A Song Stuns the Room

Han Sanping calmed down quickly after his burst of excitement.

He was about to become the head of China Film Group and would also oversee reforms to the market framework.

Not just domestically—if he wanted, he could name any top-tier Hollywood star, and the Big Six studios would package them up and send them over.

Han Sanping knew full well that this was not because he was so formidable, but because behind him stood the massive film market of 1.3 billion people.

If he held his ground, then his word would be law.

The CEOs of Hollywood giants would have to pay him a visit first when they came to China.

If he failed to hold the line, it would not just be Hollywood coming for him. Internal forces would come charging in too.

Asset restructuring and market-oriented reform alone involved far too many interests.

Han Sanping appreciated Shen Shanden because Shen Shanden's article had indeed been well written and had pinpointed the current dangers facing Chinese Cinema.

Film industry workers were generally naive, foolishly treating contradictions between enemies and allies as internal contradictions.

Leaving aside cultural security and ideology, from a market perspective alone, a beast like Hollywood had long been drooling over the China Film Market.

Could it be that since the 1990s, when Hong Kong Island stopped cooperating and Hollywood practically gave films away for domestic release, those film companies from capitalist countries had simply been kind-hearted?

As the man steering the marketization of Chinese Cinema, he had seen far too many flashy but impractical proposals.

Shen Shanden did not even have Formal Film School Training. He had switched careers midway, so it was nearly impossible for him to have the ability to handle this project.

Though Han Sanping had been moved, he merely gave a slight nod.

Seeing the lukewarm response from the crowd, Shen Shanden felt a little disappointed, but only a little.

Embroidered Spring Blade: The Sun and Moon Reopen was a project that would be difficult to pull off not only at this point in time, but even in later generations.

Shen Shanden's goal was to use this project first to whet Han Sanping's appetite.

Then he would take a major step back and gain an opportunity for China Film Group to assemble a production and let him make a film.

If he directly asked for the latter, it would be difficult. But if he first raised the stakes with a hundred-million-yuan project, then came back with a ten-million-yuan project, would that not seem reasonable?

In any case, the resources in China Film Group's hands would be wasted on Hong Kong Island directors either way. Better to cultivate a New Generation director like him.

Shen Shanden felt entirely justified about that.

Of course, that did not mean Shen Shanden would easily give up on Embroidered Spring Blade: The Sun and Moon Reopen.

On the contrary, he had poured a great deal of effort into it. If there were any chance of making it, he definitely wanted to.

It was simply very, very difficult.

Shen Shanden took a sip of water, studied everyone's expressions, pushed down his thoughts, and began introducing the project in detail.

"The film is set in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty in order to showcase the majestic momentum behind the founding of the Ming Dynasty."

"There are three main characters, including Han Chinese and Mongols. I will not emphasize their ethnic differences. The focus is primarily on their economic status."

"Under the Yuan Dynasty's tax-farming system, lower-class Han Chinese and lower-class Mongols were friends. The Mongols were even exploited more severely, becoming a distinctive type of slave."

"The main plot follows the three protagonists as they join the intelligence organization that preceded the Imperial Guards. Through the changing of dynasties, they rise in class. By firmly focusing on their growth, the audience can immerse themselves in them and experience the thrill."

"In my view, today's films are not divided into commercial films and art films. There are only films that speak like people, and films that do not."

"Though I want to portray grand momentum, I will not force it upon the audience. Instead, I will focus on the characters' growth."

As he listened to Shen Shanden's explanation, Han Sanping flipped through the script, though he had already read it once before.

The script was solid and neatly structured, with even the beats marked out.

It really was somewhat interesting.

And it knew how to avoid certain issues.

Shen Shanden continued, "Through the protagonists' growth, the audience witnesses the founding of the Imperial Guards and the Ming Dynasty, witnessing the intelligence organization emerge from the shadows and become the open Imperial Guards."

"In my depiction, the Imperial Guards differ from the traditional villainous secret-police image. They lean toward a positive portrayal."

"They highlight how the Imperial Guards restrained the landlord-gentry class, which operated under the loose tax-farming system and lacked any concept of the state."

Hearing this, Han Sanping wrote it down in his notebook.

This would not be easy to handle. It ran somewhat contrary to the current atmosphere.

If China Film Group invested in the production, the director's leading role would have to be emphasized.

They could not let people misunderstand it as using a film to sound out policy. That would be terrifying.

Shen Shanden also knew when to stop and did not dwell on the theme.

Embroidered Spring Blade: The Sun and Moon Reopen also contained too many ideas that differed from prevailing views.

For instance, the late Yuan and early Ming period gave people a sense of familiarity, but it was not because he was creating an allegory.

It was not limited to the late Yuan and early Ming. The late Ming and early Qing, the late Qing and the Republic of China, and many other periods all carried a similar feeling.

This narrative perspective was vastly different from current historical understanding.

One view of history treated the path and system followed by the West as the only possible one, then searched Chinese history for answers based on that conclusion, cutting feet to fit shoes. This was the idea that "the seeds of capitalism emerged in the late Ming and early Qing."

It had actually made the capitalist path uniquely special and absolute. Later textbooks corrected that.

But at present, Shen Shanden's discussion of matters on their own merits was still somewhat out of place.

At its core, some people did not want to acknowledge the high level of Chinese civilization and social development, or that traces of modern China could also be found in ancient China.

Because that would lead to the conclusion that the West's modern-era lead had merely been accidental.

Shen Shanden glossed over the subject and bypassed this sensitive point.

"The first climax I designed is when the three protagonists join the intelligence department and Zhu Yuanzhang's team. Their personal fates change, and they bid farewell to lives of exploitation."

"The second climax is when these minor figures, once looked down upon by the gentry, merge into the torrent of their era and play a role in Great Unification."

"The third climax is the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the capture of Dadu, and the unification of north and south."

"The fourth climax is the northern lands, where barbarian customs had become widespread, restoring Chinese attire and showcasing the great unity of the Chinese people as one family."

"Then the intelligence organization in the shadows steps into the open, and the Imperial Guards are formally established."

"The underlying emotional note is a hymn to the Ming Dynasty, using the restoration of Chinese attire to express the Chinese people's pride and confidence."

"As long as we create four escalating climaxes, this film absolutely cannot be bad!"

"For a blockbuster like this, a hundred million in production costs is an incredible bargain!"

After Shen Shanden finished speaking, he quietly observed everyone's expressions again.

He stood at the front of the conference room while his junior apprentice brother, Zhou Qifeng, helped him with the projection.

The conference room was not large, but it did not feel cramped. It was a decent room in the Beijing Film Studio office building.

The equipment was complete. A television stood in the corner, with a projector beside it and a VCD player as well.

When Shen Shanden called out a production budget of one hundred million, everyone who had already read the proposal felt their hearts jolt.

A film debut, and he dared to ask for that? Han Sanping's secretary could not help complaining inwardly.

The Production Department leader responsible for market direction questioned him, "The project sounds good, but a hundred-million-yuan budget is a little high. You have no record of success."

Shen Shanden hurriedly explained, "I made the production budget plan very detailed. If we follow the plan, we can definitely make it well. In my view, a film crew's main task is management, and management is what I studied."

Han Sanping, who had not spoken much, felt somewhat disappointed.

Shen Shanden was not wrong. The Chinese film market was currently at a low point.

Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower, Chen Kaige's The Promise, Feng Xiaogang's A Night to Remember, and other costume blockbusters had suffered a double defeat in both reputation and overseas markets.

He had promoted the Blockbuster Strategy, but it now faced a crisis.

There was an urgent need for new ideas and new talent, and the mature costume-blockbuster model also needed to find a new way forward.

But he would have preferred someone like Chen Kaige to bring forth such a project.

Unfortunately, after Lust, Caution, Chen Kaige had been wounded and gone off to lick his wounds.

As for Shen Shanden, he had no work experience. Unless Han Sanping had gone mad, there was no way he could hand such a huge project over to him.

Han Sanping liked the project, but Shen Shanden needed to hand it over.

Han Sanping said, "Have you considered bringing out this script and finding a Big Director to make it?"

Would that not ruin everything?

Shen Shanden spoke bluntly. "Cultural workers need to have culture. They need to understand what our culture is, whether horizontally or vertically."

Then he asked, "Director, when you use Hong Kong Island directors, do you truly think they can make it well, or do we simply have no talent of our own to use?"

"My kind of narrative is filled with national pride. Who do you think can make it?"

Han Sanping fell silent at once.

A film with this kind of narrative could probably only be made by young people like Shen Shanden.

Should he count on Fifth Generation directors? Or Hong Kong Island directors who made every film about gangs and the underworld?

Or those Sixth Generation directors who had been fooled stupid by New Wave Theory?

He was tired.

Han Sanping felt a little weary.

After counting them up, he really could not find a single normal person.

Was that any way to speak to a superior?

The Production Department leader responsible for content could not help sharpening his tone. "Discuss the issue if you want to discuss it, Student Shen. Do not belittle others. That is a bad habit! Having ability does not mean you can be arrogant!"

Shen Shanden immediately admitted his mistake. "I'm sorry. I was only speaking the truth. If I offended anyone, I apologize."

Han Sanping did not really mind. In his view, it was normal for Shen Shanden to be young and hot-blooded.

What talented person did not have some temper?

But Shen Shanden's refusal to give up the project greatly diminished Han Sanping's interest.

As for resources, Han Sanping could find ways to solve that problem. Red Cliff had reached sixty or seventy million US dollars, and he could find a solution too.

The theory and planning were excellent. If it could truly be filmed according to plan, it would indeed be good.

However, Han Sanping had worked as both a director and producer. He knew very well that the difficult part was whether it could actually be done.

Besides, Shen Shanden was a complete newcomer. He simply could not control a film crew.

For a while, the room fell quiet.

Shen Shanden did not like waiting, but at this moment, he had no choice.

He could not help looking out the window.

The window had an old-fashioned steel frame. Through the dust-covered glass, he could see bare plane-tree branches swaying in the cold wind.

His gaze returned indoors.

At one end of the conference table, an old filing cabinet stood against the wall. Its glass doors were stuffed with folders and scripts.

Several faded posters of classic Beijing Film Studio movies hung on the wall like silent witnesses, watching this meeting that might determine the direction of the future.

The walls had old-fashioned pale green wainscoting, while the upper half was painted white.

Han Sanping and the others sat along one side of the long dark-brown conference table on wooden chairs with backrests, each draped with a long towel.

The tabletop bore the marks of time, along with rings burned into it by teacups.

The air carried the faint scent of laundry detergent lingering in the towels, cigarette smoke, and the distinctive dryness of northern winter air baked by the heating.

Seeing that Shen Shanden was unwilling to let go, Han Sanping felt he needed to think it over further. Perhaps he should first train Shen Shanden a little. Just as he was about to speak—

Shen Shanden seemed to have made up his mind. He broke the silence, his voice calm and powerful. "Director, leaders, a film's grandeur lies not only in its imagery, but also in its soul. To convey the soul of Embroidered Spring Blade: The Sun and Moon Reopen more directly, I prepared a theme song. It is also the film's spiritual annotation."

"But this song is also one of the production's promotional highlights, so I ask all of you leaders to keep it confidential."

Han Sanping became interested. "I forgot—you're also a talented scholar. Come, let us listen with open ears."

He decided that there was no harm in hearing it out.

But he had already made up his mind. If Shen Shanden would not give up the project, then this would be as far as it went.

Unaware of everyone's thoughts, Shen Shanden signaled Zhou Qifeng.

Zhou Qifeng immediately took a prepared USB drive from his canvas bag, inserted it into the laptop's USB port, and opened the player.

"This song is called Ode to the Great Ming: The Sun and Moon Reopen. It is also known as Heavenly Questions."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Shanden pressed play.

The prelude began with grand yet desolate chimes, accompanied by the low rumble of war drums.

Then came the distant sound of a xun, as if it had drifted from the depths of history.

Then a tender children's chorus crossed through time and space.

Sun and moon, sun and moon, why do you hang above the rooftops?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, why do you freely give your radiance?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, why are you sometimes blazing, sometimes cool?

Sometimes together, sometimes hidden away.

Sun and moon, sun and moon, have you ever been stained by Jinling frost?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, have you ever shone upon the wolf-shooting Northern Desert?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, have you witnessed Hongwu raise his blade and restore the nine realms?

Broken armor became the spring river.

Great Ming, Great Ming, continue the glorious chapter!

Brilliant sacred fire illuminates the eight wastelands!

Great Ming, Great Ming, that crimson banner snaps and flies.

It calls forth the Kunpeng bird,

Spreading its wings above the nine heavens.

Sun and moon, sun and moon, which is mightier: Cast Iron Black Armor or Fire Dragon Spitting Flames?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, which shines brighter: the Yongle Encyclopedia or Zheng He's Treasure Ships?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, what bloodline has turned the tide since Tang and Yu and the Three Dynasties?

Let mountains and rivers be reforged!

Let the golden realm suffer no wounds!

Sun and moon, sun and moon, does that heavenly palace hold the answer?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, when will that giant dragon return after falling to the dust?

Sun and moon, sun and moon, when will that rooster sing the unfinished poem?

Ringing out toward the stars!

Great Ming, Great Ming, inherit Tiangang.

Brilliant sacred fire illuminates the eight wastelands.

Great Ming, Great Ming, this land has donned new splendor once more.

The Red Sun Shines Upon the Divine Land

For Ten Thousand Generations, Bathed in Morning Light

Great Ming, Great Ming, Bearing Tiangang's Mandate

The Glorious Sacred Flame Illuminates the Eight Wastelands

Great Ming, Great Ming, this land has donned new splendor once more

The Red Sun Shines Upon the Divine Land

For Ten Thousand Generations, Bathed in Morning Light

Great Ming, Great Ming! Hey! Great Ming!

The lyrics gradually unfolded through children's voices.

The meeting room fell silent once more.

This time, there was complete silence.

The drums and strings seemed to fade away, leaving only the children's voices, piercing straight into the heart and lingering in the air.

They were so young, so pure, yet so grand and stirring.

It was a strange contradiction—both a children's song and the final charge of a battlefield.

Han Sanping, seated at the head of the table, had not paid much attention at first, assuming it was just an ordinary song. By the time he came back to himself, it had already caught him off guard.

Damn, sand got in his eyes!

Ambushing an old comrade in his fifties like this!

He slowly closed his eyes.

After quite a while, when he opened them again, his eyes were faintly red, and his voice was a little hoarse.

"Come on, Xiao Shen. One more time."

Everyone can just imagine the Spring Festival Gala song "Jade Plate." I can't make that kind of AI music, so you'll have to imagine it. I put "Jade Plate" in the bonus chapter.

I adapted this song after hearing "Jade Plate" during the New Year. I was in a terrible mood then and wanted to start writing a new book right away. Later, I kept writing for another two months, but still couldn't hold on and ended my previous book early. I suppose I missed the trend as well.

I had planned to use it later in this new book, but now I've put it at the beginning.

Thank you all for your support.

Like I said before, I only wanted to write a story from a normal perspective. I didn't want to challenge anything.

Updates will return to the previous schedule from now on, at 12 noon. (That's all for today.)

A reader put it well: existing—just keep existing.

I deleted all one hundred thousand words of this book, and it took a bit out of me too. I'll write slowly; I can't write quickly anymore. Take your time reading as well.

The earlier standalone chapters will be deleted in a couple of days too. It won't affect anyone's reading.