Actor: Thank you.

If you're going to talk about this, I won't be sleepy anymore!
Upon hearing the words "Duke of Zhou," Zhang Yuan immediately jumped out of bed.

Heavens above, earth below!

Which ancestor blessed me and gave me a chance to turn my life around!

I'm finally able to play a positive character.

Moreover, they were among the most positive figures in Chinese history, and even in human history.

"It's settled then!"

"Someone as important as you can't just go back on your word."

“Actually, I think you would be quite suitable to play characters like Yang Du and Cao Rulin as well,” Lao Han replied.

Zhang Yuan: …

One helped Yuan Shikai restore the monarchy, while the other betrayed China's interests at the Paris Peace Conference.

Am I suited for this kind of role?

"Actually, you could also play Hu Shi."

“He’s not exactly a respectable person either,” Zhang Yuan replied immediately.

"Hey, don't talk about Hu Shi like that, you'll get criticized," Old Han advised.

Zhang Yuan cleared his throat.

Hu Shi was quite popular among intellectuals, and there were quite a few intellectuals in the literary and artistic circles.

After all, Hu Shi was among the earliest "public intellectuals".

Unfortunately, there are now far too many imitators.

Zhang Yuan has always felt that Huang Lei is the most suitable actor to play Hu Shi.

After all, you both married your students, and you look similar.

Huang Lei is suitable for playing any role like a shrewd scholar or a cunning literati.

However, Zhang Yuan vaguely remembered that Huang Lei had acted in this play, but he didn't play Hu Shi.

They cast Ah Zu to play Hu Shih.

Actually, it's not a good fit, because although Ah Zu looks smart, he's actually an honest person.

"Then can you confirm that I'll play the Duke of Zhou?" Zhang Yuan asked anxiously.

Hurry up, I can't wait!

"Yes, that's why I asked you to come here."

"It's a promise, no changes allowed."

"Don't change me at the last minute. I won't play a traitor."

"You little rascal..." Old Han was speechless when he saw him like this.

However, considering that he's willing to go to such lengths to play the Duke of Zhou, at least his values ​​are sound.

There was a reason why he chose Zhang Yuan to play the role.

First, their traits match.

Among the first generation of high-ranking officials, Duke Zhou was the most handsome in appearance.

Whether young or old, he was "of great appearance".

To play him, one must be good-looking; you can't find someone who looks righteous but is just average-looking.

Moreover, it's best if they are good-looking and have a sharp, heroic air about them.

Because in his later years, Duke Zhou was kind and gentle, and his appearance was amiable, but in reality, he was incredibly heroic in his youth.

It has a very sharp image.

To put it bluntly, he has a somewhat arrogant demeanor.

Actually, if it were you, you'd be arrogant too.

With such appearance and being skilled in both literature and martial arts, it's natural that he would carry such arrogance.

Furthermore, the saying that one should be skilled in both literature and martial arts is a tradition passed down from the Duke of Zhou.

His grandmother, née Lu, was Lu Xun's mother's cousin.

Therefore, Zhou Gong and Mr. Lu Xun were actually relatives and peers.

Their family were all intellectuals of that era; their literary talent stemmed from this.

Even more impressive is martial arts.

In film and television works, Huo Yuanjia is portrayed as a great hero, most famous for his battles against foreign masters.

Among them were Russian strongmen.

But movies and TV shows are just movies and TV shows. Huo Yuanjia was a grandmaster, but he wasn't that powerful.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been defeated by Zhang Sanjia, the final martial arts champion, with just three punches.

The story of a Chinese martial artist defeating a Russian strongman is true; it was simply attributed to Huo Yuanjia by Hong Kong filmmakers.

The man who beat up the Russian, Kantel, was named Han Muxia, who originally became an apprentice of a bodyguard from the Shaolin Temple.

Later, he became a disciple of Zhang Zhankui, a master of Xingyi Baguazhang.

He returned to Tianjin in his middle age to open a martial arts school.

Tianjin is known for its strong sense of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world), and those who open martial arts schools and establish their own brands here are no ordinary people.

Later, Nankai School in Tianjin added martial arts courses, and Han Muxia was hired as a martial arts teacher.

In class, he discovered a boy with thick eyebrows, big eyes, extraordinary bone structure, and exceptional talent.

He not only teaches privately, but also often takes his students to his own martial arts school to practice.

This young man was none other than the Duke of Zhou.

That's why Lao Han wanted Zhang Yuan to play the role.

Because Zhou Gong was considered a very skilled martial arts master in the entire "founding team" of New China!

Moreover, it was a skill learned from childhood.

He is quite proficient in Xingyiquan and Baguazhang.

Why does this person have such a heroic air about them?

He's not some weak, bookish scholar.

This heroic spirit also carries the sharpness and confidence gained from martial arts training.

We chose Zhang Yuanlai because he knows martial arts and his temperament is a better fit.

There are quite a few people with a murderous aura in the startup team.

But most of them were forged in war.

Having emerged from hell, one is naturally terrifyingly strong.

However, when it comes to formal martial arts lineage, there are only a handful of the most skilled practitioners.

There was General Xu Shiyou, a genuine Shaolin disciple, who could lift a 600-jin stone lock with one hand.

He's basically like a modern-day Xu Chu.

There was also General Chen Geng, who had saved Chiang Kai-shek's life.

The family's traditional boxing style was once used jokingly as a "hidden force" when shaking hands with the military attaché to China, Baudelaire, on the battlefield in Vietnam.

According to the other party's diary, after being shaken by General Chen, his fingers were unable to bend for three days.

Later, I inquired and learned that this was the "silk-reeling energy" from ancient boxing techniques.

Otherwise, if they hadn't carried Chiang Kai-shek on their backs for 10 miles to escape, most people would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.

It's understandable that Li Yunlong was afraid when he saw the brigade commander...

Because of their shared martial arts background and the fact that they both came from the Shaolin lineage, General Xu Shiyou would often seek out the Duke of Zhou (a figure associated with sleep and wakefulness) for "playing".

It was really just a show of fighting, a way of showing off.

The Duke of Zhou was a refined scholar; even his fighting was rather unsightly.

Finally, we drank three catties of Moutai during the meal, which convinced General Xu.

This raises another question: why does China ban weapons?

Because these big shots know too well what a real martial arts practitioner is like and what they can do, they know it themselves.

He is both literate and skilled in martial arts, handsome, has a high alcohol tolerance, is devoted in relationships, and possesses a top-notch intellect.

Basically, Zhou Gong is the template for high-quality men.

The kind that's 360 degrees without any blind spots.

Zhang Yuan's first reaction was that playing this role was a huge honor for him.

At the same time, Zhou Gong is also the most famous "discontinued author" in the history of novels.

In 14, she used the pen name "Feifei" to serialize her martial arts novel "Heroine" in the magazine "Jingye".

It depicts a young man from a family of martial arts practitioners who punishes evil and upholds justice.

At that time, he was practicing martial arts with Han Muxia, which is actually a semi-autobiographical novel.

But after the "Twenty-One Measures" were introduced, he stopped updating his blog.

The author's reason for discontinuing updates: He devoted himself to the revolution, trying to save the nation from collapse and rescue it from peril, which left him with no time to update.

So don't start cursing just because an author stops updating; they might be going off to serve the country and save the nation...

After haggling with Lao Han for a long time, I demanded that we sign the contract immediately.

Han Sanpin was having a headache.

This is the first time I've seen this kid so enthusiastic.

"You're lucky too."

"I'll have someone send you the contract; you're one of the first actors we finalized."

"Okay, okay... By the way, what do you mean by 'good luck'?" Zhang Yuan asked, pleased with himself.

"It's nothing, I just asked Shao Hong to help me study the script."

"She recommended Chen Kun for the role."

Old Han is still the same; he always brings along all his "own people" when he gets things done.

He and Huang Jianxin are directors.

Li Shaohong and Lu Chuan served as assistant directors.

Hua Yi, a producer at Bona Film Group.

With connections all coming to help, there's bound to be a share of the profits.

Li Shaohong then assigned jobs to all the artists under his management.

Yang Yang and Li Xin will also go to the film set.

But coincidentally, Zhang Yuan introduced Chen Kun to the cast of "1911 Revolution" to play Wang Jingwei!
Li Shaohong did the math and realized that the other side had more screen time, and he had already agreed to it.

That's the end of it.

Actually, Li Shaohong was unwilling at first.

Because Zhang Yuan poached Chen Kun's role in "The Founding of a Republic," it's like he's getting another chance.

But things are different now, so we have to pretend it never happened.

"Oh, I see." Zhang Yuan scratched his head.

I never expected that my decision to turn down a role and introduce a job to Chen Kun would result in an unexpected bonus.

I played the Duke of Zhou, and he played Wang Jingwei.

We all have a bright future...

After finishing my conversation with Lao Han, I hung up the phone.

Han Sanpin shook his head helplessly.

When he said he was lucky, he was only telling half the story.

Actually, Zhang Yuan is more famous than Chen Kun, so if Li Shaohong really wanted to squeeze him out, there was nothing he could do.

But the key to the problem lies with your other half!
Because he had just met with the top figure in the island nation.

The other party's family had a very good personal relationship with Zhou Gong and his wife.

The story in "The Red Lantern" is about the Hatoyama family finding the Duke of Zhou.

Whenever members of the Hatoyama family visit China, the two families always eat together. You can't possibly cast someone with a questionable background, stance, or character who might cause a scandal to play such an important historical figure.

If we cast Zhang Yuan, we won't have these problems.

It's understandable if higher-ups get involved.

Zhang Yuan and Hatoyama have now met briefly, which is enough to satisfy both sides.

For most people making this kind of commemorative film, the goal is simply to avoid making mistakes; achieving nothing of note is already considered a success.

Old Han is considered quite daring.

Moreover, it is said that when Han Kuo-yu was alive, it was the golden age of Chinese cinema.

That's not entirely wrong, but there's also the factor of the times; he just happened to be at that particular point in time.

Aside from the favorable circumstances, Lao Han, though domineering, also has his merits.

He is at least a professional and knowledgeable person.

Moreover, because of his background, he can keep film and television professionals across the country in check.

After he stepped down, coupled with the rise of the internet industry, even China Film Group could no longer suppress several major internet companies.

"The Founding of a Republic" and "The Founding of the Party" are both considered average in terms of plot and filming.

But their resource coordination, publicity, and production are all quite impressive.

Compared to "The Founding of an Army" after Han Guofeng's retirement...

Not afraid of not knowing the goods, but afraid of comparing goods.

Because people like Lao Han, who can overcome all "obstacles" and whose word is law, no longer exist.

Various factions will then take turns, each with their own agenda, trying to insert people and gain benefits.

They say Lao Han is a bandit leader.

But with Zuo Shandiao gone, his underlings all set up their own fiefdoms, and outsiders also became mountain kings, making things even more chaotic.

Zhang Yuan put down his phone, picked up his laptop, printed out a picture of Zhou Gong (the Duke of Zhou) and hung it on the wall.

I need to find video footage of Zhou Gong (the Duke of Zhou) and practice and learn from it.

"Xingyiquan and Baguazhang are not easy to master." He paced around the room, pondering.

In martial arts terms, it's said that "Tai Chi takes ten years to master, but Xingyi can kill someone in a year."

Therefore, ordinary people think that Xingyi Quan is easy to learn and that one can master it in a year.

This is actually a misunderstanding; the information was misrepresented.

Xingyiquan is very "powerful," and it's true that practicing it can quickly improve physical fitness.

However, this style of boxing is very difficult to learn; it is easy to get started but extremely difficult to master.

So the saying that "a person is killed in a year" is actually "a person is killed in a chase".

It is said that Xingyiquan has an extremely powerful momentum, and "chasing" implies a pursuit and attack.

There's an accent here.

"I need to find a Xingyiquan master to learn from, no, to teach me."

Zhang Yuan pondered who he should contact.

"wrong."

"I'm not going to take the long way around!"

"Doesn't Wu Jing know Bajiquan and Xingyiquan?"

Moreover, this person's skills are inherited from his family; his grandfather was a master of both disciplines.

"Let's go for it!" Zhang Yuan clapped his hands.

He was just thinking about how to "get" Wu Jing when another phone call came in.

Zhang Yuan picked up his phone and squinted.

"Hehe, that's something new."

He glanced at it with interest, pondered for a moment, and then answered the phone.

Because the person who called was unusual; we hadn't been in contact with him for many years.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang." Zhang Yuan greeted him politely.

The person who was looking for him was Zhang Weiping.

"It's been years since we last met."

"Yes, you've been doing well lately. I see you on TV all the time," Mr. Zhang said casually.

Zhang Yuan responded in agreement, while simultaneously pondering the situation.

What do you want from me?

Filming?

There haven't been any big shows lately.

Filming for "A Simple Noodle Story" has wrapped up, and the film is currently undergoing promotion and distribution. It is scheduled for release at the end of the year.

The next film to be shot should be "Under the Hawthorn Tree".

This film... probably won't cast me.

Because the only role available to me is the male lead.

But if I'm the male lead, then Zhou Dongyu can't be the female lead.

She's not qualified to act opposite me; it would make the relationship between the male and female leads unbalanced.

Zhang Yuan didn't believe that Zhang Yimou would contact him, but if it was Zhang Weiping for the sake of box office... well, that was another story.

Are you perhaps asking me to endorse Zhang Yimou?
That's not impossible either.

Sun Honglei is familiar with both Xiao Shenyang and Sun Honglei, and he helped mediate the conflict.

That made up my mind.

I refused any offers to act in my films.

If you want me to endorse you, you're giving Zhang Yimou face.

Just do it!

The other party rambled on for a while, then immediately started reminiscing about the past.

From discovering Zhang Yuan himself to casting him in "Curse of the Golden Flower," which made him "famous overnight."

It seems like I was only able to get up because of him.

Zhang Yuan cleaned his ear while closing his eyes with disdain.

You should save this for fooling Zhang Yimou.

“We’re still from the same family, we all believe in Zhang.” Zhang Weiping even resorted to the cliché of looking for connections based on surnames.

Zhang Zongchang and the Jade Emperor both believed in Zhang.

They'll just bombard his mother with cannons.

"Yes, yes, we're family," Zhang Yuan replied against his will.

"So, since we're family, we should be of one mind and work together towards the same goal."

“I understand your thoughts.” Zhang Yuan didn’t have time to beat around the bush any longer, so he simply spoke directly.

"If there's anything I can help you with, please just let me know."

“We can discuss it.”

"Hey, it's nothing serious, it's a good thing." Zhang Weiping said in a nonchalant manner.

"I'm planning to propose a change to the revenue-sharing ratio for cinemas!"

Zhang Yuan: This is a small matter?

You're here again, aren't you?!
Zhang Weiping's greatest contribution to the history of Chinese cinema was actually using Zhang Yimou's "trump card" to force cinemas to change their revenue sharing ratios on multiple occasions.

Initially, Huaxia Cinemas was to take 65% of the box office revenue.

The production company and the distributor together only get 35%.

Ultimately, the investors who make the film will likely receive around 25%.

Who took the photo?

After "Hero", 37% was mentioned.

After "Curse of the Golden Flower", 43% was mentioned.

Zhang Weiping is here again.

Anyway, he only does it once every few years. Whenever Zhang Yimou has a big film coming out, he always comes out to make a fuss.

Since a film generates 100 million in revenue, each additional percentage point represents 1 million.

How could someone like Zhang Weiping, who's greedy for money and considers it a loss if he doesn't pick up money on the street, possibly let this opportunity pass him by?

He treats Zhang Yimou's trump card like a triple threat, pulling it out to play whenever he has a spare moment.

"I'm planning to treat everyone to dinner right now."

"I plan to meet with Huayi, Bona, and Guangxian."

"Let's have a meal together sometime."

Are you interested?

"After all, with the increased profit-sharing ratio, everyone will benefit in some way."

They claim it's practical and beneficial, but it's really just them causing trouble for their own film.

Because Zhang Weiping is cunning right here.

He took the lead, saying it was to increase the profit-sharing ratio.

If the deal goes through, everyone is happy; if it doesn't, to appease him, the major theater chains will give his film some special benefits.

For example, a specific ratio.

Everyone else is 43 or 57, but we'll give you 45 or 55 for this movie.

We'll make a separate agreement, but your alliance will be dissolved.

Zhang Yuan sneered inwardly.

This so-called alliance is worse than the European countries during World War II.

Zhang Yuan knew very well that he was being sought out not just for him.

It was also to get the Hong Kong bigwigs involved in the film industry on both sides of the strait to come forward together.

By winning him over, Zhang Weiping has essentially won over a large group of people, significantly increasing his influence!
"You, the Nine Gates Admiral, want to force the emperor to abdicate? You're asking me, the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, for troops..." Zhang Yuan cursed inwardly.

"I see..." Zhang Yuan pretended to hesitate.

"Mr. Zhang, am I qualified to get involved in this matter?"

“How is that not enough? I think you’ve given me more than enough!” Zhang Weiping exclaimed.

"Okay then!" Zhang Yuan put on a smug look, as if he had been successfully fooled.

"I will arrange a meeting between film industry representatives from both sides of the strait to discuss this matter."

"Oh, that's great! I'll wait for your news!" Zhang Weiping said with a cheerful smile.

After hanging up the phone, he chuckled mischievously for a while.

"Young people are so easy to talk to (lie)."

"Just a little bit is enough to get you drunk."

I'll go find Zhang Yimou to discuss how to address this matter.

"Zhang Yuan agreed?" Zhang Yimou asked, tilting his head.

Could it be that this kid has really gotten too cocky, just like some people say?
He had assumed that Zhang Yuan wouldn't get involved.

Zhang Yimou wasn't actually very interested in this matter.

Because even if they split the profits more, they won't give me any.

"Of course, he still gave me face." Boss Zhang grinned, looking confident.

Zhang Yuan said he would go back and discuss it in a meeting, but he didn't say he would agree.

There is a fundamental difference between these two... (End of Chapter)