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Chapter 874 You Play Huang Taiji

Padi Tu went to accept his punishment obediently. Sun Chuanting shook his head, then re-explained the essence of the points he had just made. Packing up his copy of "The Art of War," he walked out of the classroom.

He had only taken a couple of steps when Gu Yanwu ran up to him, bowing deeply. "Brother Sun!"

Sun Chuanting chuckled, "Ah, Brother Gu, what perfect timing! I've just finished class and have a moment to spare."

Gu Yanwu smiled, "I sought you out, Brother Sun, to discuss a matter."

Sun Chuanting raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Gu Yanwu stated, "I believe the art of cinema can significantly aid in enlightening the populace. Especially with the vast majority of common folk being illiterate, films can stir their concern for national matters far more swiftly than books ever could. The adage, 'Every man bears responsibility for the nation's rise and fall,' can only truly take root once the public's understanding is awakened."

"Oh?" Sun Chuanting mused. "So... Brother Gu plans to venture into filmmaking?"

Gu Yanwu nodded. "My family possesses considerable wealth; our ancestors bequeathed us eight hundred acres of ancestral land. Allocating funds to produce a film would be no great challenge."

Sun Chuanting laughed. "You should be seeking out Lao Nanfeng for this, not me!"

Gu Yanwu chuckled, "Because you, Brother Sun, have prior experience penning 'A Small Soldier of the Daling River Border Army'! I hoped to glean some wisdom from you, to understand the crucial elements in crafting such a narrative."

Sun Chuanting smiled, shaking his head. "I don't claim to be an expert; I merely dabble. Still, what if the two of us collaborated on another film?"

Gu Yanwu beamed with delight. "Excellent! What kind of story would you like to write, Brother Sun?"

Sun Chuanting suggested, "The recent conflict in Xuanfu and Datong Prefecture, the Manchu invasion that left those regions utterly devastated—isn't that a compelling subject?"

Gu Yanwu's eyes lit up. "'A Small Soldier of Xuanfu and Datong'?"

Sun Chuanting smiled wryly. "We can't just recycle the same idea! We need fresh inspiration. Come, let's put our heads together, my friend, and brainstorm something new."

As they were deep in conversation, they noticed Lao Nanfeng sauntering in through the school gates, Chen Qianhu trailing behind him, whispering, "Brother Nanfeng, surely you can give me a heroic role this time?"

Lao Nanfeng shook his head, laughing. "No such luck. Where would a heroic role even come from? We haven't even finished the story yet."

Chen Qianhu pressed on, "Just find someone to write it quickly, please! This time, depict me as an upright hero, dedicated to saving the wounded, full of righteousness and..."

Lao Nanfeng ignored him. Looking up, he spotted Sun Chuanting and exclaimed with delight, "Mr. Sun, I've come to ask you to write a story!"

Sun Chuanting chuckled. "Everyone's coming to me for stories. Do I really seem like the type who enjoys writing these things to all of you?"

Lao Nanfeng replied cheerfully, "Who in this world doesn't know that Mr. Sun has a penchant for crafting little tales?"

Sun Chuanting was momentarily speechless.

"So, about Xuanfu and Datong Prefecture..." Lao Nanfeng began.

"Ah? You're interested in that too?" Gu Yanwu exclaimed, thrilled. "We were just discussing it!"

The three men shared a hearty laugh. "It's an excellent subject, no doubt, but we're unsure of the best angle to take, or what kind of narrative to construct."

Chen Qianhu raised his hand eagerly. "I have something! I have a plan, a story!"

The three men turned to face him in unison.

Chen Qianhu began, "The protagonist, a man named Chen from Datong Prefecture, was sent to the Shaolin Temple to study martial arts as a child. Twenty years flew by, and he became a true master. Upon hearing of the Manchu invasion of Xuanfu and Datong, he raced back to his hometown. Single-handedly, he repelled over a dozen Manchu cavalry scouts, saving every old man, woman, and child in the village. He then rallied a militia of local braves, defending the village fiercely against wave after wave of Manchu assaults. Just as the village was on the verge of falling, the Gao Family Village reinforcements finally arrived. The village was saved, and this man, recognized by Gao Family Village's leadership, was recruited into their army and appointed a Centurion."

Finishing his pitch, he grinned, "And that's why he's now known as Centurion Chen!"

Lao Nanfeng, Sun Chuanting, and Gu Yanwu exchanged knowing glances, then nodded in unison. "The broad strokes of this story are quite promising," Sun Chuanting remarked. "With a few more details, perhaps a compelling romantic subplot, it could be truly effective."

Chen Qianhu was ecstatic. "Really? You can actually use it?"

"Absolutely!" Sun Chuanting declared. "I'll take on the writing. We'll give Centurion Chen a childhood sweetheart, his fiancée, waiting for him in the village. Tragically, she's killed by the Manchu invaders, intensifying the emotional stakes."

Gu Yanwu added, "We can't rely solely on Gao Family Village's reinforcements; that would diminish the story's dramatic layers and the building pressure. We must also incorporate government troops, showing them arriving as the first wave, only to be driven back by the Manchu invaders, leaving the villagers in utter despair... *Then*, Gao Family Village arrives as the second, decisive wave of support."

"Excellent point!" Sun Chuanting agreed. "That will create two distinct emotional shifts in the narrative."

Hearing them delve into the specifics, Chen Qianhu swelled with uncontrollable joy. *Hahaha*, he thought. *This time, I finally get to play a hero, and the protagonist no less! Finally, my reputation will be redeemed! Hahahahaha!*

Just as he was basking in triumphant self-congratulation, he heard Lao Nanfeng remark, "Perfect! There was an actor named Zheng Dazhuang last time whose performance was outstanding. I think I'll have him play Centurion Chen."

"What?!" Chen Qianhu gasped, utterly stunned. "Then... what about *me*? What's *my* role?"

Lao Nanfeng slowly surveyed Chen Qianhu, first left, then right, circling him entirely before nodding. "We'll outfit you in furs, darken your skin a bit, perhaps give you some elaborate braids... You can play Huang Taiji."

"What?!"

Chen Qianhu let out a wail of despair. "No! I refuse to play Huang Taiji! I won't!"

Sun Chuanting commented, "He'd be absolutely perfect as Huang Taiji."

Gu Yanwu added, "Huang Taiji himself might not even portray Huang Taiji as authentically as he would. I believe the role suits him impeccably."

Chen Qianhu threw his head back and bellowed, "No!"

Snowflakes swirled and danced, the north wind whistled a mournful tune...

In an instant, snow began to accumulate on Chen Qianhu's distraught figure.

As they were still laughing and joking, a carriage arrived, pulling up abruptly. On it sat a storage card, almost half a man's height. The driver called out to Lao Nanfeng, "Mr. Sun, the News Department has sent you a special film. They hope you'll take a look... Oh, General Nanfeng is here too? Excellent, that saves me a trip. You're also instructed to view this; it's a direct order from the Heavenly Lord."

Sun Chuanting and Lao Nanfeng simultaneously sensed the gravity of the situation; this "special film" was undoubtedly significant.

The two men quickly hoisted the heavy storage card and hastened towards the designated "screening room."

The Yellow Pole Military Academy held a unique and prominent status. Within its halls was a dedicated, spacious screening room, where the "Celestial Treasure Mirrors" specially bestowed by the Heavenly Lord were prominently displayed. Here, students could view war videos at any time.

Lao Nanfeng, being the most adept at handling these devices, swiftly inserted the storage card into the tablet computer. He then secured it on its stand and, with a rapid series of taps and swipes on the screen, the special film promptly began to play.

"A naval battle?" Sun Chuanting exclaimed, greatly surprised. "Where did this occur?"

"That's not the critical point," Lao Nanfeng interjected. "Look closely: these are Gao Family Village's vessels. The other ship, though, its origin is a mystery."

"They've engaged!" Sun Chuanting cried. "Hmm? Their tactics... Our flintlock rifles are all being repelled, and even the hand grenades aren't having much effect. Heavens above! To think they'd use such a method to counter our weaponry! If someone here can devise such a defense, then the Manchu invaders will undoubtedly come up with it too. We must be extremely cautious."