Chapter 12

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Old Scenes of Nancheng” was being filmed in Haicheng, so he rushed over by car early in the morning. On the way, he read up on the historical information.

The pre-1949 Republic of China was a period of history that many Chinese people did not want to mention because China was bullied by foreign powers at that time. Ordinary people suffered unspeakable hardships, and wars were constantly happening all over the country. It was so depressing that people could not breathe.

Looking at this part of history, Song Qianming felt as if he was looking at his previous life. His father was muddleheaded, his royal grandmother was in power, and the rulers all over the country established themselves as Kings. Men were forced to join the army, taxes were strictly enforced, and the people had no way of living.

Fortunately, in his previous life, after his royal brother took the throne, the nation recuperated and the commoners’ lives became better.

However, in this life, the government here was even more powerful. Not only did they fill the residents’ stomachs in a short time, but they also helped the vast majority of people escape poverty.

What shocked Song Qianming the most was that the farmers here were not taxed. Not only were men and women equal, but everyone had to study, and the country paid for it.

Since ancient times, in order to control a region, the higher-ups did not dare to let people read too many books. They would only promote one ideal and fix their way of thinking. This was because once people had knowledge, they would also learn to think. They would then doubt the series of orders from the higher-ups.

Therefore, those dynasties either only promoted Confucianism or filial piety… It was rare for people to open their minds and allow hundreds of schools of thought to compete, because once there were too many opinions, differences would arise, and then no one would be convinced of the other, and then war would begin.

However, this world was different. The Chinese government wanted people to learn, but it was more to let people gain basic knowledge. They wanted to eliminate illiteracy and give everyone an additional choice to survive in this world.

Although there was some patriotic education during the learning stage, Song Qianming did not think that there was anything wrong with it. The country was so powerful, and it was dedicated to the people. The people should be patriotic.

These days, he had seen news on the internet about whether international students should come back or not. Perhaps he was too old-fashioned. He felt that those international students should come back. Even if they didn’t, they shouldn’t defame the country.

This was because you enjoyed a series of benefits from China from the moment you were born. Don’t say that you were raised by your parents and had nothing to do with the country. You spent money on your studies and had no obligation to repay anything.

First of all, only with the existence of the Chinese government, could you grow up in a peaceful and stable environment. Otherwise, if you were born in a country with chaotic social relations, would you be able to grow up safely like this?

Secondly, haven’t you enjoyed the public facilities in society before? Roads, bridges, street lights, tap water, and so on were all related to the government’s investments.

Of course, you might continue to argue that these were all done with the taxes paid by your parents, so you are qualified to enjoy it, but what about medical care and education?

Song Qianming didn’t know much about other things, but in his Lan dynasty, if an ordinary person wanted to study, it would be difficult even if he went bankrupt for it. Most people didn’t even have the chance to go to school.

But here, no matter where you were born, no matter how your family treated you, the government would try to get you into school. This was an opportunity for you to rise in the social class.

Besides, do you really think that your tuition fee of a few thousand Yuan is enough to offset the knowledge that the school has taught you? You have to know that these schools are subsidized by the government. The tuition fees you pay are not enough to support you to complete your college studies.

The cost of books, accommodation, experimental funds, and so on, these were all prices given by the state and the school after preferential policies.

Many high school students would leave after using the resources given to them by the school and the government. They would even take it for granted that they had paid the tuition fees and were going to contribute to other countries. It was true that it was your own ability to have a better choice, but since you had enjoyed the resources, shouldn’t you change your attitude? At the very least, you should be grateful to his country and not slander it, right?

His thoughts drifted away. Song Qianming couldn’t control others, but he could control himself. He felt that at this stage, all he could do was to work hard and pay taxes. When he had more financial strength, he would do more to repay China and society.

“May I ask if this is the filming location for ‘Old scenes of Nancheng’?” He got out of the car and asked the person who seemed to be in charge.

“Who are you?” The man looked at him warily, then frowned in disdain. “We are not accepting interviews now, and we do not allow non-staff to enter at will. Please leave.”

“I’m sorry, I’m Song Qianming. I’ve agreed to come for an audition with elder Qian.” Song Qianming was not angered by his attitude and remained polite and humble.

“Audition? What role did you audition for? Why didn’t I hear elder Qian say that he was looking for a new actor? Don’t try to fool me with this. Elder Qian is not someone you can easily meet. Go, go, go. Don’t hinder our work here.” He waved his hand impatiently and snorted disdainfully. “What a bunch of random cats and dogs. How dare you covet elder Qian’s movie without any fame?”

This time, Song Qianming really got angry. He had asked him nicely, but why was this person so disrespectful? It was true that he wasn’t famous now, but how could he be so casually insulted?

But in the end, it was elder Qian who gave him this opportunity, so he couldn’t just vent his anger on elder Qian’s people.

“My teacher and elder Qian have made an appointment,” he said patiently. “Can you please go and inform him?”

“Hey, I say, why don’t you know what’s good for you? I said elder Qian doesn’t have time to see people like you.” The man’s voice became louder.

“What happened?” Perhaps it was because they were arguing too much, a little girl in her 20s walked out.

The man who had been so arrogant to Song Qianming just now immediately changed his attitude when he saw the young lady. “Second miss, it’s like this. This person insisted that elder Qian had asked him for an audition. Everyone knows that our crew is already complete, but he’s still here pestering us. If he’s not here to cause trouble, what is he doing?”

“Who said everyone is here? Aren’t there still two supporting roles that haven’t been found?” Second miss Qian rolled her eyes at him.

“But weren’t Qi yang and Liu Shi auditioning for the two roles that we’re missing?”

“So you’re saying that the remaining characters can only be chosen from the two of them?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. But they’re really quite popular right now.”

Second miss Qian gave him a look and said, “Since when did my grandfather’s movies need to rely on traffic? Go away, it’s not up to you, an unprofessional person who got in through the back door, to comment on the casting.”

Song Qianming finally realized that this man had no real power at all. In this production team, he was just a fox borrowing the tiger’s power. There were really people everywhere who were arrogant and had no brains!