Chapter 64: CCTV Version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

  The Academy of Social Sciences is part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, representing China's highest level of philosophical and historical research, and the experts and scholars of the Academy of Social Sciences are more open-minded than ordinary university professors.

  For example, Chen Chunxian, who proposed the establishment of Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park in China inspired by Silicon Valley in the United States, Liu Chuanzhi, the founder of Lenovo, and the founders of the four companies known as "Two Oceans and Two Harbors", etc. These people were all doing research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences before they started their own businesses, with a broad vision and extremely sensitive sense of smell.

  Yang Yun, after all, was once a member of the computer industry and knew a thing or two about it. So he had great confidence in his visit to the Institute of Social Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He thought that the researchers there must have a certain level of vision, and letting them work together to promote Three Kingdoms culture would be no big deal, right?

  However, he first went to the National Copyright Administration and found Zhu Shuguang, the director of the Press and Publication Administration who was quite friendly to him.

  After listening to Yang Yun's introduction, Zhu Shuguang became very interested in the Three Kingdoms game and sighed: "Little Yang, after hearing you say this, I also think that such a game should be made and heavily promoted overseas. Otherwise, tens of millions of overseas Chinese will only be able to learn about Chinese culture through Japanese games. Traditional classic Chinese culture actually needs to be promoted by the Japanese, which is really sad for our great country!"

  Yang Yun strongly agrees: "Director Zhu, you're absolutely right. Let's not talk about why 1.1 billion Chinese people can't find a single game-related company that can spread and promote the essence of Chinese culture. What's important is that Japan, with its small land area, has been able to produce one hit Three Kingdoms game after another, which is really worth our reflection. Moreover, I've heard that in Japan, public opinion about China is always distorted and biased. In our country, the Three Kingdoms culture emphasizes loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and bravery, but in Japan, Cao Cao is regarded as a great man, and they actively promote the idea of loyalty to the ruler, advocating for the use of brutal force to quell internal unrest. This completely contradicts the Confucian values of our Chinese nation and slanders our national image!"

  These words were carefully prepared by Yang Yun and intentionally said to Zhu Shuguang, the first half was to pull hatred from Japan, and the second half was to position himself as an ordinary Chinese person, representing the fundamental interests of the broad masses.

  Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, which has been passed down for hundreds of years and influenced countless people. The impression of the Three Kingdoms in the minds of most ordinary Chinese people is a story about Liu Xuan, who had bad luck, led many famous generals, struggled all his life, but unfortunately lost to the treacherous Prime Minister Cao Cao.

  However, literature always differs from real history. The Three Kingdoms is an artistic work that has been processed, and many wonderful plots are adapted from ancient legends, folk tales, anecdotes, etc., which is a typical "seven parts reality, three parts fiction".

  Although at home, Hu Shi and Lu Xun led the re-interpretation of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", re-evaluating Liu, Guan and Zhang, and leader Chairman Mao also loved Cao Cao, but in folk operas, movies, storytelling, word of mouth, as well as poetry and songs, they still highly praise the Five Tiger Generals and Zhuge Liang, belittle the treacherous minister Cao Cao, and mock the self-aggrandizing Sun Quan.

  A time-honored folk ideological form has always been in a dominant position, and public opinion has always avoided or guided ordinary people to understand the truth of history.

  Yang Yun intentionally said so, representing the most ordinary people's thoughts. As for Zhu Shuguang's stance, he doesn't need to pay much attention to it, because what he said is absolutely right.

  It turned out that Zhu Shuguang had a calm expression: "Xiao Yang, your idea represents the vast majority of Chinese people. Our country's news and publication department does not support or oppose this matter. Within the scope of not violating legal regulations, you can freely play around. However, to avoid you deviating from mainstream society, I'll introduce you to a professional team that will guide and escort you. They will definitely be able to point out the correct path in terms of political form and policy direction, and easily realize your game ideas."

  Yang Yun was overjoyed in his heart, it seemed that he had entered the right temple and worshiped the Bodhisattva, if he could really find this professional team, he wouldn't have to go to the Academy of Social Sciences to ask for help anymore.

  Zhu Shuguang flipped through the records and made a phone call in front of Yang Yun: "Hello, Old Cao, it's Old Zhu. Hmm, how's the preparation for your Three Kingdoms drama going? I have a little friend here who wants to join the crew... no, not as an actor, he's from an entertainment game company and wants to make a Three Kingdoms game with your script team, is that okay? Yeah, yeah, yeah, that $55 million satellite at the Guangzhou Trade Fair last month was theirs. Really? ...Hmm... Alright..."

  Happiness came too suddenly!

  After hanging up the phone, Zhu Shuguang burst out laughing: "I've already called Cao Tai, the director of CCTV. They're planning to shoot a TV series of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' this year and the crew is in preparation. If they help you, can your 'Three Kingdoms' game be made?"

  Just halfway through, Yang Yun's heart was already filled with joy. The Three Kingdoms drama team entrusted by Zhu Shuguang turned out to be from CCTV! Keeping pace with the party's mouthpiece, CCTV, would of course never go wrong!

  As a qualified otaku of the younger generation, Yang Yun didn't even know when CCTV's version of "Three Kingdoms" was filmed, which year it was filmed in, or even which year it was released.

  But the name of CCTV is a huge golden signboard, which means big investment, big production, big scene, and large scale. Giving him such a small Three Kingdoms game as a screenwriter and planner should be no problem at all, right?

  Yang Yun's face was full of gratitude: "Thank you, thank you Director Zhu for taking care of me! You've really helped me out a lot! You don't know, I went to the University of Beijing to find their history department teachers for help, but they all... ah, didn't even bother with me..."

  Zhu Shuguang burst out laughing: "Xiao Yang, if you want to write a script, you should look for a film production company or a film academy. You went to the Beijing University to find those old-fashioned scholars, of course, it's looking for trouble!"

  Yang Yun suddenly realized, patted his forehead and smiled awkwardly, it turned out that he had sought rain but didn't find the Dragon King, instead he found Sun Dasheng.

  With the pass of the magic sword given by Zhu Shuguang, Yang Yun arrived at China Central Television.

  After waiting for two hours in the waiting room, Yang Yun finally met Director Cao.

  Cao Tailing, whose full name is Cao Tielin, was also a deputy ministerial-level official like Zhu Shuguang. However, he was very affable and chatted with Yang Yun about some stories from the Guangzhou Trade Fair, praising young people for their good prospects. Then, he had his subordinates take Yang Yun to the Production Center to find Director Ren of the Production Department.

  After waiting for an hour at the production center, Yang Yun finally met Director Ren.

  Director Ren's name is Ren Dahui, also very gentle, as a deputy director-level cadre, he actively and enthusiastically shook hands with Yang Yun, chatted for a few sentences, then let the secretary take Yang Yun to the editing center to find Deputy Director Yuan of the Monitoring Department.

  After waiting for half an hour at the Supervision Department, Yang Yun finally met Deputy Director Yuan.

  Deputy Director Yuan, whose full name is Yuan Feng, also very polite, said in a gentle tone: "Mr. Yang, the crew of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' is still in preparation, and some things have not been confirmed yet. Moreover, our director Wang Fulin is currently directing another TV series outside, so we can't provide more detailed information for the time being."

  Yang Yun was furious, he had been ordered around all day, spending the whole day running back and forth in the CCTV building, it was almost closing time, yet he still hadn't seen the person who could solve his problem!

  "Excuse me, Director Yuan, where is Director Wang right now? Can I go visit him myself?" Yang Yun asked cautiously.

  "His team is currently filming in Jiang City. However, even if you go, it's not certain that you'll get any promises. The leadership group of the Three Kingdoms drama has not been formally established yet, and although Wang is the general director, he can't make decisions on his own. Your company is a private enterprise, so any cooperation plans with your company need to be discussed at the meeting."

  Talking about cooperation, actually gave Yang Yun, should say gave Zhu Shuguang a great face. Who dares to say that they are cooperating with CCTV? A small game production company, CCTV's leg hair is thicker than it!

  Yang Yun almost collapsed: "Director Yuan, what should I do now?"

  Deputy Director Yuan said calmly, "At CCTV, everything has to go through the proper procedures. The next meeting of the leadership group should be held in May next year, at which time we will arrange for staff to notify you, and we'll talk about it then."

  Next May...

  Yang Yun was speechless, and by next year, those rape flowers would have withered for who knows how long!

  He got good news from Zhu Shuguang, but it was broadcast on CCTV and turned into bad news. The CCTV's Three Kingdoms drama crew became a chicken rib-like helper.

  There is another way, which is to hope that Inoue Naohiko will bring Namco's planner Akiko Kōdō to China, but this road is full of thorns and is not easy to walk. Even if we go through great difficulties to dig her into Longteng, the Three Kingdoms produced may still be filled with Japanese style, perhaps continuing the mainland of Namco's Dynasty Warriors.

  What's the point of domesticating Romance of the Three Kingdoms? It's meaningless! We want pure-blooded Chinese Three Kingdoms culture!

  Yang Yun's head was aching a bit, after leaving CCTV, he returned to the company to rest.

  Jiang Shaoyun had been waiting for a long time and excitedly reported the news: "Director Yang, I got in touch with a friend from CCTV through someone, and heard that they are planning to film a TV series of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'..."

  "Director of Central Station's Three Kingdoms TV series is Wang Fulin, now he is in Jiang City filming another TV series, right?" Yang Yun said with a bad tone.

  Jiang Shaoyun's mouth opened wide in surprise and he exclaimed: "How do you know everything?"

  Yang Yun said indignantly, "Of course I know everything! And I also know that this TV series hasn't even started yet! It's been two or three years since it was announced, and they still haven't even set up a leadership team. The first meeting of the leadership team won't be held until next May, so I estimate that by the time it's finished filming, it'll be at least three to five years before we see it on TV!"

  In real history, from 1987 when CCTV prepared to shoot "Three Kingdoms" to 1990 when the leadership group was established, and finally to 1994 when it was released, it really took so much time!

  Jiang Shaoyun was also helpless. When he first heard the name of CCTV, he was overjoyed and full of expectations, but unexpectedly, it ended up like this...

  Yang Yun thought for a moment and decided that he couldn't just sit back and wait, saying: "In this case, we should still make some progress. About Takao Okamura's plan to poach people, oh no, I mean his big plan, I will continue to support it, but I shouldn't rely solely on him. Those researchers from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who study the Three Kingdoms period, you should rush over there tomorrow and try to find some suitable screenwriters and experts on the Three Kingdoms period. Also, go to Beijing Film Studio, Beijing Film Academy, and other related units to see if you can find anyone. First, get a good understanding of things and stabilize them, then we'll have further discussions when I return. Tomorrow, I will personally go to Jiang City to meet with Wang Fulin, who is the chief director of the Three Kingdoms drama group and should have the most say in this matter. This opportunity with China Central Television is too valuable to waste, so let's not give up on it unless absolutely necessary!"

  Jiang Shaoyun agreed, and Fang Huimin also booked a train ticket for Yang Yun to Jiang City in Hubei Province at the first time.

  For this Three Kingdoms game, Yang Yun almost worried his hair white. Who knew it would be so repeatedly frustrated? Such a big country, wanting to find a suitable screenwriter and Three Kingdoms expert, is actually so difficult!