We asked you to make an anti-corruption film, but you made one in the name of the people!

Early the next morning.

Lin Mo arrived at work with dark circles under his eyes.

I was so excited last night that I tossed and turned until two or three in the morning before I finally fell asleep.

My mind is filled with scenes from "In the Name of the People," watching them over and over again, like watching a movie.

After entering the gate, swiping my card, I went up the stairs.

As soon as he arrived at the publicity department floor, Xiao Wang from the next workstation winked at him: "Brother Lin, Director Han was looking for you earlier. He told you to go straight to his office when you arrive."

"Okay, thanks."

Lin Mo tossed his bag onto his workstation, straightened his shirt, and headed towards Lao Han's office.

Knock on the door.

"Enter."

Old Han still had the same desk and the same expression.

But Lin Mo noticed that Lao Han's eye bags were much deeper than yesterday.

Looks like I didn't sleep well last night either.

"Good morning, Director Han."

"Sit down." Old Han pointed to the chair, and after Lin Mo sat down, he took out the three pieces of paper from his bag and slammed them on the table.

"Xiaolin, I read your script outline twice last night."

Lin Mo's heart tightened: "What do you think...?"

Old Han was silent for a few seconds, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smacked his lips.

"I won't say what I think yet." He put down his cup, stared at Lin Mo, and said, "I'll just ask you one question—are you confident you can make a good film?"

Lin Mo sat up straight, his gaze resolute.

"Director Han, I guarantee you with my life that as long as the actors are in place and the funding is sufficient, this film will definitely be a hit."

"How popular is it?"

"So popular..." Lin Mo thought for a moment, "So popular that people all over the country are watching it, so popular that major TV stations are scrambling to broadcast it, so popular that it has become a phenomenon."

Old Han was taken aback by his words.

How dare a young man in his twenties make such a guarantee?

If anyone else had said that, Lao Han would have fired them long ago.

But those three pieces of paper last night had a huge impact on him.

Those characters, those plots, those lines—they certainly don't seem like something a newcomer could write.

"Okay." Old Han nodded. "I'll go upstairs now and report to Prosecutor Zhao. You wait in your office and don't wander off."

Lin Mo was taken aback: "Prosecutor Zhao? Which Prosecutor Zhao?"

"Who else could it be? Deputy Chief Prosecutor Zhao, who's in charge of our publicity department." Old Han stood up and carefully put the three sheets of paper into a folder. "Among the leaders of the procuratorate, he's the one who cares most about new media. He's the most suitable person to ask for this."

"Then... I'll wait for your news."

"Um."

Old Han took the folder, pushed open the door, and went out.

Lin Mo returned to his workstation, turned on his computer, and pretended to be writing something.

My heart was pounding like a rabbit's.

……

Old Han got on the elevator and pressed the button for the eighth floor.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Zhao's office is on the eighth floor, at the far east end, and is the room with the best natural light.

He stood at the door for a moment, straightened his tie, and then raised his hand to knock.

"Enter."

Pushing open the door, I saw Prosecutor Zhao sitting behind his desk looking at documents. He was in his fifties, with gray hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and had a kind face.

"Old Han's here? Have a seat."

"Prosecutor Zhao, I have something to report to you." Old Han didn't sit down, but handed over the folder. "Last time you mentioned making an anti-corruption propaganda video, our department has drafted a plan, please take a look."

Zhao Jian took the folder, opened it, and paused for a moment when he saw the first page.

"In the Name of the People? That's an interesting title."

He adjusted his glasses and continued reading.

Old Han stood to the side, not daring to breathe.

Zhao Jian reads things very quickly, turning the pages in a flash.

But when turning to the second page, the speed noticeably slowed down.

When he saw Zhao Dehan's wall of cash, he raised an eyebrow.

When he saw the demolition of Dafeng Factory, he took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and put them back on.

When he saw Qi Tongwei swallow the gun, he leaned back in his chair and remained silent for a long while.

The office was so quiet you could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Old Han's palms were sweating.

About ten minutes later, Prosecutor Zhao finished reading all three papers and placed them on the table.

He looked up at Old Han.

"Who in your department wrote this?"

"Lin Mo, the young man we recruited last year. He made a short film back in college, you might not know him..."

"I know," Zhao Jian interrupted Lao Han. "I remember that young man who directed 'The Choice.' You said he directed it well, and I watched it; it really is good."

Old Han was taken aback, not expecting that Prosecutor Zhao would remember even this.

"Did he write this script outline all by himself?" Prosecutor Zhao asked again.

"Yes, just him. I talked to him about the promotional video yesterday, and he brought this out today."

Zhao Jian tapped his fingers lightly on the table a few times, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

Old Han felt even more uncertain.

"Prosecutor Zhao, do you think... this is a bit too explicit?"

"Scale?" Prosecutor Zhao suddenly laughed. "Old Han, how can it be called anti-corruption if it doesn't touch the sore spots? I think this script is very well written, very realistic, and very powerful!"

Old Han breathed a sigh of relief.

Prosecutor Zhao continued, "Those corrupt officials appear virtuous on the surface, but behind the scenes they're capable of any kind of shady dealing. We made this film to expose their facade and show the people our determination to fight corruption!"

"So... what do you mean?"

"Slap!" Inspector Zhao slammed his hand on the table. "Not only slap, but slap well! Slap it into a masterpiece!"

A huge weight was lifted off Old Han's shoulders.

"But..." Prosecutor Zhao changed the subject, "This script only has an outline, do you have the complete script?"

Lin Mo said he could write it, very quickly.

"Then let him write it, and get a complete script out as soon as possible." Zhao paused, then asked, "What about the budget? Did he say how much he wants?"

Old Han smiled wryly: "He mentioned it last night, saying that 300,000 wouldn't be enough."

"Three hundred thousand?" Prosecutor Zhao laughed. "Three hundred thousand is about right for shooting a short video. A drama of this scale would cost tens of millions."

Old Han was startled: "Tens of millions? Prosecutor Zhao, our institute's budget..."

"Who said we'd have to spend the institute's money?" Prosecutor Zhao waved his hand. "This film is going to be broadcast on satellite TV and online, it's not some internal documentary. We'll find TV stations and video platforms to cooperate with, investment won't be a problem."

Old Han suddenly realized.

Yes, this isn't an internal promotional video; it's going to be shown to audiences nationwide!

"And what about the actors?" Prosecutor Zhao asked again.

"Lin Mo has made a list, please take a look." Old Han pulled a piece of paper from the folder and handed it over.

Zhao Jian took it and read it aloud: "Hou Yong, Zhang Fengyi, Wu Gang, Zhang Zhijian, Xu Yajun, Hu Qing, Lu Yi..."

He finished reading the long list of names and looked up at Old Han.

"This Lin Mo has quite an appetite."

Old Han smiled awkwardly: "Young people, they're like newborn calves, unafraid of tigers."

"It's good that they're not afraid of tigers!" Prosecutor Zhao slammed the list on the table. "These actors are famous enough and have solid acting skills; they're perfect for this drama!"

"But..." Old Han hesitated for a moment, "these people's salaries aren't low, are they?"

Zhao Jian waved his hand dismissively: "You don't need to worry about hiring celebrities. With the Supreme People's Procuratorate involved, which actor would dare to ask for an exorbitant price? Besides, countless people would kill to get a role in this kind of positive-energy anti-corruption drama!"

Old Han thought about it and agreed.

Produced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, its significance speaks for itself.

For an actor, getting a role is a bonus, a highlight on their resume.

Many people would be willing to come even without pay!

"Alright, that's settled then." Inspector Zhao stood up. "Go back and tell Xiao Lin to focus on writing the script and preparing for filming. The theater will handle the funding, actors, and locations. He only needs to do one thing—make a good film!"

"Yes!" Old Han replied immediately.

Prosecutor Zhao added, "By the way, tell him not to feel any pressure. If the filming is good, he'll be credited; if it's bad... I'll take the blame!"

Old Han's eyes welled up with tears.

That's a very kind thing for the leader to say.

……

When Lao Han returned to the publicity department, it was already past 10 a.m.

He walked directly to Lin Mo's workstation and patted the table.

"Come on, follow me to the office."

Lin Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he followed Lao Han into the office.

As soon as the door closed, a smile appeared on Old Han's face.

"Did it work?"

"It's done!" Old Han sat down in a chair, picked up his teacup, and took a big gulp. "Inspector Zhao looked at the script outline and immediately approved it—make it!"

Lin Mo clenched his fist and mentally shouted "yes!"

"Prosecutor Zhao also said," Old Han put down his teacup, "that the court will handle the actors' affairs, so you don't need to worry. As for those stars, we'll negotiate with them; who dares to ask for exorbitant prices? Besides, many people would want to do this kind of show for free!"

Lin Mo nodded.

That's true.

Many of the veteran actors in the previous "In the Name of the People" came for the good script, and their pay was pitifully low.

Produced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate—these four words are a golden brand.

"So your task now," Old Han said, looking at Lin Mo and emphasizing each word, "is to write the complete script and then prepare for filming. Funding, locations, crew, actors—the theater will take care of all that."

Lin Mo took a deep breath: "Director Han, rest assured, I will definitely live up to Prosecutor Zhao's trust."

"Alright, stop talking big, let's see results first." Old Han waved his hand. "Go on, focus on writing the script. By the way, if you need any support, just let me know."

"Alright!"

Lin Mo turned and walked out of the office, her steps light as if she were walking on clouds.

Back at his workstation, he turned on his computer and created a new document.

The complete script of "In the Name of the People" - Beginning!

This time, he's going to recite the entire masterpiece from his mind, word by word.