I became a music industry godfather by writing confidantes.

Chapter 092 Magical Clash

On the morning of September 17th, a row of cameras and microphones were set up in Conference Room 9 of the Beijing Conservatory of Music's administration building.

Today marks the 100-day anniversary of the establishment of the "Singing and Smiling Rural Music Education Fund" and will include a special report and financial disclosure meeting.

This was originally a fairly standard official procedure. Although Yang Du's celebrity status would attract some media, it would never have been as crowded with reporters as it is today.

Everyone knew perfectly well that these uncrowned kings weren't there to fulfill any supervisory duties; they were all there to stir up trouble surrounding the fund's founder, Yang Du.

As expected, when the lengthy financial data presentation was finished and the media Q&A session began, reporters immediately couldn't wait to ask about the recent controversy Yang Du had been embroiled in.

Sitting in the center of the podium was a teacher in an administrative position at the Beijing Conservatory of Music, who was also the head of the foundation.

He pushed up his glasses and said in a meaningful tone, "Recently, some students have indeed made some comments online, apologizing to a certain professor in a very serious manner, but we teachers all found it baffling."

The moment the word "inexplicable" was uttered, the reporters' eyes lit up.

This is the official conclusion!

"Our Beijing Conservatory of Music has been established for many years, and its consistent aim has been to encourage students to step out of the practice room, into the market, and into society, to use voices that ordinary people can understand and enjoy to interpret and convey true feelings."

He paused, then calmly said, "What is music? It's not a collectible displayed in a glass case, nor a decoration to adorn a storefront, nor a private object that a few people need to repeatedly savor in order to show off their taste."

"He has to be alive first!"

"It has to be heard by the public and touch people's hearts. If a song is created but no one listens to it, then its artistic value is meaningless, right?"

……

Yang Du watched the video on his computer and thought to himself, "Old foxes are still the wisest."

Yesterday I received a call from Director Huo, and what he said made a lot of sense. Liang Bin's article and Zeng Zifan's apology letter—the school immediately found out who posted the Weibo—are ultimately just personal opinions.

If the school or Yang Dufang were to hold a press conference specifically to respond to this matter, it would only make them seem like they are making a mountain out of a molehill, and that they are getting angry because their sore spot has been hit.

Coincidentally, the Rural Music Education Foundation is holding a financial disclosure meeting to mark its 100th anniversary. Taking advantage of this occasion, I can also respond to the controversy without being deliberate, and it's just right.

However, while watching the video, Yang Du suddenly had another idea.

He took out his phone and dialed Yuan Xiuqing's number.

"I want a magical barrage," Yang Du said.

Yuan Xiuqing searched through several well-known magic systems, including environmental protection, race, and gender reassignment, but still couldn't find one suitable for Yang Du.

"I've only been in the industry for about four months, and I've offended a very limited number of people."

Yang Du went to the balcony and watered the cactus: "I don't care if Liang Bin really dislikes me or just wants to ride the wave of popularity, nor do I care if that senior alumnus is truly brain-dead or acting under someone's orders. In short, I'm putting all this messy history on Jiang Yinglan's shoulders."

"I understand. From now on, no matter who hits you, just focus on Jiang Yinglan and keep hitting her until she's down. It's a good tactic—" Yuan Xiuqing concluded. "But what if you hit the wrong person?"

"What if I dialed the wrong number?" Yang Du exclaimed dramatically, "Then I'll just have to ask Professor Jiang for forgiveness. As a highly respected senior, I'm sure she won't hold a grudge against a young upstart like me, right?"

"Besides," Yang Du chuckled, "if it really comes out that we're the ones messing with her, don't we still have one last resort?"

Yang Du cleared his throat and said in a clear and articulate voice, "Upon investigation, it was found that this was the personal action of Yang Du's agent, Yuan Xiuqing, and had nothing to do with Qiuniu Studio. The agent has been dismissed... Hahaha."

"OK, I'll hire another temporary worker this afternoon to take the fall."

Joking aside, Yuan Xiuqing immediately understood Yang Du's core logic: "Jiang Yinglan can publicly criticize you so harshly because, within the current domestic environment, she's a senior figure, a professor, and has that kind of 'buff.' You want a magical counterattack? Where's your magic?"

"Yes, an education fund," Yang Du said. "Isn't Jiang Yinglan supposed to be high-minded? Doesn't she look down on me for not having any artistic aspirations? Then let her see what I've done with the money I earned from those vulgar, soulless songs, and who is the real high-minded one."

Yuan Xiuqing gasped.

The counterattack from Jinshi Music is that the length of the creative cycle cannot be simply equated with the level of artistic value, and the inefficient operation mode of the early record industry cannot be beautified as the sculpting of art. Yang Du's idea is really a typical case of a novice punching an expert.

Why say so much? Take three punches from me first.

If you can withstand the pressure, then we can talk about reason.

"A very powerful counterattack. However, this plan carries certain risks." Yuan Xiuqing quickly analyzed, "Charity is a double-edged sword. If not handled properly, it can easily provoke resentment from passersby, who will feel that we are engaging in moral blackmail."

Yang Du blinked: "A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. The millions of dollars are real and undeniable objective facts. Moreover, I am the one standing on the moral high ground now, and it's my good manners not to look down on others."

"I understand, I'll make the arrangements right away."

……

"Why was our country music education foundation able to be established, and why has it been able to operate continuously? It's not because of the lofty idealism of working behind closed doors or the self-admiring reserve, but because of the real revenue generated from our works."

The light from the computer screen shone on Xu Xiao's face, revealing her thoughtful expression.

In the video, the teacher from Beijing Conservatory of Music was responding to reporters: "...Yang Du donated all the commercial revenue from the song 'Singing and Smiling,' which is why we are sitting here today, reporting the results of our operations to everyone."

"If someone thinks that achieving market success is shameful, or that having a work that is popular with the masses is like fast food, then I can only regretfully say that they have been out of touch with the masses for too long."

Applause thundered.

The agent standing nearby commented, "I don't know if this senior student from Beijing Conservatory of Music is smart or stupid; he's just a weirdo."

"While he's clever, he's certainly shrewd. He knew to use the momentum of that article in 'Literary World' to step on Yang Du and create a persona of aloofness for himself."

"Call him stupid. He's a student at the Beijing Conservatory of Music, yet he publicly apologized to a visiting professor at the Central Conservatory of Music online. If I were his professor, I'd probably throw up my dinner right now. I don't know how disgusting that would be."

"Just you wait and see, this student won't get away with this. The school might avoid public scrutiny to save face, since it's freedom of speech and hasn't violated any school rules or regulations. But—"

"His behavior of using the reputation of the Beijing Conservatory of Music as a stepping stone for others is simply digging his own grave and ruining his career. The mainstream music scene is only so big, and the teacher-student relationships between various factions and schools are deeply entrenched. Who would accept, dare to keep, or use such an ingrate who betrays his alumni and school?"

Qi Qiao talked on and on, but when she finally stopped, her mouth was dry, she found that Xu Xiao had completely ignored her.

"Xiaoxiao, what are you thinking about? You seem so engrossed."

Have you ever heard the saying?

Qi Qiao looked bewildered: "What?"

"The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish."