Huayu: Starting with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

Wang Zhiping replied to the message very quickly.

But it wasn't a WeChat reply; they called me directly.

"So you finally decided to come looking for me?"

The voice on the other end of the phone was chuckled, but there was a certain certainty in the voice of an old professor from the Central Academy of Drama, as if he had known all along that Chen Mo would send this message sooner or later.

Wang Zhiping is an associate professor in the Department of Performance at the Central Academy of Drama. He has been teaching for more than 20 years and has mentored many of the backbone of the film and television industry who are now active in the industry.

Not the kind of teacher who mentions "my student so-and-so" to everyone they meet.

On the contrary, he rarely mentions his students or helps them access resources.

In his view, a teacher's responsibility is to teach skills, not to act as an agent.

He taught everything he could. How far a student can go after graduation depends on their real skills, not the teacher's connections.

There are exceptions to everything.

Chen Mo was the exception.

It wasn't because Chen Mo was particularly good at flattering teachers; in fact, this kid hardly ever took the initiative to get close to teachers during his four years at the Central Academy of Drama.

After class, he would spend all his time in the rehearsal hall; when he wasn't rehearsing, he would go to the library to look up scripts, living like an ascetic.

The reason why Wang Zhiping paid special attention to him was very simple.

This kid really put in the effort.

Over the course of four years, Wang Zhiping has met countless students.

There are those who are highly talented but lazy, those who are diligent but lack comprehension, and those who start taking on acting roles and making money as soon as they enter the Central Academy of Drama, treating teaching as a side job.

But Chen Mo is the kind of person that would make a teacher feel sorry for him.

Even though she's already debuted and knows what the outside world is like and how cruel this industry is, she's still willing to put herself back in the classroom, meticulously studying her lines word by word and refining her physique movement by movement.

Wang Zhiping had mentioned him more than once when he was drinking with some friends in private.

"I've been teaching for over twenty years, and I can count the number of students I've truly felt 'this child is destined for greatness' on two hands. Chen Mo is one of them."

Whether these words reached Chen Mo's ears or not is unknown.

But the news reached someone else's ears.

Chen Daomin.

Chen Daomin and Wang Zhiping have been friends for many years.

Both were from Beijing and worked in a drama troupe when they were young. Later, one went to teach at the Central Academy of Drama, while the other made a name for himself in the film and television industry, but they have always kept in touch in private.

Every now and then we'd meet up for tea, chat about movies, things in the industry, and occasionally talk about the young people we each admire.

Chen Daomin is fifty-eight years old this year.

Having worked in this industry for over thirty years, from the stage to the big screen, from "Little Chen" to "Teacher Chen," and then from "Teacher Chen" to "Brother Min" in everyone's eyes.

He's the kind of actor who gets more mature and profound with age.

He was handsome, famous, and won awards when he was young, but at this age, what he cares about most is no longer what kind of roles he can play.

The real question is whether there are still young people in this industry who are willing to act properly.

He's seen too much.

I've seen highly talented young people get swept up by capital and transformed overnight from "new generation powerhouses" into "traffic harvesters".

I've seen promising talents being forced to grow too fast just as they were starting to emerge, only to lose all confidence after making a terrible film and fading into obscurity.

I've also seen truly talented young actors who, lacking connections and social skills, toiled for over a decade in this industry without ever getting a decent role.

So whenever Wang Zhiping mentioned having good students, he would pay close attention.

I don't just agree to help casually; I observe and understand the young man first to determine if he's worth helping.

After all, while Chen Daomin's reputation was valuable, it wasn't something to be wasted.

Use it only once, so use it wisely.

"Teacher Wang, are there any film or television production teams casting recently?"

When Wang Zhiping heard Chen Mo's words, his first reaction was not to be happy, but to sigh.

This kid is still so stubborn.

There are already tens of thousands of people online trying to "rehabilitate" him, and he's currently very popular. If he takes advantage of this momentum to sign with a new agency, his negotiating leverage will be many times better than when he was with Starry Sky.

But he didn't.

His first thought wasn't signing with a company, appearing on variety shows, or generating buzz.

Instead, he looked for roles to play.

Wang Zhiping shook his head inwardly, then smiled to himself.

That brat.

"Yes," he said.

"What play?"

"A historical drama called 'Legend of Chu and Han' is in the preparation stage and has not yet started filming."

Chen Mo's eyes lit up slightly.

Chu and Han.

These two words carry immense power.

Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, the Chu River and Han border, breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, surrounded by the songs of Chu on all sides.

The most turbulent and legendary period in Chinese history has been written into countless novels, operas, and films and television dramas over the past few thousand years, but very few have been truly well-made.

"Who is the director?" Chen Mo asked.

"Gao hope".

Chen Mo knew this name.

Gao hope is a well-known director of historical dramas in the industry. He has directed several well-received period dramas with a solid and substantial style, avoiding anything flashy or gimmicky.

In an era where period dramas are becoming increasingly idolized, he is one of the few directors who still insists on the "serious drama" route.

"Where are the main actors?"

"Chen Daomin will play Liu Bang."

Chen Mo was stunned for a moment.

Chen Daomin plays Liu Bang.

Just putting those few words together already gives people a sense of security.

"You know about my relationship with Lao Chen," Wang Zhiping's tone became serious. "I can put in a good word for you and get you into the crew. But I have to make this clear first: the most I can get you is a small supporting role. You'll get screen time, but not much screen time."

"Can."

"Don't rush to agree, let me finish." Wang Zhiping paused, "Although you're getting some buzz online, you're still a newcomer with no representative works. Casting isn't about trending topics on blogs, it's about talent and past work. I'm using my connections to recommend you, so you have to live up to my expectations."

"clear."

"Even if it's a small role with only three scenes, you have to give it a brilliant performance."

"I know."

"You really know?"

"I really know." Chen Mo's tone was flat, but firm.

Wang Zhiping remained silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone.

Then he laughed.

"Okay, then I'll contact Old Chen for you."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Zhiping found Chen Daomin's WeChat account.

The two people's chat history stopped last month. The content was that Chen Daomin sent a picture of the tea he had brewed, and Wang Zhiping replied with the word "pretentious".

Wang Zhiping thought for a moment and then typed a message.

"Old Chen, I need your help with something. The student I mentioned to you before, Chen Mo, just graduated this year and wants to join your 'Legend of Chu and Han' production team. He doesn't need a major role, just a minor supporting role where he can get some screen time. I've been watching this kid for four years, and he's a good prospect, so don't worry."

Chen Daomin replied less than three minutes after the message was sent.

"The one you kept talking about when you were drinking?"

"right."

"Okay, no problem. I'll talk to Gao hope and have him come for an audition."

Wang Zhiping added, "Don't put too much pressure on him. This kid is stubborn; the more pressure you put on him, the more he'll push his luck."

Chen Daomin sent a smiley face.

"It's good that you're stubborn; if you're not, you won't last long in this industry."

For Chen Daomin, this was indeed a small matter.

We have to give face to our old friend, and besides, it's just a minor supporting role, not like he's going to compete with the director for some key role.

Besides, he knew Wang Zhiping well; he wouldn't ask for favors lightly.

A student who can get him to speak up must have some talent.

He picked up the phone and called Gao hope.

"Old Gao, I have a young actor here who wants to try out for your team. He just graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and has a good foundation. You don't need to give him any big roles, just put him in a small, insignificant position and let him get some experience."

Gao hope responded with an "Mmm" on the other end of the phone.

"You recommended it?"

"Old Wang recommended him to me; he's one of his students."

"Okay, let him come and give it a try."

Gao hope agreed readily.

On the one hand, it was to give Chen Daomin face.

On the other hand, his "Legend of Chu and Han" is currently facing a headache because of a minor supporting character, which is not worth his time.

We'll talk about that headache later.