Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 175 The Struggle for Discourse Power in the Cultural Field

Several messages appeared before Zhang Qilin's eyes:

[Neutral draw, draw]

Some people outwardly support Qin Liangyu, but their underlying viewpoint is to deny or distort her historical value. Their aim is to seize the right to interpret Qin Liangyu's story. They cram their own opinions into public lectures, misinterpreting history and undermining the project's foundation from within. (Reward: 3000 Luck Points)

[Winning the lottery, bad luck]

Some people are deliberately causing trouble to make you lose your temper, launch personal attacks, and completely smear the project. Don't give them any leverage. (Reward: Immovable Mountain Fragment +1, Luck Value 5000)

Zhang Qilin was mentally prepared for the signing of the Sino-Palestinian treaty; the imperialists' desire to destroy China had never ceased.

Their project aims to awaken public memory; those who were kept by foreign powers will certainly try their best to perform in order to get more funding.

As for the lower-middle-ranking lot, he was somewhat skeptical. He had seen it all, and besides, he was a peace-loving person.

How could someone want to hit someone just because of a few words from another person, just like Dong Qiyu?

Although he wasn't the type to remain unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed, he was certainly not someone who was easily provoked.

However, since the divination slip suggests this, he should still be careful.

The next day, he returned to the Beijing People's Art Theatre and gave small gifts to the interns and teachers he knew.

The third day, in the morning.

He disguised himself as a forty-year-old man wearing black-rimmed glasses.

I took a taxi to the address Dong Qiyu had given me.

When Dong Qiyu saw Zhang Qilin after he had put on makeup, she didn't recognize him at first glance.

She looked Zhang Qilin up and down, then asked curiously, "If you hadn't told me beforehand, I wouldn't have recognized you. Why are you dressed like this?"

"I interviewed all sorts of people. I just finished filming a historical drama, and I need to keep a low profile before it airs so that people don't recognize me and gossip."

Zhang Qilin couldn't say that, because he wanted to be on the safe side of things, having already determined the outcome.

Although Dong Qiyu didn't understand, she didn't ask any more questions.

She glanced at the time and said, "Let's get started. Besides interviewing new people, I've also invited a few other people I thought were good to meet you."

Zhang Qilin nodded.

The two arrived at a small conference room.

The staff began arranging for the interviewees to arrive.

Zhang Qilin looked at Shen Ya, who was standing to the side, and said, "You should step aside."

Shen Ya was taken aback and was about to explain when Dong Qiyu said, "She needs to stop me, or I'll really beat her up."

Zhang Qilin slowly said to Dong Qiyu, "She's handling my filming matters right now. There will be an audition later, and with so many people around, it's not appropriate for me to get publicly involved in this matter yet."

Although Dong Qiyu was somewhat reluctant, she nodded: "Alright, Shen Ya, you can step aside for now."

Shen Ya was secretly delighted when she heard Zhang Qilin's words.

This indicates that Zhang Qilin agreed to let her help handle matters related to filming.

This was the opportunity she had been waiting for.

After Dong Qiyu finished speaking, she retreated to the room next door.

Other staff members led the interviewees in, and the attitudes of the first few interviewees made Dong Qiyu angrier and angrier.

When the door opened again, a man in his fifties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and with his hair neatly combed, walked in.

He sat down opposite the two men, a kind smile on his face.

He claimed to be a history researcher at a certain research institute, and his surname was Wu.

Researcher Wu first expressed his appreciation for Dong Qiyu's promotion of traditional culture.

Then he changed the subject: "Your choice of Qin Liangyu as your entry point is very bold. However, I have been studying the history of the Ming-Qing transition for many years and have some different academic views that may be worth your consideration."

Dong Qiyu remained silent with a gloomy face.

Zhang Qilin nodded and said, "Please go on, Professor Wu."

Researcher Wu spoke with an unquestionable air of authority: "Qin Liangyu's loyalty and bravery are certainly commendable, but her historical position needs to be viewed within a broader context. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the government was corrupt, the people were suffering, and the dynasty's fate was sealed."

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"While the Qing army's entry into the pass certainly involved bloodshed and sacrifice, from a historical perspective, it was also a form of blood transfusion," bringing about a new order and the Kangxi-Qianlong era of prosperity.

"Did Qin Liangyu's resistance to the trend of unification, to some extent, also delay the process of peaceful unification and increase unnecessary casualties and suffering of the people?"

Dong Qiyu's face was already very ugly. If Zhang Qilin hadn't stopped her, she would have started cursing.

Researcher Wu seemed oblivious and continued speaking eloquently: "When we conduct historical research and propaganda, we must stand at a unified level. Overemphasizing the resistance of individual generals against the Qing at the end of the Ming Dynasty can easily lead to unnecessary [problems]."

Zhang Qilin knew what kind of hearts some people had, so he tried his best to keep his tone calm: "Teacher Wu, we want to promote a spirit of loyalty, courage, patriotism, and not being inferior to men. Qin Liangyu is a heroine officially recognized in history, and her spirit belongs to the entire Chinese nation."

Researcher Wu smiled, a smile carrying a peculiar meaning: "The spirit is correct, but the current climate is very cautious in censoring works on the Ming-Qing transition, especially those involving resistance."

"If you're interested in investing in film and television dramas, I strongly advise you to be cautious. Why not choose a safer subject? Qin Liangyu? The risk is too great; you could lose everything and get into trouble."

This is no longer a suggestion, it's almost a threatening warning.

Zhang Qilin glanced at Researcher Wu.

The other person was relaxed, even exuding a sense of superiority, as if saying, "I'm doing this for your own good."

He replied curtly, "Thank you for your kind offer and reminder, Professor Wu. We understand your point of view and will contact you again if needed."

After seeing this person off, Dong Qiyu immediately complained to Zhang Qilin: "What kind of people are these? They know I'm looking for someone to promote Qin Liangyu, and if they don't agree, fine, we should just stay away from each other, but these people still have to come over—"

Zhang Qilin remained silent.

The situations of the next few were similar.

Dong Qiyu's anger was almost uncontrollable.

At that moment, a woman in her forties walked in. Upon seeing her, Dong Qiyu's anger vanished instantly.

She proudly introduced her to Zhang Qilin, saying, "This is one of the people I mentioned who performed well. Please help me choose her; if she's suitable, I'll select her."

Zhang Qilin looked at Liu Jingyi, who was dressed in a well-fitting navy blue suit, with her hair neatly styled in a bun and frameless glasses perched on her face.

Her demeanor was humble yet confident: "Hello, Mr. Dong, hello, teacher. My name is Liu Jingyi. I am currently a part-time researcher of Ming and Qing women's history at a university in the south, and I have also worked as a volunteer guide at the provincial museum for several years."

Liu Jingyi sat down, took a folder out of her bag, and handed it over with both hands: "These are some research notes I've compiled about Qin Liangyu, as well as some feedback records from my tours at the museum, for your reference."

Zhang Qilin took the materials, glanced through them, and asked, "Professor Liu, what's your opinion on the character Qin Liangyu?"

Liu Jingyi said sincerely, "Qin Liangyu is a character I have studied for a long time. To be honest, I cried when I first read her story."

Her voice trembled slightly: "For a woman in that era to be able to lead troops into battle, defend the country, and even go into battle in her sixties, is remarkable even today."

Dong Qiyu looked at Zhang Qilin with a smug look in her eyes, as if to say, "This one is pretty good, isn't it?"

Zhang Qilin ignored her and looked up at Liu Jingyi: "If you were to tell the story, how do you think you should characterize her?"

Liu Jingyi's eyes lit up: "I think she should be positioned as a guardian of Chinese civilization." She wasn't protecting a specific dynasty, but rather the civilization and people of this land. Therefore, Qin Liangyu's spirit transcends the change of dynasties; it's a higher level of cultural identity.

These words were impeccable, sounding both academically profound and politically minded.

Dong Qiyu couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Zhang Qilin said calmly, "Thank you. We'll take a look and call you when it's approved."

Dong Qiyu turned her head and stared wide-eyed at Zhang Qilin. She couldn't understand why someone like him wasn't hired directly.

In her opinion, Liu Jingyi performed very well. If she hadn't wanted to tie Zhang Qilin more tightly to the project, she would have made the decision.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jingyi's eyes flashed with disappointment, but she still politely replied, "Okay, I look forward to the opportunity to work with you two."

After saying that, he stood up, politely said goodbye, and left.

After Liu Jingyi left the room, Dong Qiyu looked at Zhang Qilin with dissatisfaction: "Liu Jingyi is outstanding in both her professional background and her understanding of Qin Liangyu. Why didn't you just hire her?"

Zhang Qilin looked at Dong Qiyu: "What do you think was wrong with what she just said?"

Dong Qiyu was taken aback: "What's wrong? She's absolutely right. Qin Liangyu is protecting civilization and the people—"

He picked up the pen beside him and wrote on the paper: "Guardians of Chinese Civilization"

“Listen to what she’s saying, about cultural identity that transcends specific dynasties and reaches a higher level,” Zhang Qilin turned around. “These words sound grand and dignified, but they’re actually a trap she’s set for you.”

Dong Qiyu looked bewildered: "What do you mean?"

Zhang Qilin patiently explained: "What did Qin Liangyu do in her life? She fought against the Qing army, defended the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and was loyal to Emperor Chongzhen. These were the things that made her the strongest backbone."

He wrote a few more words on the paper:

[The right to speak]

"If we follow Liu Jingyi's argument and elevate Qin Liangyu to a symbol that transcends dynasties, then a problem arises: her resistance against the Qing army would no longer be seen as resisting a foreign enemy, but rather as an obstacle to unification."

Zhang Qilin looked directly at Dong Qiyu: "You heard what that researcher Wu said just now. What did he say? 'The Qing army's entry into the pass was a blood transfusion,' and 'Qin Liangyu resisted the trend of unification.' These two sets of arguments, on the surface one is praising and the other is criticizing, but the underlying logic is exactly the same."

Dong Qiyu's expression gradually changed.

Zhang Qilin continued, "Liu Jingyi's rhetoric as a 'guardian of civilization' is far more sophisticated than that of Researcher Wu. Researcher Wu directly dismantles things, while Liu Jingyi uses a soft approach. She first elevates you, making you feel that she has a broad vision, and then subtly smooths out Qin Liangyu's sharpest edge—her resistance against foreign enemies and her loyalty to the emperor and the country."

He continued, "Once Qin Liangyu is portrayed as a guardian of civilization transcending dynasties," does it matter what armor she wears or what banner she flies? Others can say that she is protecting the civilization of all humanity, so why can't she wear Qing Dynasty clothing? Why can't she wear Western clothing? How will you refute that then?"

Dong Qiyu suddenly stood up, causing the chair to tip backward with a thud.

"She—that's what she meant?"

Zhang Qilin shook his head: "The academic logic behind her points to this result. What she wants is the right to interpret Qin Liangyu's story." Under her interpretation, Qin Liangyu is no longer the loyal Marquis of the Ming Dynasty who fought to the death against the Qing army under the Ming Dynasty banner and wearing Ming-style armor.

He paused, then emphasized, "This is more terrifying than direct opposition. With direct opposition, you can argue with them, but with this kind of insidious attack, by the time you realize it, the right to define the project has already been taken away by someone else."

Dong Qiyu's face turned ashen, her fists clenched tightly: "So, she's here to steal Qin Liangyu's right to interpret the situation? Using a more 'correct' and 'grand' explanation, she's actually trying to uproot Qin Liangyu?"

Zhang Qilin said with certainty, "That's right. What we need in Qin Liangyu is precisely her loyalty to the Ling Dynasty and her determination to defend the land and its people to the death during the crisis at the end of the Ling Dynasty."

"Without these specific historical contexts and stances, what right do we have to use it to promote Hanfu?"

"The idea that 'Qin Liangyu, the author of the poem, is protecting the commonalities of culture' can utterly dismantle all our cultural foundations, turning our awakened memories into mere puppets dressed up by Qin Liangyu."

She looked at Zhang Qilin again, patting her chest with lingering fear: "If you hadn't come, I would have almost been a repeat offender."

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At that moment, the door was pushed open, and a man walked in.