Chapter 125: Television Turmoil in Yan City

Director Han wants to see me? Is it about the new drama?

Xu Hao’s expression flickered slightly.

Yesterday, Fang Hou had just taken the edited raw footage to Yan City TV, which then claimed it needed to be resubmitted for review. Could it be that they aren’t satisfied with the film? “Boss, it’s not about your new drama. I suspect he’s worried that Haofang Culture can’t withstand the pressure from the Director Association. Lately, the Association has been pulling a few stunts, and Yan City TV has been fighting back. In any case, the conflict between both sides is only growing.”

Han Xiaoqing sighed.

If it were another TV station, perhaps both parties would have reconciled by now. But her Third Uncle is a hothead who never backs down. This time, there will be no peaceful resolution with the Director Association.

At the moment, each side is still testing the waters. In the end, either Yan City TV will permanently lose access to big productions, or the works from the Director Association’s side will never get aired on Yan City TV’s platform.

“Haofang Culture can’t handle the Director Association’s pressure? That’s unlikely!”

Xu Hao chuckled.

Although the Director Association does include several leaders from state-run cultural troupes and most of the country’s film and television directors, Haofang Culture still has an ace up its sleeve.

At worst, they even have the backing of a local station like Wei City TV.

Local officials don’t pay much heed to a few troupe heads. Some troupes even rely on major local events for support.

“The main issue is that my Third Uncle doesn’t know about your other identities.”

Han Xiaoqing added.

She knew that Xu Hao was not only a Level-One Researcher at the Ancient Architecture Institute in the Long Kingdom but also an official on temporary assignment in Mingsha County. However, ever since the “Poor County’s Massive Infrastructure Push” went viral, he hadn’t mentioned it to outsiders.

Mingsha County is the same. To avoid stirring trouble, the county leadership omitted Xu Hao’s name from the public notice board and only sent internal red-headed documents to the relevant departments.

“In that case, we’ll just have to see when he shows up. As long as he does, the local authorities are bound to cooperate!”

After a moment of thought, Xu Hao said.

In truth, he liked his current status. Only a few well-connected people knew about his real identity; everyone else just needed to know he was working for Mingsha Tourism.

Otherwise,

given the nature of some netizens, if they found out that Mingsha Tourism, Mingsha Labor, and Haofang Culture were all his enterprises—even owning the desert plots, and that he held a significant position within the system—wouldn’t that stir up a storm?

In short, it’s best to keep a low profile.

“Alright, I’ll call him later to see when he’s coming. But don’t forget about my part!”

Han Xiaoqing smiled.

“Don’t worry. As soon as he arrives, call me. I’ll have someone pick you up in Mingsha County!”

Xu Hao laughed in response.

“No, please don’t come for me—I’d love to experience what it’s like to ride an ostrich.”

“Heh, that works too. Just call me when you get here.”

“Alright!”

Yan City

As the capital of the Long Kingdom, it swarms with people during holidays—especially on major festivals like National Day, when tourists flood the streets.

Similarly,

the city’s workers take advantage of the long holidays to explore. Although they live in Yan City, their daily routines are so monotonous that they rarely find time or inclination to visit the city’s famed attractions.

Yet, the joys and sorrows of workers are rarely shared.

Some travel, while others remain steadfast at work.

At the Content Editing Department of Yan City TV, Ren Long and his team of editors were burning the midnight oil. Unlike their usual grim expressions during overtime, they were now completely absorbed in the computer screens.

After about ten minutes, the screen flashed, displaying the ‘Stop’ interface.

“Director, hurry, next episode!”

Seeing this,

one male editor eagerly spoke up, not quite ready to let go.

“Next episode?”

Ren Long checked the time and frowned. “It’s already noon. Not taking a meal break?”

“Director, how about ordering takeout! We’re at a critical moment!”

The other editors quickly chimed in.

“Alright then!”

After a moment’s thought, Ren Long clicked on the screen once more.

It was clear that he, too, was reluctant to stop.

Soon!

The screen displayed ‘Episode 33’ with the title ‘Snowy Blade Chronicles’ boldly at the top.

It turned out that

just last night, Fang Hou had delivered the raw footage of Snow in the Making to Yan City TV.

Given the issues with Wulin Wai Chuan and the Director Association, Yan City TV wouldn’t be as indifferent this time. Moreover, having already purchased exclusive broadcast rights, they were taking it very seriously.

Thus, the editing department began an internal pre-review overnight.

Ren Long and his team initially assumed the drama, hastily put together as a promotional piece for the Mingsha Tourism Festival, would have some flaws in quality—maybe needing further editing before submission to Long Kingdom’s broadcasting authorities.

But unexpectedly, the review dragged on relentlessly! Last night they pushed until 2 AM, and by 8 AM this morning, every editor was glued to their screen—a first in the department’s history without a single complaint about overtime.

At 1 PM, then 3 PM, until finally at 5 PM,

as the screen went dark once more, Ren Long and his team slowly straightened up.

“How does it feel?”

Taking a deep breath, Ren Long looked around at his colleagues.

“Director! Who on earth is this powerhouse Haofang Culture? Without knowing some of the inside scoop, it’s incredible to think this drama was produced in less than three months. The storyline, fight scenes, special effects, editing—it’s all flawless!”

“Exactly! It feels like this drama is destined to be a hit. And the best part is, it leaves plenty of cliffhangers for the next installment to hook viewers even more.”

In discussing the quality of Snow in the Making, the editors had nothing but praise.

If the drama had been dull, they wouldn’t have been so willing to order takeout and stay until now.

“Director, the fact that Haofang Culture’s director, Fang Hou, is truly top-notch is evident. I heard most of the cast are from the Mingsha County Troupe—technically not professional actors, but you saw it for yourself.”

Standing up, Ren Long stretched.

At that moment, his face was relaxed, as the worries of the past two months finally lifted! “Director, once this drama hits the airwaves, we should organize a trip to Mingsha County. I really want to see Tingchao Pavilion and the ramparts of Wudi City in person. Don’t forget, there’s also Qixia Town.”

Another editor, joining in the sentiment, added,

“The cinematography in Snow in the Making is breathtaking. Tingchao Pavilion, in particular, looks so ethereal—it’s hard to believe those scenes were shot on location in the desert. Without prior knowledge, one would think it was all green screen work.”

“A trip to Mingsha County? There will be opportunities later! But for now, we must focus. Snow in the Making was filmed to boost the ancient architecture promotion over in Mingsha. If we slip up, Haofang Culture will never work with us again! Such a cultural company is every TV station’s dream partner!”

Ren Long’s expression turned serious.

Despite his nostalgia, business could never be delayed.

“Alright, Director, I’ll go contact the broadcasting authorities first thing tomorrow morning.”

A nearby male editor quickly interjected,

“No need—I’ll handle the submission myself. It’ll be faster that way. You just inform the Marketing Department to hook up with advertisers and sponsors.”

Ren Long shook his head

and then turned to another female editor,

“Xiao Wang, work a little harder these next few days. Once the film passes review, start the pre-promotion and set a premiere date. The Mingsha Tourism Festival is on October 20, and worst case, the drama should hit the airwaves around October 10.”

“Got it, boss!”

“Alright, that’s it for today. Let’s get to work starting tomorrow!”

“Yes!”

In no time, night fell!

Su Province, Tourism Bureau

The busy work hall was filled with people. During holidays, this is their busiest time.

Besides organizing data, they had to handle various complaints. In short, leaving early was out of the question.

At that moment, in the senior official’s office, Peng Yuan examined some data along with video feeds from his computer and couldn’t help but complain aloud,

“This is what they call normal? Tell me, what kind of normal is this? In less than three months, not only did they erect that city gate, but they also pulled off so many stunts?”

Peng Yuan had been busy these past few days hosting officials and coordinating the Tourism Festival.

But upon hearing that Mingsha County was planning to welcome guests on the 11th, he decided to check the data and construction progress.

Not that he minded—once he saw it, he was dumbfounded.

Common sense told him that the cost to build that city gate alone far exceeded two million.

And as for visitors,

statistics from the railway communications big data showed that over five thousand out-of-town tourists had headed to Mingsha County in one day—this number didn’t even include those from neighboring cities.

The reception capacity was already comparable to a top-tier attraction in Su Province.

“Boss, Mingsha Tourism’s strength is indisputable. Your vision is remarkable! Just look at that city gate—its design is astonishing. From afar, it resembles Jia Guan, but with far more imposing grandeur, especially with all the imitation ancient Qing bricks in place.

If Jia Guan didn’t have such deep cultural roots, I’d bet visitors to Mingsha County wouldn’t be nearly as drawn to it.

This Tourism Festival is bound to be a runaway success!”

At a desk, a middle-aged man quickly flattered Peng Yuan.

He had thought Peng Yuan’s remark was a subtle promotion of his standing.

“Really?”

Peng Yuan smiled wryly.

“Absolutely. I even heard that Mingsha County is gradually opening more guesthouses. That will only boost their reception capacity! As for the attraction itself, Mingsha County is already ahead of the curve!

I dare say that whether or not the opening ceremony takes place at the Tourism Festival isn’t even that important anymore.”

The middle-aged man continued to heap praise.

“All that said, have you thought about how we’ll manage next year’s Tourism Festival? The budget will still be two million. Who’s going to take charge?”

At this, Peng Yuan could no longer feign indifference and finally asked,

“Huh? Next year?”

The middle-aged man froze in shock.