Chapter 215

Chapter 215

The war mobilization declaration called on young men across the country to actively enlist. At the recruitment site in the Land of Abundance, the "Death Flag" was the first to be raised.

Young men in their prime eagerly signed up, with no one holding back.

When they marched out of Sichuan, most wore single-layered clothes and carried knives, with only one old-fashioned weapon shared among three to five people. Their feet, clad in straw sandals, were blistered, and during breaks, they would pop the blisters and weave new straw sandals.

They braved the elements, day and night, but failed to catch up with the major battles, all wearing expressions of regret.

Soon, they obeyed orders and threw themselves into the front lines.

When the audience saw the most spirited boy from the enlistment line die on the battlefield, they silently wiped away tears, heartbroken for the boy who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old and often performed face-changing tricks during marches to entertain everyone.

The character was played by Fu Yulin.

However, no one recognized him as Bai Yudie's younger brother from *Twin Flowers*.

From a well-off family, he secretly enlisted, even falsifying his age, just to contribute his part.

He perished.

He perished in the enemy's artillery fire.

Even in death, he took the enemy with him, not retreating half a step.

How vividly he lived, how tragically he died!

When the movie ended, the resounding voice declaring, "I swear not to return home until the Japanese invaders are defeated," resonated, and none of the audience members stood up. Instead, sobs reverberated through the theater.

The emotional voices were intense.

Old Mrs. Lu wondered if her eldest grandson had endured such wars.

Her heart felt as though it were being sliced by a knife.

To return alive was truly a blessing!

Walking out of the cinema, bathed in the sunlight, Old Mrs. Lu had red eyes: "Ah Hong, in a couple of days, buy more tickets and distribute them to the second, third, and fourth branches of the family. Have them all come to watch *Chuan Expedition*. Let them, who have lived in abundance for decades, see who defended this country. Prevent them from grumbling inwardly about my son's favoritism. Compared to these young soldiers who sacrificed their lives, aren't they all living like deities in a heavenly palace? I regret not contributing more to the war effort."

Ah Hong didn't understand but complied nonetheless.

Looking back, many audience members had swollen eyes and tear-streaked faces.

Perhaps only the children brought by their families didn't understand what sacrifice meant, their eyes clear and naive.

Old Mrs. Lu then praised, "Zhi Wei is talented and profound. He doesn't write frivolous nonsense. I like him the most. Go back and check if the new tea has arrived. I'll send him some."

"Alright," Ah Hong didn't object, as Mr. Lu had already agreed.

The next day, many newspapers published reports about *Chuan Expedition*, all praising it without a single criticism. The famous film critic Guan Yue even wrote directly, "Da Ming Film Company has abandoned romanticism, showing that their thinking has moved away from superficiality toward reality. *Chuan Expedition* is a century of bloodshed and tears, a reminder to future generations not to forget."

After reading the newspapers, Lu Mingzhu's worries eased.

Their efforts were not in vain.

Their sacrifices should indeed be remembered by the world.

Lu Mingzhu originally intended to publish a statement in Zhi Wei's name, donating all the proceeds from this novel and movie to charity, but considering the situation five years later, she ultimately decided against it.

It wouldn't be too late to issue the statement then, and it might even set a trend.

Let's invest the money first!

Money makes money, and with compound interest, a large sum can be accumulated in five years.

Not to mention multiplying the amount, doubling it is a sure thing.

All cinemas are screening "Chuan Expedition" from morning till night, with every showing fully packed. Statistics show that the first day's box office reached a record-breaking 102,000 yuan, setting a new record in Hong Kong's film history.

Ming Hui was over the moon.

He called Lu Mingzhu, "Mingzhu, you should write more movie scripts. Conservatively estimated, this movie could earn at least 5 million yuan at the box office."

She's a real money magnet!

Every script she writes turns into a hit.

Lu Mingzhu didn't mention that she had three movie scripts yet to be filmed, including "Young Huang Feihong." Hearing Ming Hui's words, she snorted, "What's in it for me?"

"I'm running a plastic factory and an insurance company, right? I'm making money for you." The plastic factory was manageable, with the factory building, machinery, workers, and management all set up, and the products directly exported, so Ming Hui didn't have to worry too much. However, the insurance company needed his presence, relying on his charm and eloquence to personally convince the wealthy to insure themselves.

Insuring people, cars, property...

Having studied the market before starting the company, Ming Hui adopted foreign insurance models and added more personalized insurance services, making Eternal Life Insurance Company quickly build a reputation.

With income coming in, he immediately hired more staff, specifically selecting sharp-minded and eloquent salespeople.

Now, things are looking up.

Thinking of her half stake in Eternal Life Plastic Factory and Eternal Life Insurance Company, Lu Mingzhu immediately smiled, "Thanks for your hard work, Mr. Ming. You handle the plastic factory and the insurance company, and I'll handle writing scripts."

"That's the spirit!" Ming Hui smiled with satisfaction, "While you're young, there's no harm in making more money."

He had been too extravagant in his youth, unwilling to invest in multiple industries to prevent He Xuan from getting half, which left him broke after running the plastic factory and insurance company.

Fortunately, he still had a position in the film company, with a salary enough to support himself, so he didn't end up on the streets.

Thinking of Ye Lili, Ming Heng's mother, and Mo Shuhui, Ming Yao's mother, Ming Hui clenched his teeth in anger.

They didn't hesitate when asking for money, but when he said he was short of cash, they all tightly guarded their wallets, including his beloved son Ming Heng, who also told him he had no money.

All of them are ungrateful!

Ungrateful!

On the other hand, his daughter-in-law Zhang Baoyi was quite virtuous, secretly selling the jewelry he had given her and giving him the money, saying she believed her father-in-law could achieve great things and return to his peak.

Hearing Ming Hui's complaints about these matters over the phone, Lu Mingzhu actually felt a bit of schadenfreude.

Serves him right for wronging He Xuan!

Now he knows, doesn't he? If it weren't for the money, who would be his mistress?

Although he is indeed handsome and charming, some people might be attracted to his talent rather than his wealth, but Ye Lili, Ming Heng's mother, and Mo Shuhui, Ming Yao's mother, were clearly after money.

If Ming Hui were handsome but couldn't afford to support them, they certainly wouldn't have submitted to him.

Still, Zhang Baoyi is quite clever.

Regardless of how Ming Hui's new business fares, the shares in the shipping company are firmly in her hands, as well as half of the shares in Da Ming Film Company. After this incident, she will surely not be treated poorly as a daughter-in-law in the future.

Ming Hui sighed, "Indeed, a virtuous wife brings prosperity for three generations. Baoyi is excellent in every aspect, except she hasn't borne any children yet."

"Perhaps it's your son who has the problem," Lu Mingzhu offhandedly said.

Ming Heng, like his father, is quite the womanizer, with more than just Zhang Baoyi as his wife; there are quite a few others outside.

Besides Ye Qinghe, there are others as well.

Lu Mingzhu heard this from Ming Yue, who pays close attention to Ming Heng's movements, as he is destined to be her rival in competing for Ming Hui's assets. Of course, she aims to know her enemy and herself to win every battle.

None of the women, whether at home or outside, have gotten pregnant. If it's not Ming Heng's problem, could it be that all the women have issues?

Ming Hui was stunned, "Could it be?"

Lu Mingzhu chuckled, "Why not? There are women who can't have children, and of course, there are men who can't either. Some can have children separately but not together, and after remarrying, they each have children. Mr. Ming, after all, anything is possible!"

Ming Hui grimaced, "I'll look into it."

Before he hung up, Lu Mingzhu kindly suggested, "Actually, Ming Yue's child could carry the Ming name! If your son can't have children, but his woman gets pregnant, you won't be able to tell if it's the Ming family's bloodline, but Ming Yue's child definitely is. Mr. Ming, it's a new era, don't be so old-fashioned in your thinking."

About three days later, Ming Yue gave a call out of the blue to Lu Mingzhu.

Lu Mingzhu laughed, "Are you here to congratulate me?"

"Chuan Expedition" has been a box office hit for four consecutive days, each day breaking 100,000.

Ming Yue paused, "Congratulations to you, and to me too."

Lu Mingzhu was puzzled, "Congratulations to you? What good news do you have? How come I haven't heard?"

"Ming Heng can't have children!" Ming Yue let out a triumphant laugh, her voice loud and clear, "His father had him checked out. The Chinese doctor was vague, saying something about kidney deficiency, but the Western doctor was very clear, saying his fertility is very poor, possibly infertile."

Lu Mingzhu was taken aback, "I just said it casually, did your father take it seriously after all?"

Ming Yue was stunned, "So it was your suggestion after all! It was an excellent suggestion!"

She was overjoyed.

"Did they find out the reason?" Lu Mingzhu asked her.

"I don't know, maybe it's inherited, or maybe it's acquired. After all, he got their maid pregnant when he was fifteen or sixteen, and his mother forced her to take medicine to abort the baby. Now that her son can't have children, I wonder if she regrets her past actions." Ming Yue hadn't mentioned this to Lu Mingzhu before, as she was too young.

Lu Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, "Such a thing really happened?"

Ming Yue nodded, "He had several girlfriends before dating Ye Qinghe, his philandering nature inherited from his father."

"It's a bit of karma," Lu Mingzhu said.

"Indeed!" Ming Yue gloated, "With Ming Heng unable to have children, my chances of inheriting the assets have greatly increased."

Lu Mingzhu reminded her, "Don't celebrate too early, Ming Heng can't have children, but Mr. Ming might still be capable. He's not yet fifty, wealthy and handsome, marrying a young and beautiful woman would be a piece of cake."

With the freedom of marriage, there's really no reason to stop him.

Ming Yue was taken aback, "You're right, I can't let my guard down."

"Exactly!" Lu Mingzhu said.

"Remarriage can wait. First off, congrats on 'Chuan Expedition' being a hit!" Ming Yue was quite envious.

"Thanks." Lu Mingzhu hung up, shook her head, and smiled.

She went back to her study and kept writing.

She had already finished 'Falling Blossoms Divine Sword' and was now working on its screenplay.

The screenplay for 'Falling Blossoms Divine Sword'.

Lu Mingzhu also planned to turn 'Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles' and 'Jianghu Chronicles' into screenplays. Since 'The Swordsman' could be adapted, these two martial arts novels could be as well.

This would not only bring in royalties but also boost the sales of both novels.

After writing over two thousand words, Lu Mingzhu felt tired and hungry, so she headed downstairs for tea and snacks.

Mid-snack, she saw He Yun walk in from outside.

He walked in calmly, neither hurried nor slow.

"Godfather," Lu Mingzhu set down her teacup and stood, "Are you here to congratulate me too?"

"Too?" He Yun looked puzzled.

Lu Mingzhu said, "I just talked to A Yue an hour ago."

He Yun chuckled, "Yes, congrats. 'Chuan Expedition' is really well done. I had tea with my partners, and they couldn’t stop praising it. I felt so proud."

Lu Mingzhu giggled, "It’s all thanks to everyone’s hard work!"

"When the movie hits ten million at the box office, I’ll give you a big gift," He Yun promised.

Lu Mingzhu beamed, "Godfather, you’re so generous. I hope it hits ten million. Unlike Mr. Ming, who only predicted five."

He Yun frowned, "What did Ming Hui want?"

"Hey! He’s in big trouble now!" Lu Mingzhu gleefully told He Yun about Ming Heng’s infertility, "A Yue’s thrilled."

He Yun just smiled silently.

Lu Mingzhu didn’t notice and quickly finished her tea and snacks, "Godfather, do you really think 'Chuan Expedition' can hit ten million?"

"Yes," He Yun said confidently.

Everything unfolded as He Yun predicted. On the fifth day, the box office was 113,000; on the sixth day, 122,000; and on the seventh day, 122,000. This continued for a month until several new cinemas were built, and the daily box office increased to 133,000.

Some people watched it once, then went back for a second and third time, bringing friends and family along to support it.

In July, the box office for the first two months totaled 7.534 million.

While it might not be unprecedented, it was definitely a first.

Other movies had no place to be shown, as every cinema was playing 'Chuan Expedition' all day, with each screening still 80% full. Many parents brought their children to watch it, telling them about the past wars and teaching them to cherish the hard-earned peace.

The staff at Da Ming Film Company were all smiles.

Lu Changsheng had just disembarked when he heard the laborers at the dock discussing 'Chuan Expedition'. One laborer carrying a heavy load said to another, "Have you seen the movie 'Chuan Expedition'? It's 'Chuan Expedition: The Campaign'."

The laborer said, "I saw it, and I even brought my wife and kids along!"

Someone nearby commented, "Those kids were incredibly brave. Because of that, I made a point to eat at a Sichuan restaurant. The owner is from Sichuan; his ancestors ran a restaurant, and he learned the craft well, but he gave up his family business to join the War of Resistance against Japan. Later, during the conflict, he ended up in Hong Kong and opened this Sichuan restaurant. He said he watches the movie every day and can't stop crying, saying he misses his hometown and his comrades, but he's afraid he might never return home in his lifetime."

It was said he was worried about causing trouble for his family.

This part was not spoken aloud.

Lu Changsheng listened quietly for a while, then said to his bodyguards, "Let's head home!"

First, he returned to his and Mrs. Lu's residence.

Mrs. Lu was overjoyed and surprised, "Changsheng, you're back!"

While telling the servants to prepare a meal to welcome him, she pulled him close to look him over, hesitating slightly, "Why do you seem a bit better than before? Also, there's a scar on your arm—how did that happen?"

Her eyes and heart were only for her eldest grandson, and even the slightest change would catch her attention.

The surgery removed four shrapnel fragments, three from his leg and one from his arm, so Lu Changsheng's previously stiff leg and arm were now more flexible.

However, the scars from the surgery remained.

It was hot, so he wore a short-sleeved shirt, naturally revealing the scars to Mrs. Lu.

Lu Changsheng whispered, "Grandma, I just had a minor surgery abroad to remove four shrapnel fragments. Don't I seem less limping than before? If you don't look too closely, it's hardly noticeable."

As he spoke, he walked back and forth in front of Mrs. Lu.

Mrs. Lu's eyes filled with tears, "You had surgery, why didn't you tell me? I could have gone to take care of you."

"At your age, how could I ask you to take care of me? It was just a minor surgery. Pingan was with me during the surgery, and Ningning would dance and play the piano for me every day." Lu Changsheng recounted his life abroad to his grandmother, "I also found Pingan and Ningning's grandmother. The old lady had been distraught after losing her daughter, but seeing the children, she slowly got better."

Mrs. Lu was stunned, wiping her tears, "I always forgot to ask you, what's the situation with Pingan's mother?"

"A noblewoman, a revolutionary comrade," Lu Changsheng said.

"Tell me more," Mrs. Lu wasn't easily fooled.

Lu Changsheng had no choice but to elaborate on Ye Ying's family background, in the absence of servants in the room.

Mrs. Lu listened carefully, "There's so much to it, it was best not to say anything, Ye Chaoyang is no good. However, you must take good care of your mother-in-law. She only has one daughter, and although her brothers are good, they can't compare to the younger generation's thoroughness."

"Don't worry," Lu Changsheng assured her.

Afraid that Mrs. Lu would bring up the topic of his surgery again, he quickly said, "Grandma, I'll go greet Dad first, then come back to have dinner with you."

With that, he immediately left.

So quickly that Mrs. Lu didn't have time to stop him.

She put down her outstretched hand and snorted, "Your dad has moved, don't waste your trip."

Unfortunately, Lu Changsheng didn't hear this and went to Happy Valley only to find it empty. After asking the servants left in the building, he found out that his father had moved to Repulse Bay, living in his sister's mansion.

Lu Changsheng searched all the way and found his way to Lu Mingzhu's home.

Lu Mingzhu was discussing with her father how to redeem the mortgaged jewelry and antiques—her 300,000 USD and her father's 10 million USD, plus three years of interest.

"It's not time yet," her father said, not worried at all.

"We need to prepare in advance!" Lu Mingzhu was worried that they might not have enough money to pay when the time came, leading to the bank handling a large number of jewelry and antiques on their own, which would be a huge loss.

The value of their belongings was far more than 10.3 million USD.

Lu Changsheng was about to mention that her dividends this month were more than sufficient when he noticed Lu Zhuri entering. He immediately stopped the conversation and looked at him with concern, "How did the surgery go?"

"It went well," Lu Changsheng demonstrated by walking around.

Lu Mingzhu's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Dad, I can't tell that Big Brother has any issues with his legs."

Now, the contrast between him and Lu Zhuri was even more striking.

Before Lu Changsheng could speak, Ming Yue rushed in, visibly upset, "Auntie, you called it—the old man’s planning to remarry!"