I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

"Here's the thing, I've been invited to a TV program in a few days, and I'd like to ask you for leave," Li Naiwen said.

"Ask for leave!"

Feng Dapao frowned.

What he hates most is when someone takes leave during filming, as it affects the filming schedule.

But Li Naiwen is different; he is a Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner and also an artist under Cheng Sheng's company.

"Just two days will do..."

"No need to ask for leave. Anyway, you don't have many scenes to film. We'll focus on your scenes these next two days, and once that's done, your scenes will be finished. You can leave the crew anytime." Feng Dapao waved his hand to stop Li Naiwen from continuing.

"That works too." Li Naiwen thought for a moment and agreed.

Filming scenes focusing on just him will be tough, but we can get through it if we just bear with it.

"Then go and prepare."

"Okay, Director Feng."

Watching Li Naiwen leave, Feng Dapao's expression changed. Li Naiwen was indeed a good actress, and her acting skills were also very good.

If only Li Naiwen weren't an artist under Cheng Sheng's company, he would really like to cast her as the lead in his next movie.

“Brother Naiwen, what were you talking about with Director Feng just now? Director Feng didn’t seem too happy.”

Zhang Hanyu walked up to Li Naiwen and asked in a low voice.

Feng Dapao's temper is truly notorious in the industry; otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the nickname "Feng Dapao." He's quick to anger and anyone who crosses him has to be careful.

In the film industry, some people make a living with their acting skills, while others rely on their popularity. But Feng Xiaogang makes a living solely with his temper.

This unique figure in the directing world has successfully portrayed himself as the volatile police chief of the entertainment industry with his decisive personality and fierce expression.

On set, the atmosphere between him and the actors and crew is always tense, and their words can easily become hostile.

Anyone could be singled out and criticized by him.

You could say he was a 'tyrant' on set.

From firing Chen Shu at the slightest disagreement to falling out with Deng Chao over a relationship, the entire crew was on edge, fearing they might be the next Chen Shu or Deng Chao.

The entire "Assembly" crew, except for Li Naiwen, were terrified, something Zhang Hanyu greatly envied.

Although Zhang Hanyu is the male lead, he knows that his role as the male lead is not as good as Li Naiwen's role as the fourth male lead.

Moreover, Zhang Hanyu had heard that the story of the movie "Assembly" was that Feng Dapao had snatched it from Zhang Guoli.

When Director Feng took a liking to the novel "The Lawsuit," he approached Zhang Guoli without hesitation and used the tempting offer of the male lead to acquire the copyright.

Little did they know that this was just the beginning of a storm.

The casting of the female lead was a huge blunder. Chen Shu, an actress who gave a remarkable performance in "The Plot," was asked to leave just five days after filming began.

What's even funnier is that Director Feng's reason was simple and blunt: Your image and temperament do not match my vision of Sun Guiqin.

These words hurt more than a kick, leaving Chen Shu, who was on the rise at the time, in a very difficult position!
Although Director Feng later politely apologized and said he would find an opportunity to cooperate again, it was just empty talk to appease him. "It's good to have connections; you don't have to be afraid of that tyrant, Feng Dapao," Zhang Hanyu thought to himself with envy.

Li Naiwen looked away from the script in his hand and said to Zhang Hanyu, "Old Zhang, you know I don't have many scenes. The company helped me get a program, and I was planning to take two days off, but Director Feng wouldn't allow it. Fortunately, Director Feng is reasonable and let me finish filming all my remaining scenes together and leave the crew early."

“Only Brother Naiwen dared to ask Director Feng for leave.” Zhang Hanyu shook his head enviously upon hearing this, and continued, “Yuan Wenkang was sick before and wanted to ask Director Feng for leave to see a doctor, and Director Feng scolded him for a full half hour.”

“I know about this. Director Feng is really being a bit heartless. Even if it's Yuan Wenkang's turn to have a scene, he should let him see a doctor first!” Li Naiwen shook his head and said.

"Forget about that, Brother Naiwen, I heard that Shengli Film and Television Company has some big plans for next year, is that true?" Zhang Hanyu asked.

“That’s right, the news has spread all over the internet.” Li Naiwen nodded. Although he didn’t attend the year-end meeting, his agent told him about its contents afterward.

Li Naiwen has also studied the film and television works that the company will be filming next year. Among them, there is no male lead role that is suitable for him, but the male supporting role is very suitable for him.

If she doesn't win the Venice Film Festival Best Actor award, Lee Nai-man wouldn't mind playing supporting roles for the company's artists.

But now he has little interest in making TV dramas; he still prefers making movies.

This is, after all, a matter of status.

Of course, if the company asked him to take on a TV series, Li Naiwen wouldn't object. After all, he owes his success to the company, Cheng Sheng, and director Ning Hao.

As for the film, it's rumored that Andy Lau has already been chosen as the male lead for "Zheng He's Voyages to the West".

Lee Nae-moon would be very happy to participate in this movie, even if it's just a small supporting role, since it's a movie directed by her boss.

Can the boss's movies be simple?

Which of these movies didn't explode at the box office and win awards left and right?
To this end, Li Naiwen also specifically studied this part of Zheng He's history, and he discovered that there was one very important historical figure involved.

Wang Jinghong was Zheng He's most important partner.

Wang Jinghong was a key figure in Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean.

He and Zheng He served as chief envoys and jointly led the first seven voyages to the Western Ocean.

After Zheng He died of illness during his seventh voyage, Wang Jinghong took over command and successfully led the fleet back to China. The following year, he independently commanded the eighth voyage to the Western Ocean.

He was in charge of navigation technology and drew up the "Zheng He's Navigation Charts". He was an outstanding navigator and diplomat of the Ming Dynasty.

If he can land this role, he will have the opportunity to participate in the "Zheng He's Voyages to the West" film series in the future.

With this in mind, he searched for all the historical materials related to Wang Jinghong.

Wang Jinghong was born in Shuangyang Town, Zhangping, Fujian. He was highly regarded by Zhu Di for his great contributions in the Jingnan Campaign.

In 1405 AD, Zheng He and Wang Jinghong were ordered to lead the world's largest ocean-going fleet at the time, setting sail from Liujiagang, Jiangsu Province, on a great voyage.

In this fleet, Wang Jinghong served as the deputy envoy, in charge of navigation affairs, and was Zheng He's most trusted right-hand man.

During his seventh voyage to the Western Ocean, Zheng He died of illness in Calicut, India, on his return journey. On his deathbed, he entrusted the heavy responsibility of leading the fleet to continue sailing to Wang Jinghong.

Four months later, Wang Jinghong, as commander, led the fleet back to China, completing this voyage.

In his later years, he also compiled Zheng He's nautical records, but did not leave his own name. (End of Chapter)