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One afternoon, while browsing through historical materials on the Ming Dynasty, Su Ning's gaze lingered on the name "Qin Liangyu".

This famous female general, military strategist, and chieftain of Zhongzhou in the late Ming Dynasty, whose legendary life of "being able to command troops in battle on horseback and comfort the people on foot" suddenly inspired a strong creative impulse in Su Ning.

He seemed to be able to travel through the dust of hundreds of years and feel the resilience, wisdom and responsibility of that heroine in the chaotic world.

He immediately pressed the intercom button: "Xiaojun, are you free now? Come to my office, I have a new idea."

Not long after, Chen Xiaojun, the CEO of "Guangguai Luli", walked lightly into Suning's office, which was full of modern art yet exuded a scholarly atmosphere.

"President Su, you called me here? Is there any new instruction regarding the follow-up publicity for 'The New Undercover'?"

“No, it’s a completely new project.” Su Ning gestured for her to sit down and got straight to the point. “I plan to produce a historical drama, with the protagonist being Qin Liangyu, a female general from the late Ming Dynasty.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Xiaojun's eyes, which quickly turned into professional thinking: "Qin Liangyu? This topic is very valuable. If the subject of a heroine is handled well, it can have both historical weight and resonate with contemporary women. But it is also quite difficult, requiring a precise grasp of the history and political and military landscape of the late Ming Dynasty."

“That’s right,” Su Ning nodded approvingly. “So, I need you to do two things immediately: First, secretly convene top Ming Dynasty history experts in the country, especially scholars who have in-depth research on the Tusi system in the southwest and the military affairs of the late Ming Dynasty, in the name of the company, to form a high-level historical advisory group. Second, have our top screenwriting team on standby, ready to go into seclusion with the expert team to carefully polish the script.”

He leaned forward slightly and emphasized, “My requirement is that major events must be factual, while minor details can be flexible. On the basis of strictly respecting the core historical facts and the spiritual essence of the characters, reasonable artistic creation is allowed. We must make the characters stand out and the story engaging. It should have the grandeur of war and the delicate and moving human emotions.”

“I understand, President Su. We will make it a historical drama that can withstand scrutiny.” Chen Xiaojun quickly jotted down the key points, then looked up and asked, “So… regarding the lead actors, do you have any preliminary considerations? Do you need to start contacting top-tier actresses?”

Su Ning looked at her, a meaningful smile on his face. His gaze lingered on her dignified yet slightly heroic face for a moment before he slowly said, "We don't need to look for a female lead. I think you are the most suitable candidate."

"Me?!" Chen Xiaojun was caught off guard and froze instantly, almost thinking she had misheard.

Although she is a traditional opera actress with excellent looks and temperament, she rarely takes on such big projects, let alone plays the leading role in such a weighty historical drama.

In her opinion, "Qin Liangyu" completely surpasses the previous "Nirvana in Fire," as it is a historical drama with a profound sense of history.

"President Su, this...this won't do, will it? How can I take on such a heavy responsibility? This will ruin the show!" She waved her hand hurriedly, her tone filled with panic and disbelief.

Su Ning, however, seemed to have anticipated her reaction and calmly explained, “Xiaojun, don’t rush to deny it. My choice of you wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. First, your image and temperament combine the gentleness of an Eastern woman with the competence of a modern woman. You possess a natural air of heroism that rivals any man’s, which perfectly matches the historical description of Qin Liangyu as ‘elegant in demeanor but strict in managing her subordinates.’ This was confirmed when I played Princess Nihuang in ‘Nirvana in Fire.’” He paused, then continued to delve deeper: “Second, as the ‘eccentric’ CEO, managing such a large company, strategizing and making far-reaching decisions in the business world, the leadership, decisiveness, and composure you’ve accumulated under pressure are qualities that acting alone cannot compensate for. Qin Liangyu is not an ordinary lady; she is a general commanding thousands of troops, a chieftain governing a region. You need to incorporate this ‘helmsman’ quality into your performance.”

Seeing Chen Xiaojun's still hesitant and apprehensive look, Su Ning offered one last reason, which also carried a hint of personal mischief: "And don't forget, I plan to make a cameo appearance in this drama as Qin Liangyu's husband, Ma Qiancheng."

He smiled and said, "In the play, we are a couple who face storms together; in real life, we are trusted confidants and partners. This kind of understanding can reduce a lot of the adjustment costs. With me by your side, what are you afraid of?"

Chen Xiaojun fell into deep thought.

Su Ning's words were all reasonable, especially the last point, which almost blocked all her reasons for backing down.

She knew that this was both a tremendous trust and an unprecedented challenge.

Portraying such a legendary heroine would be of extraordinary significance to both her personally and the company should she succeed.

Especially being able to stand openly beside Su Ning was her biggest obsession and desire, so Chen Xiaojun was truly moved at this moment.

She took a deep breath, her eyes gradually shifting from panic to determination, even igniting a flame of eager anticipation: "President Su, do you... do you really think I can do this?"

"I trust my judgment, and I believe even more in your potential," Su Ning gave her an affirmative answer.

“Okay!” Chen Xiaojun no longer hesitated, straightening her back as if she had already entered character. “Since you dare to use me, Mr. Su, I dare to act! I will immediately adjust my work schedule, coordinate company management and script preparation. At the same time, I will hire the best acting coach for intensive, hellish training! I will definitely not let you down, and I will not let the role of Qin Liangyu be tarnished!”

Seeing the fighting spirit blazing in Chen Xiaojun's eyes, Su Ning smiled with satisfaction.

“Excellent, that’s the kind of spirit we’re looking for. Go forth! Let our ‘Qin Liangyu’ emerge from the dust of history and amaze this era.”

A dialogue that transcends time and space, a magnificent transformation from business elite to historical figure, came to a close in this office.

No one could have predicted the upheavals that Suning's decision would create in the film and television industry.

And Chen Xiaojun's life trajectory has thus steered in a brand new direction full of infinite possibilities.

……

Suning's confidence that Chen Xiaojun is capable of playing the role of Qin Liangyu is not based on mere conjecture.

His confidence largely stems from Chen Xiaojun's outstanding performance as Princess Nihuang in the completed drama "Nirvana in Fire," which is scheduled to air on Beijing TV in September.

Although the outside world has not yet seen it, Suning, as an investor and internal screenwriter, has already seen the finished product of "Nirvana in Fire".

In the drama, Chen Xiaojun plays Princess Nihuang, who possesses both the nobility and majesty of a princess of Yunnan, as well as the valor and heroism of a commander of the Southern Army. What is even more remarkable is that when facing Mei Changsu, she portrays the tenderness and forbearance hidden beneath her determination with distinct layers, which is very moving.

"Princess Nihuang can be seen as a 'preview' of Qin Liangyu," Su Ning said in a small meeting with the core planning team. "Xiaojun has already proven in 'Nirvana in Fire' that she can handle a female character of noble status, wielding power, and possessing both literary and military prowess. The gentle yet firm, authoritative aura she exudes is something many formally trained young actors lack. She is perfectly suited to portray Qin Liangyu from her youth to middle age, fighting valiantly on the battlefield and wielding great influence in government affairs."

Su Ning already had an excellent candidate in mind for Qin Liangyu's later years, a period marked by vicissitudes, composure, wisdom, and steadfastness.

“As for the older Qin Liangyu,” Su Ning flipped through the actor database in his hand, his finger stopping at a name, “I prefer Teacher Cao Cuifen.”

Some people in the audience seemed a little puzzled, after all, at this point in 2015, although Ms. Cao Cuifen was a national first-class actress with superb acting skills.

However, the phenomenal work that would later make her famous throughout the country and earn her the title of "National Grandmother" (abbreviated as "The Story of Minglan") has not yet been put on the filming schedule.

Su Ning noticed everyone's confusion, smiled calmly, and dropped an even more surprising bombshell: "Teacher Cao has a profound acting background, and is especially good at portraying the image of a reserved yet powerful elderly woman. You may not know this yet, but we at 'Guangguai Luli' have secretly acquired the full film and television adaptation rights to 'The Story of Minglan'."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

This means that the company not only secured a top-tier IP in advance, but also gained a significant advantage and initiative in collaborating with outstanding actors. "Therefore," Su Ning continued, "inviting Ms. Cao Cuifen to play the elderly Qin Liangyu is not only because she is absolutely capable of handling the role, but also because it is the first step in establishing a good working relationship with this veteran actress. In addition, I think she is also very suitable for the role of 'Old Madam Sheng' in another project, 'The Story of Minglan.' This is killing two birds with one stone."

The planning director couldn't help but exclaim, "President Su, this arrangement is brilliant! President Chen plays Qin Liangyu in her youth and middle age, showcasing her growth, battles, and peak of prowess; while Teacher Cao portrays Qin Liangyu in her later years, embodying wisdom and composure, having weathered all the storms of life. The two characters achieve a perfect connection and transition in terms of temperament and age range, together forming a complete and three-dimensional image of a female hero!"

“That’s right,” Su Ning nodded. “What we’re going to create isn’t a flat symbol, but a legend with flesh and blood, growth, and transformation, that spans a lifetime. Xiao Jun’s heroic spirit and resilience, and Teacher Cao’s composure and gravitas are two indispensable aspects of this legend.”

After the meeting, Suning made a point of keeping Chen Xiaojun behind.

“Xiaojun, now you understand my considerations, right?” Su Ning looked at her. “Nirvana in Fire is your strength, but Qin Liangyu will be the real milestone in your acting career. In this drama, the roles from youth to middle age are the most important, and you will almost entirely carry the show. The pressure will be immense.”

Chen Xiaojun's eyes were clear at this moment, all doubts replaced by firm determination: "President Su, I understand. Thank you for your trust and such a long-term plan. I will put in ten or a hundred times more effort and dedication than when I filmed 'Nirvana in Fire' to portray the role of Qin Liangyu. I will carefully study historical materials, practice my physical form, horseback riding, and archery with my teacher, and I will never let this role down, nor will I let down the possibility of you and Teacher Cao sharing the stage."

Seeing the burning fighting spirit and reverence for the role in Chen Xiaojun's eyes, Su Ning knew that the fire had been lit.

A Qin Liangyu portrayed by Chen Xiaojun and Cao Cuifen, transcending the passage of time, will surely become another classic image on the screen.

And "Bizarre and Extraordinary" will thus further solidify its position in the field of high-quality historical dramas.

……

Despite the strict secrecy measures taken by "Guang Gua Lu Li" regarding the "Qin Liang Yu" project, there are no secrets in the entertainment industry.

The news that Suning had personally planned and intended to cast its CEO Chen Xiaojun as the female lead, targeting the theme of female heroes in the late Ming Dynasty, spread quietly within the industry as if it had grown wings, and immediately caused a huge sensation.

This news contains too many eye-catching elements: Suning's second investment after "New Lurker", a historical drama, the company's female CEO taking on the lead role, and an unprecedented investment scale...

Each of these points is enough to make entertainment headlines, and when they are combined, the resulting chemical reaction is nuclear-level.

The office phone number of Chen Xiaojun, CEO of "Guangguai Luli," and the company's publicly available business cooperation hotline became, almost overnight, highly sought-after "job search hotline" and "investment intention channel."

Chen Xiaojun's assistant came in carrying a huge stack of business cards and project proposals, his face filled with helplessness and excitement: "President Chen, my phone has been ringing off the hook! It's practically covered every well-known agency and first- and second-tier artist studio in the country. Many talented actresses have even expressed their willingness to take on a cameo role, even if it's just a few scenes as a lady or a female general!"

At the same time, the investment department also received a flood of cooperation offers.

Major film and television companies and investment institutions have extended olive branches, hoping to participate in the investment, with increasingly generous conditions. Some even said they would not attach any conditions, only asking to be listed as co-producers.

Amidst this uproar, the attitude of one partner stands out as particularly crucial and resolute…

That is Shandong Film & Television Group, which has established a deep cooperative foundation and tacit understanding with "Guangguai Luli" in projects such as "Nirvana in Fire", "Like a Flowing River", and "New Lurking".

The chairman of Shandong Film & Television Group (Shandong Film & Television) personally called Su Ning, laughing heartily: "President Su! You've done a really good job keeping this a secret! A project as big as 'Qin Liangyu' should at least include Shandong Film & Television in it, right? Putting aside everything else, you know the strength of Shandong Film & Television in the production of historical dramas, the meticulous research on costumes, props, and sets, as well as the distribution channels. This time, we must form a deep partnership!"

Suning responded with a smile: "Chairman Zhang, you are really well-informed. The project is still in the script polishing stage, and we originally wanted to wait until it was more mature before reporting to you. However, since you have asked, Shandong Film and Television is naturally our first choice as a partner."

"Alright! Just let us know if you need any help from Shandong Film Studio."

"Don't worry! You definitely won't be shy. I was just about to invite Director Kong to co-direct with me."

"No problem! Shandong Film Studio will arrange the schedule for Director Kong."

After the main partners were identified, the next focus became the selection of the director, the core of the project.

Both the company and Shandong Film & Television recommended several well-known directors who specialize in historical dramas.

However, at the final decision-making meeting, Suning put forward an idea that surprised everyone but also seemed reasonable.

"Regarding the project 'Qin Liangyu,' I'm considering... inviting director Kong Sheng to co-direct with me."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Director Kong Sheng is the director of "Crossing the Guandong", "Parents Love" and "Nirvana in Fire". He is known for his delicate cinematic language, skill in character portrayal and control of grand narratives. He is the ace director of Shandong Film and Television and is also recognized as a top expert in the industry.

Su Ning looked around at everyone and explained, “Although I have directing experience, it is mostly focused on modern and contemporary themes. For a serious historical drama like ‘Qin Liangyu,’ especially in terms of war scenes, the creation of the atmosphere of the era, and the expression of a deeper sense of historical weight, I think we need a more experienced partner to steer the ship. Director Kong’s ability has already been demonstrated in ‘Nirvana in Fire’.”

He paused, then continued, "My idea is that Director Kong will be primarily responsible for the macro-level historical narrative, war scenes, and overall aesthetic style; while I will focus more on the actors' performances, especially the exploration of the inner world and the shaping of the character Qin Liangyu's growth arc, as well as the connection with modern aesthetics. The two of us will work together, one firmly grounded in historical foundations, and the other injecting a modern soul, striving to ensure that this drama maintains the integrity of a serious drama while being accepted and loved by a wider range of young audiences."

This suggestion quickly reached Director Kong Sheng.

After carefully reading the initial project proposal and part of the script, director Kong Sheng developed a strong interest in the character Qin Liangyu and Su Ning's creative concept.

He quickly responded positively, expressing his willingness to join hands with Suning to create this landmark epic of female heroes.

With the official involvement of Shandong Film & Television Group and the news that Suning and director Kong Sheng would co-direct the film, the industry status of "Qin Liangyu" was instantly elevated to an unprecedented level.

This means that this is no longer just an attempt by "Guangguai Luli" alone, but a "carrier-level" project that brings together a top production team (Shandong Film & Television + Guangguai Luli), a top director lineup (Suning + Kong Sheng), and a highly talked-about lead actor (Chen Xiaojun).

Those agencies and actors who were previously just giving it a try are now going even crazier. Everyone understands what it means to be able to board this "aircraft carrier".

Meanwhile, the various capital sources that had previously wanted to invest were even more determined to get a share of the pie.

Before the official start of filming for "Qin Liangyu," a fierce battle for roles, investments, and resources was already unfolding in the undercurrents of the entertainment industry.

Everyone sensed that this play was destined to stir up a storm from the very beginning of its preparation.

...(End of chapter)