Chapter 169: New Film Press Conference

Jiang Heng's news of supervising a xianxia drama caused an uproar in the entertainment circle.

How to describe that feeling? It's basically like hearing on TV that Zhang Yimou, Thus output: Chen Kaige, Jiang Wen, etc., are going to direct a TV drama.

Although Jiang Heng is only credited as supervisor this time, many heard that he is personally involved, found many beautiful actresses, even staged a talent‑scouting plot, showing he's serious this time!

The previous big director who made a TV drama was Thus output: Chen Kaige.

In 2001 he filmed 《Lü Bu and Diaochan》, in which Huang Lei played a disheveled, nose‑ring‑wearing, savage Lü Bu.

With a wildly altered plot, it was halted shortly after airing, revised over 800 times, submitted for review three rounds, and finally re‑aired in 2004, but renamed 《Butterfly Dance Across the Sky》.

Because of Jiang Heng's influence, Thus output: Chen Kaige filmed 《Wuji》 early, lacking time to revise this drama, so its re‑broadcast may be delayed even longer.

Speaking of it, 《Wuji》 is more like the film version of the 《Lü Bu and Diaochan》 story.

The burly, mighty Kunlun barbarian in the movie is none other than the Lü Bu in the drama.

This person gives the impression of being somewhat dull, but if you think he won't pull strings, you're too naïve.

In the drama, Diaochan splits into two characters in 《Wuji》.

One is the Mandate‑controlling Man God, wearing the same red outfit as in the drama; the other is the same beauty reduced to a man's plaything.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng really felt a stir.

He chattered on excitedly, even reciting poetry in his fervor.

Chen Hong advised Thus output: Chen Kaige not to talk nonsense; Jiang Heng's momentum is strong now, and both China Film and CCTV have good relations with him.

Jiang Heng blinked, then smiled, "Director Zhang has a keen eye; this story is indeed good, otherwise I wouldn't have taken the supervisor credit to push it!"

Zhang Yimou also spoke directly, asking what he could help with, cameo roles included.

Zhang Yimou immediately called, first congratulating, saying Jiang Heng's willingness to present the story via TV drama shows it must be splendid.

I really don't know if Director Thus output: Chen Kaige conceived 《Wuji》's story this way.

Since ancient times, those who could earn the title "National Preceptor" were hardly ordinary people.

In her view, Thus output: Chen Kaige possesses peerless talent, yet the secular world understands too little, thus letting the vulgar Jiang Heng gain fame.

Once the two sides fall out, he will surely be the loser.

When Thus output: Chen Kaige heard Jiang Heng would supervise a xianxia drama, he sneered and rattled on, basically saying Jiang Heng is just Wang Jing plus Xu Ke—a director who only does low‑brow, effects‑heavy commercial films.

This character relationship also matches the Three Kingdoms tale—the general (Dong Zhuo) enslaved Kunlun (Lü Bu), and the slave stole the master's woman (Diaochan).

Zhang Yimou, meanwhile, was pragmatic; hearing Jiang Heng would supervise a xianxia drama, his first reaction was, "Will the audience support it? Should I support it?"

Chen Hong looked distressed but dared not advise further.

Upon hearing this, Thus output: Chen Kaige flew into a rage, "As a generation‑defining film master, how can I be stepped on by a commercial‑film director?"

Zhang Yimou's acting is naturally superb; he starred in 《Old Well》 in 1987 and won several Best Actor awards.

Most importantly, Old Zhang's fame and standing are such that his cameo will surely add color to the film.

Jiang Heng then thought of another film‑industry big shot, Benshan Uncle; for the second season he could invite him to play Kouyang Prefecture of the Wulin Alliance.

And Fan Debiao—oh no, I mean Fan Wei Teacher—such a fine actor not having him cameo would be a pity.

Speaking of the second season, Zhang Yimou's willingness to cameo made Jiang Heng overjoyed; they settled the details and then hung up.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Aiyouteng Film Company held a grand new‑film press conference.

The venue was packed with nearly six hundred media outlets, shoulder to shoulder.

Everyone wondered what story would make Director Jiang "lower his noble self" to make a TV drama.

When they saw Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun, Gao Yuanyuan, Tang Yan, Liu Yifei, Yang Mi, Jing Tian, Wang Ou, Qin Lan, Zhao Liying and other handsome beauties, the reporters were stunned.

Honestly, I've never seen so many high‑quality beauties in one drama; each could be a lead on her own.

Even Zhao Liying, who lacks acting experience, is pure star material.

Not only were the reporters shocked, but even Yu Yang, who had invited Zhao Liying, was utterly astonished.

He had seen Zhao Liying's earlier look—she was cute and pretty, just missing that sparkle.

How long has it been since we last saw her? Now she's like a star.

Asking around the attendees, they learned that the company's art director, Yi Zuo Mei Zuo, had designed Zhao Liying's styling, which Jiang Heng disliked, so he personally oversaw it to achieve today's effect.

"Director Jiang, you're truly an all‑rounder!" Yu Yang whispered in admiration.

"Yeah, it feels like nothing can stump him!" another person remarked.

……

The interactive session began, and reporters started asking questions.

"Hello, Director Jiang, I'm a reporter from Xinlang Media. I believe all reporters here are curious: what does 'Great Feng Night Watch' mean? Is it about those ancient street‑corner gong‑beating night watchmen?"

After he finished, the audience gave a light chuckle, finding the idea amusing.

No one really thought the story would revolve around a bunch of night watchmen—that would be too lowbrow.

Not expecting Jiang Heng to smile and say, "Exactly the literal meaning. This drama's story is my original creation. The two characters 'Great Feng' draw inspiration from 'Heaven‑mandated, following the cosmos'; I use this 'Feng' as the name of the state in the story. As for 'Night Watch', it can be understood as 'heaven dry, things parched, beware of fire', but they do far more than that. After all, this is a xianxia drama!"

Some reporters hearing this instantly imagined a night watchman patrolling with a copper gong, a monster appearing, and a battle ensuing.

Yet others felt the story sounded unreliable!

A fictitious dynasty, an unknown night‑watch profession—truly, what's there to see?

And why gather so many beautiful actresses—are they all night watchmen? That would be ridiculous!

Afterwards, everyone asked Huang Xiaoming and Chen Kun whether they were dormitory buddies in school, heard they again play brothers in this collaboration, and wondered what it felt like.

Chen Kun was quite eloquent, first thanking Jiang Heng for the opportunity,

also saying Huang Xiaoming had looked after him in school like an elder brother,

and now playing his elder brother again in the drama truly made him happy.

The reporters then questioned the actresses; they all responded gracefully, displaying high cultivation—obviously veterans of the industry.

(End of chapter)