Chapter 269: Ignition Plan, Phoenix Returns to the Nest (Note 1)

It was past 9 o'clock when I woke up at the Peninsula Hotel; I had truly drunk a great deal at the charity gala yesterday.

Anita Mui pulled Jackie Chan over to chat, insisting that Boss Lu agree to find a project for them to collaborate on next time.

There was also Cheng Guogiang, who came to strike up a conversation with an innocent look on his face; he seemed like someone who did big things, and his skin was thick enough.

However, Boss Lu still brushed him off as if nothing had happened; after all, he had already resolved the problem in a man's way.

Interests are eternal; who knows, maybe there will be a chance for cooperation in the future?

It's just that the tool-man Liu Ze flew back to Beijing in a huff early this morning.

With *The Billionaire* nearing completion, the filming for Mytube videos also needs to be put on the agenda, followed by the back-to-back filming of *Zhu Xian*.

With the second season approaching, the recent rebroadcast of *Zhu Xian* has reignited the popularity of last summer, which can be seen from the download volume of online ringtones and the peripheral sales on the Wenjie Mall.

In view of this, Wenjie and Shanda have officially begun the production of the online game of the same name, starting to verify the money-making ability of another derivative channel.

Boss Lu coordinated some animation and special effects talent from Butian Pictures to participate in the development, serving as a technical talent reserve for the game development business that Wenjie might extend into later.

At ten in the morning, A-Fei drove the boss to the Kam Hing Building at No. 20 Shan Lin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

This is the location of Hong Kong director Zhou Zhou Xingchi's Star Overseas Entertainment.

Once this last matter is settled, I will have to devote myself entirely to the Olympic opening ceremony plan and the filming of *Aftershock*.

"I'm looking for... Mr. Zhou Zhou Xingchi."

Boss Lu greeted the pretty receptionist; he had originally wanted to say "Xingzai," but was afraid the other party would misunderstand that he had come to provoke them.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I just called."

The receptionist made an internal call and respectfully led him inside.

Pushing open the door to Zhou Zhou Xingchi's office, the sight was somewhat obviously cluttered, with the disorganized desk covered in script drafts.

"Mr. Lu, sit."

"Alright."

The last time the two met was at the Che Dun film set in Shanghai in early 2004; at that time, Zhou Zhou Xingchi's *Kung Fu Hustle* was about to wrap up, and they had a brief intersection.

At that time, Zhou Zhou Xingchi watched him direct the last scene featuring Fan Fan Bingbing; he came with enthusiasm and left satisfied.

"Mr. Lu, what brings you to me?"

"To invite you to Beijing to be a teacher."

Boss Lu's expression remained as usual as he dropped the bombshell, but Zhou Zhou Xingchi's expression was also as usual, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"It's like this: the Beijing Film Academy and several professional film schools in Korea and Japan will establish a Pan-Asian Film Academy to cultivate the genre and commercial film capabilities of potential directors within Asia."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi shook his head: "Can't do it, I don't have the time."

This was the same reason Nolan gave when he refused at first; Boss Lu helplessly explained the academic system issue again.

"Once a month, that's not much." Zhou Zhou Xingchi rubbed his chin.

"What's in it for me? Don't talk to me about prestige or reputation, it's useless!"

This style of conversation was very Zhou Zhou Xingchi, but Boss Lu actually liked this straightforward bargaining; it saved him the trouble.

"The domestic box office capacity and the number of screens are increasing day by day, as you must have seen from the box office of *Kung Fu Hustle* last year."

"The film center of the three regions across the strait has shifted to the mainland, and capital and talent are gathering at an accelerated pace."

"Look at *The Myth* from the joint venture film company established by Jackie Chan and Emperor Group; China Star and Media Asia are all marching into the mainland."

"Even some individuals."

Lu Kuan used Jackie Chan, who had downed several drinks with him yesterday, as an example: "Liu Liu Dehua told me yesterday that he is prepared to pay out of his own pocket to support several Chinese-language directors."

This was not bluffing Zhou Zhou Xingchi.

The Focus Films company, helmed by Liu Liu Dehua, was already preparing to officially launch the "Focus: First Cuts" film project at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The plan would bring together emerging directors from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan to each direct one of six high-definition Chinese-language films.

The funding for Ning Hao's *Crazy Stone* in the future came from here.

"I know, Zicong is one of them."

Boss Lu smiled: "If you come to the Asian Film Academy as a teacher, you can be credited as a producer on their feature films for a commission, and you'll have priority investment rights."

"The mainland doesn't actually lack a market, screens, or audiences; what it lacks is good films, especially genre films."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi was somewhat tempted, but he had fallen out with all his collaborators and was somewhat repelled by these roundabout ways.

He shifted his attention to the young director in front of him: "I've just watched your *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, including your previous films."

"You just talked about learning from Hollywood; you think you alone are enough, not to mention Western directors like Luc Besson or Nolan—I don't understand Hollywood."

Boss Lu smiled and corrected him: "Learning from Hollywood means learning their production processes and standards to cultivate our own film industrial system, not copying them blindly."

The young director flattered him: "Your films have a unique sense of absurdity and non-reality; although they carry a very strong personal label, they can provide inspiration to students."

"After all, even on a global scale, there are very few directors who can be praised for comedy films, let alone your kind of comedy that brings tears through laughter."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi was indeed pleased; anyone would feel happy to be praised without reservation by such a young director whose box office and word-of-mouth were both soaring.

But this was not enough to convince this eccentric man with a strange temper.

"Mr. Lu, tell me the real purpose of you establishing this Pan-Asian Film Academy."

"Are you really so selfless that you want to cultivate genre film directors for East Asian cinema?"

Boss Lu was just about to speak when he was interrupted by Zhou Zhou Xingchi: "Don't talk to me about the investment or commissions for the students' feature films; I believe that for you, you could make more money with that time."

"Haha, your eyes are very sharp."

Both were people who wouldn't get up early without profit, so these two could be considered birds of a feather.

"Of course I have selfish motives."

"By establishing the Asian Film Academy, as the initiator and president, the improvement in my industry reputation goes without saying."

"The directors cultivated will naturally have a closer relationship with our Wenjie, which is also an important resource."

"But to be honest, whether you believe it or not, making the mainland film scene bigger, attracting more audiences to the cinema, and attracting more hot money for infrastructure construction is my biggest goal!"

Zhou Zhou Xingchi felt that his words were a bit grandiose.

The bigger the market and the bigger the cake, everyone can indeed eat a few more bites, but why are you so sure you can eat the biggest piece?

No matter how capable you are, you can only make one or two films a year at most.

Aren't you worried about making wedding clothes for others?

Boss Lu continued to elaborate on his beautiful vision.

"I'll give you an example and you'll understand."

"You must know George Lucas; at the beginning of this year, he donated 175 million US dollars to USC, more than half of which is to be used for campus infrastructure construction."

"Why did he do that? It's to make the cake of Hollywood sci-fi and special effects films bigger, so his Industrial Light & Magic can reap more profits and absorb more talent."

"I have the same purpose in running a film academy."

"The bigger the plate for Chinese-language films, the greater the business volume for Wenjie's Butian Pictures, the more business for Focus Media, the higher the distribution revenue for Wenjie Wenjie Jiahe, and the higher the order volume for the derivative mall."

"To tell you the truth, what I care about now is not the profit of one or two films; I want to grow the domestic film industry to 10 billion, 20 billion, 30 billion—I can make money from the entire industrial chain even without making films!"

He also left out the income from the internet side, such as Blogbus.

Boss Lu looked at the dumbfounded Zhou Zhou Xingchi and smiled: "You should have heard about my grievances with Yanda Huayi, but whether in advertising marketing or distribution, I have never blocked or made things difficult for them."

"Because this cake is still too small, just taking qualified commercial film and genre film directors as an example."

"The commercial films in the Chinese-language film market can now be said to be relatively stably profitable: you and I, Feng Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Zhang Yimou, and perhaps our company's Ning Hao and Xue Li Xiaolu."

Of course, the latter two were riding on his coattails to a certain extent.

"Even if we expand the scope, in terms of commercial films, you can't find 10 in the entire Chinese-language film scene."

"Good genre film talent is too scarce, and the potential of the entire market has not been thoroughly stimulated; this is the real purpose of my doing the Asian Film Academy."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi stared at him intently for a minute, then suddenly shook his head and laughed out loud.

"People all say I'm stingy and selfish; although I really don't want to admit it, I can't refute it either."

"People also say you, Lu Kuan, are profit-seeking, calculating, and at odds with industry colleagues; I always thought we were the same kind of people."

"Today I know, actually not."

The last fig leaf of the Hong Kong film scene let out a long sigh.

"Those who steal a hook are executed, those who steal a country are marquises."

"We Hong Kong filmmakers are at most playing small games; you are going to swallow a whole country."

At this moment, Zhou Zhou Xingchi remembered the change of ownership of Wenjie Jiahe on live television a few months ago.

Zou Zou Wenhuai's aged face was full of tears, saying he could calmly go to see Li Lan Xiaolong, and saying he could hand over Wenjie Jiahe to Lu Kuan with a clear conscience.

He only now understood Zou Zou Wenhuai's mood at that time; this was truly entrusting the hope of Chinese-language film content creation and industrial development to this young man.

Such a person's vision would never be confined to the gains and losses of a single city or place; his mind is broad enough to encompass the world and everything in it.

"Alright, but I have one more request."

"Hmm?"

"Can you help me get a title like professor or mentor at the Beijing Film Academy? I heard there's a subsidy."

Boss Lu laughed loudly: "You treat me to a meal at noon, and I'll handle this for you."

"Then the tea restaurant downstairs, is mixed-noodle okay?"

"Then for the title at the Beijing Film Academy, is associate professor okay?"

The two looked at each other for a few seconds and burst into laughter in unison.

Zhou Zhou Xingchi was a man of his word, but the fifteen-dollar Hong Kong mixed-noodle wasn't bad, and it well comforted Lu Kuan's rumbling stomach after the alcohol.

Before returning to the mainland, he had a sudden whim and went to the University of Hong Kong, which was somewhat fruitful.

March 24th, 7th floor, Block C, Beijing Hotel, Tan Family Cuisine private room.

Today is the first gathering and meeting of Lu Kuan's Olympic opening ceremony bidding team.

Boss Lu pushed the door open and entered the room, followed by a pair of teacher and student from Hong Kong University.

"Professor Li, Xiao Wang, you two sit down first; we will introduce everyone in a moment."

In the private room, besides the top talents from various art industries who had been invited, many had already met and dined through the introductions of Zhang Zhang Huijun and Han Han Shanping.

"Teacher Lin, are you used to being back in the country?"

Lin Ying smiled and waved her hand: "Just call me by my name; I cannot bear to be called 'Teacher' by you, Director Lu."

Like Wang my lord and other ethnic Chinese who grew up abroad, she was still used to calling people by their first names; this social posture was relatively neutral and convenient for communication.

"Zhou Yang, why are you feeling homesick now that you've met people?" Lin Ying teased Liang Zhouyang beside her.

Liang Zhouyang was twenty-two years old this year; she had cried and begged her great-aunt to take her back to the country to attend this first dinner, just to see her idol.

"Hello, Miss Liang, I heard from my lord that you put in a lot of effort to invite Ms. Lin Ying; thank you."

"Director Lu! I really like your movies; can we have a chat when you're free later?" Liang Zhouyang was a bit excited, but she maintained the social etiquette of a top cultural family very well.

"Of course. By the way, today we have gathered many talents from home and abroad; I will have to trouble you to act as an interpreter later."

"No problem."

The artists arrived one after another, all picked up point-to-point from the airport by Wenjie staff.

"This is the American director, Mr. Michel."

"This is Mr. Jin Wei from the Opera and Dance Drama Theater."

"This is the dancer, Ms. Yang Yang Liping."

"This is Director Dragone from Cirque du Soleil."

The top experts in the various niche fields targeted previously were basically in place, though there were some minor adjustments.

For instance, Galliano could not spare the time for now, so Wang my lord stepped in urgently to offer ideas first; also, Cai Guoqiang and two mechanical technology experts had been poached by other teams.

Fortunately, with a top architectural designer like Lin Ying present, she could provide sufficient support in mechanics; this type of interdisciplinary talent was the most scarce.

There were some personnel additions in other fields; for example, they had found Yang Yang Liping first, but Lin Ying brought Shen Wei, which was perfect for combining Chinese and Western perspectives to brainstorm.

"This is Professor Guo Guo Qiyong from the Philosophy Department of Wuhan University, who is proficient in classical Chinese philosophy; I think he can provide more support in these aspects."

With Chinese learning as the substance and Western learning for application, the existence of a professor like Guo was to provide oversight for classical philosophical thoughts such as "Heaven, Earth, and Man" and "Unity of Heaven and Humanity."

The last to arrive was Wang my lord; he had arrived in Beiping yesterday and had been dragged away by Fan Bingbing for a meal.

Everyone chatted and laughed as they took their seats; with different customs between Chinese and foreign friends, they drank a few cups of wine casually, but they all kept using their chopsticks, showing great appreciation for Chinese cuisine.

After eating and drinking for a while, Michel was the first to bring up the main topic.

"I was on the same flight as Spielberg when I came; he seems to be going to another Olympic bidding team."

Spielberg was going to Zhang Zhang Yimou's team, but in later generations, he withdrew for some ridiculous reasons; considering this, Lu Kuan had no intention of inviting him at all.

Guo Guo Qiyong laughed: "It seems this time it's not just a competition between your domestic directors, but also depends on the strength of foreign aid, haha."

"Actually, film directors are not particularly suited for large-scale galas; the strength of dance troupes like Dean Jin's is stronger and more experienced."

Jin Wei of the Opera and Dance Drama Theater was modest: "Not at all, the dance troupe only has those few tricks; core creativity is always the most important, otherwise it will become the 'Athens Eight Minutes'."

Mentioning this topic, everyone fell silent; the public opinion pressure Zhang Zhang Yimou faced was also the pressure everyone felt now.

Young people were more lively; Liang Zhouyang spoke up: "But I see Lu Kuan doesn't look worried at all?"

Wang my lord agreed: "Lu Kuan is the most versatile director I have ever met; before I came, Galliano even urged me to make sure I see what good ideas you have on hand!"

Everyone was a bit surprised; they knew Galliano was participating in a bidding team, but he was supposed to be there for technical assistance, right?

How did it sound from this ethnic Chinese kid's meaning as if the two could go back and forth?

"Today, there are artists present like Michel who have participated in the Olympics, and some who haven't or even don't understand the process; let me give a brief introduction first."

Boss Lu had also studied it painstakingly since signing the application letter.

"Our proposed opening ceremony plan is mainly divided into three parts."

"The first part is the warm-up performance before the opening, mainly featuring Chinese and foreign song and dance to showcase our national culture and create a warm atmosphere."

"Immediately following is the content of the welcome ceremony, such as the entry of leaders from various countries, the countdown, and the welcome fireworks."

"Everyone, please note that the countdown here is the first process with creative value; you can all consider it first."

The 1984 Los Angeles rocket man countdown and the 2012 balloon shooting countdown were both quite famous.

"The second part is the artistic performance; needless to say, this is the most important part."

"According to the requirements of the Olympic Organizing Committee, we must showcase the brilliant Chinese culture and the rapidly changing technological development and progress of the era within one hour as much as possible."

Lu Kuan paused, looking at the worried, thoughtful, and focused state of everyone at the table, and continued: "The last part, the lighting, is also the most important part."

"I have mentioned this when communicating with everyone before."

"If the opening ceremony is successful, the Olympics are half successful; if the lighting is successful, the opening ceremony is half successful; the lighting is too important!"

He scanned the two teacher and student from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology he had brought: "Let's talk about the lighting first; surely you have all pondered many ideas over the past half month, right?"

Michel expressed his opinion first: "We could improve on some of the plans we didn't adopt during the Atlanta Olympics."

"Under the main torch, first extend 5 olive branches representing peace outward, surrounding the entire torch, with the other ends of the olive branches connecting to the Olympic rings."

"Inside the main torch, place 7 dove-shaped fireworks representing the seven continents of the world; when the Olympic torchbearers from all sides run to the central venue, they ignite the Olympic rings connected by the olive branches, and the flames on the rings spread upward along the branches, eventually converging on the central torch."

Boss Lu thought intently; opinions of praise or opposition had already emerged on the scene.

Guo Guo Qiyong held a reserved opinion: "Too international; it doesn't reflect national culture, nor does it have the blessing of high-tech creativity."

Lin Ying smiled: "It can be improved, especially in the form of the fireworks, but Cai Guoqiang didn't join the team, so we lack core technical experts."

"My plan is for the main torchbearer to hold the torch high after entering the stadium, and several drones carry the main torch to ignite a five-ring image in the air, which then contacts the torch tower."

"Everyone, please note that the image here is made using an air imaging system, not real."

This was indeed too high-tech, with both drones and air imaging.

Boss Lu was interested in her knowledge of drones: "Have you studied drones?"

"Yes, I specifically sought out flight control experts for Northrop's reconnaissance drones to conduct research; this is feasible."

Northrop was the first military-industrial complex in the United States to study drone technology, but their research direction was larger aircraft, and the technology for small drones was not yet mature.

However, the precise positioning, navigation, and communication signal transmission in electromagnetics were universal.

The teacher and student from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who had been silent since arriving today, looked at each other, both showing excitement.

Wang my lord raised his hand: "My idea comes from 'E. T.'; that bicycle flying higher and higher with magic, as if to break through constraints, is full of fantasy and romance."

"I have toured the streets and alleys of Beiping for the past two days; China is a great country of bicycles. My plan is for the athletes to ride bicycles around the field first, then be hoisted by wires to fly toward the torch tower; after the lighting is successful, the athletes fly out of the Bird's Nest, just like in 'E. T.'."

Everyone laughed, and Boss Lu also nodded and shook his head frequently.

One person's wisdom is limited, but the collective wisdom is great; limited by different educational and cultural backgrounds, everyone's ideas had flaws, but they could provide creativity for the final plan.

Guo Guo Qiyong, Shen Wei, and other domestic artist representatives also expressed their opinions, but they were all rich in cultural meaning and slightly low in technological content.

Everyone looked at Lu Kuan; he was the soul of the team and the backbone; others could offer opinions, but he had to make the decisions.

Lin Ying smiled: "Tell us your plan, Lu Kuan."

"Alright, I will talk about the creativity, and then I will ask these two guests from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to talk about the feasibility."

Michel, Dragone, and others became curious; what kind of creativity was it that required special technical personnel to be responsible for implementation?

"Our stadium is called the Bird's Nest; my plan is called 'The Phoenix Returns to the Nest'."

Boss Lu stood up and gestured with his hands and feet: "The athletes run into the Bird's Nest, circle the field, and at the same time, the phoenix imagery on the top of the stadium also circles the field."

"Finally, it takes the torch from the athlete's hand and flies toward the torch tower; the phoenix wraps its two wings around the torch tower, and the master control activates the ignition device."

"Then the phoenix transforms into thousands of feathers and scatters, or soars into the sky."

"What exactly is the phoenix?" Lin Ying asked first; technical experts always care about the possibility of implementation first.

And Liang Zhouyang was cooperating with Guo Guo Qiyong to explain to the foreigners who didn't know what a phoenix was.

"There are currently two plans; the first is the air imaging system you just mentioned."

"I have studied it with a top Hollywood special effects team; there is a digital projection and technical imaging company in Belgium called Barco."

"Just like the water imagery at the Athens Olympics, this uses the principle of mirages to present light and shadow with the help of water droplets and floating dust particles in the air."

"It is equivalent to using water mist as a projection screen, using the irregular movement of air molecules to present a 3D effect from 2D images."

Dragone raised his hand: "Cirque du Soleil has used this technology; it has very high requirements for air humidity, and the climate in Beiping is relatively dry, so the specific effect may not be as desired."

Lin Ying also raised an objection: "The imagery and image of the phoenix are very large; can current technology achieve imaging of this scale?"

"I have already sent employees from Butian Pictures to Barco to ask experts to test it; we will only know the actual effect after testing."

Michel and others, having just understood what a phoenix was, also joined the discussion on technical issues: "Tell us about your second phoenix composition."

Lu Kuan glanced at Lin Ying and walked over to the teacher and student: "My second plan is currently still in the conceptual stage; whether it can be achieved depends on the scientific research results of these two."

"Let me re-introduce them."

"This is Professor Li Li Zexiang, Professor of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Director of the Automation Technology Center; he has made remarkable achievements in the field of robotics."

He turned to another slightly immature young man: "This student is named Wang Tao, currently a graduate student of Professor Li."

"The composition of the second phoenix imagery is very simple: a large drone formation!"

Dragone immediately denied it: "Impossible! Even Northrop doesn't have such technical capabilities now."

"Just because they don't, doesn't mean we can't."

The one who spoke was Li Li Zexiang.

In 1979, he went to Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked first in computer technology in the United States, and later went to the University of California, Berkeley for further studies, obtaining master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.

Li Li Zexiang pushed his glasses, his temperament gentle and elegant: "I have come into contact with Northrop's projects; their research direction in recent years has mainly been on the X-47B."

"The X-47B is a stealth drone bomber carrier-based aircraft that does not require human intervention; it has powerful self-sustainability and high stealth, with extremely high sortie rates and control ranges."

"This project is funded by the Pentagon, but in terms of small drones, their research has been stagnant."

Professor Li pointed to his student who had been silent beside him: "My graduate student Wang Tao is currently working on a flight control program, which has already entered the final testing stage."

"This flight control program has the potential to achieve autonomous hovering for the model, and its stability is very high."

"Our goal is to apply helicopter flight control technology to multi-rotor aircraft; multi-rotor aircraft have excellent flexibility and applicability."

He smiled at Boss Lu: "When Mr. Lu found me back then, I was also very incredulous."

"We can currently only manage formation flight control for under five aircraft, and it is very strenuous. To achieve the phoenix-shaped formation that Director Lu mentioned, we need at least a thousand aircraft; the difficulty is extremely high!"

"To be honest, even if you provide us with unlimited funds, wanting to meet this requirement in just over three years is still..."

"It is possible."

Li Li Zexiang's statement was interrupted; he looked at his student helplessly and shook his head with a wry smile.

Everyone looked toward Wang Tao together; the knowledgeable technical experts like Lin Ying and Delagong held a strongly skeptical attitude.

It wasn't that they naturally felt the United States was omnipotent in every aspect, but that in this type of military technology, the West had indeed been leading for too many years.

They found it hard to imagine that a pair of teacher and student from Xiangjiang, who couldn't even be considered a research group, could have such a technical foundation and breakthrough.

"It is possible!"

The first "possible" was something he couldn't help but blurt out.

The tone of this sentence was more certain; he cherished such an opportunity, and he had to seize it.

That day, when the young director and his mentor came to the University of Science and Technology to find him, he was just as incredulous as everyone present.

Looking at the history of drone technology and the development of DJI, let's pull the timeline back to 2005.

This year, Wang Tao established his graduation project topic: research on helicopter flight control systems.

He paid out of his own pocket to fuel his hobby and eventually succeeded in developing a flight control system with the potential to achieve mid-air hovering, but he was already living beyond his means and had exhausted all his resources.

In the 2005 of the later years, he would take the 200,000 in startup capital and scholarships provided by his parents to found DJI, creating a masterpiece that would later shock the world in an office of less than 20 square meters.

Wang Tao cleared his throat: "Let me talk about the technical issues of large-scale drone formations, or rather, the improvements we still need to make."

"To achieve the performance scene Director Lu mentioned, our current flight control system needs to undergo major upgrades in four areas."

"First, precise positioning and navigation correction."

"For 1,000 drones, the distance between each one must be kept at about 1-2 meters. Traditional GPS positioning pillars have errors, so we need to achieve navigation correction rapidly."

"However, we have an advantage in the stadium that is being built: the site is very open, and it won't be obstructed by buildings or suffer from signal reflection like in a city."

"At that time, we can set up signal devices inside the venue separately to ensure the accuracy of the positioning."

Boss Lu saw him looking at him and nodded to show his support.

The Bird's Nest will be completed before June 2008; if the plan is finally approved, we can communicate and set it up in advance.

Seeing everyone staring at him intently, Wang Tao became more confident as he spoke.

"Second point, communication and signal transmission."

"Our current XP1.1 does not yet have high-capacity data transmission functions. The more drones there are, the larger the data capacity for flight control commands, movement parameters, and lighting control interacting between the ground and the air."

"Once delays, errors, or losses occur, accidents will happen."

"If we want to reach Director Lu's standard, this is the first great mountain that must be conquered."

Signal problems can be solved with tricks, but this kind of solid electromagnetic transmission technology must rely on solid accumulation.

"Third, the collaborative control capability of the cluster."

"So many drones need to make tacit movements like ascending, turning, and changing shapes at the first moment, which requires precise motion synchronization and collaborative algorithms to achieve monitoring and coordination of the flight status."

"This technology is currently still very weak for us."

"The rest are some issues like battery life and load management, including the design and weight of the phoenix shape, but none of these are the most fundamental problems."

Wang Tao also adjusted his glasses; he looked like he was carved from the same mold as his mentor.

"Director Lu, I personally have confidence, but it really requires massive amounts of funds to conduct experiments!"

The Wang Tao of the later years had a very difficult start to his entrepreneurship in early 2006.

Fortunately, he was in the center of the domestic electronics industry; at that time, Pengcheng was a place where one could buy any electronic chip on sale in the world.

Of course, they were all those high-imitation ones from Huaqiangbei.

His team was still like model aircraft enthusiasts, buying frames in the east market, flight controllers in the west market, gimbals in the south market, and propellers in the north market, then assembling them into a complete machine themselves.

It was hard to recruit talent in the early days, and the team fell apart; by 2007, only he and the cashier remained in the company.

Later, it was Li Li Zexiang, who is present here, and Harbin Institute of Technology robotics expert Zhu Xiaorui who jointly invested 1 million into DJI, which allowed Wang Tao to come back from the dead and achieve 70% of the world market share in the later years, forcing even the Americans to hold their noses and purchase in large quantities.

Even so, he still achieved autonomous hovering technology in 2008; this was DJI's first-generation core technology and also the foundation for realizing large-scale drone performances.

Boss Lu was also thinking about this problem:

Given nearly three and a half years, unlimited funds, and policy support, can he reach the technical standards required for the phoenix imagery of the Olympic Games?

Money is secondary; before 2008, DJI had no financing information other than the 1 million sponsored by Li Li Zexiang and others, plus the addition of more technical talent that Lu Kuan's resources could bring in this life.

On the other hand, for a prophet, even if it falls short of success at the time and is beyond one's reach, DJI is still a diamond mine in the future.

Guo Guo Qiyong was getting a headache from these technical issues; he was still more concerned about the cultural connotation of the program.

Boss Lu smiled: "Let's leave the technology as it is for now, we will continue to verify it later; let's talk about the design concept below."

"Adopting the ignition idea of the phoenix returning to its nest is primarily based on cultural heritage and symbolic significance."

"In our ancient country, the phoenix is a bird of auspiciousness, representing good luck, peace, and celebration, portending prosperity and a peaceful nation."

"At the same time, cultural imagery like the phoenix is easier to be remembered and spread, just like the popularity of the movie 'Alien' around the world before; audiences have different languages and cultures, and the only memory point that can be left is these concise cultural symbols."

To give an inappropriate example, it's like the world-famous 'Dragon Ball', which has a move that people all over the world can understand: the Kamehameha.

Condense energy, then release it.

This is a concept that every audience member with a basic culture can understand; there is no need to set up any prerequisite cultural background.

The feeling for people in Modu and people in Buenos Aires after watching it is about the same.

The phoenix is just such a cultural symbol; at a glance, it is an exotic divine bird from ancient China, flying while holding fire, and after ignition, it transforms and scatters or flies into the clouds, romantic and aesthetic.

Relatively speaking, although we are called the descendants of the dragon, the image of the dragon is relatively aggressive in the eyes of Westerners, and it cannot be combined with the Bird's Nest.

Even, Boss Lu felt that if the last few elders could pass this ignition plan, they could completely rename the Bird's Nest Stadium to Phoenix Nest Stadium.

In addition, there will be big screen prompts and audience manuals at the Olympic venue to understand a divine bird, which presumably shouldn't be a difficult task.

Lin Ying's curiosity was piqued: "What about the second point?"

"Secondly, it is the meaning represented by the phoenix; it represents the harmony of yin and yang, embodying the inclusiveness and openness of the Chinese nation, which is in line with the spirit of unity, friendship, and peace advocated by the Olympic Games."

Guo Guo Qiyong's eyes lit up: "We usually call it the phoenix, but in fact, the 'Feng' is the male bird and the 'Huang' is the female bird; this is a combination of two genders, which can also be said to be the generation and mutual assistance of yin and yang."

Of course, audiences in the Confucian cultural circle will understand this point more deeply.

He looked at the expressions of Delagong and Michelle, who were about to cry in confusion, and smiled: "Of course, for foreign audiences, it is enough for them to recognize that this is an ancient divine bird from Huaxia."

Yang Yang Liping also nodded in agreement: "The phoenix nirvana signifies rebirth and sublimation after experiencing pain and suffering, which can embody our resilient national spirit."

"Not to mention foreign audiences, I estimate that our own common people will shed tears watching such an aesthetic and grand scene."

After listening to Lu Kuan's statement, Shen Wei and Wang my lord both applauded and cheered; Liang Zhouyang was also excited with her pretty face flushed, and didn't even have time to continue translating for Michelle and the others.

Lin Ying smiled: "Although I already knew your talent from your movies, you are the first person I have seen who can truly combine the imagery of Chinese classical aesthetics with international cutting-edge technology."

"Teacher Lin, please don't praise me to the skies; today is just a concept. Whether it is adopting air imaging or drone formation performances, we must constantly verify and implement them."

"Also, the several plans everyone mentioned just now must be recorded."

"Including the program discussions for the artistic performance part later, maybe one second you think it's a genius idea, and the next second you deny it yourself."

"Today is just a chat after a meal for everyone, let's get the work state warmed up, haha."

Boss Lu sat back in his seat: "By the way, tomorrow I invite everyone to go to Tangshan; my movie is holding a launch press conference there, I can only ask everyone to accommodate my schedule."

Delagong smiled: "As long as there is Chinese food, I'm not picky about where I go, haha."

"Tangshan has the Eastern Qing Tombs, where the common people who guard the tombs for the Qing royal family live; many of them are master chefs who came out of the palace in the past."

"At that time, I will invite you to taste the authentic Manchu-Han Feast!"

Michelle raised her glass and joked: "To the Manchu-Han Feast."

"Haha, cheers!"

After the meal, Boss Lu first sent Li Li Zexiang and Wang Tao back to the hotel and sat with them in the room for a while.

Wang Tao was a bit impatient in the car: "Director Lu, this research work..."

"Don't be in a hurry, listen to me."

Boss Lu smiled and interrupted him: "I propose a plan: I will put up 30 million and establish a drone company with you and Professor Li."

"I will give you 30% in technical shares; I will not interfere with technical issues, and you will have more than half of the voting rights."

"But I will be responsible for marketing."

Li Li Zexiang shook his head: "I won't participate; this is your business, I am just taking Wang Tao to do the project."

The Li Li Zexiang of the later years extended a helping hand several times when Wang Tao was in trouble, but in the end, he only held a very small share of DJI.

Wang Tao persuaded him: "Teacher Li, you can't say that; without you, I wouldn't even be able to complete this flight control system that is still being tested."

He looked at the young director in front of him again and said boldly: "Mr. Lu, I actually want to have my own company, I want to..."

Entrepreneurs all want to hold the initiative; this is a commonality, and Boss Lu understands.

But he doesn't support it.

"I can say this: if it weren't for the technical needs of the Olympic Games in this regard, the market for your drone in commercial use would still be very small."

"I am investing a huge sum of 30 million now, and I am also prepared for no return within ten years."

"The only requirement is that you must meet the technical requirements for large-scale formation flight control in the shortest possible time, even if it's by cutting corners; you must get past this Olympic hurdle first!"

Boss Lu coaxed him: "Cooperate with me, you don't have to worry about funds and applications; the only thing you need to consider is technical breakthroughs."

"Even in terms of technology, I can provide you with more unexpected support."

Wang Tao wondered: "Does Mr. Lu also know talent who works in this field?"

"No, I don't know anything about it, but I can use the name of the Olympic Games to ask for policies."

"Your little temple here is just messing around on its own right now, but when I report the Olympic proposal, I can put forward requests and share ideas with the leaders."

"If things go smoothly, the final report could be attended by all the elders, right? Think about how much support you could gain from that?"

Li Ze also tried to persuade him: "Wang Tao, Lu Kuan's request is not unreasonable."

"Relying on the platform resources of national key laboratories and engineering research centers to carry out key technical breakthroughs and system integration innovation for drones is far faster than you tinkering on your own."

"You will avoid many detours."

Wang Tao gritted his teeth, looking at the young director before him who was about to become his boss; he seemed to be a year or two younger than himself.

"Fine! I agree, but I want to choose the company name myself."

Boss Lu looked at him with a smile: "What will it be called?"

"The Dao leaves no trace, the traveler knows no bounds; let's call it Dajiang!"

Note 1: This was one of the possible proposals circulating at the time, though it seems there was a plan to set up LEDs around the Bird's Nest to project images of a phoenix, which was later abandoned. I couldn't find much information, so I modified it significantly.

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(End of chapter)