Chapter 1313: Chapter 1312: Another Round of Planting
Lynch’s words sliced through the final veil of reality like a knife, and after a moment of silence, Severa smiled.
"You’re right..."
She’s the kind of person whom others can’t even dream of matching; her sympathy comes quickly and leaves just as swiftly.
Ultimately, the two signed an agreement for a five million naming fee for a year’s time, during which the television station would promote Severa’s various products.
A calm life began again, perhaps occasionally punctuated by smiles, but it was decidedly calm.
The internal competition within the Federation isn’t fierce; industries are actively expanding outward, and the overall economic situation appears orderly and prosperous.
Yet everyone perched on the pyramid’s peak knows this is merely temporary.
When outward expansion can no longer provide the profits that capitalists pursue, a war of capital will erupt!
This is a relatively stable period, much like those countries in the international society, everyone is amassing strength, awaiting that sudden day!
Darkstone Television Station’s flagship program embarked on an overwhelming promotional blitz before its airing, from the countryside to Bupen; people saw those posters everywhere.
A neat stack of one million in cash, coupled with some effective copywriting, indeed captured people’s attention.
There was also news claiming that with each episode’s broadcast, a lottery would be conducted among viewers through the signal network.
The prizes, apart from a hundred-dollar shopping voucher, included an opportunity to participate in the competition!
People seemed less interested in participating, but the hundred bucks did attract them.
The first episode achieved tremendous success, not due to its excellence but because... of that one million!
This is people’s simplest pursuit; they just want to know which jerk can bring this money home.
"Wealth Maker," with "unbelievable" results, led the nine o’clock evening slot among all television programs.
Even some truly flagship programs fell under people’s desire for a million-dollar fortune.
It’s not that their programs weren’t good enough; it’s just that the million is too compelling for ordinary people!
Social discussion also spawned some unfavorable content, such as whether it’s worthwhile or meaningful to encourage people to exhibit their vile natures and give up everything just for the pursuit of wealth?
Lynch won’t answer the question about meaning, because for everyone tempted by the million, it’s all meaningful.
"In reality, people’s purpose for watching the show isn’t entirely because the program is so wonderful; they are just accumulating experience!"
Seated in the office, Lynch looked at the viewership curve chart and tossed it back onto the table with satisfaction.
He then glanced at the other people in the office, "People hope to accumulate experience by watching these contestants compete for their future participation."
"Many people are very stupid and naive, naive enough to think that simply signing up gives them a significant chance to participate."
"But they aren’t aware that millions nationwide are signing up; it’s not an easy task to choose them."
"This program, according to what I mentioned earlier, can essentially stabilize our viewership in half a year. You should prepare the content for before and after this period."
"Also, have ’Vanguard’ magazine open a column and join in."
At this moment, the editor-in-chief of ’Vanguard’ magazine raised his hand. He’s a man in his fifties with extensive experience in writing and has held key editorial positions at several publishers.
He’s quite well-known and has a good reputation in the industry.
Under the sincerity of heavy spending, he became Lynch’s employee.
Lynch quite respects this editor-in-chief, for anyone who reaches the top in their field has something worthy of respect.
"Mr. Lynch...", the editor-in-chief was also very polite, not feeling arrogant despite his achievements and fame.
This reflects the stark contrast between Federation people and Gafura people; if it were Gafura people, you’d have to look at their chin if you’re not a noble!
Lynch nodded slightly, and the editor-in-chief, smiling, continued, "We can open a special report, but a column..."
The editor-in-chief pondered how to phrase it, not wanting Lynch to think he was opposing his decision, "Our reporters aren’t yet capable of finding substantial points every episode and continuing them, at least not currently."
Smart people know how to handle those they can’t deal with; instead of telling the other "you proposed a stupid idea, hence we’re unable to do it," it’s better to say "you’re right, but I don’t have the ability to achieve it."
This is gentler and won’t provoke people’s antipathy, and the editor-in-chief simultaneously found an excuse for himself—
It’s not his lack of ability, but the reporters’."
If Lynch insists on it, the editor-in-chief will tell him he’ll handle it himself, thereby continuing to avoid direct confrontation."
If Lynch doesn’t insist on continuing, both sides naturally won’t feel any tension."
Lynch laughed and adjusted his seating position, "It’s actually not as hard as you think!"
Seeing the editor-in-chief’s "I’m listening earnestly" attitude, Lynch knew he was smooth, at least in work terms."
In writing, it’s not necessarily the talented who get employed; sometimes, those cultured are too temperamental. Capitalists won’t tolerate those for their skills unless they are irreplaceable."
Mostly, they prefer employing those they find agreeable."
"The masses are a power, especially when united."
"Sometimes, some contestants’ elimination disappoints many, like in the first episode, Harry’s advancement we needed, but that girl’s elimination, also... upset many."
"Destiny is fair!", Lynch interlocked his fingers and looked at the employees in front of him, "But human strength is also great."
"We just need a simple column, introducing some contestants’ changes, publishing some readers’ views on contestants, and most importantly!"
Lynch intensified his tone, "Every episode’s column must have a standalone page, producing a detachable page like..."
He suddenly didn’t know how to describe it, and the editor-in-chief chuckled as he completed this part, "Little ads in phone booths..."
"Yes, just like that."
There are many call ads in phone booths, mostly poster-like designs, palm-sized, stuck inside the booth."
At the bottom of this "little poster" is a row of tear-off strip "little papers"."
Just a gentle pull, and you can rip off a thumb-sized paper with jagged tear marks on the edge."
It has a telephone, as not everyone is comfortable making call ads in public places."
The editor-in-chief’s description was very accurate, while simultaneously making a small joke, aligning with some aspects of Federation people’s twisted humor."
"These tickets can only be voted for those contestants already eliminated. Before the finals begin, two contestants with the highest votes will join the competition again as ’resurrected contestants’."
The editor-in-chief’s expression shifted slightly; he could already imagine some people buying magazines not to read them but for that coveted "Resurrection Ticket"!
Seeing the editor-in-chief seemingly understanding his meaning, Lynch chuckled and continued, "Of course, doing this has both benefits and downsides. ’Vanguard’s’ sales will surge rapidly, but maintaining magazine content and converting those not intending to read into our readers becomes critical after the surge."
"This is a good opportunity; we have a higher starting point than other magazines because we might start with a million readers."
"I’ve already done my best, and the rest is up to you!"
The editor-in-chief immediately realized Lynch was right; a million readers, if turned into loyal magazine readers...
His breath slightly quickened; he alone held one and a half incentive shares, which means that with a million readers, the benefits from fifteen thousand readers are his income!"
This is an unimaginable figure, filling the slick editor-in-chief with motivation!"
Federation people are fortunate."
They can work, feeding their families with their earnings."
They have ample recreational activities and ways not limited to watching TV on the couch; they can explore nearby."
If worse comes to worst, ten or twenty bucks can give short satisfaction and release inner desires completely."
So Federation people are fortunate, happy, and free."
Not everyone worldwide is like this; for instance... Nagariel people."
Of course, compared to the past, their lives have vastly improved, except for a few innately lazy people’s worsening situations, most people’s lives actively better."
Yes, except for a few."
For example, the former Nagariel United Kingdom’s Eldest Prince."
When he watched "himself" enjoying everything on TV, a feeling he couldn’t describe emerged within."
Anger, fear, anxiety..."
That damn bastard!"
He stole the Eldest Prince and his father’s series of plans; the one sitting there cooperating with Federation people should have been him."
Also, he would use various means and methods, leveraging Federation’s power to develop Nagariel well and eventually expel Federation people!"
But it was all ruined by that impostor!
