Chapter 1249: Politically Correct Zhao Fusheng

"The sky was tinged with the colors of approaching dusk, with lazy clouds drifting overhead. Their lower halves were submerged in darkness, while their upper halves still floated in sunlight. That day I was twenty-four years old, in the prime of my life, and I had many extravagant hopes. I wanted to love, to eat, and to instantly transform into that half-bright, half-dark cloud in the sky. Only later did I realize that life is a process of slow hammering, where people age day by day, and their extravagant hopes fade day by day, until finally they become like a beaten ox. But I didn't foresee this on my twenty-fourth birthday. I felt I would remain forever fierce, and nothing could hammer me down."

These were the words Xie Tingfeng said to a reporter many years later, when recalling the whole incident.

By that time, he was already an outstanding figure among the middle-aged male actors in Hong Kong, quite famous in the mainland as well, and had even started a variety show, inviting so-called friends to appear.

"Rumor has it that back then, you had the chance to break into the mainland market a few years earlier, but you were blacklisted because of some incident. Is that true?" the reporter threw out another question.

"Of course that's not true. How could something like a blacklist exist?" Xie Tingfeng's expression first stiffened, then he said, "Everyone has to pay the price for their mistakes. When I was young, I didn't understand things. So after making mistakes, I told myself I must seriously reflect, so I could stand up again..."

...

...

Zhao Fusheng naturally didn't know what Xie Tingfeng would become ten years later.

But he was well aware that Xie Tingfeng would be a future actor, because he had offended Zhao Fusheng and Wang Zhonglei. Although the matter had already been settled, if he didn't make a move, wouldn't that be a loss of face?

As for talking about politics and unity, no problem. Zhao Fusheng hadn't said he would completely blacklist Emperor Motion Pictures' artists; he was just raising a question.

Should those artists with blemishes really remain on stage?

Zhang Weijian was blacklisted because he had no backing. Should Xie Tingfeng, with Emperor Motion Pictures as his backing, be allowed to continue being popular?

That wouldn't be fair.

"Director Li, I'm not just talking about Xie Tingfeng as an isolated case. Since everyone is here today, I'll say a bit more. In response to the national call to build spiritual civilization, our Future Group has decided that from now on, we will not cooperate with any artists involved in drugs or pornography. I believe those celebrities with a tainted record are unworthy of representing our country's cultural industry." Zhao Fusheng stood there, speaking forcefully.

A group of bigwigs looked at each other, all somewhat bewildered. What game was this young billionaire playing?

Indeed, they now felt their IQs might be insufficient.

Because in their view, if Zhao Fusheng's move was merely to retaliate against Yang Shoucheng, wasn't it a bit of an overreaction?

Or rather, somewhat inexplicable.

After all, logically, since Zhao Fusheng had a grudge with Yang Shoucheng, he could have just targeted Xie Tingfeng. Why did he need to emphasize that the entire industry should have zero tolerance for artists with blemishes? Did he have other plans?

Li Huai'an frowned, exchanged glances with the person beside him, but was startled to find that the leaders from the General Administration seemed somewhat approving of Zhao Fusheng's words.

Thinking about it, it made sense. The higher-ups had always placed great importance on the development of the cultural industry, which was, after all, a window for foreign exchange and domestic propaganda.

The cultural atmosphere in Asia differs from that in Europe and America. Over there, even if an artist is involved in scandals, it doesn't affect their status. For example, Justin Bieber later did almost everything a celebrity could do to ruin themselves, yet he remained a super popular star, and his fans still doted on him.

But if it were in China, he would have faded into obscurity long ago.

After all, the universal moral values formed over five thousand years still need to be observed.

However, this issue was only raised in the entertainment circle many years later. What Zhao Fusheng intended to do now was to establish this rule early.

He didn't want this circle to be remembered in later years only as a haven for filth.

As for Yang Shoucheng, ha, Zhao Fusheng's future goal was the stars and the sea—no, wait, to be a super billionaire. How could he care about a guy whose net worth in 2018 was only ten billion?

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Li Huai'an thought for a moment, whispered with the person beside him, then cleared his throat and tapped on the microphone: "Comrade Zhao Fusheng makes a lot of sense. For public figures like celebrities, the General Administration believes there needs to be some restraint. We also hope that celebrities can set a good example for the general public and play a leading role. But this matter cannot be decided in a few words; we need to go back and study it. However, I want to state here that for any artist who undermines national unity and stability, damages the national image, or has a negative impact on social stability, I think all companies should carefully consider cooperating with them, because these people are unworthy of being public figures."

Well!

What bureaucratic talk!

A group of bigwigs silently complained in their hearts, but their faces quickly broke into smiles, nodding frantically like chicks pecking at rice.

"Director Li is right, Director Li is right."

"Exactly, our film and television industry must resist such artists with blemishes."

"Yes, as part of the cultural propaganda front, we must resolutely prevent those people from damaging our country's positive image."

Are you kidding? Even if they were cursing in their hearts, they had to smile on their faces. This was the General Administration, the daddy. Whatever they said, even if unreasonable, was reasonable. Unless they didn't want to make a living in this circle, going against the General Administration was asking for death.

A group of bigwigs from private film and television companies wouldn't even dare to offend Han Sanping of China Film Group, let alone the officials of the General Administration.

So, since Li Huai'an had expressed his stance, the bigwigs had no choice but to stand up and cheer. But in their hearts, they had all decided to inform their artists: minor antics were okay, but certain red lines must not be crossed. If caught, it would be over.

As they left the General Administration, Wang Zhonglei deliberately sidled up to Zhao Fusheng and lowered his voice: "Fusheng, what's going on? Weren't you going to deal with Xie Tingfeng? Why did you go so far?"

Wang Zhonglei had long guessed that Zhao Fusheng would deal with Xie Tingfeng. After all, he had known Zhao Fusheng for quite some time and was well aware of his temperament. Zhao Fusheng always repaid grievances. Yu Feihong had been hurt by Xie Tingfeng and Zhang Weijian, and Emperor Motion Pictures had even hired online trolls to smear her. Given Fusheng's character, it would be strange if he didn't retaliate.

"Nothing much. I just think some people need to be reined in," Zhao Fusheng said indifferently.

As he spoke, he gave Wang Zhonglei a deep look but said nothing.

Actually, he wanted Wang Zhonglei to arrange a meeting with Zhang Guoli to talk about his miraculous son Zhang Mo, but after thinking it over, he didn't bring it up.

That young master, who had beaten his girlfriend two years ago and exposed inside stories of the Central Academy of Drama, was probably still enjoying himself. Zhang Guoli probably didn't know that many years later, Zhang Mo would come into the public eye for drug involvement.

Speaking of the girl who was beaten, Zhao Fusheng felt she was pitiful. Originally, with her appearance similar to Zhang Ziyi, she could have easily become famous. But unfortunately, she had faded into obscurity. To become famous again, she would have to wait for a few dramas more than a decade later.

And the reason those dramas chose her was simple: her husband was a man in the capital circle with great influence.

By that time, Zhang Mo, due to his drug involvement, had long disappeared from public view.

Fate is always so miraculous. Every sip and peck is predetermined by heaven. Many times, we cannot see the direction of the future, but in fact, everyone's future has a path.

Walk straight, and you will naturally obtain happiness; walk crooked, and one day, you will be punished by fate.