Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 115 The uproar in the entertainment industry, Jiang Zhiqiang's silence

The news of the group of actors appearing in Nanjing instantly sparked a media frenzy.

When the movie's title was announced, it generated a huge buzz, attracting all sorts of people.

But Cao Zhong did not respond. At this moment, seeing the main creators secretly gathering in Nanjing, how could people not understand?

Instead of responding, Cao Zhong went against the tide and began preparing to start filming!

The industry was instantly in an uproar!

How dare you do this?! How could you possibly do this?!
Even though you're the top-grossing director in the industry, you can't treat us media people like we're not important.
If we keep criticizing and you keep doing your thing, doesn't that make us seem like flies that only buzz around?
The majority remain silent, but those online are anything but.

Those who had previously been fiercely criticizing Cao Zhong suddenly found themselves facing a massive wave of resistance.
Those opponents are genuinely anxious. Whether it's Cao Zhong making this type of film, Cao Zhong making money, or Cao Zhong being too ambitious and ignoring them, all these behaviors make this group of people angry.

Luo Taijun and others contacted a large group of literati and scholars on Bullog.cn, including Xiong Peiyun, Duan Hongqing, Ma Guochuan, and He Weifang, to join him in the battle.

But this guy has been getting attacked by Wang Renjun's PR team lately, and he's already broken down.

Cao Zhong's supporters launched a barrage of extremely offensive and acrimonious attacks.

What do you mean by wishing Lao Luo a house full of children and grandchildren, and that the neighbors would help?
A true traitor to the dynasty dares to face the bleak reality of life!
Whoever is celebrating the Lunar New Year in August slaughters this pig, Luo...

This is the first time for everyone to experience this cultural phenomenon, so why are you so skilled at it?

You're so unreasonable! You try doing some splits on the parallel bars, and you'll wet the bed even if you don't eat or drink...

Lady Luo, your merits are countless. You've danced on cow dung, played pranks in front of everyone, crossed mountains and dangers, refused to be humiliated, and when I press on your back, you can still plop on your butt. You're not afraid of the stench; you can smell it and cover it up.

……

These factors had long since put Luo Yonghao on the opposite side. Initially, Luo Yonghao did have some talent for criticizing others and the ability to fight back, so the two sides had their share of victories and defeats.

In the following days, Lao Luo was at a disadvantage.

Although Wang Renjun doesn't have the same intense writing style as Luo Taijun, his strength lies in his youth, and the team he organized consists of university students. Under his guidance, this group places great emphasis on topicality and moral high ground.
It's really fun when we're playing with topics; it spreads even more widely than Luo Taijun's style.
When playing on high ground, it's a complete moral crushing victory.

Although the Japanese soldiers were able to fight back, they couldn't win and suffered defeat after defeat. They had no choice but to resort to the "banning and blacklisting" tactic on Bullog.cn!
These bombshell revelations are generating a frenzy of buzz and traffic on portal websites and forums.
His friends couldn't outmaneuver Wang Renjun, a natural magnet for media attention.
As for Luo Taijun, the queen of controversy and the number one stand-up comedian, she was so angry that she couldn't sleep at night and argued fiercely with netizens, turning the scene into a melon field.

It only makes them a laughing stock.

A large number of online trolls posted sarcastic content across the internet.

"Rich Chinese people all went to Japan to play, while those without money were excited to see the news about Cao Zhong making an anti-Japanese war film."

"Almost all the main creators and actors have visited the place, but the people waiting to see the movie can't afford anything except the movie ticket."

“Cao Zhong can donate ten million yuan casually, while you people can’t even earn a thousand yuan a month.”

The methods used were insidious.

Those who manipulate public opinion have dirty hearts.

This whole thing was deliberately designed to create conflict between Cao Zhong and the audience.

Even topics related to class are quite powerful.
Amidst this wave, there was still a group of people who stood on the opposite side of Cao Zhong.

However, this group does not include most actors in the entertainment industry.

The vast majority of actors felt envy, jealousy, and a strange sense of awe when they heard about their roles in the show.

At this time, Huayi,
The Wang brothers looked at the three actresses in the room, unsure of what to say.
Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun, and Lin Xinru stood before them, their faces extremely grim.

"Doesn't Huayi have a collaboration with Director Cao? Why haven't we received any news about this role from Huayi?"

The three people had the same problem.

They have always maintained their own roles and had their own opportunities, because they are also in competition with each other.

But this time, it was clear that all three of them had broken down.

They even went so far as to appear simultaneously, demanding an explanation.

A few days ago, the cast list was actually announced once. They saw it at the time, and Fan Bingbing was a guest actor, so they didn't take it too seriously.

When they saw that Fan Bingbing had even turned down a film festival in Kazakhstan, they realized they were in trouble.

How could a cameo role possibly require such a long filming period?
How could a cameo role possibly make Fan Bingbing turn down a film festival? The Kazakhstan Film Festival is still a film festival.

The only possibility is that this character has quite a few scenes.

A movie role with a 200 million yuan investment…

Without realizing it, they had lost to Fan Bingbing.

Moreover, this person is Fan Bingbing, and Fan Bingbing who just left Huayi.

The three of them naturally felt uncomfortable about it.

"The play 'We Live in Nanjing' is not in our collaboration plan with Cao Zhong."

Wang Zhongjun glanced at the three of them and sighed, "Cao Zhong hasn't discussed the role with us."

"He didn't even mention it once."

Wang Zhonglei clenched his fists, feeling a sense of being ignored.

Huayi has always been the leader, and others have to beg them to join. For example, Liu Yifei had to join Huayi for a movie role.

This feeling of being ignored, leading to questions from the actresses under my management, is something I've never experienced before.

Thinking of this, the expressions on their faces changed slightly.

Unbeknownst to them, Cao Zhong and Cheng Ying have become symbols that they cannot avoid.

"Could we contact Director Cao and see if we can switch roles?"

Li Bingbing doesn't want to give up yet.

"Would someone like Director Cao be influenced by others to portray a character?"

Zhou Xun snorted and looked at Li Bingbing, "We've already lost."

The room fell silent instantly.

Everyone recalled the news about Cao Zhong's disgusting remarks to Wang An in front of the media.

This put Wang An in a very awkward position, caught between a rock and a hard place.

Whoever is chosen to play this kind of outrageous character, what can the big and small kings do?
Li Bingbing took a deep breath, thinking about Cao Zhong's previous drama.

The casting process was completely unannounced, and the actors chosen, apart from Huang Xiaoming, were mostly second or third-tier celebrities. Yet, it ultimately gave the entertainment industry a huge surprise.
A surprise that these actors never even dared to dream of.

It's a pity that the female lead was Mei Ting.

Now, is it Fan Bingbing's turn?
The more she thought about it, the more unstable her mindset became.

She filmed "The Forbidden Kingdom," thinking the gap would widen, but now, has it really widened? She has serious doubts.

……

Beijing Film Academy, female dormitory, Room 301.

After Lu Shan read out the news from the internet that Fan Bingbing had appeared in Nanjing, possibly because Cao Zhongxin's new movie was about to start filming,
There was a moment of silence in the dormitory, followed by a sudden explosion.

Shuangzi was the first to "break down".
She was sitting cross-legged on the bed scrolling through her phone when she heard this. She looked up abruptly, and her phone slammed into her chest with a "thud," but she didn't even notice.
The distinctive Shenyang accent came through, sounding both urgent and forceful.
With that characteristic, straightforward, undisguised shock:

"Is Sweetie's second new movie about to start filming? Didn't she not finish filming her first one yet?"

Shuangzi jumped out of bed and rushed to Lu Shan in her slippers, wanting to see the news.

After glancing at it twice, her eyes widened, filled with disbelief, a burning envy, and even a hint of barely perceptible anxiety—the thought of "why?" might have flashed through her mind, but she was mostly stunned by the weight of the news itself.

I knew about it beforehand, but seeing it actually happening, the shock I felt was indescribable.

"Fan Bingbing is playing a supporting role to Tian Tian! Oh my god, she's really taken off! Should we start calling her 'Teacher Jing' from now on? Treat us to a meal! Tian Tian has to treat us!"

Shuangzi's tone was exaggerated, using boisterous jokes to cover up the turmoil in her heart, and there was also a helpless bitter smile about the extreme gap between them.

Kan Qingzi, who was leaning against the desk, also chimed in.

"At first, we only knew that Tian Tian knew her senior brother, but later we found out that Tian Tian did a really good job of keeping it a secret! In two movies in a row, we couldn't even see the exhaust fumes."

She laughed, her tone sounding teasing, but her voice was a fraction higher than usual, revealing a warm envy.

"Director Cao's movies are soaring at the box office! So many people are desperate to get an audition, and you got two roles right away... Senior brother must really think highly of her!"

She looked at Jing Tian's empty bed and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously:
"When Tian Tian becomes an international superstar, we must make sure she remembers to say a few good words for us to her senior brother."

Are there any roles that need a maid or female classmate? We'd like to bring them all in to play supporting roles for her!

Her language was honest and cheerful, but a hint of sourness, barely perceptible, still slipped through her envious tone.

Everyone was silent after hearing this.

Lu Shan glanced at Shuangzi, then at Qingzi.

For some reason, she felt that her two roommates' mentality had obviously collapsed because of Jing Tian's ascension.

They weren't just envious, nor were they jealous.
It was a complex mix of feelings: hoping Jing Tian would mentor her, yet also worrying whether this brief friendship would truly earn Jing Tian's respect.

Lu Shan sighed. She had thought she would have a pleasant and easy daily college life.

But it was clear that even though they were only freshmen, there was already a sense of silence and alienation in the dormitory, indicating a class division.

Jing Tian didn't stay in the dormitory, yet she brought them countless pressures.

……

Hong Kong.

Edko Films.

Jiang Zhiqiang is currently arranging the revenue sharing for the film "Secret" and its subsequent release in South Korea.

This film, written, directed, and starring Jay Chou, was released for a month and grossed over 36 million yuan at the box office.

Although it's far inferior to Cao Zhong's films, it's still considered a pretty good achievement among domestic films.

Tang Wei sat next to Jiang Zhiqiang, her hair disheveled. She had lost over ten pounds due to worry during this period.

However, given the current situation, even if Jiang Zhiqiang had connections, he couldn't save her.

They were also afraid that Cao Zhong would launch another long essay, at which point they would truly be unable to live or die.

“I don’t have any new movies on hand right now, only a Hong Kong film with a very low budget, which is meaningless to you. Director Zhang Yimou does have a film in preparation that is going to be adapted into a Hollywood movie, but he is unlikely to choose you.”

Jiang Zhiqiang looked at Tang Wei and said, "Why don't you go study in the UK to avoid the limelight? I can bring you back from South Korea or Europe and America later."

He looked at Tang Wei and said apologetically, "I can't say anything about Cao Zhong's side, and he won't let you off the hook either. This is my fault. I thought things would go smoothly with Wang An, but I didn't expect it to cause such a big commotion. You've suffered."

Tang Wei's eyes were filled with melancholy. She put her hands on her scalp, and under her thick hair, she murmured an "Mmm".

She knew very well what she had sacrificed for this film: her marriage, family, and parents had all turned their backs on her.

And now, the world has abandoned her.

“Cao Zhong is going to continue filming Nanjing-themed movies.” Jiang Zhiqiang sighed. “Don’t come back before this movie is released.”

"Do you think if I beg Director Cao..." Tang Wei's tears slid down his cheeks, carrying a last glimmer of hope, "could he let me go?"

“He’s not targeting you,” Jiang Zhiqiang said. “He’s targeting the narrative, but you’re the vessel he finds most disgusting. Releasing you wouldn’t do him any good.”

Jiang Zhiqiang shook his head. "Even if you were willing to give anything, he wouldn't take it."

As Jiang Zhiqiang was sighing, his phone, which was on the table, suddenly vibrated. He glanced at it and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.

But this is his private cell phone, and outsiders generally can't get hold of it.

After gesturing for Tang to remain silent, Jiang Zhiqiang answered the phone.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Jiang."

The familiar voice from the other end caused Jiang Zhiqiang's expression to change drastically. Although he had never met the person, he had heard that voice countless times.

"Director Cao..."

Jiang Zhiqiang's muscle memory almost made him stand up abruptly.

Tang was taken aback, his eyes also filled with surprise!

Director Cao? Director Cao!
Tang Wei wanted to lean in and speak, but Jiang Zhiqiang had already put the phone on speakerphone, so Tang Wei could only shut up, hug a pillow to his chest, gnaw on his palm, and tremble slightly.

"Director Cao, is there something you need?" Jiang Zhiqiang asked solemnly. He knew, of course, what Cao Zhong had done to Wang An.

There's absolutely no way he would thank Cao Zhong!

I can't afford to lose that person.

"I'm here to discuss business with Mr. Jiang," Cao Zhong said with a smile.

"The removal of 'Ailing' must have caused Mr. Jiang a lot of losses, right?"

But I'm a straightforward person. If I hit you, I wasn't hitting you, you should understand, right?

Jiang Zhiqiang remained silent upon hearing this.

Cao Zhong didn't force Jiang Zhiqiang to speak, and continued,
"Western funds have been subtly and maliciously harassing the Chinese people."

First, it was announced that the most popular actresses in China would collectively play geishas in a doujinshi (a type of Chinese opera), and then, for scenes where the doujinshi didn't actually show any nudity, Chinese actresses would be used to play geishas with exposed breasts.

Furthermore, the image of a Chinese kung fu emperor being treated like a dog by Westerners, with his face being trampled on, seems to satisfy some of their metaphorical desires.

Although neither of these two films had an official red seal, they were still banned from screening.

In terms of plot, it is much more subtle than "Ailing," which you helped publish.
Therefore, this film deserves to be banned, and you shouldn't be upset about it.

You should be glad you weren't involved in the production of this film, otherwise I wouldn't have called you.

Jiang Zhiqiang's face turned liver-colored. Cao Zhong's call was meant to berate him in person, which made Jiang Zhiqiang feel extremely humiliated.

He knew about those two films, of course; one was called "Memoirs of a Geisha," and the other was called "Danny the Dog."

He hadn't thought about it that deeply before, but now that he thinks about it, he feels that Ailing magazine's elimination was indeed partly its own fault...

"Director Cao said he wanted to talk about business, but is he just here to insult me? This is not the attitude for doing business."

After a long silence, Jiang Zhiqiang hesitated several times about whether to hang up the phone, but ultimately did not.

"No, I'll only make my stance clear to you after I've finished venting my anger and gotten my fill of it."

Cao Zhong said, word by word,

"Only then can I know your attitude, and your attitude determines whether you are qualified to earn money you could never have earned before."

Jiang Zhiqiang was so angry he wanted to curse, but when he heard the word "money," his eyes cleared up.

(End of this chapter)