Volume One, Chapter 140: The Han Dynasty Begins Filming

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After flying back to Jiangxia from the Magic City, Jiang Yu and Su Muy u returned home. Director Chen had already contacted them the day before.

The filming of *The Great Han Dynasty* was about to begin.

“Mu Mu, what should I bring to the set?” As soon as they got home, Jiang Yu began packing without a moment’s delay.

Su Muy u turned her head. “What did you call me?”

“Mu Mu. I heard your best friend call you that the other day. It sounds more intimate than Xiao Yu, so I’m going to call you that from now on.” Jiang Yu turned around with a smug smile.

Su Muy u shot him an annoyed look. “You really don’t need to bring that much. Just pack a few pairs of underwear and a set of pajamas. You’ll be staying at a hotel most of the time anyway, and you’ll be wearing costumes on set.”

“All right, then I’ll bring just one change of clothes.” Jiang Yu turned back and continued packing.

The two of them ate a little, then dragged their suitcases out of the house.

Their van was already waiting outside.

Jiang Yu’s assistant, Wu Kenan, and Su Muy u’s assistant, Xiao Zhu, were already sitting inside.

When the time was right, Jiang Yu called Chen Guosheng.

“Hello, Director Chen. I’ll be downstairs at the hotel in about twenty minutes. Starting today, I’ll officially be joining the production.”

……

“Hahaha, little brother, I’ve been waiting ages for you. At long last, you’re here.”

When they finally arrived at the hotel, Chen Guosheng was waiting at the entrance.

Jiang Yu walked over and looked at him with a smile. “Sorry to trouble you, Brother Chen. I’ve been rather busy lately and kept you waiting.”

“No trouble at all. You arrived just in time for the start of filming. Everything’s ready—we were only waiting for you. Come on, let’s go inside and talk.”

The production’s posters had already been put up.

An offering table had also been set up at the hotel entrance, complete with a deity statue, an incense burner, and a camera covered with red cloth.

All of this had been prepared for the opening ceremony, an indispensable part of filming.

It was said that the custom had been introduced from Hong Kong. In the early days, people usually worshiped Lord Guan. In truth, however, it originated long ago, when opera troupes would worship their patron deity before beginning a performance, praying for his blessing.

The tradition had continued to this day. Whether it was a television series or a film, the production had to hold a worship ceremony before filming began.

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Although it was somewhat superstitious, it was an established rule in the industry: once a production officially began, incense had to be burned and prayers offered.

In reality, it also served as a kind of mobilization meeting. Everyone paid their respects, prayed for a smooth production, steadied their resolve, and created a sense of ceremony.

After all, life needed a little ritual.

“The director’s here, and the leading man and woman are here too!” someone called when the staff spotted them walking toward the offering table.

The production had begun preparing long ago, but the lead actors had never appeared, so most of the crew had never met them. Moreover, people had heard that Chen Guosheng had been waiting all this time for these two.

Chen Guosheng was a heavyweight in the industry. Even top-tier stars had never made him so patient. Now that they heard the male and female leads had arrived, everyone crowded forward, craning their necks toward Jiang Yu and the others.

“Everyone’s here now!” Chen Guosheng stopped and began introducing all the members of the production team, as well as the other actors, to Jiang Yu and Su Muy u.

This was Jiang Yu’s first time joining a production from the very beginning. The last time he had visited Su Muy u on set, filming had nearly wrapped, and many people had already left. Seeing so many people now, he could not help clicking his tongue.

Generally speaking, a production was divided into the directing team, camera crew, sound crew, lighting crew, art department, set-design team, wardrobe, props, makeup, logistics, and a host of other departments.

There were also guest performers and supporting actors.

Jiang Yu shook hands with each of them in turn.

Everyone was polite and exchanged greetings—everyone except one man.

When Jiang Yu came to a male actor, he courteously extended his hand. The other man completely ignored him and even snorted coldly, clearly intending to humiliate him.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Everyone present began whispering and pointing at the two of them.

They were all wondering what kind of grudge Jiang Yu had with this man for him to target Jiang Yu so openly.

Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes. The actor looked vaguely familiar.

“Qin Tianhao, what are you doing?” Chen Guosheng’s expression darkened as well.

Jiang Yu smiled. “It’s all right, Brother Chen.”

After all, this was Chen Guosheng’s production, and Chen Guosheng had treated him extremely well. For the sake of Chen’s reputation, Jiang Yu had no choice but to swallow his anger. After saying that, he turned and shook hands with the next person.

Su Muy u finished greeting the previous person and walked over. The next one was Qin Tianhao.

His attitude toward Su Muy u was completely different. The moment he saw her, he put on a smile.

“Xiao Yu, looks like we have another chance to work together.”

As he spoke, he took the initiative to extend his hand.

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Su Muy u gave him a cold look, ignored him, and went straight to shake hands with the next person.

Qin Tianhao stood there with his hand outstretched, trapped in an awkward silence. Then he turned toward Jiang Yu, his eyes filled with hatred.

After Jiang Yu finished shaking hands with the last person, he turned and happened to meet Qin Tianhao’s gaze.

He was also rather curious about how exactly he had offended the man.

But there was no time to ask about it now. Chen Guosheng walked over to the offering table and raised his voice.

“All right, everyone’s here today. Before we begin, I’d like to say a few words—just between ourselves.”

“This production has a substantial budget, so I hope everyone will take it seriously. If the show turns out badly, I’ll bear the greatest responsibility as the director. But I’ll still have other opportunities.”

“For some of you, however, this may be your only chance. Whether you act well or put your heart into the work, the audience will see it. Whether you receive praise or abuse afterward will be up to you.”

“And among those viewers will be other major directors and producers. In other words, some of your futures will be riding on this production. Whether you rise to greatness or remain an unknown—that depends entirely on you.”

“If any of you perform well, I’ll invite you to work with me on my next production. If someone isn’t a good fit, I’ll recommend him to friends who are better suited to him.”

“And to the staff: a good production cannot do without its actors, but it relies on you just as much. You are the greatest contributors to a production’s success. Once filming is complete, I’ll make sure everyone receives a bonus—and more work will come pouring in afterward!”

“I hope we’ll have a pleasant collaboration!”

Chen Guosheng had essentially struck them with one hand and then offered them a sweetener with the other—though the sweetener was merely a promise.

But everyone was happy to hear it. When he finished speaking, they all applauded enthusiastically, rubbing their hands in anticipation.

With a broad smile, Chen Guosheng raised his hand.

“Now, let us welcome my leading man and leading lady, Jiang Yu and Su Muy u, to the stage to unveil the red cloth with me!”

There was actually something like this?

Filled with curiosity and excitement, Jiang Yu followed Su Muy u to the offering table.

A staff member standing nearby shouted, “Three, two, one!”

The three of them pulled away the red cloth covering the camera together.

“I hereby announce…” Chen Guosheng stood behind them, smiling as he raised his voice.

“*The Great Han Dynasty* officially begins filming!”