The only sun in Huayu

"Otherwise what? Are you going to kowtow?"

Shen Shandeng sighed, "What I want to do now is to get him promoted as soon as possible. Alas, favors are the hardest to repay."

Chen Hao clung to his warm body, absorbing the comforting scent.

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Hao couldn't help but ask, "A gift for a promotion? What do you mean?"

“It means exactly what it says,” Shen Shandeng said with a smile. “Let him get a decent promotion as soon as possible and leave his current position at China Film Group.”

"Why?" Chen Hao was completely stunned.

Shen Shandeng was amused by her wide-open eyes and laughed, "What do you mean, 'why'?"

Chen Hao asked, "Isn't Third Master your biggest supporter? Without him, 'The Eunuch' and 'Lost in Thailand' wouldn't have gone so smoothly, would they?"

“Support?” Shen Shandeng put his arm around her and walked towards the restroom, saying as they walked, “It’s precisely because he’s so supportive that I had to give him a gift.”

“I, Shen Shandeng, am not an ungrateful person. As long as he is in China Film Group, there are many ways I cannot refuse to give him face.”

"Just like with this film 'Lost in Thailand,' if it weren't for his influence, would China Film Group have been able to get a piece of the pie? It wouldn't have been that easy."

Although Shen Shandeng multiplied his investment several times and transferred most of the risk, he would not hesitate to take all the profits if he could.

Dividing the pie in the industrial film industry is extremely difficult.

He faces difficulties from all sides, internal and external resistance, and the current state of the industry, so even successful projects are worth sharing.

But Shen Shandeng doesn't want to share about comedy films.

Chen Hao recalled China Film Group's record-breaking 1,000 copies and the all-out distribution effort, and murmured, "But this collaboration was very successful."

"It's just icing on the cake."

Shen Shandeng said, "Even without China Film Group, 'Lost in Thailand' still broke records. But without me, who can Han Sanping turn to for his blockbuster strategy?"

"Only by finding the right key personnel can a strategy truly be implemented. Old Deng should be secretly grateful to have a collaborator like me."

Chen Hao was stunned by the arrogance in his words and was speechless for a moment.

The shower wet the hair on her forehead, and the stimulation made her a little more awake.

Chen Hao looked at the cold profile of the man beside him.

After a while.

Lying in bed, her worries resurfaced.

Shen Shandeng's behavior is no longer just ordinary arrogance; he doesn't even respect the industry leaders.

Chen Hao felt both proud and worried.

She nestled close to him and gently persuaded, "So, are you really planning to make that 'No Man's Land' film? The market is so good right now, everyone's focused on commercial films, isn't making an art film too risky?"

Shen Shandeng laughed: "Who told you that movies with high artistic merit will necessarily have poor box office performance? And who put art and commerce in complete opposition?"

Shen Shandeng paused, then said with disgust, "Is there a conflict between art and commerce in Hollywood? Hollywood has no shortage of films that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful! We've fallen into a misconception and been misled by that external discourse."

“Some people in China are narrowing the word ‘art’ more and more, as if it’s not worthy of being called art unless it’s full of bitterness and hatred, reflection and criticism, or obscurity and difficulty to understand.”

"Art, humanity, democracy, freedom—these are all positive terms, but they've almost turned them into negative ones. Now, audiences instinctively reject anything called 'art film.' This unhealthy trend needs to be corrected."

"The fifth and sixth generations, although the fifth generation made some contributions, were generally considered to be two generations of failure."

"The Song Dynasty was the most enjoyable time for scholars to be in power; the upper limit of the Song Dynasty was to kneel. In an era of wild artistic expression, kneeling was the best option."

"But true art is never about kneeling!"

Shen Shandeng almost entirely negates the artistic pursuits of the fifth and sixth generation directors, who are currently regarded as the standard.

Chen Hao was terrified, yet he couldn't help but feel proud of the man's domineering and arrogant demeanor.

Enveloped in warmth, after the passion subsided, Chen Hao fell into a deep sleep, feeling immense satisfaction in both body and mind.

Shen Shandeng, however, was not sleepy. He leaned against the headboard, his gaze calm, even somewhat divine.

They are not as arrogant or even irrational as they appear.

On the contrary, he was perfectly clear-headed.

Han Sanping is a great contributor to Chinese cinema, that much is undeniable, and Shen Shandeng has never denied it.

Without Han Sanping's blockbuster strategy, the market space for domestic films might have been completely squeezed long ago, and there would have been no so-called "golden decade".
The blockbuster strategy has at least cultivated a group of technical talents, held its ground, and made audiences accustomed to watching Chinese stories on the big screen.

However, Han Sanping does have his limitations.

His vision and methods failed to truly complete the upgrading and transformation of the Chinese film industry.

It can't be entirely blamed on him; even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice.

To be honest, to be incisive, and objectively speaking, Lu Chuan was "righteous in her evil ways"!
It may seem absurd, but it's the truth.

In this industry, I'm looking for someone who is normal, capable, and willing to face an audience.

The requirements for audiences are already a bit high; at the very least, directors who aim for market success and box office returns are finding it extremely difficult.

Therefore, Shen Shandeng cannot completely listen to Han Sanping.

Shen Shandeng's decision to film "No Man's Land" was not a spur-of-the-moment thing.

On the one hand, if he doesn't film it, Ning Hao will. And what's the result?
The script was revised repeatedly, dragging on for several years, wasting the director's prime years, and in the end, Han Sanping had to step in to clean up the mess.

It's not that he's a busybody, but the number of clear-headed and capable new-generation directors in this industry can be counted on one hand, and it would be a pity to lose even one of them.

Moreover, if Han Sanping were to actually ask for help, just like with "Nanjing," he would be unable to refuse out of consideration for their relationship.

If that's the case, why bother going through all that trouble?

Why don't he just come and film it himself?

More importantly, Shen Shandeng believes that this subject matter is extremely valuable and worth filming.

In its previous life, the reason why "No Man's Land" had such a troubled fate was not actually due to the content of the film, but rather because of a series of unfortunate events.

It was an external enemy that carried out inhuman and insane destruction.

The savagery and bestiality of the original film, reminiscent of a primeval jungle, to some extent coincided with the "barbaric, backward, and uncivilized" labels that the enemy attempted to impose.

Ning Hao's abilities far surpass those of the sixth generation. The sixth generation didn't have many viewers, but Ning Hao does.

Ning Hao can make artistic films well, but the better he makes them, the more destructive they become.

Of course, the creators absolutely did not mean that.

There was really no need for it, but objectively they merged.

Shen Shandeng is going to make a different kind of "No Man's Land".

There's no need for major structural changes; most of the dark and austere style can be retained, or even made darker.

A slight change at the crucial ending can completely turn the tone of the entire story around.

Movies have power.

Shen Shandeng is also fulfilling the basic responsibilities of a director.

In addition, Shen Shandeng also released some incorrect information.

He still harbors illusions and yearnings for the so-called "pursuit of art" and the Western value system, which can help to divert external pressure.

This would mislead outsiders, especially those closely watching him, and buy him more time to build the industrial system he truly wanted to establish.

No one was more eager to start "Brotherhood of Blades" than Shen Shandeng.

The Ming Dynasty was an incredible dynasty, and Zhu Yuanzhang was far underestimated.

Zhu Yuanzhang inherited a mess where the lower classes were devastated and the elites were like wild horses running free.

What he left behind was an incredibly powerful empire!

The population was about ten million in the early years of the Hongwu reign, but reached seventy million in the later years.

从洪武元年至洪武十六年间，有记录的12年下，所垦荒地就达2053314顷。天下州县总计修筑堰40987处、河流4162处、陂渠堤岸5048处。

Moreover, during the Hongwu era, there were eight northern expeditions and several southern campaigns, during which hundreds of thousands of troops were able to fight on two fronts simultaneously and achieve great victories, and even gain actual control of Yunnan.

During the Hongwu reign, almost all the cities and towns across the country underwent reconstruction. Even the Great Wall, the ultimate engineering feat of ancient China, was rebuilt during this period.

The most important point is that after Zhu Yuanzhang died, this great empire did not fall apart. The empire that remained was thriving, and after Zhu Di took over, it continued to expand and prosper for several decades.

It can be said that Zhu Yuanzhang did not simply reconcile the north and south, but physically reshaped ancient China.

Furthermore, an unprecedented welfare system was established, including nursing homes and orphanages.

This was the agricultural era!

What a civilization!
Those who slander him as cruel and uncultured are malicious!
Some people are criticizing Wu Jing, but they're not really criticizing Wu Jing. So, are some people throwing mud at Zhu Yuanzhang really for Zhu Yuanzhang's sake?
Shen Shandeng certainly wanted to use an undisputed mega-production to tear apart the chaotic public opinion, let Ming Dynasty China roar on the giant screen, ignite the cultural backbone, and forge the spark of civilization with light and shadow!

He could also use "Brotherhood of Blades" to solidify his position as a top director.

But he knew even more clearly that such a film had not emerged even a decade or more later.

You can imagine the difficulties involved!
Shen Shandeng didn't understand the specific reason, but he knew he couldn't rush things.

Eat your meal one bite at a time.

Moreover, the current industry infrastructure is simply not strong enough to support a true blockbuster film.

"Brotherhood of Blades" must be made with a certain industrial system in place, and then this super production will promote the upgrading of the entire industry.

As for Shen Shandeng himself suffering some misunderstandings and taking some risks, so what?

It's all worth it to buy a little more time and solidify our foundation.

The next day.

Shen Shandeng and the creative team behind "Lost in..." continued their promotional tour in Shenyang.

The atmosphere was lively, and the laughter from the audience almost lifted the roof off.

Because both inside and outside the industry were shaken by another piece of news.

"Lost on Journey" has grossed over 200 million RMB in just nine days since its release!

It has set a new record for the fastest film to reach 200 million yuan in Chinese film history!

Explosions erupt from all sides! (End of Chapter)