Volume 1: A sound on Wall Street, Xinxiang City is busy copying books Chapter 248: Setting up the Scene
Chapter subtitle: The first sound film
"Aunt, we women have to be cautious when choosing a husband. But we can't just listen to one side and believe it."
Wei Mingzhu glanced at her niece with disdain and complained in her heart, "You were charmed by a state box in the Paris Opera House, and you still have the nerve to talk about me, your aunt?"
The reason why Huang Huilan, a real rich girl, married Gu Weijun, a widower with a burden, was not only because Gu himself was talented and famous, but also because the honor she enjoyed as a senior diplomat greatly satisfied Miss Huang's vanity.
For example, they could sit in the first-class box at the opera house, which was a privilege that almost no Chinese could enjoy at that time. At that time, Huang Huilan realized that this kind of honor and privilege was something that her father could not buy with any amount of money. That's why she agreed to Gu Weijun's proposal so quickly.
In fact, life after marriage was pretty much what she had imagined. This noble lady followed her husband to Buckingham Palace to attend balls, chatted and laughed with George V, attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of the United States, and so on. She went to high-class occasions in Europe and the United States almost every day. It can be said that she got what she wanted. What more could a woman ask for?
Our Miss Wei Mingzhu doesn't care about such superficial and empty material possessions. Her ideal husband is Mr. Zhaoming, who "draws the knife into a piece and lives up to the youth." So let alone our Master , even her nephew-in-law Shaochuan is a bit low.
The Marianna, carrying the two beauties, Mr. Wu and William II's envoy, finally crossed the Pacific Ocean and was originally scheduled to arrive in New York on December 13. However, due to the "Bloody Sunday", the Irish dock workers went on strike, so they were delayed in Queenstown for a few days and did not arrive at their destination, New York, until five days later on the 18th.
Along the way, Huang Huilan had been trying to persuade her aunt not to make a hasty decision based on other people's one-sided words. After all, she had to meet Yuan Yanshu.
Miss Wei said lazily, "Okay, Huilan. I understand. We'll talk about it later."
"Auntie, how can I say that again..."
“Wuwuwu…”
"Huilan, we should get ready to disembark!"
The ship's whistle sounded, and the "Mariana" cruise ship slowly entered the berth. Then, as first-class guests, they were given priority to transfer to the barge and go ashore, and entered the US customs.
You should know that at that time, the United States had extremely strict control over the entry and exit of Chinese people. For example, if students like Yuan Yanshu were found working, they would be deported. After graduation, international students were even less qualified to work in the United States. Of course, if you entered the First National Bank of New York to work for Mr. George Baker like Master Yuan, that would be another matter.
The same is true for businessmen. Chinese businessmen entering the United States must be shareholders or above. No matter if you are a manager, financial or technical personnel, you are not allowed to enter. In addition, those who run restaurants, cigarette factories, hat and shoe factories, and tailor shops are not considered businessmen. When Chinese businessmen in the United States want to return to China, they must find two non-Chinese witnesses to prove that they have not engaged in any occupation other than their own business, otherwise they will not be able to enter the country again.
In addition to the above two, only officials and travelers can enter. The problem is that these days, Chinese who can travel to North America are either rich or noble, and they can easily get official status or diplomatic visas.
Huang Huilan was the wife of the ambassador to the United States, Wei Mingzhu was the aunt of the wife of the ambassador to the United States, and their maids were all diplomats stationed in the United States. They all had diplomatic visas, and they were met by officials from the consulate in the United States, so they easily set foot on the democratic and free land of the United States.
"Mrs. Gu, I am Luo Jiaxiang, the first secretary of the Consulate General in New York."
"Mr. Luo, I didn't expect you to come pick us up in person. You are so polite."
Would Master Yuan's Luo Shishu miss this opportunity to show his affection to his boss's wife? Of course not. So he received the telegram from the ship and estimated that he would meet them at the dock on that day.
"Madam Gu, please allow me to introduce you. This is the second-class secretary... This is the military attaché to the United States... This is... my nephew Luo Puxiang."
Luo Jiaxiang lowered his voice and said, "My nephew is Yuan Hongjian's good friend."
Huang Huilan turned her beautiful eyes to look at the welcoming crowd and asked calmly, "Why didn't Mr. Yuan come?"
Luo Puxiang said with some pride: "Madam Gu, Brother Hongjian has an appointment with Mr. Edison today and is going to his laboratory. It is really Wuxia's fault that I came here to apologize to Madam Gu and... um."
"Mr. Edison?" Huang Huilan asked in surprise, "Is that Mr. Edison?"
"Mr. Edison, this is my special scientific advisor Mr. Tesla. I think you know him too, hahahaha..."
Mr. Edison, even Mr. Edison Jr., of course recognized Nikola Tesla. Today, only Theodore Edison was present. Mr. Edison Sr. would not risk being slapped in the face again and specially come to meet Master Yuan. Fortunately, he did not come, otherwise seeing his old rival in good spirits, his condition would definitely be aggravated .
Theodore's temper was much better than his father's, so he didn't walk away immediately. He still shook hands with Master Yuan and his scientific advisor and "Lord of the Tower" with a stern face.
However, his temper was not good enough to warmly welcome his father's enemies. Mr. Edison said coldly: "Mr. Yuan, we have already completed the table radio and truck radio you 'invented'. You can see them over there."
Theodore glanced at Frankenstein and said, "If you have any questions, I think Mr. Tesla can answer them for you. I have something else to do, so I'll excuse myself..."
Our Master Yuan raised his hand to stop him and said, "Mr. Edison, in addition to these two things, are you ready for the request I asked Mr. Baker to convey?"
Theodore replied unhappily, "Are you talking about the sound film recording equipment? Well, it's in the warehouse next door. That warehouse has also been vacated according to Louis' instructions."
Yuan Yan nodded happily and said, "That's good."
He turned to his male secretary and said, "Yuri, let the workers go directly to the warehouse next door. We are on a tight schedule and need to finish the filming before Christmas, so please ask them to start work immediately."
Mr. Edison didn't want to have much contact with this hateful Chinese, but the young man's curiosity made him ask: "Mr. Yuan, what are you doing?"
"Setting up the scenery!" our Master Yuan answered casually.
"Building a set?" Theodore was stunned. "You want to shoot a movie? In our warehouse?"
"Yeah, I... to be exact, director Lillian Gish is going to shoot a movie in your warehouse!"
"You said Miss Lillian Gish was in this film?"
"I said this film was directed by Miss Lillian Gish!"
