Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 782 The Letter of Appointment

Over the next two days, Jiang Tiantian spent a considerable amount of money on tuition and, under Chen Fan's guidance, finally finished writing her first screenplay.

Because it was just a literary script, I only realized how simple it was after I started writing it.

So she always felt that she had paid too much tuition, and she couldn't just let him ask for the same price next time; she had to bargain, otherwise she would feel like she had lost out.

Only Jiang Lili was gloating, but before she could finish being happy, Jiang Tiantian said, "When you go to him to learn to draw new fashion designs, let's see how much tuition you'll have to pay!"

Then Jiang Lili was stunned. Thinking of her sister's dejected look when she paid her tuition, she couldn't help but feel worried.

Of course, tuition fees are a minor issue; finding a job is the priority.

Besides the literary script, the storyboard is even more important, which was naturally the responsibility of Director Chen.

In fact, he had already drawn up the storyboard before Jiang Tiantian's literary script was finished... Anyway, they were all family, so communication was very convenient. Rather than drawing the storyboard based on the literary script, it was more accurate to say that he adapted the literary script based on the storyboard.

Their family's affairs are always so unconventional.

Once Jiang Tiantian's script was finished, Chen Fan handed both scripts to Kuang Mingyi. The two discussed filming issues and then asked Kuang Mingyi to start the pre-production preparations.

I estimate that filming can begin when we return to the provincial capital in September, when school starts.

Afterwards, Chen Fan, carrying the certificate and letter of introduction issued by Jiang Film Studio, flew to Beijing with Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili.

On the plane, the three of them sat in a row, eating the food that the flight attendant had just brought. The two sisters drank beverages, while Chen Fan drank Moutai and chatted quietly.

The Trident IE was once one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, capable of landing in zero visibility in the 1960s, which caused a sensation. But now it is somewhat outdated and in a few years it will become an obsolete model, completely overtaken by Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. Later, McDonnell Douglas was swallowed by Boeing and became the largest, until Airbus caught up, but by then Trident had disappeared.

If the Trident had any advantages back then, it was that its seats were much larger than those of later airplane seats.

In contrast to the trend of making cars wider and wider in later generations, airplane seats have become narrower and narrower. Airplane seats in the 60s were even more spacious than business class seats in later years, and eventually, they could no longer accommodate a large person.

After all, with a fixed cabin area, the smaller the seats, the more seats there are, and the more tickets are available.

Airplanes still primarily serve the wealthy. If the seats are made smaller, the wealthy will get angry, and it's the airlines that will suffer.

The Trident aircraft has a cabin width of only 3.2 meters, making it a typical narrow-body aircraft. However, it also has few seats, with only five seats per row, two on one side and three on the other, with an aisle in the middle.

Chen Fan and his two companions were sitting in a row of three seats, with no armrests between them. If they weren't in a public place, they could lie down directly.

Although the seats were spacious, the three of them sat very close together. Only because Chen Fan was sitting on the side did he not attract any strange looks.

Upon hearing about the people Chen Fan was looking for, Jiang Tiantian took a sip of her soda, feeling somewhat curious, and couldn't help but ask, "Can those people really make movies?"

The main purpose of this trip to Beijing is to find actors. After finding the actors, I can fulfill Chen Fan's promise and take them on a trip around at public expense.

However, Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili both thought that Chen Fan was going to borrow people from Beijing Film Studio. After all, Beijing Film Studio is now one of the best film studios in the country. The others are Changchun Film Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, and August First Film Studio. The rest are not worth worrying about.

Unexpectedly, the people Chen Fan was looking for were the martial arts figures from the capital who came to spar on the opening day of Chaoyang Temple.

Who can make movies?

Chen Fan took a sip of wine, leaned back in his chair, looked at the white clouds outside the window, and chuckled softly, "I'm going to make a martial arts film. Acting skills aren't important. What's important is physical prowess, so there's no need to look for actors from film studios."

As for the training base for martial arts stars in mainland China in later generations: Shichahai Sports School, which was then called "Beijing Amateur Sports School", it had already become quite famous, mainly because in the 1975 National Games, Li won the all-around championship in the martial arts routine competition.

The martial arts team he belonged to was only established in November 1974 by the Taipei Sports Commission, and its foundation was the junior martial arts class of the amateur sports school.

The fact that they achieved such great results in less than a year has shocked their peers across the country.

After that, the martial arts team frequently performed for foreign guests and even went abroad to perform, which earned them a certain reputation overseas.

But to truly make Shichahai Sports School famous both at home and abroad, it was after the release of the movie "Shaolin Temple." This phenomenal film not only sparked a craze for martial arts films both domestically and internationally, but also brought fame to two organizations and one individual, one of whom was Shichahai Sports School.

The other two are well-known and need no further explanation.

Just as Chen Fan was pondering, Jiang Lili couldn't help but ask, "Then why don't you go to the amateur sports school's martial arts team in Shichahai? They've won championships before."

Chen Fan snapped out of his daze, smiled, and said, "The level of the Shichahai Sports School Wushu Team is indeed quite good, but don't forget, they have to follow orders. The National Games are next month. Will the sports school let them out to film movies?"
Even if we can wait this time, what about next time?
I'm going to make four or five parts of this movie, and I can't keep giving in to them every time, can I? Although I, Old Chen, have some influence outside, that's only if it doesn't interfere with my work or disrupt the normal order of their workplace.

If a conflict arises, each organization will prioritize its own interests. For example, Shanghai Film Studio rejected the script because of a few minor issues.

Who can guarantee that Shichahai Sports School won't hold onto its athletes for competitions and training, wasting all my time and effort?

Jiang Lili and Jiang Tiantian both nodded in realization. Making movies was important to Chen Fan and Master Zhang, but not to others. In addition, their company was in the right. Winning glory and honor for the country was more honorable than making movies.

No one could say no.

Wouldn't this problem be avoided if we selected martial arts practitioners from the general public?

Of course not. Those people either don't have a work unit, or if they do, it's mostly a production or livelihood unit. They're not going to win glory for the country. On the contrary, making movies can bring glory to their work unit. Which smart leader would stop them?

They'd probably be too busy paying out of pocket to even bring their own food and bedding!

Jiang Lili shook her head with a sigh, her two little braids swaying on her shoulders, and said, "I didn't expect you to think so far ahead, even considering those things."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "A person who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present. Just think a little more."

He merely stood on the river of history and saw what was to come; it was nothing to mention.

The three of them ate and drank, talking quietly, and didn't feel the time passing by.

It was soon noon when the plane landed at the airport, and they were still somewhat reluctant to leave.

After leaving the airport, I hailed a Hongqi taxi at the taxi stand and headed straight for the city center.

Back at their home by Houhai Lake, the huge courtyard was deserted. Clearly, Liu Juan and Ma Lan were still working at the Taoist temple and had not returned.

However, the house was spotless, showing that although the two were busy with their work there, they hadn't neglected the cleanliness of the house.

The three of them went back to their rooms to wash up, and in less than half an hour, they all changed their clothes and came out, getting into the van they had borrowed from the Beijing office of Yunhu Machinery Factory, and heading to Chaoyang Temple, which was not far away.

After parking the car in the backyard, Chen Fan went up and knocked on the door.

Someone responded quickly, "Coming!"

As soon as the courtyard gate was opened, Liu Juan saw Chen Fan at first glance and was overjoyed. "Oh, Brother Chen, you're back!"

She then greeted the two sisters, "Sister Tiantian, Sister Lili."

He then stepped aside to let the three inside, closing the courtyard gate behind him. As Chen Fan walked in, he asked, "Are Master Zhang and the others all here?"

Liu Juan closed the door, turned around and followed behind him, and said with a smile, "Grandpa Zhang comes every day, but Grandpa Li's eyesight is not good, so he hasn't come for several days. Grandpa Lin can't stay idle, he only comes in the morning and then I don't know where he goes."

Chen Fan nodded slightly, "Yes, that's their personality."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "So where is Master Zhang now?"

Liu Juan immediately pointed ahead, "When he's not busy, he's usually in the front and middle courtyards. Occasionally he'll drink tea and read books in the library. He's in the middle courtyard right now."

Chen Fan was taken aback, stopped and turned to look at her, saying, "Master Zhang is reading in the Sutra Repository?"

real or fake?

Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili looked at each other, both able to see the smile in each other's eyes.

Master Zhang used to get dizzy just looking at books. When did he change his ways and start loving to read?
Liu Juan suddenly covered her mouth and giggled incessantly, "Shortly after you left the capital, Grandpa Zhang loved to go into the library and study the Tao Te Ching diligently. But after more than three months, he was still only on the first page."

Chen Fan was speechless for a moment, then turned and walked towards the scripture pavilion. "What is he doing? Is he just messing around for no reason?"

Liu Juan waved to Ma Lan, who came out after hearing the noise, and said, "Go ahead and call Grandpa Zhang. Brother Chen is looking for him."

Ma Lan greeted Chen Fan and the other two with a smile before nodding and saying, "Okay."

After saying that, he crossed the connecting corridor and ran forward.

At this moment, the few young Taoist priests who had stayed in the backyard came out and respectfully bowed to Chen Fan, saying, "Disciples greet the Abbot and welcome him back to the temple."

Chen Fan returned the greeting with a smile and asked, "Has anything happened these past few months?"

Lei Kongyun, who held the position of supervisor, stepped forward and said respectfully, "Reporting to the abbot, all miscellaneous tasks are handled in an orderly manner, and there is nothing else."

Then he turned to Lei Kongyu, who was in charge of documents, and Xu Xianzheng, who was in charge of accounting, and said, "Bring the book that records the daily affairs and the Taoist temple's account books for the abbot to review."

Before Lei Kongyu could speak, Chen Fan waved his hand, "I have something to do now. I'll leave that thing in the tea room of the Scripture Pavilion and look at it another day."

As the abbot, he couldn't completely abandon his responsibilities, otherwise his subordinates would easily become complacent. However, he couldn't be expected to be diligent and conscientious. It was enough for him to just put on a show. After all, the affairs book and ledger were right next to him, and who knew if he had even looked at them?

Chen Fan waved for everyone to disperse and entered the scripture room. Liu Juan immediately brought over three cups of tea.

Before he could get an answer to his previous question, Chen Fan asked it again.

As a result, Liu Juan started laughing again.

Chen Fan looked at the two sisters, then at her, wondering if Master Zhang had made a fool of himself. Was it really that funny?
After catching her breath, Liu Juan smiled and said, "Grandpa Zhang often tells the stories of Chaoyang Temple to the worshippers. He also said that he was a Taoist priest back then, and some very devout believers asked him to teach them the Taoist scriptures. However, he could never answer them, and it was always the young Taoist priest Kongyun who answered for him."

As time went on, he worried that he would be exposed, so he would take time to come here to read. However, he was too embarrassed to ask the young Taoist priests for help, and he couldn't understand the books himself, so after more than three months, he still hadn't finished the first page.

Chen Fan covered his face with his hand, feeling he couldn't bear to look.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "When you go back tonight, go to the study in the attic on the third floor. There are Taoist scriptures in the northwest corner. On the third shelf of the first bookshelf, there is an annotated version of the Tao Te Ching. Take one and let Master Zhang read it from now on."

When it came to serious matters, Liu Juan immediately straightened up and nodded solemnly, "Yes, I've got it."

Then he retreated.

Chen Fan was holding a teacup and had just blown on it a few times when Zhang Xuansong walked in, leaning on his cane.

Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili immediately stood up and obediently called out, "Third Master."

Zhang Xuansong nodded with a smile, "Okay, okay, please sit down."

Turning to look at Chen Fan, she was immediately furious. Her face hardened, and she said, "You don't even move your butt when you see your master. You have no manners at all."

Chen Fan took a sip of tea and smiled calmly, "In any temple, the abbot is the most important person. You didn't even greet the abbot when you saw him."

Zhang Xuansong, his face dark with anger, picked up his cane and prepared to unleash the Madman's Staff Technique.

Then Chen Fan shut him down with a single sentence.

"Third Master, you know how to write visiting cards, right? Send visiting cards to all the martial arts schools you know, such as the Sun School, Yang School, Wu School, Wu School, ... basically all the Tai Chi schools, as well as Bajiquan, Piguazhang, Tongbei, Xingyi, Sanhuang Paochui, ... basically all the martial arts schools you know."

Sweet and beautiful, ready with pen and ink.

Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili immediately stood up, suppressing their laughter, and went to the bookshelf to get writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Zhang Xuansong stood there dumbfounded, forgetting even to put down his cane, and asked him, "What's wrong? Are you going to challenge the entire martial arts world?"

Chen Fan almost spat out his tea, quickly coughed twice, put down the teacup, and looked at him with annoyance, saying, "I'm here to cast actors for the movie 'Monk Comes Down the Mountain'."

"The Taoist Priest Comes Down the Mountain?"

Zhang Xuansong immediately sat down next to him, his eyes full of hope, and whispered, "Is it the story you mentioned, about the Taoist priests of Chaoyang Temple going down the mountain to help the people and fight against the Japanese?"

This time, Chen Fan didn't tease him. He nodded seriously and said, "Yes, it's finished, but it hasn't been published yet. I plan to release the novel and the movie at the same time after the movie is made. That way, they will promote each other and have a wider impact."

After saying that, he glanced at Jiang Tiantian.

Jiang Tiantian now consciously took on the role of his secretary, immediately opened her briefcase, took out a thick stack of manuscripts, placed them in front of Zhang Xuansong, and said with a smile, "Third Master, these are the manuscripts."

Zhang Xuansong quickly put his cane aside, wiped his hands on his clothes, and then carefully picked up the manuscript.

But before he could even open it, he put it down again and beckoned to Jiang Tiantian, "Girl, bring me pen and ink, I want to write a visiting card."

The two sisters immediately got busy, one folding red paper and the other grinding black ink. Before long, Zhang Xuansong had written a pile of visiting cards, covering most of the large tea table.

(A visiting card from the Republic of China era)
After finishing writing, Zhang Xuansong tossed the brush aside, turned to Chen Fan, and said, "Good apprentice, is this enough? There's more if you need more."

He shook his head, turned to the two sisters standing beside him and smiled, “Back then, I went from Shandong to Jiangsu, then crossed the river to Jiangxi, and that’s how I joined the group. Although I didn’t meet as many martial arts people as I did in the capital, I still met quite a few. In terms of connections in the martial arts world, your other masters are definitely not as good as me!”

Chen Fan stood up, glanced at the items, nodded in satisfaction, and said to the two sisters, "Fold them according to the rules and pack them up."

He then said perfunctorily to Zhang Xuansong, "Yes, yes, Third Master is the best, but these are enough. You have more than twenty famous lineages here. I just want to find fourteen martial arts actors of all sizes. That should be enough."

The reason there were fourteen people is because there were fourteen Taoist priests who broke into the temple and went down the mountain with Zhang Xuansong back then. He was respecting the original prototype.

Zhang Xuansong grabbed him, "Whether it's enough or not, we can't choose an ugly actress to play me!"

(End of this chapter)