Seeing Jiao Jikai willing to back down, Chen Bin finally spoke coldly.
"Since that’s the case, let’s not discuss the money issue any further, lest Dean Qi mocks us."
The banquet resud shortly thereafter.
But Jiao Jikai had no appetite to continue eating, his mind fully occupied with figuring out where to get fifty million.
After the dinner ended, he imdiately returned ho, sitting in his study while silently smoking a cigarette.
After a long ti, his gaze fell again on the "Awakening Lion" painting.
Even though Qi Bocha had previously said it was a forgery, he still believed it was real.
It was very likely that Chen Bin couldn’t sell it, so he tead up with Qi Bocha to force the painting on him.
The more Jiao Jikai thought about it, the more plausible it seed. The next day, he took leave and flew to the Imperial Capital.
There, he specifically sought out a few acclaid appraisers to verify the painting’s authenticity.
However, no miracle occurred.
Those experts all confird the painting was fake, pointing out its flaws almost exactly as Qi Bocha had described.
When Jiao Jikai returned to Tianhai, he was imdiately summoned to Chen Bin’s office.
In just three days, he seed to have aged ten years, appearing extrely pitiful.
But this was self-inflicted. Chen Bin had previously tried to ingratiate himself with him, yet he remained unmoved. Now, he was the one being cornered.
"Director Jiao, let’s talk about the compensation matter, shall we?"
"Fine. How exactly do you want to compensate you?"
"That painting was purchased by my friend for over fifty million. You must compensate at least fifty million. Considering you might not be able to pay such a sum all at once, I’m willing to let you pay in installnts, though the number of installnts entirely depends on your attitude."
Jiao Jikai nodded silently, without uttering a word.
Chen Bin continued, "Tomorrow, I’ll be attending another symposium. At that ti, I’ll be observing your exact performance."
"Alright."
Responding feebly, Jiao Jikai turned and left.
The next day, Chen Bin convened another mid-to-upper-level cadre assembly. This was the third discussion on establishing the station’s reputation through entertainnt programming.
Before the eting started, everyone noticed that Jiao Jikai seed to have aged significantly.
This led so shrewd observers to sense sothing unusual was transpiring.
The eting formally comnced. After Chen Bin finished his speech, he turned towards Jiao Jikai.
"Director Jiao, please share your thoughts."
With his head hanging low, Jiao Jikai seed entirely resigned to his fate.
"I support the entertainnt strategy for station branding."
This statent shocked the room.
Nobody had anticipated that he would suddenly shift his stance.
At this mont, Chen Bin followed up with another question.
"Director Jiao, you’ve always been opposing the entertainnt-first strategy. Why have you suddenly agreed now?"
"Because I’m nearing retirent, and I don’t want to lose my position. So I wanted to avoid risk and play safe. Thinking it over, entertainnt-first could indeed bring higher revenue to the station and align with modern trends."
"Well said! Director Jiao’s awareness is truly admirable. Everyone, let’s give him a round of applause!"
Clap, clap, clap...
Under Chen Bin’s lead, the room erupted into thunderous applause.
With a cold smile, Chen Bin turned his gaze to the others.
"Director Jiao’s ability to promptly recognize his mistakes is comndable. Does anyone else here have objections?"
Fan Sheng wanted to speak but, after hesitating, chose to remain silent.
First Xiang Chengkang had suddenly changed his attitude, and now Jiao Jikai was supporting the entertainnt agenda. Surely, many unseen deeds had occurred behind the scenes.
Fan Sheng was stubborn but not foolish.
He realized that if he didn’t wise up soon, trouble would follow.
The others shared Fan Sheng’s thoughts. Since the central figure, Jiao Jikai, had already supported Chen Bin, they wouldn’t dare continue opposing.
Seeing no one speaking up, Chen Bin smiled and said.
"Since everyone has no objections, the entertainnt-first strategy for the station is hereby finalized. From today onwards, our station will strive to create the country’s number-one entertainnt programming!"
After the eting ended, Chen Bin summoned Jiao Jikai to his office once again.
"Your performance earlier made very satisfied. I can give you three years to pay the money in installnts, but the amount for each year cannot be less than ten million."
Jiao Jikai nodded slightly, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
His eldest son was a small entrepreneur. While not extraordinarily wealthy, coming up with tens of millions was manageable.
Additionally, his house contained quite a few valuable paintings and calligraphy works. Selling so of them should help gather the fifty million.
At this mont, Chen Bin spoke again.
"Considering you have a history of dishonesty, you must write a promissory note. Besides your own signature, your eldest son’s na also needs to be on it. Furthermore, there should be a clause stating that if you fail to repay, he will assu all repaynt responsibilities."
As if resigning to fate, Jiao Jikai nodded affirmatively.
"Alright. But my family doesn’t know about this yet. If I need my eldest son to serve as guarantor, I’ll need a few days to sort this out."
"No problem!"
After Chen Bin reported the entertainnt-first strategy to higher authorities, Xiao Cong imdiately sought out Zeng Pengchao.
Upon entering the office, he saw Pang Nianke already there.
When Pang Nianke noticed Xiao Cong, he greeted him with a forced but courteous smile.
The latter took the initiative to say, "Good day, Governor Pang."
Zeng Pengchao then asked, "What brings you here?"
Xiao Cong knew of Pang Nianke’s prior friction with Chen Bin over territorial matters.
To avoid any unforeseen complications, he replied.
"It’s about the future direction of the provincial television station. I’ll speak once you and Governor Pang have finished your discussion."
Zeng Pengchao pressed further, "Is this about the entertainnt-first strategy?"
With no other choice, Xiao Cong nodded.
"Yes, the provincial television station plans to prioritize entertainnt programming, and internal consensus has already been reached."
"An entertainnt-first approach does have its rits, but risks must be carefully managed. News is equally critical; we cannot neglect it."
"Are you suggesting we balance both entertainnt and news reporting, Secretary Zeng?"
Before Zeng Pengchao could respond, Pang Nianke interjected.
"The provincial television station is Yanxi Province’s largest platform. To promote entertainnt values daily would completely deviate from the national dia’s prescribed promotional guidelines."
Left with no alternative, Xiao Cong countered.
"I believe positive entertainnt values do not conflict with the promotional guidelines. In today’s society with imnse pressure, appropriate entertainnt can help improve ntal health."
"Since Mr. Xiao is so supportive of boosting entertainnt programming, I’d like to know—if problems arise, can you personally bear the consequences?"
"As the propaganda departnt oversees the provincial television station, I am naturally willing to take full responsibility for any issues."
"Your willingness to take responsibility alone is insufficient. Chen Bin, as the station’s primary leader, must pledge to resign if any mishaps occur. Only then will I support the station’s entertainnt agenda."
Ever since his conflict with Chen Bin, Pang Nianke had been closely monitoring his actions.
Now, with the television station planning to prioritize entertainnt, Pang Nianke seized the opportunity to intervene, ultimately aiming to make things difficult for Chen Bin.
Faced with their exchange, Zeng Pengchao refrained from comnting further.
Instead, he turned to Xiao Cong and said, "Let Chen Bin draft a proposal. Once it’s ready, he can bring it directly to ."
"Understood!"
With that, Xiao Cong nodded and left the office.
He promptly called Chen Bin and relayed the recent events.
Frowning, Chen Bin replied with irritation in his tone.
"In that case, it seems my days ahead won’t be easy."
Xiao Cong responded coolly, "What’s the matter? Are you scared?"
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