Chapter 181: The Unfolding Drama

Screening? It was originally planned, but thanks to my strong recommendation and full effort, that step has been scrapped!

Ran Xiangfei chuckled again.

“This…”

Hearing that,

Qi Haoyong was completely dumbfounded; his rehearsed reply got stuck in his throat, refusing to come out.

“With such an amazing opportunity, why don’t you seem happy at all?”

There was an awkward silence that went on too long. Ran Xiangfei couldn’t help but be puzzled. In his mind, after delivering the news, Qi Haoyong would have been ecstatic and endlessly grateful. But now, “Chairman Ran, it’s not that I’m not happy. After working so hard and finally seeing results, I should be thrilled. I’m just confused about why Mingsha Tourism—”

Qi Haoyong took a deep breath and forced himself to speak.

At this moment, if he mentioned that Ning An Cultural Tourism might withdraw its film festival application, it wouldn’t just offend Ran Xiangfei but also all the connections he had painstakingly arranged.

“Mingsha Tourism has already handed the hosting rights over to Ning An Cultural Tourism. Why bring them up? Our priority now is to prepare thoroughly. I’ve assured the higher-ups that we’ll throw a spectacular film festival for Ning An Cultural Tourism.”

“Do you have confidence?”

Ran Xiangfei’s voice suddenly rose.

Even though the mention of Mingsha Tourism still annoyed him, he held back for Qi Haoyong’s sake—after all, if Qi found out that his longtime rival hadn’t even submitted an application after all his hard work, he’d likely explode on the spot.

Just an hour ago, amid a flurry of discussions, Ran Xiangfei had taken charge of this tourism festival and secured Ning An Cultural Tourism’s participation. Fail or succeed, he had to make it work.

“This…”

Qi Haoyong hesitated, words failing him.

At that moment, no words could express the complexity of his emotions.

“Chairman Ran, it’s not that I lack confidence—I just worry what if Mingsha Tourism stirs up trouble? They’re always trending on social media, and if they make a scene, they could steal the spotlight from the film festival.”

Snapping back to reality, Qi Haoyong whispered.

“Mr. Qi, rest assured. With top-tier stars gracing the festival, everyone’s attention will be on the celebrities, not on some ancient landmark. So relax! Even if Mingsha Tourism causes a stir, it won’t outshine our event.”

Ran Xiangfei immediately reassured him.

“Huh? No focus on the ancient architecture? But previously…”

Qi Haoyong was momentarily stunned.

“Mr. Qi, everything we did before was just to bolster the festival’s credentials—like your film, which should debut during the Spring Festival to keep Ning An Cultural Tourism’s reputation intact. Otherwise, even if the organizers are on board, visitors and netizens will have plenty to gossip about.”

Ran Xiangfei continued.

“So the film will go on as scheduled?”

“Yes! I’m working on getting in touch with a TV station to help promote it.”

“But I think…”

“No ‘buts’. You know I wouldn’t let you down. Trust me on this.”

The film festival’s venue had been quietly handed over to Ning An Cultural Tourism—though this was strictly internal news.

As per routine,

the organizers would officially announce the venue in early March.

Mingsha Tourism remained completely in the dark. Ever since they got busier, they hadn’t bothered to follow any film festival news.

Meanwhile, Xu Hao was practically jumping with excitement in the workshop over a piece of news.

“Director Feng, it’s approved?”

“It’s approved!”

Feng Wancheng’s voice came through the phone.

Just half a month ago, Feng Wancheng led an inspection team to Mingsha County, and Xu Hao had shown them the newly built Protectorate of West Liang.

After spending a day there, the team left Mingsha County, and no further news came.

The longer Xu Hao waited, the more anxious he became. Just as he was about to call Feng Wancheng for more details, Feng’s call came first, announcing that the review had passed.

In other words, the Yeguang Cup would forever be housed at the Protectorate—and the Protectorate would be highlighted as a major tourist attraction.

“Thank you so much!”

Confirming the news, Xu Hao hurriedly said.

“No need to thank me. It’s all down to your expertise. The rebuilt Protectorate won unanimous praise from the experts. They agreed that only by placing the Yeguang Cup there can the people of the Long Kingdom truly appreciate the might of the Tang Dynasty.”

Feng Wancheng chuckled.

“I was just brainstorming. By the way, Director Feng, when will that Yeguang Cup be delivered?”

After a brief self-deprecation, Xu Hao quickly asked again.

“Now that the review has been approved by higher authorities, the official documents have been sent to the Su Province Cultural Relics Bureau. When it’s delivered and when the announcement is made depends on your side!”

After a pause, Feng’s voice returned.

“Our side?”

Xu Hao was a bit puzzled.

“Didn’t I tell you last time? Even if the Protectorate’s display case houses replicas while the originals are stored in an underground safe—with tight security and staff from the Cultural Relics Bureau managing everything—it’s only then that it can be officially opened to the public.”

Feng Wancheng explained.

“Director Feng, rest assured—I’ll ensure the security personnel and all relevant staff have their accommodations ready as soon as possible.”

At that, Xu Hao suddenly understood.

It made sense, after all.

Such an important national treasure needed round-the-clock monitoring. Besides building dormitories outside, the Protectorate itself needed designated duty areas.

“Just let me know when everything’s in place. Oh, and Xiao Xu, please prepare some ancient Tang Dynasty costumes—ones with exquisite craftsmanship, not those mass-produced outfits.”

After a brief pause, Feng Wancheng added.

“Thousand Soldier Guard?”

“Yes. I want the security staff, including those posted at the Protectorate entrance, to wear Thousand Soldier Guard uniforms. That way, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Su Province’s cultural heritage.”

“Director Feng, that’s fine. I’m just not sure how many security staff and workers you plan to send over.”

Snapping back to reality, Xu Hao immediately nodded in agreement.

He was all for it! The more authentic the ancient ambiance, the more visitors would flock in.

“Fifty security personnel, twenty general staff, one curator, and two deputy curators.”

Feng Wancheng recited the numbers.

This was the standard configuration for a major cultural relic unit.

“Alright, Director Feng. I’ll start the construction, and once everything is set up, I’ll call you.”

“Mm!”

After another ten minutes of conversation, Xu Hao finally hung up. No sooner had he ended the call than he summoned Zhu Qiang and Luo Peng.

“What’s up, Brother Hao?”

The two, who’d just arrived at the workshop, were a bit out of breath.

Upon hearing that Xu Hao had called for them, they immediately paused their work and rushed over.

“Our Protectorate’s review has passed! The official approval has arrived at the Su Province Cultural Relics Bureau,” Xu Hao announced.

He said.

“It passed? Really passed? My friend, this means our guesthouse is going to be legendary!”

Zhu Qiang and Luo Peng were briefly stunned, then immediately high-fived in celebration.

They knew exactly what passing the review meant—it meant the plot now had its own cultural endorsement. Just like that famous poem, the Yeguang Cup would forever be synonymous with Mingsha.

If the Mingsha plot later received accolades comparable to the Ancient City of Mingsha, textbooks might even note that this poem originated from the Protectorate of West Liang in Mingsha Ancient City—a near-perfect scenario.

“Brother Hao, when will the Yeguang Cup be delivered?”

After the celebrations, Zhu Qiang immediately asked.

“That’s why I called you over. Director Feng mentioned that the Protectorate still needs a dining and office area for the security staff and workers—in short, they’re treating the Protectorate as a major cultural relic unit. Once it’s ready, they’ll announce it officially.”

Xu Hao explained.

“Brother Hao, what are we waiting for? I’ve got spare time these days. Let me handle it!”

Nearby,

Luo Peng hurriedly added.

The matter of 800 extras had nearly been settled. To fill the market area, Hongsha Gang Village was almost entirely emptied—it was as if not even a chicken or a dog was left.

And that wasn’t all—for recreating the original performance scene, he had even recruited some local opera troupes.

“That works too. Let’s stick to the usual method of three outsiders and nine insiders. Even if it’s a bit grand, what matters is finishing before late March.”

Xu Hao nodded.

“Late March?”

Luo Peng subconsciously calculated the time.

“Yes, by March 30th the Yeguang Cup must return to the Protectorate. We’ll also officially announce the news then.”

Xu Hao stated.

The Long Kingdom spanned vast territories. While the northern nights were bitterly cold, some southern cities enjoyed spring-like weather all year.

Kun City

Even though it was already ten at night, the streets were still bustling with people.

The Yun Province TV building was brightly lit, with some employees burning the midnight oil.

In the station director’s office, Director Cui Fangshan stared at his computer screen for a long while before frowning and turning to a middle-aged man seated across from him.

“Director He, why does it seem like Haofang Culture’s announcement for this xianxia drama is aimed squarely at our Qingyue Song?”

These days, Haofang Culture had become the focus of major Dragon Kingdom TV stations’ scrutiny.

Today, after handling external affairs, Cui Fangshan returned and was immediately filled with a foreboding sense of trouble.

“Qingyue Song” was this TV station’s flagship project for the year—absolutely nothing could go wrong.

“Boss, they’re targeting our channel!”

The middle-aged man sighed.

His name was He Ruozhou, the channel director at Yun Province TV.

“Huh? Targeting us? What’s going on? Since when did we offend Haofang Culture? That shouldn’t be possible!”

Cui Fangshan’s face instantly registered astonishment.

Although Haofang Culture and Eggplant TV were at odds, our TV station remained neutral.