Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 584 Winter-like Cold
Ultimately, Zhang Chen invested 7000 million, Sina invested 3000 million, and Sequoia China did not participate in this investment.

However, Shen Nanpeng is very optimistic about the group-buying project, and he decided to wait until the market and valuation have improved before Sequoia China would join.

Having finalized the group purchase agreement, Zhang Chen immediately booked his flight; he couldn't delay any longer and had to head to the United States right away.

David said that American film promotion also has similar promotional activities to China's "roadshow," but the form and name are somewhat different from the domestic "roadshow." They call it "city tour promotion."

"We're focusing more on generating buzz for the film through diverse offline interactions." These are David's exact words.

Then Zhang Chen asked him what kinds of offline activities he was involved in, and he replied that they included advance screenings, media meet-and-greets, and talk shows.

Isn't this exactly the same as in China?

The advance screenings here are small-scale screenings of the entire film or excerpts in the cinema. Isn't that just like a test screening?

After the advance screening, there will be a Q&A session between the creators and the audience. Isn't this a roadshow? Isn't this just a "post-screening Q&A" after a roadshow?

The media briefing was similar to those in China, so there's not much to say about it.

As for stand-up comedy, it's pretty much the same.

Zhang Chen also frequently appears on Chinese talk shows such as "Qiang Qiang San Ren Xing" and "A Date with Luyu".

Warner Bros. has arranged for him to appear on "The Ellen Show" and "The O'Reilly Truth." Zhang Chen had already appeared on "The Ellen Show" once when he was promoting "2012," so he knows what it's about.

However, Jackie Chan was the lead actor that time. Although Zhang Chen already had one film, Pacific Rim, his status was definitely not as high as Jackie Chan's.

But things are different now.

Zhang Chen is already a well-known director in the three major genres of action films, disaster films, and science fiction films, and his fame is no less than that of Jack Chen.

In addition to the talk show, Warner also arranged interviews with some local media outlets, as well as a fan meet-and-greet.

"Are you sure you're not mistaken? You mean Fan Binbin's fan meeting, right?"

"No mistake, it's yours."

Zhang Chen initially thought it was a mistake in the notification, but after confirming several times, he learned that it really was his fan meeting.

Warner Bros. believes that Zhang Chen, as a well-known director of action, disaster, and science fiction films, has a fan base far exceeding that of Fan Xiaopang, who is a celebrity.

With the development of film, the behind-the-scenes role of director has long since moved to the forefront.

Spielberg, The Truck Driver, Xu Ke, and Johnnie To – their fame alone is enough to support the promotion of a film.

"Hey buddy, do your best on 'The Ellen Show' later, it's one of the top three talk shows in the US..."

David patted Zhang Chen on the shoulder. "White House Down" and "White House Down" were released at almost the same time, making the competition very fierce.

Everyone is trying their best to attract attention.

Initially, the two sides competed for publicity resources.

Poster and advertising resources at airports, train stations, subway stations, and buses, including print media.
Then it becomes a film and television resource:
Warner Bros. had just helped "White House Down" connect with "The Ellen Show" when Universal announced that "White House Down" would be on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Competition is everywhere.
Both Universal and Emmerich are probably holding their breath, wanting to get revenge.

This film is not only a battle between "White House Down" and "White House Down," but also a battle between Warner Bros. and Universal, and even more so a battle between Zhang Chen and Roland Emmerich.

In Hollywood, Zhang Chen's persona is very similar to that of Emmerich.

Both are film masters who have directed science fiction films, disaster films, and monster films. Now they are both making action films, and they are even making films of the same genre.

Moreover, both of them are foreigners who have made their way in Hollywood.

Zhang Chen is Chinese, while Roland Emmerich is German.

Emmerich has more seniority, but Zhang Chen has been very successful in the past two years. Ordinary viewers really don't know who is more capable when they think of the two.

Warner Bros. and Universal also reached a tacit agreement to consciously compare the two and generate hype.

It's all for the sake of the movie~
……

Warner Studios Burbank

During the recording of "The Ellen Show," Zhang Chen and his entourage walked onto the stage amidst applause, waving and greeting the audience and Ellen.

Zhang Chen didn't care; he'd been there once before and knew the ropes.

Jason also appeared very composed.

Ellen started by bringing up the topic: "This handsome bald guy seems to be a first-timer on 'The Ellen Show'!"

Jason then took the opportunity to greet the audience: "Hello everyone, I'm Jason Statham, the lead actor in 'Olympus Has Fallen'..."

A round of applause erupted from the audience. Jason waved back, then joked, "Don't let my seemingly decent performance fool you, I was incredibly nervous. Last night I kept telling myself, 'Man, The Ellen Show, the best talk show in America, I've seen it countless times, but this is truly my first time...'"

Allen clearly sensed the flattery in his words and chuckled, saying, "Alright, I've got your praise. I won't make things difficult for you later~"

The audience burst into laughter, and the host and guests laughed along with them.

Allen then turned his attention to Zhang Chen: "I don't need to introduce this one, just say his name out loud!"

"Zhang Chen~"

The audience unanimously agreed.

In his early years in Hollywood, Zhang Chen used the name Steve Zhang, but gradually he switched back to his original name – Zhang Chen or Zhan Chen.

"Let's play a little game first. It's about a question that's been really popular online lately..."

As a talk show host, Allen is very careful to create a lively atmosphere and never makes the interview boring.

She is an interesting person by herself, and has a whole team supporting her. She is often witty and quick-witted, which is why she can become the soul of the show.

"I'll ask you a question, and you must give me an answer within one second, without any thought. We want your most honest thoughts, OK?"

Seeing that the two nodded in agreement, Allen asked, "If you were given 5cm, where would you most like to add it?"

A question that easily leads to wild speculation.

“Of course, in that area~” Jason immediately gave his answer.

"If possible, I would like to add it to the map of China."

Wow~~
Allen said that you must give an answer within one second of hearing the question.
In other words, there was no time to think.

Jason's answer was exactly what the production team wanted: most male actors only think about that kind of thing.

But the answer Zhang Chen gave was something they hadn't expected.

"Have you heard this question before?"

"No~" Zhang Chen shook his head. "Then why..."

"I love my motherland!"

Others might suspect that this was arranged by the production team, but Allen knew that this was Zhang Chen's true thought.

While she found it unbelievable, she didn't forget to say to the camera, "This is 'The Ellen Show,' and I'm Ellen. As you all know, 'The Ellen Show' is live and never scripted, so everything just now was Zhang Chen's genuine reaction. To be honest, it surprised me. I had imagined all sorts of answers from them, like adding his height or his bank balance, but I never thought of adding it to a map..."

"Then let me ask you another question: what benefits do you get from the expansion of China's map territory?"

Zhang Chen shook his head: "It doesn't particularly benefit me personally, but a strong motherland benefits all Chinese people."

Wow~~
The audience was shocked once again, and Allen also said he couldn't understand it.

"I don't understand, but I respect you, I respect the choice you made between personal interests and the affairs of the country..."

At the same time, backstage at the production crew's location, the technicians excitedly waved their fists: "The viewership has surpassed 600 million!"

The director suppressed the urge to hug those around him and informed Allen of the news.

Upon hearing the news through his earpiece, Allen on stage immediately smiled and said to Zhang Chen, "Thank you, Zhang! This episode was a hit! The viewership has surpassed 600 million so far, all thanks to you!"

There's no doubt that this episode was a hit.

Zhang Chen's answer also went viral.

An unexpected answer, yet also a brilliant one!
Zhang Chen had no idea about this. "What is the usual viewership?"

"Around 420 million, I guess."

"It's my pleasure~" Zhang Chen gave a gentlemanly bow.

Allen was also extremely glad that he accepted Warner's invitation.

Not long after "The Ellen Show" ended, Warner arranged for them to appear on "The O'Reilly Truth".

"The O'Reilly Truth" is a highly-rated talk show on Fox Television.

Zhang Chen was reluctant to go.

He happened to know about this talk show, not because it was particularly good, but because he knew that the host, O'Reilly, had made some remarks that were not very friendly towards China.

Our torch relay in San Francisco was marred by many farces, and O'Reilly said some offensive things...

Zhang Chen hated him very, very much.

Zhang Chen didn't want to be on his show and told Warner about his thoughts, but Warner disagreed.

Warner's idea was simple: press their advantage.

Taking advantage of the popularity generated by "The Ellen Show," he continued to appear on the show and used the opportunity to promote the movie.

Zhang Chen didn't want to leave others with the impression that he was afraid of the show, so he reluctantly agreed.

"Hooray, welcome our esteemed Chinese director and his 'White House Down'!"

Zhang Chen wasn't sure if he was just being paranoid, but he had a feeling that this guy was up to no good.

The situation was pretty much as he had predicted. They were there to promote the movie, but the program had been running for a while and they hadn't mentioned the movie much. Instead, they kept going back and forth on the issue of China.

It's clear that Aurelius was trying to make Zhang Chen uncomfortable.
It's unclear whether he simply dislikes Chinese people or feels a bit resentful because Zhang Chen became famous on "The Ellen Show."

"I read a book about Alexander's eastern expedition a couple of days ago, and I was thinking, if Alexander's eastern expedition had reached China, would China as we know it today not exist?"

Zhang Chen glanced at the other person; this question was clearly meant to provoke a fight.

Aurelius, however, remained unperturbed and continued his provocation: "I wonder what will happen to the mysterious East under Alexander's iron hooves?"

"Coincidentally, I happen to know the answer to this question."

With a single sentence, Zhang Chen took over the initiative. Since this guy had taken the initiative to cause trouble, Zhang Chen wasn't going to tolerate him. "I'm not his father," he thought.

Start teaching him a lesson.

"Alexander's eastern expedition took place in 334 BC, which was during the Warring States period in China, when King Zhaoxiang of Qin was in power in the Qin state."

During this period, there was a war god in China named Bai Qi.

To put it simply, if Alexander had arrived early, it would have been a seven-on-one fight; if he had arrived late, then Mona Lisa would have been the one weeping at the Great Wall.

There were Chinese audience members at the "Aurelier Truth" show. Because of the popularity of "The Ellen Show," many people came specifically to see "Aurelier Truth" after hearing the news.

There were many Chinese viewers, both at the venue and in front of their televisions.

Foreigners might not understand what Zhang Chen just said, but Chinese people who heard it smiled knowingly, and some have already started explaining it to the foreigners around them who didn't know the meaning.

Who is Bai Qi?

The number one killing god of the Warring States period~
Someone who can behead tens or hundreds of thousands of people at the drop of a hat~
Zhang Chen continued: "Alexander, with all his elite troops—40,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry—stepped confidently into the Qin border. What would Qin's reaction be?"
They would think it was a reconnaissance unit.

At that time, China's civil war involved large-scale battles involving hundreds of thousands of troops. Small units of tens of thousands of people were only fit to serve as scouts, or at most, as a vanguard force.

How do we deal with this small force of tens of thousands of people?

So easy!
Bai Qi didn't even need to lift a finger. His generals shook their heads when they saw the Macedonian phalanx arranged in squares. They had never seen such neatly arranged targets in their lives.

For Alexander, who had almost no ranged troops, the Qin crossbows with a range of over 200 meters were a nightmare to fire.

These tens of thousands of troops probably couldn't withstand the Qin army's arrow volleys and catapults.

Such battles are not even recorded in Chinese historical records.

At most, because of your strange appearance, I'll add a comment: "There is a Kou Xilai, with blue eyes, blond hair, and a snow-white body. He is as strong as an ox and can build the Great Wall..."

The moment the last sentence was uttered, the audience burst into laughter, the viewers at home on television burst into laughter, and even the netizens in China who were using VPNs to watch the show burst into laughter!
That's so insulting!
But what they said actually makes perfect sense. Pure white, incredibly strong, capable of building the Great Wall!
How come I didn't remember?
Some writers at Qidian who specialize in historical novels have already gotten the idea and are preparing to write a similar book.

Zhang Chen spoke entirely in English, which Aurelius understood. His face turned pale and then red. Crucially, the crew checked some information and discovered that Zhang Chen's claims about Bai Qi and the massive army of hundreds of thousands were true.

The tens of thousands of men who crossed Alexandria were truly nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

"Finally, let me say this: do you know why the profession of knight was only popular in Europe? It's because there were few people, even fewer who could ride horses, and even fewer who could ride horses and fight."

Therefore, knights were nobles in Europe and an important fighting force.

But in China, cavalry numbers in the tens of thousands, so there's no real chivalric culture, because knights are everywhere.

(End of this chapter)