What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 525 It Disappeared (3000 Monthly Tickets in June)

Just as Tang Wen was passionately instilling his dreams into the American tech community, leaving everyone breathless, Johnson and Fern landed in Yokosuka.

The USS Independence has completed its ski-jump deck conversion.

When Fern proposed modifying the USS Independence, there was considerable opposition from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, mainly for two reasons:
Converting a catapult-equipped aircraft carrier to a ski-jump launch system would be self-defeating, and relocating the USS Independence would severely impact the Far East;
If they were to modify the notebook, it might allow them to glean secrets about the aircraft carrier.

Both problems were critical, so Fern had to revise his plans:

The original modification to the Independence was to add ski-jump ramps to the positions of catapults 1 and 2 at the front of the main deck, which required the use of large cranes, and only dock cranes could operate.

In the new modification plan, Fern cut the ski-jump deck platform in half, occupying only the right half of the forward takeoff position, thus taking up only the function of one catapult and retaining more catapult capability.

In addition, the weight of the ski-jump platform was greatly reduced. After being welded and transported from the Empire, it could be barely operated with the help of a cargo crane in Yokosuka, and was quickly installed.

As for the issue of balancing the Far East, that was a minor matter, since the Independence was already close to being retired, and Johnson easily suppressed it.

The USS Saratoga, based in the United States, is still a complete ski-jump platform, but its construction has been slower because the Philadelphia Shipyard is still clearing the dock.

When an F-18C with 80% payload successfully took off via a ski-jump ramp, the gloom on Fern's face finally dissipated.

Such an aircraft carrier would no longer be affected even in the polar regions. As long as the carrier-based aircraft could take off, the Lost Empire's broken toys would be no problem at all. He was even looking forward to the next sortie.

Just as he was about to speak with Johnson, the latter's attendant suddenly rushed over and whispered a few words. Johnson's expression changed drastically, and he hastily left the scene.

Fern quickly followed, and then learned some bombshell news:
The Birmingham has disappeared.

……

The three-hour press conference finally came to an end. Many reporters were exhausted and rushed forward as soon as they saw someone coming out.

The first target of the attack was Steve Jobs. When asked about the content of the press conference, he paused for two seconds, then firmly stated:

"In the future, Tang told us what the future will be like, and the world will change as he said."

After Steve Jobs left in a hurry, the next person to speak was Jeff Bezos, the rising star who just founded Amazon, which already has a market value of over $4 million, making him a true new force in the internet industry.

Facing the camera, he couldn't stop smiling and excitedly said:
"Mobile devices will bring incredible changes to online shopping. PDAs have been around for so many years, but only Tang has found its true use."

Now the media knew the content was about PDAs, and then they flocked to other people.

Soon, the mystery surrounding the establishment of a mobile internet system based on handheld computers and city LANs was finally solved. At the same time, the condensed version of Tang Wen's press conference that night was bought by ABC for a high price, and then achieved extremely high ratings that night.

Tang Wen used language and a sophisticated PowerPoint presentation to show what a future society with mobile devices would be like, and each point was supported by ample technical evidence and examples, as if it were a fact that would happen in the future.

Online payments, unmanned shopping, intelligent car connectivity, in-person social interaction, and even online elections... After removing the parts that might be transformed and implemented in this era, Tang Wen has brought over almost all the positive aspects of future society.

Ordinary people find it incredibly fascinating, while investors and the tech industry value the "Internet economy."

In the early days of the internet, when no one knew how the internet would eventually develop, Tang Wen accurately outlined a feasible development path for the first time and painted a grand vision of an "internet economy" independent of the real economy.

This pie represents a market that is far more than just a few hundred billion dollars; it's an economic restructuring that boldly points to the future direction of development.

What's even more ingenious is that the internet economy is particularly well-suited to the trend of empires shifting from the real to the virtual, providing investors who have abandoned physical industries with another nascent target.

When the press conference ended, the most vehement reaction didn't come from eager investors ready to pour money in or from the enthusiastic tech industry, but rather from the president's advisors. This was because, according to the analysis of numerous scholars and experts, the internet economy was not impossible; Tang Wen's foresight was not mere wishful thinking.

Moreover, successive federal presidents have consistently sought to slow or prevent capital outflows, but purely regulatory measures have had little effect. The internet economy, however, has presented them with an opportunity:

Relying on the empire's precipitous lead in PC penetration and electronics industry, it took the lead in developing the internet economy, drawing away fleeing capital into the internet economy.

If this were to succeed, it would be a significant achievement in President Jefferson's record, and might even become his greatest accomplishment.

Moreover, the empires that pioneered the internet economy could use this to influence later powers like Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

The president still has three years left in his term, so he'll definitely see results!

After receiving the analysis from his advisors, the president couldn't sit still any longer and convened a meeting of the think tank overnight to continue the analysis.

……

Click

In the restaurant of a luxury hotel, the ship girl effortlessly crushed the king crab's claws with her hands, perfectly extracted the meat, dipped it in sauce, and fed it to the commander.

"Tang, we're friends!"

Robert and Hughes' voices rang out simultaneously, almost making Tang Wen choke.

"Cough cough... What's going on?"

He looked at the two of them blankly, and then saw Hughes say with grief and indignation:
“I helped you make a billion dollars, but my friend, you didn’t tell me you had such a big project as MDA. This really hurt my feelings.”

However, if you give up a small portion of your shares, I'm willing to add 50% to the industry's highest offer, and then I'll forgive you.

Robert nodded vigorously beside him:
“Give McDonnell Douglas an investment opportunity, and we can immediately cooperate on a new regional jet.”

Tang Wen: "..."

Thanks for the invitation. Could you come later, after mealtime?
He had to explain:

"Company X's development plan for MDA has just begun, and the risks have not yet been fully assessed. I suggest you consider this carefully and discuss it again after the first-generation sample is released and piloted."

Robert responded with a head bobbing like a rattle.

Just kidding. We've been watching internet upstarts inflate like balloons and have been looking for ways to invest. Now that there's an epic project with a strong background, powerful capabilities, and explosive potential, how could we miss it?
The earlier you invest, the greater the returns; you absolutely can't miss out!

Just then, several elderly white men approached with their entourage, and Hughes immediately recognized them:
"Isn't that the president's aide?"

"Tang, the Grand Commander wishes to see you again."

The old man at the front said warmly:
"Your forward-thinking is astonishing; the think tank is considering hiring you as a senior advisor!"

"what?"

(End of this chapter)