Chapter 00076: Internal Conflicts
# Internal Conflicts
Chapter 76
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 76: Internal Conflicts
"We need to hold a meeting to discuss this!" Sun Wenjin stated plainly as he spoke to Deputy Factory Director Zhu Dexiong in his office.
Zhu Dexiong rolled his eyes silently.
Everyone in the factory knew what Sun was like; even saying he held a chicken feather as a command was generous.
"Old Sun, you have to give me a reason, right?" he replied.
"He's too young! Who has someone that young taking on planning duties?"
"It's just a temporary transfer, he hasn't really been appointed!"
"A temporary transfer isn't good enough. If you all don't take responsibility for the quality of the works, I must keep a tight grip on this process. We can’t just let anyone in without care."
"Then you should go talk to the factory director yourself!"
Zhu Dexiong was too lazy to argue with him.
Sun Wenjin was unbothered and immediately rose from his chair, knocking on Wang Yang's office door.
"Old Wang, even if you cherish talent, you must respect objective rules. Planning roles should be filled by experienced comrades; who has someone that young in such a position? Last year, you spent eighty thousand to hire Liu Xiaoqing. True, Liu Xiaoqing has become talented, but you can't say that everyone you pick will succeed, can you? That would fill the place with talent that just runs away!"
Wang Yang felt a headache coming on from his words.
"I know you mean well for the factory, but this person is indeed good. I'm only borrowing him; just give your approval."
"If something goes wrong, you'll take the responsibility. I’ll keep my reservations!"
Sun Wenjin left those words behind and slipped away.
One couldn't say this man was particularly malicious; being in his position managing personnel, administration, and discipline meant he had to maintain a presence, or else no one would take him seriously.
Besides, he was a conservative and didn't get along with Wang Yang.
The cold wind was biting.
With the arrival of the third cold moon, it was the coldest time of the year.
As the Chinese New Year approached, units like government offices and state enterprises were the busiest, with workers preparing for the New Year, finance teams closing out the year, labor unions preparing gifts, and leaders attending various tea parties and New Year’s gatherings.
Wang Yang was exceptionally busy these days.
This morning, he rushed to the Ministry of Culture in East City to attend a national film industry's New Year tea party.
Currently, various provinces were attempting to run their own factories, eventually establishing over thirty production studios, leading to severe resource waste, which was then halted.
Presently, only a dozen or so production studios across the country had the qualification to shoot feature films, namely: Northeastern Film, Changchun Film, Shanghai Film, Bayi Film, Zhujiang Film, Xiying Film, Emei Film, Xiaoxiang Film, Tian Shan Film, Inner Mongolia Film, Youth Film, Guangxi Film, Children Film, and so on.
The first four were indisputably the four giants.
Emei Film would only kick into gear after Han Sanping took charge, while Xiying Film awaited the rise of the fifth generation of filmmakers, leaving them currently as underlings.
"Old Factory Director!"
"Old Factory Director!"
Despite being amiable and nurturing towards his staff, Wang Yang was a prominent figure outside, respected and recognized; he could find a place even in a vast sea.
More than ten factory directors greeted him with respectful attitudes, only Xu Sangchu, from Shanghai Film, cheerfully asked, "Old Wang, it’s been a while! How’s your health?"
"I'm great, certainly better than yours!"
"Then why do you have more white hair? We're the same age; look at me!"
Xu Sangchu ran his hand through his hair, while Wang Yang merely grunted, too lazy to respond.
He had always had a distaste for this man, considering him to be heavily influenced by bourgeois thoughts, preferring suits and ties.
However, he was quite capable; under his leadership, Shanghai Film had produced a series of classics, including "Hunan Town," "Midnight," "The True Story of Ah Q," "The Horseman," "Old Stories of the South City," and more, including "Lushan Love," historically produced by Shanghai Film.
Everyone settled into the meeting room, where tea and dried fruits were laid out, chatting and laughing, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
However, the moment one person arrived, the air shifted; all the directors stared at each other with unpleasant expressions.
This man was Ding Daming, a leader from China Film, who was highly disliked.
Ding had grown accustomed to this, smiling and not minding the stares, purposely sitting next to Wang Yang and Xu Sangchu, who both shot him a disdainful glance.
Currently, the film industry fell under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and had not yet transferred to the National Radio and Television Administration, so today’s attendance included leaders from the Ministry of Culture.
The tea party wasn't a formal meeting; the leaders were relaxed, and one said with a smile, "I still remember last year’s tea party. It was a gathering of talented individuals sharing their thoughts and visions for the future. Can you believe it’s been a year already?"
"Let me put it simply; everyone accomplished their tasks last year, and the quality of the works was evident to all. This year, you're all strong and ready. I have reviewed the projects you've submitted; they’re all full of ambition. Old Wang, you plan to shoot 'Teahouse' and 'Camel Xiangzi'? Great topics; with Mr. Lao She being vindicated last year, we should definitely produce more of his works."
As soon as this was said, Xu Sangchu interjected, "You plan to shoot Lao She’s works?"
"What's wrong? You don’t agree?" Wang Yang countered.
"How coincidental! We’re going to shoot Lu Xun’s 'The True Story of Ah Q' instead!"
“That’s splendid; let’s see whose gets out first.”
“No need to wait until then; we already have a film called 'Night Rain in Bashan.' I can reserve you a ticket to watch it. What about you? You wouldn’t be trying to compete with 'Lushan Love' now, would you?"
The competition between Northeastern Film and Shanghai Film was fierce, both keeping a close eye on each other’s movements.
Wang Yang wasn't surprised Xu Sangchu knew about 'Lushan Love,' as he was also familiar with 'Night Rain in Bashan,' which was indeed an audacious work.
He couldn't lose face in retorts and continued to spar with Xu.
The two big shots were bantering away while others found another topic to discuss.
Suddenly, a factory director tapped the table and asked, "I’ve heard some comrades suggest establishing a professional and authoritative film award. Is this true?"
"Yes, we have discussed it already! I fully support it. Our country lacks such an award right now. The specifics can be deliberated by the Film Association; let’s not discuss it today," said the Ministry of Culture leader with a smile.
"I have something to say too!"
Wang Yang tapped the table as well.
"You all probably know what I'm going to say, but I must say it—I've always advocated for integration between production and distribution, and we must have a distribution right for our production studios!"
"What’s this nonsense about must-have?"
As expected, Ding Daming from China Film was the first to speak up, "Distribution is our job, Old Factory Director; you just need to focus on artistic production!"
"Producing also requires filling our bellies! If not, you should raise the acquisition price!"
"The acquisition price is set by the country; you can’t just say it should be raised!"
"Just because it’s set by the country doesn’t mean it’s unchangeable! The current issue is clear to all. If this drags on, how can the movies be filmed?"
Wang Yang slammed the table, and Ding Daming was unyielding, facing off as a tense atmosphere filled the room.
Everyone was accustomed to this; it happened nearly every meeting.
In truth, they shared the sentiment, but with Wang Yang, the big boss, leading, they stayed back, providing mental support.
The Ministry of Culture’s leader felt helpless; the matter was significant, and he couldn’t make decisions on his own, so he tried to mediate, "Alright, let’s not quarrel during this festive season. We'll discuss this issue further later!"
Hmph!
Wang Yang snorted and fell silent.
The atmosphere returned to normal, and after chatting for some time, the meeting adjourned.
Each factory director planned to stay in the capital for a few more days before heading back, organizing activities to have some fun.
The directors moved out in small groups when suddenly Wang Yang called, "Old Xu!"
"Mm?"
Xu Sangchu turned around.
Wang Yang leaned in closer and whispered, "Although we're not on good terms, we must work together this time. I want to write to the central government after the New Year. What’s your stance?"
"…"
Xu Sangchu looked at him and replied, "As long as you dare to send the letter, I will definitely be the first to support you!"
"That’s good to know; you still have some guts!"
Wang Yang laughed heartily, striding away to contact the other factory directors.
As for this matter, it had to be led by Northeastern Film since it was situated at the political center!
(The End)