama invested in and produced by Hongxingwu, so she couldn't help but seriously start calculating.

Immediately, a pair of beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Director Lin Da, exclaiming with delight: "Lin Nan, so much!"

"Haha, it is quite a lot. Besides, I can't blatantly 'line my own pockets' over at Tudou either, but I imagine it won't be low; let's wait for their final transaction results."

"Yes, this year, Hongxingwu's year-end bonus, I plan to double it."

"Then you are more generous than me."

"I only have those twenty-odd employees, so naturally I can be generous; who made it so that your side, with several companies combined, has nearly a thousand people? Hehe..."

While Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei stayed at home, being sweet to each other and chattering about where to go for lunch to "treat their teeth" or "scrounge a meal," some people were already in a state of anxious panic.

That's right, I'm talking about Yu Dong!

After the Xiang family of three left the Bolna headquarters building, he couldn't sit still in the company anymore, absolutely couldn't sit still; after much deliberation, he decided it was better to act early than late, so he immediately set off for China Film Group.

Beside La La Peikang was also very busy this morning; early in the day, he first held a meeting to discuss and arrange the official listing and bell-ringing ceremony for China Film Group Co., Ltd. on the 9th of next month.

Immediately after, he sat down in the office with Liu Liu Weiqiang, Han Han Sanping, Huang Huang Jianxin, and others to talk about the kickoff ceremony for "The Founding of an Army" the day after tomorrow, when many leaders and official media would be present.

The secretary stopped Yu Dong in the waiting room and then ran off alone to report.

In the chairman's office, Beside La La Peikang frowned slightly... Han Han Sanping, on the other hand, had a smile on the corner of his lips, quite playful and completely unhidden.

Only Huang Huang Jianxin and Liu Liu Weiqiang were still clueless, very curious about what was going on between the current and former chairmen? Why were their expressions so strange, and completely opposite in demeanor?

"Bolna is also one of the producers of 'The Founding of an Army.' Since he rushed to find me before mealtime, then instruct Xiaoshitang over there to add a seat. We'll talk about the matter at the dinner table in a moment."

Beside La La Peikang gave the order casually; his tone revealed no emotion, yet it gave people a cold, chilling feeling.

Huang Huang Jianxin was ultimately faster in reaction than Liu Liu Weiqiang, the Hong Kong circle director, and immediately had a bad premonition. Because in a sense, when a leader has this kind of attitude, it's never a good thing; it mostly means something bad is coming.

Yu Dong waited for more than half an hour until around 12:30 before he saw the door to the chairman's office open.

The secretary led the way, Beside La La Peikang and the others walked towards Xiaoshitang chatting and laughing, and Yu Dong, upon being signaled, hurriedly followed behind.

"Chairman La, Chairman Han, Director Huang, Director Liu..."

He greeted them with a warm face, but didn't receive much response in return, only nods or polite smiles, very formal.

Reading people's expressions and observing their reactions was, for a capital tycoon at Yu Dong's level, the most basic entry-level skill, one he had long ago mastered to perfection and reached the peak of.

At this moment, he knew clearly in his heart: Beside La La Peikang knew his purpose, his former superior knew as well, while the other two, Huang and Liu, probably just sensed that something was happening.

He had originally intended to speak privately, but seeing the situation today, Yu Dong knew he couldn't avoid Huang Huang Jianxin and Liu Liu Weiqiang.

At the dinner table, cups were pushed and exchanged, and the conversation was all about "The Founding of an Army." Yu Dong seized a gap, smilingly raised his glass:

"Chairman La, the film 'The Creation of the Gods' that my company co-invested in is actually quite good. The cinema chains under the group and the ones we hold stakes in... I don't know if I offended them... The screen allocation given is far below the comprehensive average... Could you perhaps..."

In an instant, the smiles on Huang Huang Jianxin and Liu Liu Weiqiang's faces vanished; both muttered in their hearts with considerable aversion: "Indeed, it's a big matter!"

"If the screen allocation is low, it means they don't have high hopes for that film; this is the market's choice. How can it be artificially interfered with? To give screen allocation to a film they don't expect to do well... Do you think this is a private enterprise where profits and losses are your own? This is artificially damaging and causing the loss of state-owned assets..."

Listening to Beside La La Peikang's righteous and ruthless words, Yu Dong felt extremely aggrieved in his heart, with constant contempt:

Saying they don't have high hopes before it even releases? It's been on screen for only half a day, there's no first-day box office yet, and they're already talking about how increasing screen allocation equals damaging state-owned assets, and putting on such a big hat?

If China Film Group's cinema chains and controlled chains had such "predictive" ability, then how did China Film Group originally take the lead in investing in such big flops as "The Crossing"? Where was China Film Group's market predictive ability back then?

"Chairman La, I also came out of our China Film Group... The screen allocation rate given this time, 7.4%, is truly almost insulting... Most other cinema chains are around 30%... I know that family from Hong Island might have offended them before..."

When one is under someone else's roof, Yu Dong lowered his face to continue flattering and softening, but was still sharply interrupted by Beside La La Peikang:

"Don't talk nonsense; China Film Group has always treated everyone equally, whoever comes is the same. If you came here today mainly to speak without restraint, then after the meal, you can leave.

If the film is truly good, even if one station gives low screen allocation, it won't affect much. If the box office is good and the reputation is good, you can completely apply for an extension, apply for one month, two months; you will eventually get the ideal box office..."

Was this an order to leave!?

At the dinner table, everything froze for a moment. The atmosphere was subtle, and Yu Dong found himself a bit unable to save face.

"The crab roe buns today are quite good; everyone hurry up and taste them... This Xiaoshitang is also, truly, when the person leaves, the tea grows cold; they don't know how to take care of me, a Sichuan person..."

Han Han Sanping laughed to himself, changing the subject, which finally dissolved everyone's awkwardness.

"Yes, they are quite good."

"What is Chairman Han talking about? Hehe... Go, tell Xiaoshitang to serve him two dishes he likes right now..."

Everything seemed as if nothing had happened. The five no longer spoke about the movie, nor did they discuss screening schedules, maintaining a silence as if their mouths were sealed... They only talked about eating and drinking.

Just past one in the afternoon, Yu Dong chased Han Han Sanping to the China Film parking area.

"Chairman Han, you are my old superior; you cannot refuse to help me."

"Help you? In 1994, when I served as the factory director of Beijing Film Studio, you were under my command. In 1999, when the merger established China Film, I was the actual power-holding Vice Chairman and Deputy General Manager. Although you went into business that year, the distribution and production projects you obtained from me have never ceased. Your Bona has reached its current state; have I not helped enough?

Oh right, your former father-in-law also gave you tremendous support! Providing funds, resources, and connections... But, you are truly a born businessman. Having soared to success in recent years, how have you repaid your father-in-law? No, your ex-father-in-law! Abandoning your wife and children, showing not a shred of gratitude for past kindness and great favors...

Now that I have retired, how can I help you? I cannot help, I am unable to help, I dare not help. Those few things of mine are reserved for Jia Nu..."

Han Han Sanping left Yu Dong speechless. He didn't even want to look at the latter's face of suppressed flattery; without turning his head, he went straight into the car.

Half a minute later, watching the sedan disappear from view, the faint smile on Yu Dong's face finally vanished completely, leaving only coldness and malice.

If his guess was correct, the attitude of Ren Ren Zhonglun at Shanghai Film should not be good either, perhaps even more "sharp" than Beside La La Peikang's words; but he still had to make this call, just for that infinitesimal possibility.

Sitting in his own car, with the driver driving very steadily, Yu Dong dialed Ren Ren Zhonglun's number.

At this moment, Ren Ren Zhonglun, preparing for the afternoon roadshow, was resting in his office. The incoming call on his private phone made him somewhat surprised.

However, upon seeing that contact note, Chairman Ren Da's previously slightly dissatisfied mood instantly dissipated, turning instead into keen interest.

"Chairman Ren, this is Yu Dong."

"Mm, I know it's you. If not you, could it be Xiang Zhang Qiang? Hehe."

With just one sentence, Ren Ren Zhonglun directly shut Yu Dong up.

This sentence contained too much: Ren Ren Zhonglun knew Yu Dong's intention; Shanghai Film did it on purpose; Shanghai Film would not give him this face...

"Chairman Ren, regarding the matter of 'The Legend of the Sealed Deities' this time..."

"'The Legend of the Sealed Deities'? What's wrong? Didn't it just premiere today? I remember my subordinates saying Shanghai Film gave very good screening slots, as high as 7.4%... I think this movie has hope to break the highest box office record for a Chinese-language film, 'Mermaid's' 3.39 billion..."

Although Ren Ren Zhonglun's tone was perfectly serious, the words inside and out were full of sarcasm, all irony.

"Chairman Ren, could you, in consideration of Bona's face, raise a hand this time?" Yu Dong still spoke these words, making an attempt.

Hearing this, Ren Ren Zhonglun truly couldn't help but laugh. "Back then, when 'Mermaid' was launched and held auditions, it caused us quite a bit of trouble.

Bona's face? What face does Bona have that Shanghai Film needs to give? Yu Dong, this is not China Film here; where did you get that face? When you repeatedly spoke without restraint and offended people, did you not think there would be a day like today?

Bona? Since you chose to cooperate with others, you naturally must be prepared to 'weather the storm together,' don't you think, Chairman Yu?"

After speaking, without waiting for the other party's reaction, Ren Ren Zhonglun casually hung up the phone. He wanted to lie down for a while longer, take a nap; as for Bona and China Star, hehe.

On the other side, looking at the phone screen still lit, Yu Dong clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, but after a few seconds, his energy still deflated... Yes, in front of Ren Ren Zhonglun, what was he anyway?

"What time is Chairman Xiang's family's flight?" Yu Dong asked the assistant in the passenger seat.

"They returned to Hong Kong Island at noon; they should be home by now."

Hearing this, Yu Dong decisively made a second call. A few seconds later, a voice came from the other end:

"Chairman Yu, is there news?"

"Madam Xiang?"

Yu Dong looked at his phone; it was indeed a call to someone named Xiang, but why was the one answering the phone... Never mind, it's all the same:

"There is news. China Film and Shanghai Film are not loosening their grip, and... I estimate screening slots might be cut further later..."

"Hehe, indeed the true industry leader, they are quite skilled at bullying us Hong Kong circle filmmakers... This matter is not over..."

Yu Dong felt this woman had a problem with her brain, a big problem; she really should read more books. He regretted making this call!

Lin Nan and Ning Hao had agreed to officially start post-production on the two movies on the 5th;

Although 'Second Generation Fairies' was filmed while sprinkling sugar, and was shot with a playful mindset, one must admit that the post-production of this movie will definitely take longer than 'Marriage Story' because it involves quite a few special effects shots.

After wandering outside all afternoon, Lin Da the Director, back home, received Wu Wu Ershan's call again. Their dinner was arranged for noon the day after tomorrow, at the location of Guomao.

To be honest, Lin Nan felt the other party was too solemn, so solemn that he had a bad premonition; did the other party want to take advantage of him or trap him?

But since there was some incense fire sentiment, he couldn't show too much resistance; when the time came, he would deal with whatever moves they made.

"Did it hit the limit down again today?"

As soon as he opened the news, Lin Nan saw the LeEco message. As for movie information, he didn't know what was wrong; there were quite a few reviews for 'The Legend of the Sealed Deities'? Was this waiting until tomorrow?

Several consecutive limit-down boards; LeEco, with a market cap of over 50 billion, seems to be unable to hold on anymore;

So much so that the official website issued an announcement again, pulling out a crowd of celebrity shareholders like Zhang Zhang Yimou once more, hmm, and unreleased blockbusters like 'The Great Wall' and 'L. O. R. D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties', to boost morale and inspire the people!

"Mom said she will come back next month to help me celebrate my birthday."

Liu Liu Yifei's cheerful voice came from upstairs. She walked down barefoot, her face overflowing with a sweet smile.

"Our mom has been staying in our hometown for a long time; I even thought she forgot you were her daughter."

Lin Nan teased Liu Liu Qianqian with a smile. She didn't get angry; instead, she clasped her hands behind her back, smiling and shaking her head directly:

"I hope Mom will be free in the future. For the past twenty-plus years, she lived for me... Oh, are you even listening to me?"

Facing Liu Liu Yifei, who suddenly changed her expression and pouted, Lin Nan was a bit slow to react for a moment: "I am listening?"

"You aren't listening. I said Mom will come back next month to help me celebrate my birthday!"

"Yes, your birthday next month!" Lin Nan said with perfect seriousness. He caught on; Liu Liu Hanhan had a hidden meaning!

"Only celebrate the birthday?"

"Besides celebrating the birthday, what else is there to celebrate? Haha..." Well, Lin Da the Director broke Po Gong.

"Good, you are pretending with me, are you? I'll crush you..." Liu Liu Yifei, furious and red-faced, pounced directly, riding on top of Lin Nan.

"I surrender, I surrender. It's been a year since we got our marriage certificate, our one-year wedding anniversary... Don't pull my ears..."

"Hmph, I didn't say that, you said it. Pretend again next time, and I'll still pull your ears, hehe..."

The next day, with the release of 'The Legend of the Sealed Deities' first-day box office, it seemed the online world could no longer suppress those reviews. Starting early morning, a massive torrent of curses erupted like a geyser, sweeping across the entire internet and ravaging Weibo!

"Produced jointly by China Star and Bona Film Group, starring a host of A-listers including Jet Li, Fan Li Bingbing, Huang Huang Xiaoming, Yang Ying, Louis Koo, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Xiang Zuo, Wen Zhang, Xu Qing, and Zu Feng;

the large-scale mythological period epic 'Creation of the Gods Legend' with a production cost of 500 million yuan hit a Waterloo on its opening day, with box office receipts totaling only 57.93 million... Industry and online reviews are worlds apart, showing severe polarization..."

"On the ninth day of release, the film 'Escape from Hell' continues to lead the summer season, with yesterday's box office surprisingly rising, earning 62.24 million!"

"According to a person in charge of a Wanda Cinema, today the nationwide combined screening rate for 'Creation of the Gods Legend' has dropped to 20.5%, with a very few major theater chains cutting the screening rate for this film again by 2.2% to 5.2%..."

"Brothers, it's hard to imagine, simply a sin! I saw shadows of multiple familiar terrible movies in 'Creation of the Gods Legend'... Ugh..."

"Chinese mythology, Western fantasy, comedy, romance, action, monsters, spaceships, thriller, ghostly nonsense, and so on and so forth; a single movie actually manages to mix so many elements, with so many flaws it's hard to say what the hell it even resembles, and the actors' acting is truly so exaggerated it's like they're performing a stage play... The special effects look like an online game..."

"This movie makes people very uncomfortable, it's physically blinding; the styling and color grading are incredibly monotonous, all yellow: yellow deserts, yellow armor, yellow palaces, and yellow Fan Li Bingbing... Same vibe as 'Curse of the Golden Flower'... No, it's not even fit to hold the shoes of 'Golden Flower'..."

"The most disgusting thing is that this movie is an Eastern story, yet it uses a Western visual style to present it..."

"This style, this imagery, this dialogue, this awkward plot... It's like dreaming back to 'The Promise', but far short of the 'height' of 'The Promise'!"

"'Creation of the Gods Legend' is just a capital game to make money, not a cultural product! They say they spent over 500 million? Heh, where did that money go? From the left pocket to the right pocket?"

"Neither fish nor fowl, more disgusting than 'The Land of the Pharaohs', and even has a bit of the meaning of 'A Chinese Tall Story', but completely abandoned the tiny bit of essence of 'A Chinese Tall Story', keeping only the dregs..."

"'Creation of the Gods Legend' is actually not bad; the main scenes of this movie are almost all not real locations; the main few scenes are nothing more than the palace, the desert and sky, and the sea; because of the participation of the Hollywood team, at least these scenes are quite good..."

"Whether it's the palace decoration, the metal giant rocks, or the Undying General who instantly transforms into a monster, one can see the crew has a certain spirit; although it's not entirely satisfactory, this movie at least stood on tiptoes on the mission of saving Chinese-made special effects... Hmm, second only to Tiangong Color..."

"At Director Lin Nan, I'm reporting: there are paid film critics publicly insulting Tiangong Color..."

The internet was very lively, incredibly lively; Lin Nan had gotten up early to watch from the sidelines. Well, it was a phone call from Han Han Sanping that woke him up.

'The Founding of an Army' is a main melody film, and even more so a tribute film; China Film made it a bit too grand, so that the opening ceremony turned into an opening press conference -- the scene at that time will surely be very grand and high-spec!

And this morning, his name was on the guest list specified by the higher-ups, so Han Han Sanping called early at nine-something to notify him, afraid he might already have other arrangements.

Lin Nan indeed already had arrangements, so he would be very busy on the morning of the 1st. Go to the opening press conference at eight-something, then attend a lunch appointment...

"I say, Mr. Wang, you've had quite a few phone calls these past couple of days?"

Lin Nan, who was replying to Tom's email, was interrupted in his thoughts again by the vibration of the mobile phone on the desk; he answered the call and immediately started complaining.

"My phone has quite a few calls? Heh, just wait another two or three weeks, and you kid will be smiling and saying thank you to me! Alright, keep it confidential for now.

Go check Weibo right now; that fat lady from Hong Island is truly fierce, actually naming China Film and Shanghai Film without explicitly naming them..."

This is big news and a big spectacle!

Lin Nan didn't even hang up the phone; he directly minimized the email page on his tablet and opened Weibo. Good heavens, the first thing that met his eyes was a trending topic that had just suddenly appeared.

"Around ten o'clock this morning, one of the producers of 'Creation of the Gods Legend', Madam Chen, the wife of Xiang Zuo, posted on Weibo in anger:

I really did not expect that due to a small friction before, 'Creation of the Gods Legend' would receive extremely unfair treatment regarding its screening schedule;

When the vast majority of theater chains gave a first-day screening rate of over 30%, certain industry giants, who are generally learned from and respected as role models, actually went against the general trend, deliberately cutting 'Creation of the Gods' screening rate to less than 8 points, and today even intensified the action, adjusting it to 5 points...

Regarding these situations, I only want to ask one point: Private enterprises don't have to follow the rules, but what about you? Is your conduct compliant? Is this how you treat Hong Kong filmmakers? Which Hong Kong circle filmmaker will dare to go in the future..."

This Weibo post is indeed very sharp! It's like dropping a depth bomb on the film industry; the impact is a bit big, hmm, very big!

Because anyone with eyes can see that the 7.4% and 5.2% screening rates were given by those two true bosses, the number one and number two.

"How is it? Isn't this woman very brainless? With her doing this, her company probably won't be able to mix on the mainland anymore, haha...

But she is indeed quite good with wording; clearly she started the trouble before, yet now she turns the tables, pretending to be an innocent victim, truly impressive!"