78: Zhang Dahuzi, who speaks out for the people

"Boss, I explicitly rejected him," Wang Cheng explained immediately.

Li Xiuwu nodded upon hearing this.

He thought for a moment and said, "Let's go down and see what he wants to do."

"Will Teacher Zhou come along to take a look as well?" he asked Zhou Xiaowen after speaking.

"Alright," Zhou Xiaowen nodded; he looked down on Big Beard Zhang.

"If there are any problems, push them onto me." He didn't care about his reputation.

Li Xiuwu smiled and went downstairs with everyone.

"Everyone, please stay calm. President Wang should be coming down soon," Big Beard Zhang said to the media reporters with a face full of confidence.

Golden Culture had refused to cooperate with him without giving any reason, and he certainly wasn't going to accept that.

He felt his status in the television industry was being challenged. He had contacted Jin Yong and the SARFT, but hadn't received the support he wanted.

Unable to find external help, he could only resort to his most skilled method: using the media to build momentum.

He wanted Golden Culture to see that hiring Big Beard Zhang as a producer was the trend of the times and what everyone expected.

The media had expectant looks on their faces. They had also heard rumors that Golden Culture had acquired the rights to the return of the condor heroes for the next five years, and Big Beard Zhang's request to be the producer had been rejected.

Golden Culture was a very strange company. Originally a talent agency for a song and dance hall, it was suddenly acquired, and the buyer invested a large amount of capital.

It first came to attention because a company accused Golden Culture of poaching three consecutive projects from them.

It spent a lot, entering the film and television industry like a fool throwing money around, as if telling everyone: our company has more money than sense.

The media always loved chaos; they liked it when people in the entertainment industry made a fuss. Therefore, when Big Beard Zhang reached out, many media outlets showed up.

Everyone took the elevator downstairs and saw the cameras and equipment outside through the windows.

"You go out first to assess the situation," Li Xiuwu said to Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng nodded, his expression very unsightly. Big Beard Zhang had made him lose face in front of the boss; he would definitely have to deal with him later.

"Director Zhang, are you planning to storm our gates?" Wang Cheng scanned the reporters, his gaze finally landing on Big Beard Zhang.

"President Wang must be joking. I'm also concerned about the development of film and television, and I've come to share your burdens," Big Beard Zhang said with a smile.

"the return of the condor heroes holds very important cultural significance for China, and its production needs careful consideration."

"Oh, Director Zhang is too kind. My Golden Culture has its own production plans," Wang Cheng said with a dark face, explicitly refusing.

However, Big Beard Zhang looked solemn, as if he were giving a speech.

"President Wang, you are mistaken! 'the return of the condor heroes' is not just a project of your company; it is the lifeblood of Mr. Jin Yong and a cultural treasure belonging to all Chinese-speaking audiences."

"I, Zhang, have been struggling in the television industry for years and have produced many of Jin Yong's dramas. My experience, connections, and grasp of the original work's essence—I won't say I'm number one, but I deeply understand the weight of it."

He walked forward a few steps, stepped onto the stairs, turned around, and looked at the reporters.

"I'm standing up not for myself, but to be responsible for the work and for the expectations of hundreds of millions of viewers!" He spoke with earnestness and conviction, sounding righteous as if he were petitioning for the people.

"Golden Culture has abundant funds, but film and television production requires more than just money; it needs a leader who knows the industry and has passion."

"If a classic is ruined due to a moment of acting on impulse, wouldn't that betray Mr. Jin Yong's trust and disappoint the audience?"

He stood on the steps, looking down from a height, like a guardian upholding artistic duty.

These words made Wang Cheng's face look very ugly.

The reporters below had shining eyes, like sharks smelling blood, already thinking about how to write the headlines, while the cameras faithfully recorded the scene.

"Well said, Director Zhang!" a reporter took the opportunity to echo loudly. "The audience indeed expects you to take the helm!"

"Artistic works cannot be ruined by rich people."

"President Wang, is Golden Culture being too overconfident, even shutting out a professional like Director Zhang?" The media reporters immediately pointed their questions at Wang Cheng.

News about a powerful company suppressing an individual was very popular with the media; they had already thought of the breaking points for the story.

Everyone sympathizes with the underdog. Once the news reported that Golden Culture was using its funds to suppress a professional and exclude Big Beard Zhang from the selection process...

Once public opinion formed, if Golden Culture didn't use Big Beard Zhang, they would be attacked by many people.

Wang Cheng's face was very unsightly. Having returned from overseas, he had seen such situations before, but facing the media so suddenly was difficult to handle.

"This is trouble," Ding Yan spoke in the hall. Wang Cheng was trapped by Big Beard Zhang's words and found it hard to respond.

"What a talent," Li Xiuwu was surprised. Big Beard Zhang's success was no accident; he really had some tricks up his sleeve. Those words just now were very skillful—though for his own benefit, they sounded righteous.

"Teacher Zhou," Li Xiuwu turned to look.

"Mm," Zhou Xiaowen nodded, not refusing.

"Let's go out," Li Xiuwu said after getting Zhou Xiaowen's agreement.

Several people walked out of the hall, with Zhou Xiaowen in the middle and Li Xiuwu standing beside him.

As soon as they appeared, they immediately attracted everyone's attention. The eyes of the media sparkled at the sight of Zhou Xiaowen and Li Xiuwu.

When Big Beard Zhang saw Zhou Xiaowen, his expression changed.

"Hello, friends from the media, I am Li Xiuwu," Li Xiuwu stepped forward and spoke.

"Thank you all for your concern for 'the return of the condor heroes'. Regarding the adaptation of this story, Golden Culture has been extremely cautious, which is why we invited Director Zhou Xiaowen."

"Li Xiuwu, what is your status? What right do you have to make decisions for Golden Culture?" Big Beard Zhang immediately spoke up, interrupting Li Xiuwu's words.

"Director Zhang, did you forget? I am an artist under Golden Culture," Li Xiuwu looked surprised, then realized.

"I forgot, Director Zhang didn't manage the filming of demi-gods and semi-devils; all matters were handled by Director Zhou."

Big Beard Zhang's face changed drastically. He really didn't know that Li Xiuwu was an artist of Golden Culture; he hadn't looked at the contract at all. During filming, he had been bitten by a rat just one day after arriving at the set.

Hearing Li Xiuwu's words, the media's eyes lit up. A highlight, another highlight: Big Beard Zhang hadn't managed demi-gods and semi-devils.

At this moment, Wang Cheng stepped forward and said decisively, "The company's cooperation with Director Zhou was originally planned to be announced later. Since everyone already knows, we will officially announce it now."

"We, Golden Culture, officially invite Director Zhou Xiaowen to serve as the producer of the return of the condor heroes."

He looked at Zhou Xiaowen after speaking.

Zhou Xiaowen did not hesitate and stepped forward: "Very grateful for Golden Culture's trust. This is also my second collaboration with Golden Culture."

"The 'Legend of Sword and Fairy' that I am collaborating on with Golden Culture will be meeting everyone soon. Please stay tuned."

Zhou Xiaowen accepted it and simultaneously promoted 'Legend of Sword and Fairy'.

Only Big Beard Zhang was left with an unsightly face; he hadn't expected Zhou Xiaowen to be here.