Hong Kong: Rise of the Kings.

Chapter 641 0629 [Movie War]

The news that To Yongxiao was about to go to the United States for further study spread like wildfire, causing a huge sensation in the Hong Kong police community.

The high-ranking ghost guys applauded that this evil god was finally gone.

The existence of Du Yongxiao completely trampled on their self-esteem and made them, the domineering ghosts in Hong Kong, understand what "humiliation" meant and had to bow their heads in front of a Chinese.

The departure of To Yongxiao made the Chinese policemen sigh. They did not know the inside story. They did not know that after returning from studying in the United States, Tou Yongxiao would directly become the Commissioner of Police. They thought that Tou Yongxiao was sent to the border by the Hong Kong Governor's Government for this training.

In short, the Hong Kong police force has two worlds. For the majority of Hong Kong citizens, they don't care about this. What they care about now is the movie war between Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest.

Shaw Brothers will grandly launch the luxurious production "Ma Yongzhen" today. The director is Zhang Che, the great director who directed the million-box-office "One-Armed Sword". The starring roles are Chen Guantai, Jiang Dawei, and the female lead is Jing Li.

On Jiahe's side, there is the kung fu movie "Brother Tangshan" starring newcomer actor Bruce Lee who has returned from Hollywood.

The director of this drama is Luo Wei. The filming location was in a small village in Thailand. The setting was extremely simple and the plot was relatively simple.

For the audience, the first thing they recognized was Shaw Brothers' "Ma Yongzhen". Both the production and the actors were all big names. As for Jiahe's new drama, almost no one paid attention to it.

At the moment, Shaw Brothers Company.

Shao Daheng chewed his cigar, read the newspaper in his hand, and smiled from ear to ear.

Standing in front of him were Fang Yihua, who was in charge of Shaw Brothers' finances, and Shaw Brothers film producer Zhou Yongchang.

"Not bad! You guys are doing a great job in marketing!" Shao Daheng chewed his cigar and picked up the newspaper to flick, "Shaw Brothers' annual big production, "Ma Yongzhen" is the best! Big production, big team, bringing surprise experience! "

Saying that, Shao Daheng picked up another newspaper: "Jiahe's "Tangshan Brother" failed before it was released! Low-cost producers and gods are outraged! Hahaha! Well said! I want to give this author some movie tickets and invite him to watch it for free. In our movie, let him compete with Jiahe!"

Fang Yihua and Zhou Yongchang looked at each other.

Fang Yihua said: "Judging from the current situation, our drama has a great chance of winning!"

"Yes, Uncle Six!" Zhou Yongchang said, "Jiahe's new drama is no match for us at all, whether it is in terms of publicity or marketing, it is all bad!"

Shao Daheng nodded, put down the newspaper and stood up and said: "But behind Jiahe, there is Du Yongxiao! As you know, Du Yongxiao is said to never fight a battle that is uncertain! As a man of influence in the police circles, the Hong Kong government and judicial bosses have joined forces They were all defeated by him, and now he wants to compete with me on the movie, so don’t underestimate him!”

Fang Yihua looked serious: "That's right! Du Yongxiao cannot be underestimated."

Zhou Yongchang curled his lips: "I admit that he is very good as a policeman, but making movies...it still requires talent!"

"Don't forget!" Shao Daheng slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and said with his cigar between his fingers: "In addition to being a policeman, he also personally founded Hehengchuang Real Estate! and the McDonald's restaurant chain! Based on this alone, he is a successful and qualified person. businessman!"

"Ahem, I got it, Uncle Six!" Zhou Yongchang hurriedly lowered his head in agreement.

"Of course, we can't build up other people's ambitions and destroy our own prestige - this time it's almost a famous brand. He Du Yongxiao insists on winning over that arrogant Bruce Lee. This time I will teach him a lesson, what is a disastrous defeat!" Shao Daheng finished. , raised his head proudly, with a stern attitude.

Sudden--
  "Who's outside? Come in!"

"Uncle, it's me!"

A crisp female voice came from outside, and then the door creaked open, and Shao Anqi, the beauty of the Shao family, walked in with a smile.

"Who did I think it was? It turns out to be you, the little spy!" Shao Daheng loved his little niece very much and joked.

"Uncle Liu, if you have something to do, let's go out first!" Fang Yihua said with a smile.

"Yeah!" Shao Daheng nodded.

Fang Yihua and Zhou Yongchang left.

Only Shao Daheng and Shao Anqi were left in the room.

"This girl, aren't you here to inquire about information? When you and Du Yongxiao were going to invest in Jiahe, I reminded you that doing business and doing business are two different things, especially since you are a girl, so you shouldn't go there. This muddy water!”

In Shao Daheng's view, Shao Anqi was bewitched by Du Yongxiao to invest in Jiahe, and he also helped Du Yongxiao poach many Jiahe people. Logically speaking, he was "taking in and out".

However, as a super tycoon in the Hong Kong film industry and a leader in the film industry, Shao Daheng did not pay attention to his little niece's betrayal at all. Even in his opinion, Shao Anqi's "betrayal" was exciting. At least it proved that some people in the Shao family were passionate, unsatisfied with the status quo, and wanted to resist their own hegemony.

Shao Anqi curled her lips, snatched the cigar that Shao Daheng was biting and said, "I told you not to smoke, but you just didn't listen! What did Dr. Luo Bo say when you were not feeling well last time?"

Shao Daheng laughed and scratched Shao Anqi's little nose: "Hey, you are avenging a private revenge in public!"

"Who said that?" Shao Anqi held Shao Daheng's arm: "Do you think Du Yongxiao will lose this time?"

"Haha, what do you think?" Shao Daheng said with a smile, "Don't think that you guys can deal with me by forming a Jiahe group. In the past, when Dianmao was here, even Lu Yuntao, the genius of that generation, didn't dare to say that just one Bruce Lee could do it. Defeat me!" Shao Daheng looked proud.

Shao Anqi went over to crush the cigar, then turned around and said: "Don't talk too much too early. Ah Xiao said, he is very good at the drama "Tangshan Brother", and it will be a big hit in the future!"

Shao Daheng was slightly startled when he heard this, and then burst into laughter, making him cough.

Shao Anqi had to step forward and help him beat his back.

"What are you laughing at? Is it so funny?" Shao Anqi pouted.

"Ahem! No, it's me, ahem!" Shao Daheng managed to stop his laughter, "I don't know what kind of ecstasy soup you were fed by Du, but you believed what he said!"

After a pause, he said: "Now everyone is almost a celebrity. His drama will be released tonight, and everything will be clear by then!"

Seeing Shao Daheng's domineering appearance, Shao Anqi had to curl her lips and sighed in her heart. In her opinion, it would be a dream for Du Yongxiao to win against his uncle this time!
  ……

"I can bet three thousand yuan! If Jiahe, represented by Du Yongxiao, can beat Shaw Brothers this time, you can take away the three thousand yuan to eat!"

Hong Kong's "Ming Pao" newspaper, president Jin Yong, editor-in-chief Shen Baowen, and the great writer Ni Kuang were eating barbecued pork rice together and talking.

Jin Yong smiled: "We are scholars, not gamblers. I won't bet!"

"It's a small gamble for fun, three thousand yuan, not much!" Shen Baowen smiled and looked at Ni Kuang: "You are so dismissive of Du Yongxiao? Why do I always feel that you and him are not on the same page?"

"I am a man of letters, not afraid of power!" Ni Kuang put down his chopsticks with awe-inspiring righteousness, "I have fought with him several times, and I can see clearly that he is a hero!"

"Are you praising him?"

"No, I am hurting him!" Ni Kuang made no secret, "Do you know why I fled from the pastures of Inner Mongolia to Hong Kong? The purpose was to pursue freedom and democracy!"

"We know this, but you even used the bridge over there as firewood to burn for warmth! It seemed like that was the only bridge over there... Later, the local herdsmen who guarded the bridge were punished by their superiors..."

"Ahem, there is nothing wrong with destroying a bridge in pursuit of freedom - let's get back to the topic!" Ni Kuang coughed and said: "Du Yongxiao is a cunning, cunning, cruel and tyrannical person! This can be seen from the last time he led people to hunt hundreds of wild boars. Absolutely! In addition, he killed people profusely, these are all facts! What era and society are we in now? In my opinion, he is a poisonous insect in the civilized world! His hands are stained with blood! Of course, this is not the point, the point is his hypocrisy ——”

"Why did he set up a film company? To put it bluntly, it was just to control public opinion and whitewash himself! You said he was a policeman, but he was a philistine businessman! He was a hypocrite!" Ni Kuang scolded happily, "Unfortunately, he is arrogant. This I want to arm-wrestle with Shaw for the first time, I think he is dead!"

Jin Yong and Shen Baowen looked at each other. Although they did not agree with some of Ni Kuang's views, Du Yongxiao was indeed overestimating his capabilities in wanting to compete with Shao Daheng through movies.

They don't know anything else, but they are very aware of Shao's strength as a scholar.

Especially Jin Yong and Ni Kuang.

Both of their works were bought by Shaw Brothers and they made movies.

Ni Kuang himself is a screenwriter for Shaw Brothers. He often writes movie scripts for Shaw Brothers and makes a lot of money.

"So you see, Du Yongxiao made a miscalculation this time. Before he left Hong Kong, he was going to suffer a serious setback! Hahaha!" Ni Kuang laughed, looking very happy.

Jin Yong didn't speak. He wrote well but was not good at talking. Shen Baowen said: "That's not necessarily true. Haven't you discovered yet--"

"Found what?"

"Every time those who oppose Du Yongxiao think they are sure to win at the beginning, but what happens in the end? They are all completely defeated!"

"Quack, that's because they have bad luck! But I'm different -" Ni Kuang reached out and picked up a piece of barbecued pork and took a bite, "I will definitely win this time!"

Shen Baowen smiled, "Then what if you lose?"

"Three thousand Hong Kong dollars, I lost to you!"

"I don't want money."

"Then what do you want?"

"Those three bottles of Royal Whiskey hidden in your house!"

"Huh? You're so greedy!"

"How about a bet? I lost three thousand to you. If you lose, give me those three bottles of whiskey!"

Ni Kuang hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "Gamble! Gaga, even if Du Yongxiao has great ability, he can't reverse it this time! Want to defeat Shaw Brothers with a little star from Hollywood? What a dream!"

……

at the same time--
  Golden Harvest Film Company.

The filming of "Brother Tangshan", which is scheduled to be released tonight after filming, has not yet been determined whether the box office can recoup the cost, but the filming of "Fist of Fury" has already seriously exceeded the budget.

The budget of this movie was 50 Hong Kong dollars at the beginning. During the filming, Bruce Lee not only controlled the director, but also the shooting, editing, location selection, etc., which caused the movie to seriously overrun, and the cost soared to 100 million. The company originally judged that the movie The maximum selling price is 80, which means that this movie is expected to lose 20 due to serious overruns. The 1972 Hong Kong dollars in 20 is equivalent to 1500 million today.

He Guanchang, the boss of producer Fang Jiahe Films, was very angry about this, so he called Luo Wei, the producer of the film, into his office.

Luo Wei used to work at Shaw Brothers and had a good relationship with He Guanchang. Later, He Guanchang recruited him to Jiahe and became the leading director among Jiahe directors. His status far surpassed that of Chu Yuan and others.

"Brother Tangshan", which he directed and co-produced with Bruce Lee, is about to be released tonight. There are very bad rumors outside, saying that his film will be a hit.

Many Hong Kong viewers even said that they would rather watch Shaw Brothers' "Ma Yongzhen" ten times than watch Jiahe's "Tangshan Brother".

This put director Luo Wei under tremendous pressure and felt unprecedentedly frustrated. He knew that the film's failure could mean the end of his directing career.

The atmosphere in Jiahe Film's office was tense. Boss He Guanchang's face was gloomy. He looked at the budget report in front of him, thinking that the loss might reach 20 Hong Kong dollars. He said to Rowe: "This is your responsibility, do you know what that means?"

Luo Wei lowered his head, his voice full of helplessness: "I know, Boss He, but..."

At this time, Bruce Lee walked in. As a newly contracted actor of Golden Harvest and a friend of director Luo Wei, Bruce Lee knew that He Guanchang was going to get angry with Luo Wei, and immediately said: "This matter is not his fault. The decision to overspend was my decision."

"The decision you made? Then do you know how much money we might lose?" He Guanchang said in a bad tone, "Don't think that you can do whatever you want with Mr. Du supporting you."

"Mr. Du really supports me. He believes that this drama of mine will be a hit, so what if the next drama overruns the budget? At worst, I won't use the overrun as a private investment!"

"Private investment?" He Guanchang stood up from his seat, walked to Bruce Lee, and looked at Bruce Lee: "Do you know what you are talking about?"

"Of course I know."

"You know?" He Guanchang laughed angrily, "What do you know? People outside are bad-mouthing your "Tangshan Brother" now. Others would rather watch "Ma Yongzhen" ten times than watch our drama once! If tonight This drama is a hit, so no matter how much you invest in the next one, it will be in vain, do you understand?"

Bruce Lee was about to speak. He was a martial arts student and a person of loyalty. Seeing He Guanchang embarrass Luo Wei, he wanted to take the matter into his own hands. When he thought about it carefully, he might have done something wrong. After all, this drama really hit the market, so what happens next? The drama will lose even more miserably. Not only will the company lose money, but he will also lose nothing but his underpants.

He and his wife Linda came to Hong Kong from the United States to develop. They didn't have much savings to begin with. What would happen to his wife and children if they lost it all?
  Just when Bruce Lee faced the dilemma of family and loyalty, a clear voice said: "He Sheng, don't get so angry - we can't mess up the situation before the war starts!"

While talking, a man in white walked in.

"Mr. Du, why are you here?" When He Guanchang saw Du Yongxiao coming in, he didn't dare to ask for help and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

Bruce Lee and Luo Wei also rushed forward to say hello: "Mr. Du!"

Du Yongxiao smiled, took out the movie tickets and said, "Aaron gave me two movie tickets. After thinking about it, it's best to ask He Sheng to go watch it with you!"

"With me?" He Guanchang was stunned.

Bruce Lee was also stunned. He gave Du Yongxiao movie tickets because he wanted him to take his girlfriend to see it, but now——
  Du Yongxiao handed the movie ticket to Ho Guanchang and looked at him with burning eyes: "I hope that before I leave, I can witness the miracle of Hong Kong film history with you, Ho Sheng!"

He Guanchang rolled his eyes. He really couldn't figure out where Du Yongxiao got his confidence? Doesn't he read newspapers? Can’t hear outside comments?

After Du Yongxiao said this, he turned to look at Bruce Lee and said softly: "Don't worry, Aaron, I believe you."

Bruce Lee nodded "Yeah". He was a tough guy and could never show his weak side.

Du Yongxiao looked at director Luo Wei again, "And Director Luo, come on, I'm optimistic about you!"

Luo Wei raised his head, with tears of gratitude in his eyes: "Mr. Du, I..."

Du Yongxiao interrupted him: "There's nothing to say. You and Aaron are brothers. I trust you. Even if this "Tangshan Brother" really fails, I will invest another million to help you make other movies, even if it's all without money. Even if I return, I won’t let you guys bear the burden.”

Du Yongxiao's words moved Bruce Lee and Luo Wei to tears. Next to him, He Guanchang shook his head and said to himself, making movies is not just a job of people in the world, that's not how it is done! Du Sheng, you are a good person, yes, but -——
  You don’t understand movies!
  At this moment, even He Guanchang thinks that Jiahe has no chance of winning this time, and "Tangshan Brother" will lose completely against "Ma Yongzhen".

……

That night——
  "Tangshan Brother" was officially released under the pressure of Shaw Brothers' "Ma Yongzhen".

This was also the last domestic movie that Du Yongxiao watched before leaving Hong Kong.

Accompanying him to watch the movie were Golden Harvest boss He Guanchang, kung fu star Bruce Lee, director Luo Wei and others.

Zou Wenhuai, another big boss of Jiahe, was not present because he went to Nanyang to promote Jiahe movies.

Compared to the overcrowded theater at Shaw Brothers, where people were vying to buy tickets to watch "Ma Yongzhen", Jiahe's place seemed deserted.

The entire hall of Nathan Road's "Radiant Cinema", which can accommodate [-] people, only has about [-] people in total.

These people sat sparsely on the seats, and some whispered, saying that they had no choice but to come here to watch the movie because they could not buy tickets for the movie "Ma Yongzhen".

Another person said that he bought a movie ticket for "Ma Yongzhen", but his girlfriend didn't want to travel so far, so he chose this nearby cinema. It didn't matter what movie he watched, he mainly wanted to date.

If the words of these people ring a bell, some of the words of others are a little harsh.

"I'm here to witness how this drama Jiahe became a hit!"

"Haha, me too! I heard that Bruce Lee was very arrogant, he came from Hollywood, and he couldn't pull him off! I want to see how he loses this time!"

Listening to these words, Bruce Lee blushed.

Du Yongxiao smiled and said: "When you study philosophy in the United States, you should occasionally read traditional Chinese books, such as that sentence - if you are not taboo, you are mediocre!"

Bruce Lee knew that Du Yongxiao was comforting him, so he smiled bitterly and said: "Copy that! I hope I'm not that mediocre person!"

"If you are mediocre, what about me? I am blind!" Du Yongxiao shrugged and looked at the screen in front of him: "The show will start soon, watch the show first!"

(End of this chapter)