Chapter 00270: Streetfall
# Streetfall
Chapter 270
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 270: Streetfall
On this side of the continent, there needs to be unification, and on the other side in Taiwan, they also desire unification.
Taiwan too plays to the strengths of those involved.
If you stand firm, they will soften; if you show weakness, they will harden.
If you remain unyielding, those contemptible beings will have no recourse, and no one can do anything about it.
If one can achieve remarkable feats while standing firm, then Taiwan will willingly ease its conditions.
For example, Xu Anhua was banned for "Going Against the Sea," but later became a great director.
Freedom will always make concessions in time.
Of course, she isn't qualified enough at this moment.
"Giving face yet lacking manners!"
In the conference hall, President Tong Yuejuan slammed the table and scolded, "To film over there right under our noses is not only serious negligence on your part, but the news bureau is also furious and demands punitive measures! This Xu Anhua is incorrigible; I see no need to give her another chance. From today onwards, any cultural products related to her are prohibited from entering!"
"Understood!" Jiang Fengqi responded, pausing before asking, "What about the TVB actors?"
Mentioning this made Tong Yuejuan sullen.
Shaw Brothers and TVB are owned by Sir Run Run Shaw; his influence is undeniable.
For decades, he has maintained good relations with Taiwan—far beyond what Uniden Pictures could compare to.
This also explains why TVB has been turning a blind eye, allowing its stars to film leftist projects.
Even if caught, the most they would do is write a letter of contrition.
Would that actually reflect poorly on Sir Run Run Shaw? Impossible!
As mentioned before, Sir Run Run Shaw has always played both sides.
Back during the 1979 Spring Festival, Guangdong TV and TVB co-hosted a "New Year's Celebration in Guangzhou."
Zheng Shaoqiu and Shen Dianxia attended; it was simply a matter of writing a guarantee letter.
Unless one directly became a representative of the people from the mainland, like Wong Ming-choi, Taiwan wouldn't tolerate that.
"This matter is serious; we cannot let them gloss it over. A stance must be taken!"
Tong Yuejuan and Jiang Fengqi discussed and reached relatively consistent punitive measures.
Just then, someone reported from outside, "People from TVB have arrived!"
"Right on time!"
"Let them in!"
As they spoke, a TVB administrator led Lin Zixiang, Miao Qianren, and Liu Dehua in.
The administrator immediately said, "President Tong, I come to apologize! After hearing the news, I was filled with dread. There must be some misunderstanding. Look, I called them back immediately, and here they are to apologize to you!"
"Hmph!"
Tong Yuejuan snorted and said, "Such fine words. Since the establishment of our association, there has never been a non-leftist member filming northward; you are the first. How grand!"
"Ah, we dare not! It was merely an oversight!"
The TVB personnel hurriedly flattered, apologizing and making promises, while urging Lin Zixiang and the others to express themselves.
After a great deal of fuss, Tong Yuejuan's expression softened a bit and she said, "We have always regarded Hong Kong practitioners as dearly loved friends, preferring amicable resolutions. Even if a mistake was made, submitting a letter of contrition and a guarantee letter would suffice. However, you cannot take our broad-mindedness for granted; if this continues, that letter of contrition will turn into a joke!"
"And what do you propose?"
"Simple. You just need to publish a statement of contrition in the Hong Kong Times, and we will not pursue the matter any further."
Similar to leftist newspapers, the rightist side also has its own media presence in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Times is one of them.
Usually, letters of contrition are kept private, but this time it must be publicized, which means making a public declaration in the newspaper… This is a significant issue for both factions.
TVB personnel sighed with relief.
It was merely posting a note in the paper.
What of it? It was all for the sake of continuing to make money; there was nothing to be ashamed of.
"Rest assured, it will definitely be in tomorrow's issue!"
After making some further promises, they finally left.
Liu Dehua's expression remained gloomy, hesitating to speak until they returned to the company.
After Lin Zixiang and Miao Qianren left, he finally opened his mouth and said, "I have something to report!"
"What else is there?"
"I, I…"
He swallowed but felt compelled to continue, "I signed a contract with that Mr. Chen, the one from the mainland."
"What?"
The other side was taken aback and immediately asked, "When did you sign?"
"Before I went to Hainan, he said there was a role for me in a film, so I signed."
"Why didn't you inform the company?!"
"I wasn't an official employee at that time…"
Liu Dehua lowered his head, afraid to speak further.
The other side stared at him for a long moment.
This was a newcomer; during training, the instructors had given him high praise.
He had just graduated with top honors and joined TVB.
The company had high hopes for him, believing he had the right looks and physique, always holding his shoulders, back, and waist straight, quite fitting for roles like that of a police officer.
Therefore, this year he was slated for a drama titled "The Falcon."
It took Zhou Runfa two years to earn the lead role, while Liu Dehua achieved this within a year.
The company wanted to protect such a promising newcomer, thus they asked, "Where's the contract?"
"What?"
"The contract! The one you signed; don't you have it on you?"
"I have it! I'll go home to fetch it."
"You aren't going to go? Should I go?"
Liu Dehua, flustered, rushed off and returned with the contract.
The other party meticulously examined the contents line by line, his expression growing darker, before slamming it on the table, exclaiming, "Streetfall!"
………………
"This way, this way!"
In the capital city in February, when the warmth has not yet fully arrived, at Lechunfang, Chen Qi personally welcomed a guest, who was none other than Li Hanxiang from Hong Kong.
Li Hanxiang had not changed much; as he stepped through the door, he curiously surveyed the courtyard.
Chen Qi gave a brief introduction before leading him directly to the backyard, casually instructing, "Hanhan, bring a pot of water!"
"Got it!"
Dai Hanhan swiftly handed over a pot of hot water, and as the two entered, she closed the small door and began chattering away, "Hey, did you see that? They've gone to the backyard; this isn’t just any relationship!"
"That's for sure; it's Li Hanxiang, a big director!"
"Wait, though; I didn't hear Teacher Chen and Director Li had much contact. They probably just know each other."
"Then why take him to the backyard?"
Of course, it was to showcase that large zitan wood table!
"Oh wow, what a treasure!"
"Court-made!"
Li Hanxiang was so captivated by the table that he couldn't hold his composure, caressing it tenderly as if it were a lover, staring at it for half an hour before suddenly looking up and asking, "Kid, how much did you pay for it?"
"About three thousand!"
"Six thousand; no, ten thousand! Can you share this table with me?"
"Not for sale, I just wanted you to see it."
If only he had a hammer in hand, Li Hanxiang would’ve smashed him right there.
The two took their seats, and Chen Qi poured some tea.
Li Hanxiang was in Beijing this time for matters concerning "Burning the Yuanmingyuan" and "Listening to Politics Behind the Curtain."
This film had been delayed for a long time, but they were finally ready to prepare.
The funding came from Macau's He Xian, as Li Hanxiang had met him and discussed the project.
At the time, He Xian had generously offered full support—He Xian was truly impressive in Macau.
"Once the script passes, I can officially start filming. If all goes smoothly, I’ll begin shooting in the second half of the year!"
Li Hanxiang was full of spirit; in fact, he still had an unfinished contract with Shaw Brothers.
He hadn’t fulfilled his obligations and had come to the mainland, which was also exposed by Hong Kong media—there was also speculation that Shaw Brothers had reported him.
In short, Li Hanxiang did not write a letter of contrition and was banned.
He had also implicated the actor playing Emperor Xianfeng, Liang Jiahui.
Liang had left the TVB training class to work on a magazine, which only lasted one issue before it folded.
However, during that time, he became acquainted with Li Hanxiang's daughter and dated for a while, hence he was chosen by Li to participate in the film…
Chen Qi listened to his rambling, mentally piecing together the stories.
Finally, Li Hanxiang asked, "You look familiar; do you have any actors to recommend?"
"Actually, I don't really have any suitable candidates. You’re the director; choose the one you like best."
Chen Qi chuckled.
He wasn't very interested in these two films and didn’t want to be involved.
The key figure, without a doubt, was Empress Dowager Cixi.
Gong Xue couldn't play this role.
Although he wasn't fond of Liu Xiaoqing, she was exceptionally capable and performed well as Cixi.
Having Gong Xue play Empress Cian? Even less so; he couldn't possibly let the most popular actress in the country support someone else, so he simply pushed the opportunity aside.
Li Hanxiang was merely asking casually.
He had numerous tasks to attend to in Beijing and stopped by to see his young friend, sitting for a while before leaving, praising the courtyard all the while.
Chen Qi saw him off to the car, then strolled back in the light chill of early spring, arriving at the gate, observing the now-bustling editorial staff, Ji Chunhua practicing in the courtyard, and Mr. Li wandering about… he suddenly stretched widely.
"No matter how good the peaceful days are, I cannot drown in them; now that the New Year has passed, it’s time for me to go visit Hong Kong!"
(The end!)