Chapter 170

"The First Under Heaven" is one of Wang Sanri's television dramas to break into the Mainland.

In this series, Wang Sanri spared no effort, personally overseeing every aspect of production.

Not only that, he even participated in the early scriptwriting—casting, costume, makeup, and props go without saying.

Although he held the title of Producer, he actually controlled every single detail of the entire crew, big or small.

This drama, though later polarizing in public opinion upon broadcast,

was still considered top-tier as an original wuxia television series.

Despite various minor flaws, it was genuinely satisfying.

It drew upon the strengths of many sources, inevitably leading to stylistic confusion.

Like a grand mixed stew, fortunately, the ingredients themselves were top-grade.

Though the presentation of the stew was ordinary, the flavor was unquestionably superb.

Whether in the martial arts system or character personality design,

even many minor plot devices bore clear echoes of Jin Yong and Gu Long's works.

For instance, the Absorbing Power Technique clearly borrowed from the Dissolving Power Technique and the Northern Dark Divine Art.

In the plot, Cheng Shifei's entry into the palace clearly echoed Wei Xiaobao.

In terms of character design, Guihai Yidao was clearly inspired by Nie Feng from "Little Fish and Flower."

And as one of the more important characters, Iron Shield Divine Marquis resembled both Yue Buqun and Zuo Lengchan.

He also bore the shadow of Wanyan Honglie…

This drama, with a budget of 30 million, revealed in hindsight many future movie stars in its cast.

Even Deng Chao, who would later become a household name, played only a supporting role as the Emperor.

For a television drama, the pride of course lies in its viewership ratings.

After its broadcast, its peak viewership reached 13.6%, rivalling that year's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes."

Its "grand finale" averaged 10.9% viewership with a market share of 22.4%.

Both surpassed the corresponding figures of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" finale…

This made Wang Sanri, who had always dreamed of surpassing Jin Yong's dramas, break into a wide grin.

At present, this drama was still in intense production, and Wang Sanri occasionally visited the set for inspections.

"How's it going? Is everything smooth?"

Wang Sanri asked from behind the monitor.

Director Deng Yancheng smiled and said:

"I truly admire your eye for talent—this new actor is far better than the previous one, uh… how to put it?

If we ever make a second season, I'd choose this one."

Deng Yancheng pointed to Cheng Chen, who was currently acting opposite Huo Jianhua on the monitor.

"Especially his eye acting—Duan Tianya's defining traits are calmness, intelligence, and decisive action.

This demands intense static performance from the actor, which relies partly on plot momentum.

The other part depends on the performance of his scene partner—he often needs only a single glance.

To make his scene partner instantly understand his thoughts and trigger a reaction.

To the audience, this becomes a silent command; I think his scene partners feel this even more deeply."

Clearly, Deng Yancheng greatly favored Cheng Chen, speaking at length to Wang Sanri.

Wang Sanri nodded; though Deng Yancheng had not overly criticized Li Yapeng,

he understood that Li Yapeng's acting lacked inner depth.

This caused him to consistently fail to convey the true soul of the character.

His performance always appeared mentally sluggish, physically stiff, and his lines sounded like recitation—form present, spirit absent.

In short, heaven hadn't granted him talent, and he seemed uninterested in acting as a path.

Neither gifted nor diligent, he ended up stuck in an awkward middle ground.

"Alright, I understand."

Hearing Deng Yancheng's praise of Cheng Chen, combined with his own recent covert observations, Wang Sanri suddenly conceived an idea.

What if this kid played Hua Wuque?

He meant the new drama he was preparing, titled "Little Fish and Flower."

Originally, he intended to direct "The First Under Heaven" himself,

but since "Little Fish and Flower" was also in preparation,

first, he couldn't be in two places at once; second, compared to an original drama,

he had greater confidence in "Little Fish," adapted from Gu Long's "Absolute Twin Heroes."

So he had to step down as director of "The First Under Heaven."

Now, "Little Fish" was nearly ready; in two more months, filming could begin.

Meanwhile, Cheng Chen's scenes in "The First Under Heaven" would also wrap up within these two months.

Letting him seamlessly transition to his new drama would be even better…

Originally, his top choice for Hua Wuque was Gang Sheng's hottest rising star, Chu Zifeng.

After the impersonation scandal, Chu Zifeng, though having returned to the entertainment industry after a year's absence,

clearly no longer enjoyed his former popularity; moreover, this drama was made specifically for Mainland audiences.

Having one of the two leads come from the Mainland would clearly appeal more to the Mainland market.

After some calculation, Wang Sanri told Deng Yancheng to inform Cheng Chen to come see him later, then left.

……

"Good, cut!"

"Excellent, everyone, take a break."

After the scene finished, director Deng Yancheng called Cheng Chen over and said:

"Tomorrow we're shooting an action sequence; you'll need to work hard these two evenings.

Go over the action with Director Xiaodong, get familiar with it—we'd rather not use a stunt double if we can help it. What do you think?"

The Smiling Proud Wanderer

"No problem, Director. Has Xiaodong come back?"

Cheng Chen smiled and said.

"He's back. Go see him tonight."

The "Director Xiaodong" they referred to was Cheng Xiaodong, the action director for The First World.

Mention his name, and everyone in the industry knew who he was.

People often say: in literature, there's no number one; in martial arts, there's no second.

But in truth, since ancient times, both literature and martial arts have had their firsts and seconds.

Otherwise, where did the title "Zhuangyuan" come from?

Among many outstanding action directors, Yuan Baye, born into a martial arts family, earned his reputation as the Number One Action Director through his seniority, ability, and body of work.

So who was the Number Two?

Hong Jinbao, Cheng Long, Yuan Kui, Yuan Bin, Cheng Xiaodong, Liu Jialiang—all had been nominated.

Only after 2008 did Cheng Xiaodong's status rise sharply.

The reason? He gained the favor of the National Master.

Cheng Xiaodong came from a film family; his father was director Cheng Gang.

Sent as a child to Tang Di's Dongfang Xiju Xuexiao to study Kung Fu, he began serving as action director in 1970.

He has won the Golden Horse Award for Best Action Design five times.

Though not the most outstanding, his representative works are numerous.

Including Qian Nu You Hun, New Dragon Gate Inn, The Smiling Proud Wanderer, Shaolin Soccer, Hero, Curse of the Golden Flower, and more.

In films like Dao Ma Dan, Hero, and The Promise, Cheng Xiaodong stepped in as a fireman to rescue troubled shoots, demonstrating his exceptional adaptability.

In New Dragon Gate Inn, the design of the villain Cao Shaoqin's limbs stripped of flesh to reveal only bone was Cheng Xiaodong's masterstroke.

In The Smiling Proud Wanderer 2: Dongfang Bubai, he not only served as action director but also as director.

The scene where Lin Qingxia, clad in red, lifted a jar of wine and drank it with bold abandon remains unforgettable.

Of course, gossip claims it was an accident—the wig got tangled in the machine…

That's nonsense!

Cheng Xiaodong may be versatile, but his personal style is unmistakable, especially his mastery of wirework—unrivaled.

The ethereal, elegant fight choreography in Qian Nu You Hun and Hero? That's Cheng Xiaodong's signature…

Thinking of this master's impressive resume, Cheng Chen's heart quickened.

The fight sequences in Hero and Qian Nu You Hun had once been his personal classics.

Now he was about to meet the idol who created them—how could he not be excited?

"By the way, Producer Wang wants you to go see him after you're done shooting. Go ahead now.

Don't forget to visit Director Xiaodong tonight—tomorrow's action sequence is going to be big."

"Understood, Director."

Cheng Chen nodded, but inside he was wondering why Wang Sanri wanted to see him now.

……

"Sit down, heh—heh. How's filming going, Cheng? Are you adjusting to the environment?"

Wang Sanri looked at Cheng Chen and smiled.

"Thank you for your concern, Producer Wang. I'm doing fine. What did you want to see me about?"

Cheng Chen asked bluntly.

"Oh, good. Here's the thing—I'm preparing a new martial arts film, heh-heh.

Similar to The First World—it's adapted from the ancient hero's Little Fish and Flower. Interested in joining?"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen understood at once.

The martial arts film he meant was the one later dubbed "The Only Character Left Alive" and "The Legend of Jiang Yuyan."

This drama had high ratings; indeed, The First World and Little Fish and Flower allowed Wang Sanri to successfully enter the Mainland TV market.

But these two dramas were also his peak—afterward, his career declined.

"Thank you for thinking of me for your new project, Producer Wang. But I'm still filming The First World—when will your new drama start? I'm worried about scheduling conflicts."

In truth, Cheng Chen was already calculating what role Wang Sanri might offer him.

If it was a secondary or tertiary role, he had no reason to waste more time.

He remembered the two leads in this drama—Wang Sanri cast Chu Zifeng and Zhang Weijian.

"There's plenty of time, of course. Your scenes in The First World will wrap within two months.

In fact, The First World will be fully wrapped within three months—it's scheduled for release next year."

That was the pace of Gang Sheng directors—fast, efficient.

Especially Wang Sanri—he shot faster than anyone.

Back then, Xiang Huaqiang had only given him Hua Zai and Xing Ye's names.

So within a single month, he filmed a New Year's film called "Zhengqu Zhuanjia."

The box office that year was decent, earning over thirty million.

Of course, the fast filming speed also led him to produce many bad films — that was the aftereffect.

Cheng Chen nodded and thought for a moment.

Seeing Cheng Chen say nothing, Wang Sanri's small eyes rolled in a circle, a smile piled onto his chubby face, and he said:

"This drama is called 'Little Fish and Flower.' You can tell from the title that it's a dual-male-lead show.

I plan to give the role of Xiao Yu Er to Zhang Weijian — you should know him, you've met him too.

The one who played Gu Santong in 'Under Heaven.' As for the role of Hua Wuque…

I plan to have you play it. Your image and temperament really suit this role. What do you think?"

Hearing Wang Sanri's words, Cheng Chen couldn't help but feel surprised.

Wang Sanri had actually given up on Chu Zifeng and let him play Hua Wuque?

He had to admit, this was something Cheng Chen never could have imagined. After all, looking at the cast of "Little Fish and Flower" in the original timeline —

most of the main roles were held by Gang Sheng actors; Mainland actors were only there to show their faces, or played some not-so-upright images.

Wang Sanri's change today did catch Cheng Chen somewhat off guard.

"Mm… I think it's fine, but let me talk to the company first and see how my schedule looks for the second half of the year."

Cheng Chen didn't agree right away either — he still needed to think it over.

Since Wang Sanri had come to him on his own initiative, the initiative was on his side.

As for whether he'd change his mind later — judging from Wang Sanri's attitude today, the odds were slim.

"That's only right. Think it over on your end, and give me an answer whenever you've decided. Heh-heh."

Seeing Cheng Chen hadn't agreed immediately, no unusual expression could be read on Wang Sanri's plump face.

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back to the set first."

Cheng Chen nodded and said.

"Alright."

After Cheng Chen left, Wang Sanri's fat body sank back into the sofa as he pondered.

He always felt Cheng Chen was deliberately avoiding him — not the kind of blatant avoidance.

Nor was it disgust or any strong personal emotion; it was more of an elusive, hard-to-pin-down distance…

Unlike any actor he'd worked with before.

"Is this a Mainland actor trait?"

Wang Sanri muttered to himself.

But no matter what, he still had to try his best to win over Cheng Chen.

After all, Cheng Chen was the most popular Mainland artist in the past two years.

Comparatively speaking, Zhang Weijian and Chu Zifeng combined didn't have as much influence in the Mainland as Cheng Chen.

If he wanted to break into and capture the Mainland market, Cheng Chen was absolutely an unavoidable mountain.

With Cheng Chen joining, the ratings of "Little Fish and Flower" would be guaranteed.

On top of that, use the plot and the fame of "Peerless Twins" to draw people in.

As for the Gang Sheng market — back in the eighties and nineties of the last century, because the quantity and quality of Mainland-produced TV dramas were very limited,

TV stations purchased large quantities of Gang dramas; at peak times they even occupied half of all TV dramas broadcast.

However, after entering the 2000s, Gang dramas began to decline.

As the quality of Mainland-produced TV dramas rose, TV stations began reducing their purchases of Gang dramas.

They were also rarely aired during prime time, which greatly shrank the Gang drama audience.

Looking at the works themselves, one long-standing criticism of Gang dramas was that their filming methods were outdated.

Gang dramas had long relied on indoor studio sets, and were judged by the industry as stuck in the eighties of the last century.

The industry was in a slump; large numbers of excellent directors, producers, and actors kept leaving, beginning to enter the Mainland market.

As Gang Sheng film and TV industry talent moved north, they would gradually become part of the Mainland film and TV industry.

The personnel trained by the Gang Sheng film and TV industry could help the Mainland improve its film and TV industrialization system.

From this angle, it wasn't necessarily a bad ending…

……

After spending roughly half a month at the "Under Heaven" crew, news came from Jingcheng:

Prepare the promotional work for the new album…