"Besides, it's already lunchtime.
Shouldn't a wealthy tycoon like you treat me to a big meal?
After all, I'm just a working-class stiff!"
"..."
Sitting upright with a serious expression, Old Meng couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, cursing with a smile: "You bastard, playing with me.
You scared the hell out of me!"
"Relax, relax, we're family, I wouldn't screw you over." Old Chang resumed his smiling face: "Also, keep whatever you're pondering in your head to yourself, don't tell a soul—not a single person!"
"Fine." Old Meng nodded, stood up, and said: "Let's go, the cafeteria is just about to start serving lunch.
I'll reluctantly use my executive privilege to feed you first!"
"...Cafeteria..."
Old Chang laughed in spite of himself and accompanied Old Meng to the cafeteria for lunch.
Along the way, the two lamented the past and reminisced about their glorious bygone years.
It was just unfortunate the timing was wrong, otherwise the two of them might have gone for a few drinks and stayed until they were thoroughly drunk.
Because as soon as Old Chang finished eating, he took his leave directly.
And just as Old Chang knocked on the door of Wujiang Technology Co., Ltd., all the CEOs of the large and medium-sized entertainment companies in the country had gathered together, sitting upright in a certain conference room alongside all the television station directors and cinema chain heads.
They had all received notices and were summoned here by the head of the new Entertainment Management Center Department to hold a meeting together.
"Everyone's here, so I'll lay things out."
Sitting on the stage, the head of the Entertainment Management Center Department, Minister Chen, saw that everyone had arrived and immediately cut straight to the point: "The reason I've brought you all here today is to address some matters and explain them clearly to you face-to-face.
First: the Ban on Foreign Participation Order.
Starting from today, all programs featuring foreign participants are strictly prohibited across the board.
Second: the Ban on Feminine Presentation Order.
Starting from today, we will reshape social morals.
All public figures, with the exception of feminization caused by psychological cognitive disorders, must immediately cease all intentional personal disguise or company-deliberately packaged feminized public figures.
Otherwise, for every single violation discovered, joint liability will apply, sweeping from top to bottom.
Third: the Salary Limit Order.
Starting from today, all public figures will undergo national grade certification based on comprehensive criteria such as moral character and influence.
Their salary caps will be tied to this grade certification.
Anyone who deliberately uses other methods—such as holding multiple jobs or yin-yang contracts—to exceed the salary cap:
For every single violation discovered, joint liability will apply, sweeping from top to bottom.
Fourth: the Blacklisting Order.
Any artist who violates the law or severely breaches national morals shall be strictly prohibited from participating in any public activities and programs.
Violators will face joint liability, sweeping from top to bottom.
Fifth: the Guidance of Public Opinion Order.
Guide the public to actively participate in exercise, and enhance public understanding and curiosity about the universe, providing policy support for these two types of projects.
Two bans, one limit, one blacklist, and one guide—this is the theme of the meeting today.
Now, if anything is unclear, you may ask."
Down below, the heads of various television stations, CEOs of entertainment companies, and heads of cinema chains all wore bitter expressions upon hearing Minister Chen's words.
With these five new regulations coming down, everyone was going to lose money like crazy.
Even certain entertainment companies whose main products were feminized personas—this ban meant instant death for them.
Yet they had no choice but to obediently comply...
The so-called sweeping from top to bottom meant that if you were completely clean, you would be fine.
If you had even a tiny flaw, well, I'm sorry, you would be dealt with severely.
At this, the CEO of a medium-sized entertainment company hardened his heart, raised his hand, and asked: "Minister Chen, can we please have some time?
After all, some enterprises have invested a huge amount of working capital into producing programs. If this is implemented immediately...
Our bankruptcy is a trivial matter, but the employees under us losing their jobs means losing their livelihood to support their families!
That adds up to hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people!"
Upon hearing this CEO's words, Minister Chen silently made a note in his heart: this bastard is harboring malicious intentions!
What did he mean?
He was reminding the CEOs and heads of enterprises of the same type to use numbers and social stability to stall or pressure the state into canceling the ban.
Therefore, Minister Chen's face darkened instantly, and he asked grimly: "Do you want me to give you a few years to sort out and recoup your capital?
Would it be best if we just cancel it altogether and everyone carries on as usual?
Am I an unqualified minister, wanting to manufacture social panic?"
Bang!
Minister Chen slammed his hand down heavily on the table, stood up, and pointed at him, shouting angrily: "This is an order, not a negotiation!
An order that you must immediately obey the moment you step out that door!
Do you understand?"
"Yes."
Seeing the enraged Minister Chen, that CEO couldn't help shivering and sat back down timidly.
"Hmph." Minister Chen let out a cold snort and emphasized to them once again: "This is an order!
An order with no negotiations, no compromises, and no concessions!"
"..."
Under the sweep of Minister Chen's gaze, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to play any more clever little tricks.
Shortly after, a station director raised his hand and said cautiously: "Minister Chen, regarding the grading of public figures, how exactly will that be arranged?"
"Comprehensive evaluation based on scores, with provisions for promotion and demotion.
Specific evaluation details will be sent out to your corporate headquarters after you leave."
Pausing for a moment, Minister Chen continued: "As for the evaluation personnel, they will be randomly drawn from the police, military, and prosecution departments to temporarily form a specialized evaluation team.
At the same time, the Entertainment Management Center Department will also launch a direct online voting website.
Those moral bankrupts and lawbreakers under your command had better clean up their acts themselves.
Otherwise, if you get swept up, don't say I didn't warn you!"
"..."
As soon as Minister Chen finished speaking, everyone tacitly shivered once again.
This was getting a bit too big...
The evaluation panel for public figure grading was actually going to be formed by personnel randomly drawn from those three departments.
There was no way in hell they could bribe them!
Those people simply weren't cut from the same cloth as them.
Not to mention it would be a random draw; heaven knew how they would draw or who would be picked!
Could they possibly bribe everyone in all three departments?
With that kind of money, why would they even bother running entertainment companies? They'd be better off going abroad to buy a plot of land and become tribal chiefs!
And the Blacklisting Order was the same.
They had thought the so-called blacklist would only target those who had already been exposed.
Little did they expect it would actually be combined with the public figure grading system.
Double auditing—no, triple auditing: grade evaluation, public oversight, and the oversight of big shots like themselves. With these three tactics combined, well, there was no saving them.
In this industry, how many people dared swear to heaven, earth, and their ancestors that they were completely clean?
Not to mention Minister Chen's last sentence.
He had already reminded them not to wait for his people to come clean house.
Clean up the scumbags yourselves!
If you don't clean them up thoroughly, we'll clean you up!
After all, if a single issue was uncovered during an inspection, it meant a sweep straight from top to bottom!
Fortunately, Minister Chen had left them a way out: past matters could be overlooked as long as they didn't involve violations of the law.
Otherwise, there probably wouldn't be many stray cats or dogs left in the whole industry.
It seemed the domestic entertainment circle was about to undergo a cataclysmic upheaval.
In the future, everyone would have no choice but to honestly promote public figures who truly radiated positive energy.
As for those products currently used to harvest IQ taxes, whoever used them was courting death!
Minister Chen waited for a while, and finding that no one else had any questions, he spoke up to confirm: "Are there any lingering questions regarding these orders?"
"No." XN
"Good." Minister Chen nodded, and issued his final instructions: "I don't want to see any of you insiders discussing this outside.
And I certainly don't want anyone claiming I said anything.
If you do, I will be very unhappy!
And if I'm very unhappy, the only way I can make myself happy again is by dealing with all of you!
Understood?"
"Understood." XN
Everyone answered listlessly.
At the same time, they felt a profound yearning for the former head of the Entertainment Management Center Department.
I wonder how he's doing inside?
Everyone missed him!
This new minister was just too hard to get along with!
Thanks to "Book Friend 20190924235733652" for the tip! Thanks to all the big bosses who gave me chapter reviews, recommendation votes, and monthly votes!