Qiu Zhenlong had clearly studied Xiao He seriously.

Most of Xiao He's current period dramas are martial arts and fantasy dramas, with action scenes being the most common and dialogue scenes not being very prominent. However, "The Imperial Empire" is different. Overall, it is a slow-paced serious drama with many dialogue scenes, which requires strong dialogue skills and acting ability in dramatic scenes.

This is the most troublesome.

If the acting is good, even a dramatic scene can be thoroughly enjoyable; if the acting is bad, it's like a wooden meeting that puts people to sleep.

So when he saw that it was a dramatic scene that required strong delivery of lines and a certain level of acting skills, Xiao He had a feeling that he had expected it.

After receiving the audition script, Xiao He wasn't given much time to prepare.

Xiao He had barely finished reviewing the content when the staff urged him to go in and prepare.

Xiao He frowned slightly: "This line?"

Although they would make some preparations in advance, the lines in these kinds of dialogue scenes are numerous and varied, and it's impossible for them to memorize them all beforehand.

The staff immediately explained, "These lines will be on stage, and Teacher Xiao can watch them while performing."

Xiao He said thoughtfully, "I see, I understand, thank you."

He was led to the door of a conference room.

Soon, he officially entered the venue.

-

The room was empty, with only the faint sound of the air conditioner blowing air.

A few tables and chairs were casually placed on the scene, and several audition judges sat in the distance, silently watching the young man in the center of the venue.

There are no period costumes or sets here, and no other actors; it's just him all alone.

But when he casually waved the non-existent sleeve on his wrist, his simple casual clothes seemed to suddenly transform into the robes of the supreme ruler.

Even without any extra physical movements, just a slight lowering of the eyes, a terrifying aura was already bursting forth.

"The Prime Minister said he had no selfish motives whatsoever."

He spoke in a low, even voice, with a slightly deep tone at the end. He didn't deliberately raise his voice to show his authority, but every word was clear and carried a penetrating power: "I believe."

With those words, the young man sat down in the chair in the center.

When he looked up again, the youthful naiveté on his face was gone, replaced by the sharpness of an emperor. His eyes were exceptionally calm, though not furious, they carried an invisible sense of oppression.

That was the composure and restraint of an emperor who came from a military background, after two years of reflection.

"But Prime Minister, you have forgotten that you and I both crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. I feel more pain than anyone else when you see the people suffering... But in the name of benevolent governance, you are actually abolishing military strength and neglecting defenses. For Daqing now, this is still too hasty."

The young emperor raised his hand and pointed to the void, his tone becoming more somber: "Children weep over their fathers' corpses, women weep against broken walls. You say, 'If it was conquered on horseback, can it be rectified on horseback?' How could I not know that the world needs rest and recuperation?"

Can one govern the world by force if one has conquered it by force?

"If the border defenses are weak, foreign enemies will surely come; if the laws are broken, powerful ministers will surely rise. If foreign enemies knock on the gates, the border troops will have no food, and the garrison soldiers will have no soldiers. Who will defend the land? If war breaks out again, the people will be displaced, and their homes will be destroyed by the flames of war. What will you mean by recuperation and restoration?"

The emperor spoke each word clearly and forcefully. In the end, he stood up again, with the confidence of a military general and the responsibility of an emperor. His eyes showed no wavering, but concealed a barely perceptible weariness.

Seemingly having heard the Prime Minister's response, his fingertips tightened slightly, and his aura became more tense. But in the end, he simply turned around slowly, facing the judges' table. His figure was solitary but not hunched, and only his voice carried a faint hoarseness: "I do not pity the common people, yet I do it for their sake."

"Prime Minister, you are not wrong, it's just that we are on different paths and have different desires."

Finally, he turned to look at the judges' panel, his gaze fixed on Qiu Zhenlong in the seat, still standing there. The determination in his eyes was eventually replaced by an indescribable sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that he and the prime minister would eventually drift apart due to their differing political views. Yet he also understood that this was a debate without right or wrong, only about positions. Regardless of whose path they ultimately took, it still foreshadowed the final end of the relationship between the ruler and his subject.

Unfortunately, past friendships only serve as proof of an emperor's loneliness.

The young emperor slowly closed his eyes, without uttering a word.

-

When Xiao He opened his eyes again, the judges in front of him applauded slightly.

The actors who made it this far possess an extraordinary ability to move people. The historical screenwriters standing next to them were already in tears. For them, who have a deep understanding of history, this scene represents not just a debate without right or wrong, but also a regretful past event of an emperor, the beginning of his journey to becoming a lonely king, free from all attachments.

So, seeing Xiao He's brilliant performance, and combining it with the historical facts in his mind, a screenwriter who loves the history of that era was moved to tears.

This made the others present seem rather indifferent. After watching Xiao He's performance, they all lowered their heads to take notes, remaining silent and not saying a word. It was unclear what they were doing or whether they immediately offered any comments.

Xiao He stood in the center, feeling somewhat awkward.

Good news: It made people cry.

Bad news: Why isn't everyone else crying!

You guys are making him and the screenwriter look really awkward!

Xiao He swore that those were definitely the longest three minutes of his life.

Three minutes later, director Qiu Zhenlong, who was in the very center, finally put down his pen and looked at the young actor in the middle with an inscrutable expression.

Xiao He subconsciously straightened his back.

Can you ride a horse?

Qiu Zhenlong suddenly asked.

Xiao He immediately replied, "I will."

"Archery?"

"I can!"

...

Qiu Zhenlong asked several questions in a row, even asking about other skills unrelated to filming period dramas, and Xiao He gave affirmative answers to all of them.

After all, those skills are all on his resume.

In the end, Qiu Zhenlong just chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice: "And what about calligraphy?"

"I can do a little too."

"You know a little?"

Hearing this seemingly different answer, Qiu Zhenlong raised an eyebrow and gestured to the staff next to him to bring paper, ink, brush, and inkstone so that Xiao He could write it on the spot.

"I wonder if you saw the original calligraphy by Emperor Chen downstairs when you came here? Why don't you write that poem too? Let me see if your little bit is an exaggeration or a restraint."

This time, Xiao He was certain that Qiu Zhenlong was mocking him, seemingly not believing the resume he had given him, thinking that the skills listed on it were all exaggerated and pure bragging.

But if that's the case... that would be wonderful!

Xiao He was afraid that he hadn't shown enough and wouldn't be as good as his competitors next door!

Speaking of skills...

Director Qiu, whatever you need, I have it!

Even if you don't have it, you can still have it!