Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

In just a few words, Yang Che completely abandoned his idea of ​​finding a bargain. Indeed, if he could buy out the mainland distribution rights for "Shaolin Soccer," he could make a fortune.

But he didn't dare, because it would definitely be a waste of money. He figured out why "Shaolin Soccer" couldn't be released in mainland China.

The Shaolin trademark was just a trigger; ultimately, it ruined Pearl River Film Studio and Forbidden City Film Studio.

Collaborative filming and screening without prior review is an extremely serious violation.

You're fine in the port city, but the efforts of those two units and the people who vouched for you are ruined; they'll definitely be punished...

Of course! Don't bring up content censorship issues. With Forbidden City Pictures involved, there won't be any problems with the censorship of "Shaolin Soccer".

If the conflict stems from the alleged "vilification of monks" as rumored online, then... well, then many, many films and television dramas involving Shaolin should not be released in China.

Forget it, like I said, just watch the movie and don't overthink it.

...........

Yang Che stayed in Zhuhai for two days. He did nothing else but give Xiao Pang injections—or rather, cheer her up. He really encouraged her.

He flew to Wuxi on August 28th. There was nothing specific going on. He spent half an hour on set, exchanged a few pleasantries with the actors, and that was it.

I also saw a scene where Old Zheng pulled Bai Qiye's hair.

Well... to put it this way, "The Grand Mansion Gate" was filmed in the Republican era first, because people nowadays use real hair.

We'll have to wait and see about the half-shaved head. Speaking of which, when watching "The Grand Mansion Gate," you often see actors exhaling white breath, especially in scenes set in the Qing Dynasty. That's because most actors wore the half-shaved head in winter.

In the afternoon, as I was preparing to drive to Hengdian, I passed by the Water Margin City and thought I'd take a stroll around the set of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer".

It's a pity Zhang Da Huzi wasn't there, which made it less fun. Director Huang Jianzhong was also absent; assistant director Kang Honglei was directing.

When Yang Che arrived, Yuan Bin was busy with action scenes, while Kang Honglei watched the spectacle.

Hmm... Xu Qing looks really good fighting in his costume. As for Li Yapeng... Yang Che doesn't think he's handsome; he just thinks this guy is awkward.

When Yang Che arrived, the people here were even more polite than the people on the other side of "The Grand Mansion Gate," with almost everyone greeting him as "President Yang."

Yang Che was both amused and exasperated. He knew that this was because Liu Bo had been arrested, and the power of his arrest was terrifying.

This matter was handled discreetly, as it involved banks, cultural departments, universities, renowned scholars of Chinese studies, and Yu Qiuyu, Liu Bo's biggest sycophant—that idiot. Therefore, the general public was unaware of it, and even those within the industry knew very little.

But everyone in the "Swordsman" crew knew about it, as did everyone in the Beijing social circle, and everyone in the so-called traditional Chinese culture circle.

However, no one would say anything to Yang Che's face.

Yes, Yu Qiuyu is not only an idiot, but also a traitor to the nation. He should be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Before the publication of his book, *The Shadow of a Dynasty*, the Qing Dynasty was viewed critically in public discussions, academic circles, and textbooks.

After Yu Qiuyu, people began to sing his praises.

He opposed Sun Yat-sen's slogan of "Expel the Tartars and restore China," saying it was detrimental to national unity. But then he turned around and said that the Ming emperors were too corrupt, and such a dynasty was better off without foreign rule...

Yu Qiuyu wasn't always praising others. In the ten years before the reform and opening up, he held a critical attitude. To be precise, he was a member of a persecution organization. He was the pen of the famous "Shanghai Writing Group." A single big-character poster could ruin countless families.

How can simply calling someone an idiot be enough when dealing with such a person?

Compared to him, Mo Yan is a true hero of unwavering integrity...

In a moment of anger, I went a bit off-topic.

..............

Yang Che immediately spoke in Datong dialect: "Director Kang, are you preparing for a new film?"

Kang Honglei was quite surprised, a barely suppressed smile playing on his lips: "Hehe, hehe, is that so? Zhang Jizhong recommended I give it a try, how did you know?"

Yang Che cupped his hands in greeting: "Did you hear Producer Zhang mention it? Congratulations. I said last time that with Director Kang's abilities, it was only a matter of time before he rose to prominence."

Kang Honglei's grin widened: "Hehe, thank you for your kind words, thank you for your kind words."

Well, Kang Honglei was originally an actor in the Inner Mongolia Drama Troupe. Later, by chance, he participated in a TV series on Shanxi TV and became Zhang Shaolin's assistant casting director. At that time, Zhang Shaolin had not yet been seconded to CCTV.

After that, Kang Honglei followed Zhang Shaolin and, together with Zhang Dahuzi, were known as the "Two Generals of Heng and Ha".

The TV series he was about to film was called "The Passionate Years".

Yang Che was curious whether Huang Haibo would act in this TV series again. Speaking of which, his friend is currently filming a military movie in the Northwest, which is quite reassuring.

Yang Che stayed for less than half an hour. Seeing that Kang Honglei was about to get busy, he turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he heard a woman's voice calling, "Yang Che, wait a moment."

Turning around, well, Xu Qing was jogging towards him.

Yang Che stopped and stared blankly at her, who was panting heavily, her hair sticking together at her temples, her chest rising and falling.

Xu Qing paused, wanting to say something, but instead wiped away her tears.

Yang Che glanced at them out of the corner of his eye, and the crew instinctively backed away, yet wished they could crane their necks...

Yang Che slowly took two steps back, looking puzzled. "Is there something you need?"

Xu Qing whispered, "Can we let him go?"

Yang Che raised an eyebrow, then said very seriously, "I only found out the gist of your boyfriend's situation this morning. I'm not denying anything, I just haven't taken it to heart."

Xu Qing stared at him with her wet, peach-blossom eyes.

"He did something wrong, but you don't have to insult him like this again and again."

Yang Che scoffed, "Insulting him? Was it necessary? If he had turned himself in, he would have only been in jail for seven or eight years and that would have been it. He had to run away, and now he's at least facing life imprisonment."

"He just didn't want to drag others down with him."

"Haha, what you need to do now is quickly seal up the things you took from him, or return them to his wife as soon as possible, so you don't end up in a mess when the court comes knocking and you get implicated... Wait, what are you doing putting on this show of deep affection for me? Are you sick? Or are you just showing off?"

After saying this, Yang Che felt a sense of pleasure... well... the kind of pleasure that comes from being superior and the satisfaction of belittling a beautiful woman.

Xu Qing's chest began to heave again, and her neck turned red, whether from anger or excitement, it was hard to tell. Then she said, "That courtyard house is registered in my name."

Yang Che made no attempt to hide the disdain on his face: "Tsk tsk, you're really shameless."

Anger flashed in Xu Qing's eyes. She glared at him and turned to walk away.

Yang Che raised an eyebrow: "President Liu is really generous. Forget about the courtyard; I suppose you've already consulted a lawyer."