Chapter 0773: "Conquest"

"To be honest, Director Gao, I really like this play." Zhao Fusheng looked at Gao Qun with a serious expression.

Gao Qun was taken aback; he really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to say that.

"Originally, the company was a bit hesitant, but I think this play has a lot of potential." Zhao Fusheng smiled.

He was speaking from the heart. The script for "Conquest" gave the strongest impression of being immersive. After all, everyone has a dream of the underworld, especially those who lived through the 1980s and 1990s. Who hadn't heard at the dinner table some buddy boasting about how awesome and fierce some big shot in the underworld was?

And now, "Conquest" was about to tell the story of how a big shot in the underworld headed toward self-destruction.

Moreover, it had to be said that just the title of this TV series was enough to shock people, giving off a strong sense of domineering aura.

Gao Qun immediately felt a sense of kinship. Under the influence of Hong Kong cinema, he had always had a special fondness for police and gangster films. But due to limited funds and his habit of making single-episode police dramas with unit-based stories and unclear narrative connections, he was starving for something new.

However, his story had never been recognized by others, which had left him somewhat disheartened. Now, Zhao Fusheng's words made him feel a sense of being acknowledged.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't stupid either; some things didn't need to be said too explicitly. He had already shown interest in the play, and the rest was up to Gao Qun.

Gao Qun sat there, silent for a long time. Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's attitude had moved him, to the point where he felt like he was dreaming.

"Minister Zhao, you... you're not joking with me, are you?" Gao Qun stared intently at Zhao Fusheng for a few seconds before slowly speaking.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Director Gao, although I'm not in the film and television circle, I do have a few friends in it. I've also helped introduce investments for a few movies before. How about this: you go back and think it over, then look into the situation of our Future Advertising, and then make a decision. What do you think?"

He really wasn't in a hurry, because in Gao Qun's eyes, Zhao Fusheng saw a kind of longing—a desire for success, for recognition, a feeling that seemed ready to ignite at any moment.

The reason he was so cautious was that Gao Qun was both the screenwriter and director of this play, making him extremely important to the entire production.

Sure enough, after hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Gao Qun nodded, stood up, and took his leave.

Zhao Fusheng personally escorted him to the elevator and watched him leave. At that moment, Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie walked over.

"Is it really necessary?" Dong Chenxi looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, puzzled as to why he valued this unknown director so much.

After all, even when Lu Chuan came to visit, Zhao Fusheng hadn't been this cautious.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly and shook his head: "It's not that I value him; I value this play."

"A police drama, and with this kind of subject matter—do you think it will get high ratings?" Bai Jie raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise.

She had also read the script and didn't see what was so great about it.

"You're a woman; you wouldn't understand." Zhao Fusheng glanced at Bai Jie and laughed. "And let me tell you, the way you guys pick scripts won't work. None of you are professionals. Choosing scripts purely by gut feeling will eventually lead to problems."

Bai Jie and Dong Chenxi exchanged a glance and fell silent. Though reluctant to admit it, they had to acknowledge that Zhao Fusheng's words made sense.

A group of advertising people suddenly wanting to move into film and television investment—there were too many changes and adaptations needed along the way.

"Hire people. Start recruiting as soon as possible. Otherwise, even if we invest in a play, we'll still be taken for a ride by others." Zhao Fusheng said seriously.

He wasn't joking. A certain Hong Kong director surnamed Chen had once tricked Boss Yu of Bona into making a film called "The Warlords" with three Best Actors.

And what was the result?

Not only did it exceed the budget by tens of millions, but the props department even dared to quote three thousand yuan for a straw hat—it was like treating the investors as fools.

Zhao Fusheng didn't want the day to come when Future Advertising would suffer the same treatment.

"I understand." Dong Chenxi nodded, seeing that Zhao Fusheng was serious.

She knew that compared to herself, Zhao Fusheng had some connections in the film and television industry, and his words were quite beneficial.

"If Gao Qun contacts the company later, give him my number. I have something to discuss with him," Zhao Fusheng said after thinking for a moment to Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie. "What about that mistress role? Give it to our Fan Baobao, how about it?"

The few of them exchanged glances. Neither Bai Jie nor Dong Chenxi found it surprising, and the others in the planning department dared not even make a sound.

There was no help for it; Zhao Fusheng's status was set. Throughout Future Advertising, only Zheng Yao could manage him. The rest knew well that he was the company's cornerstone—as long as he didn't jump ship, there was basically nothing he couldn't do. Asking for a supporting female role for his girlfriend in a TV series the company invested in was hardly a big deal.

"Forget it, I'll call General Manager Zheng."

Zhao Fusheng glanced at Dong Chenxi, knowing she was in a difficult position. After all, this was company business. After thinking for a moment, he pulled out his phone.

As he walked into the elevator, Zhao Fusheng dialed Zheng Yao's number.

The signal in the elevator was poor. By the time Zhao Fusheng reached the first floor, the call had just connected.

"What's up? You actually called me?" Zheng Yao seemed to be eating something and asked with some surprise.

"It's like this: there's a script I'm very optimistic about, and we're preparing to invest. There's a supporting female role that I plan to keep for our Fan Baobao," Zhao Fusheng said straightforwardly.

"What production? TV series or movie?" Zheng Yao was taken aback and asked with some surprise.

She was actually a bit curious. Zhao Fusheng's judgment was always accurate. The few film and TV projects he had previously recommended the company invest in, though not big productions, had all made money. Even if the profits were small, they had won several awards.

To be sure, a film and television production company's goal was to make a profit, but awards were equally indispensable. For investments like Zhao Fusheng's, which brought both awards and cost recovery with profit, Zheng Yao wished he would bring her such opportunities every day.

"'Conquest,' a police-crime TV series, a men's drama." Zhao Fusheng briefly introduced the series and finally said, "Don't worry, this show is definitely a sure thing."

"Alright, with your word, I'm reassured. I'll talk to Chenxi about it," Zheng Yao said decisively.

She also understood the intent behind Zhao Fusheng's call. There must have been some communication issues with Dong Chenxi and the others, otherwise Zhao Fusheng wouldn't have called her.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Good. To be honest, I think you should adjust your business focus soon. Our advertising business has basically peaked. If you want to make money next, you'd better learn from Huayi."

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zheng Yao was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Fusheng sighed softly. As the company's major shareholder, he was only offering advice; how Zheng Yao considered it was her own business.

From the very beginning of establishing Future Advertising, Zhao Fusheng had told Zheng Yao that he would not interfere with the company's normal operations. To this day, Zhao Fusheng had maintained that habit.

...

...

Returning home, as soon as Zhao Fusheng entered, he saw Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun sitting on the sofa, both looking unhappy.

"What's wrong?"

Zhao Fusheng asked curiously. They had been fine when he left in the morning; how had a day at school turned them into this?

"Don't even mention it. It's those idiots in the student council," Zhou Yun said helplessly to Zhao Fusheng, seeing that Fan Baobao wasn't speaking. "They've taken a liking to the song we sang and say the copyright should belong to the school."

"Huh?" His brows furrowed tightly, and Zhao Fusheng's face darkened. Some people at the Central Academy of Drama were being a bit too greedy.