I'll write one more for you in Chapter 10.

In the process of progress, all outdated habits must be discarded. In this new era without taboos, all taboos will become relics of history. Let us understand them, but let us not revive them.

—Li Ao, "Tradition Under Monologue" (1979)

……

China used to have eight major film studios: Beijing Film Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, Changchun Film Studio, August First Film Studio, Xi'an Film Studio, Pearl River Film Studio, Xiaoxiang Film Studio, and Emei Film Studio.

At this moment, five or six representatives came to Director Wang's office. In addition to the August First Film Studio, Xiaoxiang Film Studio, and Pearl River Film Studio, the other four major film studios sent people over, and there was also a representative from the Great Wall Film Company from Hong Kong Island.

They are all seasoned film professionals; they can tell what makes a good script.

Of the representatives from various studios present, apart from Shanghai Film Studio, which doesn't lack good scripts, the others rarely get a good script even once a year.

The Shanghai Film Studio already had enough of its own, but the more the better, so it was determined to acquire it.

"Teacher Huang, your script is excellent."

One of the men, a middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses and a refined air, stepped forward and shook Huang Wenbin's hand: "You're so young and yet so talented. Why don't you come to our Emei Film Studio? You can become a director and make films on your own!"

Before Huang Wenbin could react, Factory Director Wang immediately became agitated.

"Comrade Teng Jinxian, you're buying scripts, fine, but you're even poaching people right in front of me."

Director Wang glared at the man with annoyance and reminded him, "Xiao Huang is from our Beijing Film Studio. He'll definitely stay here as a screenwriter and director after he graduates."

At this moment, a slightly dusty-looking young man with small eyes approached and whispered, "I am Leung Chi-keung, a screenwriter from Hong Kong's Great Wall Film Company. I have been entrusted by the company to come and buy your script for 'Shaolin Temple.' Please do not refuse to sell it to us."

Director Wang whispered in Huang Wenbin's ear, "He's quite famous in Hong Kong. He's written many good scripts and is an assistant to the famous director Zhang Xinyan."

Then he added, "He was the first one to arrive."

"No way, why should we sell it to you?" Xie Hong, the representative of Shanghai Film Studio, was in his prime and immediately stepped forward to stop Liang Ziqiang. He said to Huang Wenbin, "My name is Xie Hong. I'm here on behalf of Shanghai Film Studio to discuss the script of 'Shaolin Temple.' Of course, 'The Cotton Robe' can also be purchased at the same time. I've come with sincerity."

"Your Shanghai Film Studio is too greedy!" Representatives from several other manufacturers complained.

"That's right, your Shanghai Film Studio has no shortage of good scripts, but our Emei Film Studio hasn't had any good scripts in a long time!"

"Our Xi'an Film Studio is truly neglected and unloved; please, leave us at least one script!"

"..."

"Alright, stop arguing!" Director Wang, his ears practically pounding from their bickering, immediately shouted, "What are you all arguing about? Let's see what the screenwriter has to say."

Huang Wenbin had never encountered such a situation before, but he was not flustered at all; on the contrary, he was a little excited.

"I am truly grateful for everyone's support and appreciation of my work!"

Huang Wenbin began with a polite remark before getting to the point: "I've written the script, and of course I hope to film it as soon as possible. However, there are only two scripts published, which can't possibly satisfy everyone's needs."

Upon hearing this, several representatives showed expressions of disappointment.

Huang Wenbin said softly, "This time, let's follow the first-come, first-served principle and sell these two scripts to the first two people who come."

"Great!" Liang Ziqiang immediately clapped his hands and cheered. "I'm the first one here. I want the script for 'Shaolin Temple'."

Another person clapping and cheering was a representative from the Xi'an Film Studio, named Wu Tianming, who was bald.

"Thank you so much, Professor Huang." Wu Tianming grasped Huang Wenbin's hand and shook it vigorously. "Our Xi'an Film Studio is really short of good scripts. Last year, we only received ten scripts, and only four of them were ultimately released. This is truly a godsend."

Huang Wenbin waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't call me teacher, I'm still just a student."

"No, no, no, the accomplished are teachers." Wu Tianming affirmed very seriously, "Your script is so well written, you deserve to be called a teacher."

The other film studio representatives immediately turned ashen-faced.

Xie Hong from the Shanghai Film Studio was particularly disheartened. He had been entrusted with a great responsibility by Director Shi before leaving, but he ended up with nothing.

Zhang Huaxun, who came with Xie Hong, was also greatly affected, but fortunately he had a script idea about the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Director Wang said at the opportune moment, "Comrade Liang, Comrade Wu, why don't you go and talk to Comrade Jiang Huaiyan, the head of the Literature Department, about the specifics of buying the script?"

The two men turned around, bowed to their colleagues as an apology, and then left.

The remaining people remained silent, staring at each other for a long time before finally saying goodbye and leaving.

"The senior members aren't in a hurry to leave either."

Huang Wenbin suddenly called out to them, and said slowly, "Although only two of my scripts were published in 'Film Creation,' it doesn't mean that I only have these two. And even if I didn't, I could write more."

Upon hearing this, the remaining people's eyes lit up.

Xie Hong immediately stepped forward and asked, "Does Teacher Huang have any other scripts? Could you show them to us?"

"Yes, our Changchun Film Studio is also very powerful. It was the first film studio in New China."

The speaker was Song Jiangbo, a representative of Changchun Film Studio. He was only 25 years old and had been recommended by Changchun Film Studio to study in the directing program at Beijing Film Academy.

"I don't know if the script I have is suitable for you."

Of the scripts and novels Huang Wenbin drew last year, at least twenty remain unused, about half of which are out of touch with the times.

The rest can still be used directly with just a few minor modifications.

"How about this, you all think carefully about what type of script you want."

Huang Wenbin was very sincere, keeping his eyes on the elders in front of him, and said softly, "Then write it down and give it to me. I'll write a script for each of you for the next year."

These words stunned everyone present!

Write several screenplays within a year and give one to each of them?

Upon hearing this, they instinctively felt that Huang Wenbin was exaggerating; how could that be possible?

If scripts were really that easy to write, they wouldn't be here asking for help.

Truly good scripts require polishing.

Even without polishing, a person's talent and energy are limited. How could one possibly write five or six scripts in a year?

"If you don't trust me, you are welcome to leave at any time."