I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

Chapter 140 Guan Yu's Image

"Teacher Yu, you'll have to be a little more tolerant of me. Your character Zhang Bao has many war scenes to film," Cheng Sheng said with a smile.

“Filming with Director Cheng, even if it’s tiring, it doesn’t matter,” Yu Rongguang said happily.

"Teacher Yu, you're so dedicated. I'll definitely ask you again next time I have a role," Cheng Sheng said.

"Really? Then I'll be waiting." Yu Rongguang said with a bright look in his eyes.

He would have liked to act in Cheng Sheng's movies even if it were free.

Those around them looked on with envy, wishing Director Cheng would say the same thing to them.

Cheng Sheng smiled slightly. He was very satisfied with veteran actor Yu Rongguang and was willing to work with him.

After all, Yu Rongguang was both literate and skilled in martial arts, and his appearance was particularly suitable for acting in historical dramas.

With his exceptional skills, rugged appearance, and status as a Peking Opera martial arts performer, he is well-suited to portray many historical figures.

Moreover, the other party is low-key enough, has no scandals, and is perfect in both acting skills and character, leaving no room for criticism.

"Director, do you think my weapon is wrong?"

At this moment, Lu Shuming, who plays Guan Yu, walked over and pointed at the spear.

"No!" Cheng Sheng said after glancing at it.

Yu Rongguang also looked at the spear in Lu Shuming's hand and frowned, saying, "Director Cheng, didn't Guan Yu use a long-handled broadsword?"

As an actor who had worked in Hong Kong, Yu Rongguang starred in many gangster films, and Hong Kong triads all worshipped Guan Yu.

The image of Guan Yu holding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade has been etched into Yu Ronggang's mind.

Hearing this, the people around became curious and wondered if Cheng Sheng had made a mistake.

In the movies and TV shows they see, Guan Yu is depicted wielding a long-handled broadsword. Why is he depicted with a spear here?

Seeing that no one seemed to think he was mistaken, Cheng Sheng smiled and said, "Teacher Lu, it seems that 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' has had a deep influence on you! The 'Three Kingdoms' we filmed is based on the official history. In the official history, Guan Yu did not use the Green Dragon Crescent Blade described in 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' but rather a spear and a lance."

In fact, when it comes to what weapon Guan Yu used in the Three Kingdoms period, most Chinese people would say it was the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

When people mention the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, they can't help but think of the incomparably brave Guan Yu, whose heroic figure, wielding a heavy sword, galloping on horseback, and overcoming obstacles, is truly captivating.

Because in their minds, that's how Guan Yu is portrayed.

Why does this misconception exist?
This is mainly due to the literary portrayal in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

The novel describes in detail the shape of the sword (the blade is shaped like a crescent moon, and the hilt is inlaid with a blue dragon head), its weight (eighty-two catties), and its close association with Guan Yu, making it a symbol of his battlefield legend and loyalty.

In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Luo Guanzhong used the Green Dragon Crescent Blade as Guan Yu's signature weapon, and strengthened his image of bravery and loyalty through classic episodes such as "slaying Yan Liang" and "going to the meeting alone with a single blade".

After the novel spread widely, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade became a literary symbol of Guan Yu, deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Another issue is the ambiguity of historical records.

Official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms do not explicitly record what weapon Guan Yu used, only mentioning actions such as "stabbing" and "slashing," without directly corresponding to the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

Later generations speculated that it might have been used with a sword or spear, but the artistic embellishment of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" made the Green Dragon Crescent Blade a more visually impactful cultural symbol. Finally, there is its cultural symbolic meaning.

The "Green Dragon" on the Green Dragon Crescent Blade symbolizes sacred majesty, echoing Guan Yu's deified image as "Emperor Guan"; its heavy and imposing form reinforces Guan Yu's extraordinary battlefield prowess.

This metaphor of objects not only enriches the characters' personalities but also enhances the legendary quality of the story.

The Green Dragon Crescent Blade is an artistic creation from the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." Its prototype, the crescent blade, did not appear until the Song Dynasty and was mainly used for ceremonial purposes or training.

The official historical record, Records of the Three Kingdoms, clearly states that Guan Yu "spurred his horse and stabbed Yan Liang amidst ten thousand men." The action of "stabbing" is more in line with the characteristics of long weapons such as spears and lances, rather than the slashing action of a broadsword.

Although Guan Yu's weapon in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" originated from literary creation, why did he choose a knife instead of the more popular spear or halberd at the time?

In fact, the descriptions of this sword are detailed and rich, such as the scene of Guan Yu going to the meeting alone with the sword and the sword shining brightly under his feet, which far exceed the portrayal of Guan Yu himself. It is as if the sword itself is a vivid character, carrying the ideal image in the author's mind.

It can be said that the Green Dragon Crescent Blade is an unparalleled symbol of perfection in the author's mind.

Next is the issue of compatibility.

Like the mighty Guan Yu, he was tall and strong, with superb martial arts skills and immense strength. However, if you gave him a small sword, it would be like an adult holding a child's toy, which would look extremely incongruous.

Conversely, imagining him wielding a heavy meteor hammer in battle is like a comical scene from a war movie; it's hard to imagine how he would nimbly dodge attacks.

Therefore, it is crucial to find a weapon that complements his image.

This weapon, crafted specifically for Guan Yu's legendary status, carries a heavy weight. Its blade is incredibly sharp, and its long handle, designed to complement his height, makes it a true symbol of his identity.

No other user or substitute can perfectly demonstrate its harmony and power.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, cavalry warfare primarily relied on long-handled thrusting weapons, as evidenced by the descriptions in the Records of the Three Kingdoms of Zhang Fei "breaking a bridge with his spear" and Cao Cao "composing a poem while holding a spear." The account of Guan Yu stabbing Yan Liang also aligns with these events.

After listening to Cheng Sheng's explanation, everyone suddenly realized that they had been deceived by the film and television works.

It turns out that Guan Yu's image wasn't what I knew.

Lu Shuming slapped his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Director, I'm sorry to have made you laugh. I really have been influenced by 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'."

"Teacher Lu, if you hadn't portrayed Guan Yu in 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' so convincingly, I'm afraid people wouldn't have misunderstood," Yu Rongguang joked with a smile.

"Yes! You're amazing, Teacher Lu. I always thought Guan Yu looked like you."

"I don't recognize any other Guan Yu besides Teacher Lu's."

As Cheng Sheng listened to the people around him praising Lu Shuming's portrayal of Guan Yu, especially Yu Ronggang, a strange look appeared in his eyes.

Cheng Sheng knew that many actors would play the role of Guan Yu in the future, including Yu Ronggang.

However, among the various versions of Guan Yu, the public still most approves of Lu Shuming's portrayal of Guan Yu. However, Yu Rongguang's Guan Yu is not bad either.

Guan Yu, a figure from the Three Kingdoms period, has a strong influence among the people. He is not only a symbol of loyalty and righteousness, but he was also later developed into a god of war and wealth, and has been worshipped and venerated by people throughout history.

In terms of fame, Yu Rongguang surpasses Lu Shuming, but in terms of the classic portrayal of Guan Yu, Yu Rongguang's version of Guan Yu is far less memorable than Lu Shuming's.

(End of this chapter)