Global Film Emperor

Chapter 510 Competitors

"Teacher Wang? What happened to him?"

"A tumor was found, and the situation wasn't very optimistic, so I hurriedly resigned. Currently, there's no leader in your department, and my mentor is taking over Teacher Wang's documents."

"Second brother, what do you mean?"

“My opinion is the same as Master’s. If you’re interested, you can give it a try. But I also want to ask for your opinion. If you’re already very busy with your current job, or like Lao Ba, you don’t want to add to your workload, then you don’t need to worry about this.”

Upon hearing the news, Lu Ze nodded without hesitation and replied, "I'll take it on, Second Brother. I'll go and make preparations right away. If we need to return to China now, I'll leave immediately."

The speaker did not mention the master or the other fellow disciples, because some things are things you have to do at a certain stage or position, and have nothing to do with other people's expectations; they are simply to demonstrate your personal value.

Value is not necessarily about how wealthy one is or how much positive contribution one makes to society, since most people can hardly reach that level. Personal value is mostly about connecting the past and the future, linking social networks, being able to help those around you, and having the ability to solve problems. This is the best interpretation of value for ordinary people.

When he has the ability and qualifications, Lu Ze will definitely step up whenever the opportunity arises to ensure that Chen Yongbin's lineage can continue to flourish. He has received a great favor from Old Master Chen Yongbin, and as his disciple, he must repay the favor by standing up when needed, so that Old Master Chen can stand taller and have more say. Lu Ze cannot just take advantage without paying any price.

Unless he learns from Song Guiyuan, doesn't rely on Old Master Chen's help, and doesn't participate in any systemic operations, but simply because Old Master Chen taught him skills to support his family, he fulfills his duty to help Old Master Chen live out his old age. This is the purest master-disciple relationship, but it also has its drawbacks. Although others give Old Song face, they don't really take him seriously.

"The department is still being managed by the old man. The formal election will take a few more months. It's good that you're back now, so the old man can show you around. You've been abroad for most of the year, and you do need to visit some of the teachers in your association. But there's a problem I need to make clear to you in advance."

"You said it, Second Brother."

"From what the old man said... it seems that Ge Yunzheng also has some thoughts on this."

Lu Ze wasn't surprised, because Ge Yunzheng had the qualifications and a strong network of connections. Even compared to Lu Ze, he was no less capable; both were influential figures who had connections in both the north and south.

Old Ge's development history is completely opposite to Lu Ze's. Lu Ze established himself in the south but held connections with academies in the capital, while Ge Yunzheng graduated from the Magic Academy but made a name for himself in the capital.

In terms of background, Lu Ze, who has the support of the Northern Academy, has a slight advantage. After all, the headquarters of the China Film Association is in the capital, and the Southern Academy has a slightly weaker voice. However, Ge Yunzheng himself has a stronger advantage than Lu Ze. After all, he is a regular lead actor for CCTV and the August First Film Studio, and he has just as many good friends in the system who can help him as Lu Ze.

Secondly, Ge Yunzheng is a genuine leading figure in CCTV dramas, and his popularity among the masses is much stronger than that of Lu Ze, a film actor. Although the public does not participate in the election of new department leaders, the association still needs to consider the public's feedback. It would be best if everyone could be happy and the wishes of the people could be met.

Another issue is age. Ge Yunzheng is more than a decade older than Lu Ze. Although when it comes to choosing a leader, everyone hopes that the most capable person will take the lead, and seniority is just an added bonus, the mindset of so many years still has a subtle influence. When it comes to choosing a leader who is not closely related to oneself, most people still hope that someone with more seniority will be in the decision-making position.

After weighing his own advantages and disadvantages against Ge Yunzheng, Lu Ze was really unsure of himself and couldn't think of any solutions for the time being. Lost in thought, he didn't say anything. When his second brother heard that Lu Ze had stopped talking, he continued to speak, but he was considering Lu Ze's well-being.

"You have some connection with Ge Yunzheng, right? Is this something that's causing you trouble?"

"If you're not in a difficult position, then I won't be either."

"You kid..."

These words amused and angered the second senior brother. Indeed, among actors who have reached the level of Ge Yunzheng and Lu Ze, who wouldn't have some kind of relationship with whom? Even he himself was a frequent dinner buddy of Ge Yunzheng, but compared to Lu Ze, who would he push for leadership? Everyone knew the answer; naturally, close friends couldn't compare to family.

But did he have any trouble with this? Of course not. Everyone knows that when there's no power struggle between them, they're all good friends. If you need anything, you can ask anyone for help, and they'll do whatever they can.

When there is competition, the two sides can use their skills to their advantage. As long as they don't lower themselves or resort to backstabbing, no matter the outcome, neither side will become enemies afterward. "When you're not doing well, you're surrounded by petty people; when you've made it big, you're surrounded by good people."

Someone in the industry said something that many people couldn't quite grasp, only finding it philosophical. But in reality, this statement directly addresses reality. The first part is easy to understand: there are too many wolves and not enough meat, so don't blame others for being petty—perhaps you yourself are a petty person. But the second part, if you interpret it as you standing up for others and becoming the one providing the meat, and therefore others respect you, is rather one-sided.

You can think of it this way: once you've made it big, it's hard to make enemies with others.

No matter how big the conflict of interest is, once it's over, the loser will definitely hold a grudge. If he doesn't have a knot in his heart, he's not human. But he will still be your friend, because after this matter is over, he will need your help again one day, and you will definitely create a new point of interest together.

Unless someone kicks you when you're down, or flips the table and slaps you, it's really hard for someone of Lu Ze's level to fight with anyone. After thinking it over for a moment, the second brother realized he was overthinking it. He then remembered that Lu Ze was a ruthless person who climbed up from the very bottom of the money circle, unlike his other eight fellow disciples, who were academics who came from the system of film and television works.

Within the system, with a mentor to guide them, their path, though difficult, is steady and smooth. Lu Ze, on the other hand, has spent over a decade struggling in the mire of money, openly and brutally fighting with others, using countless people as stepping stones, and getting to his current position by ruthlessly seizing resources. People like Lu Ze are not afraid of competition; in fact, in the quagmire of money, taking food from others is their instinct for survival.

That's why it's said that actors within the system can't compete with artists trained by entertainment companies. One is like a fledgling waiting to be fed by its parent bird in the nest, while the other is like a venomous snake that preys on its own kind, growing fat and strong, and then killing its prey like a poisonous insect. The two are simply incomparable.

After secretly comparing himself back then with Lu Ze now, the second brother on the other end of the phone felt a little ashamed. This was a natural reaction of a hothouse flower, and he was truly embarrassed.

"Then you should come back sometime when you're nearby and discuss how to handle this matter with your master. I'll hang up now, I have a meeting to attend later."

"It's all settled, thank you for your help, Second Brother."

"Stop talking nonsense..."

The second brother mumbled something and hung up the phone. Lu Ze put his phone away and sat on the bench by the front door, lost in thought. Not long after, he heard footsteps and conversations coming from upstairs. Mickey and his group were coming downstairs, probably having finished watching Griezmann's movie and preparing to see him off.

"Mr. Lu."

"Hmm, you've finished reading? I'm sorry, I had something to do earlier, so I came out first."

After a normal exchange, Lu Ze's apology was accepted by Griezmann. After a few more pleasantries, Griezmann took his leave and drove away, leaving Lu Ze and the other two to return to the conference room.

Mickey plopped down in the chair, and due to inertia, the chair slid back nearly half a meter before stopping. It was clear that Mickey was trying to calm his fright, otherwise he wouldn't have loosened his shirt buttons and been fanning himself.

"I've made up my mind. If the price is right, I'll buy the movie."

He doesn't need anyone else's help to make decisions. Even Lu Ze only holds shares in Universal Brothers, and the company is still Mickey's personal fiefdom. His decisions are irrelevant even if people from Gambiano Pictures are present.

At this moment, Lu Ze also announced his upcoming schedule.

I'm going back to China tomorrow.

"..."

The following plot isn't about a power struggle, but rather uses it as a prelude to create a story everyone's been waiting for: Lu Ze getting on TV (doge).
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(End of this chapter)