I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 823 The Rise of La Cinq

At the end of August, Liu Jin and his family returned to Toulouse.

Over the course of two months, they traveled to cities along the Mediterranean coast.

However, with Camille about to start school, their yacht trip had to be put on hold.

Camille was very reluctant to leave because she had been exceptionally happy for the past two months.

But the thought of not seeing my dad again until winter break after I go back makes me feel especially sad.

Liu Jin promised her that he would have Camille come over during the winter break, and he would drive her all over Europe.

Camille then cheered up again.

And so, Qianqian and Chen Qi took the children and returned to China on a private plane.

Liu Jin took a long leave of absence from school and then headed to Salerno with his assistant Mia, Jerome, and others.

The third season of "Music by the Fireplace: UK Edition" is about to start filming!

This time, the event was even more grand, with twelve of Great Britain's top musicians, led by Elton John, invited.

Therefore, Liu Jin needs to be extra careful.

……

Old Marco personally greeted Liu Jin at the Sunstone Bay Wharf.

The Marco family really made a fortune from this blitzkrieg operation.

According to Joan P.'s calculations, the Marco family's earnings are between $800 million and $1 billion.

So much so that when he saw Liu Jin, his wrinkled old face broke into a smile as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum.

Not only did old Marco come, but the patriarch of the Vito family also arrived.

These Mafia members expressed their respect and gratitude to Liu Jin, and assured him that they would use their connections to assist Minister Mara in promoting the merger of the local cable television networks in the four major regions of southern Italy…

I knew these guys had connections.

When Liu Jin first started acquiring the television station, they showed indifference.

This is also why Liu Jin wanted to bring this group of Mafia members with him for this blitzkrieg operation.

He knew they had power, and they knew Liu Jin knew they had power, and they also knew Liu Jin needed their help.

However, he acted as if he were an outsider.

They were the ones who initially proposed this.

However, they remained unmoved after the TV station took action.

Now that they've tasted the benefits, they've all come over, acting very loyal and righteous.

But Liu Jin felt that these people were extremely hypocritical.

Yeah, a bunch of old scoundrels, aren't they just hypocrites?
But he also knew that these old scoundrels wielded enormous power... This was Italy, where the political, business, and Mafia spheres were already intertwined.

Even a ruthless figure like Mussolini, who was determined to eliminate Mafia, couldn't get rid of him.

Moreover, after the end of World War II, these guys sprang up like mushrooms after rain, growing rapidly and once again becoming a cancer in Italy.

In Italy, sometimes getting these old scoundrels involved is even more useful than Mara, the Minister of Youth Affairs.

Liu Jin accepted their kindness.

They also expressed their hope that they could collaborate again in the future if the opportunity arises.

Old Marco and the others were very happy.

He waved his hand and declared that he would be solely responsible for all transportation for the "Music by the Fireplace" parties from now on.

It just so happens that Liu Jin does have a shortage of vehicles in Salerno.

Without saying a word, he got ten Ferraris from old Marco and also secured Ferrari's sponsorship.

Three million euros!
It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's not a small amount either.

In addition to Ferrari, this season's "Hello by the Fireplace" has also received sponsorship from several Italian and French companies.

All the sponsorships combined totaled nearly 67 million euros.

This amount of money is even enough for Liu Jin to pay the appearance fees for those guests...

Liu Jin started recording the program.

Meanwhile, in France, the La Cinq cable television network is gradually expanding in the southern part of France.

Starting with the animated film "Zheng He's Voyages to the West" at the beginning of the year, it caused quite a stir.

Liu Jin invited the most authoritative sinologists in Europe and other guests to engage in a heated debate.

Experts believe that the origins of world civilization are in Europe.

However, sinologists believe that Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean were what truly ushered in the Age of Exploration.

To this end, Liu Jin, through J.K. Rowling, invited Sir Jack Goody, a British social anthropologist, honorary professor of social studies at Cambridge University, and knighted for his contributions to anthropology, and professor at the University of Birmingham.

He has a book called "Stealing History".

The book departs from the prevailing European view of a "creative West" and a "poor and backward East," employing a new methodology to conduct a cross-cultural analysis and interpretation, arguing that Western civilization has, to some extent, been deeply influenced by the East.

This viewpoint is naturally not accepted by mainstream Western society.

But Professor Goody was very tough, and he went all out in the debate, showcasing his extraordinary eloquence.

Meanwhile, Jessica Rawson, the retired principal of Merton College, Oxford University, expressed a similar view.

This debate lasted for three whole months.

Scholars from Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and even America took turns appearing on the show, speaking eloquently.

As a result, the animated film "Zheng He's Voyages to the West" became a sensation in southern France.

In May, Sean, the president of TF1 and Mela's brother, sent someone to contact Tusca and purchased the broadcasting rights for TF1.

This also made many French people aware of Zheng He's existence.

After this animated film finished airing, La Cinq did not show any similar films, but instead aired animated films produced by Little Riz, such as "Grave of the Fireflies." Similarly, following Liu Jin's instructions, Taska invited many experts on World War II to initiate a discussion on whether Little Riz's postwar fate was self-inflicted.

Life's getting hectic!

It is said that many pro-Japanese scholars were invited to whitewash Japan's image.

However, La Cinq TV also invited many pro-China experts and professors to interpret the disasters that Xiao Rizi has created in China and Southeast Asia.

In short, it's just two words: 'Serves them right!'
This has once again sparked Europeans' reckoning with the crimes committed by the Little People during World War II.

In response, the Chinese Embassy lodged a protest with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

But the French side doesn't seem to care about these protests.

Instead, they refuted it on the grounds of freedom of speech...

In this respect, Westerners still have a strong sense of superiority when it comes to their daily lives.

In July, with the successful launch of the La Cinq cable television network's movie channel, a film that had once caused a sensation in Europe became the first film to be broadcast on the movie channel: Black Sun 731!

A war film produced in 1987 by Hong Kong Island Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd., directed by Mou Dunfei, written by Mou Dunfei, Liu Meifei and Teng Dunjing, and starring Wang Gang, Wang Runshen and Wu Daiyao, was the first S-level film after the establishment of the Hong Kong Island rating system.

This film tells the story of how Unit 731 of the Japanese Kwantung Army established a biological weapons research base in Northeast China during World War II, and conducted inhumane human experiments on civilians and prisoners of war from China, the Soviet Union, and North Korea. It systematically exposes the war crimes against humanity committed by Unit 731 in developing biological weapons and carrying out massacres.

The film won the Special Social Award at the 1989 West Berlin Film Festival.

This film was once shown in China, but unfortunately it was quickly taken down for some reason and became a legendary banned film.

However, the film was re-released on Hong Kong Island in 2025.

There are many stories about this movie.

It is said that many of the special effects for corpses in movies use real corpses.

It's a very shocking, bloody, and cruel work.

As a result, La Cinq TV station received numerous complaints shortly after the movie was broadcast.

It has even been called the French 'HBO'.

But it's been played, and that's it!

The real surprise was a talk show broadcast on another channel.

Liu Jin, through Han Shanping, brought together surviving WAF members from China, as well as survivors from South Korea and Southeast Asia, and sexual representatives from the Bataan Death March from America and Great Britain, and launched an indictment on the program.

Xiao Rizi then stated that those people were all fake.

731 does not exist.

However, professors from the history department of the University of Toulouse II, as well as history professors and scholars from the Sorbonne University in Paris, presented numerous pictures and evidence, launching a fierce attack on Xiao Rizi.

Very fierce!
When Liu Jin began recording his program in Salerno, several directors and staff members of La Cinq TV station received death threats.

Lala and Tasca were among those affected. Someone broke into the offices of La Cinq television station. Lala was working overtime that night and was attacked by the rioters, sustaining injuries and being hospitalized.

Catherine Tascal, after all, was a former French Minister of Culture.

Upon receiving the news, they immediately contacted old friends and launched a protest in parliament.

In 2003, Mr. Amos received a death warning because of "Life Is Beautiful".

Now, our former government officials are facing the same threats, even more severely than in 03.

Those thugs were so brazen as to break into the TV station's offices and attack the station's president's assistant... In 2003, we could say that Amos was Chinese, and that this was a personal feud between Chinese people and ordinary folks, which we would not concern ourselves with.

But now?

The injured party is a French citizen, a French citizen with social standing. Should we continue to turn a blind eye?

Is this still France? Is this still a France known for its radicalism and racism, a France with freedom of speech?

The person who chaired this meeting was Alexandre Magnon.

Secretary General of the National Assembly.

He cautioned, "This isn't the first time that illegal immigrants have been hired to carry out attacks."

My daughter was attacked and nearly lost her life; Mr. Amos, whom Congressman Jean-Luc Genet mentioned earlier, was attacked twice after 03. My question is, how can these illegal immigrants and their petty lifestyles be allowed to act so brazenly in France?

Ultimately, the conference passed a resolution to strengthen personnel control over foreign foundations' offices in mainland France and overseas departments…

France and everyday life are very close.

However, under the intense public pressure, it has become necessary to initiate oversight of the Little Days non-profit charity organization based in France.

"Is Lala alright?!"

Upon receiving the message, Liu Jin immediately called Mela.

"The injury wasn't serious. The other party didn't really intend to hurt her. She just bumped into the door frame while dodging and got a head injury."

She was mainly frightened; the little girl was terrified, so I sent her back to Toulouse to recuperate.

I'll stay here from now on. Chloe is preparing to launch a full-scale lawsuit to punish the Japanese members of the Proparco organization.

"Proparco? What's that?"

"The French Development Agency (AFD) is an agency that is primarily responsible for development projects in Africa."

There are many Japanese investors involved, such as Jolaks Food Processing Company and Beacon Power Services, which have very close partnerships with Proparco. This attack was orchestrated by Japanese shareholders within Proparco.

The previous death warnings to television staff and the harassment of President Katherine Tuska are also closely related to them.

"Confirmed?"

"Uncle Manion had the DGSE (General Directorate for External Security) conduct the investigation."

This is not difficult to determine.

However, the results of Lao Zhong's investigation were a little different; it seemed to be related to the overseas offices of the JICA organization.

By the way, you should remember this organization.

"what?"

"The Little Days International Cooperation Agency, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Little Days... Back when you were writing 'Life Is Beautiful,' it was this agency that dealt with our publishing house, and also with the incident where you were attacked..."

"I remembered!"

Liu Jin slapped his forehead, and his dead memories suddenly resurfaced.

That was in 03. The other party first went to his home to threaten him, and later sent people to attack him.

But after so many years, Liu Jin had almost forgotten about this organization.

"So, Proparco was just a scapegoat, right?"

"It should be right!"

Liu Jin was silent for a moment, then said, "You don't need to worry about this anymore. I'll find someone."

"What do you want to do?"

"Lala is a good girl, and good girls shouldn't have guns pointed at them."

After Liu Jin finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

He then called AA to comfort her.

After hanging up with AA, he dialed old Marco's number.

“Mr. Marco, I’ve run into some trouble.”

However, it's not convenient for me to come forward, so I'm hoping to get your help.

“Mr. Amos, I’m glad you thought of me when you were in trouble. It makes me feel that our friendship has been strengthened once again.”

"Of course!"

Liu Jin then said, "Do you know about JICA's office in Paris?"

"That International Cooperation Organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

"Yes."

“I know that there is a similar institution in Rome.”

“I want them to learn a lesson, a lesson that is profound and frightening.”

"Are people going to die?"

"That would be best."

"Then I understand!"

"I will pay the market price for whatever fee is required."

"Mr. Amos, you have helped me a lot and helped me gain recognition in the Mafia 11-person committee."

As friends, it's inappropriate to talk about money.

"Well, my bad!"

"Please wait for good news; they will soon pay the price."

Old Marco was unaware of what was happening in France, but as an ally, he would certainly not refuse Liu Jin's request.

After Liu Jin finished speaking with Old Marco, he stopped paying attention to the matter.

He continued recording the program, and the recording went very smoothly.

These top singers in Great Britain are arrogant, but they dare not be arrogant in front of him.

Everyone cooperated well, so the recording was completed quickly.

Meanwhile, the operation of the La Cinq television network continues to proceed as planned.

After appearing on several controversial shows, La Cinq has gained some fame in the South of France.

The shows "Bear Grylls' Survival Class" and "Eddie the Wild" have attracted a large number of loyal fans.

The "Fashion Show" featuring the three members of AA also emerged as a dark horse.

In particular, "Fashion Show" attracted a large number of fashion brands as sponsors.

AA, Lima, and Gisele's influence in the fashion world is enough to allow them to attract numerous resources.

Even Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion icon, appeared on a show and praised their fashion sense.

The first season of "Fashion Show" has ended, with various advertising contracts and sponsorships totaling nearly 100 million euros.

This made Katherine Tusca extremely happy.

After leaving Victoria's Secret, Adriana Lima and Gisele Bündchen's status actually rose instead of falling, making them superstars in the fashion world.

"Amos, I want to start a streetwear brand with Lima and Gisele."

"Sure, I fully support it."

"But this will keep me very busy. Won't Yara be unhappy?"

"Tch, she doesn't care about you at all. She's looking forward to my European trip during winter break."

"You really don't know how to talk."

"There's no other way, otherwise you'll have to give up your career."

"That won't do!"

AA immediately became anxious on the phone.

……

(End of this chapter)