I was reborn without dreams

Chapter 142 What can you do to me?

"Our animation and comics industry started late and developed slowly, and it doesn't have the same development model as developed countries..."

"Wait, wait a minute, let me interrupt you here."

Taihu City's "Home of Idealists" started as a cartoon and comic studio and then developed into an animation outsourcing company. It has accumulated some experience, but none of its early ideas have been put into action. The planned serialized comic magazine and website were just talk on old forums and have not materialized since.

The oldest "chief writer" is already thirty-eight years old this year. The year the campus network appeared, he followed an old classmate who wanted to start a business to Taihu City. At that time, it was named "Home of Idealists", which shows that he still had some ideas.

Otherwise, someone in their thirties wouldn't be doing this.

However, during the transformation from a studio to a company, the dilution of the "lead writer's" shares was not the main issue; the key problem was that the writer had no right to bark at all, and the promised dividends were nowhere to be seen.

Because he had absolutely no knowledge of basic finance, his old classmate drove a brand new Audi A6, while he couldn't even get a "Continental Pigeon" made in Jiangning.

Zhang Da'an had already figured out the details, so he singled out and fiercely criticized this "Home of Idealists," after all, he had completely hollowed it out, including the 38-year-old "chief writer" Ma Shaobai.

"Shaobai" is a famous dish in the Sichuan and Chongqing region. Ma Shaobai's grandfather especially liked to eat fatty meat. When naming him, he shouted that he would continue to eat "Shaobai" today. At that time, Ma Shaobai, who was crying loudly in the cradle, suddenly stopped crying and making a fuss.

So he called himself Shao Bai (烧白).

As a result, my old classmate stewed it like pork.

Not only did I waste about ten years of my youth, but I also didn't get to drive an Audi A6. But things are different now because this guy is really skilled. Plus, after doing so much outsourcing, he's quite adept at managing the artists in his studio.

Therefore, Zhang Da'an had someone place the car keys and purchase invoice for an Audi A6 on the workbench of Ma Shaobai's rented room.

In addition, there is an interior view of the "Zhang An Talent Apartment" in Chengdong District, Jiangning City.

Ma Shaobai immediately "betrayed" him.

What kind of bullshit is this "old classmate" nonsense? I'm almost forty years old, and you're still trying to make empty promises to me?
If it weren't for the high sunk costs, he would have run away long ago.

Therefore, when Zhang Da'an interrupted Liu Meng, the chairman of "Home of Idealists," in his opening remarks of complaining, Ma Shaobai knew that the new boss was definitely going to make a big push.

"Mr. Zhang, is there anything you'd like to say?"

"Because President Liu was just talking nonsense, as an outstanding young person who loves the country and the people, it's not unreasonable for me to set the record straight, is it? It's quite reasonable, isn't it?"

"..."

"..."

While everyone remained silent, Zhang Da'an spoke directly, "Has everyone seen 'Havoc in Heaven'? It seems so. What, 'Havoc in Heaven'... isn't it a cartoon? It's not just a cartoon, it's a classic animated film, right? So where does the claim of a late start and slow development come from? That's pure nonsense. If you can't make it now, it's because your descendants are useless, because you're incompetent, because you're weak. You have a million excuses, but don't blame it on a late start and slow development. You think you're some kind of Japanese officer who can just fart around like that after making a few yen?"

"Mr. Zhang, this is a meeting, there are reporters present, so please be careful with your wording."

"I'm sorry, I was a bit disrespectful earlier. Let me be direct. I think places like 'Home of Idealists' should be shut down completely. The labor and social security departments should investigate and punish them accordingly; the tax authorities should also take action. How can a company that treats its employees so badly be loyal to the country and beneficial to society? It's 100% tax evasion. And don't say I'm slandering you. Although I'm from Shazhou, I have many connections in Wudu City. Many of the students' parents run legitimate businesses in Wudu City..."

"..."

"..."

Liu Meng's hands trembled as he held his speech. He stared wide-eyed at Zhang Da'an, who smiled disdainfully as if he were an idiot. "What? Mr. Liu, you're not convinced? Do you think your uncle, who's about to retire, can back you up? Or do you want to fight me one-on-one? I'm not bragging, but everyone here today, including the security guards, is no match for me. But I don't like one-on-one fights right now, so I brought twenty or thirty security guards to keep me company. After all, it seems I've offended quite a few people, and there are so many in Taihu City."

"Zhang An! Don't be so arrogant! This is a meeting with provincial leaders to discuss the healthy development of the industry. They want us to sit down and talk! Malicious competition is no good! Nobody benefits!"

"Go to hell! The basic wage base is only around 20 million. If you guys really gave them 20 million a year, would those artists have run away?! These idiots in Taihu City only give 350 yuan a month for living expenses. I thought they were good at brainwashing. You're all so great, I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you. I've already collected the evidence, and I'll report you all in September. You can decide what brand of baby powder you want to use in jail. You want a meeting? I'll give you face, otherwise, who can do anything to me?"

As he spoke, Zhang Da'an stood up, rolled up the white paper with the turtle drawn on it, pointed at the row of people presiding over the meeting, and said, "What do you dare to do to me? Do you dare? Do you dare?"

Zhang Da'an's extreme arrogance stunned the media personnel in the audience. This was something they could film, record, and document.

No, is this really a meeting?
The faces of the people presiding over the meeting changed, turning bright red. However, since Zhang Da'an didn't give them any face, they really couldn't do anything about it.

Seizure?

Call a halt?

So the question is, who can say for sure how much damage was caused?

Anyway, Zhang Da'an only prepared about 20 million yuan for basic salary expenses a year. If we calculate based on 40% of the total cost, that would only amount to a market of 50 million yuan.

It's not even as good as "Little Scholar QQ Candy".

But what if someone said this is a market worth over 300 million or 500 million...?

Then another question arises: how come it exceeds three or five hundred million? Your exploitation... oh, no, your space for extracting reasonable profits is a bit too flexible, isn't it?

Unless these "lousy artists" are cost-effective employees, and it's not just one, two, or three companies or studios that have such cost-effective employees.

Zhang Da'an was certain that the working group that came to meet with the three parties had a very sensitive "one-track mind" problem, so he was fearless. Judging from the performance of the working group members, they were just as incompetent as the "sleeping husband".

Zhang Da'an's imposing manner overwhelmed everyone, and the meeting completely spiraled out of control, becoming a stage for Zhang Da'an to spew out his foul mouth.

"Why... are you all silent? Are you all scared?"

Zhang Da'an tapped the table with the rolled-up paper, then said with a smile, "Did you think I'd play the game of making money through harmony? What a joke! You really think you can sit at this table and eat here because of your own abilities? A bunch of petty scoundrels..."

After saying that, he didn't even look at the people in the meeting room and swaggered out of the meeting room.

After he left, the entire conference room remained completely silent for a long time.

The outside world had no idea what had happened. In any case, the media's video footage was confiscated. As for reporting, several brave reporters were furious. They registered personal blogs on "Jinbang Blog," wrote blog posts, and then had their organizations reprint and report on their posts... This matter could not be reported in depth because the cultural and artistic circles would be outraged.

There's a logic to this: if the news reports on "sweatshops," which is the "sweatshops" in people's minds in the manufacturing industry, those who are indignant are usually just ordinary citizens, and perhaps some ordinary farmers who can watch TV or read newspapers.

There are actually not many intellectuals who are willing to step forward, especially those who have certain channels to voice their opinions.

But now it's called an "animation and comics sweatshop," so the nature of it has changed. Because it's usually associated with art schools, whether you're a cultural figure or an artist who has benefited from it or not, you have to prevent your own pot from being smashed.

While offering support, it's also important to emphasize that the overall situation is good.

At this point, it comes down to the volume of voices disseminated and the ability to effectively communicate. Zhang Da'an's real rivals are here, not in the industry.

Two different things.

However, in the eyes of the "spectators" on the Internet, An Gou is really tough and really good at spewing insults. He not only spews insults online, but his offline manners are also so low.

"Brothers, I still can't understand how this guy could be a 'three-time champion'."

"He's 1.9 meters tall and probably weighs 200 kilograms."

"Actually, it's 'Wuqu Star'? That's ridiculous! Go read that reporter's blog. He said he was there that day, and the dog completely suppressed him, giving no one a chance to speak. He also said that people nowadays who can't make 'Havoc in Heaven' are just useless and shouldn't blame the air..."

"That reporter said that Gou An didn't even give face to the members of the working group who were supposed to be interviewed, and even asked what they dared to do to him. No, although I think it's pretty satisfying, is Gou An really alright? If he's alright after all that, what does his family do?"

"Upstairs, just look at the old reports and you'll know. An Gou is an orphan and relies entirely on his uncle."

“This is a ‘lone star of misfortune,’ he’s bad for everything. His uncle is no ordinary person either; he can handle it.”

“I’m from Pengcheng. I know his cousin. He built an amazing Hope Primary School in Fengyi County. If you search for ‘Zhang An Hope Primary School’, the one in Fengyi County, it’s huge, really huge. It’s still under construction, but it already has two or three hundred students.”

"Holy crap? Why is An Gou's name added before 'Hope Primary School'?"

"He donated it."

"What the hell?!"

"What the hell?!"

"What the hell?!"

"What the hell?!"

After the formation was straightened again, someone finally started to dig into the matter. Jiangkou Province did not plan to publicize it now. The Youth Development Foundation was supposed to synchronize its publicity work with the progress in principle. However, the project in Fengyi County was too big. It was a super boarding primary school with more non-agricultural population than an agricultural township.

If they report something wrong, they won't be able to handle it.

So since Zhang Da'an wanted to keep a low profile, they followed suit.

They simply mentioned, step by step, that this year's work was progressing steadily, and then mentioned that "Hope Primary Schools" had been newly built in various places, and that the work of ensuring the growth of teenagers had been done well in various places.

On paper, Zhang'an Hope Primary School in Chenzhuang Town, Fengyi County, is no different from any other school; it's just another school.

But if you actually go and see for yourself, you'll find that it's not like that at all.

The school is like a fortress complex, with the surrounding roads also being repaired, and a large number of greenhouses surrounding the school instead of the usual farmland and cemetery.

What's even more impressive is that the school is only one-fifth complete. The main buildings are actually dormitories, and there's only one teaching building that hasn't been officially put into use yet.

The current teaching location is a prefabricated building, but it has all the necessary facilities except for broadband. However, cable TV is available, and the current multimedia teaching uses the cable TV education channel.

Produced jointly by "Zhang An Media", "Zhang An Education" and Jiangkou TV Education Channel, all content is paid and requires an additional service fee on top of the cable TV fee.

Zhang An Hope Primary School is funded free of charge by Jiangkou TV Education Channel through a public welfare expenditure.

Therefore, many primary school teachers from Fengyi County would come over and record a video, hoping to benefit from the situation and take advantage of the opportunity. As long as they didn't make a fuss, no one would say anything.

After the matter was thoroughly investigated, the blog comment section was in an uproar, with many people having very mixed feelings.

"Holy crap, this is stinky tofu! It smells awful, but it tastes... pretty good."

"No, now I'm too embarrassed to criticize him in the future."

"On the other hand, An Gou doesn't seem to have done anything particularly immoral, does he? He's just low in character."

"Aside from his tendency to criticize this and that, he doesn't seem to have much else to say."

"He also said he would spray the 'World Trade Center Twin Towers' down, but now it seems that if he really did spray the 'Twin Towers' down, it might not be unforgivable."

……

Seeing the trend in the comments section, Zhang Da'an immediately looked disdainful, faced the monitor, and said, "Lulu, see? Don't be afraid of low manners. Just do a few good deeds, and everyone will forgive you."

"Boss, can I...can I rest for a bit? I'm a little tired..."

"What? Didn't you tell me before that you were able to do it? You're already done after just a few moves? If you're not good enough, I'm going to go to the city tomorrow to see what Wang Douyan's skill level is."

"I'm fine, boss! I just need to lean on the computer desk a little for support! I can do it, boss!..."

(End of this chapter)