Chapter 68

The drama "Da Ran Fang" opened the curtain on Shandong Province's new-century renaissance.

After "Da Ran Fang II" flopped, Shandong Radio and Television Station also began its decline, gradually fading into obscurity.

This makes it rather interesting.

Of course, "Da Ran Fang II" was a co-production by multiple companies, with Longshi Tianxia, a subsidiary of Shandong Radio and Television Station, leading the project.

The drama aired in 2016, thirteen years after the original "Da Ran Fang" premiered.

Aside from retaining Hou Yong as Chen Shouting, all the originally standout supporting roles were replaced, and the death of Chen Jie, the original creator and Screenwriter of "Da Ran Fang," was a key reason for its failure.

"Da Ran Fang" features a rich historical backdrop and deeply developed emotional characters, each possessing a unique personality.

Especially in that Time, it radiated a strong social flavor.

After all, this drama was based on Chen Jie's grandfather's story, giving him an unparalleled advantage in capturing history and portraying characters.

Without this soul figure, and with director Wang Wenjie's departure, the entire series became an empty shell leveraging the IP.

In certain details, the sequel was far inferior to the original.

For example, in how Chen Shouting was addressed:

In "Da Ran Fang," Wu called him "Boss," and Cai Qin called him "Six Brother."

But in the sequel, Wu called him "Chief Boss," and Cai Qin called him "Shouting."

This isn't nitpicking—though thirteen years had passed in real time, the sequel still began right after the original's 1937 ending.

The address shouldn't have changed like this.

Merely from this detail, it's clear the sequel's director never studied the original carefully.

And if the sequel hadn't leveraged the IP, its cinematic quality would have been merely average.

But because it leveraged the IP, audiences unconsciously raised their expectations, leading to overwhelmingly negative feedback shortly after its premiere.

Audiences had very high expectations for this drama and would inevitably compare it to the original.

There are many such cases—for instance, the hugely popular "Langya Bang" sequel "Feng Qi Chang Lin" was also savaged by viewers, a situation even director Kong Sheng couldn't save.

…

After discussing the possibility of continuing the timeline, Cheng Chen returned to the plot itself: this drama uses business warfare as its outer layer and patriotic sentiment as its core.

But the plot resembles the protagonist of a modern internet power-fantasy novel: starting as a beggar adopted as a son by the dye workshop's boss, he then gains godlike advantages, acquiring beauties, wealth, and status effortlessly.

The power-fantasy thrills come when the protagonist repeatedly overcomes impossible challenges, such as:

Secretly learning the master dye-maker's secret technique—held back from the owner due to the master's arrogance—and eventually firing the master.

Building his business into the town's top enterprise and marrying the owner's daughter.

For example, defeating Sun Ming Zu, whose company, Yuanheng Dye Factory, was worth several times his own.

According to Cheng Chen, this template has been used in novels since ancient times—except for "Huo Zhe."

Cheng Chen still can't understand how Yu Hua managed to separate himself so completely from his work—his books and his person are utterly unrelated.

The more humorous the author, the more tragic his work.

To get Shi Tie Sheng assigned as a goalkeeper—that man must be incredibly cruel!

No wonder he's the comedic writer who survived on "Huo Zhe"!

Cheng Chen used a modern interpretation, though it couldn't make Wang Wenjie fully grasp the term "shuangwen."

But literature has always been interconnected; Cheng Chen gave only a few examples, and Director Wang immediately understood his point.

Yet this fresh perspective was something Wang Wenjie had never heard before—he became curious, picked up his pen,

listened to Cheng Chen's explanation, and scribbled on the draft paper…

"Put it pragmatically, 'Da Ran Fang' contains every element needed for a hit—this is the novel's inherent nature, refined by the Screenwriter's meticulous work. I have great confidence in this drama."

Cheng Chen spoke at length, but Wang Wenjie was still scribbling on the paper; Cheng Chen glanced up and saw the draft contained notes on the drama's characters and actors.

Cheng Chen waited patiently for a while before Wang Wenjie slowly looked up and said:

"Hmm… finished? Good talk, deep understanding of the plot. Go home and wait for notice—I'll notify you once roles are finalized."

Then he lowered his head again and kept writing.

This was a dismissal.

But he hadn't even auditioned—could a mere opinion on the plot really determine whether an actor was cast or rejected?

Then surely film critics or drama reviewers would be the most qualified to act in this drama.

Cheng Chen thought to himself.

"Any other questions?"

Wang Wenjie looked up, seeing Cheng Chen still standing there, and asked curiously.

"…Alright then, Director Wang, goodbye."

After Cheng Chen left, Wang Wenjie dug through his pile of materials and found two letters: one from Lai Shuiqing, strongly recommending Cheng Chen.

The other was a reply: having learned from Lai Shuiqing that Cheng Chen had also acted in Wang Rui's "Police Story," he couldn't refuse, so he wrote to Wang Rui for his opinion.

Wang Rui's reply was simple:

Good at learning, highly execution-driven, a promising actor.

Looking at the two letters, Director Wang lit a cigarette with a sigh:

"You all say he's good, and I think so too—but what role should I give him? The major roles are already cast, and the minor ones might seem beneath him. You two brothers have given me a real headache…"

Wang Wenjie tapped the draft character list with his pen, his brow furrowed into a "川" shape.

…

After leaving Wang Wenjie's office, Cheng Chen wandered aimlessly down the street.

What should he do now? Wait for Wang Wenjie's news? But he didn't say anything.

In the past, Cheng Chen could have guessed the outcome—after all, "go home and wait" usually meant waiting until the opportunity cooled to nothing.

But this time was different — this was a drama recommended by Director Lai, and from the sound of it, the matter was as good as settled.

Director Lai wouldn't be that unreliable, would he?

Cheng Chen had thought about calling Director Lai, but for one thing, he had just met with Wang Wenjie, and the other side hadn't yet said whether they'd use him; calling now would come across as being impatient for success and a bit dim-witted.

Second, Director Lai had already made things perfectly clear, and calling to bother him now would be questioning the man!

Wait!

Anyway, there was nothing going on right now, so he'd just wait.

He definitely wanted to appear in "The Great Dyeing Workshop." Beyond the excellent plot and the powerful influence it would have after broadcast, there was also a top-tier cast lineup — he also wanted to catch a glimpse of the 2002 Niangniang.

Niangniang played a stunning brothel girl in this drama; as for whether she was actually stunning... haha.