Chapter 33 Audition Role: Han Xin

Chapter 33: Auditioning for the Role of Han Xin

[System: Pass the audition for "Legend of Chu and Han."]
[System: Become the best actor on "Actors, Please Take Your Place."]
[System: Become a fourth-tier actor.]

Lying in bed, Chen Ping pondered his future path. Just then, the system issued tasks in a timely manner—three of them at once. The most immediate one was the audition for "Legend of Chu and Han." As for "Actors, Please Take Your Place," there was no schedule yet, and attaining the status of a fourth-tier actor would require building up a certain level of fame.

Chen Ping focused on the first task. "Legend of Chu and Han" was a production directed by Gao Xixi. With Gao Xixi at the helm and the subject being the Chu-Han Contention, it was undoubtedly a grand historical epic. Han Xin was a pivotal figure in that era. Although Chen Ping was unsure of the exact length of the role, it was undeniably crucial.

How should he secure this role? Chen Ping thought carefully. The first thing that came to mind was that Han Xin was one of the "Three Heroes of the Early Han." His life had inspired over thirty idioms: Han Xin commanding troops, fighting with his back to the river, suffering the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs, secretly crossing the Chencang path, being peerless in the nation, being surrounded on all sides, and his achievements casting a shadow over his master—all these stories revolved around him.

Many actors had played Han Xin before. The handsome Jiao Enjun played him in "Great General Han Xin," but the series was a bit bizarre, and despite Jiao's looks, it didn't make much of an impact. The diver-turned-actor Tian Liang played him in "The King's Woman," but that version of Han Xin felt a bit effeminate. Andy On also played the role, but portrayed him as a martial arts master capable of taking on a hundred men alone, which felt nothing like the real Han Xin. Yao Gang’s portrayal captured Han Xin’s temperament well but made him seem like a ruthless warlord, which didn’t quite fit the character either.

For a moment, Chen Ping wasn't sure how to grasp the essence of Han Xin. However, he wasn't in a hurry; he had a few days before the audition, so he began reviewing materials on the historical figure.

A few days later, Chen Ping headed to Shanghai. The casting for "Legend of Chu and Han" was being held there, not far from Shengteng. It took Chen Ping only two hours to arrive by high-speed rail.

"Chen Ping, are you confident?"
"I don't know."

Compared to his previous audition, this one was significantly stricter. After all, "Ever Night" had been a web series. While it was filled with veteran actors, a web series was still a web series. Although "Legend of Chu and Han" had not yet started filming, major satellite television stations had already signed cooperation agreements. As soon as it was finished, it would be broadcast on national television immediately. A production like this attracted actors from all over the country.

***

At the "Legend of Chu and Han" production office, Director Gao Xixi and Assistant Director Sun Guangyi were reviewing the actors' dossiers. They had been casting for dozens of days. Today’s mission was to finalize the role of Han Xin.

"Sun Guangyi, what do you think?"
"Director Gao, you’re the director; I’m just here to help out. I don’t have an opinion."
"Enough of that. You’re the assistant director; why else would I have called you here?"

The "Legend of Chu and Han" crew was different from the "Ever Night" crew. During the casting for "Ever Night," there was a producer by Yang Yang’s side, but here, there were only Gao Xixi and Sun Guangyi. This showed Gao Xixi’s status in the production. Of course, that was inseparable from his golden reputation.

"Director Gao, you’re testing me again," Sun Guangyi said with a smile. "I didn't think the previous candidates were quite right. Some played Han Xin like a tyrant, others like an arrogant hothead. Duan Yihong, however, I thought was good. He was steady and restrained, possessing the air of a great general."

"Hmm, not bad," Gao Xixi nodded. "I also have high hopes for Duan Yihong." But he changed the subject: "However, I am looking forward to someone else."
"Director Gao, who else have you set your sights on?"
"They haven't auditioned yet. You'll know when they do."

As they spoke, Duan Yihong, having finished his audition, left the room. Wu Yu reminded Chen Ping, "That was Duan Yihong. He’s a very talented actor."
"I didn't expect him to be here."

Chen Ping hadn't considered him a few days ago. Looking back now, he realized that in his previous life, Duan Yihong’s portrayal of Han Xin was the most highly regarded by audiences. However, even though he hadn't anticipated Duan Yihong, Chen Ping wasn't without confidence. His performance level had reached Level 5, and he possessed the talent [Ingenuity], which helped him view things with a unique perspective.

After waiting in the actors' lounge for a while, it was Chen Ping’s turn.
"Good luck." As before, Wu Yu gave him a thumbs-up. Chen Ping waved at her and walked into the casting room.

"Hello, Director Gao. I am a signed actor with Shengteng Entertainment. My name is Chen Ping."
The man sitting in front was Gao Xixi, and the other, Chen Ping didn't know. Naturally, Assistant Director Sun Guangyi didn't recognize Chen Ping either. Even though Chen Ping had been in "Ever Night," not everyone liked or watched it.

Seeing such a young man walk in, Sun Guangyi couldn't help but frown. "Looking at your profile, you've only acted in one series."
"Yes," Chen Ping nodded. In reality, he had acted in hundreds of productions, but his only representative work was indeed "Ever Night." He couldn't exactly count his time as an extra. Of course, he had filmed several projects in the last two months, but those roles weren't particularly noteworthy.

"Since you've only filmed one series, why do you think you’re suitable to play Han Xin?"
"Han Xin became a great general at 27 and passed away at 34. In terms of true history, my age is similar to his. From an external perspective, I am very well-suited to play Han Xin," Chen Ping said confidently. Over the past few days, he had conducted a comprehensive analysis of the character.

"It seems you’ve done some research on Han Xin." Sun Guangyi was slightly surprised. However, he wasn't the only one who had done research. He continued, "How do you evaluate Han Xin?"

"I don't think it’s possible to evaluate Han Xin in a single sentence," Chen Ping thought for a moment before saying, "There are many historical evaluations of him. Liu Bang said Han Xin was 'victorious in every attack and capture.' Xiao He called him 'peerless in the nation.' There are a series of idioms that serve as evaluations. But these only cover parts of his life. If I had to evaluate him, I would use two words."

"Which two words?"
"Adorable."
"Adorable?" Sun Guangyi looked baffled. "You think Han Xin was an adorable person?"

"Yes," Chen Ping nodded. "Adorable means likable. The fact that so many idioms are associated with him shows that many people are fond of him. This affection is multifaceted—his ability, his personality, his speech, his way of doing things... I think that as long as I can portray an 'adorable' Han Xin, that will be enough."

With the experience from his previous life and his comparisons of various actors who had played the role, coupled with his Level 5 acting skill, Chen Ping’s vision and level of insight were far beyond that of an average actor.

When Chen Ping used the word "adorable" to describe Han Xin, Sun Guangyi initially thought he was joking. But as Chen Ping began to elaborate, Sun Guangyi found himself agreeing. He had discussed the character with Director Gao; they wanted someone who could bring Han Xin to life. Most of the dozen actors they had auditioned so far had been mediocre. Duan Yihong was good, but only "good." After hearing Chen Ping’s analysis, Sun Guangyi clearly felt that Chen Ping’s understanding was much more interesting.

What would the audience’s reaction be to an "adorable" Han Xin in "Legend of Chu and Han"? Just thinking about it made him look forward to it.

"Hahaha, 'adorable'—that’s a well-chosen word," Gao Xixi, who had been silent until now, said with a smile. "Han Xin truly is an adorable great general."

Just imagine: When Han Xin was appointed as the great general at 27, how old were the others in Liu Bang’s group? Liu Bang was over 50, Xiao He was a year older than Liu Bang, and Zhang Liang was nearly 20 years older than Han Xin. Even Liu Bang’s wife, Lü Zhi, was more than a decade older than him. To have such a young man appear in front of all these founding giants, and for this young man to be the commander-in-chief of the three armies—isn't that scene inherently adorable? And isn't the Han Xin who could achieve such a feat adorable in his own right?