Chapter 134: Festival Fever and Intrigue

“No charge? Is that your VIP invitation ticket?”

Curious netizens couldn’t help but ask further.

“No!”

“Then how did you get your ticket?”

The online chatter grew even more intrigued.

Even if they joked about it, if you could actually snag a ticket to the Mingsha Tourism Festival, you’d definitely want to see it live.

“Here’s what happened: Yesterday, while I was hanging out at a guesthouse, I booked a stay along Qing Brick Avenue. That night, out of the blue, I got a call from someone at Mingsha Tourism. They said I’d been randomly selected by the computer for a festival ticket. They asked if I wanted to participate, explaining that if I did, they’d issue the ticket; if not, my chance would go to the next person.”

The ticket-holder explained.

“Wait, so guests who book rooms at the attraction are automatically entered into a draw?”

One netizen was instantly stunned.

“Exactly. The staff mentioned that since the festival venue is set on a small square in front of Tengwang Pavilion, it can only host about a thousand spectators. They allocated 200 seated tickets and 700 standing ones. Over 900 tickets were randomly distributed by October 18. And with the addition of Wudi City and Guesthouse Two—totaling almost 4,000 guesthouses—getting picked is pretty lucky.”

“I see, so that’s why Mingsha Tourism didn’t announce any ticket sales. With only 900 tickets, selling them just wouldn’t make sense.”

At that, many netizens suddenly understood.

“I was just saying earlier that without big stars, the opening ceremony lost its appeal. I’d rather wander around Wudi City and catch the TV live broadcast—it really doesn’t matter whether you’re there in person or not.”

After a pause, the ticket-holder added,

“Not interested? Then, buddy, will you sell your ticket? If you do, I’ll buy it. I’ve always been a fan of the cast of Wulin Wai Chuan. It’d be awesome to see them perform a medley live.”

At that moment,

another netizen asked,

“You want it?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, if you want it, I’ll transfer it to you. Let’s chat privately.”

“Okay!”

In this digital age, no wall is impervious—especially online.

By the afternoon, despite the fact that the Mingsha Tourism Festival hadn’t hired any marquee stars—and even the hosts were just county-level—rumors were spreading like wildfire, even making entertainment headlines.

Thus,

it stirred up a storm of controversy as all kinds of theories emerged, especially from viewers in Su Province who couldn’t understand it.

They could accept that Mingsha Tourism skipped the big names, knowing full well how expensive it is to build in the desert. Instead of spending a fortune on star power, that money could be invested in desert construction.

What baffled them, though, was why Mingsha County didn’t even use a host from Su Province TV.

Could it be that Su Province TV wouldn’t even lend a host to Mingsha County? After all, this festival represents not only Mingsha County, but the whole of Su Province.

Thus,

for a provincial TV station not to support the event was simply inexcusable.

Mingsha Tourism had executed everything nearly perfectly, but stumbling over this opening ceremony was an unnecessary setback.

By evening,

at Hongsha Gang Village 256 on the walls of Wudi City, three men strolled as they admired the sunset.

“Old Li, Xiao Xu’s skills are truly unmatched! When we arrived six months ago, Tengwang Pavilion had just been built. Look at it now.”

After a long silence,

one of them couldn’t help but exclaim.

The trio were none other than Li Jue, Dong Liping, and Feng Wancheng.

With only three or four days until the festival, Dong Liping and Feng Wancheng had rushed over two days early after learning that Li Jue had reached Mingsha County.

“Absolutely! Whether it’s Tingchao Pavilion or Tengwang Pavilion, they’re masterpieces of ancient architecture. Especially Tingchao Pavilion—with its wooden mechanisms—that level of craftsmanship could easily justify a title as a Senior Ancient Architecture Researcher.”

Li Jue smiled.

If there was one major gain for the Ancient Architecture Research Institute this year, it was Xu Hao.

“Speaking of Senior Researchers, Old Li, your move was brilliant. I heard even our top bosses were stunned yesterday.”

Feng Wancheng chuckled beside him.

“Right? That move put Xiao Xu’s rank on par with those holding positions four and five in Wei City. Any offer to poach talent above that level just isn’t enticing anymore.”

Dong Liping gave Li Jue a thumbs up.

In terms of rank alone, Xu Hao was only one step behind them. Of course, in actual power, Xu Hao still had a long journey ahead.

“We owe this to Old Dong. If he hadn’t called ahead, we’d be in real trouble this time.”

Li Jue couldn’t help but reflect.

“But Old Li, don’t get ahead of yourself;”

and it seems like everything the Institute can offer has already been given.

After a brief pause, Dong Liping glanced at Li Jue.

No matter how exceptional Xu Hao is, even if Li Jue is training him as the next director, it’ll take at least ten years for him to fill those shoes.

“Who said our Institute has given everything it can?”

Li Jue smiled again.

“Hmm? What else can your Institute possibly offer? Everyone’s already a Senior Ancient Architecture Researcher.”

Both Feng Wancheng and Dong Liping looked at Li Jue in unison.

“Honestly, our higher authorities held a meeting a few days ago to address the dwindling talent in ancient restoration and the fact that domestic universities don’t yet have a specialized program in ancient architecture. They plan to open an Ancient Architecture College to promote our Long Kingdom’s traditional culture.

That would even include the position of director,”

Li Jue said, turning his gaze toward the center of Wudi City.

“An Ancient Architecture College? At the undergraduate level?”

Dong Liping was taken aback.

“They plan to recruit undergraduates. The college will be a joint effort between our supervising and educational departments. But it’s still under discussion, so Xiao Xu hasn’t been told yet.”

“If that’s the case,”

Feng Wancheng couldn’t help but comment.

“Not only does Long Kingdom boast top universities, even local university heads are quite influential.”

Before Feng Wancheng could add more, his phone suddenly rang.

He picked it up. Feng Wancheng frowned, nodded to Li Jue and Dong Liping, then stepped aside to take the call.

“Zhang Tai, hello!”

It turned out that the call was from Zhang Ping, the director of Su Province TV.

“Director Feng, are you busy right now?”

Zhang Ping’s voice came through promptly.

“What’s up? Speak up!”

A cool tone edged into Feng Wancheng’s voice.

“Well, can you speak to the head of Haofang Culture about possibly collaborating on our next drama? And about the festival hosts as well!

If not, we should stick with our own TV hosts. There are still three or four days until the opening ceremony—plenty of time! Right now, netizens are furious; it’s not that our TV lacks talent, but Mingsha County never reached out.

If they had, we wouldn’t have refused! Honestly, if we don’t go along, our higher-ups will really punish us!”

Zhang Ping quickly explained his request.

“Director Zhang, for collaborations like this, you should contact Haofang Culture. Why call me? And as for the host issue, that’s entirely Mingsha County’s decision. Who they choose is their business.”

Feng Wancheng frowned.

He recalled how, last time, he had called Zhang Ping for help with Wulin Wai Chuan.

Zhang had promised assistance, but in the end, he did nothing.

At that level, saving face is everything!

Though nothing was explicitly said later, one couldn’t help but harbor some resentment.

“Director Feng, I take responsibility for the first incident. Once you called, I handed everything over to the production director. Who knew he was so calculating?”

Zhang Ping said with a hint of resignation.

He understood Feng Wancheng’s frustration all too well; he’d feel the same himself.

“Director Zhang, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I have no leverage over them. Even though I have a good rapport with the local deputy officials, Haofang Culture and Mingsha County’s decisions are beyond my control.

You know what, once the festival is over, why don’t you follow up with them again? Right now, they’re as busy as tops, and no one can even answer your call.”

Feng Wancheng added, effectively distancing himself from the issue.

He made it clear that he was passing the buck.

“But now, netizens are saying our TV station…”

Zhang Ping was at a loss for words.

“It’s fine. Every organization runs into issues like this. A little cold treatment and it’ll blow over. Besides, plenty of netizens are praising Su Province, saying that without strong support from local authorities, Mingsha Tourism and Haofang Culture couldn’t have lifted the county out of poverty!

Look, the fact that our top boss and the head of the Tourism Ministry came together to support the festival speaks volumes.”

“I…”

Feng Wancheng’s unfinished remark only deepened Zhang Ping’s frustration.

It seemed that the entire Su Province was united with Mingsha Tourism, leaving Su Province TV isolated. On a small scale, it might be manageable, but on a larger scale, it’s a major issue.

“Alright, I have things to do, so I’ll hang up now!”

“Okay then!”

After a long silence, Zhang Ping ended the call.

Only he could truly understand the mix of emotions he was feeling.

Feng Wancheng was right—sometimes a cool-off is best when facing tough public opinion. Before long, it was October 20!

Su Province TV’s decision not to send a host had long been forgotten by the netizens.

At 8 a.m., on a crisp autumn morning,

with clear skies over Mingsha County, the area in front of the main gate at Hongsha Gang Village 256 was already packed, with lines of vehicles stretching out.

Although many hadn’t received a ticket, that didn’t stop locals from coming to see the spectacle.