We've strolled the streets, bought things, and spent time together. According to the normal procedure, the next step should be the start of intense fighting.

However, it was already 6 o'clock when Shen Kun called.

"Okay, Lu Ding Xuan, right? Alright, I'll be right there."

The call ended.

Shen Fang put the shopping bags hanging all over his body into the trunk and took Xu Qing to Lu Ding Xuan.

The normal procedure for visiting a set is to bring bread, drinks, and fruit to the entire crew as a treat, and then arrange a meal for the main actors. However, Shen Fang was very wealthy and generous, so he arranged a meal for all 200+ members of the crew.

The two entered the private room, where Zhang Yimou, Andy Lau, Simon Yam, Ti Lung, Damian Lau, Andy On, and Jiang Chao were already seated. Maggie Q, who played Cao Ying, was also present.

Upon seeing Shen Fang's arrival, they all stood up. Shen Fang's several special appearances in Hong Kong had already left a deep impression on these artists. He was known as a big boss and a golden dragon.

Shen Fang smiled and said, "Sit down, sit down, don't be so polite."

Shen Fang led Xu Qing to sit down next to Zhang Yimou.

Once all the dishes were served, Chen Fang picked up his wine glass.

"Wishing Jianlong a bright future after his armor is removed, let me raise a toast to everyone."

Everyone stood up.

We clinked glasses.

"Senior, how's the plot development going?"

Zhang Yimou smiled and said, "I found a few experts to come over. There shouldn't be any major problems, but to be honest, if we film it like this, I expect a bunch of historians will come and nitpick. It's too mythologized."

The TV series "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" has been extensively altered.

If I had to describe the previous "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" in one sentence, it would be that only the actors were first-rate, the props were second-rate, and everything else was utterly subpar. The script was riddled with plot holes, and the storyline was incomprehensible. The original novel was a heavily modified version of an alternate history, yet it was filmed to conform to historical accuracy, resulting in a disappointing production from beginning to end.

The plot is full of holes

The characters of Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei in the drama are portrayed in an exaggerated way. Zhuge Liang instigates Zhao Yun to launch a surprise attack in the middle of the night, Guan Yu is inexplicably sent to Sichuan, and the actors' makeup is baffling. Furthermore, the dialogue about "Guan Family Army" and "Zhang Family Army" is utterly nonsensical. If Liu Bei were alive, he might very well have been driven to his death by this scriptwriter.

The screenwriter and director are terrible.

The film was based on a popular, heavily modified novel at the time, which completely fictionalized the history of the Three Kingdoms. Yet, it still used character names and parts of the plot, clearly trying to capitalize on the novel's popularity.

Director Lee Yan-kong probably had the same idea when he was filming. However, the film didn't achieve the same effect as the novel. A novel can simply state that it's a heavily modified version, but a film can't.

The entire series was filmed in a very historical style, but none of the plot points, titles, or character personalities were historically accurate. To use a common saying, it was a case of "trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead," and it even damaged the film's reputation. It's a real shame for these good actors.

From the perspective of film

The film's sets and props were quite well done, although they didn't accurately reflect the historical context, which is why they were still well-received. The music throughout the film was also excellent, evoking the desolation of the late Eastern Han Dynasty. It's a pity that so many good resources were wasted by the director and screenwriter.

The name Zhao Zilong of Changshan embodies the invincible legend of the Three Kingdoms era. His seven charges into and out of Changbanpo were a testament to his heroic prowess.

Although Zhao Yun's historical origins are unclear, there is at least one teacher he learned from, and his apprenticeship is described in the Three Kingdoms period. What's with the movie's opening scene—Zhao Yun is supposedly just a refugee soldier who ran away from Changshan? A genius among refugees, self-taught, with innate divine abilities?

Zhao Yun was from a prestigious school; in an era that valued reputation, even if he had just mentioned his master's name, he wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state.

Therefore, the opening scene lowered Zhao Yun's status, so this part was directly cut. In addition, there were many problems with the characters, so Shen Fang asked the scriptwriting department to revise them all.

Shen Fang chuckled: "Experts? It doesn't matter. As long as 'See the Dragon's Armor' can achieve good results abroad, their words are just bullshit."

"If everything has to be done according to their ideas, then there is no point in this play at all, and there was no such person as Zhao Yun in history."

"Liu Bei's defeat at Xinye and Zhao Zilong's seven charges in and out of Changban Slope are merely descriptions in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This did not happen in history. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a novel, and there was no historical event of Zhuge Liang burning Xinye. Neither Records of the Three Kingdoms nor Zizhi Tongjian contain any record of it; it is entirely fictional."

The old strategist nodded: "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms records that Cao Cao led an army of 400,000 to besiege Liu Bei at Xinye, while the Records of the Three Kingdoms states that Cao Cao led 5,000 elite cavalry to pursue Liu Bei to Xinye. It's certain that 400,000 troops pursued Liu Bei, but is that reliable?"

The story of Zhao Yun's seven entries and exits is also unfounded. According to the "Biography of Zhao Yun" in the Book of Shu in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, when Liu Bei was pursued by Cao Cao at Changban in Dangyang, he abandoned his wife and children and fled south. Zhao Yun carried the infant Liu Bei in his arms and protected Lady Gan, Liu Bei's mother, so that they could escape the disaster.

There's no such scene of seven entries and exits in official historical records; our focus is on the movie.

"In short, the movie must highlight Zhao Yun, portray him as an invincible war god, a protagonist of a wish-fulfillment novel, and a super war god with unwavering loyalty and invincible combat power."

"This drama is the beginning of the Three Kingdoms story. If it is developed well, we can arrange for the Five Tiger Generals, Lü Bu, Cao Cao and others to follow. Historical documents can be referenced, but we cannot abandon the aesthetic concepts of modern people because of history. The combination of Chinese and Western elements and commercialization is what we want."

"What do we care about the insults from a few people? As long as we perform well, the audience is happy, and we make money, so what if they insult us? It won't hurt us."