Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

"Great! That's a good screenwriter!" Zhang Yimou shouted, taking the lead in standing up and applauding.

Zhuang Huai'an also thought it was very good. The script followed the narrative of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", retained all the classic legendary scenes, and removed the original side plots that were heavily modified, such as Xiao Qiao crossing the river to brew tea, Sun Shangxiang playing football and infiltrating the underworld, and the Huiguang Formation that did not conform to the dynasty.

Retain the legendary dramatic feel, and remove the childish comedic elements.

That's more like it. If you're going to fight, then fight. Why drag two women into it?

Which man would hesitate or waver because of a woman when faced with the ambition of unifying the world?

Especially after Cao Cao's experience of killing three sages with one cannon shot, if he did it again, not only would his generals be dissatisfied, but he would also be unable to accept it in front of the Xiahou and Cao clansmen!

The original version of "Red Cliff" is like a chaotic female-oriented novel world, it's simply incomprehensible!

In fact, for classic works like these that have been passed down for hundreds of years, it is absolutely right to film them according to the plot. With the excellent old TV series as a precedent, the movie mainly presents war scenes and big scenes, so just enjoy the excitement!

Like Nolan's new film "The Odyssey," the story of the Trojan Horse is a rehash, but it's just as popular!

Back in the office, the two sat facing each other.

"Huai'an, when are we going to start?" Old Zhang was eager to get started.

"Anytime is fine, but senior, the Olympic opening ceremony can't do without you. Both are big events, can you manage to coordinate your time and energy?"

"Then don't worry!" Old Zhang patted his chest, looking smug. "The Zhang family members are capable and fierce!"

"I know that."

Zhuang Huai'an nodded. Even if this old man is only in his early fifties now, he will still be full of energy 20 years from now. Out of curiosity, he couldn't help but ask the question.

"Senior, everyone says you were abducted and modified by aliens, is that true?"

Zhang Yimou chuckled immediately. "You've heard about it too?"

"Yes," Zhuang Huai'an nodded, "you tell me about it."

"Okay," Zhang Yimou readily agreed, lit a cigarette and said in a pretentious manner, "That was in the summer of 1985, when we were filming the military parade. One day, after finishing work in the early morning, I was pulling the equipment back to the camp when the producer Chen Liguo suddenly shouted, 'There's a UFO!' I subconsciously looked up and saw an object that looked like a basin, suspended in mid-air, pointing at me at a 45-degree angle, and not moving at all."

"And then?" Zhuang Huai'an's interest was piqued, and he quickly urged.

"Then I don't remember anything. Later they told me that I stood there staring at the sky for at least 10 minutes, but my memory stopped at the moment I saw it, and my mind was blank."

Zhang Yimou sighed, "After that, I felt like my brain wasn't my own anymore. Before, when I was making things, I had to think and rack my brains to come up with ideas. But after that day, many things just popped into my head on their own. The composition and colors of the scene would just jump out naturally..."

Huai'an, you're still young and don't understand. Do you know what I call this state?

Zhuang Huai'an listened intently and quickly asked, "What's your name?"

"Teasing...playing with this silly kid! Hahahaha!" Zhang Yimou laughed so hard he lay sprawled on the table.

Damn it! I've been tricked!

Zhuang Huai'an was speechless. The main reason was that the old strategist's tone was too convincing. Combined with his own miraculous rebirth, he was genuinely fooled by the old thief for a while.

"You've always been the one teasing this old man, but I've finally gotten my way today." The old man wiped away tears of laughter, a smug look on his face.

"To tell you the truth, when we were filming the military parade, we stayed at a military camp. And that glowing basin-like object was a nighttime illumination flare fired by the neighboring troops during a drill. It wasn't a UFO at all."

Okay, okay, is this how you play it?

Zhuang Huai'an's expression froze for a moment. He wrote this down in his notebook, thinking that there would be plenty of time in the future, so he would just write it down for now!

Zhang Yimou took a satisfying drag on his cigarette and continued recounting old stories, "Back then, when Kai Ge and I were still working together at the Guangdong Film Studio, filming 'Yellow Earth,' we'd all sit together on the Loess Plateau at night, drinking..."

Kai once said: "If we're going to film the Three Kingdoms in the future, we must recreate the scene of Cao Cao composing poetry while brandishing his spear, amidst a bright moon, few stars, and magpies flying south—that's what makes a hero!"

Zhuang Huai'an listened attentively and nodded repeatedly; his tone was indeed very much like that of a rich guy.

"After that, we went our separate ways. He made a film about Jing Ke assassinating the King of Qin, and I made a film about heroes. Neither of us touched the Three Kingdoms theme."

Halfway through the story, Zhuang Huai'an, overcome with curiosity, had to temporarily suppress his "hatred" for Zhang Yimou and asked, "Why?"

"I dare not touch it."

Zhang Yimou smiled, somewhat wistfully, "The Three Kingdoms theme, being both a classic novel and involving real history, is like Hamlet; everyone has their own version of the Three Kingdoms in their heart. No matter how well you film it, there will always be people who criticize you."

"And now?"

"Now?"

Zhang Yimou laughed even harder, saying matter-of-factly, "Now I've figured it out. Since I'm going to get criticized anyway, I might as well consider it earning money from the criticism!"

Okay, so you've become wise as soon as you leave Zhang Dapao, right?

"Alright," Zhuang Huai'an shook his head, not wanting to argue with him, "The hype's already been generated, and I'm thinking we should strike while the iron is hot. Do you have any plans lately?"

"I've cancelled all my commercial activities and am just waiting for the Olympic Organizing Committee to call on me, but they're not in a hurry. I estimate that things will really get busy early next year."

"Okay, I understand."

After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Huai'an summoned Wolong, Fengchu, Du Huali, and Fang. Once everyone was there, he said, "Take note of this. I have the following instructions."

The four of them quickly pulled out their notebooks.

"Lifang, please contact Mr. Dong of Huayi, Mr. Wang of Guangxian, Mr. Da of Huayi, Mr. Wu Dun of Changhong, Mr. Yang of Yinghuang, as well as Huace Film & TV, Xiaoma Benteng, Orange Sky Entertainment, Huanya Film & TV and China New Group, and invite them to my place on the morning of the 20th to discuss the investment promotion meeting."

Du Hua, mobilize the media and the internet information team to make this news the hottest topic. I want the whole country to know that we are going to make a big-budget Chinese film with an investment of 1 million US dollars. In addition, you also need to take care of the public audition. Spread the word that no matter if they are big stars or small stars, no matter if they are from mainland China, Taiwan or Hong Kong, I only care about their acting skills and their suitability for the role.

Wise and Brave Mouse, your task is to help a certain senior brother prepare for the film crew. It will still be the entire Beijing Film Academy cast. If you don't have enough manpower, go back to school and cry and make a scene. I'm giving you a month. I want to see the most top-notch behind-the-scenes team in mainland China!

Did you all understand?

"Understood!" The four nodded in unison.

"Good! That's high spirits! After we take Red Cliff, I'll give you all a bonus... uh, a reward!"

Zhuang Huai'an's lips curled into a smile, his mood brightening. He then turned to Zhang Yimou and teased, "Senior brother, I can give you top-of-the-line equipment, top-notch talent, a top-tier budget, and a top-tier team. Can Zhang Dapao provide all of that?"

"Huai'an, ten years with him is nothing compared to three days with you. This feeling is amazing!"

Zhang Yimou laughed heartily. Just hearing about this scene was enough to give him a mental orgasm. He had never fought such a rich battle before!

Upon hearing these slightly ambiguous words, Zhuge Liang and Feng Chu exchanged a subtle glance, then relaxed and tensed up.