Chapter 354

Some things, if not weighed, seem light as four taels, but once put on the scale, even a thousand catties cannot be held down.

What is being said is this kind of on-set corruption problem at NHK; in reality, any large project inevitably has people ruthlessly profiteering from it—this is unavoidable, from Agent Smith in the distant United States to Commissioner Noda in nearby Japan, all the way to so-called "state projects"; the principle is the same, only differing in how much goes to actual labor and how much is siphoned off.

For example, during the Kāng Xī, Yongzheng, and Qiánlóng eras, major projects allocated six or seven tenths to labor and three or four tenths to graft, and this level was already considered acceptable—for instance, when the famous Qiánlóng Emperor first ascended the throne, he considered his father Yongzheng's overly harsh treatment of officials and thus appeared relatively lenient and forgiving, but this does not mean the emperor himself was unaware of the specifics; in fact, not long after, Qiánlóng specifically used the Ministry of Internal Affairs' procurement of lighting fixtures as a pretext, loudly accusing officials of substituting inferior goods and lining their own pockets.

I go! So the emperor knew all along!

Thus everyone became much more cautious and careful.

However, by the time of the Daoguang Emperor, even when the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a price of two taels of silver for a single egg—even if they harbored suspicions in their hearts—they were utterly helpless and could only forcibly refrain from eating to save money.

The Summer Palace was even worse: to build this garden, the Ministry of Internal Affairs spent over ten million taels in total, yet only about one or two tenths actually went to labor.

But these are all unspoken understandings; many things truly cannot be brought to light.

When Uesugi Muneyuki conducted on-site forensics, revealing this seemingly accidental on-set death incident, it was already destined that a nationwide storm would erupt!

The reason is simple: because NHK, as the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, holds a very special position in Japan!

NHK, as a television station theoretically completely neutral, to demonstrate it would not be influenced by any power, cartel, or local organization, has no advertisements at all, nor does it accept any sponsorship, and furthermore does not accept state subsidies or government property allocations.

So how does NHK sustain the operation of the entire television station?

Very simple! Levy taxes on all of Japan!

Levy taxes on every Japanese person!

Levy taxes on every two-legged human-shaped being in Japan!

Levy taxes on every household with a television screen!

Levy taxes on every mobile phone capable of receiving mobile television!

Levy taxes on every automobile with in-car television!

This roughly amounts to collecting money from everyone equally being equivalent to collecting nothing, and collecting money from everyone equally being equivalent to complete neutrality (laugh).

Anyone who has lived in Japan knows how troublesome the so-called "NHK Shōnen" can be; this group is famous for going door to door, demanding money upon opening the door, and often insisting on entering homes for inspection.

"My home has no television." "Having a screen also requires payment, you know!"

"My home has no screen." "Having a smartphone also requires payment, you know!"

"I have no smartphone!" "Having an in-car screen also requires payment, you know!"

So how much does NHK collect in fees annually?

Terrestrial television costs about 1,200 yen per month, television plus satellite about 2,000 yen per month; according to Japan's scale, NHK can easily collect television fees amounting to hundreds of billions of yen annually (television fees account for 96%-97% of NHK's total annual income, with annual revenue roughly 500 billion yen; aside from this, there are only minimal amounts from peripheral product income, overseas subscription income, overseas copyright sales income, equipment leasing, and program guidance income).

This is taxation! Compulsory taxation!

And if the entire populace were to learn that NHK collects huge sums of tax money from them, not used for legitimate program production, but instead layered with embezzlement by these people—what do you think the public's reaction would be?

Hehe~

At the scene, let alone others—even the officers of the Tochigi Prefecture Police Headquarters were so angry their faces turned bluish.

Who hasn't had money taken by NHK?

Good, so it turns out you, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, have eaten the kickbacks on the viewing fees we entrusted to you!

Now that human and physical evidence are all present, let's see how you NHK handle this!

"Arrest them all!" Inspector Wareki Shobu shouted angrily, having Uesugi Muneyuki as backing, the scene already admitted guilt, human and physical evidence all present—he had no reason not to enforce the law impartially: "Also, copy all equipment at the scene; this is crucial physical evidence, must not be erroneous!"

"Yes!" The officers at the scene responded loudly, then began gathering evidence.

The production team's producer and director were still shouting not to record, wanting to destroy the recordings, but the Tochigi Prefecture Police gave them no chance.

Done! Everything's done!

Producer Nakamura leaned against the wall, slowly sliding down along it, wanting to cry but without tears.

Chairman Matsumoto, I'm sorry to you!

Uesugi!!! You!!! Eight garbled words!!!

Producer Nakamura clenched his fists in fury and frustration, thinking I invited you to cameo as Uesugi Kagetora, not to cameo as Matsunaga Hisahide!

(Matsunaga Hisahide, due to repeated betrayals of Oda Nobunaga, was said to have stuffed his tea caddy, the "Hirasumo Spider," with gunpowder and self-destructed upon his deathbed).

Meanwhile, director Tanaka Kenji on site let out a long sigh.

He had known this day would come; actually, as a director, he understood everything, had reflected many times, but in the Japan-Korea environment, a director's status is truly low, largely requiring obedience to producers and screenwriters, and most Japanese dramas deliberately rotate multiple directors precisely to avoid dominance by one and excessive stylistic imprint.

"I really didn't mean to kill him! I didn't know Uesugi Muneyuki would come today! He wasn't supposed to come until tomorrow? I had already prepared everything! Who informed him? The day after tomorrow, just the day after tomorrow—then none of this would happen; is it not normal for someone to die accidentally on set? So much money—why should I bear such great responsibility?" Ōhashi Group Leader was dragged away by two officers, prolonged fatigue and overwork causing anxiety and fear, the guilt and relief of killing, plus thoughts of his years of accumulated professional reputation, impending imprisonment, and ruin of name and status—his entire person had become neurasthenic, beginning to "speak incoherently."

"Idiot! You idiot! Beastly thing, you've ruined us all!" Producer Nakamura strode forward and slapped Ōhashi Group Leader, his face pale with rage: "You eat my bowl, break my pot—what right do you have to complain here? The entire NHK will be disgraced because of you!"

"Producer! You clearly..."

"Stop dragging in irrelevant things! Now properly explain your own problems!" Producer Nakamura still wanted to slap him, but had already been stopped by police.

And Uesugi Muneyuki still stood in place, even directing an inquisitive gaze toward the production team.

The matter is settled—still filming?

I'll film your horse's head!

Producer Nakamura was furious to the extreme, yet felt utterly helpless toward Uesugi Muneyuki; human and physical evidence all present, the perpetrator already confessed—if this case were truly handled this way...

He might not even be able to resign simply by taking responsibility.

Thinking this, Producer Nakamura could only announce the dispersal, dispersal—today we stop here; the taiga drama *Gunshi Kanbei* is temporarily halted, all filming ceased.

You wait, Uesugi! I'll call people, I'll call people!!!

As the suspect and numerous evidences were taken away by the Tochigi Prefecture Police, NHK urgently contacted the then NHK President Matsumoto Masayuki; the entire Japan Broadcasting Corporation hastily mobilized, seeking all social connections and influence, trying every way to pass a word to those around Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi-kun! Considering we are NHK and proactively invited you to appear in the taiga drama, please spare us!

If you do this, you will destroy the entire Japanese broadcasting television industry!

On the way back, Uesugi Sadanori wordlessly gazed at his younger brother: "Muneyuki?"

"Hmm?" Uesugi Muneyuki looked at his brother, whose taiga drama cameo opportunity he had ruined, with a face of "pure innocence": "What is it?"

"Do you know how long I prepared for today?" Uesugi Sadanori said with a face full of resentment: "You bastard..."

"I'm not that guy, I'm Uesugi Muneyuki, you know who I am." Uesugi Muneyuki let out a light sigh: "Things have turned out like this, something nobody wanted, but since it happened in front of me, I have to make things clear!"

"Mm, you did the right thing." Uesugi Sadanori fell silent for a few seconds, feeling somewhat stifled as he nodded: "Indeed, it's time to take charge, those NHK people……I also discovered problems with the props today……all of them are substandard and defective."

"Such things are absolutely intolerable!" Ikeda Erena said softly while driving.

The silence in the car lasted for a while, then suddenly, Uesugi Muneyuki's phone rang.

It was his grandfather Uesugi Kuninori!

"Mòsī Mòsī……" Uesugi Muneyuki had just uttered a word when the roar from the phone pierced his eardrums.

"Xuě!!! Sōng!!!"

……………………

At the same time, Tokyo, Minato Ward, Odaiba Building, Fuji TV Headquarters President's Office.

President Kameyama was smiling as he looked at the financial report.

"President!!!" The secretary rushed in from outside the door in quick steps: "Something's wrong! An incident occurred at the NHK filming set!"

"What?" President Kameyama wore a strange expression.

What does an NHK incident have to do with our Fuji TV?

"Someone died on the NHK historical drama filming set! And……Uesugi Muneyuki is right at the scene!"

"What???" President Kameyama jumped up directly from his chair.