Hong Kong 1990: From stuntman to King of Kung Fu

In the living room, Tang Jia and Tang Long sat facing each other, speechless.

Tang Long didn't know what to say. When he transmigrated, Tang Jia had already gone to Canada.

Tang Jia considered what to say, feeling that Tang Long had changed a lot in the past year.

Finally, Tang Long couldn't stand the silence any longer and spoke first:

"Uncle, why did you suddenly come back? Has Aunt's ear problem been cured?"

"If I don't come back soon, you'll sell the house your dad left you."

"Was it my boss who called you back?"

"Cheng Xiaodong didn't let me come back; he just told me about your situation."

Tang Jia originally wanted to scold him.

But seeing Tang Long's upright posture and firm gaze, unlike his previous timid demeanor, he swallowed back his curse.

My nephew has grown up.

For the first time, he didn't speak to his nephew in the tone of an elder.

Tell me your thoughts, be specific.

Tang Long's hope was rekindled, and he told Tang Jia his plans in detail.

He revealed without reservation his desire for fame, the reasons for mortgaging his property, and his preparations after the film's failure.

Tang Jia smoked a cigarette and listened quietly.

"It seems you didn't act on impulse. I was afraid you were acting rashly, so I rushed back from Canada to stop you."

You're an adult now. When I was your age, I was already running the household and taking care of your father.

Since you've thought it through, I won't stop you.

What angers me is that you've been bothering Cheng Xiaodong all along, even preparing to mortgage your property, but why haven't you come to me?

I am your uncle!

"Uncle, I was wrong. I was thinking that you and Auntie are both retired, and I didn't want to trouble you."

Tang Jia's tone was stern, but Tang Long could feel his deep concern.

Therefore, it was decisive to admit the mistake first.

Tang Long didn't not want to find him; he simply forgot about him.

If the other party doesn't come back this time, he won't even remember that he has an uncle.

Hearing this, Tang Jia's expression softened considerably, and he said:

"There's nothing wrong with it. You have to remember that we are family."

If there's anyone in this world who would help you without considering their own interests, it's your family.

"Don't mortgage the house yet. It's the last guarantee your father left you. Show me the script."

Tang Long quickly handed the script he was carrying to the other party.

Tang Jia flipped through the script, her brows furrowed the whole time.

He witnessed firsthand the glory of traditional Hong Kong martial arts films, and his own achievements also stemmed from these films.

Therefore, the story of "The Blade" made him feel that it was somewhat unconventional.

Although he didn't agree with it in his heart, he didn't completely deny it.

He was very self-aware; the reason he retired was partly because he felt he couldn't keep up with the times.

Tang Jia heard Cheng Xiaodong mention that Xu Ke had a very high opinion of the script, which meant that the script did have its merits.

"Leave the script with me for now. I still have some old connections; I'll see if I can secure some investment."

After putting the script away, he continued:

"Go and make the bed in the guest room; I'm still jet-lagged."

"Uncle, I've converted the guest room into a practice room and a study." Tang Long looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Then tidy up your room, you can sleep on the sofa tonight."

Tang Jia showed no courtesy to his nephew.

He rested for two days before he could fully recover.

In the afternoon, Tang Jia arrived at the Peninsula Hotel's tea restaurant and, sure enough, saw Shao Daheng's gaunt figure in a reserved spot.

He stepped forward, but was stopped by Shao Daheng's bodyguards just as he was about to get close.

Hearing the commotion, Shao Daheng turned around and saw Tang Jia. He waved to his bodyguards to let him through.

"Mr. Shao, I'm sorry to bother you. I should have made an appointment to visit you in advance."

Tang Jia sat down opposite Shao Daheng, but only half of his buttocks were on the ground.

"Ah Jia, didn't you retire and settle down in Canada? Are you planning to come back into the spotlight?"

"We do have this idea. My wife and I are not used to living in Canada and plan to settle down here."

As for returning to public life, it's mainly for my nephew.

He wrote a script and would like Mr. Shao to give it a review.

"I knew you wouldn't come here unless you needed something," Shao Daheng laughed. "Since you've asked, I can't refuse you. Let me take a look at the script."

Tang Jia handed over the script, and Shao Daheng took it and flipped through it, remaining calm throughout.

"It's clear your nephew has a lot of ideas, but this script isn't very commercially viable, so it won't do very well at the box office."

Shao Daheng has a keen eye and his evaluation is incisive.

"The story is indeed not commercially viable, and it is even depressing to watch, quite different from the martial arts films that we made at Shaw Brothers back then."

But Mr. Shao, you should be able to see that the kind of martial arts films we used to make are outdated, and audiences are tired of them.

Now is the time for martial arts films to change.

Tsui Hark's recent film "Swordsman" was an exploration, and his exploration should be considered successful.

The media has defined "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" as a new type of martial arts novel.

The concept of new martial arts is currently very popular, and "The Blade" can also be defined as new martial arts.

The audience for "The Blade" may be small, but promoting it as a new martial arts film should attract a considerable number of viewers.

This project requires little investment, is easy to recoup, and can even generate a small profit.

This is the project investment plan, Mr. Shao, you can take a look.

After speaking, Tang Jia handed over a document and then poured some tea for Shao Daheng.

This project investment plan was prepared by him and Tang Long over the past two days.

Since we're going to attract investment, we naturally need to be well-prepared.

As Shao Daheng flipped through the pages, he said:

"A production cost of five million Hong Kong dollars is indeed not high, huh? No wonder you're so interested. Your nephew is not only the screenwriter, but he also wants to be the male lead."

"He's rather stubborn, and young people often act arrogantly and ignorantly."

He even wanted to mortgage his property to make this movie, which I scolded him for.

I know that although you, Mr. Shao, shut down Shaw Brothers films, your love for movies has never diminished.

Only a film mogul like Mr. Shao could successfully produce a niche genre like "The Blade".

Therefore, I came to you for help immediately.

Two years ago, Shao Daheng founded Metropolitan Film Company, clearly indicating that he has not completely given up on film.

This is, after all, an industry he's been in for decades that made him rich; it's not something he can just cut off.

Shao Daheng was not blinded by Tang Jia's flattery and calmly said:

"It's good that young people are energetic, but five million is neither a lot nor a little."

Your nephew is a newcomer with no fame or box office appeal, which will significantly increase the risk of the film breaking even.

Tang Jia took a deep breath, then met Shao Daheng's gaze and said firmly:

"Mr. Shao, I will personally invest two million, you only need to invest three million. When the movie is finished, you will deduct the investment cost from the profits first."

This means that if "The Blade" is released and its box office revenue is less than five million, he will suffer a loss.

If the share of the profits is only three million, then he will lose all of his two million investment.

The risks he needs to take have increased significantly.

"Ah Jia, you really care about your nephew," Shao Daheng said with a smile.

"I practically raised his father, and I watched him grow up too."

Since young people have ideas and drive, we, as elders, shouldn't discourage them.

But my abilities are limited, and I cannot fully cover his expenses. I can only swallow my pride and ask Mr. Shao for help.

After listening, Shao Daheng didn't say anything more and quietly took two sips of tea.

Under Tang Jia's expectant gaze, Shao Daheng slowly said:

"I've invested the three million. Bring your lawyer to TVB tomorrow to sign the contract."