Huayu Entertainment Starts with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

"So you're Jiang Yang?"

"Hello, Sister K."

The interview came quickly because Jiang Yang was already in Shanghai.

Cai Yinong was very satisfied with his image. He was originally worried that Jiang Yang was a bit young and might look like a younger brother when acting opposite Liu Shishi and Hu Ge.

The moment we met, the scent of hormones wafted over me.

Let's do an audition then.

The dramas that Sugar Man makes are all idol dramas, which don't require high acting skills, as long as they look the part.

What kind of character is Huo Qubing in "Ballad of the Desert"?

A male protagonist in the "Domyouji style".

A straightforward man who is flamboyant, passionate, and unwavering in his devotion to the female lead.

In contrast, the second male lead is ashamed of his physical disability and never dares to accept the female lead's feelings. Despite having a preconceived notion, he manages to let the first male lead eventually win her over.

It's a common trope in idol dramas: the second male lead is dated first, but she ends up with the first male lead.

Hesitate and you will lose!

Jiang Yang was already very familiar with this type of role, and his performance was decent. Cai Yinong nodded as she watched.

The actress playing the blind sister is not here; instead, she is played by Gulnazar.

She thought to herself, "It seems that Sister K is interested in Jiang Yang. Should I also get myself a role in 'Ballad of the Desert'?"

That way we can film together.

Gulnazar certainly wouldn't dare to covet the leading role of Liu Shishi, so she'll just choose from the supporting roles.

I heard there's a "Hu woman" in the show, that's perfect.

She was right.

Cai Yinong was very satisfied and immediately extended an olive branch.

"You're good. The role of Huo Qubing is perfect for you. Once you sign the contract, he's yours."

Jiangyang's only disadvantage is its lack of fame.

However, this is not a big problem. It's not that he hasn't acted before, it's just that the films haven't been broadcast yet.

Cai Yinong is very confident; making sugar figurines and holding people is his forte.

Jiang Yang's criticism of Feng Shaofeng was an indirect criticism of "Palace," which is a victory.

Born in Shanghai Theatre Academy, Sugar People Talent Base, Ersheng.

Add to that Nazha's alluring eyes...

Cai Yinong felt that this person must have been a gift from God.

By the way, the contracts she mentioned weren't just the actors' contracts for "Ballad of the Desert," but also Jiang Yang's artist management contract.

Sugar figurines have helped many people succeed, but they've always been their own people, making the most of everything and keeping it all within the family.

The only exception is Yang Mi.

So it turned into a rather ugly situation, and Cai Yinong felt like he had been tricked by a little girl.

Once bitten, twice shy; she would never repeat this mistake. If Jiang Yang wanted to get Huo Qubing from "Ballad of the Desert," he had to sell himself to the sugar figurine maker first.

Sign a contract with a sugar person?

Jiang Yang didn't want to go through a contract termination lawsuit in two years.

Even if he were willing to play along with Cai Yinong and deceive her into giving him the role, there's still a crucial problem with "Ballad of the Desert"...

"Can I make a suggestion?"

"you say."

"Could this drama have a fictional setting? Stop piggybacking on Huo Qubing's IP."

That's right, "Ballad of the Desert" was piggybacked on the popularity of the original.

The most important thing in idol dramas is romance, and the character settings serve this purpose. The heroic young general is just a means to add a halo to the heroine's suitors and admirers.

There are formulas in female-oriented historical romance novels; they all follow the same few archetypes.

The emperor is usually depicted as a dragon, phoenix, or pig.

The appearances of Zu Long, Er Feng, and Liu Yezhu are no less frequent than those of the Four Great Masters in Qing Dynasty dramas in recent years.

The powerful minister and imperial tutor—it sounds like Zhang Juzheng.

What about the young general?

Nine times out of ten, the person under the leather cloak is Huo Qubing!

After all, this character is too dazzling and too unique. Huo Qubing is a one-in-five-thousand-years-old legend, and even his short life is part of the legend.

"Ballad of the Desert" goes even further.

It doesn't create a fictional character based on Huo Qubing; it directly uses the real Huo Qubing.

That's the most dangerous part.

Who is Huo Qubing?

How can I think of a home when the Xiongnu have not yet been defeated!

One of the most inspiring and bold statements in Chinese history.

Listen to this: a male lead with a career-obsessed mindset, who not only doesn't fall in love, has been transformed into a love-obsessed young wolf who's only interested in romance.

In the ending of "Ballad of the Desert," Huo Qubing fakes his death to escape, only to live in seclusion with the female lead and stay together forever.

The name is not wrong, it's pure fabrication.

Jiang Yang can play this role, provided that he cannot be named Huo Qubing.

He doesn't deserve to be called Huo Qubing!

Cai Yinong thought he wanted to bargain, but he actually said this.

Why?

"Huo Qubing is an important historical figure. I'm afraid this kind of drastic alteration will not pass the review process."

"You don't need to worry, the script has already been approved."

"It's one thing for the script to pass censorship, and another for it to pass censorship after filming. Especially when there are a lot of complaints, the label of historical nihilism is not easy to shake."

Jiang Yang: I'm really doing this for your own good.

The plot of "Ballad of the Desert," as well as the original author himself, are both a bit eccentric.

You wouldn't want this highly anticipated "Scarlet Heart 2" to be delayed for two years, renamed three times, and only be able to be dubbed and broadcast again, would you?

Unfortunately, Cai Yinong didn't appreciate it.

In its attempt to replicate the success of "Scarlet Heart," "Ballad of the Desert" is akin to trying to find a sword by marking the boat where it fell into the water; it has thoroughly learned from past experiences, specifically:

Respect the original work.

Both novels were written by the same person, and the TV series was filmed exactly as the novels were written, with almost no changes.

Cai Yinong felt that Jiang Yang was clueless.

You're just an actor, not even a famous one, yet you want to interfere with the script?

Hu Ge is just picking a role!

This kind of habit shouldn't be tolerated, so Cai Yinong firmly refused.

"Impossible, don't even think about it."

Jiang Yang wasn't meddling in other people's business; he knew all too well the fate of this "Ballad of the Desert," which was already called "The Legend of the Wind" when it aired.

Huo Qubing?

There was no Huo Qubing, only Wei Wuji.

Even if he played the role, his life would be full of hardships. Moreover, Jiang Yang himself could not accept "Huo Qubing in 'Ballad of the Desert'".

He insulted Huo Qubing.

He had anticipated that Cai Yinong would most likely not agree, and that his main purpose in coming here was for Dilraba.

Because Dilraba has a supporting role as a Hu woman in "Ballad of the Desert," if she takes on this role, they can film together again.

There's no point in saying more now that things have come to this.

"In that case, Sister K, it seems I'm not destined for this role. Goodbye."

Jiang Yang turned and left without looking back.

Cai Yinong was stunned, never expecting him to be so resolute.

Are you serious?

That's the second male lead in Liu Shishi and Hu Ge's story!

Cai Yinong thought he was playing hard to get, waiting for her to ask him to stay, but in essence, he was still bargaining. She sneered inwardly and remained silent.

Until Jiang Yang's figure completely disappeared.

This isn't what I expected, because Jiang Yang didn't return; he didn't even turn his head back...

Good lad, you've got character.

Cai Yinong was somewhat annoyed, feeling that he didn't know what was good for him.

But it doesn't quite qualify as an enmity.

There's a fundamental difference between refusing to act when the two sides couldn't reach an agreement and actually acting in my show, taking advantage of me, and then running away without a trace.

Therefore, Jiang Yang did not receive the same "ban" as Yang Mi.

Cai Yinong originally thought highly of Jiang Yang, not only providing him with resources to play the second male lead in "Da Mo Yao", but also intending to help him get together with Gulnazar.

Now, of course, that's a different story.

Just as he was about to turn around and offer a reminder, Cai Yinong almost laughed in exasperation when he saw Gulnazar's expression.

The latter looked at Jiang Yang's back with admiration.

How dare he refuse Sister K?

So manly!