Chapter 42: The Local Power Broker Who Could Get Anything Done: Agent Yan Li

Li Peng, from Taiwan Province, was a notable figure in Taiwan's film and television industry, having participated in the production of multiple film and television works.

After the year 2000, film and television teams from Hong Kong and Taiwan flocked northward, and Li Peng followed the trend.

However, unlike the bitter, melodramatic love stories he had previously produced, upon arriving on the mainland, Li Peng set his sights on the emerging hot genre of Wu Xia dramas.

Coincidentally, Li Peng held the rights to an existing Wu Xia novel—The Cold Moon, Lone Star Sword.

This novel had some fame in Taiwan Province, having been adapted into a film of the same name in the 1970s and remade as a television series in the 1980s.

Li Peng himself was one of the directors of the television series The Cold Moon, Lone Star Sword, and the lead actor at the time was "The Roaring Master," Ma Jingtao.

With this successful precedent, Li Peng hired a screenwriter and penned a new script.

The story's setting remained largely unchanged, but the plot was significantly revised, and many characters were renamed—such as the female lead changing from Bai Qiushuang to Shangguan Yan, and the second male lead shifting from Qin Bin to Ouyang Mingri, making the overall narrative more aligned with current market tastes and audience preferences.

Once the script was finalized, Li Peng contacted various channels and secured funding, eventually assembling the crew and preparing to begin shooting on a chosen date.

Just then, the originally agreed-upon female lead, Xiao Qiang, suddenly called to say she wouldn't be acting anymore.

This news was a thunderclap for Li Peng and the entire crew.

Li Peng personally flew out to meet Xiao Qiang, but she remained resolute, and he failed to persuade her.

Frustrated, Li Peng vented his anger, vowing he'd rather use newcomers than established stars.

On a friend's advice, Li Peng brought his team to Jingcheng.

They planned to first visit several art universities; if no suitable candidates were found, they'd expand their search to the population of aspiring actors in Beijing.

Jingcheng was currently the mainland's film and television hub, teeming with countless young actors hungry for fame—surely they could find a promising talent.

…

In the hotel room, Li Peng and his assistant and assistant director were discussing how to contact art schools when his phone suddenly rang.

Li Peng didn't think twice about the unknown number and answered directly: "Hello?"

"Hello, may I speak with Li Zong of Zhonglu Film and Television?"

"This is I. Who are you?"

"Li Zong, hello, my name is Yan Li. I currently handle small intermediary jobs in the industry and also work as an agent. I heard you're looking for actors and wanted to ask if you need any assistance?"

Li Peng frowned: "How do you know I'm looking for actors?"

He'd only just arrived in Jingcheng—his plans hadn't been made public yet!

There was a pause on the other end, then the voice replied casually: "To be honest, I have a few friends in Shanghai who happened to hear about you, so I came forward to offer my services."

Li Peng then understood—his crew hadn't just come to Jingcheng; they'd also sent a team to Shanghai earlier, and someone must have passed the information along.

But as a veteran of the industry, he'd encountered plenty of shady dealings.

He was naturally wary of strangers who approached him out of the blue, so he ignored the call.

"Sorry, we don't need any help."

The man named Yan Li remained undeterred, continuing in a calm tone: "Li Zong, don't misunderstand—I mean no harm. You're strangers here in Jingcheng and could use a local connection."

"I don't have other skills, just good connections and up-to-date information."

"I know people at Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, People's Liberation Army Art Academy, Communication University of China—all of them. I'm friends with several key intermediaries among the Beijing-based aspiring actors. If you need help, I can make the connections."

"Don't worry—I won't ask for anything upfront. If nothing comes of it, we still part as friends, and there'll always be future opportunities to work together."

"…."

Li Peng was beginning to consider it.

This man had found out about him in Jingcheng so quickly—he truly seemed well-connected.

His tone was so confident, as if he was a powerful local figure in Jingcheng.

Their crew had very limited connections in Jingcheng; having such a well-connected local figure on their side would make things much easier.

He hadn't committed to anything yet—worst case, he could pay a small intermediary fee, or offer two minor supporting roles to placate him, then keep him hooked with future projects.

Li Peng was a seasoned veteran—he quickly weighed the pros and cons and decided to meet the man.

After all, they were a small crew with no reputation or clout in the industry; it was unlikely any dangerous criminal would come after them for money or murder.

He played it safe and didn't arrange the meeting at the hotel; instead, he and his assistant went to a café.

Soon after, a rugged young man in a shirt and dress pants entered and approached them.

"Li Zong, hello, I'm Yan Li, the one who just called you."

Li Peng was surprised—Yan Li was young, yes, but his appearance was excellent—he could easily pass as an actor himself. Why was he doing this job?

"Just trying to make a living."

Yan Li gave a brief explanation: he'd once been an actor too, but hadn't gotten far, so now he took on behind-the-scenes work part-time.

This was common in the industry, and Li Peng quickly accepted it.

Still, it was a pity—mainland China was overflowing with talent; such a promising guy couldn't land a role? What a waste.

Yan Li didn't know Li Peng was pitying him. He ordered a glass of water and began chatting to build rapport.

…

Since obtaining the information, Yan Li had been thinking about how to connect with the Snow Goddess Dragon crew and get Dong Xuan cast as the female lead.

He didn't want Dong Xuan to submit her resume herself—it was too risky, and he feared the crew might be treacherous and she'd be mistreated.

So Yan Li decided to investigate first—see if the crew was trustworthy; if so, he'd personally help elevate Dong Xuan to the role.

After gathering some intelligence, Yan Li directly reached out to Li Peng.

Why pretend to be an intermediary and agent? Simple: as an actor, he'd be at a natural disadvantage when dealing with producers and easily distrusted.

Change the identity, and many things would fall into place naturally.

For example, saying he was a local power broker in Jingcheng carried little weight if he claimed to be an actor—but saying he was an intermediary and agent instantly made him far more credible.

As Li Peng listened to Yan Li speak at length about the rules and insider information of Jingcheng's entertainment circle, his trust in him increased by another third.

This man was truly a well-connected local power broker!

The two quickly made an arrangement: first go to North Electric to find actors, and Li Peng relaxed his mood, granting a favor.

"You can give me the profiles of your artists; if they're suitable, we can give them priority consideration."

"Thank you, Manager Li. If it's convenient for you, I'll bring the person directly."

Yan Li had been waiting for this. After receiving Li Peng's approval, he made a phone call.

Soon, Dong Xuan entered the café, her hair in a ponytail, wearing a plain white T-shirt and jeans.

"Manager Li, this is the artist I manage—Dong Xuan, a third-year student at North Electric, with excellent looks and poise, a dance background, and graceful martial movements."

Li Peng looked at Dong Xuan beside Yan Li and was slightly astonished.

This appearance and demeanor were exactly like his ideal Shangguan Yan!

Seeing Li Peng's surprised expression, Yan Li picked up his cup and drank silently.

How could they not look alike?!

Every expression, demeanor, and even clothing combination had been carefully adjusted by him based on system intelligence and Li Peng's requirements for the female lead.

Yet Li Peng was a shrewd old hand; he refused to reveal too much, quickly suppressing his emotions and offering a measured compliment.

"Acceptable. We'll consider it."

"Then please give her extra care."

Yan Li was not discouraged—he never expected Li Peng to immediately agree to Dong Xuan as the female lead.

Come on, this was the female lead of a legitimate production, and the plot of "Snowflakes Goddess Dragon" revolved around the female protagonist.

The casting for such a crucial role could never be decided lightly!

Yan Li's move was meant to give Dong Xuan a first-mover advantage—to establish her from the start as the standard for the female lead in Li Peng's mind.

Later, whenever Li Peng saw other actors, he would inevitably compare them unconsciously to Dong Xuan.

Not to mention that future intelligence showed Dong Xuan was originally the chosen female lead for "Snowflakes Goddess Dragon," and now Yan Li had crafted a tailor-made "Shangguan Yan" based on Li Peng's own preferences.

Under these circumstances, the comparison between Dong Xuan and unprepared actors was obvious.

If nothing goes wrong, the more Li Peng compares, the deeper his impression of Dong Xuan will grow, until he concludes she is the only choice.

If something does go wrong, doesn't Yan Li still stand beside him?

He would flatter Li Peng's tastes to draw closer, while using the system to probe his real-time thoughts, filling gaps and ensuring absolute certainty.

"…"

Yan Li once felt he might have chosen the wrong career.

If he switched to being an agent, Wang Jinghua, Chang Jihong, Li Xiaowan—all of them would have to step aside…

(End of Chapter)