Chapter 164: New Year’s Eve Revelations

On New Year’s Eve, there are just two things: gathering with strangers at a city landmark for one final ten-second countdown, or sitting in front of the TV to watch the top TV stations’ New Year’s galas in Long Kingdom.

By mid-afternoon, entertainment forums were flooded with posts discussing the New Year’s galas.

“Li Tianwang has appeared on Eggplant TV! I never expected Eggplant TV to land him this time! He hasn’t graced such a stage in years!”

“His songs are pure classics!”

“Eggplant TV is really pulling out all the stops tonight—you absolutely must watch it.”

“Other channels aren’t slack either. Mangguo TV booked Zhao Tianwang, Sun Tianwang, and several top-tier celebrities. Their star power might even surpass Eggplant TV’s.”

“That’s perfectly normal. Mangguo TV has always been a domestic leader; if they didn’t invite them, it would be odd.”

“And Lantern TV managed to book Zheng Tianwang!”

“The only one looking a bit shabby is Yan City TV!”

“Didn’t Yan City TV try an offbeat approach? With a shortage of stars, they resorted to live streaming. If you find the ‘car accident’ live show intriguing, check it out!”

“By the way, according to Yan City TV’s official info, the controversial Tiger Leopard Band from Haofang Agency also has a segment.”

“Them?”

“Yeah!”

“They keep playing the same few songs until you’re sick of them. I reckon Yan City TV only invited them out of courtesy for Haofang Culture—otherwise, who else would be booked on such a huge show?”

“Exactly.”

“So, it’s just for the heck of it. I bet the only ones eagerly anticipating the Tiger Leopard Band performance are the insiders at Mingsha Tourism and Haofang Culture.”

“No doubt—the mishap a while back really soured their image!”

“If it hadn’t been for that incident, I might have supported Mingsha Tourism out of respect. But now…”

Online, discussions were explosive with posts covering every angle, yet almost every comment mentioned the two words: Tianwang!

It seems that being a Tianwang has become a status symbol.

What does it take to be a Tianwang?

In Long Kingdom, a singer with over 30 million fans and at least ten signature hits earns the title of Tianwang.

Both conditions are absolutely essential!

If a singer only meets one, they can at best be considered a top-tier celebrity—not a true Tianwang.

A fan base of 10 to 30 million signifies a top-tier star, a notch below a superstar. Those with 5 to 10 million fans are second-tier. The Tiger Leopard Band once boasted over 10 million fans, solidly top-tier. But without any hit songs for years, their numbers have dwindled to around 2 million, putting them at a third- or fourth-tier level.

That’s the standard in music. In film and TV, however, awards from the Long Kingdom Film Festival and TV Fest follow an entirely different yardstick.

For instance, Haofang Culture’s newly signed Hu Xiao now has barely over 200,000 fans—fewer than many fifth- or sixth-tier actors.

And how is fan count determined?

Long Kingdom boasts a website called Jinbang that utilizes cutting-edge blockchain technology. It comprehensively evaluates user searches and likes, making it impossible to manipulate the numbers by buying followers or votes.

Thus, the fan counts on Jinbang are treated as official data.

Moreover, the website’s threshold to rank is 100,000 fans—a category even dubbed as 28th-tier, essentially entry-level. The main cast of Wulin Wai Chuan barely made the list.

Platforms like KuaiDou or Weibo, with inflated figures, only offer internal data that can’t be compared. Frankly, Haofang Agency’s current roster isn’t all that impressive.

Little did anyone know that while Long Kingdom’s public and netizens were absorbed by tonight’s festivities, at 5 p.m…

A sudden burst of firecrackers shattered the calm in Mingsha. Instead of settling in front of the TV to cheer for the Tiger Leopard Band, Xu Hao, Zhu Qiang, Luo Peng, and the others converged outside a stately yet traditionally styled government office.

Besides Xu Hao, Feng Wancheng from the Cultural Relics Bureau was also present.

“Xiao Xu, when it comes to ancient architecture in Long Kingdom, you’re simply the best—no one compares!”

Standing in front of the Tang Dynasty-style government office, flanked by towering blue brick walls over ten feet high,

a suddenly attentive Feng Wancheng couldn’t help but give Xu Hao a thumbs-up.

A few days earlier, Xu Hao had called him about the near completion of the Protectorate of West Liang, inviting him to visit Mingsha on New Year’s Day and offer some suggestions.

His immediate reaction was, ‘Not a chance.’

After all, the excavation of the Yeguang Cup happened around October 20. With just over two months on the clock in winter, how could the original site be so meticulously reconstructed?

This wasn’t any ordinary ancient structure—it was meant to be an authentic restoration.

But Xu Hao isn’t one to make empty promises. So on New Year’s Day, he rushed to Mingsha, planning to spend the New Year at a guesthouse.

The moment Feng Wancheng saw Xu Hao’s reconstruction of the Protectorate of West Liang’s government office, nothing else mattered—standing before it, he could almost feel the ancient spirit wafting over.

It was the same sensation as the first time Long Kingdom’s citizens entered the 49 Imperial City or scaled the ancient Chang’an walls.

Particularly when he looked up at the ‘Protectorate of West Liang’ plaque hanging above the entrance, his emotions deepened.

For an instant, Feng Wancheng even mistook this government office for an untouched relic from the Tang Dynasty rather than a high-quality replica built in just two months.

That was the genius of Xu Hao’s ancient architecture!

“Director Feng, let’s go inside and have a look. If anything isn’t quite right, please let us know so we can adjust it!”

Xu Hao smiled and gestured in invitation.

Ever since the main beam and the supporting columns of the Protectorate were set, he and nearly a hundred craftsmen had barely rested. Since this wasn’t a towering structure, they had to speed things up by erecting external scaffolding and tents.

Even though all materials for the Protectorate were prepared in advance, Xu Hao felt that building it was even more exhausting than constructing the Vermilion Bird Building—especially on the day they installed the main beam and restored the hall, when he clocked in just two hours of sleep.

Thankfully, the hard work paid off—the Protectorate was finally complete!

“Really looking forward to it!”

Feng Wancheng immediately nodded in agreement.

The impressive facade of the office already testified to Xu Hao’s skill in restoring relics; the interior would surely be just as remarkable.

“Director Feng, you’re too kind. We still depend on your expert guidance!”

Xu Hao added with a smile.

Thus, accompanied by Xu Hao and the top executives from Mingsha Tourism, Feng Wancheng stepped through the grand doorway of the Protectorate of West Liang.

Time passed—ten minutes, an hour—as dusk deepened. By 7 p.m., when all the surrounding lights flickered on, the group reappeared outside the office.

“Director Feng, thank you for your guidance. I’ll have our team adjust everything tomorrow,”

Xu Hao said with a grin.

“No need for further guidance. It’s just the arrangement of two artifacts. Yours is near flawless—I even wondered if the higher-ups might have you revamp other sites after seeing this work.”

Feng Wancheng couldn’t help but express his admiration.

Once inside, wave after wave of ancient ambiance struck them. Entering the court hall was one experience; the martial arena and the general’s podium offered another entirely.

Coupled with the unearthed relics, the scene was breathtaking, evoking visions of victorious Tang armies returning home, banquets in grand halls, and poets immortalizing the moment with verses like ‘Grapes and Yeguang Cup.’

Besides, Feng Wancheng had seen the original Sheepskin Journal, and Xu Hao’s reproduction was nearly identical.

Later on, he merely commented on the placement of two artifacts in the hall.

And so…

“Boss, I’m still in the learning phase,”

Xu Hao continued, “By the way, Xiao Xu—I bet once the higher-ups see this, they’ll let the Yeguang Cup and the other relics remain at the Protectorate!”

After a brief pause, Feng Wancheng looked at Xu Hao.

“Really?”

“Yes! Sometimes relics and ancient structures elevate each other. If the Yeguang Cup were placed elsewhere, it wouldn’t have the same effect. But here it instantly paints a vivid picture. Likewise, without the Yeguang Cup, your new site would feel lacking.”

Feng Wancheng nodded emphatically.

After a pause, he added:

“But remember, even if Long Kingdom’s authorities officially decide to keep the Yeguang Cup at the Protectorate, the one displayed externally will certainly not be authentic! The same applies to other relics—if replicas are available, that’s what they’ll use instead.

Tickets for the Protectorate will be managed by Mingsha Tourism, but security and relic preservation fall under the Cultural Relics Bureau. Later on, Mingsha Tourism might even need to provide accommodations for the relevant staff.”

“Director Feng, I understand that perfectly!”

Xu Hao nodded in affirmation.

Honestly, he never imagined that Mingsha Tourism would be entrusted with such invaluable relics—especially the Yeguang Cup, a true national treasure! Entrusting it to the Cultural Relics Bureau is a definite relief.

His goal was simple: let the people of Long Kingdom know that the illustrious Yeguang Cup resides in the Protectorate of West Liang at Hongsha Gang Village 256 in Mingsha County.

Then, tourists would flock from every corner, ensuring Mingsha Tourism a steady revenue stream—even if ticket sales were modest.

“So when do you plan to open the Protectorate to the public? After the New Year holiday, the review team will visit, and results should be out in three or four days. The Cultural Relics Bureau’s takeover team is already in place,”

Feng Wancheng continued.

“Boss, we’ll wait for the reviews and permits before opening. Meanwhile, we’re speeding up work. Although the Protectorate is complete, the Qing Brick Avenue leading to the ancient city gate hasn’t been finished yet.”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Hao replied.

The Protectorate is located 12 kilometers north of the city gate, in the opposite direction from Qixia Town and Wudi City. A direct Qing Brick Avenue is essential.

“Otherwise, how will the tourists, drawn by its reputation, make their way here?”