Volume One, Chapter 99: Even Rap Can Be Requisitioned?

"Sir, this is such a minor matter—why trouble yourself to call me personally? Wouldn't it have been simpler to have someone notify me?" Jiang Yu spoke with a cheerful smile.

On the other end of the line, Yang He chuckled. "You have a way with words. As for this song, how about we pay a licensing fee of two hundred thousand? Don't think it's too little—my budget is really tight."

"Sir, talking about money just hurts the feeling. I'll bring you the authorization letter when the time comes; no need to pay!"

"You rascal, you're getting slicker the longer you're in this business." Yang He laughed, then sighed. "If it weren't for hearing your song today, we almost banned rap performances entirely."

"Huh?" Jiang Yu was startled by these words.

Yang He recounted the whole story to Jiang Yu, including the suspension of the 'China Has Rappers' program.

Jiang Yu could only smile bitterly.

"Sir, you don't know. That program you mentioned actually sent me an invitation. I'm about to join it myself."

"What? You're joining that show? Looks like I just ruined one of your jobs."

"No worries. If the show stops, it stops. If they didn't pay so well, I wouldn't even want to be on it," Jiang Yu said with a smile.

He could completely understand Yang He's wish to halt rap as an art form.

Truth be told, most people in this circle are rather uncultured—attend a music festival and think they're suddenly someone important. It's about time for a proper clean-up.

"Still, you should go." Yang He laughed from the other end.

"Hmm?" Jiang Yu was confused. "Didn't you say the show was to be stopped?"

"It's only a suspension. Let them reflect for a while. I plan to release your song, then lift the ban."

Yang He's voice came through.

"Xiao Jiang, participate seriously. Let them see what real rap is."

Jiang Yu responded sincerely, "Alright!"

...

The next day.

Several trending topics about Jiang Yu surged to the top headlines once again.

#Jiang Yu's first livestream, gift rewards closed#
#Jiang Yu spoils fans, sings for them#

"I suddenly became a fan. Just disabling the reward function is something not many would do."

"I was there! He was so gentle, no airs at all when chatting with fans!"

"Is there a replay of the stream? I want to watch."

Yet compared to the first two trending topics, the last one was the true bombshell.

#Jiang Yu's new song, sending medical staff off to the frontlines#

Meanwhile, an official account unexpectedly released a video.

Clicking it open, it showed scenes of doctors preparing to head to the epidemic zone.

"Do you really have to go? Is it..."

"Director, the combined medical team requests permission to depart!"

"We left with sixty-four, and we must return with every one of them! Go!"

"For the sake of brothers and sisters, let me press my fingerprint..."

At that moment, Jiang Yu's song began to play.

Rare footage from the epidemic zone, the united effort to build a new hospital, all sorts of supplies arriving.

The comments and real-time reactions multiplied rapidly.

"No way—officially reposting a rap song?"

"What's wrong with rap? That shout—'Comrades, all together!'—it made me cry!"

"Together we stand, together we endure, together we wear the same robe."

...

A few days later.

Inside the production team of 'China Has Rappers,' Director Guan Zongyuan looked worriedly at his phone.

"Sir, those rap singers—every day someone calls to ask about the program." A staff member approached. "Director Guan, any word from above?"

"They want to know, and so do I!" Guan Zongyuan cursed. "If they hadn't been spouting filth all the time, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

The order for suspension and rectification had come so swiftly he barely had time to react.

His anger was mainly because his show was halted; as for those rappers, who cares about their fate—he hadn't even given them a hard time yet!

Just then, his secretary ran in, flustered. "Director Guan, there's a call from upstairs!"

Hearing this, Guan Zongyuan immediately stood up. "What did they say?"

The secretary, catching his breath, replied, "They agreed to let us resume the show. But all the previous vulgarities must be removed, and also... whew..."

"Don't rush, take your time!" Guan Zongyuan handed over a bottle of water.

The secretary took a sip. "They said we should listen carefully to the song reposted by the official account today. That's what real rap is."

Upon hearing this, Guan Zongyuan picked up his phone, searched the official account, and played the video, listening to Jiang Yu's song.

After hearing it in full, Guan Zongyuan let out a long sigh. So it was because of him—the show could be saved.

"Director Guan..." the secretary ventured cautiously.

"Go on, tell them the show is back. And warn them: when they sing, know what should and shouldn't be sung."

"Got it..."

Jiang Yu had previously seen this show on video platforms. Perhaps because it was the country's first rap-based program, its popularity soared from the start, with each episode pulling in tens of millions of viewers.

Unfortunately, most participants were rather lacking in culture.

Now, the program had reached its final phase.

Two segments remained: first, six contestants would be whittled down to four; second, from four to two, with the losers' bracket determining third place and the winners' bracket deciding champion and runner-up.

Jiang Yu's invitation came thanks to his recent surge in popularity, especially after releasing 'Landscape Scroll,' and the production team wanted to ride his wave.

Moreover, the audience knew Jiang Yu's temperament—never backing down from a challenge. With many rumors online about backstage manipulation, having Jiang Yu could help lessen such talk.

In truth, they wanted Jiang Yu to absorb some of the fire for them.

Yet, unexpectedly, the show's survival now depended entirely on Jiang Yu.

After the secretary and others left, Guan Zongyuan couldn't help but give a bitter smile. Still, the outcome was good enough.

Finally, the day of recording arrived.

At the hotel.

Because of the recent suspension and rectification, Guan Zongyuan was extra vigilant for the last two episodes, personally overseeing every detail.

"Have the judges checked in?"

"They've all settled in."

"Good. Our ratings are excellent—it's almost certain we'll have a second and third season. But we've just weathered a storm, not huge but not small, and now it's the semifinals. Everyone needs to stay alert!"

"Director, how should we arrange the order for the new judges?"

This made Guan Zongyuan headache.

The order of judges' remarks was no trivial matter.

Three new judges had been brought in. Previously, Guan Zongyuan would have had Jiang Yu speak last—if there was a tie, he'd be the one to offend others.

After all, Jiang Yu was a newcomer.

But now, the show's very survival was thanks to Jiang Yu. Yet the other judges were also respected figures in the industry.

After pondering, Guan Zongyuan sighed. "I'll go and have a chat with Teacher Jiang Yu."