Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

The next day.

Fatty Wang visited again and conveyed Boss Shao's message to Zhang Shuai'an.

After listening, Zhang Shuai'an laughed and said, "Boss Shao really is... exactly as rumored."

"This is because Mr. Shao values ​​talent." Fatty Wang felt that Boss Shao was a bit too stingy, but as a member of the Shao family, he naturally couldn't speak ill of his boss behind his back.

Zhang Shuai'an really doesn't care much about the scriptwriting fee. Right now, he's focused on becoming famous as soon as possible. Once he's famous, he can make money much faster than he does now.

Previously, he planned to become famous through writing, but now he's had an unexpected bonus: becoming famous through television dramas is indeed faster and has a wider impact. After gaining fame through television dramas, he'll immediately start a company to produce movies. With the system's assistance, he still has a chance to become a capitalist within the next ten years.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Shuai'an said, "I need to meet with Boss Shao to discuss some specific matters."

This was naturally within Shao Yifu's expectations.

Fatty Wang replied, "Sure, Mr. Shao said you can go see him anytime."

"There's no time like the present, let's do it now."

Zhang Shuai'an stood up and said to Fatty Wang.

Fatty Wang wasn't surprised. He took Zhang Shuai'an downstairs and they went to Shaw Brothers Studio in his car.

After they left, Aunt He and He Jiatong came out of the room.

Aunt He said in shock, "Anzai has really made something of himself. Is he going to become a big star? He's even going to act in TV dramas."

"Actually, I filmed a movie the day I came ashore."

He Jiatong boasted with no small amount of pride, "That director even praised Anzai and me for our talent, saying we'll become big stars in the future."

"You have absolutely no talent." Aunt He glanced at her nephew disdainfully and said irritably, "You're good for nothing but eating. But, once Anzai becomes famous, you can follow him around. Even if you just help him carry a bag or open a door... you'll still be able to eat."

"Aunt, I know." He Jiatong didn't feel ashamed to be Zhang Shuai'an's bag carrier. Anyway, back in the mainland, he was basically following Zhang Shuai'an around.

Aunt He then muttered, "But Anzai is really something, he doesn't want money, he's a bit silly."

"Perhaps he has other considerations," He Jiatong explained. "Shuai An has always been a decisive person, so there must be a reason why he did this."

Aunt He murmured, "From the first moment I saw Anzai, I knew he was destined for wealth and honor, with a strong destiny, and he was definitely not an ordinary person."

"Auntie, what do you think my fate is?" He Jiatong stood up excitedly, but then twisted her waist again and retreated in a panic: "Ahhh, my waist!"

Aunt He rolled her eyes speechlessly and helped him lie back down on the sofa: "It's my bad luck to have you."

……

Shaw Studios.

Zhang Shuai'an followed Fatty Wang to Shao Yifu's office.

Fatty Wang knocked on the door and said, "Boss, I've brought Mr. Zhang Shuai'an over."

"Come in," came Shao Yifu's rather cold voice from inside.

Fatty Wang pushed open the door and entered, and Zhang Shuai'an followed him in.

Besides Shao Yifu, Fang Yihua was also present.

"Boss, this is Zhang Shuai'an." After entering, Fatty Wang pointed to Zhang Shuai'an and introduced him.

Zhang Shuai'an also said very politely, "Hello, Mr. Shao, I am Zhang Shuai'an, the author of 'Young Detective Bao Qingtian'."

"He is indeed handsome, with some of my charm from when I was young," Shao Yifu said with a smile.

Fang Yihua almost couldn't help but laugh. When Shao Yifu was young, he could only be described as having decent looks, but he was far from being handsome.

"Jingzai has already conveyed your request once, but I want to hear it from you in person."

Shao Yifu stared intently at Zhang Shuai'an and said in a very serious tone, "I want to know if you're arrogant because of your talent, or if you think TVB is nothing?"

"Neither. My proposal is purely a matter of mutual benefit."

Zhang Shuai'an got straight to the point: "TVB has recently been suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of RTV's 'Reincarnated,' and now urgently needs a high-quality script to quickly regain its footing and even surpass its competitors. My script is of absolutely the required quality and will not be difficult to film, making it Mr. Shao's best choice at the moment."

"I'm afraid that's not necessarily true." Shao Yifu wasn't someone who was easily fooled. He said calmly, "My Shaw Brothers has a wealth of talent. A mere script is no challenge for me. Even if I don't write a new script, I can adapt any Jin Yong or Gu Long novel and finish filming it within a month, and the ratings won't be much lower."

That's true; that's how history originally unfolded.

Without Zhang Shuai'an's interference, Shao Yifu would have directly commissioned Wang Tianlin and others to adapt Gu Long's novel "Chu Liuxiang" within half a month, starring Zheng Shaoqiu and Zhao Yazi. From the decision to begin filming to the airing of the first episode, the entire process took less than ten days.

Back then, Cheng Shao-chau only slept three hours a day, constantly filming TV series, and almost wore himself out.

"Chor Lau Heung" became an instant hit in Hong Kong upon its release, achieving an exceptionally high viewership rating of 77%, completely outperforming RTV and redeeming TVB.

In 1981, the series was also introduced and broadcast by Taiwan's CTV, where it achieved explosive ratings of 70%, setting a precedent for the broadcast of Hong Kong dramas in Taiwan and prompting the authorities to impose restrictions on the import and broadcast of Hong Kong dramas.

Now that this has not yet happened, Zhang Shuai'an naturally wants to intercept it.

"I know."

Zhang Shuai'an nodded, his attitude remaining calm: "However, doing that would definitely cost you a lot of money, Boss Shao. Overtime pay for employees, actors' salaries... and so on. But with me, I don't want screenwriter fees, I don't want actors' salaries, and I can broadcast the first episode within ten days and finish filming within a month."

Shao Yifu raised an eyebrow slightly. This kid is a ruthless one!

Fatty Wang was stunned. He had read the first volume of the novel "Young Detective Bao Qingtian". The male lead had a lot of scenes and lines. If the first episode was filmed in ten days, he would have to film for about twenty hours a day. Even an iron man couldn't handle that.

Fang Yihua was also somewhat shocked: "This kid is willing to risk his life for fame?"

Zhang Shuai'an wasn't risking his life. He had the "Eternal Essence" buff, which meant his stamina consumption was only 50% of a normal person's. So, a 20-hour workday was just 10 hours for him, which wasn't considered long.

Before he transmigrated, he was a motion capture actor. Sometimes, to meet project deadlines, he would film for several days and nights in a row. Ten hours of intense shooting was nothing to him.

Shao Yifu became genuinely interested and asked, "Why are you risking your life like this?"

"To become famous!" Zhang Shuai'an's answer was still straightforward: "I just swam here from the mainland. If I just look for a job step by step, I don't know when I'll get rich. I have to become famous as soon as possible so that I can have the opportunity to monetize my fame, earn more money, and live a good life."

Shao Yifu asked with a smile, "Is this also a reason for not signing long-term contracts?"

"Yes." Zhang Shuai'an nodded. "Once I become famous, I can do what I want. Although TVB offers a fixed salary, that's not what I'm after."

Shao Yifu said calmly, "If this drama makes you famous and you just turn around and leave, then I'll be at a huge loss."

"I said from the beginning that it was a win-win situation!"

Zhang Shuai'an replied with a smile, "I gave up my salary and screenwriting fee just to take a chance to become famous. If the ratings explode, you can find someone to make a sequel and continue to promote newcomers. If it doesn't become famous, you'll only lose some labor costs, which is a good deal for you. You might even gain a reputation for being a 'money-grubbing horse bone' (a Chinese idiom for someone who has made a fortune through hard work)."

Finally, he countered with a question: "If you can't even afford the slightest loss, do you still deserve to be called Shao Daheng?"

Fang Yihua's expression changed drastically, and she shouted at Zhang Shuai'an, "Shut up! Do you know who you're talking to?!"

"You've got guts!" Shao Yifu waved his hand at Fang Yihua and then said, "Alright, we'll do it your way. Sign the contract right away."

He then pointed at Fatty Wang and instructed, "Jingzai, you'll be in charge of this production. Your father doesn't need to be the producer; let Zhao Zhenqiang handle it, and you'll be his assistant. Finalize the cast list within two days, and start filming on the third day. I want to see the first episode air in ten days! Any questions?"

Fatty Wang was shocked: "Boss, there's no problem!"