Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 556 A Tide of Applause! "Assembly" - But a New Version!
"Let's move it here."

Upon seeing Company Commander Gu Zidi, he proactively told the bugler that he wanted to see the regimental commander.

Feng Xiaogang couldn't help but say this.

Of course, the voice was very low, but Chen Guofu could definitely hear it.

Chen Guofu knew that the original script had been changed, but he wasn't sure exactly how much it had been changed, whether it was minor or major.

He originally thought it would be a major overhaul, because of Feng Xiaogang and Liu Heng's reactions... but now the changes don't seem to be that significant.

Chen Guofu further confirmed, "In the previous battle scene, I saw that Gu Zidi's commander was willing to risk his life and didn't care about himself, but he cared a lot about his subordinates."

Once he mentioned it, we knew which part of the plot it referred to.

In the opening phase, Gu Zidi's company was ambushed when they engaged in firefight with the enemy, and Gu Zidi immediately took command on the spot.

He truly disregarded his personal safety at the time.

According to Chen Guofu's original idea, it seems that this place should be changed.

Because he had some understanding of the script of the movie, that is, Gu Zidi was a person who cared a lot about 'living'.

Feel your head to see if it's still on your neck.

That's one of his lines.

So, a person like that should be more 'careful of his life' on the battlefield, right?

If you treat others this way, why shouldn't you treat yourself the same way?
Chen Guofu, being from the other side of the strait, found it difficult to understand Gu Zidi.

After listening to Chen Guofu's question, Feng Xiaogang pondered it for a moment, while the light and shadow on the big screen had already reached the scene between Gu Zidi and the regimental commander.

The director could only whisper again, "You don't understand. He wanted to live, but he wanted everyone to survive. However, he also knew that it was impossible for everyone to survive. He was just striving towards that goal of everyone surviving."

Chen Guofu remained silent after hearing this, because he truly did not understand.

But Feng Xiaogang didn't pay attention to Chen Guofu's performance at this moment; the director fell into deep thought.

At least for now, the changes are not significant, but these minor changes have completely altered the character's personality and the message being conveyed.

The plot of "Assembly" so far is that the Ninth Company has just fought a very fierce battle.

Company Commander Gu Zidi was initially very confident, saying: "We're surrounded!"
To persuade the enemy to surrender: We've made dumplings for you.

This statement contains both temptation and threat; the act of wrapping dumplings implies encirclement.

However, after launching the attack, they encountered an ambush. In this emergency, Gu Zidi did not seek cover but instead directed everyone to find cover and to fight back.

They managed to weather the crisis, and the subsequent offensive went very smoothly.

Unexpectedly, the instructor was killed, and Gu Zidi was also wounded and unconscious. Later, the killing of prisoners occurred.

This was a serious mistake, and the entire company was punished. They had won a battle and captured spoils, but now they were guilty.

At that moment, as soon as Gu Zidi saw the bugler's condition, he immediately knew that another important battle was about to take place, and this was an opportunity.

Buglers are now also serving as messengers; there's no other way, the military is currently facing a severe shortage of personnel.

Gu Zidi knew this; he had mentioned it before when counting the spoils. The war was intensifying, and there was a shortage of manpower everywhere.

Therefore, he immediately deduced that this time, it might be possible...

"You want to atone for your crimes by doing good deeds?"

The regimental commander saw right through Gu Zidi.

Gu Zidi didn't mince words, "At the time, I couldn't hold onto the brothers. The instructor's sacrifice really affected everyone. What kind of relationship do we have? You can't give this kind of task to anyone else!"

"Do you know how important this mission is? If you can't keep the enemy in check, the main force will be in danger."

"Such an important task should be entrusted to me. Are you sure you wouldn't trust someone else with it?"

"But what's the situation in your company right now..."

"You said it yourself, it's about redeeming yourself through meritorious service. Our company has always been the spearhead of our regiment. What? You want to switch weapons?"

what is this?
This is volunteering!

The changes are indeed minor, in terms of dialogue, plot arrangement, and camera design.

Not much has really been changed.

However, the whole feeling has changed, or rather, the core has changed.

In the original script, the version that Feng Xiaogang originally wanted to film, the task was for the regimental commander to cook a good meal for Gu Zidi.

You have to coax him to get him to accept this very difficult task.

Because this mission is obviously going to result in deaths, and it's very likely that people will not return.

Such a task... at least in Feng Xiaogang's opinion, is not just a matter of no one wanting to take it, but rather that everyone should avoid it!

In short, the core of Feng Xiaogang's version is: fear of death!

Anyway, Feng Xiaogang felt that everyone is afraid of death, so given this premise, everyone should avoid this task, and Gu Zidi didn't want to take it either.

But now... the changes are really not that significant.

But the whole meaning is completely reversed!
This was a volunteer effort, and the regimental commander didn't even want to give it to him.

When Feng Xiaogang saw this, he was furious!

Ma Xun, you're really something! With such a simple method, you've completely changed my movie!
Hmm... Feng Xiaogang's thinking is a bit over the top. After all, it was Lan Xiaolong who actually made these changes.

However, Ma Xun would certainly be happy to accept the blame for this 'change'.

This is how I want to change it! I'll take the blame for this!

Because Ma Xun is certain that our most lovable people are just like that!

Everyone is afraid of death, but when it comes to a critical moment, some people choose to be fearless of death!

Gu Zidi was able to command the battle without regard for his own safety before, so now that we have the opportunity to clear our Ninth Company of its sins, why not take it?
Of course, I should volunteer!
And next...

"Alright, this task will be assigned to your Ninth Company."

"Then you'll have to assign me a few people."

"We have everything now, except for people."

"The one who was put in solitary confinement with me... well, you're going to be executed anyway."

"can."

"In addition, all the spoils must be given to us."

"You...okay."

"So happy?"

"Old Gu, the time for your retreat in this mission is still uncertain."

"That serious? Our missions are always so well-defined..."

“That’s right, this… bugler.”

'arrive!'

This time, the mission was to cover the rear of the main force during their transfer, which was extremely difficult. In the past, missions always had a timeframe and were very clear, but this time... the regimental commander's solution was to have the bugler blow the bugle.

"You little brat, give me this account..."

"Don't worry, Company Commander Gu, I'm in great shape."

"Comrade Gu Zidi!"

"To!"

The regimental commander formally assigned the task, agreeing that the Ninth Company would withdraw upon hearing the bugle call.

And so, Gu Zidi led the Ninth Company to the blocking position at night.

This shot shows the torchlight shining on Gu Zidi's face.

It's really good.

This was taken by Feng Xiaogang.

But this change... made Feng Xiaogang feel terrible.

……

Liu Heng was also feeling distressed.

It should be said that Liu Heng, the screenwriter, is not a bad screenwriter. He was even a member of the military, and still is.

But the more capable and famous he is, the less he wants others to change his script.

When he spoke out before, it was true that someone had contacted him and promised him certain benefits.

But more than anything, it was Liu Heng himself who wanted to say something.

Do you really think this kind of modification will work?!

It's truly heartbreaking; look at how it's been changed.

That's right, screenwriter Liu Heng is just like Feng Xiaogang.

They all felt that the martyrs of the past were afraid of dying.

He couldn't possibly be unaware. How could someone who has written screenplays for so many years not know what he's writing or what the main theme is?

The current version of "Assembly"... although the changes are not significant, but!
The entire meaning and intention have changed!

Liu Heng's reasoning was that the fear of death is human nature, that is, human nature itself.

He wrote this script from a humanistic perspective.

But now… Hmph! Ma Xun, Lan Xiaolong, you bunch of guys, just you wait!
Times have changed!

Things have changed now!

People nowadays wouldn't like this kind of thing!
Liu Heng completely looked down on Gu Zidi's initiative to volunteer.

But will reality really unfold as he envisions?
……

Ma Xun was quite satisfied with this change.

Because he knew very well that, overall, the movie "Assembly" was actually quite good.

At least during 2007, this movie was a huge hit and achieved very high box office returns.

This was the second highest-grossing film in the original timeline.

Given such a record, the parts we need to change should be as minor as possible.

However, we still need to make changes!

Ma Xun and Lan Xiaolong studied this for quite a long time, and they both believed that they had to get rid of the fear of death!
It's not that people aren't afraid of death; we also know about the weaknesses of human nature.

but!

The heroes and martyrs of yesteryear, did they ever fear death?!
They spilled their blood on the land of their motherland!
That's how we got to where we are today!
And now, we should restore their spirit!
If it were filmed according to the scripts of Feng Xiaogang and Liu Heng, it would be an absolute desecration of the martyrs!
The story of "Assembly" continues to unfold.

This is definitely going to be a major battle!
"Bullets will be fired at those who are afraid of dying!"

"If you're scared, just shout it out!"

"Enemy tanks!"

"Holy crap! Ahhh!!"

The entire Ninth Company was outstanding!
No one's a coward!

When enemy tanks attack, swaggering across the battlefield and wounding our soldiers...

The platoon leader went up with the Molotov cocktail.

Unfortunately, the Molotov cocktail exploded prematurely, burning him.

Bao Qiang, who plays a sniper, rushes to the bottom of the tank with a bomb in hand.

Boom! ! !

Many viewers were already in tears.

Someone was sobbing quietly, trying not to disturb others.

Such a scene... caused some people to panic.

Feng Xiaogang sensed something was wrong!
Liu Heng felt that something was wrong!

Hasn't it changed now...?

Do people still enjoy watching these kinds of things nowadays?
They always study human nature and always want to write about it.

But is it possible that they've been researching in the wrong direction?

Their theories all originated from the West.

Because concepts like human nature originated in the West.

There's also contemporary drama theory and film knowledge.

They all originated from the West.

However, we were filming Chinese people.

Our Chinese soldiers!
Our Chinese heroes!
……

The fierce battle is over.

Gu Zidi did not issue the order to retreat because he did not hear the agreed-upon bugle call.

Moreover, his identity is now a mystery.

but!

"I need to find the army."

"Find out what you want to do?"

"Every single one of us in our Ninth Company is a martyr! I have to prove that!"

And so, Gu Zidi's 'lawsuit' began.

Fortunately, he was lucky enough to meet an artillery officer who took him in.

He followed the troops and later went to North Korea.

"The front wheel doesn't turn, but the back wheel does..."

This line really made everyone laugh.

However, after the Korean War, the battle in Gu Zidi was over.

What happens after the fight is over?

Continue the 'lawsuit'.

He wanted to contact the military unit to ask why the bugle hadn't been sounded.

He wanted to find his Ninth Company, and he wanted all the soldiers in the Ninth Company to be honorably posthumously recognized as martyrs.

He couldn't find it, but he ran into the 'new instructor's family'.

He facilitated a marriage between two people.

However, it has not been found yet.

until one day……

"The troops have been found!"

Did they really find it?
Gu Zidi couldn't believe that he was already so old.

But this was too important to him.

But the place he went to was a martyrs' cemetery.

He was received by the political commissar from back then.

Back then, the political commissar issued an order to deal with the problems of their Ninth Company.

but……

Why wasn't the bugle sounded back then?

The political commissar did not answer, but led him to the two tombstones.

"The bugler was killed while blowing the bugle. The regimental commander rushed up to blow the bugle and was also shot and wounded. Later we went to Korea... He became a division commander, but he never forgot you, Lao Gu, and your Ninth Company."

After saying that, the political commissar took out a small box.

Inside was a bugle, but it was badly damaged.

This account is proof enough that the former guild leader has never forgotten them.

Gu Zidi touched the bugle and wept uncontrollably.

……

It wasn't just Gu Zidi in the movie who shed tears; countless audience members in the Great Hall of the People also shed tears.

This has already resolved one of the 'lawsuits'.

I didn't expect it, I really didn't expect it.

It turned out to be so.

Although, in the previous episodes, Gu Zidi did not express his resentment towards his old comrade-in-arms, the regimental commander, directly.

But we can all see that he definitely has it.

But, after all, they were old buddies and friends of many years, so Gu Zidi's silence was a way of leaving a last glimmer of hope.

He wanted to confront his old friend face to face.

But now... all he could do was grab a bottle of good wine and chat with his old friend.

In the end... there's still a lawsuit to discuss.

Gu Zidi returned to the vicinity of the battlefield from back then, which has now been turned into a mining area.

He started digging, he kept digging, it was just him digging all by himself.

He wanted to dig out all the brothers from the Ninth Company...

How can we manage with just manpower?

Many people say he's stupid.

Many people say he's crazy.

But he persisted until one day an earthquake struck.

Finally, the remains of all the martyrs of the Ninth Company were discovered.

Right here, a monument was erected.

And finally, the bugle call sounded...

As "Assembly" came to an end, the entire Great Hall of the People erupted in thunderous applause!
(End of this chapter)