The Queen's Rumored Father

The broadcast dates for "The Longest Day in Chang'an" and "General and I" have been set, and surprisingly, they will clash!

They're airing on the same day! Both are broadcast in two-episode run, which means they're going to fight to the death.

Among them, "Chang'an" was broadcast simultaneously on Hunan TV and online. "Gu Fang," on the other hand, premiered simultaneously on three channels: Hunan TV, Shanghai TV, and CCTV-6. That's terrifying!

The four major satellite TV stations plus Beijing TV are the five dominant local TV stations. It's already quite an achievement to have the first broadcast rights bought by one station, but Gu Fang actually managed to get the first broadcast on three of the dominant channels at the same time. It has to be said that the operation of capital is just that fierce.

Based on this alone, Chang'an's data could not possibly surpass that of Gu Fang.

Chang'an is doomed to lose!

The difference lies in the platform itself, and in the promotion itself.

Now the second point of difference is also beginning to emerge.

With only two weeks left until the premiere, the cast and crew of "General and I" have split into two groups, led by the male and female leads, and traveled all over the country to launch a vigorous promotional campaign for the series.

Various variety shows, interviews, on-the-ground promotions, local press conferences, and so on, have created a lively atmosphere.

As for the members of the Chang'an film crew, sorry, they are all still at home with their hands clasped in prayer!

I pray the ratings will be better.

However, there are also many distant factors involved.

During the worst period of the storm surrounding Meng Xiaoxuan's contract termination with Louis Vuitton, Lei Jiayin, Li Yuan, Yi Yangqianxi, and others called Xu Yuan to express their concern and offer to visit him and Meng Xiaoxuan, but Xu Yuan refused.

Now that the matter is over, and Meng Xiaoxuan has even "signed" with Qianda, Xu Yuan naturally has to express his gratitude.

So they invited the Chang'an film crew together, and everyone gathered in the capital. Xu Yuan, of course, paid for it; he had a substantial signing bonus from signing with Qianda.

During the gathering, everyone talked about their work progress. Many people had taken on new roles and didn't even have time to come.

"Big Head, I heard there's another detective-themed period drama that's looking for you? And one with a lot of dialogue?" Xu Yuan asked.

Lei Jiayin nodded, still looking somewhat happy.

Another male lead!

Although the investment wasn't huge, the production team wasn't great, the distribution channels weren't strong, and the salary wasn't high, he was still the male lead. That's how it is for second-tier male stars: they take on some lesser-known scripts, act in a dozen or so, and if one or two of them become hits, they're pretty much ready to cross the threshold into the first tier.

However, this process often takes five to eight years. During this period, the loss of fans is very serious. If they fail to become a breakout star, they may not even be able to maintain their second-tier status and can only play supporting roles as second or third male leads. When they get older, they may have to play supporting roles such as elders.

Too many people have walked this road.

"Don't answer for now," Xu Yuan said.

"Not answer? But they're about to start filming, if I don't answer, they definitely won't wait for me!" Lei Jiayin frowned.

For such a small project, it doesn't matter who you ask.

There are too many male stars in the same league as Lei Jiayin. If it weren't for the fact that Da Tou recently gained some popularity by riding on the coattails of "The Longest Day in Chang'an," he might not have been the first choice for Lei Jiayin.

At least in terms of looks, many second male leads can easily outshine Lei Datou.

"Don't answer, Chang'an will explode!" Xu Yuan said, then looked at Li Yuan and Yi Yangqianxi, clearly meaning the same thing.

The explosion in Chang'an was far beyond what these people had imagined.

While it's not to say that this drama will propel them to super-A-list status overnight, Lei Jun is almost certain to achieve A-list status. Li Yuan and Yi Yangqianxi, on the other hand, have surpassed second-tier status in television dramas, quickly becoming comparable to A-list actors.

Taking on roles before the Chang'an explosion was unwise for them.

They wasted an opportunity to increase their value and missed the best chance for promotion.

If Chang'an doesn't get a good script within six months of its big hit, and can't produce a second decent drama that audiences can see within a year, their popularity will completely dissipate, and they will fall back to the bottom of the second tier.

As a friend, Xu Yuan felt obligated to offer a reminder.

"You're so confident?" Lei Jiayin pursed her lips.

"Don't you have any?" Xu Yuan asked, taking a sip of tea. "Are you content to spend your whole life as a mediocre, second-tier TV actor?"

Lei Jiayin's pupils contracted; he felt a sharp pain.

Lei Jiayin, who seems optimistic all the time, has always been concerned about one thing: among his close friends, those who should have become famous have all become famous, but he is the only one who has been stuck at the bottom of the second tier.

Whether it's hard work or acting skills, he's no worse than those people.

But he just couldn't become famous.

How could Lei Jiayin accept this?

"Alright, since you put it that way, I'll bet on this film, Chang'an!" In an instant, Lei Jiayin regained her confidence.

If the broadcast of "Chang'an" receives a bad response, then Lei Jiayin might not even be able to remain a second-tier actress.

This is why his agent urged him to take on a role soon.

Many people in the crew were like that.

The show has gained some attention by going head-to-head with "General and I," but it will obviously suffer a terrible fate if negative reviews come out! The "Chang'an" production team is resorting to any means to promote the show; I really don't know who came up with this terrible idea.

Taking shortcuts and using tricks will not end well!

Most of the companies behind the actors in the production do not have a high opinion of Chang'an.

"Then I'll take it easy too. Actually, I'd like to compete for another script." Li Yuan nodded. "My contract with the company is about to expire. They've been good to me, but they can't afford to waste resources to get that role for me at a time like this, so I'll have to rely on myself."

The second female lead, in her thirties, is in such a miserable state that even Li Yuan's company is considered relatively kind.

Finally, only Yi Yangqianxi remained silent.

Yi Yangqianxi became nervous.

Seriously? Why do I have to face Xu Yuan alone again?

Didn't we agree that we'd never see each other again after filming?

"Well, I'll wait a bit longer. Anyway, I have a lot of offers, so I might as well postpone filming," Yi Yangqianxi said honestly.

Lei Jiayin and Li Yuan both coughed up a mouthful of blood.

They're in a rush to get roles because the situation is pressing, but Yi Yangqianxi doesn't have to worry about that.

Don't underestimate him just because he's a newcomer in the TV drama industry. His group is incredibly popular. The three of them combined are top-tier celebrities in the entertainment industry today! They can even compete with super-top-tier celebrities!

Invitations and such are never a problem for Yi Yangqianxi; he'll always play it safe.

However, what followed was a moment of slap in the face.

Beep beep!

A phone call came in, and Xu Yuan knew he had to answer it, so he immediately signaled everyone to keep their voices down.

"Hey, Teacher He? No need to disturb you, I'm just having a get-together with my friends from the Chang'an film crew."

"What? You want me to act? No way! My role in Chang'an was an accident, and I didn't actually plan to act after that."

"No, really. There's no such thing as getting cocky after becoming famous. I'm not that kind of person... How about this, is that director a friend of yours, Teacher He, or is he just asking you to inquire? If it's the latter, then I really don't have time. You know how much trouble Xiaoxuan is going through, I really can't spare the energy."

Upon hearing this, Lei Jiayin and the others understood. They had asked someone to find Xu Yuan to act, and it was even Teacher He who had done it. That was quite impressive.

The key point is that Xu Yuan actually knows Teacher He. This kid has incredible connections!

However, I'm sorry, Xu Yuan definitely won't take this role. After all, as I said before, Xu Yuan has confidence in Chang'an.

"Oh, it's Teacher Huang's show? You and Teacher Huang have been friends for decades. This... it's an episodic drama, it won't take much time, maybe a week. Um... what, you're playing Mark? A deaf-mute?"

An awkward laugh came from the other side. Even Teacher He felt embarrassed to have found someone to act in a play, to play a deaf-mute person.

But the next moment, heavenly music came.

"Teacher He, I'll take this role!"

In an instant, the entire room fell silent.

Lei Jiayin opened the door with a smile and asked the waiter next to her, "Excuse me, do you have knives here? The kind that can cut a hair in two, slice iron like mud, cut jade and gold, and chop a person into eight pieces with one stroke?"