[{"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-322":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},2297948,4495,"Chapter 322: Washing Machine: I Want to Give You a Major Blow Right Now","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-322",322,"\u003Cp>The first meeting of the Olympic team was originally intended to be a dinner gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some artists were absent today; for instance, Lin Ying from the original inquiry group was busy in the United States designing proposals and had to ask for leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the awkwardness at the meeting venue that afternoon, Zhang Yimou decided to wait until the next time everyone was gathered to host the banquet, also giving Zhang Jiegang, Chen Weiya, and the others time to go back and properly digest and adapt to today's events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of artistic attainment and strength, Lu Kuan’s level is above yours;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of the methods of conducting oneself and doing things, both sides can be considered to have had a go at it this afternoon, and the winner has already been decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether you cooperate fully or act in compliance while secretly opposing in the future depends on your own choices and awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you remain obsessed and refuse to come to your senses, and stir up any more trouble, you will have to bear the consequences when the leadership blames you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the surface, this Olympic team, which has gathered the top Chinese artists from across the country and even the world, has truly established the authority of the two leaders, Lu Kuan and Zhang Yimou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with a discerning eye can see it; you few old fellows at the bottom should just accept it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two master-apprentice brothers are getting along very well, supporting and empowering each other; those who want to climb the ladder should give up early—there’s no chance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for which of the two general directors behind this will be responsible for the opening ceremony and which for the closing ceremony, it is clearly a matter of showing their true skills, and also a consideration for the higher-ups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Lu, your creativity today is truly fantastic. I estimate that after the Olympics, you will have gained quite a few more insights into filmmaking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled and said: \"This is one of my purposes for participating in the Olympics. Large-scale galas and films have many similarities; artistic forms are all interconnected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, Director Zhang, what about your *Curse of the Golden Flower*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou slapped his thigh: \"I was so focused on thinking about your scroll during the meeting just now that I forgot to inform everyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The scenes at the Beijing film set should be wrapped up by the end of the month, and then we have to head to Hengdian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will have to trouble you all to make the trip with me then; I have already arranged for the crew to prepare the logistics for everyone in Hengdian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This arrangement was no different from his previous life, and Lu Kuan nodded: \"That’s no problem. Olympic program creativity is a very tedious thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I filmed *Tangshan* last year, I was brainstorming while filming; it’s not bad to change my train of thought occasionally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou thought of his new film: \"Has the new script been filed for record? I heard from Zhuangzhuang and President Han that it has changed significantly from before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Lu Kuan nodded: \"Some things happened in North America over the past two months, and I’ve had some new insights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Originally, it was a relatively simple single-line narrative of Ms. Zhang Chunru writing her book, but now I want to interweave the contents of the *Rabe Diary* and the *Vautrin Diary*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The entire film has become an analysis and retrospective of that unbearable history through Ms. Zhang’s perspective, displaying its truth before the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou exclaimed in surprise: \"This is a grand scene, a grand undertaking! From the restoration and construction of the sets to the tens of thousands of extras, not to mention the various historical figures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it’s really filmed, I see the scale as comparable to *Schindler’s List*!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director stood under the Olympic Building with Zhang Yimou, smoking, and sighed deeply: \"Casting is underway in North America; the main supporting roles are Vautrin and Rabe, and it is also quietly proceeding domestically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the crew takes shape, I estimate the scale won’t be much smaller than *Schindler’s List*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of admiration for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Schindler’s List* has over 120 characters, 30,000 extras, more than 30 outdoor locations in Poland, and over 140 sets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The film cost 23 million US dollars back in 1993, and the behind-the-scenes team alone was conservatively estimated at several hundred people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan’s ambition is great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first met Zhang Chunru in Berlin in 2002, it was merely to give her a thought, a concern, so that this heroine would not pass away in the prime of her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the beginning of the new year, having experienced so many difficulties and obstacles, he instead wants to painstakingly turn this historical art film into a masterpiece that will truly go down in film history!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wants to film this massacre movie as the Chinese version of *Schindler’s List*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it is the realistic significance of clarifying history or the exploration of his own film art, it is an excellent opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even, after the Olympics and the massacre film, he vaguely feels that he might be able to try and touch that door of the masters that Bergman spoke of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the door are Kurosawa, Godard, Buñuel...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou patted his shoulder heavily: \"Great idea! I absolutely support you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you have decided to film it as an epic historical movie, I suggest you don’t be too impatient; the Olympics can serve as a practical tool for you to practice and understand coordination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou looked at his little junior from the Beijing Film Academy with emotion: \"I am so looking forward to it; I look forward to seeing the Chinese *Schindler’s List*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After finishing this film, I think you will truly be able to enter the inner sanctum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed as he spoke: \"The key is that what makes people most jealous of you is that you aren’t short of money!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We old guys, who have had our hair turn white worrying about investments, are very envious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled at this, and immediately thought of the later rift between Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping, as well as the over-quota birth incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems it would be an effortless task to help him eliminate that, and kick that not-so-loyal partner away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that is a story for another time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers chatted and laughed for a while longer, then A Fei drove over to pick up Boss Lu and leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the taillights of the Bentley Arnage disappear, Zhang Yimou, who had been in the film industry for twenty years, suddenly had the same thought as Gu Zhangwei when he watched *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* at the Cannes Film Festival last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new generation of Chinese film masters might just be emerging under the gaze of their generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he had joked earlier, the young director’s greatest advantage is being able to experiment with his film ideas without restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sufficient funds, a perfect industrial chain, an extremely high fault tolerance rate, a cast that he can choose almost at will if he ignores the cost, plus the high-level perspective of a reborn person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest depends on the director’s own intuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mid-February, Boss Lu temporarily asked for leave from the Organizing Committee to go to the United States to handle various trivial matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The North American strategy was about to begin, and the young director, who never wronged himself in life, wondered if he should buy a plane to facilitate traveling between the two places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he used the excuse of running PR for *Tangshan* to get a Best Foreign Language Film nomination this time, he did not notify Harvey, Lionsgate, or anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After flying to New York, he checked directly into the Marriott Hotel, waiting for a \"spiritual friend\" he had known for a long time—a giant crocodile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, Lu Kuan, who had not yet adjusted to the jet lag, was dozing off in front of the floor-to-ceiling window when he was gently woken up by A Fei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up and reached out to Paulson, who had a puzzled look on his face: \"A bit surprised? Mr. Paulson?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson was stunned for a few seconds: \"Uh, I didn’t expect it to be you, Mr. Director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Mr. Mytube!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two laughed out loud at the same time; Boss Lu didn’t expect this big short-seller to be quite humorous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After graduating from Harvard in 1980, Paulson entered Wall Street and worked successively at well-known financial institutions such as Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his time at Bear Stearns, he mainly engaged in M&A business, accumulating rich experience in financial transactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later at Goldman Sachs, he further expanded his professional knowledge and network resources in the field of investment banking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition to taking advantage of the subprime mortgage crisis for speculation, Boss Lu also wanted to get to know more North American investment banks and brokers through him; it is always good to have someone who knows the ropes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu, tell me your purpose.\" Paulson looked around the top-luxury suite that cost twenty thousand dollars a night: \"Fortunately, I am not a Hollywood actress, and you don’t have a red couch here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Otherwise, I might really not want to leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled politely and went straight to the point: \"I heard you are raising funds to establish a fund for shorting COD?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>COD is a type of asset-backed fund product that includes residential mortgage loans, credit card loans, and corporate bonds. The reason Paulson sought to short it was also simple—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the bubble in the US real estate market and the potential risks of the subprime mortgage crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right, is Mr. Lu interested?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson was extremely surprised; his hawking and selling were not going very smoothly at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth is always in the hands of the few; he had been proclaiming everywhere that the subprime mortgage crisis was bound to come, but there were few respondents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In later generations, it wasn’t until July 2006 that Paulson, having exhausted his entire net worth of 30 million US dollars, had only raised less than 150 million US dollars for his short-selling fund.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I am interested.\" Lu Kuan pretended to be knowledgeable; he had to let this Wolf of Wall Street know that he was not easily fooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was just a case of \"donkey dung balls that are shiny on the outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was preparing to invest in property in New York last month. A local Chinese female designer, Lin Ying, you’ve heard of her, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson smiled: \"Of course, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is her work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, she told me that the current housing prices in New York are far higher than the trend line, and there is a serious bubble risk, so she advised me to buy later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hired an expert to conduct research, and he pointed out that the proportion of US subprime mortgages in 2005 had reached a new high, inferring that future housing prices would fall by at least 40%!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson’s eyes lit up, as if he had found a soulmate: \"A very distinct point of view; I agree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In fact, the investigation results provided by my team are that current subprime borrowers are highly dependent on borrowing new money to pay off old debts, and the loan model has huge risks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially in areas with high housing price increases like California and Florida, the default rate may be masked by refinancing. Once housing prices fall, the default rate will inevitably soar!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson, who had once been a Wall Street stockbroker, looked at this Chinese youth holding a huge sum of money: \"Mr. Lu, I urgently hope to serve you; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why he knew Boss Lu held huge capital?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two billion plus sold by Mytube not long ago was still in his hands; no matter how little, it was better than him, this distressed fund manager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu’s expression became solemn: \"Tell me your plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starting from the second quarter, I plan to start purchasing detailed data on subprime default rates and reports from non-performing loan investigation companies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once the timing is ripe, the team will make moves on subprime mortgages in the four states of California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Directly insure these assets by purchasing Credit Default Swaps (CDS), and use the loopholes of collusion between investment banks and rating agencies to buy double-A or even triple-A rated CDS, achieving high-leverage operations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson was quick-witted and deliberately blurted out many professional terms, staring fixedly at this Eastern director, attempting to create a sense of awe for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he was also observing whether this investor, whose main profession was a director, really understood; perhaps he had a chance to take advantage of him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This passage sounded complicated, but in the eyes of Lu Kuan, who had done his homework in advance, it was very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, CDS is insurance bought for houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Paulson team predicted that housing prices in these four states would plummet, they could have two choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buy short RMBS directly, so that if housing prices fall, he can get the money from shorting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other way is to buy CDS insurance, and there is a hidden rule of trading in this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, Paulson can collude with insurance companies and investment banks to label high-risk houses as low-risk houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is equivalent to buying a product with a high payout amount for a very low premium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This way, the premium is lowered, and with the addition of leverage, once the housing market crashes, it becomes a massive windfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jews are cunning, but Boss Lu is even more cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had done his homework in advance and immediately pointed out the \"Big Short's\" black-box manipulation methods: \"It counts as perfectly utilizing loopholes, but you must pay attention to the rating issues of your competitors!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If their ratings drop, the price volatility of your CDS will intensify, and there may even be situations where trading counterparties demand increased margin; the capital pressure will be enormous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson looked at this Eastern director in astonishment, only then truly regarding him as a \"high and mighty\" investor rather than \"dumb money\" from Asia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Lu, I see Eastern wisdom in you, just like you spoke about on the Larry King show.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu waved his hand, ignoring the flattery: \"Before the third quarter, I will give you 1 billion USD to build a CDO for me separately. Listen well, separately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The investor of this fund will contact you; it has nothing to do with me, whether in practice or on the surface, understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson stood up excitedly: \"My God! What a great Eastern investor! You can rest assured!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are a professional investment team; we have specialists to provide help with both offshore companies and trust structures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Big Short vowed: \"Mr. Lu, your friend can set their heart completely at ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu nodded with satisfaction: \"Depending on the situation, there is a possibility of additional capital; please put in the effort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If possible, perhaps in the future I can find someone to write a screenplay for a movie called 'The Big Short' to properly promote your genius operation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paulson naturally thought he was joking, but still very supportively stepped forward to shake hands: \"Lu, can I ask you a question?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you think of finding me to do a short-selling fund?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director shook the *Wall Street Journal* in his hand: \"Your American newspapers write about the 'China Threat Theory' every day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What, is it strange for me, a Chinese person, to come and short the United States?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! See you again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Big Short returned fully loaded, and Boss Lu also waited for this huge sum of money to seize the opportunity to acquire high-quality assets in North America.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In later generations, Paulson used 1 billion in principal, employed 10x leverage, and purchased low-risk CDS at a 1:80 payout ratio, earning a default payout with a total value of about 15 billion USD when the 2007-2008 subprime mortgage crisis broke out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fund he managed profited about 20 billion USD, with a personal income of nearly 4 billion USD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this life, apart from his first pot of gold from the Korea-Japan World Cup, Lu Kuan had little interest in speculative opportunities like sports betting or low-priced Chinese concept stocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you're going to play, play big; there are truly too many places that will need money in the future, so one must plan ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After secretly meeting with Paulson, Boss Lu rested for one night and then immediately set off for Los Angeles without stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He prepared to meet with one of the male lead candidates at Taylor's casting studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Tang Mu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the studio, a tall Hollywood top-tier star stood up and curiously sized up this Eastern director: \"Lu! You are more handsome than I imagined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, thank you!\" Boss Lu calmly accepted his well-intentioned banter: \"Since you've said so, I must also return the compliment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have much more charisma than the other Tang Mu in Hollywood!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hanks laughed out loud: \"I've heard too many people in Hollywood talking about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially those two guys Martin and Leo, De Niro, and of course your good friend Harvey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu's face darkened: \"Um... actually, Harvey and I are just ordinary friends, ordinary friends!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! Don't mind it, you are different from him.\" Tom Hanks looked very talkative: \"You are a guy who doesn't need money to pick up girls, he can't!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, *The Da Vinci Code* premieres in May; if you are in North America then, I hope you can come to show your support.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hanks smiled: \"You are now one of the most famous Eastern faces in North America, and you have a lot of appeal among the Chinese diaspora!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Oscar-winning actor lowered his salary by 2 million USD for *The Da Vinci Code* in exchange for a box office share, effectively becoming an investor in the film, so he was very invested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two talked for a while, then Taylor knocked and entered, along with Tom Hanks's agent, Ms. Jennifer from CAA.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Lu, I've heard so much about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please sit, shall we talk about the script and the roles?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hanks put on a pair of glasses, instantly getting into character, and held the character script he had received earlier: \"Lu, I want to ask a few questions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the approximate investment and scale of this movie? I noticed that Rabe is only a character in a subplot shot of the film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu slightly exaggerated: \"There are over 100 characters with screen time, over 10,000 extras, and the total investment is about 45 million USD.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hanks was an old film hand and ran his own company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still somewhat surprised that such a 100% art-house film could have such a large production scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you not worried about profitability and breaking even?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director smiled: \"I have had precise profit forecasts and assessments, and I am confident in doing the project well, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tom, I want to talk about your salary first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, if following the salary of an ordinary commercial film, the figures for Tom Hanks, this Hollywood superstar, were an open secret. He had long been a member of the 25 million USD club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just like domestic actors who lower their salaries or even perform for free for art-house films they like, Hollywood stars are even crazier in this regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Tom Hanks himself; he only took a symbolic 100,000 USD for the 1999 art-house film *Mulan*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brad Pitt taking 6,000 USD in *Thelma & Louise*, George Clooney taking 30,000 USD in the 2005 *Good Night, and Good Luck*—examples abound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including Leonardo, who was determined to pursue an art-house path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, if it weren't for the huge difference in image, this role should have already been given to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 1937, Rabe, who was in Jinling, was 55 years old, while Tom Hanks was 50 this year; in terms of height, appearance, and acting skills, he was the most suitable candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was currently still Boss Lu's one-sided \"courtship\"; Tom Hanks was interested, but needed to know more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I admire Rabe's anti-war actions very much; the plot of this movie moved me. Before this, I had indeed rarely heard of this history.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu coaxed him: \"Tom, I know you are an anti-war activist and a member of the Hollywood Actors Guild Anti-War Association; that is also the reason I invited you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To tell you the truth, my goal is to film this movie as the Chinese version of *Schindler's List*; this history is very important to the Chinese people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are an American actor liked by many Chinese people; your *Forrest Gump* DVD sold over 20 million copies in China, and I have been your fan since I was a child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jennifer, the blonde agent from CAA, couldn't listen anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Tom Hanks's expression, if they kept talking about salary like this, they wouldn't be able to ask for an exorbitant price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu! Such a movie and role will also offend Japanese audiences and companies, and even Columbia; we have to consider this point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director shook his head: \"You considered the feelings of Japanese audiences, why didn't you think about the Chinese audience?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Chinese population is 13 times that of Japan; Rabe is a friend of the Chinese people. If Tom plays this role, he can gain great favor with the audience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Film Association chairman said that the Chinese film market is a diamond mine in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Tom can have top-tier popularity in the mainland, the possibility of Hollywood producers looking for him to be the male lead in the future will also be greater, won't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu was glib: \"For example, the investment portfolio I signed with Disney—those will all be options available to Tom at that time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jennifer was rendered speechless by his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a sophistry; population and movie-going population are two different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2006, the film volume of the Japs was about 1.7 billion USD, while the domestic market in this life was barely 400 million USD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the prepared outmaneuvering the unprepared, the CAA agent didn't know what excuse to use to raise the price for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hanks took off his glasses: \"Lu, I must admit I am very interested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father, Amos Hanks, had German and British ancestry; letting me play a German-descended anti-war activist, there is nothing wrong with that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the fierce eye signals from his agent, he reached out his hand: \"I heard from Martin Scorsese that you are the only director in recent years to be received by Bergman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swedish television said he considers you the next Kurosawa of Asia and is looking forward to collaborating with you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu felt relieved; with the principal's stance, it would be much easier to drive the price down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the unwritten rules of Hollywood actors appearing in art-house films, it was not impossible to aim for around 2 million USD under ideal circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy to collaborate; I will have someone send the follow-up shooting schedule to your email. If there are time issues, we will coordinate again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Happy to collaborate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taylor watched Tom Hanks and the CAA agent walk away and couldn't help but exclaim: \"Lu, your homework was very thorough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Tom Hanks had been committed to anti-war causes since *Forrest Gump*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, anti-war is the iron rule of Hollywood political correctness, and coupled with the young director's fame now widely proclaimed to the world, that was the only reason there was a possibility of recruiting him at a low price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hollywood actors lowering their salaries only bow to top-tier directors; they can at least look forward to awards in Europe and North America, otherwise, what would they be aiming for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu was in a great mood: \"Taylor, what about the female lead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taylor smiled: \"Julianne Moore has agreed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so? That's great; I've thought it over and over, she is the most suitable candidate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julianne Moore is 46 years old this year, similar to Vautrin in the movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu chose her for two reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is that in 2002 at the Venice Film Festival, the year his *Whiplash* won the Golden Lion, Julianne Moore won Best Actress, and the two had an intersection at the reception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second is that in later generations, Julianne Moore had a film called *Still Alice*, in which she played a patient suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which was impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Vautrin in the movie experienced tremendous psychological pressure and mental trauma during the massacre, and passed away shortly after returning to her country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julianne Moore's ability was sufficient to deeply portray Vautrin's complex inner world and emotional changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is the salary situation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taylor smiled: \"She received 4 million USD for *Children of Men* this year; this movie will have scenes with Tom's Rabe, so I think it won't be difficult to negotiate it to under 1 million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan let out a long sigh of relief; the casting difficulty for these two foreign roles was very high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the salary for art-house films is limited, and second, in terms of character fit, Vautrin and Rabe are both older images.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Hollywood's makeup technology is already very advanced now, the age gap cannot be too large, otherwise it would be too jarring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final issue is the subject matter of this film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The influence of the Japanese in North America and Hollywood cannot be underestimated, and many actors still have reservations about this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the Japanese sniping that began at the film's inception to the three-month-long difficulty in casting, the road ahead would not be smooth sailing either; Boss Lu had already made sufficient psychological preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it is the alliance with Disney, the sniping at News Corporation, the Twitter that is being developed intensively after the merger, or the speculative funds in the hands of the Big Short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These are all preparatory measures to escort this film in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After working busily in North America for a while and taking the *Tangshan* crew to run some promotions, on March 6th, Lu Kuan led the crew to attend the 78th Academy Awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the film's subject matter, no one held any hope for winning an award.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Best Foreign Language Film nomination, \"snatched\" from the hands of *The Promise*, was at best a way to boost sales for the DVD release two months later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition, among today's awards, *Tangshan* did indeed have a Best Visual Effects category it hoped to challenge, with *King Kong* as the opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was still very meaningful for actors like Song Jia, Zhou Xun, and Hu Jun; after all, according to the development path of later generations, these few would not have the fate of just being here for a visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still the bustling red carpet ceremony, with Song Jia and Hu Jun, and Zhou Xun and Lu Kuan walking the red carpet in pairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, it was basically reporters shouting for Boss Lu to stop and take photos; the other three Chinese actors could be considered to have hitched a ride on some of the heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether acting or on the red carpet, Zhou Xun carried a sense of relaxation: \"Zhao Linger is here too, waiting for us at the hotel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waiting for what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waiting to go eat hot pot after it ends; she said there is a very good Little Sheep in Los Angeles Chinatown.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu was speechless: \"It's your first time attending the Oscars; it would be better to go to more cocktail parties after it ends. I'll introduce you to some big Western directors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun looked indifferent: \"For my type, it's too hard to break into Hollywood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not about acting; they don't need Eastern faces for dramas either. Only Zhang Ziyi has some connections now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before these words were finished, Zhang Ziyi, who was in front of the signature wall, walked over with a smile to greet them; she was representing the *Memoirs of a Geisha* crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Memoirs of a Geisha* won Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design this year, but Zhang Ziyi herself came away empty-handed, not even getting a single nomination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, Zhou Xun, long time no see!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun smiled and hugged her ritualistically: \"Hello Ziyi, it's so good to see you abroad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relationship between the two was average, but they had collaborated in *Perhaps Love* during last year's New Year season, and as both were among the Four Dan Actresses, they naturally wouldn't be distant on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, I've long wanted to hear your guidance on my performance in *Memoirs of a Geisha*!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of any past friction, Zhang Ziyi had always greeted Boss Lu with a smiling face, and she did not stint on flattery even before she had achieved such a high industry status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself had a habit of being greedy for petty advantages, but her ability to assess the situation was very high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Zhang Ziyi, the best outcome would be to capture this man, and the second best would be to exchange intimacy for some resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, she had to be diligent in her flattery; after all, his resources in North America were the strongest among domestic directors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a godfather-level figure in the Oscar public relations world like Harvey was enough to make countless actresses drool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu responded with a smile: \"Your role in *Memoirs of a Geisha* received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, so it's naturally not bad. I have nothing to offer in terms of guidance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way Ziyi, do you know Deng Wendi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ziyi was startled; she had only eaten with Deng Wendi yesterday, and the other party had introduced her to an Israeli billionaire, Vivi Nevo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her second ambition to become a wealthy socialite after Huo Qishan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Um... I know her, Director Lu, but we aren't very close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ziyi was not stupid; Deng Wendi had made a fool of herself at Hong Kong Disneyland last week, and it had already become a laughingstock in the North American Chinese circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention domestically, where Little Liu's massive fan base had already begun \"virtual targeting,\" with some even scaling the firewall to launch an expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled: \"Good, you must keep your eyes open when associating with her, be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Director Lu, I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the few compatriots chatted for a while, Zhou Xun followed him toward the awards venue and asked suspiciously: \"Why did you warn her just now? Look at how you scared Zhang Ziyi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director said casually: \"Deng Wendi's joint venture in the mainland has invested in Huayi; she is bound to make some moves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If she wants to pull Huayi to shoot a co-production, given the relationship between Zhang Ziyi and Deng Wendi, she would naturally prioritize her for the sake of box office and popularity in North America.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just casually scaring her; maybe she will back down when she considers it. You are also a Huayi actor, wouldn't you have a chance then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having a chance to stand out, importance further enhanced, share allocation increased—a virtuous cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun looked at him and sighed with emotion: \"Zhao Linger is right; when it comes to being cold-hearted, it still has to be you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu's face darkened: \"I play the villain, isn't it still to help you raise your status at Huayi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun covered her mouth and laughed: \"The key is I'm very curious, is your brain binary?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren't artists usually completely clueless about these conspiracies and calculations?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun thought of her ex-boyfriend named Pu Shu, who was overflowing with talent but couldn't take care of his own life, let alone think about these twists and turns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled without a word: \"If you treat life as a movie, you'll understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun was bewildered, naturally not understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Yifei, who was waiting for them at the hotel, understood a little bit now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guests at the awards venue were socializing and giving interviews everywhere, and another Chinese face came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li An, whose spirit was refreshed by happy events, walked over leisurely: \"Hello Zhou Xun, your performance in *Tangshan* was excellent; when will there be a chance to collaborate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Definitely! Director Li, you chat with Director Lu, I won't disturb you first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, good, hehe.\" Li An naturally wouldn't visit without a reason, but he started with a round of flattery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, I've heard about the Olympic proposal; it's a work of genius! Truly magnificent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu's teeth ached as he listened to him use two idioms incorrectly in a row; he didn't know how Mandarin was taught in Taiwan Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looking forward to you returning to the country soon to participate in our brainstorming!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li An said in a dilemma: \"Sigh, you don't know, I resigned from the Olympic consultant position.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just took on a film, adapted from Eileen Chang's novel *Lust, Caution*; the pressure is huge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled and said nothing; you are under pressure, but your actors, especially Tang Wei, are also under huge pressure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li An is an interesting director; from 1991 to 1994, he released the Family Trilogy: *Pushing Hands*, *The Wedding Banquet*, and *Eat Drink Man Woman*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, to put it exaggeratedly, it's one masterpiece, one disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2000, *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* exploded in reputation and box office; in 2003, *Hulk* flopped hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2005, *Brokeback Mountain* won the Golden Lion and then the Oscar for Best Director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for this next film, *Lust, Caution*, it would certainly be biased to call it a failure; after all, its artistic height is widely recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it did indeed cause more controversy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan understood what the pressure he spoke of was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've read *Lust, Caution*; a patriotic youth falling in love with a traitor is indeed not an easy subject to handle. You need to be mentally prepared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li An nodded: \"This story is very absurd, but it also seems not absurd at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back then, Wang Jingwei, who said 'to draw a sword and become a quick death, not failing the head of a youth,' also defected; let alone a small woman floating in troubled times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, I plan to use a deeper and darker perspective to explore the humanity of Wang Jiazhi, even more so than the original work!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Kuan, I want to hear your opinion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu let out a long sigh, but he wasn't too surprised by his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li An appears gentle and refined on the surface, but his film philosophy and imagery are extremely rebellious and dark; this is not simple praise or blame, right or wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Eat Drink Man Woman* features an illicit May-December romance, a rebellion against traditional love and family relationships;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Brokeback Mountain* is same-sex love, a rebellion against secular love;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entanglement between Yu Jiaolong and Li Mubai in *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* is a rebellion against Confucian ethics and the morality of the pugilistic world;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including *Life of Pi*, at a deeper level, it is the mutual devouring between relatives, a rebellion against the bottom line of human ethics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for *Lust, Caution*, it is simply the culmination of this old guy's rebellious thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patriotic youth Wang Jiazhi being physically conquered by the traitor Mr. Yee is a rebellion against traditional values of nationalism, patriotism, and collectivism, which is thought-provoking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much so that Li An cried while filming in later generations, and Liang Chaowei comforted him: \"Director, you must take care; we are exposing our bodies, but you are exposing your heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li An wanted to hear the opinion of Lu Kuan, who had once met his lifelong idol Bergman, but what could the latter say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li An of later generations was precisely under such extreme mental agony that he went to Fårö Island on a pilgrimage to gain spiritual liberation from his idol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu deliberated: \"Chinese people value collectivism and advocate the spirit of sacrifice and dedication; this is an excellent quality passed down to us for thousands of years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it cannot be denied that there is also a question here that often makes people think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is, if I am the one chosen to sacrifice, and I am not willing to sacrifice, what should I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director sighed: \"If this film is completed, it cannot be evaluated using universal values.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because your original intention is to expose the rebellious human ethics, to lift the hypocritical veil of the human heart, and to show the darkest side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll say it again, the choice is in your own hands, but you must consider the external influence; you may suffer a major blow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's none of my business, just hang it high; anyway, the one being scolded after filming won't be me. Fulfilling the duty of reminding Li An is enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Kuan, you're right; what I'm struggling with most in my heart right now is where to place this degree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li An of later generations adjusted this dark degree to the point where one couldn't see their own fingers, almost filming himself into a breakdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh right, I'm looking for a female lead right now; I need a girl with an elegant temperament, a great figure, a height between 164-168 cm, and a visual age of around 19-23.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You collaborate with Liu Yifei more often; what do you think of her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu suddenly turned his head and frowned at him, with the expression of a subway old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old guy is a film buff who usually doesn't care about anything outside his own world; asking this question is a bit brainless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What do I think?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to give you a major blow right now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",6416,"2026-06-20T06:05:19.268Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","cbc551e441f6150e37f607dd369da64e3ff67d4a30e85f793ff0bb1f7c156c9c","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-323","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-321",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]