Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 362 Two swords combined
After the interview, Zhang Weiping and the reporters left happily.

The reporters got the sensational scoops and eye-catching topics they wanted, while Zhang Weiping took the opportunity to kick Zhang Yimou again.

His goal was to crush Zhang Yimou, to completely erase him from the public eye. That way, Zhang Weiping, as the producer, could then claim all the credit and credit for Zhang Yimou's films over the years! He wanted to squeeze every last drop of value out of him!
Zhang Weiping wants to become the number one producer in China!
With this goal in mind, Zhang Weiping was full of hope for the future, waiting for these reporters to break these bombshells that very day.

However, things did not develop in the direction Zhang Weiping had expected. He had been interviewed in the morning, and in theory, some of the gossip reports should have been published by noon, and some of the evening papers should have been published in the entertainment section in the evening. But he waited and waited until 8 p.m., and none of the media outlets had published a single report!

Two media outlets published an article online, showing today's interview, but this fell far short of Zhang Weiping's desired effect!
Zhang Weiping thought to himself that this was quite strange and shouldn't be happening at all! With Zhang Yimou in such a situation, everyone was condemning him and wanted to kill him. Logically speaking, these media outlets should be scrambling to grab this wave of traffic. Why are they all so negative?
Zhang Weiping quickly picked up the phone and began contacting the media outlets he was familiar with. He hadn't been wasting his years of experience; he soon got through to a deputy editor-in-chief of a newspaper.

"Editor-in-Chief Liu, why wasn't this morning's interview published in the newspaper?"

"Haha, Mr. Zhang, we have more than one or two interviews every day. In the past few days, we even had some backlogged content, and there wasn't enough space to cover everything. It's common for today's interview to be a day or two late."

Zhang Weiping snorted inwardly and said directly, "Old Liu, what's our relationship? Are you trying to fool me? How about I bring a few bottles of Moutai to drink with you tomorrow?"

Editor-in-Chief Liu laughed and said, "Hahaha, let's drink! Who's afraid of who? We have a new young man from Shandong Province here, I'll bring him along tomorrow!"

"Alright, I'll help you, Lao Liu, assess the young man's true colors. What's going on? Don't try to hide it from me, okay?"

"Hehe, it's really not a big deal. Miracle Films specifically contacted us, asking us to help put some pressure on Director Zhang."

Zhang Weiping frowned upon hearing this: "What? Miracle Films? How did they get involved?"

"Old Zhang, I don't know about that. But we should always give Miracle Films face."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Weiping's expression turned grim. Zhang Yimou was extremely easy to deal with; he was like a lump of dough, easily molded, and Zhang Yimou couldn't resist him.

But Miracle Films is a different story. They wield considerable influence and have extensive collaborations and contacts with major newspapers and television stations, so these media outlets will naturally give them face. Right now, Zhang Weiping alone cannot compete with Miracle Films.

However, Zhang Weiping snorted coldly. These media outlets are all profit-driven. Even if they can suppress the scandals about Zhang Yimou for a day or two, they won't be suppressed for long. Moreover, they have already been exposed on the Internet. Unless there is some bigger and more explosive news, Zhang Yimou's affairs will definitely spread!
And now, with the selection process for the Olympic opening ceremony underway, what could attract more public attention than this?

Thinking of this, Zhang Weiping smiled. He wasn't in a hurry; it was just a matter of a few days earlier or later!
However, just as Zhang Weiping was thinking this, a major news story broke the next day, and it was related to Zhang Yimou. But this news was not as bad for Zhang Yimou as he had expected; on the contrary, it was quite the opposite:
"Two directors join forces, Wu Yuchen and Zhang Yimou form a team!"

This made Zhang Weiping jump up in anger. How could Zhang Yimou and Wu Yuchen be working together?! Forming a group? Is this even possible?
Zhang Weiping never expected this to happen. After all, other directors all formed their own teams to compete. In his mind, how could Wu Yuchen, the top Chinese director, possibly disregard his reputation and form a team with others?

Meanwhile, reporters were also relentlessly pursuing Wu Yuchen:
"Director Wu, why did you make this decision?"

"Director Wu, why did you suddenly announce that you would be forming a group with Zhang Yimou?"

"Director Wu, is your decision related to Zhang Yimou's previous scandal?"

Seeing the reporters asking random questions, Wu Yuchen gestured for them to stop, and the press officer quickly restored order. Once the room was quiet, Wu Yuchen spoke:
"The Olympic Games are a grand event for China and a celebration for our country. Therefore, it is my duty to do my part for the Olympics!"

As for why Director Zhang and I formed a team, it wasn't a sudden decision. In fact, Director Zhang and I have been exchanging ideas related to the Olympics for a long time, and we share many similar views on the Olympics. Therefore, forming a team together was a decision made after a period of careful consideration.

In my personal opinion, to successfully host such a major international event as the Olympics and to showcase the splendor of China, the efforts of just one person are far from sufficient; it requires the collective wisdom and hard work of everyone!
From this perspective, I believe that forming a team with Director Zhang was the right decision. Even if our proposal is rejected, if some of its elements, or even a brilliant idea, can help the Olympics or other teams, then we will be content!

Click, click, the reporters kept taking pictures, immediately spreading the firsthand news from the scene to all of China.

At this time, the internet was also in an uproar because of this news:

"My God, Wu Yuchen has actually merged with Zhang Yimou's team!"

"A perfect combination! This team is invincible! What other team can compare?!"

"You can't say that; we still have to see what the proposed plan is like."

"Damn! I never expected Director Wu to go to such lengths to help Zhang Yimou! He's so incredibly kind!"

"I thought Zhang Yimou was completely finished, but I didn't expect Wu Yuchen to suddenly lend him a hand at the crucial moment!"

"Why do you say that? Director Wu himself said it wasn't a sudden decision."

"Hehehe, that's too much of a coincidence. It just so happens that they came together right after Zhang Yimou's incident. It's obvious that Wu Yuchen saw that Zhang Yimou was being criticized too harshly and wanted to lend him a hand!"

"Director Wu is so righteous! He doesn't care about personal gains or losses at all and is so generous in accepting Zhang Yimou! Look at the other teams, they are all independent teams. Only Director Wu has the magnanimity to accept Zhang Yimou for the sake of the Olympics!"

"So, is Wu Yuchen or Zhang Yimou the leader of their team?"

"It's obviously Wu Yuchen, there's no doubt about it!"

"Although Zhang Yimou's morals are questionable, he is still quite capable. He's a good assistant to Director Wu!"

"Trust Director Wu, and don't speculate too much about conspiracy theories. No matter how many people are involved, as long as it benefits the Olympics, then there's nothing to say! Support!"

"I originally wanted to continue criticizing Zhang Yimou, but now, out of respect for Director Wu and for the sake of the Olympics, I'm not going to criticize him!"

"Zhang Yimou can help Director Wu with his work. If he can be selected to host the Olympics well, then we can let him off the hook!"

There are many similar comments online. Before, everyone was criticizing Zhang Yimou, attacking him from every angle, but as soon as this news came out, many people immediately changed their attitude.

When everyone saw that Wu Yuchen had stepped forward and, although he hadn't mentioned Zhang Yimou's over-birth issue, he had formed a team, it was clear that they were on the same side and had supported Zhang Yimou with their actions. So, of course, we had to support Director Wu!
And most importantly, this is no ordinary matter. Director Wu himself said it's for the Olympics! Combining the efforts of him and Zhang Yimou, and incorporating their respective strengths, makes this clearly a stronger team than any single individual's team!
For Director Wu and for the Olympics, a large number of people have switched sides, no longer criticizing Zhang Yimou, but instead starting to cheer for Wu Yuchen's team!

This didn't just leave Zhang Weiping dumbfounded; other teams involved in the Olympic campaign also felt uneasy after seeing the news.

When Zhang Yimou got into trouble before, they were actually gloating, and might even have secretly given him a push. But now, this has pushed Zhang Yimou to Wu Yuchen's side, and their teams have merged, forming an even stronger competitor! This has naturally given them a headache!

Amidst all this commotion, September 19th arrived quickly.

In Kuangou, Beijing, many reporters would arrive the night before to stake out a good spot for taking pictures.

"I'm coming!"

The first vehicle to pull up at the entrance was a military vehicle, from which stepped Zhang Jigang, the head of the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe. He led a core creative and planning team comprised of members from the military. The People's Army certainly played a crucial role in contributing to the Olympics!
Subsequently, a series of groups arrived, including the Shanghai Media Group's Shanghai team, which brought together local artists from Shanghai and the Nanjing system; the Guangdong team, which was formed by art groups from across Guangdong Province; an art team representing overseas Chinese artists, led by fireworks master Cai Guoqiang; and a joint group formed by the National Song and Dance Troupe and CCTV Arts Center.

Inside the central building, the judges, looking down at the lively scene below, remarked with smiles, "This is the most bustling place we've ever been since we were established!"

The leader chuckled and said, "This brings together the elite forces of China's arts and culture circle. How could it not be lively?"

Just then, the leader's phone rang. Upon seeing that it was Wu Yuchen's phone, he answered it with a smile and said, "Director Wu, you guys haven't even arrived yet, and you're already calling!"

"Boss, we'll be there soon. We're calling to ask if you could arrange for a few more staff to meet us at the entrance and help us with the tender documents."

"Moving the tender documents? Okay, I'll find someone to pick you up right away."

After hanging up the phone, he arranged the matter, only to hear one of the judges shake his head and say, "Director Wu is quite arrogant. What's so special about carrying the tender documents? It takes several people to pick them up."

"Perhaps it's because Director Wu and his team have a lot of bids."

"How many bids can they possibly submit? And isn't their team just him and Zhang Yimou? They still haven't won enough?"

Clearly, in his view, Wu Yuchen was just showing off and trying to make himself stand out from the crowd.

The leader smiled and waved his hand: "These are all minor matters. Today, our focus is on the plan. As long as we can successfully host the Olympics, everything else can be put aside."

The judges all nodded in agreement.

At this moment, many people in the press corps below shouted, "Director Chen is here!"

Director Chen Kaige stepped out of a Mercedes-Benz sedan, accompanied only by his wife Chen Hong, who was holding a brown paper document bag.

"Director Chen, look this way!"

"Director Chen, are you confident?"

As the reporters took photos and shouted, they were also a little puzzled, because compared to the previous candidate teams, Chen Kaizi's team seemed to have far too few people.

It wasn't that all the previous groups had sent a lot of people; each group had quite a few people, so it was impossible for everyone to come. But somehow each group had four or five people come down, and each of them was carrying a briefcase containing the campaign proposals and documents they had prepared for today.

Now, look at Director Chen, it's just the two of them, Chen Hong and Chen Hong. Chen Hong is holding a briefcase, looking very relaxed and comfortable, as if they're not here for an election, but rather to show off their love!
However, the reporters didn't care much; they just took pictures and sent them back immediately.

After Chen Kaizi walked in, a group of reporters were discussing: "Judging from Director Chen's confident demeanor, it feels like the directorship is already his for the taking."

"This Olympic selection process is full of hidden talents, and Coach Chen's confidence is currently unmatched! I admire his mindset!"

"Maybe Director Chen has some big surprise in mind!"

Just as the reporters were chattering away, someone suddenly shouted, "They're here! They're here!"

The reporters quickly hoisted their cameras, and then a convoy slowly approached. It was a real convoy, with a car in front and two trucks behind!

"Goodness! Who is this? Such a big fuss!"

"Good heavens, the trucks have arrived!"

The reporters were all amazed; previously, at most, it was just a minivan, but this time, two trucks had arrived!

After the convoy stopped, Wu Yuchen and Zhang Yimou stepped out of the car in front, one after the other, with smiles on their faces, attracting reporters to take pictures.

Upstairs, the judges, who had already taken their seats, were resting and preparing for the next judging stage when a staff member ran in and shouted, "Boss, why don't you go out and take a look?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Director Wu and Director Zhang brought two large truckloads of tender documents!"

(End of this chapter)