Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 464 The Last Respect
"Heh, Ran, you're really popular."

The morning after the video aired, Li Xiaoman complained to Lin Ran in his office.

After Lin Ran returned from his lunar mission, they confirmed their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.

However, because Lin Ran often needed to use the door to travel to another dimension, the two never lived together.

For Lin Ran, the image of a workaholic was a good way to avoid being noticed as a stranger while living together.

Even with his closest friends, Lin Ran would not tell them about the door.

Of course, since Lin Ran was indeed a workaholic, Li Xiaoman didn't find anything strange about it.

Lin Ran spends most of his time in the second-to-last floor of the Apollo Technology headquarters building; the top and second floors are his private spaces.

Why the second-highest level? Because they're afraid the Americans might go crazy and use a missile to pinpoint his location and take him out in one shot.

Although the possibility is extremely low, it is still something we must be wary of.

Lin Ran glanced at Li Xiaoman before continuing to look at the emails on his screen, replying as he said, "Yeah, because I'm a top influencer. Isn't it normal for top influencers to be popular?"

Li Xiaoman thought about it and realized that there was really no problem with it.

Lin Ran is indeed a top-tier celebrity.

Like the top celebrities in the entertainment industry, they have no works, but they have their own super topic and their own fans.

Lin Ran has a large number of fans, including female fans on Weibo who have even had children.

They are the most loyal of all.

Supertopics are a thing of the past.

Later, after she was in charge of communicating with Weibo officials, her account was shut down.

Because Lin Ran's personal super topic is not only full of praise for Lin Ran, but also full of insults against various women who are close to Lin Ran, and she is the one who is insulted the most.

The most serious incident involved idle fans who stalked Li Xiaoman, uploaded the photos they took to the internet, and fabricated various stories about her.

Going to Hong Kong is supposed to be delivering documents to America; going to other places is supposed to be going on a date. There are countless examples of such extreme behaviors.

They are much more extreme than fans in the entertainment industry.

This is the ecosystem of the Simplified Chinese internet, especially a cesspool like Weibo.

It is precisely because of such incidents that the banning of supertopics is justified.

The banning of supertopics does not mean that fans have disappeared, and crystallized powder cannot be dissolved so easily.

This group of fans of the crystallized product regrouped on Xiaohongshu, existing in a more secretive manner, while their attacks on Li Xiaoman became even more extreme.

"Ah Ran, what do you think would happen if we were still in America right now?" Li Xiaoman asked.

Lin Ran replied without hesitation, "They'll probably be locked up in some secret laboratory. They'll have ample supplies, but forget about freedom."

Think about it, your uncle's family and I are just tenants and landlords, and they haven't been released to this day. I can't think of any possibility that we can gain freedom.

Unless I only showcase my talent in mathematics, become a mathematician, find a teaching position in New York, and stay away from sensitive areas, but the problem is I'm simply not content with that kind of life, and it's utterly meaningless.”

Li Xiaoman sighed, because she knew that Lin Ran was telling the truth.

Over the past five years, from 2020 to 2025, the extent to which the Americans have acted inhumanely has far exceeded her imagination, and the events that have occurred in the Middle East have made her see America's true nature more clearly.

American Asians have a very low degree of liberalism; the vast majority are conservatives, so many of them blindly support big T.

However, Asian women are different, especially those who study humanities. Because of their educational environment and the fact that Asian women were a privileged group during the Democratic Party's rule, they are more likely to be liberal.

Ironically, the highest proportion of elderly insurance holders are Chinese women who grew up in China and then immigrated after marrying Americans.

"Like the leverage I mentioned in the interview, America's leverage is not something I can use unless I am white."

"I have a few thoughts. The deepest one is that Ran Shen is unlike his peers. He matured too early. I suspect that he started preparing for space exploration in high school or even earlier, preparing to land on the moon one day."

What appears to be a miracle of landing on the moon in a year is actually the culmination of more than a decade of hard work.

Even at my age of over thirty, it would be difficult for me to summarize a principle like leverage so precisely. I have a similar awareness, but I can't put it into a theory.

I don't think this is something that Ran Shen has been thinking about for the past few years; I think it's something he had thinking about much earlier.

After more than a decade of honing his skills, he was well-prepared and had figured out what leverage he needed.

Didn't you notice a detail? He was able to meet Bezos when he was just a PhD student? At that time, he was only a PhD student in artificial intelligence at the State University of New York, and he was able to get Bezos to sponsor the moon landing.

A normal person probably wouldn't even dare to think of such a thing, right?
Even Musk had to sell his shares in PayPal to get the seed money before founding SpaceX.

The idea behind Burning God was to ask Bezos, the world's richest man, for money, and Bezos actually met with him. I'm really curious how he did it.
Even just meeting Bezos is incredibly difficult for someone of Chinese descent.

The "meeting" here is not just a simple greeting, but a full explanation of your ideas and concepts to him/her. In short, it is a one-on-one project presentation.

It could be said that the first lever prepared by the God of Burning was Bezos, but Bezos missed the biggest opportunity of his life.

The second was former NASA employees. This leverage was successful; he used these former employees from the Cold War golden age to successfully complete the Apollo moon landing.

I dare say that even if the second lever fails to work, the God of Burning can find a third lever, such as China's state-owned capital.

Compared to Jia Yueting and Ma Huateng, their wealth leverage comes from the primitive era, adopting America's business model and adapting it for the Chinese market.

Burning God is an amplification of the limits of human wisdom.

My second thought is that although Tim is a very successful entrepreneur with 50 million followers across the internet, he was too passive in the interview with Ran Shen. He said he had made ample preparations, but throughout the interview, he was completely led by the nose by Ran Shen.

All the topics were set by Ran Shen. After watching the whole show, I felt that it didn't matter whether he was there or not.

Could we ask Professor Luo to do it next time? Or could we simply ask Pony Ma, Jack Ma, or Lei Jun, who are more influential and have higher status, to do the interview? This interview is a bit too unequal.

Finally, regarding leverage, I think most people should focus on improving their communication skills, starting with communicating with family, colleagues, and direct superiors. Being able to clearly explain things is a very important ability. Also, knowing how to subtly take credit for oneself and shift blame to others are essential skills for promotion in the workplace.

By the way, to get promoted in the workplace, you need to make sure your direct supervisor doesn't dislike you and that your supervisor's supervisor has a good impression of you.

The former refers to work-related matters, while the latter refers to interpersonal interactions outside of work hours. In this process, ordinary people without connections can only accumulate goodwill through their expressions.

The God of Burning is really kind, teaching even these esoteric techniques. However, for most people, it's still pretty useless unless someone teaches you step by step, gives you advice based on your actual situation, and helps you adjust as needed. Otherwise, by the time you understand it, the opportunity will have already passed.

Normal people don't have that many opportunities to miss.

"As a junior faculty member, I often see two completely opposite viewpoints on the Simplified Chinese internet."

One view is that the academic world doesn't need interpersonal skills, and scientists don't need to understand interpersonal skills.

In fact, in academia, whether it is for evaluating titles or competing for research projects, personal connections are essential. Every year during the academician elections, the amount of work that these prospective academicians do behind the scenes is hard for outsiders to imagine.

The achievements of these prospective academicians are amplified through platforms, academic leaders, and the media, ultimately resulting in a meager number of academician positions.

Another reason is that the academic community values ​​interpersonal relationships the most; even when Hawking came to China, he had to be toasted.

In reality, the accurate situation is that, whether in China or abroad, in academia or any other circle, interpersonal relationships are very important.

And geniuses can easily master these things. IQ and EQ are not contradictory. If you feel uncomfortable when you are with a person with a high IQ, it only means one thing: that the other person feels that he/she does not need to please you.

Judging from the views expressed by the interviewee, he is definitely at the top in terms of emotional intelligence, and what is truly valuable to ordinary people is learning how to express themselves and how to achieve their goals naturally.

Let me give you a very simple example.

That's blind dating. Many of my colleagues have found partners through blind dating, and I've been on blind dates myself.

For older, single men with STEM backgrounds, their communication style is often one-dimensional; they ask whatever they want directly, which often makes the other person feel offended and fails to achieve their desired outcome.

I have a colleague who is very concerned about the other person's family background. If you ask directly, you won't get an answer, or you'll only get a very vague one.

If you want to know something in this situation, you need to learn how to express yourself. You can start by introducing your own situation, which will help the other person to share theirs.

For ordinary people, expression is a required course. To put it more bluntly, it can be understood as leverage—how to use language as leverage to achieve one's goals with minimal cost.

Lin Ran's interview program has sparked heated discussions on the Internet, with more than 5,000 answers on Zhihu about the program.

There's no way around it; Lin Ran is the most popular person on Zhihu.

At this very moment, the world’s attention was focused on this space rescue and on Lin Ran. The Central News Agency published a report after a year of research: “The Destroyer of the Semiconductor Supply Chain in the Free World”.

The "center" here doesn't refer to the mainland, but rather to the center on the other side.

The report comes from a special investigation by the Central News Agency.

"After a year-long in-depth investigation, the Central News Agency has uncovered a meticulously planned, silent war targeting the 4V semiconductor supply chain, from the surface financial markets to the East Asian semiconductor industry."

This war, though fought without gunfire, has dealt a devastating blow to our economic lifeline, especially to companies reliant on mature manufacturing processes and downstream supply chains.

The content is detailed and includes numerous illustrations.

Among them are photos of John Morgan Sr. frequently entering and leaving the headquarters building of Shenhai Apollo Technology.

Throughout 2026, John Morgan Sr. will visit the Apollo Technology headquarters at least once a month.

The Central News Agency matched each of Wall Street's short-selling attacks with the timeframes of John Morgan Sr.'s operations in Shanghai and found that the time intervals were often less than a week.

Often, the financial offensive would begin as soon as John Morgan returned to Tokyo after he was in Shanghai.

Another reason for the rapid progress of China's semiconductor industry is that China has built a completely new lens system by using Japan's NIL lithography technology, thus solving the most critical lens system problem.

The document also includes photos and even internal materials from Shenhai Microelectronics, which introduce this technical approach.

The release of this report was the real tsunami.

Especially in the East Asian countries of Japan and Korea.

It instilled in them a deep-seated fear.

Will America betray them too? Will America, as reported, use the same methods to exploit our financial markets?
These two places are even worse than 4V in some ways. At least 4V doesn't have America's troops stationed there. These two places do have troops stationed there. Korea has prosecutors controlled by America, and Japan has Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office controlled by America.

The control is deeper, and resistance is even more impossible.

The report was quickly shared and the free world was shaken.

Europe is clamoring that America is abandoning its allies, and that G2 is serious.

After all, the biggest obstacle to G2's implementation is that if they can cooperate with America, then what can't they cooperate with?
Japan and Korea were terrified.

Anyone could become a bargaining chip and be pushed to the negotiating table by America. At the emergency meeting held in Tokyo, the newly appointed prime minister looked bitter. How did I end up in this situation right from the start? How am I, a prime minister who rose to power by turning to the right, supposed to operate like this? Is being friendly to China? This is political suicide.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have read this report three times. Both the financial sector and the NSS have confirmed that the reports about Morgan Stanley's trading methods, the panic outflow of 4V downstream companies, and most importantly, America's tacit approval of the loosening of restrictions on Japanese technology are highly credible."

The Foreign Minister angrily said, "This is blatant betrayal! Washington has actually condoned the financial plunder by Wall Street capital led by Morgan for the sake of a strategic deal with China! If they can make sacrifices, what reason do they have not to use the same methods against us?"

The Finance Minister, however, was more concerned about economic risks: "Foreign Minister, please calm down."

But from an economic perspective, our vulnerability is even greater.

Korea and us are the more delicious cake on Wall Street.

Our financial markets are more open and our asset size is larger.

If they short-sell yen bonds in the same way, while simultaneously using our military dependence on America for political pressure, our ability to defend ourselves is virtually zero.

Everyone knows that complaining is useless; Japan must take action.

After a moment of silence, the Prime Minister said, "Now is not the time for mutual recriminations."

The conclusion is clear: we can no longer put all our eggs in one basket—Washington.

Our core objective is crisis hedging.

Foreign Minister, immediately initiate a plan to warm relations with China.

I need you to arrange a high-level, informal visit within 48 hours to send a clear signal to Beijing: Japan is willing to assume more shared responsibility for economic stability and supply chain security in the Asia-Pacific region.

We need to forge a deeper economic bond with China.

We haven't done enough in the past.

The Prime Minister then turned to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and said, "Immediately seek ways to ease restrictions on semiconductor materials and equipment exports to China that are not dependent on America."

We must create a firewall of vested interests so that Washington and Wall Street will think twice before taking action against us.

He then added, "Furthermore, on the fiscal front, we will launch a secret stabilization fund for the yen and Japanese government bond markets to prevent any potential financial attacks."

At the same time, it instructed financial institutions to welcome investments from China's sovereign wealth fund in our high-tech companies in a cautious manner.

The elites in Chiyoda, Tokyo, are well aware that they are undertaking a difficult but necessary strategic shift.

After all, nobody wants to be on the menu.

The reaction from Korea was similar.

Less than 12 hours after the Central News Agency's report triggered the tsunami, the anger from Washington spread directly to Nagatacho in Tokyo.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Muto's cell phone was woken up late at night by an encrypted call.

On the other end of the phone was Rutnick from the White House Department of Commerce, whose tone was full of arrogance and command.

"Muto, what are you guys doing?"
The report has sparked outrage from the public to Congress.

I don't need to hear any explanations about semiconductor exports.

Now, in the highest name of security, I demand that all exports of nanoimprint lithography technology and related materials be immediately and instantly halted.

Muto was just woken up from his sleep, but the three letters NIL quickly brought him to his senses. He clenched his fists. Damn America, we never wanted to sell in the first place. Weren't we forced to sell?
They told us to sell in the first place, and now they're telling us not to? What do they take us for?

"We have found that a large number of licensing and material orders for NIL technology are rapidly flowing to China recently."

This must stop! The ban will be officially passed at 8:00 AM Tokyo time tomorrow. You have seven hours to ensure all shipments are halted.

Without waiting for Muto's reply, Rutnick in Washington hung up the phone.

Muto, a veteran politician who has served in the cabinet since the Abe era, is no different from a servant in front of high-ranking White House officials.

He looked at the dark Japanese-style room and took a deep breath. This was Washington clearly telling them: Your fate is still in our hands.

However, after answering the phone, Muto chose to remain neutral.

He immediately contacted the trade official in METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan).

"Listen, America's restrictions will take effect at eight o'clock."

Our task now is to ship all NIL-related orders that are completed and ready for shipment out of the port of Japan before 8:00 AM.

This was not for economic profit, but to project goodwill towards Yanjing.

In the eyes of Japanese elites like Muto, since they cannot prevent the great powers from exploiting them in the future, they must first do China a favor before being exploited.

Who says people in foreign countries don't value interpersonal relationships?
Twenty minutes later, a METI official called back and said, "Minister Muto, three batches of high-purity NIL polymer photoresist material and a batch of high-precision quartz molds have completed quality inspection and are waiting to be loaded onto ships at Yokohama and Osaka ports."

I am now immediately coordinating with customs and the port to open a green channel, but the loading and departure formalities must be completed before 8:00 AM.

Muto has already spoken with the Prime Minister and received his approval.

He decisively said, "Tell the port authorities that this is a top priority national emergency transport."

Ensure all documents and procedures are completed within seven hours.

We must get this shipment to international waters before the ban takes effect.

A faint sadness welled up inside him. Was this the tragedy unique to small countries? He had just experienced a terrible ordeal on the high seas not long ago, and now he was actually thinking about China.

In a private room of an upscale bar in the Xinyi District, two middle-aged men sat facing each other.

They all looked extremely haggard.

This may be the last time Wu Jianzhong and Chen Xiaoxian meet. The latter is about to return to America, and he feels that there is no hope in Taipei.

"Was that report intended as a counterattack?" Chen Xiaoxian asked, his tone still holding a sliver of hope.

The past year or so had been a truly frustrating time for him.

The public is feeling the effects of rising living costs, volatility in the capital markets, the political infighting between the KMT and DPP on television programs, and growing resentment throughout society.

They were largely oblivious to the harvesting by Old Man America, who was far away on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

But how could Chen Xiaoxian be indifferent?

He works in finance and faces data, candlestick charts, and order books every day, feeling the sharp sickle of Wall Street.

Every market crash is another harvest for this sickle.

Such harvests have been countless in the past.

What he found most unacceptable was that Taipei had to cooperate with Wall Street's exploitation.

Indeed, from Chen Xiaoxian's perspective, Taipei often cooperates with Wall Street's exploitation, which is what he finds most unacceptable.

Often, Taipei's market stabilization measures are nothing more than providing liquidity for Wall Street to precisely harvest profits.

Taipei is not a passive victim; it is cooperating in the performance.

This act of selflessly feeding the eagle was the final straw that led Chen Xiaoxian to decide to leave his hometown a year later.

Wu Jianzhong downed the wine in his glass in one gulp and said quietly, "You think this report is a clarion call for a counterattack, but in reality it is a desperate wail."

The audience for this report is not Wall Street, nor Yanjing, but Tokyo, Seoul, and ourselves.

This is the last time we will show the world, in the most dignified way, how we were betrayed.

Wu Jianzhong leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming heavy, pulling the current predicament into the dimension of history.

Wu Jianzhong: "Xiaoxian, do you remember 1971? The United Nations General Assembly resolution."

Chen Xiaoxian nodded; this was a deep pain in their hearts.

Wu Jianzhong: "At that time, we were expelled from the United Nations."

The slogan at the time was "The Han and the traitors cannot coexist," and they voluntarily withdrew.

Why did you choose to withdraw voluntarily?
Because we know that no matter how hard we struggle, the tide has turned.

Today's situation is a replay of the economic situation in 1971.

We initially wanted to try, but after China completed the lunar orbit rescue, we knew there was no chance left, no chance at all.

At that time, America's power structure chose political abandonment; now, America's capitalist structure is choosing economic harvesting.

Chen Xiaoxian swallowed hard. He knew, of course, what lunar orbit interception meant. Compared to the moon, Mars, and the solar system, they were nothing.

"If America wants to continue this space race with China, they cannot anger China. They need to buy time for their lunar base and for their lunar electromagnetic orbit," Wu Jianzhong continued.

Chen Xiaoxian asked, "You mean we don't even have a chance to back out this time? We're being forced to cooperate in this performance and watch ourselves get drained?"

Wu Jianzhong nodded: "That's right. In 1971, our friendly nations were still able to give us the dignity of withdrawing voluntarily."

But today, Washington doesn't even give us that respect.

They demanded that we continue to proclaim ourselves their allies, while offering our assets, technology, and talent as bargaining chips in a deal with Yanjing.

That report was the final exit statement of our time.

We are telling Japan and Korea: Look closely, this is how Washington treats its allies! You could be next!

He picked up the bottle and poured the last glass for the two of them.

"Unfortunately, no matter how loudly we shout, it cannot change our fate of being driven out of the core of the global industrial chain."

Xiaoxian, you made the right decision to leave.

You're just repeating the choice made by those diplomats back then: to choose a safer place before humiliation strikes.

Chen Xiaoxian looked at the light reflected in his wine glass, his eyes filled with sorrow.

He knew that Wu Jianzhong was telling the truth.

He can leave, but where can he go from here?

(End of this chapter)