Everyone is too eager to improve.

Wishing to entrust the milky white to Yao Yao, the eastern sky grows pale, the sun rises as always, and a solitary pillar stands tall...

What a fine poem. Truly, a fine poem.

When Mr. Li awoke, he first removed Yao Yao, then went about brushing his teeth, washing his face, and making phone calls.

Today, he had to help Old Su Yongzhi with his campaign. When the “burst of powerful music” played, the “Crimson Power” would put on a show of strength atop the election vehicle.

Muscles—the very aesthetics of a strongman.

After the campaign event, he still had a luncheon with the cultural industry management department of Jianye City in the afternoon. After all, the export of literary and artistic works to Africa was a notable political achievement.

“The Masked Gourd Hero” was already a sure thing; now it was just a question of securing the same for “Black Cat Sleuth.”

There were two deputy mayors in Jianye City who were especially eager to collaborate with Mr. Li, but with Mr. Li at the height of his fame, their attempts to get their juniors involved in joint ventures had to be put on hold for now.

Nonetheless, the “Copyright Hunters” had still come in droves to “Creative Ability.” Most were large companies, and countless agencies specialized in copyright operations joined the chase.

Beyond these were various joint development teams and toy companies, all eyeing the potential of “Masked Gourd Hero.”

Upon hearing that preparations for the sequel, “The Orange of Wisdom,” were already underway, the Sanjiang Media Group could no longer sit still. They promptly dispatched their copyright operations director for a personal visit to “Creative Ability.”

Their meaning was plain: “Mr. Li, if you won’t agree to two hundred million, just say so. What does it mean to refuse even to negotiate? If two hundred million won’t do, try three hundred million—we’re open to discussion.”

Accompanying the copyright operations director was Liu Deyu, the deputy director of Wohu District TV. Old Liu was now full of bitter regret; not long ago, “Masked Gourd Hero” had nearly landed in his hands.

Although the station’s ratings had improved, what good was that?

Sooner or later, this ramshackle station would be merged into Jianye City TV, and its functions would be carved up. The current ratings were utterly meaningless.

Money—that was what truly mattered.

“Councilor Su, we’ve known each other for so many years, and there’s still plenty of room for collaboration in the future. Take your capable grandson-in-law, for instance—his career is on the rise. Our Wohu District TV may only be a district station, but we’re based in Jianye. Even if the stations merge in the future, there will still be room for business development…”

Liu Deyu could not be blamed for his urgency; all around Sanjiang Province, district and county television stations were being cut or merged, retaining only their broadcast codes. Most functions would likely be consolidated.

If he didn’t become director now, any further advancement would mean competing within a much larger citywide station.

By then, it would be a contest of resources across the entire city’s system.

Could Liu Deyu not be anxious?

He was practically hoping Director Sima Dewen would drop dead today, so he could become acting director. If he gritted his teeth and endured, when Wohu District TV was finally absorbed, he’d join Jianye City TV and at the very least, hold a position of real authority.

Alas, since Sima Dewen was showing no signs of keeling over anytime soon, Liu had to find another way.

Perhaps it was time to switch tracks.

Excelling in literary and artistic productions was a promising path. There was still time to pivot to producing, provided he could secure a top-tier team.

Liu Deyu thought that as long as he partnered with “Creative Ability,” then, come the merger into Jianye City TV, he could certainly stake his claim—especially in children’s arts and television dramas.

He had spoken a bit too harshly to Comrade Chen Pi from “Creative Ability” a few months back, but he had already made his self-criticism.

By now, the copyright operations director of Sanjiang Media Group had given up on acquiring all rights to “Creative Ability” or “Masked Gourd Hero.” With “Creative Ability” developing so rapidly and enjoying strong official backing, there was simply no need to sell off family assets at this stage.

Besides, even if they got Li Jie drunk and forced him to sign an unfair contract, what about “Black Cat Sleuth” in the future?

This time, the sole intention of Sanjiang Media Group was to act as agent for overseas rights, pricing differently for each language market.

If Li Jie were a greenhorn, they might have bundled all overseas rights for a paltry seven hundred thousand per episode—a profit so immense even their own mothers wouldn’t recognize them.

But clearly, Li Jie had his own team. Moreover, thanks to an accidental intervention by the deputy mayor of Jianye City, they’d already secured part of the African market—even though those negotiations concerned “Black Cat Sleuth,” who said “Masked Gourd Hero” couldn’t be included in the same deal?

Upper and Lower Egypt alone made up a market of two hundred million people.

No matter how underdeveloped, seven hundred thousand per episode was entirely feasible.

If negotiations went well, the Persian-dubbed rights could fetch the same, because that, too, was a market of a hundred million people.

It was true “Creative Ability” had no overseas distribution channels, but Sanjiang Media Group was not the only company in the game.

Compared to other companies, their only real advantage was being a major local enterprise in Sanjiang Province, and their payments were prompt—they wouldn’t drag things out or sit on the copyrights.

“Old Liu, I haven’t even been elected councilor yet—don’t go shouting it from the rooftops,” Su Yongzhi replied, a hint of pride on his face. True, the Su family had fallen into decline for a few years under his watch.

But so what?

A single granddaughter “sold” off, and the family’s fortunes were rising again.

He still had leverage over Liu Deyu, and now, in order to help Li Jie acquire valuable district TV assets, he was naturally going to keep Liu Deyu dangling.

“Councilor Su, your integrity and passion for the cultural industry are plain for all to see in Jianye. For this seat in Canglong District, anyone could be replaced—except you. You have the people’s support…”

Director Liu was desperate for advancement.

When the time seemed right, Su Yongzhi announced that a fine banquet had been prepared for the esteemed guests, and they could talk over food and wine.

As they headed to the private room, the old man whispered to Li Jie, “Xiao Li, Liu is bound to play hardball this time. Make sure to ask for as many district and county TV licenses as possible. After the New Year, IPTV will likely require one license per channel—these audiovisual licenses will be worth their weight in gold in a few years. Get your hands on as many as you can.”

Su Yongzhi, ever well-informed, seemed to have caught wind of some inside news. If things turned out as he predicted—if the IPTV threshold was tightened—those licenses would become as scarce and valuable as stock market “shells” or auto manufacturing permits.

“Grandfather, how much do you think we can squeeze out of them?”

“If it were just Liu Deyu alone, at most we could get the six districts north of the river. Even then, Liu would have to pony up extra cash and probably find some useless positions for their people. But today, with the copyright operations director from Sanjiang Media Group here, it’s a different story. There’s definitely some connection at play.”

The shrewd old Su made a discreet gesture to Li Jie, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.

Mr. Li immediately took the hint, and in an even softer voice, asked, “Grandfather, should I ask for eight hundred thousand per episode?”

Thirty-one episodes—that’s three million. Not bad at all.

“Tsk,” Su Yongzhi frowned slightly. “This is an international children’s cultural work, very likely to become a future classic of Sanjiang Province.”

“Then... nine hundred thousand per episode?”

“‘Masked Gourd Hero’ will inspire a generation of youth, giving them the courage to face adversity. This is a rare masterpiece!”

“One million per episode?!”

Seriously, did the company director have such an appetite?

“A classic for the ages, remembered by every generation. Only the most thunderous bolts can shatter the heaviest darkness.”

Li Jie understood.

Gritting his teeth, he declared, “One and a half million per episode!”

“The road to the light is destined to be filled with thorns.”

The old Mr. Su nodded in satisfaction.