Chapter 244: Turning over to become Director Jiang?

Although Wu Yuchen hadn't been in Beijing for the past few months, the *Brotherhood of Blades* crew hadn't stopped. Several main actors, Zhang Guorong, Jiang Wen, and Wu Jing, were all doing corresponding training.

Wu Jing was fine, having practiced martial arts since childhood and having a foundation, so he practiced very easily here. It was bitter for Zhang Guorong and Jiang Wen. Zhang Guorong had filmed ancient costume action dramas in Hong Kong before, and he was a very serious person, so he didn't call it tiring when training. But Jiang Wen couldn't take it. He had never filmed action dramas, and it took him a long time to practice before he slowly achieved results, and now he could be considered decent.

In fact, there was another one, Zhao Wenzhuo, who joined the crew for training relatively late because he was still filming *Wind and Cloud* before, and he had a martial arts foundation, so he naturally got started much faster than Jiang Wen and Zhang Guorong.

However, after everyone trained together and suffered together, they got along very quickly. Today, after the few of them finished practicing, they were chatting and farting here. As soon as they stopped, Jiang Wen greeted them to gather around and said:

"Come, come, today I will tell you a few more about your roles!"

The few of them had been together for a period of time, and in fact, they all understood Jiang Wen. His desire to express was very strong, often pulling them here to talk about east and west, and during this period, the one he talked about the most was naturally the drama *Brotherhood of Blades*. Those who didn't know thought he was the director of this drama.

This wasn't the first time Jiang Wen had pulled them to analyze the script and roles. Wu Jing smiled and said: "Big brother, which aspect do you plan to talk about today?"

Jiang Wen played the big brother Lu Jianxing in the movie, so Wu Jing just called him big brother directly.

Jiang Wen picked up the knife on the ground and pulled it out from the middle: "Today I will tell you about the weapons we each use, as well as the meaning inside!"

In *Brotherhood of Blades*, the three brothers were all Embroidered Uniform Guards. Everyone also knew that the Embroidered Uniform Guards used the Embroidered Spring Knife, but in fact, the Embroidered Spring Knife was a general term and did not specifically refer to a certain style of weapon. The weapons used by each character in the movie were different.

A circle of people was about to speak, only to hear a cheer from behind: "Well said!"

Duan Long felt moved upon hearing this: "Brother Wen, do you mean that Ding Xiu and Jin Yichuan are both from the Qi family army?"

Jiang Wen smiled and waved his hand: "With Ding Xiu's appearance, how could he be from the Qi family army? But the master they mentioned in their mouths probably has something to do with the Qi family army!"

Zhang Guorong looked at Jiang Wen talking eloquently, and recalled the Shen Lian he played, feeling that what Jiang Wen said was really reasonable, and couldn't help but nod.

Jiang Wen smiled, took the double knives from Wu Jing's hand unhurriedly, touched the double knives in his left and right hands, and said to Wu Jing:

"As the saying goes, one inch short, one inch dangerous. The mandarin duck short knives of the third brother Jin Yichuan are suitable for close-range combat, and often face dangerous situations where life hangs by a thread. In addition, single knives look at the hand, double knives look at the walk, and your movements will change more, just to cooperate with the flexibility and variability of the double knives. This fits Jin Yichuan's lively personality, his identity as a desperate person, and his constitution of lung disease."

Zhang Guorong was also interested upon hearing this, and couldn't help but pick up his own saber to look at it. He only followed the training after coming over, and really didn't think from this angle. Did weapons have meanings?

Seeing this, Wu Jing immediately gave Jiang Wen a thumbs up: "Big brother is really amazing! Tell me about mine~"

Jiang Wen took his weapon, stroked the blade after pulling it open, and said with a smile: "The second brother Shen Lian uses the Goose Feather Knife. The Goose Feather Knife is shaped like a goose feather, the blade is straight and curved, and there is a reverse edge at the tip of the knife. It is light and easy to carry, suitable for medium-range attacks, and can be flicked, split, chopped, and stabbed. Supplemented by a single-handed crossbow that can pursue and surprise, the offensive is changeable and there is a lot of room for play. It fits Shen Lian's hidden mystery and witty and changeable personality."

Wu Yuchen walked over, nodded to the few people with a smile, and then said to Jiang Wen with an implication: "Jiang Wen, your preparation work for Lu Jianxing is really sufficient, even doing the homework for others!"

Seeing everyone's thoughtful look, Jiang Wen continued to talk eloquently:

"There is another point. Zhao Jingzhong, as a eunuch, clearly has no 'gun' but wants to use a gun. This design is also a metaphor of the director, destined that his gun is powerless, and whether it is doing things or killing people, it will not succeed, and the purpose has not been achieved several times."

Zhang Guorong pushed his weapon over and asked: "Then what about mine?"

Jiang Wen placed the knife in his hand in front of everyone and tapped it with his finger:

"Look, the weapon of the eldest brother Lu Jianxing needs to be held with both hands, the Goose Wing Knife. The blade is thick, heavy, and has great lethality. The knife technique is open and closed, and the attack path is designed to be standard, which just fits Lu Jianxing's mature and steady personality. He is loyal and responsible, but he is also very disciplined in doing things!"

Jiang Wen laughed heartily: "Hahaha, I read the script more when I was free. Wu Dao, the details of your book are very exquisite!"

And this kind of Miao knife also has a saying, also known as the Imperial Guard Knife. It is rumored that it was designed by Qi Jiguang to deal with Japanese pirates, and the name of Qi family knife was set during the Republic of China period. This is also a foreshadowing for the origin of the third brother and his senior brother."

As Jiang Wen spoke, he pointed to the long knife used by Duan Long: "And this Miao knife used by your senior brother, the blade is slender, shaped like a seedling, and the part close to the blade is not opened, combining the characteristics of both knife and gun, and can be used by single or double hands. It is extremely powerful to kill the enemy in battle, which is incomparable to ordinary weapons. It is worthy of Ding Xiu's identity as a master."

"Weapons and meanings?"

"The big villain Zhao Jingzhong, white tassel long steel gun. Our impression and title of the gun are 'King of All Soldiers'. However, because it is light and swift when dancing, and elusive, the gun actually has the title of 'Thief of All Soldiers'. And this long gun of Zhao Jingzhong can be dismantled into two short guns. This change just fits Zhao Jingzhong's role setting of being two-faced and having a heart of treachery."

"If you want to say that, I have a doubt. The Zhao Jingzhong I played is clearly a eunuch. Why is the weapon set for me a long gun? This doesn't fit the impression of a eunuch by ordinary people, right?"

The few people present had already been hooked by Jiang Wen, and Zhao Wenzhuo, who had not been mentioned, immediately asked:

The few people turned their heads and couldn't help but stand up, asking respectfully in unison: "Hello, Wu Dao!"

Jiang Wen smiled at this, not being stumped at all. Seeing a circle of people looking at himself, he pointed to the long gun standing not far away:

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "It won't work if it's not exquisite. I'm afraid it won't stand up to scrutiny by some people. If I raise questions when filming, how can I film it?"

Jiang Wen pretended to be okay and said righteously: "How is that possible? Who dares to question you, Wu Dao, I, Jiang Wen, will be the first to disagree!"

Zhang Guorong and others who were listening to the conversation on the side felt that the atmosphere between Wu Yuchen and Jiang Wen was a bit strange. It seemed that Wu Dao was beating Jiang Wen? But looking at Jiang Wen, it didn't seem like it.

The few people didn't know if this was Wu Yuchen's style, beating the actors first when joining the crew, so now they were all startled and refreshed.

Wu Yuchen's words just now were indeed beating Jiang Wen slightly. He looked at Jiang Wen's appearance and felt that he wanted to turn over to become Director Jiang, so how could that work? This crew must be surnamed Wu!

However, after hearing Jiang Wen's words, he didn't care about Jiang Wen anymore and said to the few people with a smile: "I also asked about your training results for these few months just now, very good! You guys prepare, the crew's opening press conference is the day after tomorrow~"

The few people couldn't help but show smiles on their faces upon hearing this. After training for so long, it was finally going to open!

As Wu Yuchen's martial arts masterpiece, the opening press conference of *Brotherhood of Blades* was naturally very lively. In fact, there was nothing to talk about, but because news of *Hero* had been coming out for the past few months, everyone was comparing the two martial arts films *Hero* and *Brotherhood of Blades* that were about to start filming, so the reporters picked up this topic:

"Wu Dao, I heard that *Hero* invited Li Lianjie, Liang Chaowei, Zhang Manyu, and Chen Dao to form a luxurious lineup. Many people think that the lineup of *Brotherhood of Blades* is inferior to *Hero*. How do you view this statement?"

"Wu Dao, *Hero* and *Brotherhood of Blades* are being prepared at the same time. You and Director Zhang Yimou are filming martial arts films at the same time. Is there any intention of competition?"

"Wu Dao, Zhang Weiping said that *Hero* is aiming for the Oscar for Best Picture and didn't put *Brotherhood of Blades* in his eyes. What do you think?"

Listening to these messy questions, Wu Yuchen also gave a short answer:

"First of all, I don't think our lineup is inferior to anyone. The actors for each role in *Brotherhood of Blades* were carefully selected by our crew as the most suitable. It is too superficial to compare simply by salary."

"Secondly, it can be said to be a coincidence that Director Zhang and I chose to film martial arts films at the same time, but it can also be said that we both have a common thought, which is to better promote Chinese culture to foreign countries."

"However, saying that the two of us are competing is nonsense. In fact, the two of us sat together and communicated friendly a while ago. *Hero* and *Brotherhood of Blades* are not of the same style. When the film comes out, everyone will know."

"As for Zhang Weiping..."

Wu Yuchen shook his head with a smile: "Zhang Weiping cannot represent Zhang Yimou. I have never believed a word of his words, and I advise everyone not to take it to heart."

Afterward, the reporters wanted to continue asking questions, but Wu Yuchen didn't intend to waste any more words and had already taken everyone to stand up and leave.

That night, Lao Mouzi specifically called Wu Yuchen, basically explaining that Zhang Weiping's words were purely for publicity, hoping that Wu Yuchen wouldn't misunderstand.

"Zhang Shixiong, don't worry, I have never taken his words to heart. Zhang Shixiong, you film well, I am looking forward to the few scenes you described to me back then!"

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, he also sighed. He couldn't comment on the relationship between Lao Mouzi and Zhang Weiping. But looking at Lao Mouzi's experience, since he was with Zhang Weiping, basically everyone around him had been driven away by Zhang Weiping, making enemies everywhere, and the name he used was for Lao Mouzi's own good.

At first, everyone felt that Zhang Weiping's nature was like this, but combined with later developments, this looked like Zhang Weiping wanted to make Lao Mouzi isolated and helpless, achieving the purpose of making it convenient for him to control him alone.

However, Wu Yuchen couldn't revolve around Lao Mouzi. He had already reminded him once before, and he couldn't say this matter again and again. Lao Mouzi still had to make his own decisions.

At this time, Jiang Qinqin, who was beside Wu Yuchen, drummed her little fist and said: "Husband, our *Brotherhood of Blades* is definitely stronger than *Hero*. When the time comes, let Zhang Weiping and that group of reporters have nothing to say!"

Wu Yuchen shook his head slightly with a smile: "You, if you want us to be stronger than *Hero*, then play your role well. How is the dance I asked you to practice?"

Jiang Qinqin patted her chest and guaranteed: "Husband, don't worry, I have practiced this dance for several months, and I will definitely dance it beautifully!"

"Okay, I'll watch your performance then!" Wu Yuchen said with a smile. This was a scene he specifically added for Jiang Qinqin, increasing the presence of her as the female lead. If she didn't play it well, she would definitely face his angry spray.

"Stop, stop, stop! Costume designer, come over! What's going on with these clothes?" Before filming started, Wu Yuchen called a stop first.

The person in charge of the costume group hurried over. Seeing Wu Yuchen pointing at Jiang Wen's clothes with an unkind face, he said cautiously: "Wu Dao, according to your requirements, the clothes of the three protagonists have all been made old."

"What about the patches? I specifically emphasized that Lu Jianxing's collar should have a patch? Where did it go?!"

The person in charge reacted, hurriedly apologizing: "Wu Dao, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! We'll go add it right away!"

"Delaying things! Hurry up!" Wu Yuchen scolded, watching the costume designer take off the clothes from Jiang Wen in a hurry to rush to do it.

Although *Brotherhood of Blades* had been prepared long ago, after it really started filming, it was inevitable that there would be some glitches in some places, so the opening wasn't very smooth, which made Wu Yuchen a bit angry. However, he also knew that part of the reason was that he wasn't there himself during the crew's preparation period, so many places definitely wouldn't meet his requirements without him staring at them personally. Now he could only solve it bit by bit during filming.

At this time, the three brothers were standing together. Wu Jing asked curiously: "Big brother, why do you still need to patch these clothes?"

Jiang Wen didn't even turn his head: "Poor! In order to get promoted, I handed over the bulk of my salary to my superiors to handle relationships. I'm short of money, and the patches on these clothes can reflect that I'm frugal. And the fact that our three clothes are made old is to show that our three brothers are short of money!"

Wu Jing showed a sudden realization expression upon hearing this, and Zhang Guorong also sighed: "The mainland crew is really serious. If it were in Hong Kong, no one would pay attention to such details at all."

Jiang Wen wasn't surprised at all, because he himself was a super detail freak, even caring about whether there was one more or one less button on the clothes. Wu Yuchen's point was very much to his taste, but in this way, how could he pick faults? ===== CHAPTER 245 =====