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

The news that filming for "In the Name of the People" had wrapped up spread like wildfire within the industry.

It wasn't Lin Mo and his group who promoted it; it was the veteran actors themselves who said it.

On the night Wu Gang finished filming, he posted a picture on his WeChat Moments with a still from the show—Secretary Dakang had a furrowed brow, and the background was the meeting room of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee.

He only wrote eight words: "After thirty years of doing this, this is the first time."

The comment section below exploded.

Zhang Fengyi replied, "What do you mean? Explain yourself."

Wu Gang replied, "Judging for yourself."

Zhang Zhijian was even more direct, posting on Weibo: "I accepted the role in the Supreme People's Procuratorate's production without even reading the script. After filming, I realized it was the best decision I've ever made in my career."

Xu Yajun didn't post any text, only a still from the show—Qi Tongwei's desolate figure with a gun in his hand.

Someone asked, "Teacher Xu, what kind of play is this?"

Xu Yajun replied with a single word: "Fate."

Hou Yong is the most honest. In an interview with a film and television account, he said, "In 'In the Name of the People,' I played a corrupt official. More than 200 million yuan in cash was piled up in front of me, and I cried on the spot. It wasn't acting; I really cried. Director Lin got that scene right in one take."

The reporter pressed further, "Who is Director Lin?"

Hou Yong said, "The director and screenwriter is a genius, a young man in his twenties."

These rumors spread in bits and pieces, and everyone in the industry knew about it—the Supreme People's Procuratorate had produced a major anti-corruption drama, directed by a young upstart, but all the veteran actors praised it highly.

Some were curious, some questioned, and some were waiting to see the joke.

But the hype has already started.

……

CCTV acted the fastest.

Zhao Jian personally took the first five episodes to CCTV headquarters.

After watching the first episode, the review panel immediately decided to give it exclusive first-run broadcast during prime time.

The director of CCTV's film and television department, surnamed Ma, shook hands with Prosecutor Zhao after watching the film and said something very honest: "Prosecutor Zhao, to be honest, we've acquired quite a few dramas this year, most of which were just made do for broadcast. Yours is a truly excellent piece."

Zhao Jian couldn't stop smiling.

Next, we'll discuss the price.

CCTV offered a very fair price: 3 million per episode, totaling 165 million for 55 episodes.

When Lin Mo heard this number, he almost lost his balance.

More than 100 million?

The total cost of filming this movie, including post-production, was only over 60 million.

It hasn't even aired yet, and it's already made 100 million?

Old Han remained calm: "What do you think? With the Supreme People's Procuratorate's prestigious reputation and the cast of actors like you, CCTV isn't losing money at this price."

Finally, the contract was signed and the release date was set.

"In the Name of the People" will premiere on December 20th on CCTV-1 during prime time, with two episodes airing back-to-back each night.

The day the news was officially announced, the entire internet exploded.

The official Weibo accounts of the Supreme People's Procuratorate's Film and Television Center and CCTV-1 simultaneously released the following message:

The highly anticipated anti-corruption drama "In the Name of the People" is scheduled to premiere on December 20th during prime time on CCTV-12. Produced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate Film and Television Center, directed by Lin Mo, and starring over thirty talented actors including Wu Gang, Zhang Zhijian, Zhang Fengyi, Hou Yong, Xu Yajun, and Lu Yi. Stay tuned!

The accompanying image is a poster—a black background with a large hammer smashing the character for "greed" into pieces, sending fragments flying.

The number of comments quickly exceeded 10,000.

"Holy crap! The Supreme People's Procuratorate is making a TV series? What kind of move is this?"

"All veteran actors? Not a single popular idol? I love this cast!"

"Wu Gang, Zhang Zhijian, Zhang Fengyi, Hou Yong, Xu Yajun... just reading this list makes my blood boil!"

"Wait a minute, who is director Lin Mo? I've never heard of him."

"I looked her up; she's from the Supreme People's Procuratorate's publicity department, in her twenties, and has acted in short films before. That's quite a leap in age!"

"A twenty-something-year-old directing a 55-episode drama? Are you kidding me?"

"Don't rush to criticize, upstairs. Hou Yong said in his interview that this young man is a genius. Wu Gang also praised him."

"Produced by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the quality should be pretty good, right? After all, it's a state organ; they wouldn't ruin their own reputation."

"I'm kind of looking forward to it; it's been a long time since I've seen a reliable anti-corruption drama."

"The last time I watched an anti-corruption drama was back with 'The Black Hole,' I hope this one won't be a disappointment."

"Release date is set for December 20th, just over a month left, I'm waiting!"

"With CCTV's prime-time slot, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and a cast of veteran actors, it would be a miracle if this lineup didn't become a hit."

Of course, there are also dissenting voices.

"Does the Supreme People's Procuratorate even know how to make a film? Don't turn it into another didactic movie."

"A director in his twenties can handle these veteran actors? I don't believe it."

"Anti-corruption dramas that are too explicit won't pass censorship, and those that are too tame won't be interesting. Let's wait and see."

"Let's wait and see, don't overhype it, or it might backfire."

But regardless, the hype has already started.

The phrase "In the Name of the People" suddenly rose to third place on Weibo's trending topics.

The official Weibo account of the Supreme People's Procuratorate's Film and Television Center gained 500,000 followers overnight.

……

When the news reached the crew's group chat, it caused an uproar.

Wu Gang: "It's scheduled for release? Great! Finally, we can watch it!"

Zhang Fengyi: "CCTV-1's prime time slot, that's tough."

Hou Yong: "I have notified all my relatives that no one is allowed to change the channel on their TV on December 20th."

Lu Yi: "Director Lin, you're awesome!"

Lin Mo popped up in the group chat: "Dear teachers, this isn't my achievement; it's because the show we filmed together was good. When it airs, let's all watch it together."

Old Han messaged Lin Mo privately: "See? This is just the beginning. The real test will come after it airs."

Lin Mo replied, "Director Han, I can handle it."

Old Han sent a thumbs-up emoji.

……

That evening, Lin Mo returned to his rented room, turned on the TV, and tuned to CCTV-1.

A trailer is playing on the screen; it's only fifteen seconds long.

It's an edited version of Zhao Dehan's crying scene.

"I didn't spend a single penny! I didn't dare spend any! I'm terrified of being poor!"

Hou Yong's face was covered in snot and tears, and his voice was hoarse.

Then the scene shifts, and Secretary Dakang slams his fist on the table: "Who will protect Jingzhou's GDP?!"

Then, Qi Tongwei pointed a gun at himself, his eyes filled with despair.

Finally, a line of large characters—

"In the name of the people, a battle for justice."

"The premiere will air on CCTV-12 on December 20th."

After reading it, Lin Mo leaned back on the sofa and let out a long sigh.

The previous version of "In the Name of the People" aired in 2017 and became a nationwide sensation.

In this life, it happened a year earlier.

But he believes that good things come to those who wait.

It might even be better.

My phone vibrated.

He picked it up and saw it was a message from Prosecutor Zhao, containing only one sentence:

"Xiao Lin, are you ready? Let the whole country see that we are truly fighting corruption."

Lin Mo replied:

"Ready, Inspector Zhao."

Outside the window, a few stars shone brightly in the Kyoto night sky.

Lin Mo turned off the TV, washed up, and went to bed.

Tomorrow, even more things await him.

But at this moment, all he wanted was to get a good night's sleep.

Because the days to come will probably not be so peaceful.