Actor: Thank you.

A few days later, Hengdian was greeted by a light rain, a drizzle unique to the Jiangnan region.

Sprinkled on the antique-style stone pavement, combined with the scent of grass after the rain, it creates a sense of temporal displacement.

Zhang Yuan felt as if he had truly traveled back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, because the story of "Reign of Assassins" is set in the Ming Dynasty.

This is somewhat similar to the later film "Brotherhood of Blades," both being classic martial arts films set in the Ming Dynasty.

However, the two dramas have very different styles.

"Brotherhood of Blades" is quite realistic, both in terms of the characters' emotions and the content design.

"Reign of Assassins" is somewhat ethereal, which is understandable given its incorporation of Buddhist culture.

Moreover, a large portion of the story focuses on the romance between the male and female leads. Although it foreshadows many character developments and hides plot twists, it still has a bit of a Korean drama feel, especially since the male lead is Korean.

Zhang Yuan felt that the most unrealistic aspect of "Reign of Assassins" was not the martial arts, but rather the fact that the magicians' skills had surpassed both martial arts and magic, making it somewhat fantastical.

It is also not that the Ghost Hand Doctor can perform cosmetic surgery on people using Gu worms.

This story actually takes place during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty!
With Zhu Yuanzhang in power, right under his nose, there was the country's most powerful assassin organization in the palace?
In the second year of the Hongwu reign, the Imperial Guard Command was established, and in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign, it was reorganized and established as the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Is it that the Imperial Guards have lost their ability to wield their swords, or that King Yama has become arrogant?
This is utter nonsense.

The assassin organization of the Wheel King is called Black Stone.

It's unclear whether the screenwriter and John Woo did it intentionally or accidentally.

Everyone knows that Blackstone in the real world is an asset management group that is even more ruthless and bloodless than assassin groups.

It's truly bloodless; they directly manipulate the market and exploit the people.

Blackstone, BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street... Which emerging company in any country doesn't have investments and shares from these groups? They are a crucial link in the North American gang's manipulation of the global supply chain.

Zhang Yuan deliberately found a room on the second floor, leaned against the carved window, and drank a cup of tea, feeling as if he were a wandering knight-errant.

But then I thought, being a chivalrous knight-errant doesn't seem as enjoyable as being a wealthy merchant.

Looking downstairs, I saw the film crew shooting a chase scene in the rainy streets.

Yang Ziqiong carried a sword on her back and walked swiftly.

The male and female protagonists are brought together by swords and fall in love because of rain, hence the name "Reign of Assassins".

A martial arts world filled with swords and rain, somewhat reminiscent of Gu Long's works.

Before long, I reached out and saw that the light rain had stopped.

He climbed off the windowsill and went outside.

The production team began preparing for a major production, and even more actors arrived.

Zhu Yawen, who was assigned to the film crew to play the role of the magician, was made up to look like an old man and wore a gray-white wig.

Phew... Zhang Yuan felt relieved not to have to meet with artists whose stances were questionable.

But then he turned around and saw Yu Wenle playing Lei Bin, a master of hidden weapons.

My mood soured again; this person's character was unclear.

But he couldn't change every role. Zhang Yuan had to be careful not to offend the director and John Woo, so he turned a blind eye to some things.

This is also why Jiang Yiyan wasn't driven away.

The Black Stone organization only has a few top experts.

Lei Bin, who uses hidden weapons; the acrobat, who performs fancy tricks; Xi Yu, a master swordsman; plus King Yama himself... that's it.

The rest were just grunts.

With just these few pieces of material, even the drizzle ran away.

This organization is really in a sorry state.

Oh, and there's one more, Fatty Chen, the second-in-command in charge of the accounts.

The production team hired Ma Shuliang, who played Hu Yitong in "Home with Kids".

I also met Mr. Wang Deshun, who was making a cameo appearance as the detective. I had met him a few years ago on the set of "The Forbidden Kingdom".

He's still very energetic, and the way he walks makes him look like he's 40.

The 40-year-old programmer is not as physically fit as the old man.

When Wang Xueqi was filming, he made a special trip to watch it, and told Zhu Yawen to watch it and learn from it when she had time.

He's a true expert, and now that he's signed with Fan Bingbing's company, he's practically one of their own.

This guy is not only a great actor, but he's also proficient in all kinds of acting from the older generation.

Because he was playing the role of a eunuch, who was also the leader of an assassin organization.

This person needs to switch between two voices: the boss's is a deep, gloomy, angry voice, while the eunuch's is a high-pitched, light falsetto.

"Did you see that?" Zhang Yuan patted Zhu Yawen on the shoulder: "Switching between the two states in a second."

"This is a true master."

Zhu Yawen's problem is that he tends to overdo it.

When he acts, the acting is very obvious and a bit exaggerated.

"Also, get along well with Zhang Yuqi, she's one of us."

"She's come to our company too?" Yawen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It'll be done soon, but the contract isn't finalized yet."

"Congratulations, boss, on adding another great general." Zhu Yawen recalled that in another indoor filming location, Zhang Yuqi's bare back, dressed in red makeup, looked both tragic and perverse.

It looks pretty good!
She captured the feeling of a madwoman who wanted to kill her husband perfectly... She actually stabbed her husband later.

“It’s not just one new member.” Zhang Yuan laughed heartily.

The Black Stone assassin organization, excluding the boss, only has four top-tier members.

But Lu Zhu, the "monk," took in three "masters" in this wave!
"A few more young ladies are also coming to our company."

"You'll meet him at meals in the future, so you need to act like an older brother."

"I added them to the company's QQ group so that they could help each other out if they met while filming."

Zhang Yuan then added the three people to the group chat and changed their names and nicknames.

After dinner that day, Zeng Jia called him the next day.

"That Mao Xiaotong contacted me first, wanting to join our company."

“Very good!” Zhang Yuan replied with considerable satisfaction.

My painstaking efforts were not in vain.

He still showed compassion and didn't resort to harsh measures.

It's fine to use the Black Hand technique on Zhang Ziyi, but it's unnecessary for ordinary girls.

Let them see a higher level of the world and know what the real entertainment industry is like.

To understand just how many benefits one can gain from fame.

Entice them with benefits, not empty promises.

Instead, they showed them through their actions.

Originally, I was afraid, especially after seeing what happened between Zhang Jianing and Jiang Yiyan, I was afraid of being made an example of.

Now there is more longing and hope.

When you're out in the world, isn't it all about making money, whether you want to buy a house or a car, or live a luxurious life?

Okay, let's do it then.

"Want my treasure? You can have it all. Go find it! I've left all my treasure there." — Gol D. Zhang Yuan, the Pirate King of Shanghai.

Only by letting them catch a glimpse of a corner of the Heavenly Palace will they yearn to become immortals.

You can't just rush them into buying things; you have to motivate them to take initiative.

With the first one, there is the second one.

Soon after, Tang Yixing and Reyizha also called to inquire.

Giving a contract to a complete newcomer like this is already considered extremely merciful.

They have 19-series cards.

Many companies simply exploit newcomers, treating them like "apprenticeship fees."

Therefore, most artists leave the companies where they started out because they have been exploited, feel resentful, and have grievances.

Zhang Yuan took care of Zeng Jia, hoping for a long-term cooperation.

So the contract is 50/50, but like Baoqiang's in the early years, it has a tiered system. Once the income reaches a certain level, the share can be gradually increased, up to a maximum of 37%.

This is already the revenue-sharing model for most second-tier, and even some first-tier, artists.

If these girls are raised properly, they can each earn tens of millions a year in the future, and they won't have to worry about making money at all.

For Mao Xiaotong's role in "The Legend of Qin 2" alone, the production team owes him 1300 million yuan in unpaid salaries.

Moreover, this is only the last two installments of the payment plan; the first two installments have already been paid. This is part of the payment for one film.

At her peak, Yang Tianbao could earn 8000 million yuan before taxes for a single film even with green screen and face swapping. Otherwise, how could she have become so arrogant that she didn't take her husband seriously?

Before the government issued the salary cap order, the entire market was in a frenzy.

Having won over these three people put him in a great mood.

I've acquired a few more promising stocks; I'll just wait and see how they slowly generate profits for me.

Shortly after, I received a call, and John Woo, the producer, finally arrived on set.

He took the initiative to approach them and wanted to discuss adapting the IP.

When they arrived at another rather desolate location, Wu Baige was talking with an old man.

This elderly gentleman is none other than You Benchang, the actor who played Ji Gong in the TV series "The Swordsman".

Zhang Yuan counted on his fingers and realized that Teacher You was almost 80 years old.

His energy and physique are unlike those of Mr. Wang Deshun, who is the same age.

But Teacher You's eyes were very bright, and from a distance, it seemed as if he was enveloped in a faint glow.

Perhaps, this is the filter of Ji Gong.

He knew he shouldn't let such an opportunity pass him by, so he quickly went up to greet him.

"Oh, I've seen you before." The old man had a very good memory.

"You're too kind. I'm also playing a monk this time."

“Lu Zhu, right?” The old man immediately raised his hand: “My apprentice in the play.”

"Yes, that's right." Zhang Yuan could tell at a glance that the old man was a professional and extremely familiar with the script.

"It's not easy to portray a monk; one must possess a tranquility that comes from within," the old man advised.

"It can't be faked, and it can't be acted out."

"It must be true for it to be true."

Ever since he played Ji Gong, he has become fascinated with Buddhism.

There's a saying in the entertainment industry: actors often share a similar fate with the first role that made them famous.

There are many reasons why an actor can become very popular.

But some of the reasons are that the role fits the character, plus the actor really acts well.

A good fit and excellent performance show that you are truly immersed in the role.

Some people can't get out of the role even after it's over, while others seem to have detached themselves from the character, but in reality, a part of the character has completely integrated into their personality.

This is what they mean by life being like a play, and a play being like life.

Mr. You Benchang is a perfect example; he brought Ji Gong to life and became Ji Gong himself.

In terms of the role of Ji Gong alone, his performance is comparable to Chen Xiaoxu's Lin Daiyu, Lu Shuming's Guan Gong, and Liu Xiaolintong's Monkey King.

The old man made a lot of money by portraying the character Ji Gong and even bought several houses.

But in the end, they had to sell the house to raise money for a stage play.

The stage play is called "Master Hongyi". Hongyi's real name was Li Shutong.

An artist, musician, playwright, and calligrapher during the Republic of China era, he became a monk at Dinghui Temple in Hupao, Hangzhou in his middle age.

It is only a few kilometers away from Lingyin Temple, where the Buddhist monk Ji Gong practiced Buddhism.

The song that plays at the beginning of the movie "Let the Bullets Fly" when the advisor and others are eating hot pot and singing.

Outside the long pavilion, along the ancient road, fragrant grasses stretch to the horizon...

This song was written by Master Hongyi, and Jiang Wen slightly modified the lyrics when she used it.

Mr. You Benchang sold his house because he was so dedicated to portraying Master Hongyi.

He himself said that everything he had was obtained because of Ji Gong, and now he is simply returning it to Ji Gong.

Zhang Yuan was deeply moved after hearing this; this person had truly reached a higher level of understanding.

I could never treat money like dirt.

"So now that you've lost your house in the capital, where are you going to live?"

"Renting a house is great, it's convenient for moving and national tours, hahaha..." This person said, laughing heartily in a very Ji Gong-like manner, very carefree.

"It's tough on my wife. She's so old, and she still has to live without a fixed place to live."

Zhang Yuan didn't believe him; he knew the old man had made a lot of money.

You can see him on various film sets all the time, but staging stage plays and touring is indeed very expensive.

"So, have you started performing your play yet?"

"I'm about to start my tour, so I'm out working to raise money for the trip."

"We still need director John Woo to help us with some travel expenses."

“He’s an investor,” Wu Baige said, pointing to Zhang Yuan.

"Oh, you're an investor? That's impressive for someone so young."

"Speaking of investment, is your play still short of funds?" Zhang Yuan looked at the kind-faced old man: "If not, I can sponsor some."

"No need," the old man waved his hand. "This is my personal wish."

"It's not certain whether the play will do well at the box office; it might even make you lose money."

"If you're really interested, just come and take a look, that's all."

"Definitely!" This was the first time Zhang Yuan had ever encountered someone who refused money offered to them.

People who don't want it aren't short of money; he doesn't want it even if he's short of money.

He has integrity!
He stopped bothering them when it was time to prepare for filming.

"The past mind cannot be grasped, the present mind cannot be grasped, and the future mind cannot be grasped!"

As I left, I could hear the old man reciting his lines in his aged but powerful voice.

This statement comes from the Diamond Sutra and is referred to as the Buddhist concept that the three worlds are unattainable.

The film references the fact that Mr. Yu also plays a monk named Jianchi.

After Lu Zhu died, he asked Xi Yu to give all his belongings to Elder Jian Chi, which is how the two became acquainted.

Later, Xi Yu realized that she had fallen in love with the male protagonist Jiang Asheng, so she came to ask if she had a chance to live again.
This led to these three Buddhist Zen sayings.

The past is just an illusion, the present is the past, and the future is about to become the present.

As Uncle Benshan said, this is called yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Yesterday they sold crutches, today they sell cars, tomorrow they'll sell stretchers...

People don't actually live in the past, nor in the future, nor even in the present.

Live only in this moment, this instant.

Zhang Yuan felt that this concept was quite abstract, and could only understand it superficially as doing every task at hand well and treating everyone he met kindly.

Do not dwell on your own or others' past, nor place all your hopes for life on a vague and uncertain future.

He doesn't fully understand yet, but he might understand someday.

But the old man seemed to understand, otherwise he wouldn't be so open-minded.

"That's why people can still be so energetic even in their 90s," Zhang Yuan muttered.

The old man probably never imagined that he would face another calamity at over ninety years old.

Wong Kar-wai was swatting crickets at me from behind...

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment and wondered if his previous antics with Sunglasses Wong could be considered as a way of avenging his future grandfather.

Correct!
What I'm doing is just.

I am still kind.

Not long after leaving the old man, he asked his assistant to write down that he wanted to see the old man's play "Master Hongyi".

You should respect the experts in your field, and not always play with the lousy chess players.

Just as I was making the arrangements, another phone call came in.

"Hey Zhang Yuan, do you have a moment?"

"I want to talk to you."

The caller was Gu Yongqiang, the CEO of Youku.

"I'll come see you in a few days, I'm busy right now," he replied steadily.

Actually, he had been waiting for this call for a long time.

Leaving the past behind, he is now ready to find his future... (End of Chapter)