Chapter Seven: The Detective Judge Dee Production Crew

The "Detective Dee" production team was truly a grand ensemble. After being led around by Wu San, Liu Qingshan felt this deeply. Hengdian World Studios served merely as the venue for the opening ceremony and for filming a handful of scenes where the imperial court gathered in the Hall of Supreme Polarity.

Yet, all the main actors had arrived, and just seeing several well-known stars along the way made it clear how much was being invested in this series.

Liu Qingshan had been part of countless crews before, though he could hardly claim he ever truly settled in—always summoned for bit parts, never getting a real chance, not even as a corpse in the background.

The assistant director surnamed Liu was stationed at a production tent; outside, scattered groups of extras lounged about, while crew members hustled in and out.

Director Liu gave Wu San considerable respect, especially since he represented the Xuanwu Stunt Division.

“So you’re saying this person is your martial arts coach? Captain Wu, while the stunt team’s numbers are up to you, our production contracts your team's fees as a whole. If you add someone last minute and ask us for extra pay, that’s not exactly proper, is it?”

Wu San grinned, showing nothing amiss: “I’m not asking you for more money. To ask before we’ve even started would be against professional ethics!”

“Then what are you getting at?”

“Liu Qingshan wasn’t originally hired by me. He came responding to a call for extras today. But fortunately, he first demonstrated his abilities with me. Our stunt team saw his talent and immediately made him martial arts coach. I think you can tell how capable he is, Director Liu?”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to ask. Seems this guy really has something special?”

“Whether he’s exceptional, we’ll know only after testing him! That’s why I came to you—are there any stunt scenes today? I feel regular extra work would bury his talents, so I’m here to ask for a favor!”

“I see. So that’s your purpose! Want to test his skills? I don’t mind. If there’s a filming accident, your stunt team takes the responsibility.”

“Enough small talk; is there or isn’t there?”

“You’ve come at just the right time. About an hour from now, there will be a night scene for Hu Jinghui. He needs to quickly scale a three-meter wall and leap down. There should be a note from Lv Qingxia? Your team is doing the stunt double!”

“I know. I’ll check with Qingxia. Just wanted to let you know first—wouldn’t want an unlisted stuntman showing up without warning and being barred from the set!”

“Alright, got it. Have him get ready! What’s his name again?”

Liu Qingshan quickly repeated his name.

The man waved his hand: “Once you’re changed, go to the stage manager for an access pass. I’ll have someone make it right away.”

Lv Qingxia, also in the stunt team, was Zhang Chengzhi’s wife and handled liaison work between the team and production. When Liu Qingshan reached her, she confirmed the arrangement, and Wu San had already replaced the original stuntman.

Liu Qingshan had no particular thoughts about it; apart from the four main stunt performers, the rest earned daily wages unless they completed dangerous feats, which earned them extra pay.

This climbing and jumping wasn’t considered dangerous, so whether a stuntman performed or not didn’t affect their income.

Hu Jinghui’s costume in the drama was classic assassin attire: black robe, black boots, tall black hat, and black mask.

When Liu Qingshan reached the production tent, the stuntman was already dressing up. Seeing the boss himself bring a replacement, the man had no complaints, instead helping Liu Qingshan try on the outfit.

As time passed, more stunt team members arrived—not because they had to attend every scene, but out of curiosity over the new martial arts coach.

The shooting location was just outside the temporary production tent, and Hu Jinghui’s actor, Zhu Yanping, could be seen from afar.

In 2004, Zhu Yanping was already a veteran. His portrayal of Wu Song twenty years prior was a household name. Now, at forty-six, thanks to good upkeep and expert makeup, he looked no older than his thirties.

He soon noticed Liu Qingshan, similarly dressed in black, and waved to him repeatedly from a distance.

Liu Qingshan hurried over.

There was no trace of arrogance in Zhu Yanping; instead, he asked kindly, “You’re not over twenty, are you? How do you feel—confident? The wall here is a bit higher than the three meters in the script; I’d say it’s three and a half. Need wires?”

His tone was gentle, and it touched Liu Qingshan unexpectedly. “Three and a half meters shouldn’t require wires. I’ll give it a try first!”

Seeing Zhu Yanping’s gaze turn toward Liu Qingshan, Wu San smiled and nodded.

“Shanzi is our newly hired martial arts coach—the strongest in our stunt team. Today’s demonstration is his own request, and it’ll give the lads a bit of a wake-up call!”

The words were half jest, half truth; to earn respect, one first had to show real skill.

“Oh? So young and already so accomplished? Ha, I’m in for a treat today—I’ll be watching closely!”

Zhu Yanping had trained in martial arts since childhood in a Beijing opera troupe, later studying concrete fighting techniques—a genuine semi-expert.

His voice, like his personality, was open and bright, drawing attention from many actors. So before Liu Qingshan donned the black mask, he quickly became the focus.

The director of “Detective Dee,” Qian Yangqiu, was ten years younger than Zhu Yanping, part of a new generation of versatile directors in China—writer, director, and actor all in one.

Hearing about Liu Qingshan, barely twenty, he walked over himself, seemingly intrigued.

“At your age, to be martial arts coach for Wu San’s team, you must have real skill. I’m curious myself!”

Faced with such a big-name director, Liu Qingshan was careful, “Hello, Director Qian! Last year, I played a eunuch in one of your other dramas—but only an extra, just a silhouette!”

Qian Yangqiu’s curiosity grew: “Last year? Also at Hengdian? Was it ‘The Great Song Mystery: The Cat Swaps the Prince’?”

“Yes, Teacher Liang played Kou Zhun!”

Teacher Liang was Liang Guanghua, the actor portraying Detective Dee in this series—more famous than the director, a top-tier star in theater circles, last year’s TV Emperor.

“With such skill, why settle for an extra with no lines?”

“I only started a few months ago. My master said, until I reach proficiency, I shouldn’t embarrass myself before the public!”

“Ah, so the legendary master’s tradition is real? I’ve heard about your master’s rule—thought it was just a martial arts myth!”