Chapter 37

In Journey to the West, there's a peculiar phenomenon: the closer one gets to the Western Heaven, the more monsters appear and the stronger they become.

Translation: "In Journey to the West, there is a peculiar phenomenon: the closer one gets to the Western Heaven, the more monsters there are, and the greater their abilities."

Check: we kept meaning.

In particular, the three demons of Lion Camel Ridge are respectively relatives of the Western Heaven's high-ranking officials and the "driver," and the satire reaches its peak.

Translation: "Especially the Three Monsters of Lion-Camel Ridge, who are respectively relatives of the Western Heaven's high-ranking officials and the 'driver,' the satirical meaning reaches its extreme."

Jiang Heng's new film takes its inspiration from this.

Translation: "Jiang Heng's new film's concept starts from this."

Although Sun Wukong in the film understands worldly affairs, he is also vehemently opposed to evil.

Translation: "In the film, Sun Wukong, though he understands worldly affairs, is also vengeful against evil."

Though it doesn't match the defiance in 'The Legend of the Monkey King'—'I want heaven not to block my view, I want earth not to bury my heart'—it is still quite fierce.

Translation: "Although it does not reach the level of defiance expressed in 'The Legend of Sun Wukong' with 'I want the heavens not to cover my eyes, I want the earth not to bury my heart,' it is still quite fierce."

In short, there's a risk it won't pass censorship.

Translation: "Putting it another way, there is a risk of failing to pass censorship."

But by the time the script is written and revised, the emotions are already poured in, leaving no room for changes.

Translation: "However, during the scriptwriting and revision process, emotions have already been poured in, and it cannot be changed anymore."

He even feels that if the film followed the original ending, there would be no point in making it.

Translation: "Even feels that if the film were to follow the original's ending, there would be no point in making it."

After all, the main cost is just the cast and crew fees—only a few million—so even if it isn't released or the rights aren't sold, he can afford the loss.

Translation: "Anyway, the main cost is merely the cast and crew's fees, only a few million, so even if it is not released or the rights are not sold, he can afford the loss."

What's there to fear? Just go ahead and shoot it!

Translation: "What is there to fear? Just shoot it!"

And after hearing Jiang Heng's plot outline, Wu Jing thought the film was too subversive, too exhilarating—he would make it even without pay!

Translation: "And after hearing Jiang Heng's outline of the plot, Wu Jing felt the film was too subversive, too exhilarating—he would make it even without pay!"

And after hearing Jiang Heng's plot outline, Wu Jing thought the film was too subversive, too exhilarating—he would make it even without pay!

Of course, his pay is trivial, and Jiang Heng will certainly not shortchange him.

Translation: "Of course, his pay is negligible, and Jiang Heng would certainly not shortchange him."

When the drinks were nearly finished, Jiang Heng quoted a price: 180,000.

Translation: "When the drinks were almost done, Jiang Heng gave a quote: 180,000!"

180,000

This price was offered considering Wu Jing had starred in one film and acted in two TV dramas.

Translation: "This price was considering that Wu Jing had starred in one film and two TV dramas."

Upon hearing it, Wu Jing was overjoyed.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Wu Jing was overjoyed."

He isn't a big-name star who can guarantee box office, so a salary of 180,000 is absolutely not small.

Translation: "He isn't a big star who can guarantee box office, yet an 180,000 salary is absolutely not little."

"It's very generous, thank you, Director Jiang! Is this film also a co-production with Beijing Film Studio?"

Translation: "\"It's so generous, thank you, Director Jiang! Is this film also a co-production with the Beijing Film Studio? \""

Note: Director Jiang (per glossary) and Beijing Film Studio.

"Yeah, we have that plan, and we're already talking with them!"

Translation: "\"Hmm, we have that plan, and we're still talking with them! \""

'"Oh!" Wu Jing's joy somewhat subsided.'

Translation: "\"Oh! \" Wu Jing's delight somewhat subsided."

He didn't know that for the film Prehistoric One Hundred Million Years, Jiang Heng had provided the vast majority of the investment, yet retained absolute control.

Translation: "He didn't know that for the film 'Prehistoric One Hundred Million Years,' Jiang Heng had provided the vast majority of the investment, yet retained absolute control."

Prehistoric One Hundred Million Years

He worried that Beijing Film Studio might object to the casting choices, to the point that even drinking lost its appeal.

Translation: "Worried that the Beijing Film Studio might object to the casting, even drinking lost its appeal."

After eating, Jiang Heng called the hotel to send a car to pick him up and also to bring a driver to drive his car back.

Translation: "After eating, Jiang Heng called the hotel to send a car to pick him up, and also to bring a driver to drive his car back."

The hotel staff drove Wu Jing away first, then took Jiang Heng back to Shangri-La.

Translation: "The hotel staff drove off Wu Jing first, then took Jiang Heng back to Shangri-La."

Shangri-La

The next day, Jiang Heng called Han Sanping to tell him he had returned.

Translation: "The next day, Jiang Heng called Han Sanping to say he had returned."

"The latter exclaimed, 'You're coming back—why didn't you tell me? I could have gone to pick you up myself!'"

Translation: "He exclaimed, 'You're coming back—why didn't you tell me so I could pick you up myself!'"

"Jiang Heng laughed, 'I know you're a busy person; I wouldn't dare trouble you.'"

Translation: "Jiang Heng laughed, 'I know you're busy—I wouldn't dare trouble you!'"

In a few months, China Film Group would be established, and Han Sanping was about to become vice chairman and general manager; this meeting was during the preparation stage, so naturally he was very busy.

Translation: "In a few months, the China Film Group will be formed, and Han Sanping will soon take office as Vice Chairman and General Manager; this is precisely the preparation period, so he is naturally very busy."

Han Sanping laughed heartily and then said, 'Lately I've really had a lot on my plate, but your return is a major matter—everything else can wait; I'll send someone to pick you up right away!'

Han Sanping laughed heartily and then said, 'Lately I've really had a lot on my plate, but your return is a major matter—everything else can wait; I'll send someone to pick you up right away!'

Jiang Heng knew he was eager to see the finished product, but he didn't expose it, laughing and saying, 'No need for all that trouble—I'll drive over myself!'

Translation: "Jiang Heng knew he was anxious about the film's completion, but he didn't spoil it, laughing, 'No need for all that trouble—I'll drive myself over!'"

After hanging up, he packed up and brought the source material to Beijing Film Studio.

Translation: "After hanging up, he packed up and took the film materials to the Beijing Film Studio."

When the car arrived at the administrative building, a group of people came out to greet him; Jiang Heng got out, exchanged pleasantries with everyone, and then they went upstairs together.

Translation: "When the car arrived at the administrative building, a group came out to greet him; Jiang Heng got out, exchanged pleasantries with everyone, and then they went upstairs together."

In the factory director's office, Han Sanping asked Jiang Heng about his recent experiences abroad; Jiang Heng naturally said post-production had been arduous and costly, but fortunately the final product was fairly satisfactory, so the money hadn't been wasted and he hadn't suffered for nothing.

Translation: "In the factory director's office, Han Sanping asked Jiang Heng about his recent experience abroad; Jiang Heng naturally said post-production had been arduous and costly, but fortunately the finished film's effect was fairly satisfactory, so the money hadn't been wasted and he hadn't suffered for nothing."

"Being able to get you to say it's satisfactory shows the post-production work is not bad!"

Translation: "\"If you say you're satisfied, the post-production must have been good! \""

Han Sanping's face lit up as he paced two steps and asked, 'What do you think the domestic box office could be?'

Translation: "Han Sanping's face lit up as he paced two steps and asked, 'What do you think the domestic box office could be?'"

Jiang Heng replied, 'I think over 100 million is no problem!'

Translation: "Jiang Heng replied, 'I think over one hundred million is no problem!'"

Although Prehistoric One Hundred Million Years is not the first dinosaur effects blockbuster seen by domestic audiences, it is the first domestically produced dinosaur effects blockbuster; just based on that hook, it could draw many viewers.

Translation: "'Prehistoric One Hundred Million Years' may not be the first dinosaur effects blockbuster seen by domestic audiences, but it is the first domestically produced dinosaur effects blockbuster; just based on that hook alone, it could draw plenty of viewers."

Moreover, with Director Jiang, Wu Jingzu, Li Meiqi starring, and Ge You making a cameo, just these names alone would give the film strong appeal.

Translation: "Moreover, with Director Jiang Heng, Wu Yanzu, and Li Meiqi in the lead roles, and Ge You making a cameo, just these names alone give the film tremendous appeal."

Note: Using Director Jiang for Jiang Heng's director role per glossary.

Thus line 37 translation: "Moreover, with Director Jiang, Wu Yanzu, and Li Meiqi in the lead roles, and Ge You making a cameo, just these names alone give the film tremendous appeal."

Securing the winter holiday slot, getting over 100 million in box office is no problem.

Translation: "Securing the Lunar New Year slot, achieving over one hundred million in box office is no problem."

Upon hearing that, Han Sanping felt much more relieved, immediately arranging people to prepare the screening room to lead Beijing Film Studio's senior leadership in properly examining the film's quality.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Han Sanping felt much more relieved and immediately arranged for people to prepare the screening room, to lead the Beijing Film Studio's senior staff in taking a good look at the film's quality."

In the small screening room, everyone watched closely, especially the stars who, due to the 'Nine Stars Aligned,' traveled to the Jurassic world; that fantastical image made them widen their eyes and hold their breath.

Translation: "In the small screening room, everyone watched closely, especially as the leads, due to the Nine Stars Conjunction, traveled to the Jurassic world; the fantastical visuals made them widen their eyes and hold their breath."

'"Wow, this image is too magical!"'

Translation: "\"Wow, this visual is too magical! \""

'"This dinosaur is too realistic!"'

Translation: "\"These dinosaurs are too realistic! \""

'"It's really scary!"'

Translation: "\"So scary! \""

Especially seeing the image of the time-travelers being eaten by dinosaurs frightened some female comrades into screaming, even though they dared not look, they especially wanted to see.

Translation: "Especially seeing the scene where the time-travelers are eaten by dinosaurs frightened some female comrades into screaming; though they dared not look, they couldn't help but want to."

Just one feeling: exhilarating!

Translation: "Just one feeling: exhilarating!"

Just seeing the reactions of a few female comrades, Han Sanping felt the film was a success, and then he watched it to the end with great interest.

Translation: "Just from seeing the reactions of a few female comrades, Han Sanping felt the film was a success, and then he watched it to the end with great interest."

Two hours passed, and the film ended.

Translation: "Two hours passed, and the film ended."

Han Sanping stood up, laughing, and asked, 'What does everyone think of the film?'

Translation: "Han Sanping rose, smiling, and asked, 'What does everyone think of the film?'"

'"The effects are too realistic, feeling even better than Jurassic Park!"'

Translation: "\"The effects are too realistic—better than Jurassic Park! \""

'"Mm-hmm, the money was well spent!"'

Translation: "\"Mm-hmm, the money was well spent! \""

Actually, during this time, Beijing Film Studio has had rumors about Jiang Heng.

Translation: "Actually, lately the Beijing Film Studio has been circulating rumors about Jiang Heng."

That is, he alone went abroad to do special effects, not letting Beijing Film Studio staff accompany him, in order to embezzle the special effects production funds, so that when the film is made, the special effects could turn out disastrously!

Translation: "Namely, that he went abroad alone to do special effects, not letting the Beijing Film Studio's staff accompany him, in order to embezzle the special-effects production funds, so that when the film is finished, the effects might turn out disastrous."

Han Sanping also had these concerns, but given Jiang Heng's overly firm attitude, he could only choose to trust him, actually feeling great pressure inside.

Translation: "Han Sanping also had these concerns, but since Jiang Heng's attitude was extremely firm, he could only choose to trust him, although he actually felt tremendous pressure inside."

Now seeing the film's special effects far exceed expectations, Han Sanping's worries are finally dispelled.

Translation: "Now that he has seen the film's special-effects scenes far exceeding expectations, Han Sanping's worries have finally been dispelled."

Having Jiang Heng called back to the office, Han Sanping was quite excited, walking back and forth discussing the schedule and distribution.

Translation: "Having summoned Jiang Heng back to the office, Han Sanping, quite excited, walked back and forth discussing the schedule and distribution."

Jiang Heng laughed and agreed, basically agreeing to Han Sanping's arrangements.

Translation: "Jiang Heng replied with a smile, basically agreeing to Han Sanping's arrangements."

'"By the way, I have something to tell you—I've recently written another script; take a look!"'

Translation: "\"By the way, I have something to tell you—I've just written another script; take a look! \""

'"Han Sanping was stunned, then instinctively said, \"A third film? Great, I'll take a look! \""'

Translation: "Han Sanping blinked, then instinctively said, 'A third film? Great—I'll take a look!'"

'"Taking the script Jiang Heng handed over, Han Sanping only glanced at it and exclaimed delightedly, \"A Journey to the West theme—great, great! \""'

Translation: "Taking the script Jiang Heng handed over, Han Sanping glanced at it and exclaimed delightedly, 'A Journey to the West theme—great, great!'"

He immediately sat down, examined it seriously, and to his surprise, the more he looked, the graver his expression became.

Director Jiang, you... this...!

Factory Director Han, between us, just speak frankly!

Han Sanping no longer polite, spoke bluntly: "Your story is wonderful, it would look great when filmed, but it's a bit overdone. It needs to be revised, otherwise it will be difficult to pass review!"

Jiang Heng shook his head, "Can't be changed; if changed, the film's theme would be gone!"

Han Sanping flipped through again, shook his head regretfully, sighed: "Not easy to handle!"

At this moment, China Film was about to be established; he would under no circumstances dare to participate in shooting a film full of metaphor and satire.

Jiang Heng had anticipated this, wasn't disappointed, laughed: "No problem, I'm investing exclusively in this film, I can afford it."

Han Sanping hurriedly stood up and said: "Hey, it's not that serious, not that serious. Let's study this further; at least wait until the film 'One Billion Years BC' is released, the rights will have been sold, then we can study it properly!"

(End of chapter)