[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-260":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2290558,4478,"Chapter 260: Want to Crash My Set?","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-260",260,"\u003Cp>The second installment of \"Blood Spear Detective\" sold even better than the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanhai grew restless and consulted Lu Yuanshan: “Brother, should we still pull out? We’ve made a fortune!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanshan pondered long, then shook his head: “We still need to pull out. Money isn’t the issue—this is dirty work, and we can’t get too deep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanhai was reluctant: “What if we discuss it with Uncle Qiu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to discuss—he knows his own nature. He’ll tell us to quit early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those things Ma Wu is doing? Fine to watch once or twice, but after that, it’s just boring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t sustainable. We can’t let our family’s reputation get dragged in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This really should’ve been discussed with Qiu Zhiheng—he understands better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai grew up in a wealthy household; they’d seen and tried everything. The things in films seemed novel at first, but after watching too much, they grew dull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ordinary people haven’t experienced this—the techniques and angles in films aren’t just novel to them, they’re aspirational. How could they ever grow tired of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they’d been to Waizhou, they’d know—even watching hundreds of these wouldn’t bore them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Qiu Zhiheng had been busy with other business and hadn’t paid attention to the films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had already shot two installments of \"Blood Spear Detective,\" clearly pushing beyond the cognitive limits of Puzhou. Could no one want to intervene? Could no one want to stop him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many wanted to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Major newspapers and famous commentators had vilified Ma Wu endlessly; daily editorials condemning him were easy to find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But talking was easy—actual action? None.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This involved the Lu family and also San Ying Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary people dared not act against Ma Wu; those who dared didn’t want to wade into this mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had come to accept it now: if the papers wanted to slander him, let them— the more they slandered, the more popular he became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Lu family wanted to withdraw, let them—Li Qi was right: this industry was ours to keep, and we’d become masters of it. The Lu family didn’t want to eat this meal? That’s their loss in vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Jiuyang Restaurant, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu hosted Qin Tianjiu for hotpot lamb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu knew Qin the Fat was a Food Cultivator; upon entering the private room, he ordered the waiter to slice ten catties of meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Tianjiu put down his chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu blinked: “Brother Qin, what’s this mean? You think this place isn’t good? We can go elsewhere?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Tianjiu shook his head: “Hotpot lamb is fine—I truly love it. But if you’re going to slice ten catties, let’s just chat, have a little, and call it done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng chuckled: “Brother, isn’t it enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Tianjiu laughed: “Don’t hide it from Seventh Brother—since I ate that worm, I can’t get full on less than fifteen catties per meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if I eat my fill now, I’m hungry again within three hours—even if I’m asleep, I wake up starving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The money the Gate gives me? All gone. Every month, not a single copper coin left—and I’ve starved myself into this state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, chatting with Seventh Brother and Fifth Young Master, I’ve already felt uneasy. If we chat any longer, I’ll need to find another meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Ma Wu immediately called the waiter: “Add twenty more catties of lamb—tonight, I won’t let you go hungry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three brothers ate and chatted; when they touched on San Ying Gate, Qin the Fat had actually gathered some news: “This matter was commissioned by the Ling family to our Gate. Our Second Boss agreed to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve done this much, and the Second Boss hasn’t said a word—so it’s tacit approval.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh Brother, keep filming. I can’t promise anything else, but no one from San Ying Gate will come to bother you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Ling Family Film Studio, Zhou Changhong frowned: “I said I wouldn’t hold a grudge, but San Ying Gate went to such lengths and ended up like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying sighed: “I told their Second Boss the same thing, but he said they’d done enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What counts as enough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They sent people daily. Ma Wu was indeed delayed—previously, they beat us to release. This time, they didn’t even make it—two weeks late…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying’s voice grew quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two weeks late—and still lost. Ling Miaoying now deeply doubted her own abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changhong shook his head: “They were two weeks late because they actually put effort into the film—this one’s quality differs from the previous ones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“San Ying Gate can’t be counted on—what about other gangs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying wouldn’t overpromise: “I can ask them to try, but they won’t be much stronger than San Ying Gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to try—they’re all the same garbage,” Zhou Changhong rose. “I heard their third film is half-shot. I’ll handle this myself—turn their own methods against them. I’ll burn their film reels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying said: “That won’t work—I heard Ma Wu kept multiple negatives, not just one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll burn as many as there are. Get his spies to investigate—burn the set too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Ma Wu’s set caught fire; the film reels burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu was relieved—he’d kept more than one copy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next night, Xiaoyao Wu  caught fire; another copy burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu panicked, ordered Zuo Wugang and others to intensify security at the film company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, the film company burned again; the reels burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was this ruthless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only cruel—but how did they know exactly where to strike?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one copy remained—if that burned too, what then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Suishenju, Li Banfeng was watching a film with his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, husband, this is too shameless! Where did this come from? I can’t watch this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not? This is uncut—others can’t even see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This—this, what kind of techniques are these? Could our little husband do this? Won’t you ruin yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hongying snapped: “Just tell me how you did it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph laughed: “Hohoho, you wench—can’t see it? Let me drive you mad with frustration!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last film reel was hidden in Suishenju—Zhou Changhong couldn’t find it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the film wasn’t finished. Ma Wu moved to a new set and resumed shooting. After just two days, another fire broke out—cameras, props, and sets all burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burning things wasn’t the worst—just buy more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if someone died? The matter would explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu ordered Zuo Wugang to tighten security. Zuo Wugang didn’t sleep at night, added extra patrols, and fortified the set completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all that effort was useless—at 3 a.m., the new set burned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By 4 a.m., the fire was out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arsonist left no trace—how he came, how he left—Zuo Wugang couldn’t trace a single clue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incident made the newspapers: “Ma Wu Shameless, Defying Morality—Righteous Hero Acts, Drives Him to Desperation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Newspapers could be ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu didn’t blame Old Zuo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the set problem had to be solved—otherwise, filming couldn’t continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh Brother, we’ve changed sets dozens of times—every corner of Lüshuicheng has been searched. No place lasts three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lüshuicheng seemed impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng already had a plan: “If Lüshuicheng won’t work, we move elsewhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu blinked: “Where? All our people and machines are in Lüshuicheng—we can’t leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why can’t we leave? When Ling Family feared us disrupting them, they moved the set to Wuqinxiang—why can’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu thought a moment: “Didn’t you realize Ling’s intent? Wuqinxiang is their territory—they’d have support there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think we have no territory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu froze: “You mean… shoot in Lanyang Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lanyang Village won’t do—go to Zhengjing Village! Get Yanzi and Aqin and everyone else— I don’t believe we can’t guard the set!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu stared blankly: “Shoot in a new place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “You’ve never tried it, have you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu shook his head: “No one’s ever tried! What is a new place? How do you prepare? Where do you get equipment? And who’d want to go there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng licked his lips: “Isn’t this all for art? I went to the cinema yesterday—don’t think good ratings mean audiences won’t complain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some viewers said: too many indoor scenes, too few outdoor ones—and the outdoor scenes aren’t grand enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we shoot in Zhengjing Village, what scenes won’t we have? Forests, wastelands, deserts, lakes, all kinds of rare beasts—how grand would that be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re willing, let Yanzi and the others appear—you and Yanzi can do a duel scene. Isn’t that perfect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu shook his head: “This is useless. Actors won’t go. Crew won’t go. In the end, it’ll be just you and me—what could we possibly film?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You lack sincerity. Go call Zuo Wugang. I’ll talk to him—we’ll move the entire crew to Zhengjing Village tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu didn’t stint on manpower—he’d hired over three hundred people for the crew to speed up production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Ma Wu gathered everyone and announced the plan to shoot in a new location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the crew and actors refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New land wasn’t for just anyone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those without cultivation and without experience? Going there meant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s words meant nothing; it was time for Zuo Wugang to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang stepped before the group, cleared his throat, and said, “We’re talking about this movie—this movie’s great! Why’s it so great? I don’t get it—I’m just a rough guy. Hey, Cao, put that knife down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhida jammed his short knife onto the table and looked at the actors and crew. “Zuo Tou, don’t worry about me. Keep talking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang continued, “Our Seventh Master said making movies is art. What art is, I don’t understand—but I think art must be about brotherhood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t have brotherhood, where’s the art? Now, I’m sending you all to Xin Di—I, Old Zuo, guarantee you’ll face no trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With our brothers watching over you, nothing bad can happen. I’m telling you—Zhen Jincheng, what are you doing? We’re having a calm talk here, why are you pulling your knife again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Jincheng sheathed his knife. “Nothing, Zuo Tou. Keep going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Wugang went on, “Everyone here is loyal. Carriages are ready. Let’s leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If anyone’s disloyal and doesn’t want to go, stay behind—we’ll settle it alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew, still loyal, followed Cao Zhida and Zhen Jincheng onto the carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi and Xiao Genzi prepared over twenty carriages and transported everyone to Zhengjing Village overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news spread through Lüshui City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu sent over three hundred people to Xin Di overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he trying to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Make a movie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Make a movie in Xin Di!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this man insane?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of movie could he possibly make?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending people wasn’t enough—he needed equipment too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuanzi and Xiao Genzi made multiple trips back and forth, delivering equipment, then procuring supplies—three hundred people needed food, drink, waste disposal, and sleeping arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond daily needs, they needed film production gear—sets for indoor and outdoor scenes, massive construction projects requiring many hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, manpower wasn’t lacking. Hunters who normally roamed Xin Di gathered in Zhengjing Village to work for the crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pay didn’t matter—they only wanted one thing: to appear in the movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Pulu Province, movies were still rare. Many hunters had never even had their photo taken; appearing in a movie was a tremendous honor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More hunters arrived, the project grew larger, Zhengjing Village buzzed with activity, and the surrounding lands came alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of crew members were building a set by the lake; Zhou Changhong blended in, helping set up cameras and lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He disguised himself as a hunter, perfectly—no one noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire crew had Yanzi guarding with three Sui’e Ladies, and Aqin patrolling with her sisters—but even this couldn’t stop Zhou Changhong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the set, Zhou Changhong stared at the film cameras in the crew’s possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These cameras were bought from Lüshui City—if damaged, they’d need new ones from Lüshui. Round trips might be too costly for Ma Wu to afford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changhong made up his mind, ready to act—when suddenly someone called beside him: “Young brother, could you help me carry this light stand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changhong turned and saw a thin, elderly man standing beside the light stand, waving him over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old man, you’re this old and still working here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder chuckled. “Just curious—I’ve never seen a movie made in my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light stand was heavy. After they carried it into place, the elder asked, “Young man, you’ve got strong arms—your cultivation base must be high?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changhong smiled. “I’m a Wu Xiu at Level Two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder gasped. “You’re this young and already Level Two? I only reached Level Two at my age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your name, old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Master Shui. Folks around here call me Old Shui. That older brother over there is Master Qiu—we call him Old Qiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a large, stout old man with a simple smile walked up behind Zhou Changhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Zhou Changhong was sandwiched between the two elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced between them. “Elders, what’s this about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin elder licked his lips. “Young man, I can tell you’re no ordinary soul. I came to speak with you about something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We old fellows love bustle. Unfortunately, this place used to be quiet. Now it’s finally lively—we want it to stay that way. Do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Changhong stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stout elder frowned. “Old Shui, you talk too roundabout—that’s why he doesn’t get it. Young man, let me say it plainly: can you just leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Zhengjing Village lies on the border between Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye’s territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With rising popularity, Xin Di might become Zheng Di.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2288,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c48722c743d2ba0f5552188713b5fb279580b3cbe501de558559465c05adc642","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-261","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-259",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]