[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta":3,"chapter-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-114":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Playboy of Huayu: How Did a Celestial Immortal Transform Me?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297740,4495,"Chapter 114: Daoism and Judaism","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-114",114,"\u003Cp>September 7, 2002, Venice, Hotel Aman Canal Grande.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu, this is Harvey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harvey, this is the excellent young director, Lu Kuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quentin gestured wildly with both hands as he spat while bragging about *Whiplash*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had Italian blood; he couldn't speak without moving his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should have gone with me to see that movie the other day; it is absolutely a masterpiece.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, haha, Venice added extra screenings for Lu yesterday, and I watched it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan and Quentin were still waiting for his follow-up, but they didn't expect this hairy, fat pig to just pick up his whiskey, take a sip, and say nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days had passed since the premiere of *Whiplash*; the film's word-of-mouth was explosive, and the audience had demanded that Venice add several screenings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your trade paper ratings don't seem very high, do they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu's heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had asked Quentin to introduce his staunch ally Harvey to discuss overseas rights, and he had already anticipated before coming that Harvey would use the trade paper ratings as leverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Venice Film Festival trade paper was a daily publication that recorded the screening schedule, film introductions, interviews with filmmakers, and in-depth analyses of the films during the festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was *Whiplash* so popular with the audience, yet its trade paper rating so low?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the power of discourse over trade paper ratings was held in the hands of veteran Italian media and film critics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, the claim Lu Kuan made while actively giving interviews—that *Whiplash* was a fusion of art-house film and the Hollywood spirit—had been making a lot of noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had not received public praise from the festival president, De Haden, film critics had already launched fierce attacks against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A nondescript musical film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fascist film that vilifies the image of teachers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cinematic trash with no technique, no cinematography, and no substance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Venice's veteran film critics held high the banner of anti-Hollywood; how could they possibly give *Whiplash* a high score in the trade paper?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trade paper used a 5-point scale; the current rating was 2.3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu naturally knew the temperament of this Jewish businessman and was in no hurry to defend himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can wait a while; perhaps the situation will be clearer after the awards ceremony ends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey wore a mocking expression: \"Eastern boy, you don't naively think your movie can win any major awards, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu curled his lip at him, looking completely indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey harbored secret resentment; he had certainly taken a liking to *Whiplash*, and even felt that the actor playing the fascist teacher had a chance to compete for an Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an out-and-out masterpiece!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had started out making art-house films, though they were the kind of European art-house films with soft-core pornography.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this musical art-house film, he even saw the shadows of commercial and thriller films; this was a box-office value that ordinary art-house films did not possess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this: 500,000 US dollars, and I can reluctantly take it to North America.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, let me give you a piece of advice: it's very difficult for new directors to get started, so don't think too much of yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan gave a disdainful sneer; he wasn't afraid of offending Harvey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jews were the most pragmatic; as long as you had value to them, they could tolerate any temper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu suddenly changed the subject: \"Harvey, you are Jewish, you must believe in Judaism, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white pig looked sincere: \"Of course, we are all the chosen people of God, and naturally we believe in Yahweh, who bestows blessings upon us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yahweh is Jehovah; the terminology in Judaism and Christianity is different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan sneered: \"The Ten Commandments include 'thou shalt not commit adultery' and 'thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods'; has Mr. Harvey achieved these?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white pig slammed his wine glass onto the ground and angrily scolded this Chinese director who had no sense of propriety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?! Is this the politeness of you Chinese people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quentin was somewhat dumbfounded; he had thought today would be a banquet where both host and guest would be happy, with Lu Kuan selling for a good price and Harvey buying a good film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This? This?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can only say that Quentin, your heart isn't dirty enough to keep up with the train of thought of these two dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu looked down at the blustering Jewish old fox: \"Harvey, let's speak plainly; you know the value of *Whiplash* better than I do. Are you trying to insult me with 500,000?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey wouldn't budge an inch: \"You are an unknown little director; it's already quite good that Miramax can make you famous in North America. Are you trying to push your luck?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have a proverb in Judaism.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"'Contentment is a heaven-sent wealth, luxury is a man-made poverty.' Kid, I think you should apologize to me now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu laughed: \"Judaism? Judaism only has a history of 3,000 years. Do you know what I believe in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey said disdainfully: \"You Chinese, besides Marx, what else do you believe in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu let out a long sigh; his \"mystic\" persona hadn't been online for a long time, and he was a bit rusty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dipped his index finger in some wine and quickly drew a spirit-summoning talisman on the table with sweeping strokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe in China's oldest Daoism; it existed before you Jews were even born.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a bluff; formal Daoism formed in the 2nd century AD, with a history of no more than 2,000 years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But tracing it back to its origins, it might truly be far longer than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harvey, this is a Daoist talisman. Before the water marks of this talisman dry, I can see through the little secrets in your heart. Do you believe it or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahaha! Interesting Oriental, you make me unable to help but burst into laughter!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The last time I saw such an interesting Chinese person, it was that investor of *Hero*, Zhang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu's eyes lit up: \"Good! Since you mentioned Zhang Weiping, I'll talk about you and *Hero*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey rolled his eyes and checked his watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this kid didn't loosen his stance, he was thinking about whether he could raise the price slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quentin was an out-and-out China fan and kung fu fan; he even wanted to play the White-Browed Daoist of Wudang Mountain himself in his *Kill Bill*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, looking at the supernatural, magnificent, and strongly religiously mysterious simple talisman, he felt awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu! Please explain it to us, I'm really too curious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fearing the sea breeze would dry the talisman, he carefully stood to the side and surrounded the talisman with his large palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu chuckled inwardly; this guy really was a weirdo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harvey, you must have talked to New Pictures about the overseas rights for *Hero*, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white pig gave a noncommittal response, signaling him to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait a moment, I'm performing a ritual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quentin: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu held his left hand on the outside and his right hand on the inside, palms facing inward, his left thumb pressing the 'Zi' mark on his right hand, and his right thumb pressing the 'Wu' mark on his right hand, holding them together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he suddenly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harvey, your psychological price for *Hero* should be around 20 million, and you want to buy out their overseas distribution rights because you are very optimistic about the box office performance of this film in North America!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, *Hero* had an investment of 30 million USD; the North American agency rights were bought out by Harvey for 21 million USD, and it later grossed 130 million USD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This business deal made Harvey fat and wealthy, while Zhang Weiping's guts were turning green with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quentin screamed: \"Lu, do it again, I didn't see it clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the ancient serpent, Satan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey exclaimed as he stood up, looking in disbelief at the harmless-looking young Chinese director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps a Daoist priest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu stood up gracefully and lit a cigarette with flair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harvey, I will not discuss the overseas rights for *Whiplash* with you until the film festival awards are over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I think you can prepare the money first; I have a lot of confidence in myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint wisp of smoke drifted by, as if signaling the mysterious religion of the ancient Eastern nation, and vanished into thin air before Harvey's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Master Lu was outputting a barrage of profound ancient Chinese religious heritage at the Jewish white pig, Lu Tailang was gloomily drinking with Wang Xiaolei in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Wang, I really don't understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiaolei glanced at him silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scholar is useless; when something happens and they suffer a blow, all they know is how to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can people like Gong Li and Takeshi Kitano stand up for him, and that Quentin, that shameless Hollywood sex maniac!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no help for it; *The Missing Gun* was produced by Huayi, and he didn't have such a strong grudge against Lu Kuan himself, but due to interests, he had to target him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*The Missing Gun* had a domestic box office profit of 7 million, which was already quite good for the investors, but the overseas rights were also a piece of fat meat that had to be eaten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some might ask, *The Missing Gun* entered the \"Against the Current\" section, while *Whiplash* was in the main competition section; did this also constitute a competitive relationship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2002, especially in 2002 when the Chinese commercial films represented by *Hero* had not yet fully made a name for themselves, it was very difficult for domestic films to sell overseas rights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After 1993, the state stipulated that various film studios could trade rights with overseas agents on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Jianqi's *Postmen in the Mountains* was sold by Xiaoxiang Film Studio to the Japanese agent Kazuo Fukasawa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This film was screened in Japan for a long time and had a box office income of 400 to 500 million yen, while the original selling price was only 70,000 to 80,000 USD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were countless examples of such losses, so seeking to exhibit and sell films at overseas film festivals became an important path for domestic art-house films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for most foreign film buyers, the quotas they held for Asian or even Chinese films were limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The momentum of *Whiplash* is currently so fierce that its popularity at home and abroad is rapidly catching up to *The Missing Gun*, which is certainly not good news for Huayi Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiaolei smiled and said, \"Old Lu, don't be anxious. Lu Kuan does have some talent, but this is his first time participating in a foreign film festival; there are many things I suspect he doesn't know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zheng seemed to have grabbed onto a straw: \"Young Master Wang, what do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His current festival daily rating isn't high, and I have already had several domestic media outlets publicize this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, there is a spectacle to be seen in the square today; I think we could make something of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up: \"You mean 'Give Me Back My Money'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Kuan is at a film festival for the first time; he was even oblivious when his poster location was taken earlier, so I suspect he is mostly unaware of this matter as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Venice Film Festival has a small, unwritten tradition: a spontaneous protest movement by the audience called \"Give Me Back My Money,\" which is in its fifth year this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was originally started by a well-known Italian film website that set up ten large billboards outside the main festival venue, the casino.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They encourage audience members who feel they have been deceived to write down their thoughts using the most vicious language possible, angrily slamming the films they hate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day before the screenings end, the website selects the three worst films of the day and awards the submitting audience members a prize equivalent to the 20-euro ticket price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zheng said somewhat bashfully, \"Young Master Wang, isn't that a bit inappropriate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is a fact that their festival daily rating is low, but to publicly go and write smear material... this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiaolei looked at this bespectacled man who was playing the hypocrite after benefiting, feeling somewhat speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who doesn't know who here? What are you putting on an act for with me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu! You come from a scholarly family and have a brilliant literary talent; this task is yours by right! Once you write it, I'll have someone translate it and go post it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiaolei waved his hand to make the decision, and when he looked back, he already saw Lu Zheng writing furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beiping, Ruicheng Center, Zhang Jian’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruicheng Center is the current Liangmaqiao Four Seasons Residence; in 2002 it was over 20,000, and 20 years later it is already over 100,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After showering, Zhang Ruoyun was surfing the web in his bedroom, the interface constantly switching between blogs, Tianya, and Mop, feeling quite happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is currently Lu Kuan’s strongest mouthpiece, specializing in catching black fans and angrily slamming them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And look, a report from the front lines in Venice on the entertainment section of Tianya has just entered his range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Title: *Whiplash* festival daily rating far from meeting standards, audience on-site protests demanding refunds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below is a concise text explanation regarding the gradually declining festival daily rating of *Whiplash* and on-site photos of the \"Give Me Back My Money\" movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this day and age, having pictures as proof is no different from a definitive hammer blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the post was published, it quickly built up a high number of replies, with countless fans of Xie Tingfeng and Chen Guanxi swarming in; they are naturally Lu Kuan’s number one black fans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Only for Tingfeng]: This is just reaping what you sow. The eyes of foreign audiences are sharp; they can all tell this is a person who fishes for fame and compliments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Handsome Across East and West]: Agree with the first floor. I don't know where this person gets the confidence to go abroad and make a fool of himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ruoyun decisively started slamming back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Dream-Chasing Innocent Child]: Are foreigners your daddy? If they say *Whiplash* is bad, then it's bad? The movie with the dog-shit notes made by your daddy didn't even make it into Venice, where do you get the face to mock Lu Kuan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really wanted to say that Lu Kuan’s movie was the best, but facing the overwhelming negativity across the entire internet, he was also a bit unsure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he is only a high school student and does not yet have enough vision and insight to be firm in his own perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that is Venice, and Lu Kuan is just a soon-to-be-enrolled Beijing Film Academy student who is a few years older than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Unparalleled]: Really speechless. This Lu Kuan caused my Brother Zhou Jielun to lose face too. I really don't know why he went to act in his movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ruoyun was furious. Shouldn't this be an ally? How did they defect in the face of battle? Trying to step on Lu Kuan to save Zhou Jielun, are they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clicked on the blog site again; it was still calm here. Zhang Ruoyun keenly noticed that among all the websites, only the blog site treated Lu Kuan with the least malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were only a few sporadic so-called film critics posting articles attacking *Whiplash*, though in reality, they probably hadn't even seen the movie yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all just royal film critics hired with money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people would sooner or later become big colonialists like the public intellectuals, listening to whoever pays them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Mei Yanfang, Zhou Xun, Zhang Jizhong, and others posted articles as always to support him, wishing *Whiplash* good results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly dealt a blow to the reputation and popularity of *Whiplash* on the mainland was a \"Director Face-to-Face\" segment on Xinlang Entertainment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well-known directors like Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige looked forward to the 8 competing films and their directors from the two shores and three regions at this year's festival from the perspective of professional film directors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When talking about Lu Kuan and *Whiplash*, Director Chen Kaige expressed his pessimism in a calm tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed it was a film that possessed both artistic and commercial elements, yet was neither fish nor fowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young director Lu Kuan’s creative approach had serious flaws, unable to perfectly blend the plot between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xiaogang on the side was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took the money, but you, Old Chen, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes and illustrious family background, are you doing this too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pfft! This guy is just looking to get back at the young Lu Kuan for rejecting him at the Beijing Film Studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly wouldn't indulge such a \"shameless person\" as Lu Kuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2866,"2026-06-20T06:05:17.358Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","f19e579ecfb26692d6598f8ee4a3862178182ec87493e83e90437020404cf4c1","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-115","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-113",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]