Chapter 486 Little Gilbert’s Grand Fantasy
While little Gilbert and his family were spending their leisurely vacation time on the farm that had just been renamed Stardew Valley, the movie market was turbulent.
In the first two weeks of May, it can be said that "Warrior" is the dominant one. Whether it is "Van Helsing" or any other movie, it poses no threat at all.
It was only in its third week that "Troy" was released that it knocked "Warrior" off the top spot at the North American weekly box office. But before the film reached its arrogance, it was quickly replaced by other films.
On May 21, "Shrek 2" produced by DreamWorks Action Studio was released.
The previous work achieved good box office success and received good reputation, so the development plan for the sequel was successfully put on the agenda, and it will finally be released to everyone this year.
As expected, the film became the first summer film in 2004 to gross over 100 million US dollars in its first week, with a first-week box office of US$108 million.
Although this box office is not as shocking as the first week box office of "Return of the King", it has been given a shot in the arm by DreamWorks.
We all know that DreamWorks has always wanted to become the eighth largest company in Hollywood. Originally, MGM United Artists had collapsed and might have become the seventh largest.
However, the giant company refused the entry of this new player and blocked DreamWorks from various resources.
So there is a very strange phenomenon. Every time there is a problem at DreamWorks, Spielberg will take action. But the problem is, Spielberg is not always so easy to use.
Spielberg himself privately lamented to his close associates that things would be much simpler if DreamWorks had Little Gilbert.
But this is impossible, so DreamWorks still needs to find a new way out.
And this way out lies with DreamWorks Animation Studio.
So "Shrek 2" fulfilled this important task and was a great success at the box office.
As we all know, the strength of animated movies has always been peripheral products.
In many cases, it is no accident that well-produced animated films can be successful at the box office, and peripheral profits are often several times the box office.
Therefore, "Shrek 2" suddenly renewed the life of DreamWorks, and also attracted the attention of other giant companies.
Just when "Shrek 2" was a hit at the box office, Steve Jobs made a special trip to Stardew Valley Farm to visit because of matters at Pixar Animation Studio.
"Steve, how effective was the Chinese medicine I recommended to you last time?" Little Gilbert asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Steve Jobs glared at little Gilbert: "You lied to me last time, you said he was a Zen master who could make my mind peaceful.
I invited him to the United States out of my personal trust in you. Who knew he was a Chinese medicine doctor and came to treat me? "
"Then let me ask you, do you feel your mind is relaxed during the treatment?" Little Gilbert asked.
"Well," Steve Jobs couldn't deny it, so he had to admit it honestly: "It's true, we often discuss Buddhist philosophical issues together.
This gave me peace of mind and a better perspective on death. "
What is this? Gilbert Jr. persuaded Steve Jobs to receive treatment many times. But Steve Jobs didn’t trust doctors, especially Western medicine.
When Gilbert Jr. and Ivanka were complaining, Ivanka came up with the idea of inviting other doctors to try out by pretending to be Buddhist masters.
Little Gilbert's eyes lit up and he immediately thought this was a good idea, so he called his old Chinese friend Lao Tian for help.
Lao Tian was worried because he felt sorry for little Gilbert for pretending to be a student. As a result, little Gilbert asked him to help find a doctor and a Zen Buddhist master.
Lao Tian agreed immediately and reported to the superiors, who immediately sent someone to invite him and found a senior monk who was proficient in traditional Chinese medicine and a master of Zen Buddhism.
Convinced him to travel to the United States to treat Steve Jobs.
The master was not happy at first, but later he agreed after hearing that he was trying to restore the country's image and mend relations.
When the master came, little Gilbert tried it first. The master prescribed some medicine to little Gilbert to help him solve some problems left over from years of intense work.
However, this requires long-term conditioning and cannot be achieved overnight.
The master also prescribed some prescriptions for several women, all of which were for beauty. Naomi Watts uses them every day and looks more and more radiant.
After his ability was verified, Gilbert Jr. introduced the master to Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs was not happy at first, but later Little Gilbert lied to him and said that the master was a Zen monk who would turn into a relic after his death.
Steve Jobs had a fanatical obsession with Zen Buddhism. He believed it at the time and invited the master to give him a lecture.
While talking, the master discussed Buddhism with Steve Jobs, and also prescribed medicine for Steve Jobs to drink.
Over the past six months, Steve Jobs' mental and physical condition has improved visibly, which made Apple's executives extremely happy.
However, everyone also made it very clear that Steve Jobs's disease could not be completely cured, he could only delay the symptoms. As long as the patient remains in good condition, living another ten or twenty years is not a problem.
And for little Gilbert, that was enough.
If I remember correctly, Steve Jobs passed away in 2011. With good treatment and a life of ten or twenty years, Steve Jobs will play a huge role.
Jobs knew that little Gilbert had lied to him, but his health was indeed improving, and the master's Dharma was indeed profound, so in his heart he could not blame little Gilbert. When I came to Stardew Valley Farm today, although on the surface it seemed like I was blaming him for life and death, in fact Steve Jobs was still very grateful to Little Gilbert.
After all, as long as they are normal people, no one wants to die so early.
For a technology geek, what he most wants to see is what kind of changes his products will bring to the world, and Jobs is the same.
"By the way, little Gilbert, how did you find Master Shikong?" Steve Jobs was very curious about this.
"It's nothing," said little Gilbert, looking very casual and relaxed: "Master Shikong is a Zen disciple besides the eight disciples of the Zhongnan Mountain Zen Sect in China. He walks among the people and never participates in secular Buddhist affairs.
He is the kind of ascetic who truly practices. He has traveled all over China's famous mountains and rivers, visiting eminent monks. At the same time, he has also preached and practiced and healed the suffering people. "
Steve Jobs clasped his hands and said: "The master is really a master. When I communicated with him, I felt that my soul was purified and made me calm a lot."
Little Gilbert said: "There are many such talented people in China. If you like them, I can also introduce you to Taoist heavenly masters."
"In one's life, it is extremely difficult to meet the guidance of an accomplished master. How dare I ask for anything else? Do you know that Master Shikong gave me a calligraphy before he left? What is it?"
"What?"
"Hold one, the saint hugs one, how dare I think twice?"
Little Gilbert was stunned. Steve Jobs had become a master of philosophy.
Moreover, the saying "Sage Baoyi" should come from Confucian philosophy. Although little Gilbert is not a master of Chinese studies, he at least knows something about it.
It seems that Master Shikong is not only a Zen master, but also has a thorough understanding of Confucian classics.
This is normal. In the history of Chinese religions, there has always been a process of the integration of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Many masters have studied extensively, so it is not surprising that Zen masters know Confucian classics.
Of course, this is not the point. The point is that Master Shikong really played a role in making Steve Jobs focus from Indian Buddhism to Chinese Buddhism.
More importantly, my body is getting better, which is a positive sign.
It's certain that Steve Jobs will definitely be publicized. Jobs himself would tell others about this to spread the influence of Zen Buddhism.
Those upper-class people who cherish their lives but are trapped by the effective treatment methods of Western medicine will from now on be obsessed with China's capable people and strangers to extend their lives.
Over time, these upper-class figures will have a favorable impression of the Chinese people.
Changes in the upper class will trigger changes in the lower class.
In the context of Western society, this will greatly improve the cultural gap between the East and the West and accelerate the process of globalization. We can't eliminate hatred, but we can at least reduce unnecessary misunderstandings.
Although he is making movies, little Gilbert sometimes feels that he has a sense of mission.
It is not fair to say that he is a traitor. What he did was exactly to save the Western people who were in confusion and pain.
In essence, little Gilbert does not want to see mankind return to the era of holding sticks and stones in the Fourth World War.
From this aspect, little Gilbert is a power traitor, a spy in a powerful society.
Sometimes little Gilbert would laugh at himself. A bad guy who makes movies actually has a grand sense of mission. Where does this sense of superiority come from?
But I really couldn't help it, because little Gilbert felt that he was the protagonist in the story and was destined to become a great artist who influenced human history.
Otherwise, he came here in vain!
Although he, as an artist, got it through plagiarism...
After exchanging some philosophical issues, Gilbert Jr. was defeated. He was no match for Steve Jobs.
However, during this trip, Jobs also told little Gilbert a piece of news. Pixar Animation Studios has officially accepted Disney's acquisition, and he will become a shareholder of Disney.
At the same time, Steve Jobs also said: "Although I will not be responsible for Pixar's specific business in the future, I will still invite you to serve as Pixar's creative director."
"Creative director?" Little Gilbert asked, "How much will I be paid?"
Steve Jobs took out a dollar in a serious manner, placed it in front of little Gilbert and said, "One dollar."
"One dollar?"
"Yes, one dollar."
Seeing little Gilbert's "Are you serious" expression on his face, Steve Jobs himself couldn't help but feel happy.
The conversation between the two was quite pleasant this time. Because Apple still had other things to do, Steve Jobs didn't stay long and went back quickly.
However, Stardew Valley Farm is not destined to be peaceful. Many people will come to visit and talk to little Gilbert about those magical things.
This summer, Stardew Valley Farm is destined to be unrest, and little Gilbert's leisurely vacation time seems to have become less leisurely.
(End of chapter)