Chapter 183

Hu Jie is still relatively successful in TV dramas, and by 2024 he still has the hit drama "Blossoms".

Translation: Hu Hu was relatively successful in TV dramas, and by 2024 he still had a hit drama, "Blossoms."

by 2024, there is the hit drama "Blossoms".

Thus: Hu Hu was relatively successful in TV dramas, and by 2024 he still had a hit drama, "Blossoms."

Make sure no extra words.

But his film career has been somewhat problematic, with some blaming his acting, some citing lack of resources, and others pointing to a car accident.

Translation: But his film development has been somewhat problematic, with some blaming his acting skills, some blaming resources, and some attributing it to a car accident.

has been somewhat problematic.

His acting is hard to judge, and resources can't just be handed to him for no reason.

Translation: As for acting skills, it's hard to judge; as for resources, they can't just be given to him for no reason.

Maybe the car accident could be prevented; whether he can escape it, however, is up to fate.

Translation: However, the car accident might be intervenable; as for whether he can avoid it, that's up to fate.

But at this moment, I really couldn't think of any role suitable for Hu Jie.

Translation: But at this moment, I really couldn't think of any role suitable for Hu Hu.

Thinking about this, Jiang Heng suddenly recalled the long-planned "Super God Academy: Heroic Legion", and the character Ge Xiao Lun with the Galactic Power might be a good fit for Hu Jie to try.

Translation: Thinking about this, Jiang Heng suddenly recalled the long-planned "Super God Academy: The Legion of Heroes," and the character Ge Xiao Lun with the Galactic Power, which might let Hu Hu give it a try.

the character Ge Xiao Lun with the Galactic Power

This character is set up as a somewhat chuuni college student, sunny and handsome, with a strong sense of justice.

Translation: This character setting is a somewhat chuunibyou college student, sunny and handsome, with a strong sense of justice.

Hu Jie's early persona is actually quite similar to Ge Xiao Lun.

Translation: Hu Hu's early persona actually resembles Ge Xiao Lun quite a bit.

He said, "If a suitable role comes up, I'll let him take part."

Translation: Saying this, he added, "If a suitable role comes up in the future, I'll let him participate."

The next day, Cai Yirong went to Ai You Teng Company, and as soon as they met she complained, saying she had been waiting for Jiang Heng so long she was almost turning into a "waiting-for-husband stone."

Translation: The next day, Cai Yinnong arrived at Outstanding Rising Film Company, and upon meeting, she poured out her grievances, saying she had been waiting for Jiang Heng so long she was almost becoming a "gazing-at-husband stone."

She and Cai Yirong are only casual acquaintances, so it's already quite a feat for her to get even this much out, regardless of whether Jiang Heng offers her a lead or supporting role.

Translation: She and Cai Yinnong are merely acquaintances; being able to ask even this much is already difficult, regardless of whether Jiang Heng offers a lead or supporting role.

Actually, it's not that complicated; according to past practice, whenever news of a big-budget TV drama is released, it's almost instantly snapped up by various satellite TV stations, so the broadcast platform is decided before the series even finishes filming.

Translation: Actually, this isn't that complicated; following past practice, whenever news of a big-budget TV drama is released, it's almost instantly snatched up by major satellite TV stations, so the broadcast platform is decided before filming even finishes.

He isn't so busy as Cai Yirong claims that he forgets about Sword and Fairy, but he does seem a bit nonchalant.

Translation: Although he isn't so busy as Cai Yinnong said that he forgets about this "Chinese Paladin" drama, he is still somewhat nonchalant about it.

But with Jiang Heng handling the special effects and it being a xianxia drama, people are more eager to see it.

Translation: But since Jiang Heng is involved, handling the special effects, and it's a xianxia drama, it's more eagerly anticipated.

Jiang Heng blinked in surprise and said, "Us two?"

Translation: Jiang Heng blinked at the words, "Us two?"

Cai Yirong burst out laughing, "Just kidding! Don't think of yourself as Tang Sanzang's meat, assuming every woman is a demoness constantly thinking of you; I'm just eager to know when Sword and Fairy will sell and when it will air."

Translation: Cai Yinnong laughed loudly, "Just teasing you—don't think of yourself as Tang Seng's meat, assuming every woman is a demoness constantly thinking of you; I'm just anxious about when 'Chinese Paladin' will sell and when it will air!"

Cai Yirong said, "I'm swamped day after day; I don't have time to look for you. How about we give it a try?"

Translation: Cai Yinnong said, "I'm busy like this every day; I have no time to look for you—why don't we give it a try?"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "Don't say that; your brother-in-law is looking to fight me!"

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed and said, "No, if you talk like that, my brother-in-law will come looking for me to fight!"

Although they are competitors, being acquaintances keeps the atmosphere friendly.

Translation: Although they are competitors, since they're acquaintances, the on-site atmosphere is still not bad.

Cai Yirong gave a wry smile, "You're a big company and a big director; when you're busy you might not even recall, but you once produced this TV drama, and our Tang Ren Film Industry is basically banking on this show."

Translation: Cai Yinnong gave a wry smile, "You're a big company, a big director; when you're busy you might not even remember, but you've produced such a TV drama—our Tangren Film Company is pinning its hopes on this very show!"

Three days later, the bidding for the broadcast rights of Sword and Fairy, jointly produced by Ai You Teng Company and Tang Ren Film Industry, took place in a conference room at a star-rated hotel near the company.

Translation: Three days later, the joint bidding meeting for Outstanding Rising Film Company and Tangren Film Company's co-produced "Chinese Paladin" was held in a conference room of a star-rated hotel near the company.

Li Xiaoping laughed and said, "Then he's still quite fortunate!"

Translation: Li Xiaoping laughed, "Then he's quite fortunate!"

Jiang Heng heard that and gave an embarrassed smile.

Translation: Jiang Heng heard this and gave an embarrassed smile.

If it weren't for the special effects handled by Jiang Heng being a selling point, there wouldn't be so many TV stations competing for it.

Translation: Without Jiang Heng's special effects as a selling point, there wouldn't be so many satellite TV stations competing.

Hu Jie, Liu Yifei, An Yixuan, Liu Pengyan, and Peng Yuyan are all young; aside from Liu Yifei, who gained some fame from The Return of the Condor Heroes and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, the others are relatively unknown.

Translation: Hu Hu, Liu Yifei, An Yixuan, Liu Poyan, and Peng Yuyan are all young; aside from Liu Yifei gaining a bit of fame from "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," the others have little reputation.

After the specific time and base price for the Sword and Fairy broadcast rights sale were set, Li Xiaoping left.

Translation: After confirming the specific time and reserve price for the "Chinese Paladin" copyright sale meeting, Li Xiaoping left.

At the event, more than half of the country's major local TV stations attended, mostly deputy station heads or procurement department directors.

Translation: At the event venue, more than half of the major local TV stations from across the country came, basically deputy directors or purchasing department directors.

He just said, "It'll be soon; we'll have results shortly!"

Translation: They only said, "Soon, there will be results shortly!"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily and said, "No rush; after this bidding we'll soon be able to meet the audience!"

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed heartily, "No rush; after this bidding, we'll soon be able to meet the audience!"

The Sword and Fairy drama is somewhat special; judging solely by its cast, it's actually not well regarded by outsiders.

Translation: The "Chinese Paladin" drama is somewhat special; judging solely by its cast, outsiders actually don't think highly of it.

The Mango TV deputy station head said, "To be honest, if it weren't for the special effects done by Director Jiang, we wouldn't have any intention to buy it."

Translation: The Deputy Director of Mango TV said, "Frankly, if it weren't for Director Jiang's special effects, we would have no intention to buy it!"

The Beijing TV procurement director said, "Who says otherwise? Adapting games into film and TV is always a thankless, labor-intensive task."

Translation: The Purchasing Director of Beijing City Satellite TV said, "Who says otherwise? Adapting games to film and TV has always been a thankless, labor-intensive task!"

Everyone deeply agreed, because adapting game works into film and TV raises an important issue: the opinions of the original fans.

Translation: Everyone deeply agreed, because adapting game works to film and TV involves a very important issue: the opinions of the original fans.

Several years later, when people mention Immortal Family Heroes, they consider it a rare classic; they thought it would be just the beginning, but it turned out to be the peak right from the start.

Translation: More than ten years later, when people mention "Immortal Family Strange Heroes Biography," they feel it's a rare classic; they thought it was just the beginning, not expecting it to already be the peak.

But a dozen years ago, when the drama first aired, it was heavily criticized.

Translation: But more than ten years ago, when this drama first came out, it was roundly condemned.

What the original fans criticize most is the love story of the Drunken Sword Immortal.

Translation: What the original fans criticized most was the drunken sword immortal's love story.

In the original game, the Drunken Sword Immortal is a heroic figure who roams freely across heaven and earth, acting entirely on his own whims.

Translation: In the original game, the drunken sword immortal is a heroic figure who roams heaven and earth freely, acting entirely on his whims.

But in the TV drama, it was inexplicably changed to him secretly loving Qing'er, mistakenly believing he was the one destined to be with her. On Qing'er's wedding day, she got drunk and spent a night with the Holy Maiden Ming who came to advise her, which later led to A Nu.

Translation: But in the TV drama, it was inexplicably changed to a secret love for Qing'er, mistakenly believing he was the one destined to love her. On Qing'er's wedding day, she got drunk and spent a night with the Holy Maiden Ming who came to advise her, later giving birth to A Nu.

Moreover, what the original fans can't stand is that in the game, the Moon Worship Sect Leader was merely the final big boss.

Translation: Furthermore, what the original fans couldn't tolerate was that, in the original game, Moon Worship was merely the final big boss.

But in the TV drama, he appears early on and even manipulates everything. His sole purpose in doing all this is to prove that the Earth is round, which is quite a far-fetched idea.

Translation: But in the TV drama, he appears early on and pulls the strings behind all of this; his sole purpose in doing so is to prove the earth is round—what a brain‑hole!

Moreover, the drama's style is somewhat overly extravagant; for example, Li Xiaoyao appears embraced on both sides.

Translation: Moreover, the drama's style is somewhat extravagant; as soon as Li Xiaoyao appears, he's left‑embracing and right‑embracing.

When he fights Lin Yue Ru, Ling'er down below basically becomes a cheerleader.

Translation: When he duels Lin Yueru, Ling'er down below practically becomes a cheerleader.

The onlooking crowd also joins her in cheering for Brother Xiaoyao...

Translation: The onlooking crowd also joins her in cheering for Brother Xiaoyao...

Anyway, in Jiang Heng's view, he doesn't really understand this era's screenwriters—why their imaginations are so huge.

Translation: In Jiang Heng's view, he simply doesn't understand this era's screenwriters—why are their imaginations so huge?

But during the drama's trial viewing session, the various satellite TV station deputy heads and procurement directors seemed to completely miss these flaws; they not only thought the plot was good, but were also amazed by the special effects displayed in the footage.

Translation: Yet during the drama trial screening, all the satellite TV deputy directors and purchasing directors seemed to miss these flaws; they not only thought the plot was decent, but marveled at the special‑effects level displayed in the footage.

Considering the nominal production costs, Jiang Heng couldn't possibly make the film's special effects reach movie-level quality, and not spending money wouldn't work either, because it wouldn't make sense.

Translation: Considering the nominal production costs, Jiang Heng couldn't possibly make the film's special effects reach movie‑grade level without spending money, because it wouldn't make sense.

What he did was nothing more than adding "five mao" to "five mao", merely doubling the common "five mao" special effects seen in TV dramas at the time.

Translation: What he did was nothing more than adding "low‑budget" to "low‑budget," merely doubling the common cheap special effects seen in TV dramas at the time.

But when combined with smooth action design and already outstanding music, it instantly made the drama's special-effects fight scenes dazzling beyond compare.

Translation: But add smooth action design and already outstanding music, and instantly the drama's special‑effects fight scenes become gorgeous beyond compare.

The deputy station head of Hebei TV couldn't help but say, "This drama is filmed well, it finally has that flavor, and I finally understand what xianxia is!"

Translation: The Deputy Director of Hebei Satellite TV couldn't help but say, "This drama is filmed well, it has that flavor—I finally understand what xianxia is!"

The representatives of the other few TV stations all frowned, secretly thinking, "What does this old guy mean? You just like it, why say it out loud? Are you trying to show you're determined to win?"

Translation: The representatives of the other satellite TV stations all frowned, muttering, "What does this old guy mean? You like it, that's enough—why say it out loud? Are you trying to show you're determined to win?"

However, looking at everyone's expressions, today's bidding seems likely to refresh the domestic drama price record.

Translation: However, looking at everyone's expressions, today's bidding is likely to refresh the domestic drama price record!

Li Xiaoping arranged a viewing session that only played the content of two episodes.

Translation: Li Xiaoping's arranged "viewing session" only played the content of two episodes.

But this group got addicted to watching, and after some coaxing and persuading they watched another episode, and only then did the bidding session begin.

Translation: But this group got addicted, softly insisting and hard‑pressing to watch another episode, and only then did the bidding segment begin.

At this moment, internet video media had not yet risen, local stations had limited strength, and a good TV drama would only sell for about 60,000 to 80,000 per episode.

Translation: At this moment, internet video media had not yet risen; local stations had limited strength, so a good TV drama would only fetch 60,000 to 80,000 yuan per episode.

Only the financially strong CCTV could afford to buy historical dramas at around 500,000 per episode, and modern dramas at around 200,000 per episode.

Translation: Only the wealthy CCTV could afford to buy historical dramas at around 500,000 yuan per episode, and modern dramas at around 200,000 yuan per episode.

But CCTV's purchased dramas are exclusively broadcast, whereas currently they have just implemented the "one drama, four stars" policy.

Translation: But CCTV's purchased dramas are exclusively broadcast, whereas now they have just implemented the "One Drama Four Stars" policy.

That is to say, for any given TV drama, the combined prime-time broadcast channels cannot exceed four.

Translation: That is to say, for the same drama, the combined channels airing it in prime time each night must not exceed four.

If each station pays 80,000 per episode, the total would be 320,000 per episode; for 33 episodes, that yields only over ten million in sales revenue.

Translation: If each station pays 80,000 yuan per episode, the total comes to 320,000 yuan per episode; multiplied by 33 episodes, the sales revenue is only just over ten million yuan.

Fortunately, all the local stations present were quite optimistic about this xianxia drama with special effects by Jiang Heng, and after a round of bidding.

Translation: Fortunately, the local TV stations present all looked highly upon this xianxia drama with Jiang Heng handling the special effects, and after a round of bidding,

The per-episode sales price actually rose by 130,000 yuan.

Obtained through bidding by the four local stations of Hebei, Mango, Chongqing, and Shandong.

Ai You Teng Company and Tang Ren Film Industry will obtain sales revenue of 17.16 million.

Moreover, after the TV drama airs, they can also release video tapes, bringing in several million more in revenue.

Adding continuous rerun income, this drama definitely earns a lot.

But Cai Yirong values more the ratings and whether the actors become breakout stars; she really hopes to shape Hu Jie into a rising young male lead.

With stars, they can film suitable TV dramas around them, and her Tang Ren company can then grow big and strong.

Jiang Heng's Ai You Teng cannot be matched, but in the historical idol drama sector, she feels they have the strength to compete.

(End of chapter)