Chapter Ten: Serious Business Doesn’t Need Money!

Page (1/3)
“Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.”

What’s going on with this film?
Why is it that the moment it was mentioned, the originally harmonious and mutually beneficial atmosphere instantly changed?

Sun Donghai sensed something was off and quietly gave Ma Xun a knowing look.
But Ma Xun acted as if he hadn’t noticed and continued cheerfully,
“I recall this movie was released just last year, simultaneously in Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Oh, yes, it premiered first in Shenyang, and it even made the news back then.
I watched it, and it left a good impression; the screening I attended was packed.
Lots of people were laughing uproariously.
It’s strange it didn’t become a hit later on.
Ah Xing is very popular on the mainland; many people like him.
So, this time, I thought we’d give this movie a try.”

You have to admit, Ma Xun’s remarks reveal his understanding of “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.”
Many might not know, but this film was actually the first Hong Kong movie to premiere simultaneously in Mainland China and Hong Kong!
The first officially imported Hong Kong film to the mainland was Long Ge Long’s “City on Fire.”
But this one was released at the end of January 1995, with the mainland release coming a week after Hong Kong’s.
By February, it was this film, “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.”
At the time, the Guanglu Cinema on Zhongjie Street in Shenyang purchased the first mainland copy for over 300,000 yuan.
It even made the papers and was featured in TV interviews.
Back then, it was still the era of selling copies; don’t expect much from box office splits because the theater chain system hadn’t been established yet.
Many say this film only became famous later,
but from Ma Xun’s personal experience, he already thought it was a hit at the time.
In those days, making a box office of over two million yuan in Shenyang was no small feat.
Isn’t that a success?
The mainland film market was still in a dark period then,
so this was quite remarkable.
It seemed other cities lagged behind considerably.
But in reality, the biggest collapse was in Hong Kong.
Nowadays, Ah Xing is undoubtedly a box office guarantee for Hong Kong films.
Originally, the film was expected to gross at least 40 million Hong Kong dollars,
which was a reasonable level for Ah Xing.
But in the end, it only made over 20 million HKD, a definite flop.
And it wasn’t just a simple flop.
This film directly bankrupted the production company!
Cai Xing Productions only made this one film.
Well, that’s a common occurrence in the film industry.
But it’s odd—why does Five Brother’s expression turn so grim the moment Ma Xun mentions this film?

“Mr. Ma, could we discuss another film? If you want Ah Xing’s movie, there are some issues with it. I have the latest one, ‘From Beijing with Love.’ How about that?”
Without yesterday’s incident, his tone wouldn’t have been so polite.
But Ma Xun seemed oblivious to the subtext and said, “I still prefer ‘Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.’”
You’re really…

“Mr. Ma.” Long Wu’s wife couldn’t hold back, her tone no longer friendly, “You do realize the situation with this film, don’t you?”
Long Wu looked embarrassed but still wanted to make the deal happen.
“Well, uh… Mr. Ma, um…”
Seeing his hesitation, Ma Xun helped out, “This movie is owned by Fan Liu, right?”

Fan Liu?
Everyone could tell this was a nickname.
And the man behind the nickname was none other than the famed Hong Kong stock market sniper, Liu Luanxiong!
This guy excelled at two things:
Playing the stock market.
Playing with female celebrities.

Page (2/3)
But he originally made his fortune in electric fans, hence the nickname.
The real owner behind Cai Xing Productions was Liu Luanxiong.
At the time, Ah Xing wanted to start his own studio, but lacked funds.
Fan Liu was wealthy and had long been eyeing the film industry.
Not only could he make money, but it also gave him easier access to celebrities.
However, no matter how you look at it, this was an act of poaching!
Ah Xing originally belonged to Long Wu.
In fact, counting the films, most bore the Yongsheng label, which was Long Wu’s.
Naturally, Long Wu was angry about this undercutting.
That’s why Five Brother and his wife looked so displeased when Ma Xun mentioned “Journey to the West.”
But now, Long Wu noticed a detail:
Ma Xun used the nickname “Fan Liu.”
He might be on my side after all!

“Fan Liu, that bastard!”
Though he spoke through gritted teeth, his expression visibly improved.
Ma Xun seized this sentiment and continued with a smile,
“I always knew the rights to ‘Journey to the West’ belonged to Fan Liu. But I’m also sure, Five Brother, you have the ability to get them.”
Long Wu frowned, “I do have that ability, but…”
Ma Xun interrupted with a smile, “Five Brother, what if you succeeded where Fan Liu failed?
If ‘Journey to the West’ becomes a sensation on the mainland in the future, wouldn’t you feel great?”

These words hit Long Wu right in the heart.
Exactly!
Wouldn’t that be exhilarating?
Fan Liu, you damn scoundrel! Poaching my turf!
But you couldn’t make this film work, and I will!
How’s that? Bite me! Hahaha...

Long Wu’s mental image made it hard for him to suppress a grin.
Even his wife caught on and broke into a beaming smile.
Moreover, acquiring the rights to this film would be easy.
The company was already defunct, and such a failed film’s rights were cheap.
Fan Liu was a capitalist; of course, he wanted to recoup his investment.
Their surface relationship was still cordial; no one wanted to burn bridges.
As for Ah Xing, the couple was even more accommodating.
If he wanted to leave, they let him go; if he wanted to return, they allowed it.
“From Beijing with Love” was clear proof of this.

“All right!” Long Wu finally smiled, “Mr. Ma, your words have enlightened me. This deal is very good!”
Is it settled then?
Sun Donghai was delighted inside.
Even Ye Quan was deeply impressed.
Who exactly was this Ma Xun to be so formidable?
But then Long Wu’s wife voiced some concerns, “It’s not that we don’t trust you, but regarding the television station…”
Mentioning this made Long Wu somewhat embarrassed, but he wanted to know.
This was crucial for the deal’s security.
Ma Xun’s response was interesting; he gave Sun Donghai a glance.
“Of course, our negotiations with the TV station will be proper commercial discussions.”
Sun Donghai immediately understood, “Exactly! We’ll follow the procedures. Brother, I can’t help you find connections.”
It sounded like he didn’t want to pull strings, but then...
“My second aunt has repeatedly told me not to mention her position as a director at CCTV.”
You really listen to your second aunt, huh?
Well, everyone in the room now knew you had powerful connections.
Long Wu and his wife were thrilled—they wanted exactly that kind of relationship!
“Great! Our cooperation will definitely succeed!”

...

And just like that, the deal was made.
It looked simple, but every step was fraught with tension.
Leaving the nightclub, Sun Donghai wore a face full of joy.
“Hehe... By the way, why don’t we just go straight to Fan Liu?”
“No, what are you thinking? We can curse Fan Liu in private, no problem. But he’s a major shareholder of a listed company, worth billions. Do you think you can just see him?”
That’s right.
Sun Donghai asked again, “Can’t Five Brother just approach the TV station himself?”
Ma Xun rolled his eyes, “Your second aunt is at CCTV. Who is he? Do you think he dares go there? If the security guard gives him a glare, believe me, his heart would skip a beat.”
Sun Donghai understood immediately and laughed heartily.
Actually, his question was just to confirm if the deal was stable.
Long Wu would never directly approach the TV station.
My brother is right!
Hong Kong’s Five Brother, you’re a tycoon and socialite there.
But here in Beijing, even a nobody like Bai Xiaohang would dare slap you!
These days, there’s a term called “matching seams.”
It’s popular in business circles.
Sun Donghai now confirmed—they were indeed matching seams.
And this seam was matched very firmly.

“Next...”
“Got it, I’ll contact my second aunt.”

While Ma Xun and Sun Donghai chatted near the car,
Beep beep!
Suddenly, a black sedan honked.
Ma Xun glanced over and said to Sun Donghai, “I have something to attend to, I’m leaving now.”
With that, he got into the car, which then drove away.
Left standing alone, Sun Donghai smiled.
Could that driver be Diao Chan?
My brother really is amazing!
He’s off to match seams again...

Page (3/3)