Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 633 If you do not abandon me, I am willing to perform.

When talking about Lü Bu, there are some labels that cannot be missed.

Fangtian Halberd, Red Hare, Diao Chan, and of course, her adoptive father.

In the CCTV version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the actor who played Dong Zhuo was named Li Po. He wasn't actually that fat; he gained weight specifically for the role. When he wasn't fat, with his small sunglasses on, he looked remarkably like Akira Kurosawa.

When Gu Ming first met Li Po, the actor who had gained weight was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), head down, focused on rolling a cigarette.

The homemade tobacco had an extremely strong flavor and no filter.

Gu Ming had come prepared. He beckoned to Tanaka, who immediately understood and, with a flick of his wrist, pulled a pack of… chewing gum from his briefcase.

Of course, it's chewing gum! We can't let people continue smoking.

After filming Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Li Po was diagnosed with lung cancer, along with some stroke symptoms, all caused by smoking tobacco when he was young.

"Teacher Li Po," Gu Ming greeted him, "Try to smoke less. If you really can't resist, try chewing some gum."

Li Po looked up in surprise at Gu Ming in front of him.

After a few breaths, Li Po suddenly realized.

"Oh! You're that...that...Akira Furuya!"

There's a slight accent, but it's perfectly understandable.

This is also what Gu Ming admires most about veteran actors. Whether in China or abroad, actors of the past all had one thing in common: they had exceptional diction, and you could understand what they were saying even without subtitles.

Gu Ming was of course indifferent, but Li Po's expression was somewhat awkward.

Just a few years ago, they were filming war movies every day. Now, they've found out that international friends have come to invest, and one of them will even play the role of Lü Bu in the movie.

Although Lü Bu is a villain, he held a very high position in the Zhou Kingdom for a long time and was recognized by the people as the number one warrior in the Three Kingdoms period.

"I'm ashamed to say that I can't be called a teacher. I've just been acting for a few more years." Li Po got off the earthen bed and came up to shake hands first. He racked his brains but couldn't think of a suitable name. In the end, he could only smile apologetically.

"I don't watch many foreign films, sorry, but I have long admired your name. It is an honor to meet you today. You are very imposing, with the appearance of a flying general."

Gu Ming cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

The actors' training was worthwhile! They've even started using classical Chinese in their daily conversations.

"I came here specifically to pay my respects to my godfather after hearing from the director that Li Po was playing Dong Zhuo."

Li Po couldn't help but laugh: "Good, good, my son Fengxian, let's go to Meiwu together. Don't wear armor or carry halberds. Close the city gates. I have other important matters to discuss with you!"

Gu Ming cupped his hands in greeting.

"It is my godfather's wish, and I dare not ask for it."

This time, Li Po couldn't help but burst into laughter.

I heard he was a very famous actor from overseas and an international friend, so I thought he might be difficult to talk to, but he turned out to be surprisingly easygoing.

Tanaka glanced sideways, completely unable to understand.

He can actually speak some Chinese now, but he really can't understand this kind of expression that mixes classical Chinese.

It can only be roughly determined that the two seem to get along quite well.

Visiting Meiwu was out of the question, but since Gu Ming was here, Li Po decided to take him to meet the crew members currently on set. "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is a major production invested in by CCTV, and all the actors had undergone prior training; they weren't rushed into the role. Therefore, even those who didn't have scenes yet were receiving basic training here.

Li Po showed Gu Ming around. Gu Ming knew most of the actors in the show, but this was the first time he had met them in person.

Gu Ming had actually met Cao Cao in person, but he was the only one who had ever met him.

—When Gu Ming was a stuntman, Bao Guo'an was in that movie, so they met once. Of course, Gu Ming had met Bao Guo'an, but Bao Guo'an hadn't met him.

"I've met Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Cao Cao and Sun Quan are all important figures." Li Po introduced them as he walked, patting his belly. "Of course, there's also me, the Grand Tutor."

At this point, Li Po suddenly smiled mischievously: "Diao Chan has joined the crew. My son Fengxian, aren't you going to go see her?"

"I won't see him." Gu Ming waved his hand: "I'm married. To avoid gossip, I won't see him. Let's go see Red Hare instead."

It's too late to regret it now; any regrets can only be addressed next time.

At most, he'd take the time to beat up Chen Kai's brother.

Chen Kai's life proves two things: first, he was a fan of Akira Kurosawa; second, he didn't actually direct Farewell My Concubine.

……

……

In fact, Lü Bu had a significant role in the early part of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, whether it was being bribed by Dong Zhuo, intimidating Cao Cao, or even the classic battle of the three heroes against Lü Bu at Hulao Pass and being bound at White Gate Tower.

In the first thirteen episodes, Lü Bu has a role in many episodes.

Of course, the battle of the three heroes against Lü Bu is still a long way off; at present, it's merely a matter of Dong Zhuo entering the capital and Lü Bu making his appearance.

According to the commonly used explanation, the CCTV version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms was divided into several different seasons. The first season was filmed in the Hebai Mountain Valley, where food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were not very convenient.

However, there are always some people who receive special treatment and get preferential treatment, such as Gu Ming.

In this regard, Gu Ming did not engage in any practice of eating with others. He was not a citizen of Zhou, and it would be strange to force himself to join them. In addition, he had paid for the meal, so he was perfectly justified in eating the special treat.

And so, time dragged on until the moment when the three heroes fought Lü Bu.

The day before the Battle of the Three Heroes against Lü Bu, the film crew had a rare day off and could go for a short stroll in the county town. Of course, eating, drinking, and having fun were out of the question, as everyone was short on money.

Except for Gu Ming.

Taking advantage of the film crew's holiday, Gu Ming invited Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei to go out to the county town for a nice meal.

It's said to be good, but actually there's not much good food to eat at this time. Being able to eat a couple of bites of donkey meat sandwich is considered lucky.

Donkey meat sandwiches and offal soup, though considered snacks in later generations, were practically delicacies back then. Especially after filming in the mountains for months, eating simple meals, everyone's eyes were practically glowing with envy.

The three actors playing Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were holding roasted buns and drinking offal soup, feeling a little uneasy, wondering why Gu Ming had suddenly invited them to dinner.

"Don't worry about it, the three of you. We're going to film the scene of the Three Heroes Fighting Lü Bu tomorrow, so let's have a little chat."

Gu Ming added in his mind—the important thing is to eat something good, and you guys better not go stealing corn!
The three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were caught stealing corn. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei escaped, leaving Liu Bei alone.

Later, there was a rumor that Sun Quan paid Cao Cao to ransom Liu Bei, but Sun Yanjun, the actor who played Liu Bei, personally refuted this, saying that it didn't happen. He explained that an old farmer in the cornfield recognized him as Liu Bei and gave him two ears of corn, then asked for twenty yuan to settle the matter privately. The matter was then dropped. Because he didn't have enough money, he borrowed some from the crew. There was no truth to the claim that Sun Quan paid Cao Cao to ransom Liu Bei.

This is highly unlikely to happen this time.

(End of this chapter)