Let's talk about the Three Kingdoms. The author himself made a Three Kingdoms film, which was pretty silly, but their obsession with the Three Kingdoms is beyond measure. You could even call it fanaticism.
I once watched a program that conducted a survey on the streets of Japan, asking people if they knew about the Three Kingdoms. Almost everyone knew the story of the Three Kingdoms and could name the characters. However, it seems that the most popular characters among the Japanese were Cao Cao, Zhao Yun, and Zhuge Liang, with Zhao Yun being particularly popular.
Japan boasts hundreds of "Three Kingdoms clubs," and over a hundred anime, games, and other works related to the Three Kingdoms period. There are also dedicated Three Kingdoms classes and exams. Furthermore, Japan now has Three Kingdoms-themed parks, museums, temples dedicated to Emperor Wu of Wei, and countless sculptures depicting figures from the Three Kingdoms era.
When the CCTV version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was broadcast in Japan, it caused a sensation and was called "China's best historical drama" by the Japanese. In the end, due to the high level of enthusiasm, the TV station even broadcast behind-the-scenes footage of the filming.
When Mitsuteru Yokoyama's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" began serialization in 1971, it was hailed as a treasure, forcing the work to be serialized for 15 years. Almost every Japanese student and fan of the Three Kingdoms had a copy.
The game industry then produced the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series for the Famicom, followed by numerous Three Kingdoms-themed games such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Heroes of the Three Kingdoms, Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Cao Cao's Biography, Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Three Kingdoms Warriors, Dynasty Warriors, and Dynasty Warriors. Almost every one of them was very popular, making the publishers very wealthy.
To this day, major Japanese game companies are still working tirelessly to develop games based on the Three Kingdoms theme, as if this theme will never go out of style.
The reason is simple: Japan is a nation that reveres the spirit of Bushido, and the spirit of heroes dying on the battlefield in the Three Kingdoms period aligns with Japanese Bushido culture. In the chaotic world of the Three Kingdoms, heroes from all walks of life emerged, their swords clashing, their bodies wrapped in horsehide, enacting breathtaking battles of wits, strategy, strength, and martial prowess. This vividly showcased the "martial spirit" of the chaotic struggle for supremacy, a spirit that the Japanese deeply admire. They see it as the perfect embodiment of Bushido, and thus, the Three Kingdoms became one of the most beloved and fascinated works of literature in Japan.
It seems like a promising opportunity. Japan's economy is booming now, and the title of one of the Four Asian Tigers is no joke.
"Mr. Shen, Jin Tianxia wants to spend 20 million RMB to invite director Zhang Yimou to film a Three Kingdoms movie."
"20 million? Tsk, they're quite willing to pay. It's a pity that this price can't afford Director Zhang now. Besides, we can make it ourselves, there's no need to cooperate with them."
"Mr. Shen, the Japan Television Network Corporation (NTNC) is the number one television station in Japan in terms of viewership ratings. It has deep roots and a strong background in Japan. He asked me to tell you that price is not an issue. He doesn't want to monopolize the business; he wants to cooperate with us. Moreover, he has already contacted Mr. Han, who is very supportive of this matter. As you know, the current situation in China is one of friendly cooperation between China and Japan. I think we can actually cooperate. With their support, our films can achieve better box office results in Japan in the future. NTNC's theater chains are almost all over Tokyo and Osaka."
Upon hearing this, Shen Fang frowned. This Jin Tianxia was quite interesting. He started with politeness and then resorted to force, and then went straight to Han Sanping. It was really hard for Shen Fang to refuse. If he refused, it would not look good for Han Sanping. Moreover, Chang Jihong was right. It would be a fool not to make money when it's available.
"Okay, I understand. My senior brother and I will be returning to China tomorrow. Could you please arrange for Chairman Jin Tian to come to Beijing for a talk?"
"Okay, boss."
"By the way, how's my master? Are you guys having a comfortable time in Japan?"
"Boss, you have no idea how famous we are right now! Do you know how they're reporting on Teacher Chen here? We just arrived and the newspapers were already writing, 'The First Emperor of Qin visits Japan, and everyone kneels in worship!!!'"
"Now, wherever we go, we're surrounded by hordes of fans. You have no idea how many fans Teacher Chen has! These Japanese people are all a bit crazy; many of them are even kneeling in front of Teacher Chen, calling him 'Your Majesty the Emperor.' Tokyo TV is really good at creating dramatic effects; they even had Teacher Chen dressed up in the street, surrounded by hundreds of actors in armor. You wouldn't believe it! Oh, and Teacher Chen even received a call from the Prime Minister. We're just too famous!!!"
Shen Fang's lips twitched. This is a very special day. Goodness, they really know how to have fun.
"Ahem, well, whatever endorsements you can take, you can arrange it."
"Mr. Shen, Mr. Chen's management contract is with Wang Jinhua. If you ask me, wouldn't it be better if you just signed Mr. Chen to our company? He's your mentor. Besides, if we help him get the contract, wouldn't Wang Jinhua make the money? Isn't it a bit too much of a rip-off for us to do something so thankless?"
“My master didn’t mention it, so I shouldn’t either. Besides, if he definitely follows me, and I arrange a role for him, people outside will gossip. How about we forget it? Sister Hong, you’ll have to go through the trouble.”
“Boss, I think you’re being a bit too obsequious. Leave this to me. What’s there to gossip about? You’re his apprentice, so you’re already being treated well. What’s wrong with an apprentice being respectful to his master? What’s there to gossip about? Besides, Teacher Chen is a big shot in our entertainment industry. I’ll handle this. Letting our competitors make money off us is worse than killing me. You know I’m at odds with Wang Jinhua.”
Shen Fang laughed: "Alright, Sister Hong, I'll leave it to you. I'll give you a bigger bonus when you get back. Is our TV series ready to start filming yet?"
"Everything is almost ready. Putting aside President Shen, our company has too few artists. This can't go on. With so many projects launched at once, many important roles have been taken by people from other companies. Especially our company's male artists, there are only 5 in total."
"Pan Yueming and Huang Xiaoming got the male lead roles in Qin's Moon and Ming Dynasty. These two are really lucky. They got the male lead roles in productions of this caliber right from the start. Young male artists outside are probably envious to the point of grinding their teeth."
"Sister Hong, this manpower shortage is something you should be concerned about, right?" Hearing Chang Jihong's voice, which was a mix of three parts complaint, three parts regret, three parts pride, and one part joy, Shen Fang couldn't help but laugh.
"President Shen, what I mean is that I want to do something with Huang Bin, and I'm planning to poach talent from other companies. What do you think?"
"Go ahead and dig. People strive for higher positions, and water flows downhill. As long as we don't use underhanded methods, but speak the facts, reason, and demonstrate our strength, we can dig without fear of offending people. However, I have one condition: when our company selects actors, character comes first, acting skills second, and appearance third. You must strictly control these three points. Anyone with poor character is absolutely unacceptable."
"Yes, Mr. Shen, I understand what you mean."
"Okay, that's all for now. It's getting late, I'm going to rest now. Goodnight."
Goodnight, boss.
The call ended.
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