Binjiang Police Affairs

Chapter 1513 - 283: Going On Stage Soon!

Han Yu, after hosting a banquet for some officers and soldiers of the Binjiang Ship, took a large bus rented specifically by the "Command Center" from the long-distance bus company, and returned to Binjiang Port Pier 4 with Vice Mayor Qin, Director Yang, and other leaders. As soon as he got off the bus, he was stunned by everything in front of him.The pier closed to the public at precisely five o’clock in the afternoon, and just two and a half hours later, a super stage nearly forty meters long was set up beside the berth!

On the red-carpeted stage, a gantry over ten meters tall was erected. There were huge speakers piled beside the columns of the gantry, and various lights were hung on it. The Binjiang Ship, serving as the stage background, appeared even more majestic and imposing under the lighting than during the day.

What surprised Han Yu the most was that there were actually two giant screens at least two stories high installed on each side of the stage, playing video clips and photos of Secretary Lu, Mayor Wang, Commander Wang, and other party, government, and military leaders of Binjiang visiting the Binjiang Ship over the years, just like in a movie.

The square below the stage was divided into several areas, with the front reserved for the liberation army stationed in Binjiang, the Armed Police Force, and the officers and soldiers of the Binjiang Ship. All he could see was people in uniforms—estimated to be close to a thousand, all seated on small stools so as not to block the view of the audience behind them.

The center and both sides of the middle area were furnished with white plastic chairs. The first, second, and third rows, with nearly a hundred seats, had the best view; most of which were empty, obviously reserved for the leaders. The back was packed, full of spectators, with even the sides of the audience area crowded with people standing.

A crane-like long arm, dedicated to filming, was operated by staff on the scene, hoisting a camera over the crowd.

There were two cameras at the foot of the stage, looking upward, and there were also camera positions on tall cranes. Additionally, there were people carrying cameras, running back and forth in the section for officers and soldiers busy with a sing-along.

...

The cultural evening is managed by the City Propaganda Department, City Cultural Bureau, Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Binjiang TV Station. How to set up the stage, which programs to perform, and how to live broadcast are issues that the "Command Center" doesn’t need to concern themselves with.

The "Command Center" has to cooperate with their work, arranging time, venue, and security during the event.

Han Yu was truly taken aback by the scene and turned back after watching dumbfounded for a while, saying, "Minister Yang, they really are efficient!"

"We’ve been preparing for a long time, and likewise so have they. Many frames and equipment began installation and testing in the freight yard in the morning. As soon as we cleared the field in the afternoon, they brought in the equipment for assembly. Over a hundred people working together, and it was set up in less than an hour and a half."

"I didn’t expect there to be giant screens!"

Minister Yang, like Han Yu, didn’t have a seat and said, while holding a walkie-talkie, "I was free just now and went to ask around. It turns out these two giant screens are similar to the big screen outside Wenfeng Mall, each worth several million, called outdoor advertising machines."

"Each giant screen is worth several million?"

"Even a big color TV costs several thousand."

Minister Yang glanced subconsciously at the busy Propaganda Department staff, leaned in to Han Yu’s ear mysteriously, and said, "You’d be shocked to hear this: renting just these two large screens costs 200,000! Staging, lighting, sound, and personnel wages are calculated separately."

Renting two giant screens for 200,000, and they’re only used for one night, to be precise, just for a few hours.

Han Yu jumped in shock, exclaiming, "So, this means at least 500,000 to 600,000 for an event like this!"

"I estimate 500,000 to 600,000 might not be enough."

Minister Yang was equally shocked by the municipality’s generosity, crossed his arms, and smiled bitterly, "To ensure safety during the open period for citizens, we’ve deployed so many people on our side, and I keep wondering how much bottled water and boxed meals these people will consume in a day, it’s like money pouring away. I didn’t realize until comparing with them, what we spend is peanuts, probably not even enough for them to cover a fraction of their event costs."

As the two were chatting, Vice Mayor Qin’s voice came from behind.

"What are you talking about? Propaganda work is vital, not to mention we’re doing a live broadcast later! It’s not like we do events every day; how often does the Binjiang Ship come back? A bit of expense, so what?"

"Mayor Qin, we didn’t mean anything by it, just that I’ve never seen such a scale before..."

Before Han Yu could finish explaining, Vice Mayor Qin turned aside with a smile and said, "No joking, Salted Fish, look who’s here?"

A familiar figure appeared in front of Han Yu, who was taken by surprise and joyfully asked, "Old Feng, why are you here? When did you arrive in Binjiang?"

Upon seeing his comrade Feng Qingshan from the Naval Engineering College, who was equally pleased, he smiled and explained, "Mayor Qin asked me to come. I arrived at Binjiang in the afternoon."

"Mayor Qin..."

Before Han Yu could finish his question, Vice Mayor Qin laughed and said, "I was tasked by the Propaganda Department to invite Captain Feng to attend the evening gala as a guest. The flight from Hanwu to Binjiang wasn’t direct, so Captain Feng flew to the East Sea, and it was also arranged by the Propaganda Department to pick him up at the East Sea Airport."

"Guest at the evening gala?"

"You too, hurry along to the rehearsals."

"How did I become a guest? What rehearsal?"

"The director couldn’t find you, so they contacted the Propaganda Department, who then found me, and I came to inform you for them."

"Where is the rehearsal?" Han Yu was left confused.

Vice Mayor Qin didn’t answer but instead looked to a young woman with a work badge standing next to him.

"Director Han, Colonel Feng, I’m Xiao Chen from the Cultural Bureau. Time is tight; please come with me."

"It’s a political assignment; follow orders."

"Mayor Qin..."

"Time is tight; the performance starts at 8 o’clock, so hurry up."