Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 336 - 265: Director (2)

"Amitabha Buddha, what is it? I’m very busy." Feng Shan couldn’t understand what Frank was saying, but he was certain it wasn’t anything good.

"Alright, I have to hand it to you." Frank slapped his forehead and turned to the wryly smiling Director Roland. "This nephew of mine must be a Puritan."

A lecherous, vulgar, and shameless uncle, yet his nephew was a Puritan.

’What a strange family.’

Director Roland’s smile vanished, and he said with a straight face.

"Then to keep it brief, I plan on making a film about Mr. Feng Shan’s story, and I hope to purchase the story rights."

’Make a movie? Story rights?’

Feng Shan couldn’t make sense of the situation. He looked to Frank, hoping for an explanation.

Frank responded with a wink.

"Simply put, Director Roland wants to make a movie about your stories—rescuing people with your plane, fighting the wolves, and the Ice Sea incident."

"Of course, he’ll pay a fee for the rights, which also includes royalties for the use of your likeness."

"That’s right. We came to the Crown Territory hoping to get your authorization," Director Roland said, nodding as he picked up the thread of conversation.

"I’m willing to pay 500,000 US Dollar for the story, plus 100,000 US Dollar for the use of your likeness, for a total of 600,000 US Dollar. Of course, I also hope that Mr. Feng will serve as a consultant and participate in the filmmaking process."

’So that’s what this was about.’

’They chased me relentlessly from Anchorage to the Wild Bull Tribe, and finally all the way to the Crown Territory.’

Feng Shan lost interest the moment he heard the offer.

’600,000 US Dollar really isn’t much. A single trip on the River Beach brings in more than that.’

’And on top of that, I’d have to run around and follow you guys during filming.’

Feng Shan refused him outright.

"Sorry, I have a lot of work to deal with. I don’t have time for a movie."

With that, he prepared to get up and leave.

This left Director Roland, the man hailed as "the best at destroying the Earth," completely exasperated.

Just then, Frank quickly put a hand on Feng Shan’s shoulder. "Hey, man, don’t be so quick to refuse. If the terms aren’t right, we can negotiate."

"That’s right, Mr. Feng. If there’s something you’re not happy with, please, tell us," Director Roland chimed in.

’Although the subject matter is a bit different from the disaster films I’m known for,’ he thought, ’this story is perfectly suited for the United States market. The spirit of a knight, the lone wolf mentality, the theme of self-sacrifice... As a commercial popcorn flick, it definitely has profit potential.’

"I really can’t make the time. The ranch is still being built, and the camp expansion also requires my attention."

Feng Shan really didn’t want to get involved in making a movie.

’It’s not good money, and it’s a huge hassle.’

’A complete waste of time.’

"Forget it, I’ll handle this!" Frank was all too familiar with Feng Shan’s stubbornness—once he’d made up his mind about something, he never backed down. He turned to Director Roland.

"We have no issue with the fees for the story rights and his likeness. However, the movie must be filmed according to the true events. We can allow some minor changes to the story, but you are not to do anything that would tarnish Feng Shan’s personal image."

"That’s not a problem. I have no intention of making a garbage film. You can trust my professional ethics," Director Roland agreed with a nod.

With one condition settled.

Frank continued.

"Furthermore, filming must take place here at the Crown Territory. We will lend you the location and our equipment free of charge, and you can use Crown Territory employees as extras. The movie must prominently feature the Crown Territory."

"Well..." Director Roland hesitated.

Frank’s second condition was obviously a play to get free advertising for the Crown Territory.

’Commercial films naturally have product placement,’ he thought. ’More screen time for the Crown Territory means less screen time for other advertisers. The main issue is that the Crown Territory isn’t paying for it.’

Frank seemed to guess what was on Director Roland’s mind.

"Mr. Director, you must realize that in a harsh environment like the Far North Tundra, the cost of hiring extras would be extremely high. If you can use Crown Territory employees, you’ll save a huge sum."

"Besides, I doubt you’d film all three stories at once. If the first movie does well, the second one about the Tundra wolf chase has even greater potential. In 2015, Leonardo won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Wilderness Hunter, and Alejandro became an Oscar-winning director overnight."

"Then there’s the third story, the Ice Sea rescue, which has just as much potential. The Crown Territory can provide the actual River Beach from the incident, along with its original crew."

"What do you say? Are those resources enough to cover the ’advertising fee’?"

’An Oscar-winning director!’

The words struck a nerve with Director Roland.

He was a successful director.

He had won European Film Awards, Saturn Awards, and even a Golden Raspberry for Worst Director. But he had never even come close to an Oscar—the film industry’s highest honor.

"Of course, if we’re satisfied with your movie, we wouldn’t be against changing hats and becoming investors," Frank added, dangling another piece of bait.

"Really?" Director Roland shot up in his seat.

"Of course. But that would be after the first film is finished." Frank, pleased with his silver tongue, picked up a beer from the table. "My nephew doesn’t just own the Crown Territory. He’s also the owner of a large crabbing boat. He makes tens of millions of US Dollar per trip."

Feng Shan said nothing, only glancing silently at the beer Frank was drinking.

"I agree to your terms. I look forward to a successful partnership." Director Roland stood and extended his hand.

"You’ve made an excellent decision." Frank also rose and shook his hand.

As for Feng Shan, the two men completely ignored him.

’A Puritan who doesn’t watch movies—not even the restricted ones—has no place in such a high-level conversation.’

Feng Shan, however, called a waiter over, pointed at the beer Frank had half-finished, and said, "He’s paying for this."

He then got up, walked to the counter, and retrieved the two gun cases he had stored there.

"Hey, pal, where are you off to?" Frank called out, seeing the man of the hour about to walk out.

Feng Shan hugged the gun cases, replying irritably, "To the shooting range, to test out my guns."

"Don’t you have a lot of work to do? Building the ranch, expanding the camp?" Frank asked with a frown.

"That stuff can wait. It’s not urgent." With that, Feng Shan strode away.

"Ah, the moods of a growing boy are always changing. Please forgive him," Frank said to Director Roland with a helpless shrug.

"Yes, I completely understand. Now, how about we discuss the female lead?" Director Roland said, nodding with a grin.

...

「Shooting Range.」

BANG! BANG! BANG! The gunshots were incessant.

Aside from the tourists who came to get their fix, the most regular patrons were the quartet of old men. With little else to do, they came to the range every day to fire off a few rounds.

As VIPs among VIPs, Sun Jia gave them the deluxe treatment.

Two retired military veterans were assigned to personally assist the four of them.

Old Liu emptied a magazine from his AK-47, a smug look on his face like he had just won an argument against Old Ban.

"So satisfying. Nothing has a kick like a gun from the Old Russians."

"If you’re done, then move. Shit or get off the pot," Rabbit Old Li grumbled, cradling a Type 56 carbine.

"Hey, isn’t that Xiaofeng? What’s he doing at the range!" The sharp-eyed Old Zhao spotted Feng Shan at once, carrying his cases into the pistol shooting area.

"Come on, let’s go see!" The four curious old men put down their guns and followed him.

Pistol Range.

Scar, the Mexican, opened the ammunition safe.

"Boss, what ammo are you testing with?"

"Glock 17L Combat Master." Feng Shan set down the gun case, taking out the customized Glock 17L from within.

At the name.

Scar froze. He shot to his feet, his blazing eyes fixed on the custom gun in Feng Shan’s hand.

"Boss, how did you get this gun? Did you place an order with TTI?"

"Fuck, it’s so badass!"

"I heard they sell for 4,000 US Dollar, and you have to order five months in advance."

Heh heh!

Seeing the sparkle in Scar’s eyes, Feng Shan couldn’t resist showing off, striking various shooting poses with the Glock 17L Combat Master.

"Stop gawking and get the ammo. I want to see what’s so special about this gun."

He took out a box of 9mm rounds and loaded them into an extended magazine.

CLICK!

Feng Shan racked the slide, aimed at the target 50 yards away, and pulled the trigger.

Unexpectedly, the gun’s trigger was exceptionally light; he had barely applied any pressure before a round fired.

He tested it at ranges from 1.5 to 100 yards.

From kneeling positions to various quick-reaction drills, reloading over and over, shooting from all sorts of concealed angles—the gun performed flawlessly.

It was truly the handgun of every man’s dreams.

Standing to the side, Scar’s face was practically overflowing with envy.

...