The King of Soft Rice in Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 443 The Scourge needs a Lich King
"Zhang Jizhong announces the cast of The Return of the Condor Heroes, Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan to reunite."

"The production team of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' has once again made a big splash, inviting the newly crowned Cannes Film Festival Best Actor to play Yang Guo."

"The casting for The Legend of the Condor Heroes has been finalized, with Yang Guo going to the youngest actor to win the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor award."

Traditional media remained as honest as ever. Even when they made sarcastic remarks, they only targeted a specific person. He had only been the youngest Cannes Best Actor for a few months when he went off to act in a Jin Yong drama. He had no self-respect whatsoever.

In contrast, netizens are much bolder, especially the haters who emerged from the originalists of "Chinese Paladin". They couldn't wait to rush to various community entertainment sections to claim that the guy who likes to play scumbags, after ruining Li Xiaoyao, is going to ruin Yang Guo now.

"What qualifications does he have to play Yang Guo? Is he as handsome as Louis Koo?"

"Acting in movies and acting in television are two different things. He may be good at movies, but he may not be good at television."

"He played Yang Kang before, and now he's playing Yang Guo. Is this some kind of son of a bull?"

Unfortunately, it was all in vain. Before, when they were criticizing Xu Jiuyang for playing Li Xiaoyao in the gaming section, they could still hold their own against the rational and objective people. But when they came to the entertainment section, they were immediately defeated by the female fans.

"Koo Tim Lok was alright when he played Yang Guo, but now? He's all dark skin and he dares to compare himself to my brother?!"

"In Jin Yong's novels, Peng Lianhu and the others saw Yang Guo and thought he was Yang Kang reborn. Why can't my brother play Yang Guo?!"

"They're condescending to act in a TV series. Do they even know what condescension means? If they hadn't signed a contract, why would they have come to act in such a lousy TV series?"

Yes, during a press conference held by Zhang Jizhong, someone said in an interview that he would take on the role of Yang Guo because he liked the character after reading martial arts novels since he was a child, and also because his company had signed a three-film contract with Zhang Jizhong, which he had to fulfill.

This is actually all fine; these are rational female fans. If they weren't rational...

"As expected, the fans need to be organized." Xu Jiuyang sighed after reading the report.

“Now each party has its own dedicated online army. Does the boss want to unify them?” Dong Qing asked.

“Of course not,” Xu Jiuyang shook his head. “An online army is an online army, and a fan is a fan.”

He looked at Liu Tao: "So, Teacher Bai, are you confident in organizing the fans?"

"Ah...ah?" Liu Tao's eyes widened. "Boss, I work in administration."

“Controlling the behavior of fans is also part of the operation,” Xu Jiuyang said with a smile.

"This..." Liu Tao hesitated.

It was clear that she wanted to refuse, but didn't dare to say it outright.

Xu Jiuyang didn't say anything, just looked at her. After a long while, Liu Tao reluctantly lowered her head and replied, "I understand."

"You know nothing," Xu Jiuyang cursed, his face clearly showing his displeasure. "I've told you countless times, if you don't want to do something, just say so. As long as the reason is valid, I won't force you. Are you just ignoring me?"

"No, boss," Liu Tao quickly pleaded, "I...I really don't want to do this..."

“It’s perfectly reasonable for them not to want to,” Xu Jiuyang said seriously. “Placing someone in a position they don’t want to or that isn’t suitable for will only make them slack off and procrastinate, even if they don’t dare to resist, leading to decreased efficiency. It’s not like we’re without anyone to do things for us, so why are you so conflicted?”

"I...I'm sorry..." Liu Tao lowered her head even further.

"Now I'd like to propose a punishment for you. Do you accept it?" Xu Jiuyang asked.

"I accept." Liu Tao said without the slightest hesitation.

"Very good." Xu Jiuyang nodded, pressed the speakerphone button on the landline on his desk, and called his precious baby in.

"Yang Ying, I have a task for you," he said.

Yang Ying, who was initially a little doubtful, immediately brightened up upon hearing this: "No problem, Boss... I'll definitely do my best!"

"Don't rush," Xu Jiuyang waved his hand, then turned to Dong Qing, "Qingqing, you take charge of the overall situation." "Yes, boss," Dong Qing nodded.

"Then, Teacher Bai will be in charge of the specific operations," he added immediately.

Liu Tao raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

“Yang Ying will act as an assistant,” Xu Jiuyang continued. “You guys discuss how to teach Yang Ying how to manage the fans as soon as possible. As long as she can take on this responsibility, Teacher Bai can get away from this.”

"No problem, boss, I can definitely do it!" Yang Ying exclaimed excitedly.

Dong Qing nodded in agreement, and together with Liu Tao, who breathed a sigh of relief, replied, "Okay, boss."

"There's one more thing I need to clarify," Xu Jiuyang added, "Next year, after my contract with Xingyao ends and I start preparing for my own studio, this project will be handed over to the studio. You have no objections, right?"

He was looking at Dong Qing when he said that, but it was Da Baobei who raised her hand first.

"Boss, I don't care anymore, should I just hand it over completely?" she asked, her tone full of worry.

“Of course I’ll follow up. You’re my assistant, understand?” Xu Jiuyang chuckled. “You’re directly responsible to me.”

"That's great." Yang Ying looked relieved.

"I understand, boss," Dong Qing replied with her usual smile.

“Very good, then next is the punishment for Teacher Bai.” Xu Jiuyang nodded in satisfaction.

"Huh? Huh? Huh?" Liu Tao's eyes widened again. "This...this wasn't it just now?"

“That was just a work assignment; the punishment is coming up next,” Xu Jiuyang said, raising an eyebrow.

Liu Tao was stunned for several seconds, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she resigned herself and sighed, "I understand..."

“Very good, very good,” Xu Jiuyang smiled again. “Then Yang Ying, you’d better learn a lot from Teacher Bai in bed tonight.”

"No problem, boss!" Big Baby was already eager to get started.

"Qingqing, you need to keep a close eye on things from the side," Xu Jiuyang continued.

“Yes… boss…” Dong Qing sighed, feigning nonchalance.

As for Liu Tao, she stood there listlessly, clearly resigned to her fate.

Putting that aside, given the current situation, fans need to be controlled. Xu Jiuyang has no interest in creating any fan circles, since he doesn't make a living from movies and TV shows. However, he's worried that the idol will have to pay the price for the fans' actions, and female fans are usually the most irrational type.

Of course, not being an actor or star is an option, but the problem is that if she really wants to leave the entertainment industry, not only Fan Bingbing, but also Gao Yuanyuan, Li Yunxin, Angela, and even Sister Xiaoli would probably try to persuade her to stay.

Xu Jiuyang's intuition told him that this was bound to happen, and even... if he couldn't persuade them with words, they might follow Fan Bingbing's example...

The thought of this situation made someone shudder involuntarily, but Fan Bingbing was clinging to his coattails and he couldn't handle it on his own, let alone with the others added to the mix.

Therefore, I still need to stay in the game, so the Scourge must have a Lich King.

Since it involves managing the fanbase, it will definitely be handed over to the future studio to be in charge, and Li Hong has already been chosen as the person in charge of the studio.

After having tasted Liu Fangfei's flavor, someone wanted to try Li Hong, after all, Sister Xiaoli had made it clear that she was prepared for him.

Although they are both dignified, the former leans more towards elegance and intellect, while the latter's resilient yet virtuous temperament is simply too attractive.

(End of this chapter)