Actor: Thank you.

After Zhang Yuan finished explaining to Yu Zheng, he got up to leave.

"Are you really leaving?"

"There's another meeting to attend."

"Back to the capital?" Yang Mi hurriedly asked, "I'm going back too, can we go together on the way?"

"No, I still have to be in Hengdian. I have a meeting with Tangren Media and I also need to go to the film studio." Zhang Yuan briefly explained to her to avoid her thinking that he was deliberately avoiding her.

Although I have fought against the two great demons a hundred times in the past few days, I have entered a state of enlightenment.

But a great demon is a great demon, while Yang Mi, though powerful, is a minor demon.

Both Xu Qing and Zhang Yuqi have large frames.

Zhang Yuqi is a typical Shandong woman, while Xu Qing, though a girl from the capital, is of Tujia ethnicity.

The Tujia people were called "Man" and "Yi" in ancient times. This was not a derogatory term, but the real name. During the Song Dynasty, the Tujia people were called Tu Man.

Aduo is also a member of the Tujia ethnic group. The girls in this area have great figures and mostly have chubby faces, which makes them look elegant.

Yang Mi, however, was different from the other two, having a smaller frame.

The same plate of Four Happiness Meatballs will appear to be a larger portion when placed on a small folding table, rather than a large round table.

Yang Mi is a typical example of someone with a small frame, but whose body appears large like a four-happiness meatball.

Visually, it appears much more imposing than a large-framed woman of the same size.

Although changing things up wouldn't hurt, but... Zhang Yuan shook his head.

Let's get down to business!

I can't drink anymore.

"Going to Tangren for a meeting..." Yang Mi repeated, squinting her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

"See you in Beijing later, or I'll visit you on set when you're filming in Hengdian." Zhang Yuan pinched her cheek before turning and leaving.

First, I went to the set of "Empresses in the Palace" to meet with Zheng Xiaolong.

Filming is about to begin, so all the actors have arrived and are ready.

Zhang Yuan told him about the remaining two film crews needing to use the venue.

"I see." Director Zheng said, somewhat embarrassed.

"Everything is for the benefit of your production team," Zhang Yuan assured him.

"Only when you have a confirmed shooting plan and the scenes that will not be used at the moment will you allow them to borrow temporarily."

"And it can only be used in outdoor scenes."

"Interior scenes are not allowed to be used until you have completely finished filming."

Because there are so many interior decorations, there's not enough time to redo them if they get damaged.

He paid for it all, and the other party finally reluctantly agreed.

However, the remaining two production teams need to sign separate agreements with him; these agreements cannot be mere verbal agreements but must have a legal basis.

That's the old man's meticulousness.

"Boss, it's been a long time." Zhang Yuan made a special trip to the rehearsal site.

It wasn't a dance rehearsal, but rather Zhang Xiaolong's etiquette rehearsal.

We still need to hone our skills a bit more before the battle.

For someone like Jiang Xin, who usually walks with a swagger, to train herself to walk in platform shoes without moving her shoulders or swaying her arms, and still be stunningly beautiful in the imperial harem, must have taken a tremendous amount of effort.

The person who greeted him wasn't Jiang Xin; she was angrily fasting and trying to lose weight and improve her figure.

Mao Xiaotong, Tang Yixing, and Reyizha heard that he had come and made a special trip to say hello.

"I'll treat you to a meal next time. You're busy now."

"Perform well. The company will organize an event before the Chinese New Year. Remember to participate."

Zhang Yuan made a money-counting gesture: "There's a red envelope to receive."

"Thank you, boss!" Tang Yixing, the most lively of the three, waved and agreed first.

"Also, don't date on set. It's not allowed to interfere with filming," he specifically reminded them.

We turned around and set off for the Little White Building of the Tang Dynasty.

Mr. Cai had specially brewed coffee and was waiting for him to arrive.

After sitting down, Zhang Yuan took a sip of his drink and began to truly understand the claims made by some big internet company bosses that they hold more than a dozen meetings and meet with five or six groups of people a day.

He met with dozens of people today alone.

After using coffee to stay alert and calm his mind, he briefly looked through the information the other party had provided.

"Scarlet Heart" is an adaptation of the novel of the same name.

This is the same as in "Empresses in the Palace".

The original novel is about the same quality as "Empresses in the Palace," but the adapted work is far inferior.

If "Scarlet Heart" and "Palace" are classic works, then they are the works of the year.

"The Legend of Zhen Huan" is a landmark work that can enter the history of Chinese television dramas and have its own page.

This shows how important the screenwriter's and director's skills and aesthetic sense are.

These three dramas practically encompass half of the actors and actresses in Chinese television dramas and films for the next 10 years!

Chen Jianbing, Sun Li, Jiang Xin.

Liu Shishi, Han Dong, Lin Gengxin, Yuan Hong.

Yang Mi, Feng Shaofeng, Tong Liya.

While thinking about these people, Zhang Yuan flipped through the overall planning proposal for "Scarlet Heart".

It was similar in scale to "Palace," but the total investment for "Palace: The Lock Heart Jade" was later claimed to be 8000 million.

It's actually only 3500 million.

"Scarlet Heart" costs 5000 million!
Moreover, "Palace" has a total of 40 episodes, and the filming period is expected to be completed in two months.

The 35-episode drama "Scarlet Heart" took nearly four months to film.

That's Yu Zheng's skill!

Low cost, short production cycle, and audiences love watching it.

So, Zhang Yuan can only put aside his character... but he does have ability.

Like "Palace", "Scarlet Heart" was invested in by Sugarman.

Hunan TV wants to participate in the production and schedule its prime-time broadcast.

The fact that two of the most popular time-travel dramas premiered on Hunan TV one after another speaks volumes about their foresight.

As a shareholder of Sugarman, he needs to sign off on the investment in the project.

"I have a question." Zhang Yuan put down the documents.

"You said."

"Was Jiang Yiyan approached for this role?"

"Huh?" Boss Cai looked like he didn't understand.

"I understand." Zhang Yuan raised his hand to indicate that no reply was needed.

Judging from the other person's status, you can tell they haven't contacted you at all.

However, after the film became a hit, Jiang Yiyan continued to market herself as the first choice for the female lead in "Scarlet Heart".

Liu Shishi was able to get the role because she turned it down herself.

Zhang Yuan already thought it was impossible. Little Lion was Boss Cai's favorite, the company's number one female artist. Why would they use an outsider instead of her? It seemed like Cai Yinong was really capable of doing such a thing.

In any case, it has now been confirmed that it was that woman who was creating hype and trying to glorify herself.

Could she possibly play Ma'ertai Ruoxi?
Ruoxi isn't a green tea b*tch.

Moreover, Jiang Yiyan had never collaborated with Tangren before; she was just trying to piggyback on their collaboration.

Zhang Yuan had just glanced at the synopsis of "Scarlet Heart" and was recalling the drama.

It is different from "Palace" and "Empresses in the Palace".

"Palace" is a complete Frankenstein's monster, while "Empresses in the Palace" is more like a serious drama.

The drama "Scarlet Heart" is interesting because the author based the drama, or rather the original novel, on another work.

That is the famous "Yongzheng Dynasty"!
It's the version starring Xiao Duozi and Ma Guocheng.

The female protagonist, Zhang Xiao, transmigrates and becomes Ma'ertai Ruoxi, becoming "Aqina," the sister-in-law of the Eighth Prince.

Why is "Palace" accused of plagiarizing "Scarlet Heart"?

Because the female leads in both dramas are "Yongzheng fans".

They were all involved in the "Nine Princes' Succession Struggle".

However, Yu Zheng's "Palace" is more like a period drama version of "Meteor Garden", with the character designs of several princes and female supporting characters basically copied from this classic Taiwanese drama.

So Yu Zheng is a master of fusing together elements; he stitched together the shell of "Scarlet Heart" and the substance of "Meteor Garden".

"Scarlet Heart" is closely related to "Yongzheng Dynasty".

The "knowledge" that the female protagonist uses to navigate the world after time travel is all from the TV series.

She even reminded her brother-in-law, Eighth Master, to be careful of Wu Sidao.

However, after investigating, Eighth Master discovered that there was no such person as Wu Sidao at all.

Because Wu Sidao was an original character created by the novelist Er Yuehe.

This person is not found in either the "Veritable Records of the Qing Dynasty" or the "Draft History of the Qing Dynasty".

There is a record of a Mr. Wu in unofficial history, who was a staff advisor. Er Yuehe probably referred to unofficial history and combined it with the image of Dai Duo, a staff advisor in the Yongzheng Emperor's pre-imperial residence.

The addition of the stereotype that "Shaoxing produced scribes" during the Qing Dynasty forms the basis of this fictional character.

"Scarlet Heart" stands above "Yongzheng Dynasty", yet it deliberately exposes the character.

The character and role of Wu Sidao were assigned to the female protagonist. In the story, it was Ruoxi's reminder to the Eighth Prince that triggered the Eighth Prince's faction's attack on the Crown Prince's faction, resulting in the Thirteenth Prince being imprisoned.

This is a typical story trope where a time traveler, through an unexpected action, personally pushes forward history, creating a logically closed loop.

The Hollywood film "12 Monkeys" has a similar structure.

Before Ruoxi passed away, she left a note for the Fourth Prince, who had already ascended the throne, which read, "Do not think of me, do not miss me, do not mourn me."

Put together, it means "Wu Si Dao," which is a homophone for "Wu Si Dao."

The novel's story is a great tragedy; the heroine passes away at a young age, and all the princes die, flee, or are injured.

Emperor Yongzheng also "died from exhaustion at his workstation" at a young age.

The struggle for succession among nine princes was a common tragedy in feudal dynasties.

However, the two bosses, Cai Yinong and Li Guoli, did act like human beings for once.

When adapting the script, an ending was added where the female lead dies and then travels back to the modern era.

And he encountered the reincarnated Emperor Yongzheng.

They fabricated a happy ending.

The most important role, the second male lead, was played by the ageless heartthrob Kevin Cheng.

This actor, who played Jiang Yulang in the Lin Zhiying and Su Youpeng version of "The Legendary Twins", is very adept at playing this kind of "virtuous" and sanctimonious character.

Zhang Yuan has always felt that there is something wrong with the TV series "The Legendary Twins".

Think about it, none of the three male leads, Lin Zhiying, Su Youpeng, and Zheng Jiaying, look old.

Whether it's an immortality potion or the vampire's first embrace, it's unclear.

Zhang Yuan had no problem with Kevin Cheng, and even thought it was worth getting to know him.

At least try to get some anti-aging properties.

After all, one of my life goals is to still be able to pick up girls when I'm seventy or eighty.

While financial resources are certainly an option, personal charm would be even better.

However, he had some reservations about the choice of the male lead.

The casting of the male lead for this drama was quite difficult, and Mr. Cai used all his connections.

They first approached Hu Ge, the top actor, but he was filming "The Myth" and didn't have the time.

They went back to Wallace Huo, with whom they had worked before, and now Ruby Lin has managed to get him to film "The Glamorous Imperial Concubine".

When all else failed, they turned to Huang Lei, the husband of the previous generation's top female star, who loves to cook.

This person originally wanted to act, but Zhao Baogang invited him to act in "Marriage Defense" and also to stage the play "Four Generations Under One Roof".

It was this play that led him to hook up with another male lead, Sun Honglei, which resulted in the tragic ending of "Go Fighting!"

It failed again, so I turned to Qin Hao.

Li Guoli felt that Qin Hao had a "dark and gloomy" feeling about him, and the Fourth Prince in "Scarlet Heart" was a cunning old man.

Qin Hao is still not married to Yi Nengjing, and they don't have children yet. He's still that artsy, pretentious guy.

Upon reading the script... what a load of rubbish!

Am I qualified to act in something like this?
He, Wang Chuanjun, and Jin Shijia—they were all like that when they were young, always wanting to do something "high-class."

Once they get married, have children, and need money, they become more and more honest than the last.

Before marriage: Even if I were to die here today, or jump off a cliff, I would never act out this kind of play.

After marriage: Oh my god, it smells so good!

Indeed, life is the best teacher.

Anyway, Qin Hao just refused.

But when he saw how popular "Scarlet Heart" was, this guy regretted it.

Later, he acted in "Ballad of the Desert," which is an adaptation of the novel by the same author as "Scarlet Heart."

Because everyone else refused, they ended up targeting "that person".

"President Cai," Zhang Yuan said formally.

"Don't be so formal. We've known each other for so many years. Calling me 'sister' is a good thing for you, and I don't owe you anything."

“Okay, Sister Yi Nong.”

"Hey!"

Zhang Yuan: …

Seeing how happy she was to answer, I wondered if she liked hearing it or what?

Tsai Yi-nong likes handsome men to call her "sister".

I am not very satisfied with the choice of this male lead.

"What's wrong?" Boss Cai immediately leaned forward, looking concerned.

"We finally got him to agree to act, do you have a conflict with him?"

"Not now," Zhang Yuan replied in a way that the other person didn't quite understand.

"What's that for?"

"Junior brother!" Just as they were chatting, a pretty girl hopped and skipped into the room.

"Look, isn't it beautiful?"

Liu Shishi was trying on costumes, wearing a light blue ancient-style outfit, and twirled in front of him.

"It looks great. You look good in anything, but this outfit suits you even better."

"You're so good with words." She playfully tapped his lips with her finger.

“However, I have to criticize you.” Zhang Yuan said seriously, “This is an office. You have to knock before entering. You can’t just barge in like this.”

"I was happy to hear you were coming," the little lion replied with a smile.

"I need to discuss serious business with Mr. Cai. Please wait for me outside for a moment."

"Okay then." She took a few more small steps out, glancing back a few times before closing the door.

"Where were we talking about?"

Why don't you like the choice of the male lead?

"Oh, right." Zhang Yuan pressed his temples.

Why else?
It's all because of this guy who just barged in!
Cai Yi-nong chose Wu Qi-long as the male lead.

Just like when filming "The Glamorous Imperial Concubine," Ruby Lin and Wallace Huo got together.

Liu Shishi and Wu Qilong got together while filming "Scarlet Heart"!

Liu Shishi truly immersed herself in the role and became one with the character.

He's really put his life into it...

This led to a famous "joke" in the entertainment industry: Liu Shishi's respect for the elderly and love for the young.

"Love for children" means to like children.

Respecting the elderly refers to taking care of five elderly people.

Both sets of parents are four elderly people. Guess who the fifth one is?

Most people wouldn't care, he wouldn't bother.

But since I promised the Liu family I would take care of the little lion, I can't just take care of its physical needs; its life planning is also necessary.

If it were any other male star, it wouldn't matter, but Wu Qilong has a "problem".

Firstly, he came from a bad family and had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the family from the age of thirteen. As a result, he developed the habit of supporting his older brother, younger brother, parents, and even his nephews and nieces.

It's not a flaw; having family responsibilities is a good thing internally.

But it might not be a good thing for your partner!
But later, after marrying Liu Shishi, Ruoxi had to use technology to have a child with him.

In addition, Wu Qilong was already old, and he was forced to work high-intensity jobs when he was young, so his health was not good.

Putting everything else aside, how could I possibly ignore the little lion's "happiness" in life?

I can complete that person's year's worth of work in an afternoon.

Liu Shishi is the kind of girl who isn't very shrewd and is easy to fool.

Yang Mi's big toe is more cunning than her whole body.

She has a small mole on the bridge of her nose, which Zhang Yuan noticed earlier; it's quite pretty.

Not only does it not affect the appearance, it also adds a touch of uniqueness.

Wu Qilong is 17 years older than Liu Shishi.

In other words, when Little Lion was 33, this one was already 50.

A 50-year-old man is past his prime, while a 30-year-old woman is like a wolf or a tiger.

Zhang Yuan thought, "Leave the tigers, wolves, and lions to me; I'm good at dealing with them!"

He came up with an excuse.

"Wu Qilong has no experience acting in Qing Dynasty dramas."

Is he capable of doing the job?

"I think Qin Hao is more suitable. He has a better temperament and his acting skills far surpass his."

"If it doesn't work, I'll try to persuade Qin Hao again. After all, he's my buddy, and he'll listen to me."

But to his surprise, Boss Cai immediately shook his head and strongly opposed it.

"No, I think Nicky Wu is more suitable."

"After repeated discussions and considerations, we have decided to use him and have completed the communication with the other party."

After hearing this, Zhang Yuan rubbed his fingers together.

"Does the 'we' you're referring to include me?" (End of Chapter)