"With clanging swords and iron horses, we conquer the battlefield; wrapped in horsehide, with loyal hearts!"
Fang Lingyu's song invoked a clear historical allusion.
It was about the famous general Chen Lie.
"Heh, Teacher Fang's theme is quite good. Using the allusion of a historical patriotic hero as an entry point, and with the neighboring country recently trying to claim our historical heroes as their own, your song's intent is indeed excellent," Mo Yan nodded upon seeing this.
Expressing traditional patriotic spirit through historical famous generals was indeed a fine idea, promoting heroes, showing patriotism, and also responding to recent events.
"It's alright, I got the inspiration from a TV series not long ago, and then I was so angered by the actions of the neighboring country that I decided to write this song," Fang Lingyu said with a proud expression.
He hadn't just gotten the inspiration from watching TV; this inspiration had been simmering for a long time.
Moreover, many people had written about historical heroes before, but the quality was not top-notch. He often interacted with TV dramas and had been preparing for this for a while, as it could be used when filming historical general dramas.
For this tribute song, he could use it by slightly altering the core spirit.
With Mo Yan present, Fang Lingyu didn't aim for first place, but he certainly wouldn't be last, with Chen Shuhao covering for him.
His goal was to surpass Ting Yu, as he had lost to Ting Yu last time and wanted to get his revenge.
The singer he collaborated with was Zhou Shangke, an old singer whose voice was often heard in the ending theme songs of classic historical film and television dramas. His singing had accompanied the youth of many people.
His timbre was deep and resonant.
The battlefield, the campaigns, the passion.
He sang out the iron will and loyal soul of the famous general.
Backstage, Qian Hongliang, Ting Yu's collaborator, listened intently to Zhou Shangke's performance with his eyes closed.
He was a singer from the same era as Zhou Shangke, but their destinies were vastly different.
Although Qian Hongliang had lost many performance opportunities due to his criticism of young idols, he had no regrets. He believed that young people today should not idolize effeminate celebrities; men should act like men.
After that incident, not everyone online was scolding him; many people supported him, which was a great comfort.
"Old Zhou's rendition of Chen Lie is clearly lacking something."
Qian Hongliang slowly opened his eyes, his previous dejection gone, replaced by confidence.
After receiving Ting Yu's song "Jing Zhong Bao Guo" (Serve the Country with Utmost Loyalty), he began to study and practice it continuously, wanting to find the appropriate way to sing it.
For this purpose, he even sang it as a lullaby when coaxing his daughter to sleep. However, due to exhaustion, he would drift off while singing. When he woke up, it was his wife who nudged him awake. He had been singing in his sleep, and his powerful singing had scared their daughter into crying.
It was then that he realized he had never sung it at full volume before.
Excited, he recorded a version that night and sent it to Ting Yu.
He received high praise from Ting Yu.
If he performed well this time, with this song and Ting Yu's fame, it might be a second spring for his career.
Qian Hongliang was ready.
To live up to himself, to Ting Yu, and to this song!
...
"Truly clanging swords and iron horses, the stage was shaken!"
The host commented on Fang Lingyu's song.
Then it was time for Jiang Qian and Mo Yan's tribute songs.
Jiang Qian, being a woman, was more meticulous in her thoughts.
Her song was called "Hero's Medal."
It used a folk story of a patriotic woman to praise the country.
Among producers of this caliber, a song with intent and substance was a given. Moreover, the story she used this time was familiar to everyone, providing excellent engagement.
She sang about the contributions made by women for the country during the war-torn era.
The melody was melodious and touchingly delicate.
Mo Yan's song was titled "Oriental Blazing Sun."
It praised the Chinese people's spirit of self-improvement and their vast territory.
His musical style was grand and unrestrained, and highly evocative.
Furthermore, the singers he collaborated with were members of the national team, often performing on the Spring Festival Gala.
His performance ignited the sense of national pride in the hearts of the audience.
Even Su Yu felt his blood boiling.
Mo Yan truly lived up to his reputation as the pinnacle of music gods; such an elder who excelled in both art and virtue was indeed worthy of his respect.
After Mo Yan's tribute song concluded,
The audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Many audience members adjusted their seating positions.
Because they knew that Ting Yu's performance was next.
He had refused to collaborate with a singing god and instead chosen an outdated singer.
Everyone had been wondering why he would do such a thing and were anticipating what kind of song he would bring.
"This time, Ting Yu's opponent isn't just an ace producer, but established music gods like Mo Yan and Fang Lingyu. I don't think his winning streak for first place will continue."
"With Mo Yan and the others around, does getting first place even matter?"
"Haha, that's true..."
"But Ting Yu has been consistently winning first place since his first song. If he doesn't get it this time, it means his consecutive charting streak has been broken, right?"
"Who cares about first or second place? The show doesn't have rankings..."
"The show doesn't, but there are online votes."
"Ting Yu has already achieved first place in other genres this month. Even if this song is ranked last, it won't affect his consecutive charting streak."
"That's what people say, but it just feels... imperfect."
"What does it matter if you feel it's imperfect? Ting Yu is already a music god. Charting doesn't matter anymore. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an illness; it needs treatment..."
Ting Yu had created the miracle of every song consecutively topping the charts. However, this time his opponents were different; these were the ceiling of producers in the Chinese music scene.
Still, many felt that Ting Yu was already incredibly impressive, and whether he topped the charts or not was no longer important.
The older generation like Mo Yan rarely released new music. Having Ting Yu as a consistent output of quality songs was the greatest fortune for the Chinese music scene.
Even if he didn't get first place, what would that represent?
He was still so young, with a long road ahead of him.
Mo Yan's era would eventually pass, but Ting Yu's era was just beginning.
"Next, please welcome singer Qian Hongliang to perform."
After the host's announcement,
The stage lights dimmed.
Then, a group of dancers in armor walked out in unison.
They held long spears, looking majestic and imposing.
Qian Hongliang, holding the microphone, stepped to the center of the stage.
On the large screen, the song information appeared.
"Jing Zhong Bao Guo"
Performed by: Qian Hongliang
Lyrics by: Ting Yu
Music by: Ting Yu
A line of vigorous calligraphy was also displayed.
"The glorious Hua Xia shall command all directions to pay homage!"
In the background, the silhouette of a general in armor gazed across vast mountains and rivers.
When this background image appeared,
Everyone was stunned.
Then, their expressions gradually became complex.
Fang Lingyu looked at Su Yu with utter bewilderment.
Mo Yan and others also turned to look at him.
"Ahem... I was also angered by the actions of the neighboring country."
Under so many gazes, Su Yu cleared his throat and said.
He hadn't intended to target Fang Lingyu; this was truly a coincidence of themes...