bookbashuk Chapter 610 Film Festival 2
Chapter 610 Film Festival 2
The Dongyue Industry Research Association is somewhat similar to the Big D Society. Its members exchange information and collude with each other to launder money, manipulate the financial market, or embezzle high-quality assets.
Third Master briefly explained the origins of the industry research association before discussing the current situation.
"Last year, Huayi went public and was hailed as the first listed company in the Daxia Film and Entertainment industry. The Wang brothers' net worth skyrocketed, and a group of people in their company also made a fortune!"
At this point, Third Master paused, then said meaningfully, "In our country, anything that's number one carries a different meaning!"
"Although the Wang brothers joined early, they didn't have a strong presence within the organization. This time is different; their company's IPO has changed everything!"
"The little sparrow has turned into an eagle, hasn't it, Third Master?" Fatty Lin chimed in at the opportune moment.
"Yes, your analogy is very apt!"
Third Master chuckled and said, "You guys in Hong Kong should know the film industry very well. When it comes to transferring assets and laundering money, nothing is easier than movies!"
That's the truth. Why are Hong Kong community groups so keen on investing in movies? Is it really because they want to make money?
At its peak, Hong Kong Island, a tiny island, produced more than 300 films a year.
How many theaters are there on Hong Kong Island? Can they possibly screen all these movies?
There's definitely not enough room.
Why film it?
The reason is simple: dirty money goes through one channel and is then laundered.
"Yes!" I nodded.
"Third Master, are you worried that the Wang brothers are using film and television to connect with certain people and launder money on a large scale?" Fatty Lin asked.
"Money laundering is one aspect!"
After a moment's thought, Third Master said, "Film, real estate, finance, technology—I'm afraid they'll integrate their resources and create a giant trust group, secretly controlling some of the nation's lifelines!"
I pursed my lips. With Third Master putting on such a patriotic and concerned look, anyone who didn't know better would think he was wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people!
At that time, I had no idea that Third Master's words would come true. A few years later, this multifaceted alliance, in cooperation with external forces, broke the heavens by shorting Great Xia, causing a stock market crash with thousands of stocks hitting their daily limit down.
From that moment on, everything was already destined.
The various rectification measures that followed were all related to that stock market crash.
Later, one by one, prominent figures went bankrupt, were imprisoned, or went abroad, and the Dongyue Society was disbanded in disgrace.
The Third Master is only worried about his own interests being harmed.
His seemingly righteous words were nothing more than an excuse to manipulate us.
He knew very well that we couldn't be directed by ordinary means.
His last visit to Hong Kong Island to ask us to remove the evil spirits had almost completely worn down the friendship between us.
"Third Master, I know the Liu family all too well. I'm making a statement: we'll definitely go to this film festival!" Fatty Lin immediately declared his determination.
"Third Master, don't worry about leaving this to us. We'll keep a close eye on them!" I added.
"Good, I knew you two brothers had this country in your hearts!" Third Master shouted his approval.
I grimaced; those words made me feel a little nauseous.
"Third Master, give me a list of who needs special attention and who needs to be kept a close eye on. I guarantee I'll handle things perfectly for you!" Fatty Lin remained completely unaffected and continued to express his determination.
"Alright, I wasn't wrong about you two!" Third Master exhaled.
I pursed my lips even wider; this was all acting.
Two minutes later, the call ended, and Fatty Lin spat out a curse.
"Fatty, you're amazing. I could never say such disgusting things!"
I gave Fatty Lin a thumbs up.
"Damn it, would I say that if it weren't for you? You lunatic, saying that hurts my feelings!" Fatty Lin's face darkened, and his eyes drooped.
"Chirp chirp!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Ba pointed at Fatty Lin and shouted.
"Xiao Ba said, 'Fatty, what are you pretending for? Everyone knows who's who!'" Long Nier translated with a smile.
"Hey, you little brat, you've gone too far!"
Fatty Lin lost his composure in a second and flicked Xiao Ba on the forehead.
"Chirp!"
Little Ba instantly became furious, waving its little paws and pointing at Fatty Lin while cursing.
"Hey, Third Master's list has arrived!"
A minute later, the savior arrived. Fatty Lin pointed at the flashing red dot on the computer screen as if he had grasped a lifeline.
"Chirp!"
Xiao Ba glanced at the computer, but graciously refrained from continuing, instead glaring fiercely at Fatty Lin.
"Should!"
I smiled and opened the email.
Most of the people on the list are from the film and television industry, with only one or two from the real estate and investment industries. Those two are the key figures.
According to Third Master, the reason why the two Wang brothers participated in the Shanghai Film Festival in such a grand manner and took advantage of Qian Xiaogang's promotion of the earthquake movie to issue invitations to many people was simple: they wanted to consolidate the film and television industry.
It must be said, they have great ambitions.
But many things can't be achieved simply by having big ambitions.
The circles in Beijing and those in Shanghai are two different circles.
If you, a member of the Beijing elite, go to Shanghai to show off your power, you're unlikely to achieve your goal based on that alone.
Unless you can offer benefits that satisfy everyone, but is that even possible?
Even if it was impossible, Third Master was still worried, so he thought of us.
With Xiao Ba and Long Nier around, we can use some underhanded tactics to find out some information.
We discussed it briefly and then put the matter aside.
There's still some time before the Shanghai Film Festival, so there's no rush.
In a way, Third Master was prescient.
Regardless of whether his previous words were a lie, three years later, the Wang brothers went to Taiwan with the head of the Liu family, and their influence was unparalleled. This proved that what Third Master said was true to some extent.
Back to the present, just as we were researching which non-Chinese film festival bosses would be attending the Shanghai Film Festival, a phone call shattered our somewhat peaceful life.
The caller was none other than our old friend, Li Donglin.
We haven't seen Li Donglin for a while since our last meeting in Beijing.
"Brother Li, I can finally get through to you on the phone!"
I answered the phone with a smile.
During this period, we not only couldn't see Li Donglin, but we also couldn't get through to him on the phone. We learned from Second Uncle that Li Donglin had gone into the old forest again.
"I've only been back a few days!"
The familiar Beijing accent from Li Donglin's phone sounded very comforting.
"Brother Li, what happened? What did you do to get yourself arrested?"
Fatty Lin leaned over and joked.
"Go to hell!"
Li Donglin chuckled and said, "Just letting you know, I'm going to Hong Kong Island tomorrow. Come pick me up at the airport!"
A thought struck me, and I asked, "Brother Li, did you come here on business?"
"Um!"
Li Donglin snorted and asked, "Have you heard about the boy in red?"