Chapter 137: Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth

"Sister Wei, don't joke around. I'm here to record the show properly." Tang Zhichu picked up another pair of chopsticks and, without further formality, lowered his head to eat.

Bai Xiwei rolled her eyes and said, "The host isn't even in a hurry, why are you?"

Tang Zhichu was a bit puzzled. Why was she so concerned about him? He teased, "Sister Wei, just for that comment, we should have a drink."

As Tang Zhichu reached to pour the wine, Bai Xiwei reached out to stop him.

Guo Jinglong laughed, "No need to stand on ceremony with us; we just appreciate talent."

Tang Zhichu looked at Guo Jinglong, his eyes darting around as he asked with a smile, "Brother Long, are you also a freelancer?"

Guo Jinglong was taken aback, assuming Tang Zhichu had business for him after the show, so he nodded.

In the mainland music industry, there is a saying about the "Four Top Producers," and both Sun Zhe and Guo Jinglong are counted among them.

Sun Zhe alone practically supported the entire musical foundation of Tianhe Media, and Tang Zhichu was genuinely envious of Guo Jinglong. Unlike Sun Zhe, Guo Jinglong was a freelancer who collaborated with several top-tier musicians. His past connection to Bai Xiwei was due to a private collaboration.

"Brother Long, it’s fate that we all ended up on this show together. We have to have a drink."

Guo Jinglong couldn't refuse, so he clinked glasses with Tang Zhichu.

While Tang Zhichu was having a great time chatting with the Sunflower Alliance, several resentful gazes were cast from the Wildfire Alliance. Only heaven knew who was plotting against whom.

This meal was enjoyed by both host and guests. Why was it necessary to host it? Indeed, one had to at least show respect to Sun Zhe on the surface—the title of "Godfather of Idols" wasn't just for show. Having paid his respects to the "mountain," Tang Zhichu could deal with He Shuyuan and Qiu Zhen later without issue.

Tang Zhichu had shown enough grace, yet He Shuyuan and Qiu Zhen remained stubborn, never taking the initiative to speak to him, which only made Pu Jingshi shake his head. Of course, Tang Zhichu also had the intention of paving the way for Chen Siyang, which is why he mentioned her to Sun Zhe several times.

Time flew by. Tang Zhichu kept a low profile during this recording session; people barely saw him. He didn't even record any songs—not because he was slacking, but because he had a stockpile. He had already finished this patriotic-themed song during his break and went straight to rehearsals the next day.

He had also finalized his media company, registering a firm named "Wildfire Media" under the name of another investment company. Tang Zhichu’s plan was simple: just as Yu Hua leveraged the traffic from variety dating shows, Tang Zhichu prepared to channel some of the traffic from music variety shows into his own company.

July 13th, the day of the seventh stage recording.

Tang Zhichu wasn't targeting anyone for this episode; the program simply needed a song like this, so he stepped up. For a purely commercial music show, small scale wouldn't matter, but at this size, it needed substance to hold its ground.

The host seemed particularly serious this episode because the "clients" present had official backgrounds: a deputy director of Beijing Television, the chief director of the documentary *Dynasties*, and representatives from the National Museum—all of whom held official government ranks. This documentary was spearheaded by Beijing Television in collaboration with the National Museum.

Backstage, everyone was stunned after hearing the host’s detailed introduction to the project. They knew it was a patriotic project, but they hadn't expected it to have such a high-profile backing.

Tang Zhichu waited at the backstage entrance. He and Zhu Yiyang had discussed it beforehand: Zhu Yiyang would sing first, then Tang Zhichu would follow.

Before the stage was recorded, very little was known about the project, so when Tang Zhichu learned that Zhu Yiyang was taking it on, he told him it was a sensitive topic. It was a double-edged sword; done well, it was a massive bonus, but done poorly, it would be utterly mediocre.

*Dynasties* was a documentary series about various historical dynasties, connecting the artifacts from the National Museum. Zhu Yiyang was clever; he composed a piece in the "Guofeng" (traditional Chinese) style.

Listening from backstage, Tang Zhichu could discern the quality of the song. It was possible that Zhu Yiyang had come to this show specifically for this song, intending to sing only this piece. It was clear he had received guidance from someone behind the scenes.

As the song ended, the audience applauded. The people in the client seats also nodded along.

"A magnificent 'Land of Beauty,' a grand and sweeping arrangement. It has been a long time since we heard such a pure Guofeng song on this stage," the host exclaimed. "Next, let's welcome Tang Zhichu from the Wildfire Alliance to the stage!"

Tang Zhichu stood under the spotlight, walking step by step toward the center of the stage. The band was also ready; this time, he had incorporated a string orchestra.

Tang Zhichu hadn't spent much effort choosing this song, yet he considered it a very important one—for himself, for the show, and for the country.

When Tang Zhichu stood in the spotlight, the audience’s attitude was different from the beginning—they were passionate, with a fervor no less than that of He Shuyuan and Qiu Zhen.

As the intro began, many in the audience were visibly struck. A wave of grand, majestic momentum rushed toward them. The orchestra combined with the drums created a style no one had heard before.

The lyrics appeared on the big screen:

*Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales*
Composer: Tang Zhichu
Lyricist: Tang Zhichu

At the entrance, Zhu Yiyang hadn't left yet. He had hoped Tang Zhichu would choose him, harboring a tiny ambition—what if he won? Of course, the talent Tang Zhichu displayed was overwhelming, and his ambition was just that—an ambition. Zhu Yiyang waiting at the entrance was a gesture of gratitude.

He hoped Tang Zhichu would choose him—not to sabotage him, but out of appreciation. After Tang Zhichu had defeated Qiu Zhen and He Shuyuan, the fact that he was still willing to choose Zhu Yiyang for his most important project was a massive favor. He couldn't be ungrateful. Even if he didn't win, as long as he didn't drag Tang Zhichu down, it would create an illusion for the audience that he was quite capable, standing toe-to-toe with Tang Zhichu.

However, once Zhu Yiyang heard the intro and saw the song title, his ambition vanished. His song was *Land of Beauty*, and Tang Zhichu’s was *Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales*. The gap was immediately apparent.

*I brush the ink for this land,*
*The nation's bloodline flows for ten thousand miles.*
*Through six centuries of history,*
*The descendants of the dragon have weathered the storms.*

*In the heart of the capital,*
*Like a gentleman's integrity, never shifting.*
*Glazed tiles on the Nine Dragon Wall,*
*History has fallen and risen from here.*

Tang Zhichu was dressed simply in black trousers and a white shirt. His voice was sonorous and high-pitched, his gaze fixed slightly upward, exuding a sense of national pride.

Backstage, many were stunned. After hearing the first major movement, they knew this was a song of transformative quality. When a singer writes a high-quality patriotic song, they enter the gaze of mainstream media. Only then did the more perceptive ones understand why Tang Zhichu had taken on this project.

*These dragon scales once,*
*Fell with a clang like shattering ice.*
*Each scale, a piece of the heart,*
*The swaying story, I cannot bear to hear.*
*Keeping propriety and a tranquil heart,*
*The zither plays the heart of a gentleman.*
*I wake to wait for the echo,*
*Circling the vast civilization of China.*

Up front, in the client seats, several elders nodded repeatedly. Putting aside the lyrics and the music, Tang Zhichu’s image and the spirit he projected already met their expectations for a contemporary musician.

Head held high, voice soaring, and full of vigor—it was no wonder someone had told them to pay extra attention to a young man named Tang Zhichu when they arrived.

*I honor the past with my brush,*
*The vast yellow earth of the East.*
*Splashing ink across the landscape,*
*Only the rugged backbone of China remains.*