Chapter 515: It could have been broadcast exclusively on Jingtai (8,000-word update!)

When *My Own Swordsman* was officially scheduled to be launched on Beijiguang Video on July 15, everyone realized, damn?! Before *My Own Swordsman* made so much propaganda, it hadn't been scheduled yet?

As soon as the scheduling news was released, the circles of friends of Lu Yan He, Huang Kai, Xiao Yun, Jiang Jun, Bai Jingnian, Hu Siwei and others began to exert force.

They were popular, and the old cannons were old cannons. The circle of friends lineup composed of them can be said to occupy half of the entertainment industry.

Anyone who pays a little attention to the performing arts circle will notice this news, *My Own Swordsman* is scheduled for July 15.

And just at this time, an unbelievable thing appeared—

Yuehu TV actually played the promotional video of *My Own Swordsman*, a total of forty seconds of promotional video, played twice in the morning and afternoon.

You know, *My Own Swordsman* is broadcast exclusively on Beijiguang Video, not broadcast on Yuehu TV and Beijiguang Video.

There has never been a TV station playing a promotional video for a web drama, and this drama is not broadcast on this TV station.

The heated discussion caused by this matter in this line is even greater than the discussion of *My Own Swordsman* in the industry.

Because... unprecedented.

However, amidst the various opinions, Yuehu TV seemed to be unaffected, still playing the promotional video for *My Own Swordsman* at a rhythm of four times a day.

Yuehu TV was ridiculed by many, saying that the TV station finally became an appendage of the video website.

TV stations have long been thrown a distance in the general trend of the times, but they are the existence that once occupied the top of an era, with deep foundations, and are not purely profit-making institutions, so to this day, even if advertising revenue collapses in a straight line, they still stand in this industry, and possess functions and meanings that video websites cannot replace.

So, as a first-tier big station, Yuehu TV suddenly did propaganda for a web drama that was not broadcast on them.

The matter is small, the meaning is big.

To put it bigger, this is a kind of "bowing head".

Even if Yuehu TV itself does not mean this at all.

In the turbulent public opinion, an external spokesperson of Yuehu TV posted a dynamic, in the circle of friends, concise and comprehensive:

Very happy, *My Own Swordsman* will be broadcast on Yuehu TV after the exclusive broadcast on Beijiguang Video ends. At that time, Lu Yan He will also lead the creators of *My Own Swordsman* to participate in the recording of our Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

Not mentioning the promotional video, but every word is related to the promotional video.

*My Own Swordsman* web broadcast has not started yet, and the star broadcast has already been set.

Apparently, Yuehu TV has been planning for a long time.

Just like this, it also established a relationship with *My Own Swordsman*.

Once, Jingtai was the only TV station Lu Yan He cooperated with. Now, Jingtai only has a *Seventeen Layers* series to maintain the relationship with Lu Yan He.

Yuehu TV took over this cooperative relationship without a sound.

The screenwriter who brought two big hit dramas *Friends* and *Squid Game*, shouldn't Yuehu TV have received the ticket for the next work in advance?

From Lu Yan He's past cooperation experience, it can be seen that as long as the platform itself does not make moths, he is actually a person who is quite long-term, whether it is a director, an actor, or a platform.

In the end, Maxine and HP still did not buy the overseas streaming media copyright of *My Own Swordsman*.

They still think this drama is not worth the price that can move Lu Yan He.

Lu Yan He is not in a hurry.

Because he is not very confident about whether this drama can be broadcast well on streaming media.

However, this doesn't matter.

Lu Yan He believes that just one market in China is enough for *My Own Swordsman* to explode.

*My Own Swordsman* did not adopt weekly updates, but daily broadcasts, the first season of eighteen episodes, one episode per day.

The day before the launch, the reservation number of *My Own Swordsman* on Beijiguang Video exceeded 5.8 million, becoming the third place in the history of video website reservation numbers.

On the day of the launch, at 8 pm, the first episode of *My Own Swordsman* was officially uploaded.

The audience who had been looking forward to it for a long time immediately logged into Beijiguang Video.

Then, at 8:10, the web version of Beijiguang Video, which had been expanded in advance, many audiences logged in and found that the page could not be refreshed, and it collapsed.

8:15, Beijiguang Video released an announcement: APP can still watch *My Own Swordsman* normally, and the website is being repaired urgently.

"Old Xing~"

The woman in her early thirties in front of her, with infatuation and reluctance in her eyes, is as gentle as water, not beautiful, but has a sense of maturity, as if she will lean on you softly in the next second.

The actress who played the shopkeeper Tong is named Liu Zi, an actor dug from the stage by Bai Jingnian. She had never acted in a film or television drama before, and was a very strange face to the audience.

But years of stage performance experience gave her the calm of an old actor as soon as she appeared.

Every frown, every smile, every movement has a posture and charm.

The man who played Old Xing is naturally Teacher Jiang Jun.

Jiang Jun's acting skills are very mature. To take down such a secular catcher role, he is very skilled.

He was a bit irritable, but patiently said to Liu Zi: "I have to go~"

Liu Zi's eyes were more affectionate and reluctant, "Old Xing~"

If the tone can become a hook, then this "Old Xing" is enough to hook anyone.

Not to mention, she had a look of "You are here with me, are you really willing to go?"

Unless this person doesn't want to stay.

Jiang Jun: "I am on official business, I am concerned about the people."

The affectionate look on Liu Zi's face retracted a little.

"You listen to me."

Jiang Jun said firmly: "Don't say anything. It has come to this, let's follow the fate."

Liu Zi looked at him pitifully, as if looking at a loved one who was about to go away: "Don't go..."

Jiang Jun was more determined: "I have to go!"

Liu Zi suddenly flashed a ruthless look, threatening: "If you go, I will die for you to see!"

Jiang Jun's face showed a kind of helplessness and regret, "Why are you suffering?"

Liu Zi turned back into a pool of water, "Not bitter, if I can't keep your heart, I have to keep your person!"

"What stuff! Why does Lu Yan He also write such a role of a dreaming man and a crazy woman! It's disgusting to watch! Appetite!"

A female fan of Lu Yan He looked at the opening scene in disbelief, feeling a disgusting discomfort like eating a fly.

She even wanted to close it directly and exit.

Jiang Jun asked righteously: "What if the person can't be kept?"

Liu Zi retracted all the tenderness, raised her chin slightly, and suddenly changed her face, saying mercilessly: "Then please, pay the wine money for last month!"

She turned around neatly, and the camera followed a shake.

Bai Zhantang, played by Huang Kai, appeared in the camera with sword eyebrows and star eyes.

Liu Zi: "Old Bai, serve the abacus!"

Huang Kai, who had just appeared in a handsome shot, turned into an oily and worldly waiter in the next second.

"Okay!"

I don't know how many people were shocked by this reversal at the beginning, confused, and the expression on their faces was exactly the same as the camera in Jiang Jun's scene, dumbfounded, unbelievable.

A fast-forward shot like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, Xing catcher was pressed to the table in the lobby by everyone.

Everyone in the Tongfu Inn blocked all his directions, and everyone's face was a threat and warning look from the same school, telling him not to run away.

Liu Zi played the abacus, and her mouth read: "Fen wine seven taels, seven eight fifty-six..."

This number was read out, and Jiang Jun, who was still straight and righteous, was cowardly in the next second, begging for mercy: "Shopkeeper Tong, we have to be reasonable, right?!"

Liu Zi didn't even lift her eyelids, slowly: "Why am I not reasonable?"

Jiang Jun immediately said: "The male and female evil spirits are so fierce, the whole Qixia Town is full of wind and cranes, everyone is in danger, I am a dignified catcher, I can't always protect your family, right?"

Liu Zi stopped playing the abacus.

"That makes sense..." Liu Zi seemed to recognize Xing catcher's words, and looked at him affectionately again.

Finally reasonable.

Jiang Jun breathed a sigh of relief, "That's right."

Liu Zi continued to play the abacus in the next second, and the abacus beads rang crisply.

She continued: "Fen wine seven taels, seven eight fifty-six..."

Jiang Jun was angry: "Okay, okay, have you finished yet?! It's almost enough!"

Liu Zi showed guilt, "Sorry, I was wrong."

Jiang Jun was calm, his eyebrows raised, "Know where you were wrong?"

Put it up again.

Liu Zi nodded sincerely, saying: "Wrong in that daughter red is seven taels, Fen wine is eight taels, eight eight sixty-four, seven nine sixty-three, and add five cents."

"Hahahahahaha—"

The girl who just felt disgusting like eating a fly couldn't help but burst into laughter.

A few minutes of play, I don't know how many reversals.

This kind of reversal is not to say that the plot has a big reversal, but that there is a burden every two or three sentences, forming a conflict and collision between "thought" and "actual", the direction frequently exceeds the audience's accidents, and it is also an unexpected joke.

The fun of so-called sitcoms is here.

"This actress acts really well, where did you find it?" Chen Siqi and Lu Yan He were watching the premiere together, and she asked while watching.

Lu Yan He said: "It was found by Director Bai. Before, many actresses were found to try the play, but they never found a suitable one. All the famous actresses in this age range could not completely put down their posture to act as Shopkeeper Tong. This image of Shopkeeper Tong must be charming, but not really charming, secular, but noble, smart, but not too resourceful, good at calculating, stingy, but not really calculating, to act as secular, worldly, charming and cute, this kind of cuteness must be a mature woman rather than a cute girl-style cuteness. It's too difficult. This is one of the richest and most difficult roles to perform in *My Own Swordsman*, or there is no one."

Chen Siqi: "Why are you telling me so much, this is only the first episode!"

Lu Yan He: "... Uh, sorry."

Chen Siqi said: "However, although she is only in her early thirties, she looks... not old, but more mature, without a trace of a girl, but it won't make people feel very old, it's quite magical."

"So this kind of style of actor is hard to find. I am not familiar with Liu Zi, I have only seen her a few times, and have not had in-depth communication, but watching her act, I like her very much," Lu Yan He said. "The most rare thing is that she has such good acting skills and camera sense, but she has never appeared in film and television dramas before. She refuses to act in small roles."

"Oh? Then she is a very proud person."

"As long as the business ability is strong, naturally there is capital for pride," Lu Yan He said. "And, I heard Director Bai say that she said that more as angry words, because the producer who asked her to act said she had no fame and could only act in small roles, and could not carry the protagonist, so she retorted."

"Then she said it on purpose," Chen Siqi nodded. "That producer is just cheap-mouthed, facts are facts, but he has to pick the shortcomings to say, it is also speechless."

"It's okay, real capable actors will definitely have a day of standing out," Lu Yan He said. "I feel that especially in the past few years, some strength actors will pop up every year." 【515-1

Chen Siqi nodded, "Hmm, actually, it's the same thing as everyone saying audiences like young actors and prefer to give newcomers a chance. Everyone likes fresh faces. If a powerhouse actor is someone the audience doesn't recognize, they are still a fresh face. Once they have a role that strikes a chord with the audience, they make it in one go."

Lu Yan He: "Look at Teacher Jiang Jun. I reckon he's going to become one of the highest-paid television actors in the future."

"Seventeen Layers," "Squid Game," and "My Own Swordsman"—although he only had one lead role, he was a member of the main cast in all three shows.

This is what you call a triple hit, and all of them are series.

Already holding the title of "uncrowned king" in terms of acting, with these hit shows in hand, his status has soared.

Chen Siqi said: "Teacher Jiang Jun deserves it."

"Yeah." Lu Yan He also nodded, "Those production companies that were worried about Teacher Jiang Jun's health not being fully recovered before are now all frantically sending scripts to Teacher Jiang."

Chen Siqi: "Normal. It would be abnormal if they didn't send scripts. However, does Teacher Jiang even have time to film new dramas now? I feel like these three shows alone are enough to keep him busy for years."

"He has to film the latter part of 'My Own Swordsman' and the second season of 'Seventeen Layers' in the second half of this year, so he really doesn't have time. But his schedule for next year is still open," said Lu Yan He. "I heard that Arctic Light Video is already tailoring projects for him."

"That's great."

Lu Yan He added: "Arctic Light also signed Teacher Liu Zi's film and television contract."

"Tsk, that's fast," said Chen Siqi. "In this way, Arctic Light not only got a huge hit but also signed a popular actress with incredible acting skills."

Lu Yan He: "Arctic Light originally wanted to sign He Jiang too, the actor who plays Lu Xiucai, but Ziyan beat them to it."

"Ziyan signed a new artist?"

"She's not managing him personally; it's her former assistant, Xu Wan. Now Xu Wan has also started working as an agent," said Lu Yan He. "She signed him to the high-end agency service company that Ziyan and Qingzhen started together."

Chen Siqi nodded.

"Feels like that company is getting bigger and bigger."

"Yes," Lu Yan He nodded. "I think it's just that Ziyan wasn't very happy working at Star Entertainment. Her vision for development didn't align with the company's, so she just went out on her own. It's quite good, too; she doesn't have to get mixed up with that crowd at Star Entertainment."

"What's the name of Ziyan's company? I've never known."

"Shihuo," said Lu Yan He. "Ziyan said that what they do is find artists who have the potential to catch fire."

"That name sounds quite artistic, but when you explain it, it's so simple and crude," Chen Siqi laughed.

"Can it be simpler and cruder than 'Jump Up'?"

Just as Lu Yan He was laughing, his phone rang.

It was a call from Bai Jingnian.

"Yan He, are you watching the show?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm watching it right now. Director, it's filmed really well," said Lu Yan He. "It's a good thing you were the one to direct this film."

Bai Jingnian: "I didn't fail the mission; I didn't ruin your script."

The two of them complimented and praised each other, their tone joyful and relaxed.

"Just now, someone from Maxine named Zhong Benshuo called me," said Bai Jingnian.

"Hmm?" Lu Yan He was stunned, somewhat surprised. "Zhong Benshuo? Does he want you to help Maxine film something?"

Bai Jingnian replied: "Yes, but that's not the point. The point is that he mentioned something to me, and I feel like I need to tell you immediately."

"What is it?" Lu Yan He asked.

What could make Bai Jingnian so anxious to call right when "My Own Swordsman" had just gone live?

"He said he obtained the remake rights for the English version of 'Friends' and wants to meet with me to discuss the possibility of participating in the English version," said Bai Jingnian. "Jingtai didn't just license it to Yuehu Station."

Lu Yan He's heart sank almost instantly.

Bai Jingnian said: "Yan He, did you hear what I said?"

"I heard it, but I don't know what to say."

"I really don't know what Jingtai is trying to do," Bai Jingnian said, somewhat annoyed. "They clearly already gave the development rights to Yuehu Station, yet they licensed it to Maxine at the same time!"

Lu Yan He thought for a moment and said: "It's fine, let Maxine film it if they want. It's not the same version anyway, and the copyright for the script I created for the reboot doesn't belong to Jingtai alone. Maxine can just film it based on those three seasons of 'Friends' from Jingtai."

It's not like the plot of the first season is normal anyway.

"But this way, with the same group of characters, they will completely create two different plot trajectories," said Bai Jingnian. "This is terrible for the audience. It's not like it's being remade ten or twenty years later; filming two versions in the same time period, isn't this just fighting for the audience?"

"It's fine, Director Bai. First, the Maxine version will definitely be a streaming exclusive. Second, the audience for the English version will mainly be overseas viewers, and the launch of the English version will also make more people around the world interested in our Chinese version; after all, comparison brings out the best. Third, we are already popular enough. Even if they want to fight for the audience, they are the ones fighting us. But we are the 'Friends' in the hearts of the audience; we are the original group. For a show of this type, nothing can compare to the version that was released first, just like a first love—it's not so easily replaced."

The more Lu Yan He spoke, the more confident he became, and his somewhat annoyed mood gradually eased.

Bai Jingnian: "Damn, although I'm not afraid, Jingtai pulling a stunt like this is truly disgusting."

"Since they can't beat us fair and square, they can only use these petty tricks to disgust us. It doesn't matter, Director Bai. Only those who don't dare to go head-to-head with us would do this. If they can ruin the 'Friends' series themselves, what makes them think they can do other shows well? Just wait and see. We are still moving forward, while they can only sit on their dwindling assets and eat away at their fortune."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Yan He let out a long sigh.

Chen Siqi grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"What disgusting thing did Jingtai do again?"

Lu Yan He explained it to her briefly.

Chen Siqi immediately sneered.

"That really is... you can't even call them out for being unethical; business is business. But forget it, it's nothing. After finishing the 'Seventeen Layers' series, don't collaborate with Jingtai anymore. No matter how capable Jiang Lan is, it's hard for her to stay out of this big quagmire."

Lu Yan He said "mm" and agreed.

He had the same thought as Chen Siqi.

Jingtai, that bunch of idiots—before, it was because he wasn't capable enough and couldn't shake the big tree, so he had to compromise and not openly burn bridges. Now, he wouldn't say he could go head-to-head with them, but at least he had the confidence not to maintain a superficial peace with them.

The next day, the online streaming data for "My Own Swordsman" came out. The number of viewers broke four million within one hour of release, and broke 7.2 million within twelve hours. An even more impressive statistic was that the number of people who watched more than 80% of the first episode reached 5.13 million.

The viewership was extremely high, the completion rate was extremely high, and the retention rate was also extremely high.

In one night, "My Own Swordsman" swept a total of thirty-seven trending topics across major social platforms, and its popularity was far more exaggerated than "Squid Game."

Entertainment critic Guan Su Chen said: "A true master uses comedy to deconstruct martial arts and uses martial arts to enrich comedy. The script for the first episode of 'My Own Swordsman' could be sent to the desk of every screenwriter to show them what a golden opening is, what it means to both define character traits and push the plot forward, and at the same time maintain a rhythm density of a punchline every two sentences, allowing the audience to laugh while quickly leaving a deep impression of every character and accepting the style of this show."

"Television Review" published an article: "Before 'My Own Swordsman' aired, I thought that combining the two elements of martial arts and comedy was like trying to force water and oil, two substances that can never mix, together—it was pure nonsense. After watching the first episode, I realized that even after so many shows like 'Friends,' 'Squid Game,' 'Lost on Journey,' and 'Rouge,' I already believed enough in Lu Yan He's talent, but I still underestimated him. What he filmed isn't martial arts; it's an inn where people meet by chance on a long journey. And what he filmed isn't comedy; it's the myriad states of life and the chaotic hustle and bustle within this inn."

"Filmmaker" commented: "I don't know where 'My Own Swordsman' dug up an actress named Liu Zi. Beneath her exaggerated performance, there is actually a performance rhythm without a trace of artifice, bringing forth a female image never before seen in the history of television."

Luo Yuzhong accepted an interview and said with a smile: "The show 'My Own Swordsman' is good. There are one or two highbrow, refined shows every year, but it's been a long time since I've seen such a high-quality piece of popular entertainment. Director Bai Jingnian, screenwriter Little Yan He, and a group of actors have jointly created a good show. I will be watching it."

The male lead of "Lost on Journey," Wang Dashan, also posted on Weibo: Back then, Teacher Lu Yan He asked He Jiang to play Lu Xiucai, and He Jiang recommended me to Teacher Lu, which is how I was recognized by Teacher Lu and had the opportunity to appear in "Lost on Journey." @Lu Yan He, Lu Yan He, can you give me a chance to make a cameo in "My Own Swordsman" later?

Someone commented: You're older than Lu Yan He, right? You call him Teacher?

Wang Dashan replied: "My teacher teaches the Dao; why should I care if he was born before or after me? Therefore, regardless of status, high or low, old or young, where the Dao exists, the teacher exists." — Han Yu, "Discourse on Teachers."

Actress Liu Zhiyin, who appeared as a cameo alongside Xiao Yun as the "Male and Female Duo of Evil," posted a still of herself: Actress Liu Zhiyin reporting for duty. Thanks to screenwriter Little Teacher Lu for the invitation, and thanks to acting teacher Little Yun for the guidance. @Lu Yan He @Xiao Yun

On the second day after "My Own Swordsman" aired, the online world suddenly became incredibly lively.

Who wouldn't want to see these celebrity artists genuinely playing with memes and punchlines?

Compared to stiff, handsome photos, beautiful photos, and various advertising copy, their authentic expressions, their social circles, and their non-formulaic statements naturally have dissemination value and gossip value.

It's just like a relaxing break after a meal.

Looking back, it seems only Lu Yan He's shows can so quickly drive a large group of celebrity artists, big influencers, and well-known figures to participate in discussions and provide rich material for debate.

Just like Yu Jiang complained: "The Tong Shopkeeper in 'My Own Swordsman' is simply a smear on us middle-aged women. Is this the comedy and humor in Lu Yan He's eyes? Using ugliness to be funny?"

Liu Zi, who had just opened a Weibo account, updated her status shortly after: Smearing?

Below it was a still from the show, the scene where she is looking in the mirror, her cheeks flushed, eyes filled with spring waves, her left hand holding the mirror, her right hand stroking the side of her face, with the caption: This lady is beautiful!

Fans who had watched the first episode and fallen in love with Liu Zi took the lead in reposting: Sister is beautiful!

Linyu appeared directly in Yu Jiang's comment section using her real-name verified account, saying: You just can't grasp the beauty that isn't refined enough in life. After all, in your stories, only young girls are ever the most beautiful.

A lethal blow—

Isn't that right? Yu Jiang has written youth romance novels her whole life; the protagonists are all young boys and girls, and the middle-aged women in them are all mother figures.

Linyu is blatantly stirring the pot.

Guan Su Chen, who has always supported Lu Yan He, also posted again: Liu Zi is only thirty years old; she doesn't count as a middle-aged actress in the current market. But Tong Shopkeeper is the only female image in recent television dramas that neither caters to the aesthetic of young girls nor is shaped into a mature elite, but is completely drawn from real women in life. Such a worldly, mercenary, and even slightly silly female image makes every audience member feel she is cute. Is this a smear? No, it's just that it didn't, like most works that hold high the banner of feminism, over-beautify, elite-ify, or deify women, which instead makes many women feel ashamed of themselves. What is good character creation? Good character creation isn't creating a flawless character, but a character who has all sorts of flaws, yet you still find her cute.

Chen Bige appeared in her comment section and commented with a thumbs up.

Bao Zhenzhu also reposted this Weibo post from Guan Su Chen, saying: Forwarding to all producers, all directors, and all screenwriters.

Throughout the day, the internet never quieted down, with new points of discussion, new topics, and new statements popping up from time to time.

This is the charm and value of a good script; it can withstand everyone's repeated scrutiny and discussion.

The streaming data for "My Own Swordsman" also continued to rise along with the online buzz.

When the second episode went live, this time, not only did the web version of Arctic Light Video crash, but the app crashed too.

There was no need to even count the data.

It crashed to the point where there was no data to count.

"It's too exaggerated! We had already expanded our capacity to 1.3 times the expected number of concurrent viewers, but the number of concurrent viewers still exceeded our expectations. We apologize to everyone; we definitely won't let this happen again in the future."

The head of the technical department at Arctic Light Video stood up and recorded an apology video while wearing a mask.

After he finished his formal apology, he helplessly added: "But you can't blame us either. The data growth of 'My Own Swordsman' is too exaggerated, unprecedented. It's not that we weren't fully prepared; it's that it became popular beyond all of our expectations."

The crash of Arctic Light and this person's apology swept across major social platforms once again.

After a group of people complained about Arctic Light Video for ten minutes, it was fixed.

Of course, everyone still complained that Arctic Light was trash.

Only the people at Icefield Video understood instantly when they saw the repair time.

"Damn, they're actually using hunger marketing on this?!"

Everyone knows that if the data explodes to the point of crashing the system, it's very difficult to recover so quickly. Ten minutes?! Who are you trying to fool?! This crash was definitely planned by Arctic Light on purpose!

The next second, the people at Icefield Video said: "Next time, we have to learn from this!"

The more people watching, to the point where the video platform crashes, the more people it will attract to watch—

Hunger marketing never goes out of style.

What you can't get is always the best.

For the second episode, excluding the ten minutes the platform was down, it broke 7 million viewers within one hour of release, setting a historical record.

Jingtai.

A conference room.

A group of people who should have been off work long ago.

Jiang Lan let out a deep sigh, took a deep look at Xu Bin sitting across from her, and then took another deep look at Station Head Shen Tailin.

"Station Head, if we don't make up our minds and concentrate the resources in our hands to make 'Divine Map,' we are really going to become a huge joke," Jiang Lan said bluntly.

Her voice was like a sharp knife, stabbing into everyone's heart.

"'My Own Swordsman,' it could have been exclusively broadcast on Jingtai."