The literary era since 1979

In the 80s, there were almost no Cantonese restaurants in Yanjing, except for one individual restaurant called "Dongsi Cantonese Cuisine" in Jiaozi Hutong, Dongsi.

Nowadays, Shandong cuisine and Sichuan cuisine are the most popular among the old Yanjing people.

Fangyan therefore arranged a welcoming banquet for Xu Ke and others at Fengze Garden. After all, the level of spiciness that people in eastern Guangdong can tolerate is “slightly spicy”.

In other words, it’s just a little bit spicy!

For Shi Nansheng and Xu Ke, the spiciness of Sichuan cuisine is a real pain!
Wu Yigong tasted the fried sea cucumber with green onions, looked around and asked, "What do you think?"

Xu Ke praised: "I've heard that Fengze Garden's Shandong cuisine is excellent, and it really lives up to its reputation!"

Wu Yigong smiled and said, "Yanzi is a famous foodie. The dishes he recommends are bound to be delicious."

"Yes, yes, we have to thank Teacher Fang for bringing us a feast." Shi Nansheng smiled.

"I am just showing my hospitality. This dish is the result of Fengze Garden's heritage and the skills of the chefs."

Fangyan chatted with them for a while, starting with reviewing the dishes and slowly moving on to the main topic.

"Teacher Fang."

Xu Ke said, "I agree with the concept of 'new-style martial arts films' that you just mentioned. I just wonder if you have already written the script for the first part of 'Huang Feihong'?"

"I have only finished part of it for now." Fang Yan apologized, "I'm sorry, Director Xu, I have too many things to do. Not to mention that I just wrote a science fiction novel for Science Fiction World not long ago, even writing the script for The Ring took me a lot of time."

"The Ring has been written into a script?!"

Shi Nansheng and Xu Ke looked at each other and asked about the final destination of the script.

"I have agreed to let Guixi Film Studio and Emei Film Studio to co-produce it."

Fang Yan said: "If the final quality and response are good, I don't mind letting others remake it."

Shi Nansheng was very curious. With the conditions and funds provided by mainland film studios, could they produce a science fiction film?

"It's a horror film. I hope that through this film, I can subvert people's perception of horror films."

Fang Yan said: "Just like I hope that Once Upon a Time in China can break through tradition and change the audience's view of martial arts films."

"If we can really film the kind of martial arts style you described, I believe we can do it!"

Xu Ke then asked about the time it took to write the script for Once Upon a Time in China.

"It won't take long."

Fang Yan said that it would be finished before Xu Ke Studio, Golden Princess and Shanghai Film Studio officially reached a "co-production" agreement.

After all, without the movie script of "Huang Feihong", the film and television base could not be designed and started.

"With Teacher Fang's words, we feel relieved."

Xu Ke breathed a sigh of relief, and then raised one of the issues that Fangyan was concerned about, which was the remuneration for the script.

As it turned out, the amount was far beyond Fangyan's expectations. It was not too much, but too little. It was only 5 Hong Kong dollars!

Oh my god! My money! My money!
If I were a young general in Hollywood, I would have to give Spielberg a check for 50 US dollars if he wanted to make "Saving Private Ryan"!
You, a member of the Hong Kong film industry, only contributed a mere 5 Hong Kong dollars. So what? Do you still want me to thank you?
Seeing that Teacher Fang said nothing, Shi Nansheng hurriedly explained:
"Teacher Fang, 5 Hong Kong dollars is a little less, but this is already the highest standard for screenwriters in Hong Kong."

"hiss!"

Without waiting for Fangyan to speak, Wu Yigong took a deep breath. It turned out that the market conditions in Hong Kong and the mainland were different.

Just the script adaptation fee was quoted at 5 Hong Kong dollars, which is enough for Shanghai Film Studio to make two or three 180-minute movies!

"Nan Sheng is right. Even Ni Xian, Jin Yong, Gu Long and others are all priced the same."

Xu Ke hurriedly started talking about the ins and outs of the Hong Kong film industry.

Listen to the dialect quietly. Hong Kong films have never paid much attention to the script, so the screenwriter's remuneration is quite low.

A script costs at least 10,000 Hong Kong dollars, and at most 20,000 or 30,000 Hong Kong dollars. As the screenwriter for the famous director Chang Cheh, Ni Zhu only made 40,000 to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars.

Therefore, editors who are good at writing scripts basically switch to become directors.

Gradually, the bad habit of ignoring the script deteriorated to the point where they would start working without a script, writing the script while filming the movie, like "Tricky Brains". When Wang Jing started filming, there were only 10 words in the script: "Tricky Brains", "Liu Dehua", and "Zhou Xingchi".

"But don't worry, in addition to the adaptation fee, the copyright fee for the novel is calculated separately."

Xu Ke picked up his wine glass.

"If this is the rule, then I can't blame you."

Fang Yan picked up his cup and clinked it with his, "Cheers!"

Xu Ke felt relieved. He drank the wine in one gulp and smiled at Shi Nansheng. The thing he was most worried about did not happen after all.

5 Hong Kong dollars to ask a great writer of Mr. Fang's level to write the script is more or less a bit insulting!
The awkward atmosphere just now slowly disappeared as they toasted each other, and the atmosphere became harmonious and joyful again.

The house is filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Especially regarding the casting of the male and female protagonists, Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng unanimously approved of Gong Xing as the "Thirteenth Aunt".

Hearing their praise, Gong Xing smiled gently, and then asked Fang Yan: "So, what do you think of Jet Li?"

"To be honest, after watching his Shaolin Kid and Shaolin Temple, I decided that he was the perfect choice for the role of Wong Fei Hung."

Xu Ke said in a decisive tone.

Shi Nansheng added that they had already set their sights on this martial arts star from Yanjing long before they founded their studio and went solo. However, due to the restrictions of the "Cinema City" contract at the time, they had been repeatedly filming comedies that Xu Ke didn't like and could not find any opportunities for cooperation.

"Now the opportunity has come."

Fang Yan smiled and said, "I have already arranged it. I will go to Shichahai Sports School tomorrow to audition this Kung Fu boy in person."

"After he plays 'Once Upon a Time in China', he will probably become a master."

As soon as Xu Ke said this, everyone burst into laughter, and the laughter filled the whole room.

…………The next day, Shichahai Sports School.

Jet Li stood at the door early, staring at the street, but the long-awaited figure did not appear.

"Brother, you don't need to come out so early."

Wu Jing licked the popsicle and tilted her head and said, "Master and Teacher Fang agreed to be at school at 2:."

"You're still young, you don't understand."

Jet Li touched Wu Jing's head, his eyes full of helplessness.

I originally thought that I was seriously injured, with my medial ligament, cruciate ligament and meniscus all torn, and that the company would let me leave the team. I didn't expect that the company planned to sustainably drain the pond of fish and fish out every last bit of value from me.

The condition for leaving the team was to sign him to a Hong Kong agency, and the company would pay him 5 Hong Kong dollars for every movie he made.

Such a contract is signed for 5 years. In order not to worry investors, this agreement also comes with an injury confidentiality agreement.

"Why don't I understand?"

Wu Jing blinked her innocent eyes, "Teacher Fang kept his promise and recommended you to play 'Huang Feihong'. He really did what he said. You came out so early, isn't it..."

“Wu Jing!!”

At this moment, Wu Bin appeared behind the two of them, his face livid and serious.

"Hehe, Master...Master."

Wu Jing smiled awkwardly and quickly swallowed the popsicle.

Wu Bin put his hands behind his back, "How dare you eat popsicles? I forgot who ate too many popsicles a few days ago and had diarrhea for several days!"

"Master, I didn't want to eat it at first, but I couldn't resist your kindness."

Wu Jing was shocked and immediately betrayed Jet Li.

Jet Li said angrily: "You are such a good person, Wu Jing, I will never buy you popsicles again!"

"Don't worry, don't worry, Senior Brother. You're going to play 'Huang Feihong' soon, so you have to celebrate."

Wu Jing ran behind him to avoid Wu Bin's sharp gaze.

Wu Bin wanted to shake his head and laugh, then turned to look at the coach and members of the Yanjing Wushu Team who had come over:

"Alright, Mr. Fang will be coming with a big director from Hong Kong soon, so be alert and don't lose points!"

After a while, Fang Yan's car appeared in everyone's sight, and then Gong Xing, Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng got out of the car one after another.

What comes into view is an open banner with a warm welcome.

"These two are Director Xu Ke and Ms. Shi Nansheng from Hong Kong Cinema City Film Company."

"This is the head coach of the Yanjing Wushu Team, Wu Bin, who is also the mentor of Jet Li and his friends."

"That's Jet Li, the actor we're going to audition today."

After being introduced in Fangyan, Xu Ke shook hands with Jet Li and looked him over from head to toe.

Although he is young, his eyes are bright and his every move and gesture shows the demeanor of a martial arts master, with some of the charm of Wong Fei-hung.

Especially in front of them, when showing off his skills in the gymnasium, his movements are as smooth as flowing water, seemingly understated, but with the calmness and grandeur of a person with a plan in mind. When he is still, he is like a deep pool and a towering mountain. Besides being unrestrained, he also has a beauty like the breeze and the bright moon.

"Teacher Fang, it seems our trip was not in vain."

There was a gleam in Xu Ke's eyes.

"There is something about Lianjie that I must explain to you all."

Wu Bin opened his mouth and finally talked about the agency contract that Jet Li was carrying.

Shi Nansheng disagreed, "I also know that agency. As long as the pay is negotiated, there won't be any problems."

"Ms. Shi is professional when it comes to brokerage contracts."

Fang Yan said, "Is it possible to transfer Jet Li's agency contract to Cinema City, or to your two studios?"

Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng heard the hidden meaning and their eyes lit up instantly.

If Jet Li can sign under his own name, it would be equivalent to promoting his own people.

Right now, Golden Harvest has martial arts superstars like Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan. If Jet Li can reach the same heights as them with "Once Upon a Time in China", even if it's only half as high, their studios will make a lot of money. After all, Jet Li's agency contract is not expensive.

There is no doubt that Teacher Fang is selling them a huge benefit!

"Lianjie, if this can be accomplished, are you willing to go?"

Fang Yan saw that they were interested, and then turned to look at Jet Li.

"Yes! Of course I am willing!"

Jet Li was very tempted. He thought that signing with his previous Hong Kong agency would only lead to him being squeezed dry and abandoned.

But it was different once you entered Cinema City.

Not only can he develop his career in Hong Kong, but he might even be made into an action star by Xu Ke and others!

Thinking of this, looking at Fangyan, it was like seeing a savior, my heart was excited, my hands were shaking, I almost knelt down in front of him.

Teacher Fang, you are my great benefactor!
"Crack, snap."

Fangyan patted his shoulder and couldn't help but think of the time when Jet Li played Wong Fei-hung in his movies and Li Zhi worked as a secretary in his foundation.

Hehehe, dear wife, you don’t want to... (End of this chapter)