Hank on the other side of the ocean was very excited.
All three scripts written by Gao Fei, and the three films shot from them, were shortlisted for the Burlai Wu.
Originally, the three new films were to be released globally.
However, after Long Country released its civilian navigation system, the relationship with Pretty Country became delicate.
The two major powers appeared very amicable, but secretly they were constantly vying with each other.
First, there was the import and export trade of goods and tariffs, which kept increasing.
Then, factories across the seas were subjected to various forms of obstruction.
Following this came cultural output in areas such as film, television, and music.
Pretty Country disallowed Long Country's films from entering its domestic market, finding various excuses to refuse them.
Even if some works were exhibited in Pretty Country, the taxes were prohibitively high.
When domestic cultural works were targeted, how could Long Country stand idly by?
However, the high-level officials of Long Country were extremely wise and did not act as directly as Pretty Country.
They first introduced foreign works, and after they became popular or sold well, they immediately used certain rules to impose heavy penalties on works from Pretty Country.
Despite clearly stipulated regulations, imported works kept violating them, leaving Pretty Country's film and television merchants to suffer in silence.
Therefore, after Gao Fei learned the news from Ye Sucheng, he did not let Hank release the three new films in Long Country.
If he had relied on his connections, the three new films would certainly not have been penalized.
But it would definitely have attracted the attention of Pretty Country and been subject to extra scrutiny. He was currently prioritizing a low-key approach.
"Mr. Gao, among all the genius screenwriters in the world, you are the first one I truly admire. All three films personally directed by you have been shortlisted for Hollywood. The whole world probably only has you!"
"Mr. Hank, you flatter me!"
Gao Fei greatly enjoyed Hank's effusive praise, but he still had to respond politely.
When he had handed over the three scripts to Hank, he had already anticipated that the films would be shortlisted for the Burlai Wu.
After all, Transformers, Avengers, and Saw, these three films were massive hits both domestically and internationally in his previous life.
Even on Blue Star, they were still bound to be blockbusters.
"Mr. Gao, the Burlai Wu ceremony is in February. The three new films will definitely win awards. Will you be attending?"
"Given my current situation, do you think Pretty Country will grant me a visa?"
As Gao Fei spoke, both people on the phone let out a wry smile.
A few months ago, after the Technology Exchange Conference held by Long Country concluded.
The replicated navigation system had been handed over to some neutral countries and pro-Pretty Country nations.
Having obtained the latest civilian navigation system, these countries also fulfilled their promises and no longer heavily suppressed Long Country's import and export trade and cultural works.
However, these countries did so in secret, as the behemoth known as Pretty Country was still the dominant power.
Although these countries no longer suppressed Gao Fei, the petty Pretty Country still would not cease its actions.
After a brief chat, Hank said before hanging up, "Mr. Gao, I have transferred the box office revenue and copyright revenue from the three new films to the account you left, according to your shareholding ratio. Please check the accounts."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble, Mr. Hank."
"We are partners, it's no trouble at all!"
After hanging up the phone, Gao Fei sat down in front of the computer at the base, bypassed the Great Firewall, and logged into his overseas bank account.
He couldn't reveal his identity now, and the bank account was set up for him by Huo Dongcheng.
As the page refreshed, a string of numbers that made one's eyes sparkle appeared.
"Ten... hundred... thousand... ten thousand... hundred thousand... million... ten million... hundred million... billion..."
When he counted to the tenth digit, Gao Fei's heart churned with excitement, and he stood there in shock.
Ten digits!
An income of ten billion!
Gao Fei trembled with excitement, the joy of suddenly becoming rich flooding back to him.
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"
He took several deep breaths, his fingers trembling as he recounted the numbers, afraid of missing even one.
The total overseas box office and copyright revenue from the three new films, combined with his 85% shareholding.
Gao Fei's current overseas income was one billion one hundred and seventy-six million eight hundred and thirty-four thousand dollars!
If converted to Long Country currency, the total income was seven billion one hundred and twenty-three million seven hundred and eighty-three thousand eight hundred Long Country Yuan!
"Damn it, I'm completely rich, truly rich!"
Looking at the income that was close to ten billion, Gao Fei was instantly mesmerized.
If he added his investment income, box office revenue, music copyright, and film copyright income within the country.
His current savings had completely surpassed ten billion!
Since his transmigration, Gao Fei had also dreamed of having ten billion when he first earned over a hundred million.
But at that time, he thought that reaching ten billion would take at least four more years.
Yet now, he had been in this parallel world for nearly two years, and his ten billion dream had been directly achieved.
Not far behind Gao Fei.
Liu Weiqiang, Jin Qiqi, and the head of the special effects base, Smith, all looked at their boss, who was sitting in front of the computer, dancing with joy and giggling foolishly, with curious eyes.
"Liu, Miss Jin, has the boss always been like this?"
Smith asked in broken foreign language.
This was his third time interacting with Gao Fei. In the previous two times, his impression of Gao Fei was that he was young, accomplished, generous, steady, very intelligent, and a young leader with infinite potential.
But now, Gao Fei's silly demeanor also showed Smith another side of this boss.
Jin Qiqi, who understood her boss very well, smiled and explained, "The boss only shows his childish side when something incredibly good happens."
"Did the boss make a lot of money again?" Liu Weiqiang asked with a knowing tone.
"It should be. Our boss is only interested in money right now!"
After the three of them teased Gao Fei for a while, Liu Weiqiang suddenly asked, "Xiao Jin, I heard the boss plans to go abroad to direct a film?"
"Mm."
"What's the genre?"
"The genre can't be revealed, but this time, the film involves official departments."
Hearing the news revealed by Jin Qiqi, Liu Weiqiang had a rough idea of what kind of film it was.
"Where are you planning to shoot the film?"
"It's a secret!"
Jin Qiqi smiled mysteriously, and Liu Weiqiang no longer pressed for details.
As for Smith, he wasn't very concerned about what new film Gao Fei was making. In any case, he would just do the special effects and handle his own responsibilities.
Half an hour later.
Gao Fei and Jin Qiqi left the special effects base by car.
However, they did not return to their residence but drove directly to the Kyoto Military Region.
When they reached the road one kilometer away from the military region.
A green jeep suddenly flashed its headlights twice on the dark road, followed by two horn honks.
From a distance, a dark figure stood beside the driver's seat, waving at the car Gao Fei was in.
The minivan slowly pulled over to the side of the road. Gao Fei asked Jin Qiqi to stay in the car and walked towards the jeep alone.
As he approached and looked at the dark figure in the moonlight, he saw a young man dressed in special forces combat gear, but his face was obscured by the low brim of his hat.
"Brat, what are you looking at? Haven't seen me for a year and you don't recognize me?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Gao Fei was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened.
"Holy crap, Old Yao... Brother Yao!"
"Get in, brat, don't just stand there like an idiot!"
Gao Fei chuckled and, following the greatly transformed Yao Qiang, got into the car and headed for the military region.
All the way, he kept looking at Old Yao.
When he was undergoing military training, Yao Qiang had returned from the front lines to serve as a military reporter for three to four years.
At that time, Old Yao was neither fair nor dark-skinned, and his figure was a bit plump.
But now, he was like a different person. His slightly plump figure was completely gone, his sharp gaze carried a murderous aura, and his skin had the characteristic bronze color of soldiers after training.
Compared to Yao Qiang a year ago, he looked like he had undergone plastic surgery, and his whole being had undergone a massive change.
"Brother Yao, did you go back to the front lines?"
"Yes, but I can only operate in the southwest border region and simultaneously serve as an instructor for the Sky Dragon Brigade."
Yao Qiang glanced at Gao Fei in the passenger seat and said with a smile, "It would have been great if you had stayed in the army, kid. Otherwise, you would have definitely earned a second-class merit award!"
Hearing the words "second-class merit," Gao Fei's eyelids twitched. "My second-class merit? What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the Black Dragon Eighteen Forms you taught me back then?"
"Yes, I beat you with it during the exercise!"
"It's now being promoted in military regions across the country. As your half-disciple, I successfully earned a second-class merit award and rejoined the special forces brigade!"
Yao Qiang's words instantly stunned Gao Fei.
During the freshman military training, he had become a reservist and received two third-class merit awards and one second-class merit award.
If he had stayed in the army before, coupled with the current second-class merit, he would undoubtedly have been a decorated soldier.
At the age of 20, with two second-class merit awards, he would have been the only one in the entire country.
Seeing Gao Fei's speechless expression, Yao Qiang felt very pleased. He stepped on the accelerator and headed towards the military region.
Ten minutes later, in the conference room of the military region's office building.
As they entered, Zhang Ziheng and Commander Yang Xiaohu were sitting side by side, chatting and laughing.
After they sat down, Commander Yang asked directly, "Little Gao, I heard you want to shoot a military-themed film? What's the specific story?"
Gao Fei pointed to Yao Qiang, "Brother Yao's glorious deeds abroad!"
As he spoke, Zhang Ziheng and Yang Xiaohu were taken aback.
Yao Qiang's deeds abroad had shocked high-level officials of various countries. It wasn't impossible for this kid to turn it into a film, but it required the protagonist's consent.
The two leaders looked at Yao Qiang, asking for his opinion.
"I have no problem. It's not classified information anyway, and it'll be a good way to show those foreigners who look down on us the strength of Long Country soldiers."
Yao Qiang replied casually, then turned to Gao Fei and said, "However, my role must be played by you, kid! Otherwise, I won't allow the filming."
Gao Fei, who had been singled out, really wanted to refuse, but considering his last sentence, he could only reluctantly agree.
After a brief discussion, Yang Xiaohu and Yao Qiang got up and left, leaving only Zhang Bu and the two of them.
After the conference room door closed, Zhang Ziheng asked curiously, "You asked me to meet you at the military region. What scheme are you cooking up this time?"
Gao Fei remained silent and handed over two documents.
Upon seeing the contents of the documents, Zhang Ziheng straightened up, his eyes widened, and his pupils gleamed.
Because the two documents were the acquisition contract for Xin Ke Semiconductor Company and the acquisition contract for Tian Lu Lithography Machine.
"You... you... how did you get them?"
Zhang Ziheng stammered, but his tone was filled with immense shock.
"The procurement channel is a secret and cannot be revealed. I can contribute them, but there are two conditions!"
"Speak!"
"As you know, I founded High Energy Digital Company in December and plan to enter the mobile phone, computer, and other industries.
The two items I am contributing to the country today, once chips are manufactured, I want to be the first to use the patent!"
Zhang Ziheng immediately agreed, after all, Gao Fei was the one who obtained the semiconductor company and lithography machine, so this privilege was reasonable.
Then he asked Gao Fei to state his final condition.
"Tengxin Technology Company, Taotao E-commerce Company, High Energy Digital Company, and Feiteng Investment Company. State-owned investment cannot hold shares. But don't worry, I will absolutely not allow foreign capital to invest."
Upon hearing the final condition, Zhang Ziheng was first stunned, then showed a knowing smile.
The first condition was practically useless. The real condition was the second one.
Zhang Ziheng was well aware of the immense potential of Gao Fei's Feiteng Investment Company and Tengxin Technology Company.
Once they grew, they would undoubtedly be industry monopolists.
Long Country did not allow such enterprises to exist.
And Gao Fei also understood this implicitly, which was why he used semiconductors and lithography machines to achieve his demands.
Finally, after Zhang Ziheng made several phone calls, he agreed to the conditions.
And simultaneously signed the agreement that Gao Fei had prepared.
...
February 1st, Lunar New Year's Eve.
All industries under Feiteng Investment Company, after distributing year-end bonuses at the end of January, also ushered in the holiday break.
Gao Fei, who had not returned home for a year, finally arrived home before the Lunar New Year.
After celebrating the New Year with his mother, on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, he took a military helicopter to the Southwest Military Region to begin training for the special forces brigade, in preparation for a military-themed film with a personal heroic element.
On February 20th, while Gao Fei was undergoing training in the special forces brigade, the Burlai Wu ceremony finally commenced.