I was reborn without dreams

Chapter 100 Zhang, put away your supernatural powers!

A normal person's response would be to counter each move as it comes, and if they have some strength, they would retaliate tenfold later.

"Wenquxing" has a rather abnormal thought process, so in the latest episode of "Dangyang Says", he directly set off a super firecracker.

Although Zhang Dangyang is not yet a well-known host, "Zhang An Media" has invested a lot of money and is already considered a big name in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Even viewers in the Jianghuai province are quite willing to listen to his sharp and witty commentary on some hot topics.

The large copywriting team behind him allowed Zhang Dangyang to handle things with ease. In order to further attract the audience, Zhang Dangyang not only mastered Jianghuai Mandarin, but also practiced extensively in Wu dialect Xuanzhou dialect, Northeast Jiangxi dialect, and Central Plains Mandarin Huaihe dialect, so that he could basically comment on local hot topics using local slang.

You don't need to speak in dialect the whole time. Instead, use a local dialect phrase at key moments when you want to make a comment. The effect is outstanding.

Therefore, the audience of "Dangyang Talk" is now very diverse in age, and it has attracted a large number of elderly viewers who enjoy watching exciting events.

I dozed off for half an hour in the afternoon, then woke up, turned on the TV, and found that "eloquent Xiao Zhang from Jiangkou TV Station," or I asked a younger person to help me find that "eloquent Xiao Zhang from Jiangkou TV Station," and that was fine.

Unlike the serious commentary of CCTV, this way of making people feel closer is still quite refreshing these days.

Unlike "The Top Scholar's Tale," "The Dangyang Tale" has now become a daily program. After all, not to mention the whole country or the whole province, even in just one city, strange and unusual things happen every day.

The public naturally welcomes the positive energy released by media outlets that, through humorous and witty commentary, also help consumers protect their rights and recover losses for those whose rights have been violated.

Every Sunday, a special guest will be invited to discuss and exchange ideas on a hot social topic.

Coinciding with the Sydney Olympics, the athletes invited were all outstanding athletes, Olympic champions from Jiangkou Province. The person who facilitated the connection was, of course, "Zhang Anjiankang".

In the past, the program would have the sponsor logo of "Zhang An Health". This time it was different. Zhang Da'an came in person, so the Chinese logo of "Zhang An Health" was gone, and there was only an abstract "ZA" corporate trademark.

"Hello Zhang An, this is different from your previous appearances on our show. Are you a little nervous or under pressure this time? After all, there's been a lot of public discussion lately, it's not an exaggeration to say it's a nationwide debate."

"I'm definitely not nervous. I haven't done anything immoral or wrong, not even a mistake, so why should I be nervous? As for pressure, there is definitely some. This year, I plan to create a 'top student class,' not just a name, but one that aims to have one top student from each county or district, all in this class."

"Ouch!!"

Then, changing the subject, instead of talking about "video games entering schools," buddy, you're just launching a preemptive attack to intensify the public discourse.

"So, you don't feel any pressure at all about video games?"

"I didn't feel any emotional fluctuation, and I even felt a little bit like laughing."

"Want to laugh? Then I'd better sit tight and listen carefully."

Zhang Dangyang quickly adjusted his posture, adopting an attentive listening posture, then turned to the audience and said, "I believe that this is what the audience here today, as well as those watching on television, want to hear and see. To be honest, I am particularly happy to talk with a guest like Zhang An; he has substance."

Amidst the laughter, Zhang Da'an said with a smile, "Bao'an TV's 'street interviews' are like doing ticket-buying statistics on a moving train and then concluding that buying train tickets isn't difficult. If I feel pressured, then all my efforts as a top scorer have been in vain."

"Wait! Wait, wait..."

Zhang Dangyang interrupted for a moment, then used exaggerated gestures to count on his fingers in front of Zhang An, "4695, Wu Du City's top scorer in the middle school entrance examination; 4696, the top scorer in the national college entrance examination in science; 4697, which is this year, the top scorer in the college entrance examination in arts in Jiangkou Province. That's only three."

"There are still 4698 years left."

"You haven't even taken the exam next year yet, does this count?"

"If I participate, I will be the top scorer."

"Good guy..."

The audience burst into laughter again, but they were also very engrossed, because they were genuinely thinking about Zhang Da'an's three consecutive top scores in the college entrance examination.

If this succeeds, it will be unprecedented, if not unparalleled in the future.

"As an aside, in 4699, which is the year after next, will Zhang An still take the college entrance examination?"

"Let's skip it the year after next; there's no need."

Can you tell me why?

"I have to make money. My goal is to make money. Once I achieve that goal, there's no need for anything else. Of course, you never know. Maybe one day I'll suddenly feel like taking the college entrance exam again."

Are you so sure you'll be the top scorer in next year's college entrance exam?

"It's covered."

"Then next year, could I recommend one of my nephews to receive top-level training from you? It would be a small token of my appreciation as his uncle."

"Your intentions as the uncle are good, but your precious nephew still needs to be interviewed."

"..."

Seeing Zhang Dangyang's speechless expression, everyone, whether they were in the audience at the scene or watching on TV, burst out laughing.

After the laughter subsided, Zhang Dangyang changed the subject, saying in a helpless tone, "Alright, alright, let's continue with today's topic. Where were we?"

"Are you the host and am I the host?"

"..."

Another burst of laughter followed. Zhang Dangyang frantically flipped through his cue cards before finally speaking with a serious expression: "Alright, let's get back to the topic. Nobody can change the subject. Zhang An, are you planning to remain silent on the social issue of 'video games entering schools'?"

"You can't say that, because whether it's a response or not depends on how the local media reports it. If I don't play 'Dynasty Warriors' today and go fishing by the river, what if some media say that I've given up 'Dynasty Warriors' and that it's a good start... then there's nothing I can do about it."

"The news reports are serious and truthful."

The host, Zhang Dangyang, looked very serious.

"That's for sure."

Special guest Zhang Da'an also looked very serious.

"Hahahahahaha..."

The audience burst into laughter, which was impossible to contain.

Once the laughter subsided, Zhang Da'an calmly said, "As for the issue of 'video games entering schools,' I don't know about other places, but within 'Zhang'an Education,' whether it's the main campus of Xindongweigang Middle School or the Mazhou branch of Xindongweigang Middle School, there is no question of whether or not video games can enter schools."

"Huh? Why?"

"Since we've never left, how can we talk about joining? We've always been here, always existed. The parents have no objections, the students have even less objection, and the relevant management units have no objections either. Everything speaks for itself, right?"

"So, for you, this is a false premise?"

"That's right. When I mentioned that 'video games entering schools is a step forward,' I was referring to my own situation. The main thing is that I plan to get involved in the video game industry and will start vocational training in video game-related industries in the future. In fact, I have already reached cooperation agreements with several local colleges and universities in the province. We will carry out this business in the form of continuing education colleges or private colleges."

"Where is the progress? Where is the progress?"

"I believe the video game industry will separate from the software industry and develop into a large-scale, specialized industry that combines software and hardware. So, if video games don't enter schools, how can so many people study software development, hardware development, art design, model design, and so on?"

Zhang Da'an stated matter-of-factly, "The rapid development of any industry inevitably requires a corresponding workforce. We can't have a market, consumer power, and technological foundation, but still have to import high-end talent and skilled workers from abroad. The high prices of related service trade are obvious to anyone with a little knowledge. This doesn't mean that everything will be fine just because we joined the World Trade Organization; on the contrary, we will face enormous challenges in service trade."

"It's even related to joining the 'World Trade Organization'?!"

"Look, if I want to go international, charging $60,000 a year based on the fees for high-end trainers and instructors in the US is a very reasonable price. Actually, it's pretty much the same in all industries now. Let me give you an example. Recently, Jiangning City has been busy building a subway, and subway construction uses a type of engineering equipment called a tunnel boring machine (TBM). Buying a TBM is very expensive, but the maintenance and upkeep of the TBM are also not cheap, and it's basically controlled by foreign parties. Take the fees for dispatched engineers from Japan and Germany, for example. They charge by the hour. Do you know when this hourly charging starts?"

"Go to the repair shop, or else."

"That's not the case. Actually, the time is counted from the moment we make the call to request the repair, and it includes the time the foreign engineer spends traveling by car or plane."

"My God, is this for real?! Is it really that exaggerated?!"

"It's real."

This is a slight exaggeration; not all engineers employed by foreign companies are like this, but they are largely the same.

The audience looked quite surprised; clearly, this "anecdotes" wasn't all that interesting.

"So...this is related to video games? Or rather, the video game industry?"

"Undoubtedly, video game software is a component of electronic software, right? Then the development tools you use are production tools. I believe very few of these production tools are made in China. If they are not made in China, they must be imported, right? And the services provided are naturally part of the service trade."

"Similarly, besides software, there's also hardware, which involves the semiconductor industry, including integrated circuits. The design and manufacturing of integrated circuits also require industrial software, and this software is extremely expensive. Even if it's not integrated circuits, but just the design of a game console, you'll use UG and Rhino. If it's just a small workshop or studio doing small-scale work, using a pirated version is fine; no one will check or care. But if you're a slightly larger company involved in international trade, sorry, you'll be caught immediately. The penalty for using UG pirated software in the Shazhou Free Trade Zone is usually one million yuan. Of course, I'm just giving you a rough estimate; you just need to understand the general idea."

"So let's look back at what I mean by bringing video games into schools. What's wrong with that? Only when there are more enthusiasts, that is, when there is a mass base, will there be consumer demand and a market. Naturally, then there will be a need for supporting industry workers, that is, highly skilled laborers with knowledge and skills. These workers won't appear out of thin air. There are no hidden masters or rare gems in the world. These are low-probability events. Masters will definitely appear in large numbers in higher education institutions."

"Let's do the math. It's easy to do. If an 18-year-old high school graduate goes to university, spends four years on a bachelor's degree and two or three years on a master's degree, then it will take at least six to seven years before they can enter a front-line R&D or development position in this industry. In six years, the market will inevitably be flooded with imported video games. Kids now grow up playing other people's games, so it's reasonable that they will continue to play them when they grow up because they miss their childhood."

Suddenly, a question from the host Zhang Dangyang caught him off guard for a moment. He then nodded repeatedly, "That's right. Back when I played Contra, if you asked me to play it again now... I would definitely give it a try. It's nostalgic."

"So what's wrong with video games entering schools? If they don't enter schools now, won't they eventually? That's why I have absolutely no feelings about Bao'an TV's 'street interviews with parents.' In any case, I not only insist on video games entering schools, but I will also vigorously promote the normalization of the reputation of video games in society and resolutely oppose their demonization. At the same time, I think that Bao'an TV's behavior is objectively hindering the development of the domestic video game industry. It is completely unworthy of the open and inclusive characteristics of the special economic zone. I almost thought it was Beijing TV."

"I want to reiterate that the guest's remarks do not represent the position of 'Dangyang Says' or this station!"

"Hahahahahaha..."

Another burst of laughter erupted. Seeing the host Zhang Dangyang's flustered and incoherent manner, even the viewers at home laughed, while simultaneously beginning to ponder whether there was any truth to what special guest Zhang Da'an had said. If what he said was true, then it was something to seriously consider.

So, did Zhang Da'an really ramble on for such a noble cause?
Bullshit.

He did it just to annoy Bao'an TV and those "street parents." Zhang Da'an also asked the propaganda department in Jiangning City to find out that Bao'an TV wasn't the main focus at all; they were just there to give them face.

It doesn't matter whose face you give.

Anyway, in order to disgust people, Zhang Da'an kept making the accusations bigger and bigger, and eventually managed to pin them on them.

Anyone who hinders the healthy development of my country's video game industry is a sinner of the times.

Anyway, it's not me, Zhang Da'an.

Hehe~~
Zhang Da'an, completely oblivious to the dangers of setting off firecrackers, even had an even more ruthless trick up his sleeve. Of course, he knew that some media outlets had more power to bark and more connections, but since it was all about grabbing attention and spouting "outrageous rhetoric," he had his special trick ready.

Today, they've raised the banner of "resolutely supporting the development of the domestic video game industry," which is already quite arrogant.

From the perspective of the "street parents," it seems that the other party not only showed no intention of apologizing, but instead intensified their actions and made a big show of it.

It's not just verbal support; you're also planning to contribute money and effort.

Zhang Da'an estimated that this war of words, which started after this episode of "Dangyang Talk" ended, would not stop until the Chinese New Year, and would likely last for three to five months.

What is pressure for others is just one sentence for him: "I have little strength, can I even eat?"

When the war of words subsides next spring, he'll jump out again to disgust all sorts of "gods" and stir up the atmosphere until the middle school and college entrance exams of 2004-2008 are over.

However, early Monday morning, someone from the Shazhou City propaganda department called, saying in one sentence: "Student Zhang, stop your supernatural powers!"

"Mr. Zhang, please have mercy on us! We have six or seven offices writing self-criticisms right now, and it has nothing to do with us..."

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, I'm just trying to create a brand for Shazhou City that respects intellectual property rights and develops high technology, okay? I'm just contributing to the development of Shazhou City, why does it sound like I'm trying to harm you?"

"..."

The city's propaganda department has already been criticized by the province, but Jiangkou TV hasn't been criticized. After all, criticizing the rural second-generation farmers of Shazhou City is no big deal, but criticizing Jiangkou TV... well, they could very well be future colleagues.

Better safe than sorry; pick the softest persimmons to squeeze.

However, the situation is not as bad as the propaganda department of Shazhou City said. In fact, Zhang Da'an's situation has existed for a long time. A few years ago, the city's top leader made a bigger fuss about it.

They dare to shout any slogan, make any promise, and swindle any funds... Their main motto is "Man proposes, God disposes"; if things don't work out, have a cigarette.

“Mr. Zhang, the main problem now is that you are suspected of creating conflict with parents.”

"That's right, I created conflict, so what's the problem?"

"..."

"Isn't this a good thing? If parents have any complaints, they can take them out on me. Wouldn't your job be much easier that way? You wouldn't have to be blocked at the door every day and yelled at for going abroad to get a 'gilded' degree, or for which unit specifically wants a 'gilded' returnee, right? This is a job where I get yelled at. Back in the Ming Dynasty, I would have been the head of the eunuch faction."

"..."

Do you want face?
Are they even speaking human language?
However, the communication was effective. Being able to communicate with Zhang Da'an shows that the previously agreed communication mechanism exists and is operating effectively.

Zhang Da'an didn't treat them like toilet paper.

This is enough.

Making a phone call is simply to make one's stance clear and hope that Zhang will stop using his supernatural powers. But whether Zhang actually stops using his supernatural powers or not is a different matter.

They are clear-headed.

Then, changing the subject, the person on the other end of the phone asked, "So, how significant is the news about Mr. Zhang's intention to enter the video game industry?"

"By next year, no matter how large the 'Little Champion' series becomes, we can invest all of it in the video game industry without any problem."

"One hundred and fifty million?!"

"It's not impossible."

"Mr. Zhang, this phone call is being recorded."

“I have some here too.”

"..."

When masters clash, the main focus is on pushing the limits.

If you dare to touch my groin, does that mean I can't throw lime on you?

We're all buddies.

In fact, the city government has been unsure of what Zhang Da'an is up to lately. They feel that "Zhang An Education" is restless, having already opened a branch school in Mazhou and still spending money recklessly.

You might as well lend the money to the fledgling economic development zone.

The city government couldn't wait any longer and sent Qiu Jianmin and Zhang Zhengdong to the municipal government to report on the future development plans of the education investment company.

Qiu Jianmin said he would follow the organization's arrangements; Zhang Zhengdong said he would go wherever the country needed him.

A real conscience!

loyalty!

What nonsense! Education investment companies are just parasites; replacing the general manager with a maggot wouldn't affect their profits.

Especially around the National Day holiday, the sales of "Zhuangyuan Baodian", "Zhuangyuan Mijuan" and "Zhang An Mijuan" reached new highs, with continuous growth continuing to this day.

Zhang Da'an's barking during the verbal battle did not dampen the parents' enthusiasm in the slightest. In fact, it wasn't just the parents who were enthusiastic; many tutoring institutions and schools were also quite enthusiastic.

Because it was discovered that using video materials in conjunction with academic videos actually had an effect on improving the grades of students who were not top performers...

At this time last year, the "Top Scholar's Handbook" series sold more than eight million copies. This year, it has increased fourteenfold, reaching a little over 120 million.

Even the municipal bureau didn't dare to make a fuss about this. The top three leaders of the municipal bureau felt guilty about making this money, and they directly received more than ten million yuan in bonuses.

Of course, the bureau couldn't call it a dividend; they had to call it a special education fund...

It's not easy.

Actually, when Uncle Zhang celebrated his wedding anniversary, the bureau had already suggested to the city that Comrade Zhang Zhengdong could take on even more responsibilities.

Uncle Zhang went to the bureau and made a scene: "Where are you adding your mother?"

Can't he just not want to improve?!
He, Zhang Zhengdong, is doing a good job as deputy general manager. If you take him down and put him in the position of deputy director or director, can he handle it?
I don't have that ability!

The bureau's intentions were good, but Uncle Zhang and the city were not satisfied. Of course, Uncle Zhang was not satisfied because he felt that life was too good now; the city was not satisfied because if Comrade Zhang Zhengdong was removed, would the new person be promoted from Shazhou City?
Dream on! That would require personnel arrangements to be made in Wudu City, and then suggestions to be made by Shazhou City.

The education investment company's name is currently in Wudu City, but its management and operation are handled in Shazhou City.

In terms of tacit understanding, for those willing to gain experience or simply "take a break" while passing through, education investment companies are now a very good option.

Good performance means easy results, you can achieve results even with your eyes closed; fewer problems mean no mistakes or scapegoating, there are only a few people in the whole company, there is no internal strife, it's too harmonious, everyone can live peacefully for six months to a year, at most a year and a half, a perfect transition, and then say goodbye.

These major premises are definitely that the personnel recommendation is to stay in the local area. If Zhang Zhengdong runs back to the bureau, wouldn't that be the end of him?
So it's simply impossible. The requirements in this city are very simple: don't come up with ideas on your own, and just cooperate with the public relations work of "Zhang An Education".

Unlike other units, the Municipal Bureau does not need to deal with the media, nor does it engage in media relations or crisis management. Instead, it simply communicates with other units and makes arrangements with various educational institutions and training organizations to ensure that they do not spread or believe rumors.

As for Zhang, who is still throwing firecrackers at the "street parents," oh dear, Zhang is a very resourceful person, do they really need to worry about him?
Indeed, just as the Municipal Bureau saw, when Zhang Da'an's barking on "Dangyang Says" gradually transformed into reports in major print media, it was simply beyond their ability to get involved.

Two-time top scorer in the National College Entrance Examination, Zhang An, declares: Video games have never left my school!

Renowned top-scoring student in the national college entrance examination, Zhang An, has made another surprising move: not only does he support video games in schools, but he also plans to invest in the video game industry!

Zhang An, a top scorer in the national college entrance examination, stated that some parents view video games as a scourge, which is actually a way of shirking their responsibility for family education.

Zhang An: Parents only know how to blame fate and the world, but never themselves.

……

These sensational headlines appeared on the pages of several long-established print media outlets, and Zhang Da'an's "mocking" image was practically leaping off the page.

Upon seeing the report, students from both campuses of Xindongweigang Middle School exclaimed that Brother An was truly awesome, saying that it was like an eight-sided dragon charging towards them, and that they looked like they couldn't win.

However, Zhang Da'an acted as if nothing had happened, and during the National Day holiday, he took the opportunity to sign a contract with several bureaus and commissions in Shazhou City for entrusted skills training.

It wasn't a big deal; it was just a "computer training course."

(End of this chapter)