Chapter 2196 Self-Destruction

The box office success of *Let the Bullets Fly* was a good thing for the entire Future Group.

Although none of the subsidiaries except Future Film were listed, the whole Future Group knew that this attempt was just a beginning.

Facts proved that the box office of *Let the Bullets Fly* really took off, just as Zhao Fusheng had predicted!

In just half a month, the film had broken through 400 million yuan at the box office!

This also meant that the annual box office champion had already lost its suspense.

And Jiang Wen was also hailed as a god by the media!

"China's number one director!"

"China's best storyteller director!"

"A true seeker of art!"

"A lonely warrior!"

All kinds of praise were generously heaped on Jiang Wen by those media people.

As if he were the pioneer of Chinese cinema, the savior of the Chinese film market!

At first, Zhao Fusheng worried that Old Jiang might be carried away by victory and say something he shouldn't, but he never expected that Old Jiang would actually post a long Weibo post.

The content of the Weibo post was also very simple: he recounted the entire process of filming *Let the Bullets Fly*, from the initial script approval to the later selection of actors, and how he invited Brother Fa and Ge Ye and the others.

Jiang Wen narrated everything in detail.

Of course, he would certainly conceal what needed to be concealed.

But the main points were all factual.

In Jiang Wen's own words, he was like a lucky child who occasionally found a seashell on the beach—that was the script for *Let the Bullets Fly*—and then took the seashell to show the adults at home, telling them he planned to make a beautiful ornament out of it.

Fortunately, the adults at home supported him, so he finally fulfilled his dream.

But that didn't mean he was really a genius or a great director!

He was just lucky to have a very wealthy friend who was the boss of Future Film, willing to invest heavily to help him shoot, and wouldn't blame him even if the budget exceeded.

Moreover, a group of excellent actors like Brother Fa and Ge Ye were willing to give up their precious schedules, listen to his arrangements, and go through hardships with him on set.

That was the reason this film could succeed.

And he, Jiang Wen, was the most inconspicuous person in the entire crew.

It must be said that Old Jiang's article was extremely skillful.

Regardless of whether he was sincere or insincere, or whether he did it under someone's hint, the fact that this article quickly topped the Weibo trending list proved how successful it was.

"Impressive!"

After reading the report on this article, Zhao Fusheng casually said to Zheng Yao, who was sitting across from him.

"What's impressive?"

Zheng Yao was a bit puzzled and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Are you talking about Jiang Wen's Weibo post?"

"Yes."

Zhao Fusheng nodded and smiled, "Believe it or not, with this Weibo post, no matter how others smear Old Jiang, he won't be cursed by netizens. Everyone will only say that he is a director with true pursuit, a real filmmaker."

"That impressive?"

Zheng Yao clearly didn't believe it. In her view, Jiang Wen posting this Weibo at this time, although the hype effect was good and pushed the popularity of *Let the Bullets Fly* even higher, also put himself in the spotlight, which was really unwise.

According to Zheng Yao's idea, even if he wanted to clear his name, he should find a so-called insider from the crew to leak the news, then let the media report it, and finally have Jiang Wen himself come out to clarify.

That kind of routine was the proper way.

What Jiang Wen did was really ill-considered.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled lightly. He could naturally see that Zheng Yao was somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Wen's approach.

After all, it didn't really align with the company's interests.

Or rather, they could have used this matter to maximize profits, but Jiang Wen's actions put the company in a passive position.

He got all the benefits himself, while the company ended up with nothing. How could that be acceptable?

"You."

Zhao Fusheng pointed at Zheng Yao and said with a smile, "Think about it, doesn't everyone think like you, that Old Jiang should first be exposed, then reported by the media, and then come out to clear his name?"

"Well..." Zheng Yao didn't speak, but her expression betrayed her.

Because it was indeed the case; the hype process in the industry was like that.

"But doesn't Old Jiang's behavior precisely prove that he didn't consult with the company at all and made the decision alone?"

Zhao Fusheng said to Zheng Yao again, "Isn't that exactly what the audience wants to see?"

At that moment, Zheng Yao was stunned, as if pondering Zhao Fusheng's words. The next moment, her expression finally changed.

She understood what Zhao Fusheng meant!

Everyone thought Jiang Wen was hyping, but don't forget, netizens nowadays are not fools; they are not ignorant idiots.

Can't they see through the entertainment industry's hype tactics?

If they did that, netizens might think Old Jiang was a hypocrite.

Now, Jiang Wen's actions completely matched his previous persona as a real man on the internet.

In other words, everything he did projected the image of the most genuine and sincere man.

He steadfastly pursued his film ideals, knew to share credit with his companions when successful, willingly played a supporting role, was dedicated, and cared for everyone around him.

Who wouldn't like such a person?

A true iron-blooded man!

Thinking of this, Zheng Yao understood what Zhao Fusheng meant earlier.

Exactly!

Zhao Fusheng's idea was correct.

"Haha, looks like you understand."

Seeing Zheng Yao's expression, Zhao Fusheng knew she had been convinced.

After all, Zheng Yao never hid her thoughts in front of him.

"I understand."

Zheng Yao nodded and said to Zhao Fusheng, "I'll have the people below fully cooperate with this promotion."

"No need."

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "We won't do anything."

"Do nothing?"

Zheng Yao frowned slightly. Clearly, she didn't agree with Zhao Fusheng's words. In her view, since Jiang Wen's actions had been recognized by the audience, Future Group could seize the momentum to build Jiang Wen into China's number one director, which was entirely achievable.

But Zhao Fusheng actually disagreed. What was he up to?

Could it be that he wanted to use this opportunity to scheme against someone?

Thinking of this, Zheng Yao's expression became even more interesting.

Looking at Zheng Yao helplessly, Zhao Fusheng naturally understood that she must be overthinking again.

Women are like that; they always like to connect one thing with another.

For example, when a boyfriend and girlfriend go out to eat, if he doesn't notice a small detail when ordering, she might extrapolate it into a bizarre issue like 'you don't love me.'

Looking at Zheng Yao, Zhao Fusheng waved his hand and said, "Old Jiang's matter ends here. We won't interfere or participate anymore."

"Why?"

Zheng Yao stubbornly looked at Zhao Fusheng, clearly needing an answer that could convince her.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Because reputation is not something you create; it needs to be established by Jiang Wen himself. The same goes for persona. Believe it or not, if you continue to build a persona for Old Jiang like this, and one day his persona collapses, our losses will be beyond your imagination?"

When he said this, Zhao Fusheng was very serious.

He had recently noticed that Zheng Yao and other senior executives of Future Group seemed to be trying to build personas for the company's artists.

This wasn't entirely unacceptable; after all, in the entertainment industry and business world, one certainly needs a protective color or a way to make others accept you.

But the problem is that a persona is fake.

It's not your true self.

Since it's fake and involves people, sooner or later, the persona might collapse.

When that time comes, what will be lost?

Naturally, it's real money and interests!

And as the boss of Future Group, Zhao Fusheng's loss would undoubtedly be the greatest.

Under such circumstances, how could Zhao Fusheng allow such a thing to happen?

If it were like a certain star who sent his mistress to jail over a relationship, and then his persona collapsed, causing the collapse of film and TV projects worth over a billion yuan invested by the backing company.

That loss would be unbearable for anyone.

Even Zhao Fusheng wouldn't want to see that happen.

Although he was rich, no matter how rich, he wouldn't waste money like that.