Huayu Shen Gongbao

Chapter 49 First Clash

Once Shen Gongbao's identity as a feng shui master is established, it will be much easier for him to cause trouble.

So as soon as Shen Gongbao joined the crew, he showed off in front of Han Sanping.

Han Sanping was indeed shocked. He asked curiously, "I only heard that you were the top scorer in the college entrance examination and a top student at Zhejiang University. I didn't expect you to know about feng shui and physiognomy."

Shen Gongbao began to fabricate: "When I was a child, I learned it from an old Taoist priest in the mountains of my hometown."

He taught me two secret techniques: "The Heart Seal of Feng Shui" teaches me the art of understanding the principles of landforms and measuring mountains and rivers, and "The Divine Mirror of Taiqing" teaches me the art of physiognomy and appraising treasures.

Unfortunately, I wasn't interested in this when I was a child, and I've forgotten a lot of it, only learning the basics.

The old Taoist priest told me that the most complex thing is the human heart; people are only willing to believe what they believe. He advised me not to easily reveal my knowledge of feng shui.

I only offered my humble opinion today because I saw you looking so worried, Mr. Han, and I wanted to help you out.

Han Sanping patted Shen Gongbao on the shoulder, his expression becoming much more intimate.

He said with a smile, "No wonder you're nicknamed 'Taoist Master.' You've been here for so long and haven't even had a sip of water yet."

Let's make some tea first, and then we can chat.

The two returned to Han Sanping's office.

While boiling water, Han Sanping said, "Your physiognomy is very accurate. Lü Le really does want to leave the crew. Do you have any good solutions to this problem?"

Shen Gongbao shook his head and said truthfully, "There is no solution to this problem unless we replace director Wu Yusen. Otherwise, the only option is for Lü Yue to leave."

"Mr. Han, you should find someone to replace him as soon as possible to reduce the time spent hesitating and minimize the losses."

This answer disappointed Han Sanping somewhat.

But he also felt it made sense.

After all, feng shui is not a panacea. If Shen Gongbao makes wild claims and guarantees, Han Sanping will start to doubt Shen Gongbao's motives.

Shen Gongbao's judgment that Lü Le would definitely leave, and his advice to Han Sanping to prepare in advance, has already provided valuable information to assist Han Sanping in making a decision.

Han Sanping agreed with Shen Gongbao's analysis and prepared to contact Zhang Li.

Zhang Li is the cinematographer for films such as *The Birth of a Nation* and *The Banquet*, and also directed the acclaimed TV series *Towards the Republic*.

In Han Sanping's view, if Lü Le didn't want to continue, Zhang Li was the most suitable successor.

After chatting with Han Sanping for half an hour, Shen Gongbao went to get his makeup and hair done.

He was taller than Tong Dawei, and his clothes and armor had to be changed.

Around 8 p.m., Shen Gongbao finished the first set of makeup and styling.

Wu Yusen took a moment to come over and look at it, then shook his head and said, "Your makeup and styling are no good. You don't have the simple and honest charm of Uncle Sun."

Sun Shucai is a fictional character created by John Woo. He is a lowly soldier in Cao Cao's army, and his character is simple-minded and naive.

When Zhao Yanzi's character, Sun Shangxiang, infiltrated Cao Cao's camp to steal intelligence, she became acquainted with Sun Shucai and used his simple-mindedness to complete the mission of stealing intelligence.

Finally, in the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Shucai was shot by several arrows while protecting Sun Shangxiang and died in her arms.

Even on his deathbed, he didn't forget to "ride high" with Sun Shangxiang.

That's right, two adults in a crucial battle that determined the course of the Three Kingdoms, why would they play a game of fat pig and glutton, and ride on a high platform?

When Shen Gongbao was reading the script for the role, he almost felt nauseous and vomited.

He would never have come to the Red Cliff film crew if it weren't for causing trouble.

What is an extremely disgusting and anti-intellectual plot in the eyes of normal people is, in the eyes of director John Woo, very necessary and sacred.

He wanted to use Sun Shucai's naivety and the purity of his relationship with Sun Shangxiang to demonstrate the devastation that war inflicts on humanity, thereby achieving an anti-war effect.

A naive and simple-minded person, and a man and a woman who should have become confidants or lovers, were tragically brought about by war.

This is Director Wu's favorite anti-war scene.

Therefore, Sun Shucai's character is portrayed as simple-minded and foolish, which is also Tong Dawei's comfort zone.

In his early career, Tong Dawei often played innocent, naive young men who were unaware of the ways of the world; he was quite adept at playing the fool.

But Shen Gongbao was not an option.

First of all, he has a rather aggressive bone structure, with sharp angles, skin close to the bone, and a lot of tension.

Secondly, his personality and temperament are also quite assertive, and he has an inherent sense of high intelligence, which is not suitable for someone who is simple-minded or foolish.

An actor's greatest work is their own face; no actor can escape the limitations of their face.

Shen Gongbao could play a fool, but the effect is definitely not as good as Tong Dawei.

But then again, it's not a big deal.

Shen Gongbao's portrayal of Sun Shucai wouldn't be out of place, and besides, it wouldn't be difficult to slightly modify the character's personality.

Great directors tailor their roles to the characteristics of each actor; this is a fundamental skill.

Wu Yusen's use of this incident to make a fuss is a deliberate attempt to target Shen Gongbao.

At first, Shen Gongbao didn't say anything, and went to do several more makeup and styling sessions, but Wu Yusen rejected them all.

Even at 11 p.m., Wu Yusen was still not satisfied. He deliberately said, "Your personal image is really not good. You don't match Uncle Sun at all."

This is no longer criticizing the makeup and styling; it's a direct criticism of Shen Gongbao as a person.

Shen Gongbao chuckled and said directly, "I'm just an actor, only responsible for acting."

As for how to make the film well and how to make the makeup and costumes fit the character, that's something you, as the director, need to coordinate.

Second-rate, bad directors only know how to cast the same actors, use the same makeup and styling, and repeatedly shoot the same routines. They don't try to bring out the charm of the actors based on their characters!

Your constant criticism of my makeup and styling is a denial of your own directing abilities!

If you're not capable, don't hire me!

Upon hearing this, the entire crew fell silent.

As everyone could see, Wu Yusen was deliberately making things difficult for Shen Gongbao, but no one expected Shen Gongbao to be so defiant.

After all, in 2007, the United States had a strong influence, and John Woo was a big director who had achieved commercial success in Hollywood. When he came to the mainland to make films, he put on airs.

Everyone treated him with utmost respect.

John Woo himself enjoyed this privilege. On set, he was stubborn and opinionated, and couldn't listen to different opinions at all.

This is why the production staff of the Red Cliff film crew left one after another.

On set, even when Han Sanping spoke to John Woo, he was very polite.

Shen Gongbao's public confrontation with Wu Yusen, even mocking him as a second-rate, lousy director, is truly unique.

Seeing Shen Gongbao's excited expression, Wu Yusen couldn't help but smile, before feigning anger and saying, "Did I invite you here? If you're not comfortable here, you can leave!"

Let me be frank with you, you're not suited to play Sun Shucai, and you're even less suited to be an actor!

Clearly, Wu Yusen wanted to take advantage of Shen Gongbao's youthful arrogance and provoke him to leave.

With the plan about to succeed, Wu Yusen had already imagined what it would be like for Shen Gongbao to become angry and take the initiative to quit.

Unexpectedly, Shen Gongbao changed his tone and said, "I have already signed the performance contract. If you want me to leave, you have to pay the penalty for breach of contract first!"

Besides, I was invited by General Manager Han, so you need to get his approval first.

Wu Yusen: "..."

Seeing that Wu Yusen was speechless, Shen Gongbao chuckled and left gracefully.

Wu Yusen then realized something was wrong.

This exchange not only failed to provoke Shen Gongbao, but also resulted in Shen Gongbao mocking them for nothing.

Looking at the expressions of those around him, he saw that many were suppressing laughter, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Wu Yusen grew angrier the more he thought about it, but it was too late; Shen Gongbao had already left.

This feeling is like being speechless and unable to win an argument, only to find that the argument is over by the time you finally come up with a better response.

That kind of discomfort still makes me feel frustrated and annoyed every time I think about it.

Why didn't I think of that back then!