When the production assistant went to invite Lu Kuan back into the room, Zhang Jizhong still maintained a calm expression, while Meng Fanyao was all smiles.
Only Ju Jueliang wore a look of indignation, seemingly helpless, holding his breath and not speaking.
The Little Taoist took in the expressions of the several people, and accepted a contract document emitting the scent of ink that Meng Fanyao handed over.
Holding it in his hand, there was still residual warmth, clearly it had just been printed.
"Lu Daoshi, we understand your meaning."
"The previous contract is void, we will sign again. This labor contract is valued at 200,000, which is the total amount of the religious consultant contract just now."
Meng Fanyao said with a hidden dagger in his smile, "Now you can't play hard to get anymore and say we're not sincere, right?"
Lu Kuan remained calm, "Oh, let me see."
The production manager and Big Beard exchanged glances, secretly scoffing internally. He didn't believe a young Taoist from the deep mountains and old forests would understand anything about legal contracts.
The young Taoist skillfully turned the pages, thinking to himself, this old sly fox really hasn't given up his wicked intentions.
As someone in public relations, he was naturally no stranger to dual contracts. The dinner party Lu Kuan was at before his sudden death from drinking was precisely for securing a public relations project for Sister Eight Billion.
But this civil contract in his hand, purchasing metaphysical geomancy services for 200,000, is legally a naturally void contract, with no legal effect whatsoever.
If he signed it and the other party didn't pay, he would have no recourse at all.
If Lu Kuan persistently demanded an explanation, Meng Fanyao could even countersue him for fraud.
In the 1980s and 90s, the enthusiasm for qigong in China had just subsided, and the authorities were severely cracking down on religious secret societies. Things like feng shui and geomancy that skirted the edges of the law were easily classified as such.
Money makes the world go round. This Meng Fanyao was clearly unwilling to give up the huge sum he had obtained, and Zhang Jizhong also continued to "increase income and reduce expenditure" under the crew's financial difficulties.
The rhetoric he just used to persuade Zhang Jizhong and Ju Jueliang was also very simple:
If this is really a Master, he definitely won't sign. If he's a fake or inferior product, then we've just scammed him.
Ju Jueliang naturally disagreed.
Masters also have those who are not well-versed in worldly affairs. An old sly fox like you who has been in the crew for more than ten years might even trick a Master to death.
He was still hoping for Master Lu to point him in the right direction!
Lu Kuan had a calm expression and quickly signed the contract with flowing strokes.
Meng Fanyao subtly glanced at Ju Jueliang, the meaning in his eyes self-evident: Director Ju, you were mistaken, weren't you?
Only these Hong Kong Directors believe in these things, utterly unreliable.
Lu Kuan held the pen and turned to the last page. Meng Fanyao prompted, "Lu Daoshi, you need to sign the last page and the seam."
"Oh."
Seeing him sign with vigorous, sweeping strokes, everyone felt reassured. Zhang Jizhong thought to himself, he's nothing special, I thought he was some exceptionally talented young figure.
Looking at it this way, his prediction might really be based on information obtained in advance. If he could truly calculate, wouldn't he see through this little trap?
Meng Fanyao took the contract with a smile, glanced at it, froze, and then angrily threw it on the ground, "You! Are you doing this on purpose to make trouble?"
"What's going on?" Zhang Jizhong saw his furious expression, couldn't suppress his curiosity, walked over, and picked up the contract.
"Changfeng?"
Meng Fanyao was so angry he almost bled from his seven orifices. Are you messing with me here?
Zhang Jizhong shook his head with a bitter smile, looking at the composed Lu Kuan. How could he not know this was a little trick the Little Taoist was playing on purpose?
"Alright, Lu Daoshi, stop messing with us. Let's talk about the terms?"
Zhang Jizhong sat on the single sofa, facing Lu Kuan and talking. His body language showed that he now regarded him as a negotiation partner worthy of attention.
In his previous life, Lu Kuan had also risen from being a small figure in the mundane world.
What kind of losses hadn't he suffered?
What kind of pits hadn't he dug?
What kind of women hadn't he played with...
Hmm, well, not that actually. As everyone knows, public relations companies are very reputable.
Lu Kuan smiled, "Let's be straightforward. I'll have an open and honest talk with Director Zhang."
"First, I need to make one thing clear!"
"As a formally registered member of the Socialist Taoist Association, I have always been committed to interpreting traditional Taoist thought in a way that aligns with China's excellent traditional culture."
"Therefore, the geomancy, feng shui, and other religiously colored remarks I provide are merely my personal interpretations and are not selling services to you. You must first understand this point."
"You mean you don't plan to take this 200,000?" Meng Fanyao was somewhat incredulous.
They had previously found out he was just a down-and-out Taoist who cheated and swindled people. How could he suddenly be so put-together and articulate now?
"I haven't finished yet, Director Meng, don't be impatient."
Lu Kuan picked up the disposable paper cup on the table, took a sip of tea, and continued, "I happen to be setting up a business consulting company recently. If you are interested, I am willing to provide some business advice to the crew or Director Zhang personally."
"Hmm, limited only to the commercial field."
At the end, he added, "This has nothing to do with the feng shui or non-feng shui things I say to myself. Please pay attention to the distinction."
"You!!!"
Meng Fanyao felt like he needed to go to the hospital to measure his blood pressure. Today, he was practically turning into Zhou Yu, angered by this damned Little Taoist more than three times.
This was a blatant disclaimer agreement! He took the money and also prevented being bitten back for fraud!
These little contractual traps were naturally easily handled by Boss Lu, the owner of a public relations company.
"Alright!"
Zhang Jizhong was clear-headed. Before and after, his side had become like a clown, while the other person had seen through everything from the start and was just playing along.
Big Beard got up from the sofa, "Lu Daoshi, 200,000 consultant fee. We'll prepay you 100,000 to first help us in our time of need and see how to resolve our crew's urgent problems."
"The remaining balance will be presented after filming is completed. Is that acceptable?"
Ju Jueliang and Meng Fanyao looked again at the Little Taoist sitting on the sofa with a calm expression. His otherworldly aura seemed to have become worldly, switching from Lu Daoshi to the Boss Lu of his previous life.
"That 200,000 just now almost got Director Meng to buy me ten years in prison."
"Is this price still appropriate now?"
"300,000. Sincerity leads to efficacy."
Meng Fanyao slapped the armrest of the sofa and said with an unfriendly expression, "Lu Daoshi, isn't it a bit too ruthless to raise the price on the spot? Is 200,000 for a few words from you still too little?"
Boss Lu instantly switched back to the role of the Little Immortal, "Huainanzi, Chapter 'Misnomers' says, fortune is generated by oneself, disaster is born from oneself."
"Let's keep things separate. Director Meng just made a mistake, and should understand the principle that cause and effect retribution is swift and unavoidable."
"This 100,000 is just to buy your 'retribution for good and evil, like a shadow following the form'."
Meng Fanyao's face turned red, but his recent wolfish ambitions were clearly exposed, and he couldn't deny it.
Ju Jueliang stared at him with dissatisfaction. It was all this short-sighted Mainland production manager, who ruined the crew's important matter for a few measly coins!
He couldn't help but look at Big Beard again. After all, Zhang Jizhong was still in charge of everything.
Big Beard sighed, "Lu Daoshi is new here, give us some time to consider it."
"Xiao Fan, take Lu Daoshi to the finance department to get 10,000 yuan and help him settle down first, okay?"
Lu Kuan's expression was indifferent. Fishing requires patience: "Okay, then I won't delay your work anymore."
"May the Heavenly Lord of Boundless Life bestow blessings."
This is a blessing commonly used by Taoists, similar to goodbye and wishing you good luck.
Lu Kuan lightly brushed his Taoist robe, with one hand behind his back. His posture was as straight as a green pine and cypress, as if he had once again become the ethereal and dignified Little Taoist they first met.
Provided you ignored his shrewd, old-hand negotiation posture just now.
Ju Jueliang was completely convinced now and respectfully got up to see him out.
"Oh, right, Director Zhang, there's something I need to say upfront." The Little Taoist stopped as if remembering something, frowned, and looked at Big Beard.
"Please speak."
"Just now I didn't explain the divination text of the changing hexagram. Based on the situation of your office and the main creative staff of the crew, the Kun hexagram is very likely to develop into the Bo hexagram!"
"Upper Gen and Lower Kun is Bo. Peeling the bed by the foot, contempt."
This time, he didn't wait for Zhang Jizhong to ask and continued to explain, "In short, if the bed legs rot, they will fall off. This is something that damages the foundation."
"I hope you consider it soon and absolutely do not delay. If you delay further..."
"...it will surely lead to a great disaster. I have said all I can!"
After speaking, he turned and entered the rain curtain. The mist was thick, making him seem even more like that detached and otherworldly person from beyond the mundane world.
The difficulties faced by the crew of the eagle shooting heroes before and after, Li Yapeng hitting someone, and Li Yapeng being injured during subsequent filming are all true events, not fabricated by the author. See the bonus chapter for details.