Chapter 376

"The plot is still too grand; the story, characters, and setting are extremely complex. Trying to fit all of this into one movie would likely end up like *Legend of Shu Mountain*—touching on everything briefly but delving into nothing deeply!" No Chinese.

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks around the whole sentence? Actually line starts with a Chinese quotation mark 「 and ends with 」. In translation, we can keep the quotes or not? The instruction: translate faithfully; we should preserve punctuation? It didn't say to keep quotation marks exactly, but we should convey meaning. Usually we can keep the quotes as they are part of the text. We'll keep the English double quotes? The Chinese uses 「」 which are quotation marks. We can translate to English double quotes. We'll keep them.

Thus translation: "The plot is still too grand; the story, characters, and setting are extremely complex. Trying to express all of this in one film would likely turn out like *Legend of Shu Mountain*—touching on everything briefly but delving into nothing deeply!"

note (skip)

We need to keep the quotes? We'll keep double quotes around the whole sentence? The original had Chinese quotes; we can replace with English double quotes. We'll output: 【1】 "The plot is still too grand; the story, characters, and setting are extremely complex. Trying to express all of this in one film would likely turn out like *Legend of Shu Mountain*—touching on everything briefly but delving into nothing deeply!"

But we need to keep the 【N】 prefix and a space? The instruction: Output 【N】 for EVERY input line. Keep each translation on a SINGLE output line (no line breaks inside one 【N】). So we output like: 【1】 The plot is still too grand;... (without extra quotes?). We'll include the quotes as part of translation if we want. Safer to include them as they appear in original. We'll include double quotes.

Thus: 【1】 "The plot is still too grand; the story, characters, and setting are extremely complex. Trying to express all of this in one film would likely turn out like *Legend of Shu Mountain*—touching on everything briefly but delving into nothing deeply!"

Make sure no line breaks.

"At the script seminar, a screenwriter said." No Chinese.

Translation: At the script seminar, a screenwriter said.

We need to keep punctuation. We'll output: 【2】 At the script seminar, a screenwriter said.

"Everyone nodded in agreement, clearly approving this viewpoint." No Chinese.

Translation: Everyone nodded in agreement, clearly approving this view.

"\"Another issue is the male lead who runs throughout the film—should the perspective be on the Wu or the Yao? \" another screenwriter asked." No Chinese.

Translation: "Another issue is whose perspective to use for the male lead who runs through the whole film, the witch and demon tribes?" another screenwriter asked.

note (skip)

We need to keep quotes. We'll translate: "Another issue is whose perspective to use for the male lead who runs through the whole film, the witch and demon tribes?" another screenwriter asked.

"\"Can we make it into two parts? \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "Can it be made into two parts?"

"\"Two parts? That would be quite risky! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "Two parts? That risk is relatively high!"

"\"Yeah, like *A Chinese Odyssey* and *Red Cliff*! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "Yeah, *A Chinese Odyssey*, *Red Cliff*!"

"The screenwriters were discussing heatedly, when Jiang Heng suddenly had an idea." No Chinese.

Translation: The screenwriters discussed heatedly, while Jiang Heng instantly had an idea.

"Splitting it into two parts isn't out of the question; the film's budget could even be increased a bit." No Chinese.

Translation: Two parts would not be impossible; the film's budget could still be increased somewhat.

"As for the film's perspective, it naturally belongs to the Wu tribe, since the Yao occupy the heavens while the Wu dwell on earth." No Chinese.

Translation: As for the film's perspective, it naturally belongs to the witch tribe, since the demon tribe occupies Heavenly Court while the witches are on earth.

"Moreover, themes of resisting oppression tend to easily gain people's approval." No Chinese.

Translation: Moreover, themes of resisting oppression have always been easier to gain public approval.

"But when it comes to suppressing rebellions, audiences tend to feel indifferent." No Chinese.

Translation: But stories about suppressing rebellions tend to leave audiences feeling indifferent.

"Otherwise, sayings like 'Nobles and kings, who are they born of?', 'Heaven is dead, Yellow Heaven shall reign', and 'The streets trampled with the bones of nobles' would not have become so widespread." No Chinese.

Translation: Otherwise, sayings like " nobles and generals—could they be born of a different stock?", "Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise", and "the streets trampled with the bones of dukes and marquises" would not have spread so widely.

We need to keep quotes. We'll translate: Otherwise, " nobles and generals—could they be born of a different stock?", "Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise", and "the streets trampled with the bones of dukes and marquises" would not have spread so widely.

But we need to keep the Chinese quotes? We'll use English double quotes.

"Moreover, the ending of the 'Wu-Yao War' is the downfall of the Yao heavenly court, the rulers of the three realms change, and portraying the Yao in a positive light makes the ending difficult to handle." No Chinese.

Translation: Furthermore, the ending of the "War of Witches and Demons" is the demon tribe's Heavenly Court being overthrown, the ruler of the Three Realms changing; portraying the demon tribe in a positive light also makes the ending hard to handle.

note (skip)

"The side of justice naturally belongs to the Wu tribe." No Chinese.

Translation: The side of justice naturally belongs to the witch tribe.

"As for the main character choice, there's actually not much room for selection." No Chinese.

Translation: As for the choice of protagonist, there really isn't much room for selection.

"After all, in the 'Primordial Era' setting, the famous great shamans are none other than Hou Yi, Xingtian, and Kuafu, only a few in number." No Chinese.

Translation: After all, in the Primordial Era setting, the famous great witches are no more than Houyi, Xingtian, Kua Fu, and a few others.

note (skip)

"Considering the pairing of male and female leads in commercial films, having Chang'e as Hou Yi's partner makes him the obvious choice for the male lead in this movie." No Chinese.

Translation: Considering the issue of male and female leads pairing in commercial films, Houyi, who has Chang'e as a partner, can be said to be the only choice for this film's male lead.

"Compared to Xingtian, whose head was chopped off, and Kuafu, who died of thirst, Hou Yi's competitiveness is overwhelming." No Chinese.

Translation: Compared to Xingtian, whose head was chopped off, and Kua Fu, who died of thirst, Houyi's competitiveness is overwhelming.

"After figuring this out, Jiang Heng waved his hand to signal everyone to stop discussing." No Chinese.

Translation: Having thought this through, Jiang Heng waved his hand to signal everyone to stop discussing.

"Hmm, everything everyone just said was great and gave me some inspiration. I think the 'Wu-Yao War' storyline involves a lot of content; to film it well and beautifully, it's hard to fully showcase without the length of two parts." No Chinese.

Translation: "Hmm, everything you just said was great and gave me some inspiration. I think that the War of Witches and Demons plot involves a lot of content; to film it well and beautifully, it's hard to fully showcase without the length of two parts."

We need to keep the opening quote. We'll keep double quotes.

"So I've decided that the 'Wu-Yao War' film will be released in two parts, with an initial estimated total investment of five hundred million US dollars, and if it's not enough, we'll add more later." No Chinese.

Translation: So I have decided that the film *War of Witches and Demons* will be released in two parts, with an initial total investment estimated at five hundred million US dollars; if it's not enough, we'll add more later.

We need to keep the movie title quotes. We'll keep italics? We'll keep double quotes around title? Original uses 《》; we can use italics or quotes. We'll use double quotes.

"Upon hearing this, everyone in the meeting room instinctively took a breath." No Chinese.

Translation: Upon hearing this, everyone in the meeting room unconsciously drew a breath.

"Again, five hundred million US dollars—Director Jiang's boldness is always astonishing! Considering the hot popularity and astonishing box office of *Little Soldier Legend*, spending five hundred million US dollars on the 'Wu-Yao War' is not unacceptable." No Chinese.

Translation: Another five hundred million dollars—Director Jiang's boldness is always shocking! Considering the popularity and astonishing box office of *Legend of the Little Soldier*, spending five hundred million on *War of Witches and Demons* is not unacceptable.

note (skip)

"However, mythological stories are not as popular in the global film market as sci-fi wars; even if split into two parts, it's unlikely to exceed two billion US dollars." No Chinese.

Translation: However, mythological stories are not as popular in the global film market as sci-fi wars; even if released in two parts, it would probably be hard to exceed two billion US dollars.

"In short, there are some risks, but they're not major." No Chinese.

Translation: In short, there is some risk, but it's not great.

"Profitability isn't an issue, but it's estimated not to be huge; anyway, it can't compare to *Little Soldier Legend*." No Chinese.

Translation: Profit is no problem, but it's estimated not to be high; anyway, it can't compare to *Legend of the Little Soldier*.

"\"Great, Director Jiang, this idea is awesome! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "Great, Director Jiang's idea is awesome!"

"\"Film it all at once, release it in two parts, and we'll definitely make a killing! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "Film it all at once, release in two parts, and we'll definitely make a killing!"

"Everyone just spaced out a bit, then started praising Jiang Heng's idea." No Chinese.

Translation: The people merely spaced out a bit, then began praising Jiang Heng's idea.

"Even the attending company chairman, Du Huan, clapped and cheered." No Chinese.

Translation: Even the company president attending the meeting, Du Huan, clapped and cheered.

"Seeing this, Jiang Heng let out a slight sigh." No Chinese.

Translation: Seeing this, Jiang Heng let out a faint sigh.

"No wonder many business tycoons, after achieving fame and success, are prone to making mistakes." No Chinese.

Translation: No wonder many business tycoons, after achieving success, are prone to mistakes.

"This kind of 'a word as heavy as nine tripods', where any casual decision faces no opposition, really makes one prone to getting 'carried away'!" No Chinese.

Translation: This kind of "one word carries the weight of nine tripods"—a state where any casual decision faces no opposition—really makes it easy for people to get carried away.

note (skip)

"The fact is, he's always been right these years, so it's normal that no one raises objections! As for the lead, I think arranging Hou Yi is appropriate: the first part would focus on Hou Yi shooting down the suns, and the second part could have Chang'e captured to the Moon's Palace of Broad Cold, with Hou Yi leading a rescue." No Chinese.

Translation: The fact is, his record over these years has been correct, so it's normal that no one raises objections. "As for the protagonist, I think arranging Houyi is more appropriate; the upper part would mainly cover Houyi shooting the suns. The lower part could be Chang'e being captured to the Moon Palace, with Houyi leading a rescue."

We need to keep the opening quote. We'll keep double quotes.

"Of course, his strength isn't the top tier; to deal with the heavenly court's top combat power, we still need to rely on the ancestral shamans." No Chinese.

Translation: Of course, his strength isn't top-tier; to deal with Heavenly Court's top combat power, we still need to rely on the Ancestral Witches.

"\"Good, this makes the idea clear: with the well-known mythological figure Hou Yi running throughout, we view the Yao heavenly court's downfall from his perspective, the Primordial Era shattered into fragments, and Chang'e forever trapped on the Moon. The disheartened Hou Yi wanders the human world, and he could later participate in the War of the Gods! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "Good, this line of thought is now clear. With Houyi, a household-name mythological figure, running through the whole story, viewing the demon tribe's Heavenly Court overthrow from his perspective, the Primordial Era shattered into fragments, Chang'e forever trapped on the Moon. The disheartened Houyi wandering the mortal world could later participate in the Investiture of the Gods War!" a screenwriter suddenly came up with an idea.

We need to keep quotes around the spoken part. We'll keep double quotes.

"\"Another said: 'Indeed good, I recall that Lu Ya Daoist transformed from a three-legged golden crow, and with the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Text he killed Zhao Gongming. Director Jiang, could we change it? Let Hou Yi come down from the mountains to save Zhao Gongming!'\" No Chinese.

Translation: Another said: "Indeed good, I remember Lu Ya Daoist transformed from a Three-legged Golden Crow, killed Zhao Gongming with the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Scripture; Director Jiang, could we change it? Let Houyi come down from the mountains to rescue Zhao Gongming!"

We need to keep quotes around the spoken part. We'll keep double quotes.

"\"This can be done, ah—Zhao Gongming's death is too unjust! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "This can be done, Zhao Gongming's death is too unjust!"

"The screenwriters at Aiying Teng Pictures are generally still young; as kids watching *Investiture of the Gods*, they thought the Orthodox Tradition were all good guys and the Sectarian Tradition were villains." No Chinese.

Translation: The screenwriters of Outstanding Rising Film Company are generally still young; as kids watching *Investiture of the Gods*, they thought the Sect of the Primordial were all good guys and the Sect of the Cut were villains.

"But upon growing up and rewatching, they realized it wasn't quite like that." No Chinese.

Translation: But upon growing up and looking again, they realized it wasn't quite like that.

"Some even feel that the Orthodox Tradition led by Yuanshi Tianzun is practically a celestial aristocracy, where background matters most." No Chinese.

Translation: Some even feel that Yuanshi Tianzun-led Sect of the Primordial is practically a Celestial Realm aristocracy, where birth matters most.

"No matter how talented you are, if your background is poor, you'll end up as a mount or a child attendant." No Chinese.

Translation: No matter how talented you are, if your background is poor, you'll end up as a mount or a child servant.

"The Sectarian Tradition, however, truly practices teaching without discrimination—any being with spirituality can become an immortal! So, since the script for the 'Wu-Yao War' hasn't been written yet, they've started thinking about how to help the Sectarian Tradition." No Chinese.

Translation: The Sect of the Cut, however, truly practices teaching without discrimination; all beings with spirituality can become immortals! So, since the script for *War of Witches and Demons* hasn't been written yet, they've started thinking about how to help the Sect of the Cut.

"Jiang Heng doesn't mind this at all; instead, he praises them for having ideas." No Chinese.

Translation: Jiang Heng doesn't mind this; on the contrary, he praises them for having ideas.

"\"The idea isn't bad; when we film the scenes for the War of the Gods, we can consider it, but for now we should just get the script written soon! \"" No Chinese.

Translation: "The idea isn't bad; when we film the Investiture of the Gods War scenes, we can consider it, but for now we should just finish the script!"

"\"Don't worry, Director Jiang, you've set the story's main line and tone; we'll definitely deliver a script that satisfies you! \" The head of the screenwriting department began to express his stance." No Chinese.

Translation: "Don't worry, Director Jiang; you've set the story's main line and tone, we'll definitely hand in a script that satisfies you!" the head of the screenwriting department began to express.

"Jiang Heng smiled slightly: 'Not bad, do it well—your bonuses are guaranteed!'" No Chinese.

Translation: Jiang Heng smiled slightly, "Not bad, do a good job—your bonuses are indispensable!"

"Hearing this, all the screenwriters chuckled, obviously quite satisfied with the company's incentive policy." No Chinese.

Translation: Hearing this, all the screenwriters gave a hehe laugh, apparently quite satisfied with the company's incentive policy.

"After leaving the meeting room, Jiang Heng returned to his office." No Chinese.

Translation: Leaving the meeting room, Jiang Heng returned to his office.

"Not long after, his phone rang." No Chinese.

Translation: Not long after, his phone rang.

"He picked it up and saw it was from Han Sanping." No Chinese.

Translation: He picked it up and saw it was Han Sanping calling.

"Speaking of recent years, Aiying Teng has rarely co-produced with China Film Group anymore, after all, they can hardly provide those irreplaceable resources." No Chinese.

Translation: Speaking of which, in recent years Outstanding Rising Film Company has rarely co-produced with China Film Group, since they can no longer provide that kind of irreplaceable resource.

"Han Sanping, as well as the executives of China Film Group, all understand this, and there's nothing unpleasant between the two sides." No Chinese.

Translation: Han Sanping and the executives of China Film Group alike understand this, and there's nothing unpleasant between the two sides.

"It has nothing to do with feelings; it's purely about whether work requires it." No Chinese.

Translation: It has nothing to do with feelings; it's purely a matter of work necessity.

"Just as Jiang Heng chose to collaborate with the Naval Political Television Arts Center when filming *The Heroic Legion

Translation: Just as Jiang Heng, when filming *Heroic Soldiers* and *Legend of the Little Soldier*, chose to cooperate with the Naval Politics Television Art Center; Wu Jing, when filming *Wolf Warrior*, had the Jinling Military Region Political Department Television Art Center among the producers—it's the same principle.

done

Translation: "Hey, Director Han, have you been busy lately?"

done

Translation: "Definitely not busy—I can't compare to you, with blockbusters coming one after another!"

done

Translation: Han Sanping laughed heartily and said loudly, "Congratulations, this time we're set to break another record!"

Jiang Heng also laughed: "Then I still have to thank you, Director Han, during the domestic film protection month, with no Haolaiwu blockbuster competition, the schedule is all mine!"

Han Sanping laughed, "Ah, that's not right. If other domestic films were released in that time slot, indeed it was to protect domestic films. But during the release of 'Little Soldier Legend' there were no foreign blockbusters, that was to protect them!"

Jiang Heng hearing that, burst out laughing.

The two chatted idly for a while, then began to discuss the matter.

Han Sanping wasn't just idling; he was inquiring about Jiang Heng's film, roughly what important roles it had.

He wasn't really keen to get involved, but someone had asked him to help ask, and if there was a suitable role, to help recommend it.

(End of chapter)