I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 384, Li Dazhao's Speech at Peking University
On the set of "Let the Bullets Fly".

"Actually, you really want to see the filming effects of 'The Awakening Age,' right?"

"Of course I want to see it, I'm not kidding, but 'Let the Bullets Fly' is our flagship project."

"You don't need to stay here with me all the time."

At this moment, Han Ping was happily watching Jiang Wen on set.

This film is considered China Film Group's 'ace' project.

This is the culmination of Jiang Wen's ten years of dedicated work. He had been conceiving it for a long time.
In Han Ping's view, this is the pinnacle of balancing commerce and art.
At least from his perspective, that's how it is, and Jiang Wen certainly has the absolute ability to capture that feeling in a photograph.

Two years from now, he will definitely be among the winners.
Even in terms of box office performance, they have achieved outstanding results.

The feeling is that ideas, core concepts, and entertainment are all completely integrated into it.
"Let the Bullets Fly" is such a damn good film.

"Actually, I also have a feeling that 'Let the Bullets Fly' might be the pinnacle of my life's work. I feel that I have completely poured my talents into it. My 'Zhang Mazi'." Jiang Wen smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps in the next two years, Zhang Yimou will not be my opponent, nor will he be my opponent."

Han Ping listened to Jiang Wen's unwavering certainty about this matter.
It's possible.

Zhang Mouzi is 'as steady as Mount Tai'.

But Jiang Wen has the explosive power of honing a skill over ten years, and in the realm of film releases, there is probably no better work than "Let the Bullets Fly".

"Actually, sometimes I think Li Xuan is pretty amazing."

"Then you're being a bit too modest." Han Ping's expression was strange. He felt that Jiang Wen was being a little too modest. Judging from the quality of "Let the Bullets Fly," Li Xuan's work was still somewhat lacking.
“No, no, no, this isn’t me being modest. Li Xuan has a very obvious characteristic—he’s very productive and his thinking is very ‘broad.’ I used to think it was something unique to young people, but now I know it’s something unique to Li Xuan.” Jiang Wen pointed to his head and said, “He expresses the ‘core’ in his head through art, through movies, TV series, and all sorts of things, and then turns it into all sorts of ‘interesting stories’ that carry his thoughts.”

"Actually, he also influenced my film 'Let the Bullets Fly'... During filming, he made minor adjustments to the core themes and the entertaining aspects—I made the film more fun, perhaps sacrificing a bit of artistry, but to make it more enjoyable for the audience."

It has evolved again.
Han Ping felt that Jiang Wen had evolved again under Li Xuan's influence.

It's quite remarkable that even a director of this caliber could be influenced by Li Xuan.
I wonder what kind of effect he'll be able to achieve with "The Age of Awakening".
Han Ping still hopes that Li Xuan can make more art films, at least, as this would be more beneficial to Li Xuan's future.
The same goes for trying out science fiction films. Although Han Ping is not optimistic, he will still give his support. After all, in other words, science fiction films are a major weakness of China. Even if we regress by twenty years, it would be progress. After all, twenty years ago there was "Thunderbolt Baby". Where is science fiction now? Even if there is, it is something else disguised as science fiction.

Jiang Wen looked at Han Ping.

"He'll be filming at Peking University soon, won't he? Aren't you going to go and see him?"

"Forget it, although I really want to go emotionally, I'd better not go." Han Ping thought for a moment: "If we go, it might affect the filming. I don't want to put pressure on Li Xuan. He'll definitely be under a lot of pressure in the next scene."

His role, facing a group of real Peking University students and even the actual president of Peking University, made Han Ping feel that the pressure was self-evident.
Jiang Wen neither confirmed nor denied this, acknowledging that these things and these pressures were indeed problems.

To give a speech in front of Peking University students, you also need to let those outstanding students "appear on camera" so they can feel what it's like to be in a play.
That means you have to be able to convince them with your writing skills.
Inside the president's office at Peking University.

"I think he's bound to fail. Let the actors handle their own affairs. The spirit of us Peking University students is not so easily tamed."

“Actually, Principal Zhou, you don’t really dislike Li Xuan’s speech that much, do you? If you really disliked him, you probably would have refused instead of using this tactful approach.”

Xu Xiang looked at the president of Peking University, the highest institution of learning in Beiping.

The pinnacle of science and engineering
Regarding Xu Xiang's words
Principal Zhou Fengqi did not deny it.

"That's the truth of the matter. I certainly don't dislike Li Dazhao giving a speech; in fact, if the real Li Dazhao came, I would definitely go to the door to welcome him. After all, Han Ping really didn't do a good enough job."

Xu Xiang understood what Zhou Fengqi meant when he said Han Ping wasn't good enough.

It's essentially saying in a roundabout way that he didn't fulfill his 'responsibility'.

He failed to fulfill his responsibilities as the head of China Film Group.

"In fact, art and literature are also a kind of science and an indispensable part of our society. They can influence our thoughts and ways of thinking. Throughout history, many cultural gems have been transformed from 'entertainment'."

"The Four Great Classical Novels, The Scholars, and other famous novels from both China and abroad—these are all forms of scholarship, capable of bringing joy and enlightenment... That's what literary works, especially novels," Xu Xiang joked. "I used to think that you Peking University students had a prejudice against us literary people."

"In terms of culture, it can influence consciousness and comprehension, subtly and gradually. These days, if you ask a student to sing the national anthem, very few can do it, but if you ask them to sing some English songs, or some hippie-style songs representing free culture, they'll sing them."

"Our voice in the cultural industry is in a terrible state, extremely bad."

Zhou Fengqi told Xu Xiang this without any hesitation.

This is also a science, a culture, and a weapon.

And now this weapon is very effective against the opponent.

Even students at Peking University have been subtly influenced.

"To be honest, I might also have to apologize to Li Xuan for this. He's just someone in the entertainment industry, a director, an actor. I was just a little angry with Han Ping that day."

Zhou Fengqi discussed this rationally, taking a sip of tea.

Xu Xiang also remembered that Han Ping came to Peking University to borrow people to film a movie, and then he got a small taste of hardship.

Although I eventually lent it out, it didn't look good to save face.

There was still some misplaced anger.

Why this generation of young people?

They are very knowledgeable about foreign cultures.

They know nothing about their own culture.

This is an ironic situation.

It's happening right here in a corner of the university, right here among these young people.
"If only it were really Li Dazhao who came," Zhou Fengqi thought to himself at that moment.

If those words had truly come from Li Dazhao, they might have ignited a fire in their hearts.

But there are no "what ifs." Li Dazhao is gone, and now we live in a unique era where freedom reigns supreme.

“Actually, not necessarily.” Xu Xiang looked at the somewhat dejected Zhou Fengqi. “If it were someone else, I might say something to comfort you, but now that you’re telling me this person is Li Xuan, it’s different, absolutely different.”

"Are they really that different?"

At this moment, Zhou Fengqi was slightly stunned.

"What's so different about him? He's just a decent director and actor."

This is probably the only understanding Zhou Fengqi has of Li Xuan.

"Yes, Li Xuan's position in the industry can be described as pivotal, even comparable to the Beijing circle."

"what?"

Zhou Fengqi was stunned. To him, Li Xuan was a rising star director in the entertainment industry.

Frankly speaking, if someone from the Beijing entertainment circle were to make a film like "The Age of Awakening," he would have more confidence.

But this time, the person who came to film was a young man—he has a kind of filter for today's young people. He knows American TV series and American culture like the back of his hand, talks about freedom, and talks about those nonsensical things.

How could a young man understand Li Dazhao?

"He became famous so quickly, you probably don't even know."

Xu Xiang's expression also looked somewhat strange.

He became famous too quickly; the fame hasn't even reached his generation yet.

It's unbelievable that such a thing could happen.

"You're paying so much attention?" Zhou Fengqi was slightly surprised. Xu Xiang was the principal of the Central Academy of Drama; with that status, what kind of people and talents hadn't he seen?

What Xu Xiang said next surprised Zhou Fengqi even more.

"Li Xuan. I originally thought he would stagnate, but now a fact is telling me that he even has the ability to challenge the Beijing circle, breaking my expectations time and time again."

"Maybe this time it will exceed your expectations too, who knows?"

After filming his scene with Du Xiu, Li Xuan immediately went to Peking University.

This will be followed by the filming of the next scene.
The next act can be described as a one-man show.
One person facing five hundred Peking University students

To recreate that scene from the speech at Peking University.

They weren't extras, but real students from Peking University, the most prestigious university of this era.
At this moment, Wang Jingsong paused and then spoke.

"Wouldn't it be better to use extras? They should understand how to work with a camera."

"I think that this kind of performance can't be achieved by extras; only students can bring out that feeling."

Li Xuan said with a smile.

"What I need is the most authentic feeling."

"You are facing the most authentic Peking University students, five hundred students with independent thinking, and most likely with high self-esteem and arrogance."

Wang Jinsong pondered for a moment, realizing that the difficulty level was extremely high.
The film crew entered the lecture hall of Peking University, where students, already dressed, were waiting.

Peking University, Grand Lecture Hall.

Temporarily requisitioned as a filming location, this place was kept simple, without elaborate lighting and tracks, striving to recreate the roughness and authenticity of a hundred years ago.

More than 500 Peking University students sat sparsely.

They are not extras; they are the chosen ones.

Some people came here out of curiosity, wanting to see what filming was all about; some were there for the social practice credits; and a small group were simply there to watch the spectacle. Wang Jinsong saw not a single bit of 'respect'.

Only 'frivolous'.

Even Peking University students found Li Xuan, the actor who played Li Dazhao, frivolous and amusing.
The buzzing of voices carried the unpolished arrogance characteristic of young people.

They are students at Peking University. The books they have read and the professors they have met have given them a natural critical and discerning attitude towards the word "authority."

An actor wants to portray a sage in front of them?
too difficult.

Wang Jinsong saw it.

He knew that there was a power struggle between actors and audiences.

Today, the audience of over five hundred students had such a powerful presence that it could overwhelm any unqualified performer on stage.

Not far away, Wang Jinsong stood in the shadows of the side platform, his palms sweaty.

He knew the significance of this play better than anyone else.

Li Xuan vs. 500 Peking University students.

"All departments, prepare!"

The script supervisor's voice was transmitted to everyone's ears via walkie-talkie.

The murmurs in the lecture hall subsided, and countless eyes turned to the entrance to the side stage.

They wanted to see how Li Xuan would make his entrance.

There were no spotlights as I had imagined, and no assistants swarming around me.

A person simply emerged from the shadows.

He was wearing a faded gray long gown and cloth shoes, and his hair was a little messy, as if he had just lifted his head from a pile of old papers.

He didn't look at the students below the stage, or even at the camera in the main seat.

He carried only a stack of books, his steps heavy, as he walked step by step to the front of the podium.

He slammed the stack of books down on the podium with a thud, raising a cloud of fine dust.

The entire lecture hall fell silent instantly.

It wasn't because of the sound, but because of the person.

He stood there, as if he had stepped out of a faded old photograph.

That's not an effect that makeup techniques can achieve; it's a weariness and exhaustion that comes from the very core of one's being, and beneath that weariness and exhaustion, a small flame still burning.

He was Li Dazhao.

The same thought simultaneously popped into the minds of everyone present.

At this moment, Li Xuan looked at everyone present.

“I am not here today to preach or teach you.”

His voice rang out, slightly hoarse.
"I'm here to... swear."

"boom!"

The audience erupted in uproar.

"What's going on? Who wrote these lines?"

"Swearing? What right does he have to swear at us?"

The students' arrogance was instantly ignited, and the discussions that had just been suppressed by the aura began to clamor again.

This is too... unorthodox!

Wang Jinsong's heart was in his throat. He had never seen this scene before, and he never expected it to feel like this.

This is going to incite public outrage right from the start!

However, Li Xuan on stage ignored the reactions from the audience.

He held up one finger and pointed to the audience.

"I'm cursing you!"

His voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap, cleaving through all the noise.

“You all call yourselves the chosen ones of heaven, the pillars of the nation! But I ask you, what is China like today?”

He took a step forward, approaching the edge of the podium.

"We are surrounded by powerful nations, like wolves and tigers, who want to devour our 400 million compatriots alive! We are plagued by warlord infighting, corrupt officials who treat the people like dirt and discard them like worn-out shoes!"

"The nation will cease to be a nation! The family will cease to be a family!"

"And you guys!"

His finger traced a large circle in the air, as if touching everyone's face.

"What are you doing?!"

"You're indulging in romantic musings and pointless complaints! You're arguing heatedly over a few pedantic lines of poetry! You're scheming and plotting for your own future and livelihood!"

"You talk about 'freedom' all the time, but you don't know what true freedom is! You treat 'thought' as a battle robe, but you don't know that behind thought lies sword and fire, blood and tears!"

Each word, each sound, struck the heart of every Peking University student like a heavy hammer.

The lecture hall, which had been noisy just moments before, was now completely silent.

Those bodies that were originally frivolous and crooked unconsciously straightened up.

Those expressions, which had initially held a mix of mockery and scrutiny, froze, replaced by shock and shame.
"You are very knowledgeable about Western gadgets, yet you turn a blind eye to the suffering on the land beneath your feet!"

"You sing other people's songs, speak other people's words, and wear other people's clothes. Do you still have a Chinese heart in your minds?!"

Li Xuan's voice was hoarse, and veins bulged on his forehead.

This is not acting.

This is heartbreaking!

He pointed out the window of the lecture hall, pointing to this ancient Yenching Garden.

“Every inch of the land beneath your feet is soaked in the blood of your ancestors! Every breath you take carries the sighs of your compatriots!”

"You've forgotten! You've all forgotten!"

"You have forgotten the gunfire of the First Sino-Japanese War, forgotten the national humiliation of the Boxer Rebellion! Forgot the heads that were hung on the city walls for public display, forgotten the dignity that was trampled under the iron heel!"

He slammed his hand on the podium, causing the stack of books to bounce.

"Today, I, Li Dazhao, am here to wake you up with my words!"

"What should young people do? Young people should dedicate themselves to the country and offer their blood to the Yellow Emperor!"

"What is the spirit of Peking University? Inclusivity? Freedom of thought? Let me tell you, in the face of national salvation, all of that is utter bullshit!"

"The spirit of Peking University is about shouldering the responsibility of upholding the truth, writing brilliant articles, and above all, daring to be the first in the world!"

"I'm asking you—"

He spread his arms.

"This ancient and profound land of China, do you dare to use your youth and passion to... bring it to a new world?"

"Do you dare, or don't you dare?!"

"The torch of the Russian October Revolution burned through the iron house of capitalism!"

"What we need to do is not repair a wrecked ship, but build a new one—with the Bolshevik keel!"

"Ask your feet: will you remain kneeling in the master's fields, or will you rise up and measure the new world?"

"The name of this new world is SHism!"

Silence was so profound you could hear a pin drop.

In a daze.

Even Zhou Fengqi, who was watching from a distance, felt a sense of temporal and spatial displacement.

He is not actor Li Xuan.

He is Mr. Shouchang himself.

coming.

(End of this chapter)