Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 108 Rats in the Gutters? The Climax!
When it was discovered that Cao Zhong's name was indeed as Bona Yu Dong had described, the portal website was in an uproar!

As expected, Cao Zhong is indeed going to make a film about Nanjing!

Yu Dong didn't lie to us!

Cao Zhong is good for nothing but making money off his country!

No wonder he announced three movies, but gave two of them to others to make. It turns out he really is just like Lao Hu said, a pig on the wind. Besides making Nanjing-themed movies, he can only continue to delve into already successful themes, no, continue to lie!
Many media outlets that had received the lavish spending continued to stir up trouble, creating an atmosphere of impending doom.

Dark clouds over the city.

The Southern Metropolis Daily must have been prepared long ago, as it quickly published a long article after Cao Zhong announced the title of his second film.

How can patriotism be expressed only once, twice, and three times?
Upon hearing that Cao Zhong's second film is indeed set in Nanjing again, this reporter felt deeply saddened.

Previously, our reporter conducted an in-depth investigation into the films previously made by Cao Zhong.

Seeing Cao Zhong continue to make similar films to rake in patriotic profits, exploiting the audience's simple patriotism to satisfy his own greed, is infuriating and raises five questions.

Cao Zhong, why don't you just make a movie with John Magee as the protagonist? Why create a fictional male lead? Why don't you film the story of Luo Jin, the photography studio apprentice who provided 16 irrefutable pieces of evidence—the story of "The Bloodstained Evidence of the Massacre"? Is it because he joined the Japanese puppet army's communications team along the way?
Cao Zhong, is it your fault that you misled countless viewers and led them to misunderstand history?

Cao Zhong, who keeps claiming to fight for the moral right and the right to interpret, is nothing more than fabricating plots, characters and history. Is he really going to do this again and again?

Using fictional stories as a money-making tool, and then donating the profits to charity, is all just a pretext for making a second movie!

How shameful and despicable is this kind of speculative mentality?
Cao Zhong, stop now!

Adaptation is not about making up stories. How many people do you expect to rake in box office revenue and tears with your new film, "We Live in Nanjing"?
Other newspapers weren't idle either.

Global Times: When will patriotic marketing stop?
Nanfang Saturday: Observing the public opinion sparked by Cao Zhongxin's film "We Live in Nanjing" on the formulaic creation and creative dysfunction of domestic directors!

Even the professional financial newspaper, *Economic Exploration Daily*, published an article questioning: Is it promoting opening up to the outside world while preparing to decouple and close itself off from the world?
NiuBo.com, where an early internet celebrity named Luo wrote on his blog:

We strongly condemn all commercial activities that exploit the suffering of our nation! We strongly condemn the filming of "We Live in Nanjing"!
If Cao Zhong continues to make educational films like this, they should be made available to the public for free.

Last time I bought a pirated DVD and watched Cao Zhong's masterpiece that grossed over 400 million.

I watched it with my friend who loves Japanese films. In front of my friend, I ate the best bowl of beef brisket I've ever had. I cried while watching it. I secretly pinched my friend's thigh, pretending to be calm, but every taste bud was screaming, "The Japanese are indeed damn mighty!"

……

Numerous media outlets became involved and began to heavily criticize Cao Zhong.

The Kuroshio Current already existed.

It spread like wildfire.

Cao Zhong simply announced a name, and it immediately triggered a tsunami in the entertainment industry.

Cao Zhong's supporters also fought back and forth with them, making for a lively scene.

"What, you're all in such a hurry now that it's just the start of your little period?"

“If Cao Zhong dares to fight, we dare to follow. I’m telling you this: if I had a mushroom key in front of me, I could press it and sink the Japanese island, but I would be imprisoned for life. I would press it without hesitation.”

"Hey upstairs, I'd do it too. You'd be living the high life in there, maybe even bringing girls in to set you up on blind dates, and you wouldn't have to work. You could just enjoy life to the fullest. Why should this job be yours? Let me do it!"

A few people occasionally inquired, but after only one name was announced, was there such a rush?

However, this opinion quickly disappeared among countless comments.

"The Photo Studio" hasn't even finished its run yet, and its box office is already approaching 4.15 million yuan. It's so compelling it's hard to breathe!
Looking at the title of Cao Zhongxin's new movie, the group of people immediately guessed that Cao Zhong definitely wanted to do the same thing again.

Otherwise, why would a serious director make a movie called "Living in Nanjing"?
Looking at the actors again, Cao Zhong, three middle-aged actors, Fan Bingbing, and Jing Tian, ​​isn't the cast similar to that of "The Photo Studio," just with different actors?

Isn't this just going to mean we're going to have to tell the same old story again?
The story of a small team struggling to survive amidst hardship!
The media knows it all too well!

Didn't those big directors always make one similar film after another?

There are also those who argue with the media on an artistic level.
"Making a movie isn't like making a documentary, so you can't fabricate things? 'Braveheart' even has a scene where the British royal family is cuckolded! Why isn't anyone criticizing this movie for fabricating history? You're just nitpicking!"

"Let me tell you a secret, Transformers really do exist. The people in Jia Zhangke's movies really suffer. Wang Ang's movies are all based on facts, isn't that a double standard? Why didn't they smear these people so vehemently back then?"

……

Amid this controversy.

The title "We Live in Nanjing" swept through the entire entertainment industry in the shortest amount of time.

The news of Hubei poet Yu Di's suicide at home and the viral popularity of the TV series "Struggle" were completely overshadowed.

Cao Zhong received a call from Yu Dong.

"Director Cao, can you still hold on?"

"Director Cao, the public opinion is getting too intense. Should I kneel down right now?"

Yu Dong was determined to support Cao Zhong, at least to prevent him from suffering so much abuse. As Cao Zhong's future financial backer, Yu Dong felt sorry for him.

How is the box office performance of "The Sun Also Rises"?

“It looks like we won’t break 100 million,” Yu Dong said. “We only have a little over 60 million now, and we’ll get at most 70 million by the time it leaves theaters. Pirated DVDs have already been released, so there’s no point in extending the screening any further.”

"But thank you anyway, Director Cao. If it weren't for the fact that you brought so much buzz to this movie by getting criticized, it wouldn't have reached this level. I don't know what to say to express my gratitude."

It's definitely going to be a loss, but even counting the odds and ends, it's only a little over a third of the total.

Yu Dong is very content.

“It’s nothing,” Cao Zhong said. “Look, I was going to get criticized for announcing the movie’s title.”

"Although it's a pity I didn't get a share of this film, Bona Film Group will keep up with our publicity and media coverage. Director Cao, I'll stand by your side."

Yu Dong firmly stated.

……

"There's a lot of public opinion about it."

Wang Renjun, as the head of Cao Zhong's top online propaganda team, urgently reported the situation.

"The enemy's organized forces have met their demise, and it's a devastating blow, Brother Zhong, what should we do?"

"Do you remember the technique I taught you back then?" Cao Zhong said, "Find someone and beat them to a pulp."

Wang Renjun urgently searched for relevant information and reported it to Cao Zhong.

"Ignore them, beat them to death."

Cao Zhongdao said, "We should consciously guide our supporters to find similar remarks, and ideally, we should corner them and turn them into a mouthpiece for stirring up public opinion and attacking us."

"What?"

Wang Renjun found it very strange. ...

Shanghai, a film and television paradise.

Lu Chuan has meticulously recreated the dilapidated city wall from 1937, making it a perfect 1:1 replica.

He was going to film a scene from "City of Life and Death" here.

Upon seeing the news, Lu Chuan couldn't help but pat Qin Lan on the shoulder, extremely excited.
"Lanlan, what did I tell you? Cao Zhong will definitely face repercussions. His actions are contrary to civilization and immoral."
He wasn't as brave as me. My movie, once it's finished, will eventually be submitted for a theatrical release!
It's a pity, though. The budget for this film is running out quickly; I'm afraid it won't be enough.

Lu Chuan smiled as he looked at Qin Lan.

Seeing Qin Lan's unpleasant expression, she began to explain, but didn't take it seriously.

"Today, when you saw me with Gao Yuanyuan on set, we didn't do anything. I just wanted to get along with her and see if I could borrow some money from her. You have to believe in my efforts for art."

You saw it, we were sitting on the edge of the bed, just feeding each other, nothing happened, you have to believe me, Lanlan.”

Qin Lan glared at Lu Chuan and scolded him fiercely:
"Do you think I'm stupid? I don't know who Gao is. Stealing men is her euphemism!"

I truly feel like my sincerity was wasted. For this movie, I acted for free, I went against my own company, and I lost 300,000 yuan.
When you insulted Cao Zhong for no reason before, I stood firmly by your side.

"So, all my efforts to help you ended up putting you on the verge of a high-paying job, right?"

Qin Lan was overwhelmed with resentment; he thought of Cao Zhong's words when he confronted Lu Chuan.
They said we should never talk about humanity or anti-war sentiments, because the invaders were also individuals.

Isn't that Lu Chuan? Isn't that "Nanjing Nanjing"?

Kadokawa?

Fuck you, Sichuan!
She did see Gao Yuanyuan and Kadokawa standing together, reciting their lines aloud!
Qin Lan had noticed it before, but she held back, wanting only to finish filming her movie role.

Unexpectedly, Lu Chuan did this kind of thing while making a movie, and she even caught him.

They're still laughing and cursing Director Cao. Director Cao is criticizing the Japanese people. The whole internet is cursing him, but he still managed to make 400 million and win!
Compared to Director Cao, she looked at Lu Chuan and found his face increasingly disgusting.

They even borrowed money and told me that the production team's funds were being spent like water?

Qin Lan smiled. Of course, she could tell that Lu Chuan was after her money.

Qin Lan shook her head, her face turning pale, and said with a bitter smile, "Lu Chuan, we're finished. I do have some money left, but even if I donate it to the survivors like Director Cao did, I won't give it to you."

"I'm not playing this role anymore! Take your civilization and show it to the Japanese writers, I don't care!"

Qin Lan stood up, preparing to leave.

"You dare to try going out through this door."

Upon hearing Cao Zhong's name and the word "civilization," Lu Chuan immediately reacted.

"Do you know why Cao Zhong didn't follow up after he criticized me last time?"

Lu Chuan's eyes sharpened as he gritted his teeth and said...

“I have connections above me, I have plenty of people. Cao Zhong wouldn’t dare to oppose me; he’s just following a lot of people to his side.”

I told you, Gao and I didn't do anything. We were just feeding each other. It was plain porridge made by the cafeteria lady.

I'm already facing difficulties with filming, and I need you. Cao Zhong's movie made 400 million, so why can't mine? And as you've seen, he's also making a second "Nanjing" movie. He must be making a fortune, which is why he's continuing.

Once you miss this opportunity, you won't find another one.

Qin Lan, you need to think this through! If you really give up this role, don't blame me for being ruthless!

Qin Lan turned her head and looked at Lu Chuan.

She took two steps forward and stood in front of Lu Chuan, staring fearlessly into his eyes.

"Go back to your Kadokawa and your Gao Yuanyuan."

"You still have four hundred million? I think you've lost your memory! You think I can't tell you're plagiarizing Schindler's works?"

"You've probably worn out the script of 'Schindler' by now, haven't you?"

"Come on, blacklist me! Do you think I'm some kind of country bumpkin? By the way, I secretly went to see that movie 'Nanjing Photo Studio' back then, and there wasn't a single nude scene. Unlike you, who's shameless?"

"I bother!"

Qin Lan turned and left, never looking back.

……

Han Sanpin also called to ask how Cao Zhong was feeling.

"How does Chairman Han think I feel?" Cao Zhong asked.

"Excited? Indignant? Regretful?" Han Sanpin said, "There are quite a few people who have cursed you. It makes this old man's heart tremble."

"So, Mr. Han, how many multifaceted people are there? What use are your official characterizations and opinions on 'The Photo Studio'? They can retaliate at any time. Look at those five outrageous questions, making it seem like I've committed some heinous crime."

"Now I understand why you wanted me to issue a ban on 'Ailing' magazine as soon as possible," Han Sanpin said, still somewhat frightened. "They really haven't given up."

"The struggle for the right to speak has always been like this."

Cao Zhongdao said, "This thing is called the Ten Arts of a Gentleman on the Internet: Filial Piety, Urgent Joy, Winning Profits, and Hemp and Peddling."

Old Deng was confused. "Huh?"

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to explain. Just know that I'm just a movie title, and they're already getting anxious. That's enough."

"So what do we do next? Do we just continue in this terrifying black tide?"

“Of course, how can the sun rise if it’s not dark?” Cao Zhong said. “The darker it is, the brighter I am. Only when these rats in the gutter are in a frenzy do I appear so utterly alone.”

Han Sanpin coughed twice: "And me too."

"By the way, the movie 'Ailing' was rejected by Hong Kong and mainland China, but it was shown in North America for a month. Guess how much it grossed? More than $440 million."

Han Sanpin laughed and said, "This time they really got a hard time."

"Who cares about rats in the gutter? Go back and give those academics a piece of your mind, ask them why art films and Golden Lion Award-winning films aren't popular in the US and Europe?"
"And let them check the reviews on foreign websites; who would actually consider this kind of film art?"

Han Sanpin coughed twice more. "You know what, my secretary gave me some information today. 'Ailing' has faced a lot of backlash in the US, and Tang Wei has been criticized by North American audiences for being 'worse than a prostitute'..."

Cao Zhong smiled and said, "Look, the whole world's audience are living people. Only the 'artsy bastard' and I are the 'handsome bastard' duo. I am handsome."

Han Sanpin: ...

(End of this chapter)