Chapter 126

"Betting on the national destiny!"

Boss Lu's voice was full of energy, quite grand, making everyone at the table look at him.

Especially the Twins sisters, who were used to seeing effeminate young actors in their daily lives; where had they ever seen such heroism?

Talented, handsome, young, and wealthy...

Boss Lu said solemnly: "We have the largest population, the best audience, the most beautiful culture, and the most vibrant market. Hollywood is rampaging across the world, and neither the mainland nor Hong Kong can be spared, but it is precisely Hollywood that has torn open this gap, letting everyone see how big the cake is."

"Chairman Jiang, Chairman Li, the destiny of the nation and the individual are closely linked. If you identify with this land from the bottom of your heart and bow down to bury yourself deep within it, you will definitely have a harvest!"

Boss Lu certainly didn't expect these compradors and businessmen under Western colonialism to have high consciousness.

But using profit to lure them into pouring capital and manpower into the mainland market was very beneficial for making the cake bigger.

This is just like stock trading; only in blue-chip stocks and large-cap stocks will institutions and individuals not have liquidity panic.

Let a hundred flowers bloom, you sing and I take the stage; everyone has money to make.

This is in the common interest of all practitioners.

It's like the carnival of coal bosses flooding in.

The table quieted down, and those who understood and those who didn't were all chewing on his golden words.

Li Li Shoucheng sighed deeply, stood up, and took a gold-stamped business card from the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

"Mr. Lu, you are the most insightful young person I have seen in these decades. In the future, please give me more guidance."

People lift each other up; whether Li Li Shoucheng's expression was a true revelation of feelings or a deliberate show of goodwill, everyone had to put on the appropriate face.

"Thank you, Chairman Li. 'Guidance' is too heavy a word; let's just exchange ideas."

The moon was high, and the banquet had reached nine o'clock.

The banquet was a happy one, and everyone dispersed.

Li Li Shoucheng pondered for a while, then walked alone to the study in the back hall.

A pot of hot tea, two people sitting opposite each other.

"Uncle Chen, still looking at the scrolls?"

Sitting in the room was an old man with white hair and wrinkled skin, clearly in his eighties or nineties.

This was the guest of honor of Li Li Shoucheng and Li Li Jiacheng, Uncle Chen.

It is said that he was a personal disciple of Pu Pu Xinyu, who was the grandson of Prince Gong and the cousin of Puyi.

Pu Pu Xinyu was a person who was well-versed in both Chinese and Western learning. In the early years of the Republic of China, he studied at the University of Berlin and obtained dual degrees in astronomy and biology, later living in seclusion in the Western Hills of Beiping.

Uncle Chen was born in 1925. After becoming a disciple of Pu Pu Xinyu, he became famous in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia for his metaphysics and geomancy.

The truth and falsehood cannot be distinguished, but compared to the "fake Li Kui" Boss Lu, this one should be the "real Li Kui."

"Uncle Chen, I know a little friend. If you have time, why don't you help me look at his fortune?"

"Okay."

Li Li Shoucheng got the master's approval and found the information Huo Huo Wenxi had given him, which contained Lu Kuan's date of birth.

Uncle Chen put on his reading glasses, took the paper with trembling hands, and calculated silently in his heart.

"Lost his father in his youth, destitute in middle and old age without children, trapped in this life, not a good physiognomy."

Li Li Shoucheng was stunned. Really?

Losing his father in his youth might be correct, but Lu Kuan didn't look like he was going to be destitute in middle age.

According to the information he had, wouldn't *Whiplash* alone be enough to make him famous?

Recalling Lu Kuan's appearance at the dinner table tonight, pointing out the country's direction, it was hard to imagine him encountering Uncle Chen's prediction.

"What?"

Li Li Jiacheng smiled bitterly: "Master, there seems to be something tricky here."

He gave a brief introduction to Lu Kuan's specific situation, and the latter laughed upon hearing it.

"Mr. Li, a child prodigy doesn't necessarily mean a great adult. He is only in his twenties; failure is a common thing in life."

Li Li Jiacheng's curiosity was aroused, and he asked someone to send over a photo of Lu Kuan.

"Master, please take another look."

"It seems this little friend is no ordinary person, for Mr. Li to be so concerned."

"It's not that; I just haven't seen such a young person in many years."

Uncle Chen shook his head with a smile and put his glasses back on.

Li Li Shoucheng held a cup of strong tea; this was his remedy after drinking.

The steam was swirling, steaming his eyelids, and it was only after a long while that he noticed Uncle Chen was somewhat dazed.

"Uncle Chen, you are..."

Uncle Chen remained silent, only his fingers were calculating faster and faster, and he kept muttering.

"Too strange, too strange!"

Uncle Chen wondered: "Can you find his portrait from when he was young?"

"What does the master mean?"

"This person's eight characters and physiognomy match, but the physiognomy of the 'four rivers' is truly strange; it looks like someone else's."

Li Li Shoucheng had known Uncle Chen for many years, and under his influence, he also knew a little bit about the trade.

Human physiognomy has the theory of the "five mountains" and "four rivers."

The five mountains and four rivers each have their own theories. For example, the central mountain must be tall, straight, and upright; the eastern mountain should rise to the right, echoing the central mountain. If there is no such physiognomy, one cannot be prosperous or wealthy in life, nor will one live long.

And so on.

And the "four rivers" of Lu Kuan that Uncle Chen mentioned refer to four rivers.

The ears are the Yangtze River, the eyes are the Yellow River, the mouth is the Huai River, and the nose is the Ji River.

Li Li Shoucheng asked suspiciously: "Master, could it be plastic surgery?"

Uncle Chen laughed: "Other places can be fixed, but not the eyes. The so-called 'physiognomy is born from the heart,' and the eyes occupy the vast majority; this is called 'the eyes are the essence of the heart.'"

"In physiognomy, the eyes are the highest standard for measuring physiognomy."

"This Lu Kuan, the other five mountains and four rivers are no different from his fortune, only these eyes..."

"The eye lines are long, this is longevity and wealth; the eyes are bright, this is spirit and nobility."

Li Li Shoucheng had just asked casually; he didn't expect there to be so many tricks about Lu Kuan.

"Master, have you ever encountered such a situation?"

"Very rarely."

"Such a physiognomy is either because he used some secret technique beyond my knowledge, or he encountered a great change in his life; physiognomy is born from the heart, and his face has changed completely."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip: "To put it bluntly, he encountered something, and he's like a completely different person."

Li Li Shoucheng didn't expect that his casual inquiry would involve so many tricks, and for a moment he was speechless.

He suddenly thought of the rumor that Lu Kuan pointed out Mei Mei Yanfang's illness!

That's it!

Besides being a director, he had another identity!

As a businessman who almost stood at the top of the industry pyramid, he had always been "dialectically believing" in such strange things.

Uncle Chen belonged to the "god-like" category proven by past experience. Lu Kuan, whom even he couldn't see through, did he hide more supernatural aspects?

This child is definitely not an ordinary person.

He decided to arrange for someone to thoroughly investigate this young director who had risen to fame.

Boss Lu didn't know that the great metaphysician was debating scriptures for him. He lingered in Hong Kong for a few days and continued to take the crew on roadshows.

This was the last stop in the two shores and three regions: Bay Province.

The plane was soaring at an altitude of 8,000 meters, and taking off with it was the box office of *Whiplash*.

And the corners of Fatty Yu's mouth at the Poly Bona headquarters in Beiping.

Lu Kuan! Brother, you are so fragrant!

After half a month of release in the mainland, *Whiplash* had a total box office of 33.48 million!

Yu Dong, who was well-versed in the three flavors of distribution, knew that this was already at the highest point of the box office parabola.

Generally, without too much interference from external factors, the box office of ordinary films will show an irregular parabolic trend.

The intensive early publicity of *Whiplash* and the strategy of ignoring second and third-tier cities, which was different from the current trend, made the word-of-mouth fermentation before the release very rapid.

But this was 2002, after all, and it was October before the release of *Hero*. No matter how many buffs there were, they could only let the peak of this Golden Lion Award-winning film stay here.

With at most less than a week of growth, the box office growth rate of *Whiplash* would turn negative, and it would begin to enter the closing stage.

But just this number already made Fatty Yu ecstatic!

Compared to the invincible peers: *Together* 5.4 million, *Catching Heartstrings* 12 million, *The Lion Roars* 13 million.

This number could even compete with the Hollywood blockbusters previously released in the country.

Ranked ahead were only *The Lord of the Rings 1* 56.2 million, *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone* 56 million, *Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones* 45 million, and *Spider-Man* 41 million.

But *Whiplash* still had half a month to go!

In half a month, there was still a lot that could be done.

Bona's vice president knocked on the door and entered the office, also unable to hide the ecstasy on his face.

"Chairman Yu, we need to wash more copies; if it goes on like this, it definitely won't be enough!"

Yu Dong was experienced and had long considered this point.

In 2002, they were all film copies.

Considering the scheduling of different theater chains, one copy could supply an average of three screening halls. Printing more was a waste, so distributors would comprehensively consider box office expectations, screenings, time, and other information to wash and print copies as needed.

Production, washing, and distribution—the cost of each copy was about 10,000. Previously, *Whiplash* produced 150 copies, which was a distribution cost of 1.5 million.

"Wash 80 more! Take a plane immediately and send them to the domestic cities that are in urgent need!

"Yes! Chairman Yu!"

Some film copies were washed too few, and some film copies were washed too many.

Beijing Xiaoxitian, office of the vice president of China Film Group.

"*Whiplash* has a box office of over 30 million, and you only have 5 million! Both are music-themed films, and both are directors who won awards at international film festivals. How can the gap be so big?!"

"What are you doing! Is it just you who are precious? Look at Bona; they have already run to third-tier cities for distribution. What about you?!"

On the other end of the phone, there was only a series of promises; how could they dare to talk back.

Gao Gao Chengsheng looked speechlessly at the big boss outputting on the phone to the distribution staff.

He knew the situation, and he really couldn't blame the distribution department.

It was Director Chen who requested that publicity only be done in first-tier cities, saying that he was confident in the quality and word-of-mouth of *Together*.

Moreover, in the heart of this big director, "highbrow" still required a certain ability to appreciate. Go to second and third-tier cities for distribution?

Not enough leisure, losing face.

Han Han Shanping hung up the phone heavily and glanced at his secretary with no lack of blame.

"Little Gao!"

"Here! Leader!"

The flat-headed man said with a straight face: "You are also responsible for this!"

Ten thousand grass-mud horses galloped through Gao Gao Chengsheng's heart.

Can I persuade you?

Zhao Wei and Wang Wang Xiaolei took turns to pour ecstasy soup into your ears and badmouth Lu Kuan. What can I do?

Fortunately, he had followed Han Han Shanping since he entered the Beijing Film Studio; he was considered a thoughtful old partner.

Otherwise, he wouldn't escape the fate of Cao Jun's grain officer.

"Yes! Leader! I have also deeply reflected on my mistakes in the past few days. When making decisions, I must think three times before acting. I cannot listen to one side and be dark. I will definitely correct it next time!"

Han Han Shanping was amused by him: "You are reflecting; I think you are reflecting for me!"

Gao Gao Chengsheng cheekily continued to add tea for the leader.

"Chairman Han, Lu Kuan is indeed a talent. I asked Fatty Yu, and the distribution plan this time was formulated by Lu Kuan himself."

"From the route, to the publicity strategy, to the on-site rhetoric and activities of all sizes, almost all were suggestions made by Lu Kuan."

Han Han Shanping frowned and took a sip of tea: "Oh? This kid still has this ability?"

Then he remembered something: "Does he have a conflict with Yanda Huayi and Zhao Wei? Is what they said about Lu Kuan swindling true or false?"

Gao Gao Chengsheng smiled: "Leader, this matter is not enough for outsiders to know, and we have no way to verify it."

"But I think using Lu Kuan is like Liu Bang using Chen Ping. I won't comment on other aspects, but in terms of film, his ability is unquestionable."

He blew up Lu Kuan's deeds of holding high the banner of commercial films and singing the praises of genre films at the opening ceremony of Beiping, which made Han Han Shanping nod frequently.

Where is it so easy to be a secretary?

Missing Lu Kuan and *Whiplash* was Han Han Shanping's own decision-making error, but now the leader knows he was wrong and wants a step down.

How to give this step?

Han Han Shanping was the first person to propose the concept of New Year films, and he had always held an attitude of encouragement and support for commercial films, which was consistent with the philosophy proposed by Lu Kuan.

Once these words were passed out, the flat-headed man naturally walked down the steps.

"Not bad! Very insightful. China Film Group should still support such young directors well."

"That, Little Gao, you find him to chat and see what other film plans he has below."

"Yes! Leader!"

October 16, 2002, Bay Province, Taoyuan Airport.

Lu Kuan felt that he should hire an assistant. A Fei could only assume the duties of a bodyguard; he couldn't do the trivial matters of company affairs.

Now, just replying to messages and calls every day, and dealing with self-recommended actors and submitted scripts, took a lot of effort.

Just after landing, the phone rang.

Gao Gao Chengsheng?

Boss Lu sneered and connected: "Director Gao, long time no contact! Any guidance?"

"Harm! Why is Director Lu so distant! You can call Fatty Yu 'Old Yu,' just call me 'Old Gao'!"

Got it, at the beginning of the conversation, Lu Kuan already understood what he meant.

It's never too late to mend the fold; this is coming to climb the relationship.

"Director Gao is too serious. I am young, so I will call you Brother Gao, which also seems closer."

"Good! Good!"

Gao Gao Chengsheng was overjoyed: "Director Lu, our leader has already criticized me!"

"Let me definitely learn from young talents like you. Those who are capable are teachers."

Boss Lu ignored his rainbow farts: "Brother Gao, I just arrived in Taipei, tell me if you have anything."

Gao Gao Chengsheng pondered for a few seconds, knowing that Lu Kuan was going to run the roadshow.

It's really not that you are afraid of others being smart, but that you are afraid of others being smarter and more diligent than you!

I believe that after this *Whiplash*, the "deep distribution" roadshow model proposed by Lu Kuan will be taken out by major producers and distributors to be studied carefully.

"Director Lu, wait for you to return to Beiping to have a meal together and see if there are any opportunities for cooperation between the two companies."

"Last time..."

Lu Kuan handed the luggage in his hand to A Fei and interrupted Gao Gao Chengsheng.

"Brother Gao, the matter last time is over. We will have many opportunities to deal with each other in the future."

People don't fight with officials; they have to look good on the surface.

He thought for a while and decided to throw an olive branch to China Film Group.

"Wenjie still has a work in filming, the quality is very good. Next time we go back, we will talk about distribution in person."

Gao Gao Chengsheng saw that it was good and accepted: "That's good, wait for you to return to Beiping, and we brothers will drink together."

Boss Lu shook his head and hung up the phone, also pondering the reason for China Film Group's "arrogance before and humility after" this time.

He certainly didn't expect that it was the object of wanting to rob the rich to help the poor—Little Swallow and Yanda Huayi were making trouble behind the scenes; it could only be said that there were pits everywhere in the vanity fair.

(End of chapter)