Chapter 00205: The Budding Spring Festival Gala (Today's Fifth Update)
# The Budding Spring Festival Gala (Today's Fifth Update)
Chapter 205
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 205: The Budding Spring Festival Gala (Today's Fifth Update)
"Rumble rumble!"
In June, the "Judge Bao" film crew wrapped up shooting and returned to Beijing by train.
Yang Jie sat in her seat, holding a stack of character costume design sketches and praising them endlessly: "Jianqun, your talent is remarkable. Your professional skills are excellent too. Is this really your first time doing this?"
"It really is, Director!"
"If I'd known earlier, I would've asked you to do the designs too. That Chen Qi fellow snatched you up first."
Yang Jie, with her deep appreciation for classical aesthetics, greatly admired Li Jianqun's designs.
Reluctantly handing them back, she smiled and said, "No wonder you borrowed the 'Draft History of Qing' from me. Most actors nowadays lack cultural refinement, and their training only scratches the surface. Rare to see someone like you."
"You flatter me too much. I only read the parts about clothing and customs. How could I possibly understand a work with millions of characters?" Li Jianqun hurriedly replied.
It was customary for new dynasties to compile histories of previous ones.
This "Draft History of Qing" was commissioned during the Republic of China era with Yuan Shikai's approval, but they ended up hiring a bunch of old Qing loyalists to write it.
The content was predictable.
At the time, scholars listed nineteen reasons to petition the government to ban its publication, including: "Counter-revolutionary, contempt for martyrs, praising old loyalists, encouraging restoration, opposing Han Chinese, whitewashing the Qing dynasty, etc."
In short, the "Draft History of Qing" never became the official "History of Qing."
China still only had twenty-four official dynastic histories, with no additional one.
Later in 2002, China began compiling a new "History of Qing."
They claimed to have finished long ago—32 million characters—but it's still under review and hasn't been approved yet...
At this moment, Li Jianqun carefully put away her design drafts.
These were the newest batch.
The previous ones had already been sent to Chen Qi through someone else, and "Tai Chi 2" was complete.
Currently, the most challenging part was designing the Red Lantern Sect's Two-Faced Bodhisattva.
Chen Qi's requirements were:
"A bewitching beauty, both sacred and seductive!"
Li Jianqun found this too abstract and was struggling for inspiration.
Yang Jie asked again, "Jianqun, do you have a role in 'Tai Chi 2'?"
"They said I'd have a small part, but mainly I'm doing design work."
"Oh, what do you plan to do after filming? You've already graduated, and you've been delaying the work assignment from your school. Do you want to stay in Beijing?"
"I..."
Li Jianqun sighed.
"I love filming and designing. I hope to do both. Honestly, I don't know what to do now. My contract with 'Tai Chi 2' is just for one movie. It'd be best if I could stay."
"I can ask around for you. Our station might need art designers. You could stay with us," Yang Jie offered with a smile, an elder talented woman showing kindness to a younger one.
"That would be wonderful! Thank you so much!"
Li Jianqun's spirits lifted, but then she sighed again.
During the location shooting, she'd been exchanging frequent letters with her boyfriend.
He had accepted his school's assignment to go to the Lanzhou Military Region and had issued her an ultimatum: either go with him or break up.
Speaking of this boyfriend—they were classmates, and he seemed decent enough.
Before, she'd thought about going to the same workplace and just getting married, like most people in this era: not some earth-shattering love, just muddling along into marriage.
They called it free love, but how free was it really? Most couples were introduced by others.
If both families approved and the person seemed alright, they'd just marry.
Someone like Liu Xiaoqing, who deliberately seduced a man to marry her way into Beijing—now that was someone who knew what she wanted...
"Rumble rumble!"
The train arrived in Beijing, carrying Li Jianqun's worries and Yang Jie's expectations for "Judge Bao."
Li Jianqun went to the Beijing Film Studio, while Yang Jie returned to CCTV.
Outside Fuxing Gate stood a Soviet-style broadcasting building from the 1950s, covering four hectares.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, CCTV, and China National Radio were all housed there.
Later, CCTV would move to the Color TV Center, then to the famous "Big Pants" building—which left two impressions on the public: one was a fire, the other was the "battle" between Ms. Zhang and Mr. Lü in the high-rise hotel across the street...
"Hey, Director Yang, finished shooting 'Judge Bao'?"
"You're so dedicated to work—didn't even go home, came straight to the office!"
"My home only has two people, and they're both here. Why would I go home? Don't you have anything better to do? Go play somewhere else!"
Yang Jie didn't humor anyone—she'd argue with anyone, even the station head.
As she walked down the long hallway to store the "Judge Bao" footage, she suddenly bumped into someone.
Taking a closer look, she asked curiously, "Xiao Jiang, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Director Yang, hello!"
The 31-year-old Jiang Kun hurriedly greeted her.
With his distinctive downturned eyebrows, droopy eyes, and slightly effeminate voice, he said, "I came with my master to discuss some ideas for a variety show."
"A variety show? Haven't we done several already?"
"This time is different. At the beginning of the year, we co-produced a gala with Guangdong TV, right? It was extremely successful and well-received. My master was deeply inspired and has been thinking about creating something extraordinary. Instead of prerecording, we'll broadcast live on New Year's Eve, focusing on entertainment programs interspersed with song and dance. We'll have hosts who can banter and liven up the atmosphere, using television to reach every household. Doesn't that sound great?"
Wow!
Yang Jie became interested and decided to go with him to check it out.
They entered an office where Ma Ji was talking with leadership.
She greeted them and listened for a while.
Just as Jiang Kun had said, Ma Ji wanted to plan a grand Spring Festival Gala.
Ma Ji was already very famous with high social status.
Jiang Kun, whom he'd mentored into the business, was also gaining recognition.
"Your idea is innovative but quite bold. Personally, I support it, but we'll need internal discussions."
"Do you think we could implement it next year?"
"Can't say for sure. Let's discuss it first, and we'll inform you."
"Alright, alright..."
Ma Ji shook his head and left with Jiang Kun.
Yang Jie listened for a bit before leaving too.
None of them realized this idea would create a show known to every household in China, even becoming ingrained in cultural DNA.
There had been Spring Festival Galas since 1979, then in 1980, 1981, and 1982—all prerecorded in a tea party format, quite rigid.
Why was the 1983 gala considered the first true Spring Festival Gala?
Because it incorporated all the elements Ma Ji mentioned: live broadcast on New Year's Eve, greatly enhanced entertainment value, a mix of song and dance with comedy skits, lively hosts, strong audience interaction, and a sufficient number of TVs in households.
Ma Ji joined the core team because he was the first to propose this concept.
Naturally, he brought his apprentice Jiang Kun along, making Jiang Kun famous too.
This was 1981—just the budding idea of the Spring Festival Gala.
It would be planned next year and debut the year after.
...
Meanwhile, on another front.
Jet Li joined the crew first, with paperwork being processed gradually.
He was temporarily transferred, not an official employee, but everyone treated him as one, giving him the same daily 2 yuan allowance.
Chen Qi had always been generous—he wouldn't mistreat Ji Chunhua, nor would he mistreat Jet Li.
But with the company newly established and funds needed everywhere, they'd have to hold off for now.
Coming from the future, Chen Qi believed more than anyone in the power of benefits to move hearts.
Even someone like Sister Gong Xue needed to be promoted—relationships based purely on emotion weren't stable.
The company currently had:
- 1 general manager
- 1 administrative staff
- 1 accountant
- 1 official employee (Ji Chunhua)
- 1 temporarily transferred employee (Jet Li)
Chen Qi also wanted to recruit Xiong Xinxin, Sun Jiankui, and others to complete his team of "Big Boss," "Second Boss," and "Third Boss."
A bunch of oddballs.
These people weren't highly ranked in the martial arts teams.
Unlike Jet Li's special circumstances, Chen Qi didn't approach them yet.
He'd proceed step by step with filming until they retired, then bring them into the company.
Yu Hai and Yu Chenghui were coaches anyway—no need for formal contracts, just invite them when needed for filming.
And of course, Li Jianqun—the single rose among thorns.
(First chapter posted today, four more coming tonight... votes please...)
(End of chapter)