Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 726: Directly Destroy "The Orphan of Zhao"! Zou Tao is Coming for an Exclusive Interview!
"Oh? So Sima Yi played Tu Anjia!"

"What are you talking about?"

"That's Teacher Wei, he also played the role of Tu Anjia."

"I think the part about Wu Zixu in this TV series was filmed very well."

"Forget about Wu Zixu, this Tu Anjia is completely different from the Tu Anjia we know now!"

"Teacher Wei's acting skills are indeed excellent. He portrayed the character's strength and ruthlessness, as well as his pitiful state when he is old and unable to fight."

"No? Why is it so different?"

"Logically speaking, it seems impossible for Tu Anjia in the movie to still be so good at fighting at his age.

"That's right. In ancient times, men would refer to themselves as 'old men' by the age of 30. The one in the TV series is more accurate."

I don't know when it started, or who started it, but the story of Tu Anjia and Zhao Gu from "Eastern Zhou Dynasty" has been put on the internet.

At this particular moment, it has suddenly become incredibly popular, with many netizens who have seen Director Chen's "Sacrifice" and those who haven't been able to resist leaving their comments.

There's no way around it, the contrast between the two versions is just too stark.

This isn't a comparison of the actors' acting skills; the entire storyline is completely different.

In the TV series "Eastern Zhou Dynasty", Tu Anjia is played by actor Wei, who has played the veteran in "Sanmao the Vagabond" and Sima Yi. He is very thin and has a treacherous look. However, when Tu Anjia faces Zhao Gu's revenge, he is already old and frail and is powerless to resist Zhao Gu.

Therefore, this version of Tu Anjia basically uses emotional appeal to win over Zhao Gu, saying only words of kinship, after all, he did raise Zhao Gu for so many years.

Conversely, in Chen Kaige's "The Orphan of Zhao," Tu Anjia is incredibly powerful. When Zhao Gu seeks revenge, Tu Anjia completely dominates Zhao Gu, showing no signs of aging whatsoever. He is truly a formidable fighter.

The contrast is so striking that some netizens have even posted clips of this scene from a pirated copy of the newly released movie.

The two are quite different...

Putting aside who acted well and who acted poorly, the stark contrast between these two storylines alone makes one want to ask more questions.

Why did you, Director Chen, turn the plot like this?!
In fact, it's clear to everyone that, based on general logic, Tu Anjia couldn't possibly have maintained such formidable fighting power in his later years.

"Eastern Zhou Dynasty" is clearly more reasonable. Moreover, the main creators of this drama are basically the same people from the old "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and it is almost a complete copy. Therefore, the works produced by this group of veteran artists are bound to be more rigorous.

Well, some sharp-eyed netizens noticed that Wu Zixu in this TV series "Eastern Zhou Dynasty" looks somewhat similar to Lu Qiaoshan in "Lurking".

Does it look like it? Does it really look like it?

In any case, it would be difficult for the average person to tell that these two are the same person.

In any case, what's unexpected is that "Eastern Zhou Dynasty" which didn't become popular back then has now become a hit.

This is really interesting.

Then, another rumor emerged.

"It's said that Ma Xun previously accused Chen Kai of being a Japanophile!"

"Ah? When?"

"It seems it was just before the movie was released, probably after they had seen it, and then..."

"It is said that Tu Anjia is an allusion to a certain country."

"Wow! Ma Xun is pretty impressive! He could even see that!"

This rumor is absolutely baseless, but its power is truly remarkable.

Many netizens thought about it and realized that what Ma Xun said was indeed correct.

As a result, the ratings for Director Chen's "Sacrifice" have been steadily dropping on Douban and other websites!

……

"The box office situation for 'Sacrifice' has suddenly changed! Box office performance of 'Sacrifice' is declining!"

"The competition during the Mid-Autumn Festival period is fierce! 'Let the Bullets Fly' is a box office hit!"

"Under the Hawthorn Tree" receives high praise and achieves a box office comeback!

To be more precise, the National Day holiday season hasn't officially started yet, since this year's holiday schedule is a bit different.

The Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day are quite close, but not so close that you can't celebrate them consecutively. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 22nd, so you have to celebrate both.

This makes the Mid-Autumn Festival a period of intense competition with the National Day holiday.

In other words, by National Day, the outcome of these films will be decided. If they lose now, there will be no chance to turn things around.

Because theaters will definitely use the current performance as the primary basis for scheduling screenings.

This is definitely the safest bet, so it's just like that line from "Let the Bullets Fly": whoever wins, they'll help them!

Now, which side are the major cinema chains on?

Ma Xun has already secured a connection with Wanda, and he has enough confidence... Well, the big comparison between "Eastern Zhou Dynasty" and Chen Kaige's "The Orphan of Zhao" on the internet is his work.

He was the one who directed it behind the scenes.

As for the reasons... what reasons? For both reason and sentiment, whether it's for the greater good or for one's own petty interests, one must destroy such an opponent!
Actually, Ma Xun is already very conservative; there are still many things he simply cannot say.

Just like that later director Chen, who did it even more blatantly.

"The Legend of the Cat Demon" is indeed adapted from a novel by a well-known Japanese author. Therefore, it is acceptable to include the character Kukai and to give Kukai and another character, Abe no Nakamaro, more screen time.

However, you can't go this far like Director Chen!

What kind of person is a Japanese monk who came to our great Tang Dynasty? How could he possibly have the chance to enter the emperor's bedroom?

Even someone with a basic understanding of history wouldn't be able to film such a scene, right?

What left Ma Xun speechless was that after reading the original novel, he discovered that the original author, Baku Makura, had not written such a plot at all. Even though he was Japanese, he knew he wouldn't dare to portray Kūkai and Abe no Nakamaro in a more humble way.

You, Director Chen, are really something!

They filmed a Japanese monk and portrayed him as some kind of high-ranking monk, even putting on airs in the Tang Dynasty.

Director Chen, you're a truly wicked bastard!

Therefore, Ma Xun's move this time can be described as swift, accurate, and ruthless.

Ma Xun's main target was the reputation of "The Orphan of Zhao".

He went to CCTV from the very beginning because he had already decided on this plan.

And then they used this "Eastern Zhou Dynasty"...

In short, we must send Director Chen's "The Orphan of Zhao" away first this time.

Overall, this film isn't very well-received either; it only scored 6 points on Douban in the original timeline.

It's a blockbuster, and the production quality is definitely there. The first half was indeed very tense and exciting. The actors, including Bao Guoan and Zhao Wenzhuo, all performed quite well and brought out the essence of their characters. The plot was ruthless and decisive, and the death of this family was incredibly tragic.

But the second half is just drawn out and tedious, with all sorts of back-and-forth dragging on when it comes to getting revenge, all of which is Director Chen's so-called 'humanity' stuff.

If I kill a movie like this, it'll be a blessing for movie fans!

As for the film "Let the Bullets Fly," Ma Xun naturally doesn't need to interfere too much.

Let the moviegoers see this for themselves; they'll definitely be silent once they see it!

Ma Xun's plan was that he wouldn't need to interfere too much with the film "Let the Bullets Fly," as long as the publicity and distribution plan was handled properly. His most important task would be to open up theatrical distribution channels.

In the beginning, didn't he take Jiang Wen to reconcile with the Shanghai circle?

Now, he has reached an agreement with Wanda again.

With the collapse of the reputation of "The Orphan of Zhao", everything is settled!
Of course, the only one left is China Film Group, also known as New Film Union.

But Ma Xun felt that Han Sanping probably wouldn't favor Chen Kaige too much, after all, this famous director's previous commercial performance was rather mediocre.

Therefore, Ma Xun didn't need to pay too much attention to the new film alliance.

As for other cinema chains, like Stellar Cinemas, they are definitely stubborn and unyielding. Ma Xun certainly doesn't rely on this chain, so naturally he has no interest in discussing it further.

Others, such as Yaolai and Dadi, etc.

He also owns his own cinema chain.

These will definitely need to be arranged in multiple rows.

The good news is that these smaller cinemas are actually easier to turn around, so Ma Xun isn't too worried.

The bad news is, well, there shouldn't be any bad news right now. So, is Ma Xun's job over for now?

Of course not yet. Although Ma Xun doesn't need to do too much for our "Let the Bullets Fly", there are some things, such as the hot memes about the movie that might appear on the internet, he really has to copy them!
The first batch of trending memes is... let me see.

Ok?
Wow! That woman has huge breasts!

"Holy crap! I pulled down her bodice and she jumped right out!"

"That's absolutely amazing!"

"Even I, a woman, am envious!"

What kind of trending meme is this?!

Ma Xun couldn't help but blush a little. Jiang Wen, you always like to use these little tricks.

Yes, those who know, know, it's that... it's really big.

Moreover, you can see the details. Although it's just a fleeting glimpse, some observant netizens have acted as Lekhoo writers, taking screenshots frame by frame.

This... it's gone viral, but can you really copy a meme like this?

Let's get something else!
Next is...

"Eight years old?!"

"Haha...this is interesting."

"We were eating hotpot and singing songs when we were robbed by bandits!"

"I only want to be the county magistrate's wife. As for who the county magistrate is..."

Great, these can still be hyped up.

There are deeper things that netizens haven't discovered yet, but some netizens have already sensed them.

"Did you all figure out who Jiang Wen is playing?"

"Isn't that Zhang Muzhi?"

"No! It might not be him!"

"Who else could it be?"

"Think about it, this character seems to be related to someone..."

Alright, that's about enough for now.

That will definitely make things even more interesting.

This movie is truly the kind of film that reveals more and more the more you analyze it, and the more you analyze it, the more...

Just as Ma Xun was studying the online activity, his secretary called him on the internal line.

"Mr. Ma, we have a visitor. Do you have some time to visit?"

That's a rather strange statement.

Ma Xun immediately asked, "Who is this visitor?"

"Ms. Zou Tao, a well-known host."

Huh? Her?
"Let her come up, I have time."

Sister Tao, what brings her here? Is she in need of rain after a long drought?
Ma Xun's ideas... are pretty good.

Not long after, the well-known host Zou Tao arrived at Ma Xun's office. As soon as she entered, she was just as surprised as anyone else who was there for the first time.

"I never expected your place to be so spacious and bright."

Although Ma Xun was quite satisfied with this surprising performance, he frowned because Zou Tao pretended to be a complete stranger.

"Ms. Zou Tao, what brings you here today?"

Ma Xun's tone indicated that he was treating the other person as a stranger.

The two immediately went head-to-head?
Zou Tao didn't seem to have any particular feeling about this; her smile remained the same, the kind of very businesslike smile.

You can often see her laughing like that on TV.

“Mr. Ma, you should know what I do, and the reason I’m here today is, of course, to ask you to grant our team an exclusive interview.”

Interview?

To be fair, Ma Xun rarely gives exclusive interviews.

In fact, it's rare for business owners in the entertainment industry to give exclusive interviews.

Most bosses prefer to remain behind the scenes; as long as they can make money, nothing else matters.

Some are flamboyant, like the Wang brothers, but in reality, even during their most glorious years, they didn't give many interviews.

As for the reason, many people probably understand: being a boss in the entertainment industry makes it easy to be rumored to have something going on with the female stars under your company.

Ma Xun, this boss... he's been through so much. This company, Enlight Media, can basically be considered his harem. So, unless he needs it, he generally won't accept interviews.

Zou Tao couldn't possibly be unaware of this situation, so why did she insist on doing this interview?

Ma Xun quickly noticed another detail: Zou Tao had come alone.

Then, his expression changed and he said, "Why should I accept your interview?"

The way this is being said makes it seem like the two don't have a good relationship.

Zou Tao's smile faded slightly as he said, "You were the one who brought up that 'Eastern Zhou Dynasty' TV series this time, weren't you?"

Hey! She figured it out?

But Ma Xun's reply was even more audacious: "You want to use this to blackmail me?"

"Hmm!" Zou Tao admitted it directly, but he seemed to be suppressing a smile.

Ma Xun laid his cards on the table, saying, "Fine, go ahead and announce it to the public."

Not afraid at all!

Zou Tao was at a loss for what to do.

At that moment, Ma Xun made a joke.

"Do you miss me?"

Upon hearing this, Zou Tao's smile instantly became somewhat unnatural.

"what are you talking about!"

Seeing this, Ma Xun's face showed a teasing smile. "Don't you understand what I said? If you want it, just say so."

Good guy, really good guy!

Zou Tao's expression turned serious. "Mr. Ma, I hope you'll show some respect!"

Ma Xun immediately laughed and said, "If you come over here on your own initiative, I'll kill you."

That's a bit too much... But to be fair, flirting with a famous host like that sounds pretty cool!

Zou Tao gritted his teeth and said, "I didn't!"

He simply turned around and left.

Unfortunately, Ma Xun was very decisive and pressed the remote control button.

When Zou Tao arrived at the office door, she found that she couldn't open it at all.

"You, let me out!"

I'm panicking, really panicking.

Ma Xun had already gotten up and walked over step by step, tearing off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt along the way.

Then... he kissed her directly.

Zou Tao was about to struggle again, but after a few seconds, his hand stopped.

Before long, there was a loud knocking on the door...

(End of this chapter)