At Gao Family Village, within the main settlement, Gao Yiye had just finished recording that day's edition of Gaojia News.
She was dressed neatly and with dignity, seated upright before the camera, her posture composed and her expression gentle. As she calmly read through the prepared script, her voice remained steady and clear from beginning to end, and once the final line was delivered, the recording came to a smooth conclusion.
The work that followed no longer required her involvement. The disciples from the Gao Family Village News Department, all followers of Dao Xuan Tianzun, immediately took over the editing process. They climbed up and down the scaffolding erected in front of the massive tablet computers, carefully adjusting footage, trimming segments, and arranging the sequence of the broadcast.
This was not easy work.
The tablet computers were enormous, and even the smallest adjustment often required them to climb several meters up the scaffolding, drag a clip slightly to the left or right, then climb back down to check the result, repeating the process again and again.
Yet not a single person complained.
These tablets were Immortal Treasure Mirrors bestowed by Dao Xuan Tianzun himself, and for ordinary mortals to personally operate such divine artifacts was an honor beyond measure. No matter how exhausting the task became, everyone felt it was more than worth it, since countless others would never even have the chance.
Gao Yiye took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, then set the cup down lightly.
At that moment, Liu Maopao slipped quietly into the room and bowed respectfully toward her. "Sister Saintess."
Gao Yiye smiled when she saw him. "Oh? If it isn't Handsome Enough to Bubble. What brings you here today?"
Liu Maopao scratched his head and laughed. "Sister Saintess, I came to ask for a small favor. I was hoping to insert a tiny advertisement at either the beginning or the end of Gaojia News. Of course, I am not asking for special treatment, and I am certainly not trying to exploit connections. I will pay the village treasury properly."
"What?" Gao Yiye burst out laughing. "You little scoundrel. Now you have set your sights on Gaojia News itself? If Dao Xuan Tianzun finds out, he will spank your backside."
Liu Maopao grinned without the slightest fear. "Dao Xuan Tianzun would never spank me. He would definitely praise me for being clever."
"I don't believe that," Gao Yiye replied, snorting lightly.
She turned her head and glanced at the Puppet Dao Xuan Tianzun sitting quietly on her desk. "Too bad Dao Xuan Tianzun isn't here right now."
To her surprise, the puppet suddenly moved.
It stood up on its soft fabric feet, wobbled slightly, then raised its round little hand and waved, laughing cheerfully. "I just arrived."
Gao Yiye jumped in surprise. "Dao Xuan Tianzun! This Liu Maopao is getting bolder by the day. He actually came to ask about placing advertisements in Gaojia News."
Li Daoxuan smiled. "That is actually a very good thing."
"Huh?" Gao Yiye froze. "Dao Xuan Tianzun thinks this is good?"
Liu Maopao's eyes immediately lit up. "I knew Dao Xuan Tianzun would approve."
Li Daoxuan explained patiently, "Yiye, this is a completely normal commercial activity. Advertising can increase the income of the village treasury. Merchants earn money, that money flows back into the treasury, the treasury then uses it to benefit the people, and the people use that money to purchase goods again. It forms a healthy cycle."
Gao Yiye hesitated. "But won't viewers find the advertisements annoying?"
"They definitely will," Li Daoxuan replied without hesitation. "People who do not need the product will certainly feel annoyed. However, if someone happens to need a warm coat for winter, then this advertisement will appear at exactly the right moment. It is impossible to satisfy everyone. As long as it is useful to some people, that is already enough."
Gao Yiye's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "So that's how it works."
Liu Maopao quickly followed up, "Then shall we discuss the price?"
Gao Yiye hesitated again. "How should we charge for something like this?"
Liu Maopao thought for a moment, then said, "Sister Saintess, how about two hundred taels of silver for one full year of advertisements across all Gaojia News broadcasts?"
Gao Yiye gasped. "What? That much?"
The Puppet Dao Xuan Tianzun laughed. "Liu Maopao, you little rascal. Trying to buy a whole year of Gaojia News advertising for such a small amount?"
Liu Maopao immediately cried out, "Wow, Dao Xuan Tianzun saw through me at once. Only Dao Xuan Tianzun truly understands!"
Li Daoxuan waved his hand. "Be honest and give a reasonable price. Do not take advantage of Yiye's unfamiliarity with business matters."
Liu Maopao straightened up and quickly said, "Then two hundred taels per month."
"What?" Gao Yiye stared at him. "How much did you just say?"
"Per month," Liu Maopao repeated.
Gao Yiye turned to the puppet in disbelief. "He raised the price ten times in an instant."
Li Daoxuan chuckled. "Strictly speaking, it is twelve times."
Gao Yiye was completely stunned. "That much money? How many wool sweaters would he have to sell just to earn it back? Is it really reasonable to pay so much for only one month?"
Li Daoxuan replied calmly, "Actually, I think it is still too cheap. Gaojia News is broadcast to all major cities under Gao Family Village, and it is the program with the highest viewership. The price should be higher. However, since he was the first to come up with this idea, the money we are not charging him will count as his reward. Let us call it the Major Commercial Innovation Award."
With that, the matter was settled.
The students of the News Department immediately began working. They inserted the memory card Liu Maopao had brought into the tablet computers, extracted the advertisement footage, trimmed it to an appropriate length, and placed it before and after the Gaojia News broadcast.
That evening, in Xi'an, at Caisikou Market.
Zhu Cunji, the Prince of Qin's heir, once again came out to watch Gaojia News.
After enjoying a leisurely trip through Nanjing, Zhu Cunji had returned feeling thoroughly transformed. He first ordered his body double to hide in the basement and avoid public appearances for several days, then personally drove his luxurious Kulinan carriage through the streets with his consort beside him, bold and unrestrained.
His horizons had broadened, his taste refined, and he had even seen the finest courtesans along the Qinhuai River.
He was no longer a country bumpkin.
He was once again the most eye catching figure on the street, strutting with confidence and satisfaction in every step.
At the street corner, he once again ran into Lian Guoshi, the Governor of Shaanxi.
Lian Guoshi cupped his hands politely. "Your Highness seems to be in excellent spirits today."
"Hmph," Zhu Cunji snorted. "I don't like you. Don't bother me."
After saying that, he felt extremely pleased with himself. At last, he could speak freely and indulge in his old arrogant habits again.
He strode to his exclusive viewing platform and sat down directly in front of the large screen, feeling utterly satisfied, except for one annoyance.
Lian Guoshi shamelessly brought his wife along and squeezed in beside him.
"This is my private viewing platform," Zhu Cunji said coldly. "How dare you freeload here every day?"
"There are empty seats," Lian Guoshi replied calmly. "An empty seat is still an empty seat. Besides, my wife and your consort can sit together and chat."
Zhu Cunji glanced over and saw that the two women were already deeply engrossed in conversation, discussing rouge and powder brands, jewelry shops, and which textile merchants sold the best fabrics.
The men were completely ignored.
"Hmph."
Zhu Cunji could only swallow his displeasure.
At that moment, Gaojia News began.
A staff member from Gao Family Village stepped forward and used an Iron Mountain Back technique to bump the tablet computer's power switch.
The screen lit up, and Chen Yuanyuan appeared.
"This wool sweater…"
Zhu Cunji was about to boast that he had bought her from Jiangnan when he suddenly remembered Lian Guoshi sitting beside him and hastily shut his mouth.
To his shock, both Lian Guoshi's wife and his own consort jumped up almost at the same time.
"This wool sweater!" they exclaimed together. "I want it!"
They immediately turned to their husbands. "Buy it for me."