Chapter 00294: The Tyrannical Qin of Today
# The Tyrannical Qin of Today
Chapter 294
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 294: The Tyrannical Qin of Today
"Of course not, there's one most crucial point!"
Chen Qi smiled and said, "You need to poach their people!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"The core of Cinema City is their seven-member creative team. Break them apart, and Cinema City falls apart. When the time is right, I'll launch an attack in the newspapers. I’ve already coordinated with Mona Fong of Shaw Brothers. Shaw is stingy and won’t spend money, but they’ve agreed to help kick them while they're down. You two, being more generous, can directly poach their talent. This project just happens to need many stars to bolster it. Whoever you’re close with, poach them. Cinema City is already riddled with internal conflicts, and with me sowing discord, the seven-member team will surely collapse! Today, we face a tyrannical Qin—we must unite and ally to resist the formidable foe!"
"Uh..."
The last line left the two of them baffled, but it didn’t stop them from approving the plan.
Jackie Chan laughed, "Mr. Chen, aren’t you afraid that once we secure the top box office spot, you’ll be shooting yourself in the foot?"
"Haha!"
Chen Qi chuckled, spreading his hands—bring it on!
He then added, "I’ve said this many times—Hong Kong is too small. What’s there to celebrate about being number one here? Both of you are truly gifted. You should come with me to Hollywood and make a name for yourselves."
"Hey, we were having a good talk—don’t try to turn us against our own!" Sammo Hung cut in quickly.
"Exactly, we’re just trying to make a living. We can’t afford to offend Taiwan," Jackie Chan added.
"I admire capable people the most. Right now, I only half-admire you. If everything you’ve said comes true, then I’ll truly admire you!"
"It’s all the same. You’re trying to please Taiwan just for the market. I can take you straight to Europe and America—wouldn’t that be more lucrative? Of course, you’re right too. Right now, it’s all talk, and that’s not convincing enough."
Chen Qi didn’t press further.
Raising his glass, he said, "Today’s been pleasant. Worth a toast!"
"Clink!"
"Clink!"
The three clinked glasses and downed their drinks in one go.
"It’s getting late. I should take my leave."
He stood up to leave, and the two saw him off.
After this private meeting, they didn’t find him as annoying anymore—though his mouth was still sharp.
"No need to see me out. Let’s meet again another day!"
Chen Qi opened the door and stepped out.
Only then did Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan notice the imperial bodyguard standing motionless outside, waiting.
The man glanced at them expressionlessly before following Chen Qi away.
"Honestly, I’d love to have a bodyguard like that too," Jackie Chan said, his eyes full of envy.
"That guy probably guards high-ranking officials in Beijing. Where would you find someone like that?"
Both spoke fluent Mandarin and had been conversing in it the whole time without switching.
Sammo Hung mused, "His suggestion is very actionable. I think it’s worth a shot."
"We can try it. Let’s draft a story first. Are we really going to poach people?"
"Not you—me. You don’t even know anyone from Cinema City."
Sammo Hung thought for a moment.
"I have some rapport with Karl Maka, but he’s the boss. He won’t defect easily. If we’re making a big-budget film, aside from you and me, we’ll need second-tier stars. There’s actually one perfect candidate."
"Who?"
"Eric Tsang!"
……………………
"Action!"
*Ghost* began filming in earnest.
On the set, the living room of the main characters was arranged.
An empty wine bottle sat on the table, with Tony Leung and Cherie Chung seated on the sofa.
Andy Lau sat beside them—invisible to others, as he was in ghost form.
"Thank you so much. I really don’t know what I’d do without you."
"Don’t mention it. Ah Kit is my best friend. It’s only right that I look after you."
Tony Leung was making a move on her, deliberately getting close, comforting her, and being accommodating—earning her favorable impression.
He smiled.
"If you really want to thank me, how about mixing me a drink? Ah Kit said you’re amazing at it."
"Cut!"
Tsui Hark called for a take, then moved on to the next scene.
Cherie Chung mixed a margarita on set, her movements smooth and practiced—a pleasure to watch.
Tony Leung took the glass and, when she wasn’t looking, deliberately spilled it on himself.
"Oh no, how could you be so careless?"
"Sorry… my clothes are all wet… they’ll dry soon."
Tony Leung unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his bare chest—which was decent but nothing spectacular.
Andy Lau watched from the side, feeling like he was about to turn into a cuckolded ghost.
"Pfft—HAHAHA!"
Cherie Chung suddenly burst out laughing.
Tsui Hark called for a stop.
"Ah Chung, what’s going on?"
"Sorry, I just couldn’t help it. Look at Leung’s terrible physique—how’s he supposed to seduce me? Am I supposed to swoon over this?"
"Cut me some slack. I don’t have time to work out," Tony Leung retorted, rolling his eyes.
"You’re supposed to be seducing me! You need to have something to show! With a body like that, even the audience will laugh."
Tsui Hark also gave him a once-over and had to agree.
"Alright, wear a tank top instead of going bare. The lines of your neck are decent—I’ll frame the shot from here."
He gestured to the area above Tony Leung’s collarbone.
Filming resumed.
Chen Qi watched for a while, satisfied that everything was on track.
The director and actors were excellent—they just needed time to gel.
Just then, Fu Qi suddenly walked in and waved at him.
"Let’s go. We’re picking someone up."
"Alright."
He pulled Tsui Hark aside for a quick word before leaving.
Tsui Hark nodded in acknowledgment.
Cherie Chung watched him exit the studio and pouted. *Always so busy!*
Chen Qi got into a car and headed straight for Kai Tak Airport.
Before long, a flight from the U.
S. landed, and Anna Chennault’s assistant, Jessica Xiao Juan, made her appearance—still in sunglasses, pulling a designer suitcase behind her.
"Gentlemen, we meet again!"
"Once you finish this film, Madam will be very pleased. She sent me to preview the rough cut first. Let me be blunt—no matter how it turns out, we won’t be providing any assistance with distribution."
Jessica was as blunt as ever.
Chen Qi smiled.
"No problem. We don’t trust Hollywood’s accounting games anyway. Even a film that grosses a hundred million can be reported as a loss. We’re looking to sell the rights outright."
Jessica was momentarily speechless, her attempt at dominance thwarted.
To flaunt authority, one must either have overwhelming power or an overwhelming information advantage.
The three got into the car, first settling Jessica at a hotel before immediately returning to the Clearwater Bay studio.
In the screening room, *Orphan* made its first full appearance.
The film ran for 115 minutes—slightly shorter than the original.
"..."
Jessica watched intently.
The moment Chingmy Yau first revealed her vicious side, smashing a pigeon with a brick, Jessica’s jaw dropped.
She knew then that the film was likely a success.
Sure enough, when the movie ended, she couldn’t help but applaud.
"Far beyond my expectations. The execution is superb, and the quality is excellent. This could confidently screen in American theaters. Congratulations!"
Though she claimed she wouldn’t help, she wouldn’t interfere with actual distribution.
However, she could still stir the pot in terms of publicity.
Anna Chennault loved writing articles—a single review from her could carry significant influence.
Of course, that was only if *Orphan* passed muster.
"We owe thanks to your assistance too. Without it, this film wouldn’t have been possible..."
Chen Qi smiled, then seized the moment.
"Since you’re in Hong Kong, I have another favor to ask."
"What is it now?"
"We’re filming a romance and need to use the song *Unchained Melody*. Could you help negotiate the rights to avoid future disputes? And one more thing..."
Chen Qi pulled out a thick stack of scripts.
"These are this year’s new projects. We’ll need many American actors."
"You’re such a hassle!"
Jessica took the scripts and stuffed them into her bag—already acknowledging his capabilities.
(That’s all…
Happy Qixi Festival! Has anyone watched *White Snake* or *Against the Current*? How were the films?)
(End of Chapter)