This evening's episode of "China's Good Music" came to a close amidst a cloud of dust.
Everyone had heard the powerful song "Vast and Boundless Sky," and they all felt that the trip was worthwhile.
Li Chenchan's performance was indeed excellent, leaving no room for criticism. Although the song wasn't a typical hit, its melody and lyrics quickly became widely known.
Afterward, in just one night, the total number of views for Li Chenchan's "Vast and Boundless Sky" on major video websites surpassed ten million. While the number of views included some water, the actual number of views should still have been in the millions, and this was just one night!
It's easy to imagine how popular Li Chenchan has become.
Not to mention, on Weibo, "Vast and Boundless Sky" immediately became a keyword. The song was quickly learned by many people, who sang it to others and to themselves...
KTVs were in a hurry—Li Chenchan's songs had not been officially released, so they didn't have the right to use them in KTVs. However, many people who came to sing wanted Li Chenchan's songs, such as "Cold Fireworks," "Eastern Wind," and "Sing Whenever You Want"...
Oh, and tonight's "Vast and Boundless Sky"!
"Vast and Boundless Sky" was more suitable for singing in KTVs than "Cold Fireworks" and "Eastern Wind," so these singers really wanted these songs in KTVs... However, without the copyright authorization, KTVs didn't dare to use Li Chenchan's songs because the copyright protection in the Empire was too strict. They could only negotiate with "China's Good Music" and then with Li Chenchan.
After Li Chenchan consulted with Xiao Zhi, these songs finally started to appear in KTVs, but they were all live versions from "China's Good Music." The official MVs would have to wait for a long time.
But in this world, something is better than nothing. People were already happy to have the chance to sing these songs in KTVs and didn't particularly care if they were the official MV versions.
Thus, Li Chenchan's recent songs quickly became popular in KTVs. If a chain KTV didn't have Li Chenchan's songs, it would be considered outdated and would have a significant impact.
Li Chenchan's performance on Sunday evening was also highly anticipated... Would it be another inspiring and emotional song like "Vast and Boundless Sky"?
The anticipation made everyone itchy with excitement, wishing they could know sooner.
But one of the most attractive aspects of "China's Good Music" is that it doesn't reveal the contestants' songs in advance. All surprises are revealed during the official competition, extending everyone's anticipation.
When Li Chenchan returned home that evening, he received a text message from his father: "I heard it, thank you." Li Chaoyong and Li Chenchan were both men, and a phone call would have been awkward. A text message could convey everything.
Su Xue and Li Chenchan would be partners in the upcoming challenge, which meant that both needed to score high to advance their team.
However, both had their own songs prepared and would perform based on their own abilities. Talking too much about it wouldn't help; they needed to face the challenge head-on.
But they did talk a bit more than usual and had dinner together in the cafeteria.
The cafeteria, as usual, was broadcasting news on the TV, but today it was a news program.
"Yesterday, South Korea arrested thirteen terrorists led by Han Dong-ho. It is reported that the South Korean government will execute these thirteen terrorists by firing squad."
This news, when announced by the news anchor, brought a knowing smile to everyone watching.
Li Chenchan couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
Because, the so-called South Korean terrorists were just anti-Chinese elements. Han Dong-ho organized a group of people to spread anti-Empire rhetoric and call for the restoration of the true dignity of the Korean people. However, the South Korean government was terrified by this group—what the hell, weren't they just causing trouble for the country?
So, after arresting these people, they had to reluctantly call them terrorists and execute them to appease the Chinese.
Another news item followed: "Today, Japanese Federation President Kameda Koji arrived in Yanjing and had a friendly meeting with Foreign Minister Liu Zhenshen. Both sides had a friendly discussion on trade issues..."
Hearing this news, people had various reactions.
Some were dismissive, some sympathetic, and some indifferent.
Japan had suffered greatly after World War II...
The Empire had not only detonated five atomic bombs on their mainland but also invaded Japan, causing the deaths of over 40 million Japanese, either directly or indirectly. The Japanese population was almost wiped out.
Afterward, the Empire consistently implemented the policy of division set by Grand Ancestor Li Yunxiao. Japan changed from an empire to a federation, composed of four countries that were already de facto independent. Although Kameda Koji was the president, he had little power, and his orders were not accepted by the four countries...
Many people didn't understand why Grand Ancestor Li Yunxiao hated the Japanese so much, even some of the Empire's citizens didn't understand...
He was willing to risk global condemnation to make Japan suffer.
After World War II, during the Tokyo Trials, Grand Ancestor Li Yunxiao insisted on a shocking decision—137 Japanese war criminals, all Class-A war criminals, were executed by the ancient and cruel Chinese punishment of lingchi (death by a thousand cuts). After the execution, their remains were fed to dogs.
The most tragic was Prince Asaka, who was so tough that it took three days and nights of cutting, with over 3,000 cuts, to finally die. By the last day, he couldn't even scream. The emperor at the time was also executed by lingchi, but he was luckier, dying after an hour. Although Li Yunxiao had gradually transferred power to the cabinet, he insisted on the most brutal punishment, exercising his autocracy once again.
From then on, Japan was forced to abolish the emperor system, and the Chinese Empire was called the "Evil Nation of the Far East" by many frightened Westerners. But truth is within the range of the cannon, and the Empire was already very powerful. After some initial complaints, people dared not speak out.
Since then, the Empire has maintained a few thousand Japanese troops supplied by Japan to this day and has controlled Japan's economy. In the eighth year of Chongding, the Empire began to "shear the sheep" from Japan's slightly prosperous economy, leading to the near-collapse of Japan's economy. Kameda Koji had no choice but to come to the Empire to beg for mercy.
Seeing this, Li Chenchan's heart slowly warmed. He suddenly decided on the song he would sing on Sunday evening...