aircannonsinc Chapter 125 The Weight of the National Flag
Chapter 125 The Weight of the National Flag
On the last weekend of September, prime time on Chinese television and the internet was dominated by a 45-minute documentary interview.
Hunan TV and Liangjiang TV will broadcast the show together, and it will be simultaneously pinned to the top of the highest definition on iQiyi and Bilibili!
The documentary's title, emblazoned in bold red letters on the screen, reads: "The Moment the Five-Starred Red Flag Rises: Esports Also Brings Glory to the Nation!"
The scene begins without any cool game effects, only a dimly lit, cramped, and smoky underground internet cafe.
In front of the camera, SKY, known as the "Human Emperor," wore a faded old T-shirt and faced an exclusive interview with the famous host Shui Junyi. His eyes revealed a calm that had experienced vicissitudes, but he could not hide the deep bitterness hidden in them.
"Back then, I only ate one bowl of noodles a day, costing one yuan each, and when I was hungry, I drank tap water from the internet cafe."
SKY's voice echoed in television sets across countless homes: "I dare not go home, because in my parents' eyes, and in the eyes of all my relatives and neighbors, I am an incurable internet addict, a social failure."
"They said that playing video games is like absorbing electronic heroin, and that you'll be sent for electroshock therapy."
As the interview progressed, the background music gradually became more stirring and tragic.
The scene then cuts to the WCG World Cyber Games Global Finals in 2005 and 2006!
On that foreign field, when SKY defeated the arrogant South Korean player, draped in the bright red five-star flag, and stood on the highest podium with tears streaming down his face...
Countless young boys sitting in front of their computers, who had once been scolded by their parents for going to internet cafes, had tears welling up in their eyes at this moment!
"The moment we draped ourselves in the national flag, the foreigners in the audience cheered for us."
SKY, tears welling in his eyes, looked at the camera and said, "I just want to tell everyone that we are not bad kids! On that battlefield without gunfire, we are also fighting for our country's glory! Esports is a true sport!"
When this interview, fully funded by Haofeng Network and powered by top-tier public relations resources, was broadcast on mainstream media, it was as if a deep-water bomb had been dropped on the entire society!
#Is esports electronic heroin?#
#SKY Human Emperor#
#Playing games can also bring glory to the country#
Hao Feng's Weibo trending topics exploded!
Countless e-sports players and young netizens went crazy posting and forwarding on the square, as if they wanted to vent all the grievances and prejudices that they had suppressed for more than a decade at this moment!
This has also sparked an unprecedented wave of reflection and discussion within traditional parent circles and public opinion.
The national flag draped over the young boy gave "esports" the most indestructible get-out-of-jail-free card!
……
The headquarters of Tencent is located in the Fiyta Building in Nanshan District, Shenzhen.
In the CEO's office, Pony Ma stared at the overwhelming e-sports discussion on his computer screen and remained silent for a long time.
"Mr. Ma, Haofeng Network is using the guise of whitewashing esports to pave the way for their future gaming tournaments!"
The head of Tencent Games' IEG business group stood aside, somewhat anxiously saying, "Should our PR department immediately get involved, hire some online trolls to stir up trouble, reignite the negative publicity surrounding 'electronic heroin,' and suppress their momentum?"
For the past six months or so, whenever Haofeng Networks made a move, Tencent would always sing a different tune and try to trip it up.
This time, however, Pony Ma turned his head and looked at the person in charge as if he were an idiot.
"Suppress the momentum? Are you out of your mind?!"
Pony Ma sternly reprimanded, "Look at Tencent's most profitable business right now! It's DNF! It's CF! Our core business is games!"
"If games are forever labeled as 'electronic heroin' by mainstream society, then a regulatory sword will forever hang over our heads, ready to fall at any moment!"
"Li Feng of Haofeng is spending his own money to pave the way for the entire gaming industry and shoulder the burden of public opinion!"
"Relay my orders!"
Pony Ma slammed his hand on the table. "Tencent's entire channel, its entire matrix! QQ pop-ups, Tencent's homepage—make sure this interview with Sky is pinned to the top of the notifications!"
"Not only are we not allowed to disagree, we're also going to help Haofeng push things along! Let's solidify the concept that 'esports is a legitimate sport'!"
Not just penguins.
Ding Sanshi of the pig farm, Chen Tianqiao of Shanda, Shi Yuzhu of Giant...
On this special night, all the major game companies in China, who usually fight tooth and nail to win over players, showed unprecedented tacit understanding and unity!
They all mobilized their own publicity channels, desperately adding fuel to the fire for this interview!
Everyone knows perfectly well that once esports gains mainstream recognition, the ceiling for the entire Chinese gaming industry will be opened up!
……
Just when the entire internet was abuzz with excitement for the legitimacy of esports.
The weekend's revelry did not come to an end.
On Friday night during prime time, the first episode of "Running Man," an outdoor reality show that had been controversial during its pre-release promotion, premiered simultaneously on iQiyi and Liangjiang TV.
Before its premiere, the public generally had low hopes for this variety show.
"This lineup is so weird! Besides Han Geng, who's a top star and can carry the ratings, who are the rest of us?"
"Exactly! Haofeng Film & Television's own rising star, Li Xin, is mentoring veteran actor Huo Jianhua. And then there's Shen Teng, the stage actor? Plus singers Xue Zhiqian and Li Ronghao… This is clearly Haofeng organizing an internal team-building event with a 'mentorship' system!"
"What kind of chemistry can these forced-to-be-added regular guests possibly create?"
With this questioning and scrutinizing attitude, countless netizens who had just left the e-sports trending topics clicked into iQiyi's live stream.
However, the program had only been airing for less than ten minutes.
All the doubts of the audience were shattered by an unprecedented variety show format!
There was no dignified composure while sitting in the studio, and no forced sentimentality with obvious scripted elements.
The seven regular guests, dressed in different colored team uniforms, rolled around in the mud trying to grab a prop!
Especially that guy named Shen Teng, he's totally a comedian to the audience!
One second he was confidently declaring that he would protect his teammates, and the next second he saw the opponent rushing over and shamelessly slid down to his knees to beg for mercy. His "cheeky" appearance, which also carried a hint of middle-aged and elderly sadness, made the comments section burst into laughter!
Singer Xue Zhiqian abandoned all his idol image and ran wildly through the streets without any regard for his image, all the while spouting all sorts of hilarious jokes.
As for Li Xin, although she tried her best to avoid suspicion, the contrast between the two was quite endearing, especially compared to Huo Jianhua, who seemed to be constantly contemplating life.
"Holy crap! This show's got something special! It's hilarious!"
"Shen Teng is amazing! How can he be so annoying, hahaha!"
"I laughed so hard I spat my food all over the screen when Xue Zhiqian's pants were pulled down! These aren't celebrities, they're a bunch of lunatics!"
As the show progressed, the ratings began to skyrocket!
In the final twenty minutes of the show, the most crucial and exciting final segment of Running Man arrived: the name tag ripping game!
When the rules were announced, with name tags on everyone's backs, and those whose tags were torn off being eliminated, a sense of tension and excitement, similar to a battle royale, captivated the audience!
Just as the seven regular guests cautiously entered the building where the final battle would take place.
"Bang!"
The four large doors in the center of the building were pushed open simultaneously!
The rousing yet somewhat somber background music exploded throughout the venue!
As the camera slowly pans across the four "bell-ringing men" emerging from behind the door...
The entire iQiyi live stream was silent for three seconds, then erupted with a density of comments that was enough to crash the server!
"Oh my god!!!"
"Holy crap! Hu Ge!! Yang Mi!! Tang Yan!! Liu Shishi!!"
"The entire cast of 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy 3' reunited!!!"
crazy!
Viewers in front of their TVs and computers went absolutely crazy!
No one expected that in the first episode of a new variety show that was supposed to "bring newcomers," Haofeng Films would go so far as to bring over the "Four Members of Chinese Paladin," who are currently the most popular group in the Chinese entertainment industry, as guest stars!
These four individuals are so famous that any one of them could easily guarantee the ratings of a top-tier variety show.
They've actually combined like never before!
When Brother Hu shouted with a laugh, "Xuejian, don't run away!" Yang Mi screamed and hugged Tang Yan and Liu Shishi together, tearing at each other in the corridor to keep their name tags on their backs...
The ratings for the first episode of "Running Man" pierced the sky, setting a new record for the highest premiere ratings for an outdoor reality show in China!
……
Jinling, Zijinshan Manor.
Li Feng sat on the sofa, watching the ending of the first episode of Running Man playing on the screen, and took a satisfied sip of the red wine in his glass.
"Boss, our first shot has been a resounding success!"
Zhang Xinyu nestled next to Li Feng, holding the ratings report she had just received. "Mango TV is green with envy. Liangjiang TV really hit the jackpot this time."
"As expected. These people are usually reserved on set, but when they let loose on variety shows, the contrast naturally appeals to the audience." Li Feng put down his wine glass.
"By the way, boss."
Zhang Xinyu seemed to remember something, and opened her phone's memo app to report to the director: "This episode features Hu Ge from Tangren as a guest. Lao Han from the film and television department just messaged me asking how to settle the appearance fee with Tangren?"
"Brother Hu usually doesn't participate in these kinds of outdoor variety shows. He only appeared on camera this time because of you."
"General Manager Cai said that Hu Ge's appearance fee this time is negotiable. Just consider it as a favor between friends, or a symbolic discount as a token of appreciation for his hard work."
Upon hearing these words, Li Feng's previously carefree gaze sharpened slightly.
"Discount? Free meal?"
Li Feng snorted coldly, "Go tell Lao Han, not a penny less! Pay the original price, according to the current market rate for top-tier variety show guest appearances in the Chinese entertainment industry, and transfer it to Tangren's account!"
Zhang Xinyu paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled: "Boss, since President Cai has taken the initiative to be friendly and give us face, wouldn't it be better for us to go along with it and save these millions?"
"Xinyu, that's not how you do business."
Li Feng reached out and pinched her fair cheek, his eyes so deep they seemed to see through the weaknesses of human nature.
"One thing at a time."
"When Haofeng Network invests in Tangren's dramas, it's a commercial investment. If the drama becomes popular, everyone makes money and shares the profits. It's an exchange of benefits."
"Now that their people are appearing on my variety show, I pay them the full appearance fee. That's only fair."
"In this industry, the most expensive thing isn't money, but the debts of gratitude!"
Li Feng's voice echoed in the empty home theater:
"If I take advantage of Cai Yinong for these millions today, tomorrow she'll dare to use the guise of 'favors' to demand tens or even hundreds of millions of resources from Haofeng!"
"If something can be solved with money, never involve personal favors."
"I don't need the money, so I will never give anyone the chance to talk about personal relationships with me!"
Hearing this cold yet irrefutable business logic, Zhang Xinyu was greatly shocked.
"I understand, boss."
Zhang Xinyu nodded obediently. "I'll have the finance department transfer the full amount immediately. Haofeng Network would never take advantage of someone for such a small thing!"