The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 30 Industrialization

"These are the design drawings for the clothing and weapons of the eunuchs and the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Shen Shandeng introduced Han Sanping: "The eunuchs wear [python-patterned robes] and are equipped with the cold weapon [Hidden Scale Sword] and the firearm [Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun]."

"The Imperial Guards wear the Flying Fish Robe and are equipped with the Embroidered Spring Blade (a type of cold weapon) and the Heavenly Punishment Thunderfire Spear (a type of firearm)."

Han Sanping stared at the concept drawing that had already been colored in.

[Python pattern clothing]

A heavy brocade with a deep red background and a sheen of gold embroidery.

The upper body is well-tailored with clean shoulder lines and a slightly cinched waist.

The front of the dress is embroidered with a giant, four-clawed python with gold scales, its head held high on its chest. The gold-embroidered scales shimmer in the light and disappear into the folds of the hem.

The knee and bottom hem are decorated with a wide gold sea and cliff pattern, interwoven with a gold-woven satin border featuring auspicious cloud patterns.

The elegant collar of a pure white cross-collar top peeks out from under the round neck.

A wide leather belt with gold and jade was tied around his waist, the belt buckle was decorated with gilded and engraved dragon patterns, and a white jade ivory plaque and a dark red brocade purse were hung from it.

He wore a black gauze hat with a metal fork on his head, the metal fork on the top of the hat and the hat itself gleaming coldly.

The overall design is solemn and dignified, lacking the sinister and ruthless nature of eunuchs and secret police in traditional settings. The strong contrast between bright red and gold gives it a noble, calm, and powerful aura.

Han Sanping asked, "This style seems different from the poster version?"

"High-ranking eunuchs generally wore formal colors, which were very similar to the colors used by the emperor, with the only difference being the patterns and embroidered mythical beasts. Formal colors were bright red and crimson, which showed nobility. The python-patterned robe in the poster was the attire of the early period. Only mid- to low-ranking eunuchs wore dark blue or dark military uniforms."

Shen Shandeng showed Han Sanping several concept images in succession, presenting a dynamic feel.

The flowing crimson drapes of the horse-faced robes swayed with the current, revealing glimpses of the golden python, showcasing the nobility of powerful officials in every detail.

Hidden Scale Sword

The sword is 70cm long in total, with a blade length of 50cm. The narrow blade is 2.5cm wide and has double blood grooves extending to the tip. It is made of quenched tungsten steel with a bluish-gray matte finish and is engraved with fine python scale patterns. When the light shines from the side, dark scale shadows appear.

The handle is made of ebony wrapped in sharkskin and inlaid with silver wire and a tourmaline the size of a mung bean, creating a subtle, non-slip grip.

The hilt of the sword is gilded with a dragon head design, with a ruby ​​in its mouth and obsidian inlaid in its eyes.

The sword pommel has a hollowed-out gold ball containing a silver bell. It is silent when in motion, but emits a high-frequency vibrating sound like a buzzing when the sword is swung, which disturbs the mind.

Shen Shandeng said, “Weapons are divided into grades: ordinary weapons, elite weapons, sharp weapons, and treasures. The highest grade of the Hidden Scale Sword is the Dragon Head Hidden Scale Sword, a first-class treasure. It has the power to execute first and report later, and can deal with subjects as appropriate.”

【Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun】

A handgun, a single-barreled handheld flintlock pistol, consists of an iron barrel and a short wooden stock.

The barrel is about 30 centimeters long and has a caliber of about 15 millimeters. There is a chamber at the rear to hold the propellant, and a touch hole is located above the chamber.

The wooden handle is relatively short, about 50 centimeters long, and the end is curved for easy gripping.

The wooden base is covered with finely engraved lotus pedestal patterns, with overlapping lotus petals, some of which extend upwards to form hand guards.

The handle is shaped to fit the hand and is covered with a fine sharkskin or black velvet to enhance the grip.

The fuse is used for ignition, and it is equipped with a fire door cover to prevent rainwater or debris from entering, and a medicine chamber cover to serve as the ignition chamber, ensuring reliability and safety.

The accessories include a gunpowder canister for the propellant, a bag for the projectiles, a small powder canister for the ignition powder, as well as a cleaning rod and a matchlock for cleaning and loading the barrel.

The total length including the tailstock is about 0.8 meters, the main barrel is about 0.3 meters long, and the tail handle and decorative parts are about 0.5 meters long.

"This [Nine Yin Lotus Platform Gun] is an artistic design based on the shape of the Ming Dynasty firearm Shenji Gun, a historical and cultural heritage."

"Nine Yin is a metaphor, symbolizing the status of a eunuch, while the lotus platform represents the Ming Dynasty eunuchs' habit of donating to build temples and their veneration of Buddhism and Taoism."

With costumes and props that rival those of eunuchs, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is also grand and imposing.

【Flying Fish Suit】

It still uses primary colors such as bright red and crimson to symbolize nobility.

The garment is a continuous upper and lower garment in the style of a draped robe.

The pattern is composed of flying fish, which is also the core symbol. It has a dragon's head, a fish's body, a winged auspicious beast with four claws, and is shaped like a python robe.

Embroidered with gold or colored threads, the main patterns are distributed on the chest, back and shoulders, and the hem is decorated with river and sea patterns, which also symbolizes "the eternal stability of the country".

The waist is strongly cinched and secured with a wide, thick leather belt.

The lower half of the skirt features pleats resembling a horse's face, with sections of pleats for easy movement while riding a horse.

The lower body features horse-face pleats made of stiff, thick satin or brocade fabric with excellent drape, making each pleat as sharp and clear as a knife edge.

Traditional Han-style cross-collar, with the right lapel overlapping the left lapel, and dark-colored trim around the collar and cuffs.

With wide sleeves and tight cuffs, it is also called "arrow sleeve" and combines etiquette with practicality.

He wore identification tokens and a purse hanging from his waist, and black official boots.

At first glance, it looks like a bird of prey soaring in the sky, or a mythical beast leaping in the deep sea.

A bright red dress tightly wrapped around his lean and strong body, the fabric shimmering with a noble luster as he walked.

The interwoven gold and silver flying fish pattern appears and disappears, exuding a chilling majesty and deadly splendor.

“Exquisite and luxurious”.

Han Sanping commented that he had looked at it again and again and liked it very much.

Compared to the [Python Pattern Robe], the [Flying Fish Robe] concept art has more details, after all, Shen Shandeng's first idea was to make "Brotherhood of Blades".

He then stared at the design drawings of the Embroidered Spring Blade.

Embroidered Spring Blade

It is a one-handed curved sword with fine cloud and thunder patterns, a golden-green blade, and a white handle.

The handle is wrapped in dark blue python skin, with dark gold spiral grooves showing through the seams.

The scabbard is made of dark rhinoceros hide, with three sharp ridges pressed vertically into the scabbard, like the spine of a giant dragon.

The scabbard opening and tail are secured with a gilded dragon-shaped mortise and tenon joint, with the dragon's eyes inlaid with red agate and its teeth tightly gripping the hilt and handguard, as if ready to devour the enemy's throat at any moment.

Han Sanping asked, "Is 'Brotherhood of Blades' based on the story of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

This question was a bit silly, which showed that Han Sanping was indeed shocked. Shen Shandeng, of course, wouldn't say that his leader's question was silly, but instead nodded with high emotional intelligence: "After 'The Eunuch' is released, we will make minor adjustments based on the feedback."

"The Embroidered Spring Blade is inspired by the swords of the Imperial Guards in the Ming Dynasty painting 'The Imperial Procession.' Of course, we will also make a distinction between ceremonial swords and swords used in actual combat."

Han Sanping stared at the concept art and several storyboard images for a long time, unwilling to put them down.

[Heavenly Punishment Thunderfire Gun]

It consists of three independent iron barrels, cast and fixed together in a "品" shape onto a common long wooden handle.

The gunstock is carved with cloud and thunder patterns, inlaid with silver nails representing the Big Dipper, and etched with a relief of flying fish chasing the sun.

The front end features a robust three-barreled nozzle, while the rear end has a long handle, giving it an overall powerful, luxurious, rugged, and sturdy appearance.

Each barrel has its own touch hole, or ignition port. The barrel is about 45 centimeters long, with a large caliber of about 18 millimeters and thick walls.

The wooden handle is quite long, exceeding 1.5 meters.

It serves as both the grip for firing and the weapon for hand-to-hand combat after the ammunition is depleted, resembling a hammer or mace.

Typically, a matchlock is used for ignition. When firing, it can be done by firing one shot at a time, igniting the touch ports of the three barrels in sequence, or by firing simultaneously, connecting the touch ports of the three barrels in series with fuses.

Shen Shandeng explained the design details: "The Heavenly Punishment Thunderfire Gun is designed based on the classic three-barreled gun of the Ming Dynasty, taking into account both firepower and melee combat. In long-range combat, it can be fired multiple times from the three barrels or fired in a dense volley at once. In close combat, the heavy gun head and long shaft are effective striking weapons."

"If the enemy thinks that they have run out of ammunition and have lost their ability to fight, then they are courting death."

Han Sanping remained silent for a long time.

These conceptual designs are beautiful and powerful; they bring joy to the eye.

Compare the refugee outfits in "The Warlords".

Hey!
People are so irritating!
Han Sanping wanted to ask Chen Kexin where all the money had gone.

You say it should be realistic, but realistic doesn't mean it shouldn't be good-looking.

Of course, it may also be related to the Qing Dynasty background, as the clothing is somewhat outdated.

With this in mind, Han Sanping quickly dismissed his wild thoughts.

He was also influenced by Shen Shandeng and subconsciously started putting others down.

Han Sanping couldn't wait for "The Eunuch" to be completed, and then he could finish filming "Brotherhood of Blades" in no time: "Concept art is just concept art after all. Will there be any difficulties in bringing it to fruition? Is the budget sufficient?"

Shen Shandeng said, "The costumes and props are not a big problem. Whether it is a movie or a TV series, period dramas are a major category with a well-established industry chain. I am just doing some integration work based on the industry chain."

"Our team is in communication with some factories in the south. We can license the costume to them or have them credited at the end of the film, in order to minimize production costs."

"My idea is to combine two things: one is to combine it with the film and television industry's industrial chain, and the other is to combine it with our existing industrial chain and industrial clusters."

At that time in 07, the domestic industrial chain was not as abnormal as it would become later, but it was not bad either.

Especially in traditional industries, the industrial chain is very mature.

In villages in the south where industries are concentrated, some clothing designs can be revised within a week, which is incredibly efficient.

Shen Shandeng has no intention of skimming money from the project budget, nor does he have any ulterior motives regarding accounting. He is determined to make full use of the advantages available in China.

Ideally, you should get something for nothing and then have the other person say thank you.

We'll have some manufacturers handle the costumes, props, and sets, and then we'll set up a special showroom and acknowledgments list for them.

As long as it doesn't cost too much money, Shen Shandeng is willing to give anything and negotiate anything.

"Based on the industrial chain, combining the two, good, young people really have ideas."

Han Sanping was stunned for a moment, and almost burst into tears.

Having spent so many years with insects, I was a little taken aback when I finally met a normal person.

Mainland directors talk about expressing themselves and art, but in private, they've had no shortage of money and women.

Hong Kong directors always insist on importing props and using foreign companies and equipment, even if they can be provided domestically, because it's difficult to account for them; they're single-mindedly focused on making money from projects.

Finally, I've encountered something normal.

Think about it, if the money were really used on the project, what Shen Shandeng said would just be normal operation.

Placing orders based on the civilian market is definitely cheaper than designing a custom product.

But this was the first time Han Sanping had ever heard of such a normal line of thinking.

Han Sanping advised, "Once the subsequent funds come in, I will also ask China Film Group to transfer the two million as soon as possible."

"The budget for 'The Eunuch' is already 12 million, which is considered a medium-sized production. We should save where we can and spend where we can, but we can't just think about saving money."

Shen Shandeng had been waiting for these words: "I have no choice but to spend a third of the budget on the visualization and physiological-level presentation of internal energy."

"The physical manifestation of internal energy?" Han Sanping was truly baffled this time.

If it weren't for saving face, I would have already written it down in a notebook.

He glanced at his secretary.

Brush brush!
Liao Yun quickly took out her notebook to make notes.

Shen Shandeng explained, "Similar to the liquid metal robots in 'The Terminator,' I want to create an effect of 'internal energy and flesh.'"

"Simply put, when you cultivate your internal energy to a certain level, the internal energy circulates in your meridians. When you make a cut, you can create a large gash. At this point, the internal energy can bind the flesh together like threads."

"There may even be situations where two types of internal energy compete and tear each other apart, damaging the wound."

"Those who cultivate to the Grandmaster level can even use the intention above the Qi to unify their whole body. Even if they are hit by a cannonball, their flesh is mangled, or even half of their head is gone and their heart is blown out, they can still maintain their life for a short time through the internal Qi system and intention, and even reach their peak state for a short period of time."

"Just like the liquid metal robots in Terminator, we want to give the mystical internal energy of martial arts a realistic feel, like in a science fiction movie."

"I want our kung fu, our martial arts, to be able to shock our audience on the big screen just like Hollywood movies, and let young viewers also set their sights on pursuing a career in martial arts films through 'The Eunuch'."

"well"

Listening to Shen Shandeng's concept design, Han Sanping was so engrossed in thinking that he didn't know how to express his feelings.

　I originally intended to write about the common characteristics of socially conscious, Buddhist-style, and "lying flat" ideologies—ideas with opposite meanings. However, I realized that even a slight touch on these topics would be risky, so I'll refrain from writing about them. Safety first.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)