Chapter 342: with translation of chapter title

The influence of Jiang Heng's new film "White Snake: Origin" being set for the Spring Festival is far beyond what people imagined.

Translation: Jiang Heng's new film "White Snake Fate" scheduled for the Spring Festival has an impact far beyond people's imagination.

We need to keep punctuation? We'll translate naturally.

Because shortly after the news was announced, another film declared it would be released in the New Year slot—Zhang Yimou's "Three Gunshots: A Shocking Verdict".

Translation: Because shortly after the news came out, another film announced its release in the New Year slot, namely Zhang Yimou's "Three Shots Startle the Case".

In 2009's mainland entertainment scene, no one could surpass Xiao ShenYang's popularity; all kinds of capital rushed to collaborate with him, and Zhang Weiping was no exception.

Translation: In the 09 mainland entertainment industry, no one could surpass Xiao Shenyang's popularity, as all kinds of capital rushed to work with him, and Zhang Weiping was no exception.

"Three Gunshots: A Shocking Verdict" is adapted from "Blood Maze"; it was originally intended to follow a mystery route.

Translation: "Three Shots Startle the Case" was adapted from "Blood Maze", originally intended to be a mystery film.

But Zhang Weiping wanted to make quick money, using Xiao ShenYang for hype, insisting on collaborating with disciples of the Zhao family troupe, resulting in a "neither fish nor fowl" comedy.

Translation: But Zhang Weiping wanted to make quick money, using Xiao Shenyang for hype, insisting on collaborating with disciples of the Zhao Family Troupe, resulting in a "neither fish nor fowl" comedy film.

Zhang Yimou naturally felt dissatisfied, but the actual break came after "The Flowers of War".

Translation: Zhang Yimou naturally felt dissatisfied, but the actual break came after "Jinling Thirteen Hairpins".

Yet Old Zhang still felt indignant; as another renowned director, Jiang Heng could freely shoot whatever he wanted, with investment reaching an astonishing 500 million.

Translation: Yet Old Zhang still felt indignant; as another renowned director, Jiang Heng could film whatever he wanted, with investment reaching an astonishing five hundred million.

He just wanted to make a suspense‑commercial film, yet faced all kinds of interference, which truly made him angry.

Translation: He just wanted to make a suspense commercial film, yet faced all kinds of interference, truly making him angry.

Zhang Yimou didn't even know what he was thinking; he suddenly wanted to chat with Jiang Heng, called to say he wanted to visit the set, and Jiang Heng naturally agreed.

Translation: Zhang Yimou didn't even know what he was thinking, suddenly wanting to chat with Jiang Heng, he called to say he wanted to visit the set, and Jiang Heng naturally agreed.

At the China Film Digital Base, Zhang Yimou watched the staff coming and going, and casually asked, "How many people are in this crew?"

Translation: At the China Film Digital Base, Zhang Yimou watched the staff coming and going, casually asking, "How many people are in this crew?"

Assistant director and martial arts coach Yuan De said: "Over three thousand staff, with more than two hundred foreign actors."

Translation: The deputy director and martial arts instructor Yuan De said: "Over three thousand staff, with foreign actors numbering over two hundred."

Zhang Yimou nodded slightly, "Indeed, it's a big production!"

Translation: Zhang Yimou nodded slightly, "Indeed a big production!"

Upon arriving at the shooting site, he saw Jiang Heng sitting behind the monitor, while in the center of the set, Zhang Ruoyun, who plays Tang Long, was performing in front of the green screen.

Translation: Arriving at the set, seeing Jiang Heng sitting behind the monitor, while in the center of the venue Zhang Ruoyun, who plays Tang Long, was performing in front of the green screen.

Although Zhang Yimou had never shot a film made purely with special effects, as a professional he could still discern many of the tricks.

Translation: Although Zhang Yimou had never filmed a movie relying purely on special effects, as a professional he could still see many of the tricks.

After a while, a scene finished shooting, and Jiang Heng let everyone rest for half an hour.

Translation: After a while, a scene finished shooting, and Jiang Heng let everyone rest for half an hour.

He walked over, smiling, and said, "Director Zhang, your presence honors my humble abode; welcome, welcome!"

Translation: He walked over, smiling, and said: "Director Zhang's gracious presence honors my humble abode; welcome, welcome!"

Zhang Yimou waved his hand, chuckling embarrassedly, "Director Jiang, don't tease me—I'm in such a state that talking about grandeur is pointless; I'm about to be cursed to death!"

Translation: Zhang Yimou waved his hand, giving an embarrassed laugh: "Director Jiang, don't mock me; I'm in this state, talking about a grand arrival? I'm about to be scolded to death!"

Yuan De beside them found it bewildering, thinking Zhang Yimou, as one of China's top directors, surely wouldn't be cursed so badly; but Jiang Heng knew why, smiling and saying, "Unhappy? Why not come to my place? I guarantee I won't interfere with your creative freedom."

Translation: Yuan De beside him found it baffling, thinking Zhang Yimou, as one of the nation's top directors, surely wouldn't be scolded that badly! Jiang Heng, however, knew the reason, smiling and saying: "Unhappy? Why not come to me? I guarantee I won't interfere with your creative freedom!"

Hearing that, Zhang Yimou was taken aback; his cooperation with Zhang Weiping was making him increasingly unhappy, yet he hadn't really considered parting ways, so he hastily waved his hands and said, "Don't mention it, don't mention it!"

Translation: Upon hearing this, Zhang Yimou froze; his cooperation with Zhang Weiping was making him increasingly unhappy, but to say they'd part ways, he hadn't really considered it, hastily waving his hands: "Don't mention it, don't mention it!"

Jiang Heng then dropped the topic, invited Zhang Yimou to sit in the lounge, and immediately asked about some details of the filming of "Three Gunshots: A Shocking Verdict".

Translation: Jiang Heng then dropped the topic, greeted Zhang Yimou to sit in the resting area, and immediately asked about some details of filming "Three Shots Startle the Case".

Old Zhang had been holding back a lot to say; though not usually eloquent, once he started talking he poured out a continuous stream.

Translation: Old Zhang had long been holding back a bellyful of words; though not good with speech, he opened his chatterbox and actually spoke fluently.

Jiang Heng simply listened quietly, occasionally asking a couple of questions.

Translation: Jiang Heng simply listened quietly, occasionally asking a couple of questions.

The half hour flew by, and the crew had to get back to shooting.

Translation: The half hour passed in a flash, and the crew had to get busy shooting again.

Jiang Heng said, "Sorry, Director Zhang, I have to get back to work here; if you have time tonight, why not wait until I finish, then we can drink and chat?"

Translation: Jiang Heng said: "Sorry, Director Zhang, I'm busy again here; if you have time tonight, why not wait until I finish work, then we can drink and chat?"

Zhang Yimou waved his hand, "Never mind, I just wanted to come see how this 500‑million‑dollar‑investment film is actually made. Now that I've seen it, I'll head back."

Translation: Zhang Yimou waved his hand: "Forget it, I just came to take a look—how exactly is this five-hundred-million-USD-invested film being shot? Having seen it, I'll head back now."

Jiang Heng laughed, "Sure, if you have anything, just give me a call—I believe anything that can be solved with money isn't a problem."

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed: "Sure, if you have anything, just call me; believe me, anything solvable with money isn't a problem!"

Zhang Yimou blinked slightly, roughly understood Jiang Heng's meaning, and nodded, "Okay, I'll give it serious thought."

Translation: Zhang Yimou blinked slightly, roughly understanding Jiang Heng's meaning, and nodded: "Okay, I'll give it proper thought!"

Leaving the China Film Digital Base, Zhang Yimou couldn't help but look back, thinking what he had just seen in the crew was also quite enviable.

Translation: Leaving the China Film Digital Base, Zhang Yimou couldn't help but look back, thinking what he'd just seen in the crew was also very enviable.

He has always been frugal when making films, never lavish.

Translation: He has always filmed movies on a tight budget, never having splurged.

If it were merely a funding limitation, that would be tolerable; what he finds harder to bear is Zhang Weiping's various forced interferences in his creative process.

Translation: If it were merely a funding limitation, that would be fine; what he finds harder to endure is Zhang Weiping's various forcible interferences in his creative process.

For example, in "Curse of the Golden Flower", he originally chose Huang Xuan.

Translation: For example, in the film "City of Golden Armor", he originally chose Huang Xuan.

But on the eve of filming, Zhang Weiping replaced him with Zhou Jielun.

Translation: But on the eve of filming, Zhang Weiping replaced him with Zhou Jielun.

Moreover, he added outrageous scenes for Gong Li and Liu Ye. After the film's release, Zhang Weiping made a fortune, while all the blame fell on him.

Translation: Not only that, he added outrageous scenes for Gong Li and Liu Ye; after the film's release, Zhang Weiping made a fortune, while all the blame fell on him.

Zhang Yimou was very dissatisfied, but he couldn't bring himself to make the decision to leave just yet.

Translation: Zhang Yimou was very dissatisfied, but to say he'd leave, he couldn't make that decision right away.

Not until December 10th did "Three Gunshots: A Shocking Verdict" hit theaters.

Translation: Not until December 10 did "Three Shots Startle the Case" premiere.

Thanks to Xiao ShenYang's enormous popularity, the film's box office was still decent, drawing a huge audience.

Translation: Thanks to Xiao Shenyang's immense popularity, the film's box office was still decent, with a huge number of viewers.

But when it comes to reputation, it was truly abysmal.

Translation: But as for reputation, it was truly abysmal.

On Douban it scored 4.9, and a wave of negative reviews poured in, most of them blaming Zhang Yimou.

Translation: On Douban, the site scored 4.9, and for a while negative reviews poured in, most of them cursing Zhang Yimou.

After all, Xiao ShenYang is a crosstalk performer, and his performance in the film amounts to playing himself.

Translation: After all, Xiao Shenyang is a crosstalk performer; his performance in the film could be called true-to-type.

Zhang Weiping is a producer; in 2009, when media information was not yet well developed, many viewers might not even know what a producer does.

Translation: Zhang Weiping is a producer; in 09, when media communication was underdeveloped, many viewers might not even know what a producer means.

Plus, Zhang Yimou is famous, and the film turned out disastrous; who else would they blame but him? Some critics even wrote long essays titled "Zhang Yimou Should Be Shot for Three Minutes," showing how deep the audience's resentment runs.

Translation: Moreover, Zhang Yimou was famous, yet the film was terrible beyond belief—who else to blame but him? Even a film critic posted a long review titled "Zhang Yimou Should Be Shot for Three Minutes", showing how deep the audience's resentment ran.

Old Zhang occasionally goes online; seeing the torrent of abuse, he got angry and hid at home, refusing to go out.

Translation: Old Zhang occasionally went online too; seeing the torrent of abuse, he got angry and hid at home, not going out.

Meanwhile, Zhang Weiping would occasionally call him to share the good news about box office earnings.

Translation: Yet Zhang Weiping would from time to time call him, sharing the good news of box office earnings.

"Based on current trends, the box office will exceed four hundred million; this time we really struck it rich—I said we should have hired Xiao ShenYang, and if I hadn't acted quickly, this collaboration opportunity would have been snatched by someone else..."

Translation: "According to current trends, box office will exceed four hundred million; this time we really struck it rich—I said we should find Xiao Shenyang, and if I hadn't acted quickly, this cooperation opportunity would have been snatched by someone else..."

Zhang Weiping kept chattering on, making Zhang Yimou extremely irritable.

Translation: Zhang Weiping chattered on endlessly, making Zhang Yimou extremely irritable.

"We didn't make little money on this one; for the next film, I want to do things my way!"

Translation: "This film didn't make little money; for the next one, I want to do things my way!"

Zhang Weiping blinked, then chuckled, "Of course, you're the director; the film will surely follow your vision—we just need to add some selling points for the box office."

Translation: Zhang Weiping blinked, then gave a hehe laugh: "Of course, you're the director; the film will surely follow your ideas—just for the box office part, add some selling points."

Hearing that, Zhang Yimou felt indignant; "selling points," "selling points"—this person always thinks only about hype and box office.

Translation: Zhang Yimou seethed hearing "selling point", "selling point"—this person always thinks only about hype, forever about box office.

He doesn't oppose commercial films per se, but they can't be judged solely by box office! "I get it!"

Translation: "He doesn't oppose commercial films, but can't just consider box office!" "I understand!"

Upon hearing that, Zhang Weiping was taken aback, realizing Zhang Yimou's tone was off, but he didn't think much of it—after all, he wasn't denying him a profit share; who would quarrel with money? After hanging up, Zhang Yimou lit cigarette after cigarette.

Translation: Zhang Weiping blinked at his words, knowing Zhang Yimou's tone was off, but didn't think much of it—after all, it's not like he wasn't giving him a share; who would quarrel over money? After hanging up, Zhang Yimou smoked one cigarette after another.

In another timeline, Zhang Yimou broke with Zhang Weiping in 2012, but only in 2013 did he join Le Vision Pictures, becoming a contracted director, artistic director, and shareholder of the company.

Translation: In another timeline, Zhang Yimou broke with Zhang Weiping in 2012, but only in 2013 did he join LeTV Film Industry, becoming a contracted director, art director, and shareholder of that company.

So saying, leaving like that isn't so easy!

Translation: So saying, leaving like that isn't so easy!

After all, the entertainment industry has its circles; one must also consider platform and strength, and after going there he needs to have work to shoot.

Translation: After all, the entertainment industry has its cliques; one must also consider platform and strength—after going there, he needs to have films to shoot.

But in this life, there's the super‑strong Aiyou Teng Pictures, and Jiang Heng is someone willing to spend money, so Zhang Yimou is truly quite tempted.

Translation: But in this life, there is the immensely powerful Outstanding Rising Film Company (Love Outstanding Rising Film Company?), Jiang Heng is also someone willing to spend money, and Zhang Yimou is truly quite tempted.

After pondering for several days, Old Zhang finally called Jiang Heng, hoping to set a time to talk properly.

Translation: After repeated consideration over several days, Old Zhang finally called Jiang Heng, wanting to set a time to talk properly.

Jiang Heng naturally felt pleased and agreed to meet that evening for drinks and a detailed chat.

Translation: Jiang Heng naturally felt happy upon hearing it, agreeing to meet that evening for drinks and detailed talk.

Old Zhang's request is quite simple: no interference in his artistic creation, a box‑office share, and a guarantee of film investment.

Translation: Old Zhang's request is actually quite simple: no interference in his artistic creation, a box-office share, and a guarantee of film investment—nothing more.

As for taking shares in Aiyou Teng Pictures, Zhang Yimou didn't dare to dream of that.

Translation: As for shares in the Love Outstanding Rising Film Company, Zhang Yimou didn't dare to dream.

After the discussion was settled, Zhang Yimou asked whether the announcement could be delayed a bit.

Translation: After the discussion was settled, Zhang Yimou asked if the announcement could be delayed.

Jiang Heng laughed, "You're afraid Zhang Weiping won't give you the box office share?"

Old Zhang hummed, Jiang Heng nodded slightly, didn't say much.

But he clearly remembered that Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping, indeed because of the box office revenue sharing of 'Three Gunshots Startle the Court', had ended up in court.

This money, ah, really not easy to get! (End of chapter)