Huayu: From the Era of Ringtones to Becoming a Legend

Hearing that it was the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television calling, and that the tone was forceful, Lu Jiuge was somewhat surprised.

"What is it?"

Liu Feng lowered his voice:

"I don't know the specifics, but Director Chen Yuanjiang called personally, demanding that you be in his office by 9:00 AM the day after tomorrow!"

Lu Jiuge raised an eyebrow, glanced at the now empty traditional record booth, and said in a low voice:

"Could it be that the record companies are pulling strings behind the scenes?"

Although the words were spoken softly, they were clearly heard by the people in front of and behind him.

The excitement on the left's face froze instantly, and her fingers clenched unconsciously.

Zheng Lin subconsciously took half a step forward, his eyes filled with obvious worry.

Zhang Jie, Zhang Liangying, Li Huizhen, Li Yuchun and others were taken aback, and their faces, which had just been beaming with glory, were instantly covered with unease.

Although the guests were unaware of the specifics, they could tell from the expressions on Lu Jiuge's face that something was amiss.

The crowd, which had just been talking and congratulating each other, gradually quieted down.

Although CCTV's live broadcast had already switched away, the cameras of dozens of media outlets on site were still on red, recording every word of what was happening.

State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

These four simple words carry immense weight in the entire entertainment industry.

That's where rules are set, red lines are drawn, and life and death are controlled; it's a place that countless companies both want to curry favor with and fear.

Being summoned urgently right after a controversy surrounding a grand event that was broadcast nationwide is hardly a positive thing.

Lu Jiuge's gaze was calm, revealing no emotion, and she asked indifferently:

Did the notice specify any details?

Liu Feng shook his head, his brows furrowing even more deeply:

"No. They only said it was an important work meeting, and the connection was confidential; they didn't say a word more!"

"Even Dean Liu doesn't know?"

Lu Jiuge confirmed softly.

"I don't know."

Zuo Wei suddenly leaned forward, his voice very low:

"Mr. Lu, while our decision to re-vote on the spot is justified, it does break industry rules. Perhaps...?"

Zheng Lin's face also darkened, and he said in a low voice:

"Lingyun Terminal is expanding too aggressively, and Jingjie Entertainment is grabbing all the traffic on the internet. I'm afraid they'll be used as a scapegoat by the higher-ups."

The singers around him remained silent, but the anxiety in their eyes was almost palpable.

They had just reached the pinnacle of the music scene and hadn't even had time to savor the glory when they faced immense pressure that might fall from the sky, filling everyone with worry.

Lu Jiuge did not answer immediately.

He turned slightly to the side, his gaze sweeping over the tense faces behind him.

Zuo Wei's anxiety, Zheng Lin's unease, and the artists' trepidation were all clearly visible.

He raised his hand, gently pressed it down, glanced at the curious gazes around him, said nothing, and got up to walk out.

"Let's talk back at the hotel! Dean Liu, if there's nothing else, would you mind coming over for a visit?"

"Of course I'm free!"

Liu Feng responded and followed Lu Jiuge out of the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

Back at the hotel, Lu Jiuge first calmed down Zhang Jie, Zhang Liangying, Li Huizhen, and the others.

After a few words of reassurance, he told them to go back and rest first, and then took Zuo Wei, Zheng Lin, and Liu Feng into the suite.

As soon as he sat down in the room, Liu Feng couldn't help but remind him again:

"Xiao Lu, although the specifics weren't mentioned on the phone, since the bureau chief called personally, the problem must be very serious. You must take this seriously!"

Lu Jiuge had thought about it all the way and had basically figured out the key point. She shook her head and said:

"Dean Liu, Lao Zuo, Lao Zheng, don't be nervous!"

"Qianxing Entertainment operates without piracy, monopoly, behind-the-scenes manipulation, or violations. Voting is open and transparent, data is available online, and works are judged by audience approval."

"We've done nothing wrong, we've done nothing wrong, we have nothing to be afraid of!"

Lu Jiuge's words made sense, but Zuo Wei was still uneasy:

"Mr. Lu, that's true, but given the current unspoken rules, I'm worried that traditional record companies might use connections to target us!"

Lu Jiuge shook her head:

"It can't be that. The director of the State Administration of Television wouldn't publicly endorse something like that!"

After thinking for a moment, Lu Jiuge continued:

"The reason I've been called in this time is most likely due to a major issue involving adjustments to industry policies!"

"I just don't know if it's related to digital music!"

Liu Feng thought about it and agreed with him, saying in a deep voice:

"It's good that you know what's going on. Anyway, I've finished my business in Shanghai. This time, let's go back to Kyoto together. We can keep each other company on the road, and if anything happens, I can put in a good word for you!"

Lu Jiuge turned to look at him, without refusing:

"Then I'll have to trouble Dean Liu."

"It's no trouble at all."

Liu Feng waved his hand:

"You are a rare talent in the music industry. If you are misunderstood because of a controversy, it will be a loss for the entire industry."

After making the decision, Lu Jiuge arranged some follow-up work steps for Zuo Wei and Zheng Lin, and set off for Kyoto with Liu Feng early the next morning.

……

There weren't many passengers inside the cabin.

Lu Jiuge sat by the window, closing her eyes to rest, her mind rapidly processing a series of threads related to digital music, copyright, terminal standards, and the future of the industry.

The mature policy framework, regulatory system, and development direction of the next decade or so clearly emerged in his mind, each link connected and logically sound.

After a whole night of reflection, Lu Jiuge had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

The fact that the bureau chief personally named someone indicates that it's not a trivial matter that warrants such a large-scale mobilization; it's highly likely that it's related to the future rules of digital music.

He had to sort out all his thoughts before the meeting.

Liu Feng sat to the side, watching Lu Jiuge calmly close his eyes to rest, and his admiration for him grew even stronger.

He suddenly realized that even a seasoned veteran like himself, who had seen it all, would subconsciously feel a sense of trust when he was with this young man.

The plane took off, breaking through the clouds and leaving the hustle and bustle of Shanghai far behind.

Three hours later, the flight landed smoothly at Kyoto International Airport.

After exiting the airport, Liu Feng's student picked them up and drove them directly to the hotel he had booked next to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Liu Feng didn't go home; instead, he kindly stayed at a hotel with Lu Jiuge and continued to explain the situation of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television to him.

The next morning at eight o'clock, he personally took Lu Jiuge to the television station.

Standing at the main gate, the two went through security checks and registration by guards before entering the headquarters compound.

Looking at the solemn, grand, and majestic old-style building in front of her, Lu Jiuge felt a momentary daze, as if she had returned to the tense scene of her first meeting at the General Administration in her previous life.

Lu Jiuge straightened her suit collar and followed Liu Feng into the hall.

Liu Feng led Lu Jiuge towards the elevator with practiced ease. Just as they were about to take a step, a low voice came from the side corridor.

"Old Liu, wait a minute."

The speaker was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing glasses, with a capable demeanor, clearly someone who had worked in an office for a long time.

Hearing the call, Liu Feng glanced at the other person, told Lu Jiuge to wait a moment, and then stepped forward to greet them familiarly:

"Old Zheng, we just spoke on the phone last night, do you have any new information?"

The bald, bespectacled man called Lao Zheng glanced at Lu Jiuge, lowered his voice, and whispered something in Liu Feng's ear.

Liu Feng returned to Lu Jiuge's side with a serious expression:

"Xiao Lu, things have changed. The people you need to see today are not just Director Chen Yuanjiang!"

This unexpected turn of events caught Lu Jiuge completely off guard, and she pressed for an answer:

"Dean Liu, what's going on?"

"This meeting is a four-way trial!"