Chapter 51: with translation of chapter title

Yu Dong, for a moment, also lost the courage to strike out on his own.

After all, to do distribution, one must have a source of films.

In Neidi, films are released by their own production companies; the steady supply of Hong Kong films has basically been monopolized by Jiang Heng.

If he were to quit and go solo, how many Xianggang film companies and directors would be willing to work with him—he had no idea!

Thinking that he at least held an 18% stake in Broad Sodium Film Industry, making him a boss big or small, the notion of going solo gradually faded.

Since he was temporarily hanging out with Jiang Heng, he wanted to make use of his abilities; preparing *Lion Camel Ridge* was now the most important task, and Yu Dong ran around doing quite a bit, such as negotiating the contract for Teacher Zhu Longguang.

As for actresses, Jiang Heng felt they weren't very suitable and didn't want to show up himself, so Yu Dong helped to send them off.

After all, the female roles in this film offer hardly any room to shine, so there's no need to spend big money hiring people.

If someone were willing to cameo for free, that could be considered.

Of course, even if some wanted to come for a free cameo, Jiang Heng would not consider them.

In the office, Yu Dong handed over today's audition list; Jiang Heng glanced at it and spotted a familiar name, Ding Haifeng.

I never expected that this drama would even attract the "Tiger-Slaying Hero".

Jiang Heng instantly became interested, laughing: "Let's just call Ding Haifeng in first!"

Yu Dong froze; that name was somewhat lower down on the list he had handed over.

Jiang Heng urged him to audition first; it seemed he felt there was a fitting role for him!

One didn't know whether to have him play Sha Monk or the Green Lion and White Elephant.

After all, with his 182 cm stature, imposing and dignified, it would hardly be right to have him play the chubby Pigsy or the cowardly, pedantic Tang Seng!

Yu Dong instructed the staff outside to go call Ding Haifeng in for an audition.

Not long after, a tall, imposing young man entered.

Ding Haifeng was born in '69, just over thirty now; in Jiang Heng's mental age, he's just a youngster.

However, after Ding Haifeng became famous from the 1998 *Water Margin*, he also appeared in several film and TV productions, but the response was rather mediocre.

For example, Qin Wuyang in *Jing Ke's Assassination Attempt on the Qin King* was just a minor supporting role, hardly pushing the plot forward at all.

Consequently, upon seeing the renowned Jiang Heng, famous as a "silver-screen tough guy", he was also extremely nervous.

"Hello, Director Jiang, I'm Ding Haifeng, who once played Wu Song in *Water Margin*!"

Jiang Heng waved his hand, smiling: "I know—I've seen the CCTV version of *Water Margin*; your Wu Song was really great!"

"Thanks for the praise, Director Jiang!"

"You're here for an audition; have you thought about which role you'd like to try?"

Ding Haifeng hesitated a few seconds, gave an embarrassed smile and shook his head.

He is tall and bulky, unsuitable for the Monkey King, and he didn't even dare dream of playing the lead.

As for the other roles, Sha Monk is tall and bulky, and the Green Lion and White Elephant are similar.

But if asked which he'd prefer, he hasn't figured it out.

Sha Monk has very few lines, just shouting: "Senior Brother, the Master has been seized by demons! Senior Brother, the Master and Second Brother have been seized by demons! Senior Brother, we're here!"

What's there to showcase?!

Of course, the film certainly won't be shot like that, but it's really hard to say which of these roles has more screen time.

Ding Haifeng said: "Um, I think any role is fine; Director Jiang, if you tell me which to play, I'll play it!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, then suddenly said: "What do you think about playing Tang Seng?"

"What?"

Ding Haifeng's eyes widened, dazed yet with a hint of pressure; he never imagined Jiang Heng would say such a thing!

Him playing Tang Seng—isn't that an international joke?

Tang Seng is just a useless wimp!

And he's white and chubby!

Jiang Heng, however, said: "Think about it—Tang Seng cultivated for ten lifetimes, the first nine were as pilgrims. He is single-mindedly determined to go to the West; if he weren't pathetic, how else should he be portrayed?"

"This!"

Ding Haifeng was somewhat dazed; how to play a non-pathetic Tang Seng—he had never even dreamed of it!

Seeing him break into a sweat, Jiang Heng laughed and said: "Don't be nervous; let's do this—I'll casually say a few lines, not from the script, just made up on the spot; don't put too much pressure on yourself, just repeat them a few times, and I'll see how it goes!"

Ding Haifeng was so nervous he could barely speak; after all, this is a effects-heavy blockbuster with a $50 million investment—how could he not be nervous?

He nodded at Jiang Heng to indicate he could proceed.

"'If the benefactor doesn't understand the Buddhist teachings, this poor monk also knows a bit of martial arts!'"

Jiang Heng said slowly, looking at the bewildered Ding Haifeng.

He only hesitated a few seconds, then repeated the line in full.

Probably feeling he hadn't done well, he said it twice more, then immediately looked up at Jiang Heng.

Yu Dong beside him stared, mouth agape; a Tang Seng who knows martial arts—what's going on, are they really going to give Tang Seng fight scenes!

Even with money, we can't do that!

Over 400 million RMB—Yu Dong just thinking about it feels his heart ache.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Heng showed a delighted expression, then immediately said, "Pick up the sutra!"

Ding Haifeng didn't hesitate either, immediately saying, "Pick up the sutra!"

But whether in tone or expression, his was even more composed and imposing than Jiang Heng's.

Jiang Heng almost couldn't help clapping; he had wanted to add, "Tie up your hair!"

But thinking there were still a bunch of actors outside waiting to audition, he decided not to joke around!

He then said: "Good, not bad—I hereby formally invite you to join *Lion Camel Ridge* as Tang Seng?"

Ding Haifeng was overjoyed, quickly saying, "Thank you, director, thank you director!"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Alright, you go back first; someone will contact you to sign the contract within three days, and then we'll trouble you to come over again."

Ding Haifeng quickly said, "No trouble, no trouble!"

After saying a few more words of thanks, he then left the room.

Yu Dong was almost dumbfounded, as if he had just understood, saying, "Well, really have him play Tang Seng?"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, "Exactly!"

"Any action scenes?"

Jiang Heng shook his head, "I just want to film a Tang Seng with a steadfast character, even a bit ruthless; I feel his temperament fits perfectly!"

Yu Dong thought, "He played Wu Song, who is notorious as a tough guy; how could he not have ruthlessness?"

"Then this film is quite subversive!"

For confidentiality reasons, regarding the script of *Lion Camel Ridge*, only Han Sanping has seen it, and it's not the final version.

Although it had been submitted for record, it was only a brief plot outline; even Yu Dong didn't know what the Sun Wukong and Tang Seng in this drama looked like.

Jiang Heng chuckled, "Indeed very subversive, completely different from the TV drama version!"

"If you say that, I'm looking forward to it!"

The two chatted a few words, then continued calling people for auditions, but the later actors weren't as satisfying to him as Ding Haifeng was.

Meanwhile, the array of female stars who came for auditions left Jiang Heng dazzled, unable to decide whom to choose for a moment.

Jiang Heng could only temporarily select some actors to join the troupe, without formal contracts; each day new people still came for auditions, leaving them anxious and fearful of being replaced.

(End of chapter)