Chapter 366: line with translation of chapter title

The big screen darkened, and the lights in the venue came up.

Immediately, thunderous applause erupted, lasting without cease.

The plot of *Little Soldier Legend* is not complicated: Tang Long mistakenly enlisted as an infantryman, in a training camp deactivated for 456 years, he underwent the most comprehensive, harshest, yet most useful basic training; then, by a twist of fate, he became one of the cannon‑fodder "self‑propelled ship‑cannon" army, but relying on his keen sense of smell and military talent, he soundly defeated the enemy's vanguard forces and smoothly returned to the Federation.

It is precisely because of this simple, direct, and satisfying plot that the audience found it thoroughly enjoyable.

After all, the screenplay adapted from the web novel was itself a very gratifying story.

Speaking of Jiang Heng, when he first watched *Little Soldier Legend*, he was truly astonished by Tang Long's series of maneuvers, and the guests and audience in the hall felt much the same.

Of course, what most shocked the audience were those gorgeous, realistic, and grandiose visual images.

The premiere screened the IMAX 3D version, with the projector's xenon lamp brightness set to maximum, so the viewing effect naturally surpassed that of ordinary cinemas.

Moreover, the film's 'production cost' reached as high as five hundred million, meaning every shot and every frame was pushed to the extreme.

The first impression given to the audience was a sense of reality, as if what they saw through the 3D glasses was not a movie but a glimpse into another time‑space, another universe, where the story was truly unfolding.

Especially the scenes of Tang Long training in the recruit camp—whether the military facilities inside or the various weapons appearing in the film—were all worked out by the 'Super Microcomputer'.

After all, the original novel did not describe these contents in too much detail.

And the fact that they were 'worked out' means that their existence follows a certain principle.

Thus, when the audience watches, they subconsciously feel that the weapons of the Moro Federation ought to look exactly like that.

They would not feel, as they do when watching *Black Panther*, that Wakanda is using the highest technology to wage the most primitive warfare, a feeling of dissonance all over.

Besides, what naturally leaves the audience feeling refreshed and unforgettable is the superbly splendid space battle in the latter half of the film.

First, the 'cold‑energy laser' destroys nine‑tenths of the self‑propelled gunships; then Tang Long launches a desperate counter‑attack, wiping out two thousand warships of the Silver Eagle Empire.

These scenes were shot to be immensely grand, gorgeous, realistic, and shocking! Many people instinctively compare these images to *Avatar*, and immediately reach an astonishing conclusion: a comprehensive surpassing, which is somewhat terrifying.

However, after watching the film, Thus output: Chen Kaige's expression became somewhat dazed.

Because he had seen the 3D versions of *The Monkey King* and *Avatar*, and as a director with very high professional competence, he could even comment on the film's rhythm, composition, and color strengths and weaknesses.

Although Lao Chen's commercial films sometimes have a quirky twist due to his personality, his talent is genuine.

He truly understands the craft, so he comes to realize just how difficult and how good it is to make *Little Soldier Legend*.

Just as he later directed *The Demon Cat*, the shot of Yang Guifei turning her head and smiling, a hundred charms born, ordinary viewers' first thought is that the shot is superb, Yang Guifei is too beautiful.

But a professional director knows that to capture such a shot, the lighting work involved is extremely difficult.

At the moment the film ended, Thus output: Chen Kaige even had the thought, 'What am I competing with him for?' Yeah, the two of us are not in the same league.

Jiang Heng could never make an artistic film like *Farewell My Concubine*, or say that within a few decades no artistic film surpassing this one will appear; and he could never make a commercial film like *Little Soldier Legend*, so the two of them will forever be unable to surpass each other's peak achievements.

Thinking this way, he is forever invincible!

If his commercial films don't do well at the box office, what does it matter? I'm an artist!

With this thought, Thus output: Chen Kaige's mind suddenly opened up.

Beside him, Chen Hong felt her husband's whole spirit change, wondering if he had been so stimulated; then she saw Thus output: Chen Kaige rise, walk a few steps to Jiang Heng's front, wearing a sincere smile, and shake hands, saying: 'Congratulations, Director Jiang, an epoch‑making great work; this will be an existence surpassing the *Star Wars* series, and also a box‑office existence surpassing *Avatar*. You are the pride of Chinese‑language cinema!'

Having said that, he also embraced him and patted Jiang Heng's back, displaying the bearing of an elder brother.

Jiang Heng was completely bewildered by Thus output: Chen Kaige's series of actions—what's going on? Is it sarcasm? But looking at his expression and movements, they seemed utterly sincere! The others nearby also felt a bit puzzled, yet they had no time to ponder these details, and simply offered their congratulations to Jiang Heng without further comment.

Afterward came a brief interview session, followed by the welcome banquet.

In the banquet hall of the five‑star hotel not far from the Olympic Sports Center, dozens of tables were set up to entertain the numerous guests who had rushed to attend the premiere.

Jiang Heng naturally sat with the group of highest status and standing, and no one felt slighted, after all, in the world of fame and fortune, everyone's rank and position are roughly sorted out.

If a third‑tier actor were placed at Jiang Heng's table, he would most likely feel uneasy and apprehensive.

At Jiang Heng's table, the conversation naturally revolved around *Little Soldier Legend*: some predicted the global box office would surely surpass *Avatar*, some asked Jiang Heng how difficult it was to film such a movie, wondering if lowering the budget and reducing the space scenes would make it about the same; everyone predicted that *Little Soldier Legend* was about to explode at the box office, and jumping on the bandwagon is only human nature.

Although it would be extremely difficult to ride on the coattails of this film, it is not completely without a way.

Wang Jing, seated at the low‑rank end of the table, quietly worked out in his mind an idea for *Little Soldier Pursuing Girls*.

He had already decided on the male lead's name: Tang Xiaohu; after enlisting, he undergoes various trainings at the recruit camp and falls in love with the instructor's daughter.

Meanwhile, his two worthless classmates fall for the 'senior sister'; adding more everyday drama and jokes would greatly reduce the cost.

Finally, adding a space‑battle segment, the three brothers earn merit in the war, each brings home a beauty, hahaha, perfect! As for props, he would go back and ask Jiang Heng whether there are any leftovers he could borrow.

If *Little Soldier Legend* has any discarded film material, especially involving space or planets, and if he could get hold of it, that would save even more money.

Thinking this, Wang Jing said to himself, 'Why not just ask him for investment directly? After all, his Outstanding Rising Film Company has plenty of money.'

But recalling the investment cases Jiang Heng has refused in recent years, he felt a bit uneasy inside.

While he was thinking, he saw Yu Dong, full of vigor, rise to propose a toast.

Wang Jing laughed, his eyes narrowing to a slit, thinking, 'Isn't this just the person we need for cooperation?'

Broad Sodium Film Industry's development to today is not solely due to releasing Jiang Heng's films; it also stems from the large volume of Hong Kong films introduced into the mainland and distributed through Broad Sodium Film Industry.

Wang Jing, as one of the relatively prolific directors after the decline of Hong Kong cinema, has had plenty of dealings with Yu Dong, and their relationship is truly good.

(End of chapter)