I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

Chapter 187 "Buried Alive" - Victory Celebration Begins

From the Xuanwu Gate Incident to the Battle of Xiangji Temple, history only remembers that the winner was surnamed Li—only the one who survived was the true crown prince, and only the one who won the battle was considered the legitimate heir.

The history of imperial succession in the Tang Dynasty can be considered a practical textbook of "physical persuasion".

While other dynasties emphasized primogeniture, the princes of the Tang Dynasty proved with their actions that if you can use your hands, don't use your words; if you can kill, don't recite scriptures.

This all started when Li Shimin led a group of fierce men to ambush at Xuanwu Gate. His elder brother Li Jiancheng and younger brother Li Yuanji were shot into a sieve as soon as they showed their faces.

Afterwards, Li Shimin thoughtfully packed up and sent away the two brothers' sons, leaving no "family photo" behind.

You think this is a villain's script?
No, history confirms it: "Emperor Taizong seized power through rebellion and maintained it through good conduct, accumulating virtue and merit. How could he have achieved a reign of three hundred years?"

After all, they later achieved the prosperous reign of Zhenguan, so historians were too embarrassed to criticize them too harshly and could only summarize it euphemistically: "Brothers fighting doesn't hinder governance, and the winner is the righteous one."

As for the "mutual killing at Xiangji Temple," it took the "physical inheritance method" to a whole new level.

During the An Lushan Rebellion, in order to retake Chang'an, Emperor Suzong of Tang rallied Uyghur cavalry and rebel forces to a duel at Xiangji Temple.

The two armies, totaling 300,000 men, fought from noon until dusk, beheading 60,000 in eight hours. The corpses filled the riverbed, turning Xiangji Temple into "Blood Accumulation Temple."

This battle was incredibly brutal; it was hardly a war.

It's clearly a "bargaining negotiation"—whoever survives to the end gets to take over the other's estate.

In the end, the Tang army won a Pyrrhic victory and Chang'an was recovered. The price was that the people were robbed by the Uyghurs until they were left with only their underwear, and they still had to praise the emperor's wisdom with tears in their eyes.

The Tang Dynasty's succession system was based on the principle that "whoever survives has the final say."

Li Yuan was forced to become the retired emperor and moved into the Tai'an Palace to live out his days. Even his summer retreat depended on his son's approval. After Wu Zetian abdicated, she moved into the Shangyang Palace. When her son Li Xian saw her looking haggard, he burst into tears. When Emperor Xuanzong of Tang fled to Sichuan, he turned around and found that his son Li Heng had already declared himself emperor. He could only smile bitterly and say, "My son is following the will of Heaven." He was then placed under house arrest until his death.

This plot is even more thrilling than palace dramas; the bond between father and son, and the love between mother and son, are all shattered into pieces amidst the clash of swords.

Even eunuchs were well-versed in this art.

When Li Fuguo helped Emperor Daizong ascend the throne, he treated him like a brother. After gaining immense power, he arrogantly declared, "Your Majesty can just rest in the palace and not meddle in other people's business!"

As a result, he was beheaded by someone sent by Emperor Daizong, but in the end, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Tutor to save face.

All I can say is that the Tang Dynasty's "loyalty to the emperor and patriotism" relied entirely on acting skills; only those who survived to the end were true movie stars.

So don't be fooled by the label of "primogeniture".

The succession to the throne in the Tang Dynasty was essentially a large-scale live-action battle royale—the final circle shrank to Xuanwu Gate, the poison circle spawned at Xiangji Temple, and all equipment was obtained by killing other players.

After all, history only remembers the winner's surname is Li; who cares whether you used a bow and arrow or kinship?
After discussing the second matter with Master Han, the last matter came next.

"You want me to direct the feature film commemorating the 60th anniversary?"

Upon hearing the third thing that Master Han mentioned, Cheng Sheng was stunned. Wasn't this giving him too much credit?

If we're being precise, he's only acted in one movie, and that movie isn't even finished filming yet!

"He served as the executive director along with Chen Kaige, Feng Dapao, and others, while Huang Jianxin was the chief director," Han Sanye corrected.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Sheng immediately fell silent.

Cheng Sheng knew a little about the feature film celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese government from another memory.

This tribute film began preparations in 2006, with Huang Jianxin, who had extensive experience in feature films, serving as the general director, and Chen Kaige, Feng Dapao, and others serving as executive directors.

In 2009, the film officially began preparations, but the first step of casting proved difficult for Huang Jianxin, because the film had more than 170 characters, each of whom had a significant amount of screen time.

Not to mention the pay, just auditioning actors takes a lot of time and effort. To choose one from three or five people, you have to audition more than 500 actors. Due to the tight schedule and heavy workload, Huang Jianxin and Han Sanye finally reached a consensus: they would simply stop being picky and invite whoever they thought was good to act.

In order to better portray their characters, ordinary actors still need training.

Released in September 2009, "The Founding of a Republic" cost 30 million yuan and grossed 430 million yuan at the box office. It not only wrote history but also portrayed the living people in history. It gave the people in history the respect they deserved and showed compassion and understanding for the tragic end of heroes such as Chiang Kai-shek and Li Zongren. Only by respecting history from a neutral perspective can "The Founding of a Republic" have epoch-making significance.

"President Han, I'd better not take on the role of executive director. There are so many senior figures in the industry; I think I'll pass!"

Cheng Sheng thought about it for a moment and then declined. The movie was taking too long, and he simply didn't have the time to waste on it.

Upon hearing this, Master Han frowned and said, "With your current fame, it would be a real loss to the film industry if you didn't participate in this movie. Don't you want to think about it?"

"I'd rather not be the executive director, but at least give me a role in this movie."

Cheng Sheng said upon hearing this.

Master Han smiled and said, "In that case, I'll have someone reserve a role for you."

Although Han Sanye was disappointed that Cheng Sheng was not the executive director, he was satisfied as long as Cheng Sheng was involved in the film.

After the conversation, it got dark.

Third Master Han invited Cheng Sheng to have dinner at a nearby hotel.

The guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely. After the meal, Cheng Sheng bid farewell to Master Han and returned home.

……

The next day.

night.

Beijing Grand Hotel.

The celebration banquet for "Buried Alive" was held here.

At this moment, the area outside the hotel was teeming with people.

Media reporters, celebrity fans, and ordinary moviegoers all gathered outside.

These people came here solely for the celebrities attending the celebration banquet.

As the main character of tonight's celebration banquet, Ning Hao personally greeted the guests outside. Of course, Xing Aina accompanied him. After all, they are not only husband and wife, but also work in the same studio, so it is normal for Xing Aina to accompany Ning Hao as a greeter.

"Welcome, welcome..."

Ning Hao and Xing Aina greeted the guests attending the celebration banquet with smiles on their faces.

"Master Huang, we love you."

"Su Chang, goddess, I love you."

"Fan Shuangbing, I like you so much."

"Ah ah ah..."

Fans blocking the hotel entrance.

Upon seeing their favorite celebrity, they immediately erupt in a shrill cheer.

The celebrities maintained their smiles and waved to the fans, which only made the fans scream even more.

"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Yu... Our boss is already waiting for you in the hotel's private room. Please follow me."

As soon as Xing Aina saw Yu Dong get out of the car, she immediately walked over and said with a smile.

"It's so lively!"