After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 317 It's an honor to work for free

Since it's Lao Zhang, we're very familiar with each other.

He's a nice guy in the industry.

Especially in the early days of the internet, he was a timely help in the industry, a kind of leader. Many of the later internet giants either worked under him or regarded him as an idol and attended his lectures.

Although NetEase and Sina are both portal websites on par with Sohu, their founders are not on the same level. Zhang is a PhD graduate from MIT, while the other two are just country bumpkins with no celebrity aura whatsoever.

The harbor lacks an entrepreneurial atmosphere.

The capital city was different; it truly gave Lao Zhang the treatment of a celebrity, surrounded by a retinue of people.

Zhou Haoran could even sense that this guy was floating.

Sitting in the main seat, I toasted and exchanged drinks with the school leaders.

He really does seem like someone important!

A young man like Zhou Haoran could only sit at the very end; no one would even glance at him.

It was a school leader who gave him the opportunity.

He thought this was a student from Tsinghua University, a prized student whom Professor Liu Yan had intentionally recommended.

He took the initiative to ask, "Who is this student?"

Professor Liu Yan immediately said, "Oh, this is Zhou Haoran, an expert in the internet!"

"Oh? You know about the internet?" Zhang Chaoyang put down his wine glass, his face flushed, and glanced at Zhou Haoran, intending to test him. "What do you know? Tell me."

"I don't really understand either."

Zhou Haoran disliked his arrogant attitude and couldn't be bothered to speak to him.

People really need to be molded by society.

At this moment, Lao Zhang seemed to be blinded by the star's aura.

Professor Liu Yan's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said, "He is usually too modest. In fact, he is very knowledgeable about the Internet and has published many Internet-related papers in top international journals. He is very influential in the academic field."

"Have you written papers?"

Zhang Chaoyang was not affected by this.

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "I've been lucky enough to write a few."

Zhang Chaoyang hummed in agreement and nodded. "Academic and commercial are two different things. In Silicon Valley, those who work in the internet industry are mostly young kids; academics can't get into that circle."

Then he held up two fingers and shook them: "These are two parallel lines, they don't touch!"

"Yep."

Zhou Haoran agreed, taking whatever he said at face value, too lazy to argue.

Professor Liu Yan thought he was just nervous and was somewhat exasperated, "Charles, he's not only strong academically, but also very capable in applied fields. He's currently applying for a national-level research project!"

"Oh."

Zhang Chaoyang's expression was rather indifferent; he didn't seem to care about any national-level scientific research projects at all.

In the internet industry, nobody plays the seniority game!

Professor Liu Yan reached out and nudged Zhou Haoran's thigh on the table, signaling him to take the initiative. With a forced smile, he said, "Charles, why don't you let him give it a try? If you have any projects, you can let him do them!"

"can you?"

Zhang Chaoyang seemed reluctant, but due to his connection with the school, he couldn't very well refuse.

"I'm afraid not."

Zhou Haoran would never work for him.

Professor Liu Yan was so angry that he couldn't speak.

Zhang Chaoyang studied physics, but he switched careers to the internet industry, mainly because he raised $26 in venture capital in the United States. A PhD graduate returning from overseas, bringing foreign exchange back to China to start a business—what a remarkable story!
However, he didn't understand internet technology, and this amount of money was really not worth his attention.

How do I start a business?

Old Zhang also had a solution: he set his sights on his alma mater.

I need help from a junior student at Tsinghua University!
Especially college students.

It's fair to say that for Sohu's first ten years, its core development team consisted mainly of Tsinghua University students, requiring almost no financial investment. Fortunately, many Tsinghua students gained an understanding of the internet while working for Sohu, and later became influential figures in the internet industry.

Old Zhang returned to Tsinghua University to give a speech.

They claimed it was to teach younger students about the spirit of the internet.

In reality, it's just empty promises to young people, encouraging capable individuals to work for him for free, and then giving them a few hundred yuan for living expenses to get rid of them.

These days, Sohu wasn't called Sohu yet.

It's called Aitexin.

Zhou Haoran didn't think much of it and even lacked interest in investing in it.

Professor Liu Yan, however, felt that this kid had gone crazy from doing academic research, so he deliberately gave him a hint: "Charles, you brought back a lot of money from the United States this time, didn't you?"

"Yes, I received angel investment in the United States, $26."

Zhang Chaoyang's face was rosy, and he was very proud.

One school leader remarked with emotion, "China is still lagging behind in this area. The lack of venture capital institutions has resulted in a weak entrepreneurial atmosphere. Fortunately, Chaoyang has pioneered a new path, allowing businesses to start operations in China with American investment. This is a great idea!"

Zhang Chaoyang smiled and said, "The Internet is the voice of the times, and it has begun to flourish in many countries, but China is still far behind in this regard. I'll set an example first, and also show my domestic counterparts the way."

Professor Liu Yan tentatively asked, "How much of the shares are diluted by this $26?"

“10%!” Zhang Chaoyang said casually.

This is something to be proud of, so he naturally doesn't need to hide it.

"That's incredible! Charles, if you calculate it that way, you must be worth several million dollars now! You've become a successful businessman in just a few years!"

Professor Liu Yan praised him while giving Zhou Haoran a meaningful look.

The meaning is clear.

how about it?
You all saw it, right?
This is the value of entrepreneurship!
Even if you apply for a national research project at school, how much funding do you actually get? There's a general consensus in society that those who work on atomic bombs are less well-off than those who sell tea eggs; there's not much money to be made in scientific research!
If you want to succeed and achieve great things, you should learn from Mr. Zhang!
Zhou Haoran naturally knew that the other party meant well, so he could only echo, "Yes, that's impressive."

Zhang Chaoyang, used to flowers and applause, said nonchalantly, "That Zhou..."

"Zhou Haoran!"

Professor Liu Yan immediately spoke up for him.

Zhang Chaoyang laughed and said, "Yes, Zhou Haoran, how about this, I'll give you my business card. Come over and chat with me sometime, I'll give you a chance to showcase your talents!"

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang."

Zhou Haoran was both annoyed and amused.

With so many Tsinghua University leaders present, and Professor Liu Yan's influence, he couldn't very well embarrass Lao Zhang in front of everyone.

After having lunch.

Zhang Chaoyang was taken away again by several school leaders, surrounded by a retinue. Judging from their tone, they still wanted Mr. Zhang to help Tsinghua University cultivate more outstanding talents who could work deeply in the internet industry.

Zhou Haoran shook his head inwardly as he looked at him with his head held high and an arrogant expression.

I really can't stand it.

The Zhang of today is quite different from the kind and friendly Teacher Zhang who teaches English and physics to netizens twenty years later.

Professor Liu patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "How about it, are you envious?"

Zhou Haoran chuckled: "Professor Liu, to be honest, I'm not envious at all!"

"Your eyes just now betrayed you!" Professor Liu Yan thought the young man was being disingenuous and said with a smile, "I heard from Academician Cheng that he intends to give you the green light and let you complete your four years of undergraduate credits ahead of schedule?"

Zhou Haoran nodded and said, "Yes, that's right. We'll be graduating this semester."

What happens after you graduate with your bachelor's degree?

"Ok?"

"You want to pursue further studies?" Professor Liu Yan's eyes gleamed with eagerness to nurture talent. "The harbor area is really not good. It's rich, but it lacks a research ethos. If you want to do graduate studies, come to Tsinghua University, come here with me!"

"what?"

Zhou Haoran couldn't help but laugh.

So I was waiting here!
Professor Liu Yan tempted him, saying, "I've known Mr. Zhang for many years. I even knew him when I was a teaching assistant, back when he was still a student. Let me put in a good word for you; you can do your academic work at the university while also doing an internship with him!"

"Working for free?"

Zhou Haoran didn't know what to say.

Working for someone else has become a selling point?

Professor Liu Yan said solemnly, "This is a rare opportunity; many Tsinghua students would fight for it but couldn't get one!"

Zhou Haoran knew that due to the limitations of the times, the two people's thinking was completely different, so he quickly said, "Professor Liu, it's like this, Dean Cheng told me that my situation is rather special. In order to frequently engage in academic exchanges with foreign countries, I must quickly obtain a respectable academic identity."

"What do you mean?"

Professor Liu Yan had a very bad feeling.

Zhou Haoran said, "Dean Cheng's idea is that after I graduate with my bachelor's degree, I should skip the master's degree stage and go directly to him to pursue my doctorate. I hope to get my doctoral degree within one or two years."

"Uh……"

Liu Yan stared at him blankly.

Speechless.

It's over now.

Although he is a senior computer science professor, and his expertise is likely several levels above Dean Cheng's, their status and position are completely different; Dean Cheng is an academician!
Having an academician and doctoral supervisor is equivalent to being included in the academic family tree.

They have an innate advantage.

Let alone computer research, even in the life-or-death medical field, with connections to an academician, one can go from a complete novice to a medical doctor from the nation's top universities in just two years.

Professor Liu Yan sighed, knowing he couldn't win the competition, and said earnestly, "Haoran, you are an academic genius. Your academic achievements even surpass mine."

"Professor Liu, please don't say that!"

Zhou Haoran sensed his sincerity.

Professor Liu Yan said solemnly, "I've read all the papers you've published, and I know their level very well! However, if you want to have a deeper development in the computer and internet industries, you must come to Beijing! Fudan University is also a good school, but the social environment there isn't that kind of atmosphere. You must come to Beijing!"

"I know a seaport can't compare to the capital, but I want to give it a try."

Zhou Haoran knew better than anyone the weaknesses of the port. Even 20 or 30 years later, the port was still not considered a top-tier player in the domestic internet industry.

Professor Liu Yan asked, "What are we testing?"

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Maybe I can bring some internet vibes to this port city? Maybe... Mr. Zhang will take the initiative to visit me!"

"you……"

Liu Yan was speechless, thinking that this kid was really bragging.

(End of this chapter)