Chapter 329 He lost from the start: He could cultivate fans

Wang Xiao could ignore why Minister He suddenly launched an attack.

But Yang Tao couldn't pretend she hadn't heard.

Instead, she subconsciously began her analysis and couldn't help but speak out.

"Boss, I don't think his actions have much to do with Zhao Xiuzhi."

Seeing that the boss didn't seem angry, she boldly continued, "If this were his granddaughter, she would be too young and ignorant to understand, so it would be fine for her to vent her anger. But he's this old; he shouldn't be playing house like a child."

Are you kidding me? In Taiwanese romance novels, the only characters who would do something like that are the hot-blooded young male protagonists, not the male protagonist's grandfather.

Xiao Zhao couldn't help but chime in, "Then what do you think he did it for?"

“Profit.” Yang Tao said decisively, “The world is bustling with people coming and going for profit. That’s why I think it has nothing to do with Zhao Xiuzhi. The Zhao family is in such a state, there’s no benefit for him to do this for Zhao Xiuzhi.”

Xiao Gao also became interested: "Then where does his benefit lie?"

If it were for a kickback, Xiao Gao didn't believe that he would have overlooked this big shot when he was smoothing things over with Xiang Dong.

But who knows?

Maybe he has a big appetite and thinks you only gave him wet water before, and that you look down on him.

They deliberately wait until the concert is about to start, then suddenly launch an attack, forcing you to spend a fortune to clear the way.

Don't say it's impossible; a high-ranking leader wouldn't be so low-class.

There are plenty of high-ranking officials who have an ugly way of making money; the older they get, the more they try to cash in.

He could only think these words in his heart; saying them aloud wouldn't sound good and might offend his superior.

Yang Tao shook her head honestly: "I don't know. I just felt that he wouldn't make such a big fuss over such a trivial matter."

While she was talking, she secretly glanced at the boss, hoping he would give her some hints.

Wang Xiao shrugged: "You ask me? Who should I ask? Ask your General Manager Xiang."

The three pairs of eyes in the car all turned to Xiang Dong's face.

Xiang Dong waved his hand: "I'm just guessing. I estimate it might be related to the status of the Ministry of Culture. Nowadays, culture sets the stage while the economy takes the lead, and the Ministry of Culture can't even get much funding, so it doesn't have much status. Local governments don't really respect them either."

So, given the opportunity, they definitely wanted to seize it and make the Ministry of Culture's presence felt.

Why choose a Michael Jackson concert? Besides the fact that he symbolizes American culture, there's another important reason—

“Wuzhou is not a state-owned enterprise. The leaders of the Ministry of Culture are targeting us, and they are not afraid of offending a whole circle of people.”

Yang Tao was taken aback, never expecting it could be related to the difference between state-owned and private enterprises.

Xiang Dong laughed and shook his head: "When you arrived at the commercial city, Wuzhou had already taken off, and the province attached great importance to it, so you probably didn't realize it."

He pointed at Wang Xiao and said, "Back when you first started selling clothes, your boss was kicked out of the People's Department Store. They wouldn't even rent a counter to an individual business owner."

Beijing, being the political center, makes it even harder for the winds of reform to blow in.

Especially these old men in the ministries, they are still stuck in the revolutionary view of literature and art, and they don't even consider how to survive without a market.

As for why we deliberately set a time to launch an attack?

"I guess he probably didn't expect the Shanghai municipal government to react so strongly, going directly to the State Council. He probably thought that if he said no at this point, there would be no time to back down, and Shanghai would have to swallow its pride and accept it."

Of course, what Xiang Dong didn't say was that he suspected this was also a power struggle between Beijing and Shanghai.

After all, the political scene in Beijing has been anything but peaceful since the beginning of the year.

The downfall of the second son of Shougang Group implicated a string of people, leading to the downfall of numerous Beijing officials one after another.

Minister He is a local official who is deeply rooted in Beijing, and his granddaughter has a good relationship with Zhao Xiuzhi. So, it is highly likely that they are actually from the same faction.

If you've suffered a major blow, you'll definitely want to find a way to strike back at the enemy when you get the chance.

Since Wuzhou is not a state-owned enterprise and doesn't have a corresponding system to protect it, it's perfectly normal for it to be picked on as an easy target.

However, he did not expect that he had encountered a tough opponent, a tough opponent who was unwilling to back down in the slightest.

Yang Tao suddenly realized: "I knew it! He must have some grand scheme to do something like this."

Xiao Gao and Xiao Zhao nodded in agreement, feeling that this was indeed the only way to make sense logically.

As a result, the boss set his sights on these three people who were "better to have heard a word from you than to have studied for ten years," and directly asked them: "Then tell me, why did the Shanghai Municipal Government react so strongly?"

Yang Tao frowned, deep in thought.

Xiao Gao and Xiao Zhao looked at each other in bewilderment.

Then, the three of them subconsciously looked towards the east.

Then he was warned: "Don't even think about cheating or asking for help. Figure it out yourself."

Xiang Dong was right next to him, rubbing his chin with his fingers and smiling.

But no matter how much the three of them thought about it, they couldn't quite get to the point.

In the end, Xiang Dong couldn't stand it anymore and gave them a hint, while also taking the opportunity to flatter his boss: "I hadn't figured it out myself, but Mr. Wang's words reminded me. What's most important for Shanghai right now?"

Without hesitation, the three of them said in unison, "To attract investment and develop the economy!"

This is not only a top priority for Shanghai, but also for all local governments across the country.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Tao was the first to react: "Pudong Development Zone! The concert is of great importance to Pudong Development Zone."

When she got excited, she spoke very fast, like a machine gun, "This is important not only because the concert can become a calling card, a calling card to introduce Shanghai Pudong to the world. It's not just that canceling the concert will cause foreign investors to doubt our investment environment. The most important point is that the success or failure of the concert determines how foreigners view the status of Shanghai Pudong."

"The Shanghai municipal government cannot allow the concert to be canceled under any circumstances."

"Otherwise, what will the foreign-invested enterprises that have already settled in Pudong Development Zone and those that are still observing think?"

"Oh, you claim to be a national-level development zone, with direct access to higher authorities, and all kinds of policies can be given the green light."

"And what was the result? The Michael Jackson concert that you were so eager to organize was shut down with just one sentence from a ministry leader."

"So what you said earlier about how powerful and awesome Shanghai is, and how outstanding the Pudong Development Zone's positioning is, wasn't that all just bragging?"

"How can we still trust you? We're definitely leaving."

"It will be very difficult to rebuild their confidence in Shanghai's superior status."

"and--"

Yang Tao got carried away and became unrestrained, saying, "Foreign investors will think that this is the Beijing faction's counterattack against the Shanghai faction, showing everyone who is in charge."

Oh, you think she's overthinking it? In fact, do foreigners not understand the intricacies of Chinese political struggles?

Then you need to look at what the main components of foreign investment in China were in 1994. Capital from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese businessmen, accounted for more than 90% of the share.

Further down the chain, the majority of capital comes from Japanese companies.

Which of them wouldn't understand?

"Under these circumstances, even if the Shanghai government completely breaks ties with the Ministry of Culture, it will absolutely still proceed with the concert."

"The Premier will definitely stand on Shanghai's side and will not allow the Ministry of Culture to cause trouble at this time."

It was only now that Xiao Gao and Xiao Zhao truly understood.

The old saying is true: those who are good at fighting are really not suitable to be emperors or engage in politics.

There's no need for political maneuvering in war. This is such a small matter; even for an international superstar, it's just a concert, yet it's managed to cause such a huge stir.

It really is like that butterfly flapping its wings in South America that caused a tornado in Texas, USA.

Wang Xiao laughed uncontrollably: "You actually think something that could alarm the First Vice Premier is a trivial matter?"

When she saw Vice Premier Hong in the small dining room of the canteen, she knew that the matter was settled.

Then why did she still manage to make a bunch of people run around in circles, and why did she give such impassioned speeches at the dinner table, engaging in heated debates with great scholars?

nonsense!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a chance for Minister Cao and the Shanghai Municipal Government to put her in front of the top leader. If she doesn't perform well and leave a deep impression on the leader, Minister Cao and his team will definitely not do such a favor again next time.

Dog meat is not fit for formal occasions, so why bother pushing it up?

However, Wang Xiao wouldn't go into the details of explaining these principles to his subordinates and bodyguards.

Which level you can grasp depends on your own comprehension.

After pondering for a long time without figuring it out, Xiao Zhao simply asked his boss for specific instructions: "If we're keeping an eye on him, what specific aspects should we be monitoring? I'm afraid I might miss something."

As the car drove forward, the pale yellow streetlights cast patches of dim light on both sides of the road, illuminating the streets and the scattered pedestrians.

The glass curtain wall of the China World Trade Center gleamed coldly in the twilight, and the red lightbox with the words "Study Abroad Consultation" printed on it was particularly eye-catching.

"Don't forget his granddaughter. Didn't she just return to China? When is she going abroad again? How are her expenses abroad?"

This trick is indeed very old-fashioned and has nothing new to offer.

But all old tricks represent good tricks; one trick can lead to a whole basket of tricks.

When officials get into trouble, there are essentially two reasons: either their political stance is flawed, or their economic situation is problematic.

As for those who hold positions without performing their duties, frankly speaking, unless serious consequences result, it will have almost no impact on the person in that position.

It's hard to say about political stance, but it's relatively easy to judge whether there are economic issues involved.

There are very few corrupt officials who can truly keep a house full of money without touching it.

Most of the economic problems uncovered by officials were due to a mismatch between their legitimate income and the consumption levels of themselves and their families.

Thirty years later, even without scholarships for their children, officials' regular income would be insufficient to cover the cost of sending their children abroad to study, let alone in 1994.

It's too easy to make a mistake here.

Wang Xiao had no intention of working for the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but she still needed to have some information on her hands so that she wouldn't be forced to retreat when the other party was aggressive.

As the car turned the corner and the train station drew closer, Wang Xiao changed the subject, inquiring about Yang Tao's work progress in Beijing.

Upon hearing the boss's question, Yang Tao immediately found a place to vent her frustrations: "Secretary Fang asked me to find a way to poach people from Jiangdong."

I swear to God.

She did indeed act as an intermediary when Vice Mayor Huang led a team to Germany to poach talent.

But all she did was introduce the German intermediary she was working with to Vice Mayor Huang. How they managed to get the laid-off engineer from Zeiss to Jiangbei was entirely due to their own abilities; she really didn't get involved.

But she couldn't simply refuse Secretary Fang outright.

Because she could also imagine the anger that Secretary Fang would feel when he returned to China and discovered that his home had been robbed.

Wang Xiao laughed and waved his hand: "Ignore them, just treat them all the same, and introduce the agents to Jiangdong as well."

Yang Tao sighed, "But Secretary Fang felt that Jiangdong had suffered a great loss, as all the good engineers and technicians had been picked up by Vice Mayor Huang."

Why do people choose to get up early in the morning to go to the market to buy vegetables? It's because they want to pick the freshest and best produce.

Wang Xiao laughed and shook his head: "You really think this is like going to the market to buy vegetables? Just tell Secretary Fang that Jiangbei is taking the lead in poaching people from Germany, but actually they are helping Jiangdong."

As they were speaking, the car had already stopped at the entrance of the train station.

So Wang Xiao was saying this while opening the car door.

The evening breeze at the end of September was neither too strong nor too weak, and it just so happened that her words reached the ears of Director Cao, who was getting off the first car.

The latter immediately became curious: "What do you mean by helping Jiangdong?"

Wang Xiao laughed and said, "What I mean is that when Jiangbei Province went to Germany to poach engineers in August, it was actually giving Jiangdong Province free advertising."

Director Cao from Shanghai had also heard about the competition between the two major economic provinces, with one even going to Germany to poach optical talent.

Even this month, when the Shanghai municipal government held a cadre meeting, it used this incident as an example to warn everyone that the whole country is catching up with each other.

If others can't get to me, I'll go to them; Shanghai's cadres have even less right to rest on their laurels and sleep soundly. They must get moving and seize every second.

So when Wang Xiao explained, Director Cao immediately understood what was going on.

But he couldn't understand: "Hey, Mr. Wang, Jiangbei has already poached all the top talent. How can you still ask us to advertise for Jiangdong Province for free?"

"Because the laid-off engineers from Zeiss aren't standing in the market holding up signs looking for jobs. The hidden gems among them might have to come to you themselves for you to discover them."

Wang Xiao laughed, "Mayor Huang poached people and sent them to Jiangbei. He has already settled them in. Isn't that the effect of 'buying bones with a thousand pieces of gold'?"

"At this time, if Chinese officials lead a team to Germany to poach people, those laid-off engineers and technicians who were unaware of this or had doubts will hear about it and be interested. It's the perfect time to recruit them."

Wang Xiao laughed even harder, "So, Jiangdong Province should thank Jiangbei Province for going to the front lines. The first person to try something new isn't necessarily the one who gets to eat the most and the best."

Director Cao looked enlightened, nodding and smiling, "That's indeed the point."

Yang Tao nodded and smiled, "Then I'll tell Secretary Fang the same thing."

As it was time to go through the ticket check and enter the station, Wang Xiao waved goodbye to her.

Poor thing, this unlucky kid hasn't had a single minute of rest since this afternoon.

Director Cao, standing in front of Wang Xiao, became curious again: "I can understand hiring engineers, but as for skilled workers, I've heard that Germany has very advanced technology, and their lathes are all automated. Do they still need skilled workers? Aren't they operated by computers?"

As expected, different professions are like different worlds; this misunderstanding is huge.

As Wang Xiao walked toward the station, he explained, “No, although Zeiss now also uses automated and information technology equipment, for example, first using a laser interferometer to send nanoscale topological information from the lens polishing surface to a computer, and then using the computer to compare this data with digital design blueprints and calculate the differences; but they still rely on manual operation for a lot of work. It generally takes them six to ten years to train a skilled worker, which is called a ‘golden finger’.”

Director Cao was completely bewildered by what he was hearing. He couldn't understand any of the terms "topological information" or "laser interferometer," so he simply nodded politely.

Thankfully, the train was packed with people.

The aisles between seats and the connecting areas of the train were crowded with passengers either dozing off or spacing out while sitting on the floor.

It took a lot of effort for everyone to get through the crowd to the sleeper car, and Wang Xiao didn't have time to talk to anyone.

Honestly, people who miss the green trains of that era either never rode them or their memories are filtered through a lens of nostalgia.

Heavens above, she had no desire to experience such an environment.

After finally getting into her sleeper berth, she dared to catch her breath and quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face, preparing to tidy up and go to bed early.

As a result, Director Cao misunderstood and was afraid that she would continue to talk about science, so he quickly racked his brains to change the subject: "After Michael Jackson's concert, which foreign star do you think we should invite to hold a concert next?"

In the State Council's canteen, the bright prospects described by Boss Wang deeply moved him.

He couldn't help but get excited at the thought that a constant stream of concerts could bring in a steady stream of income.

Hmph! He's not some high-ranking leader like Minister He, who would say something like, "Even if the movie theater is closed, it shouldn't be tainted by money."

Are you kidding me? So many cinemas, so many employees, no money, closing down, how are they supposed to starve?

They're really not afraid of their tongues getting twisted by the wind; it's easy for them to talk when they're not the ones suffering.

These local officials wouldn't dare. If the cinema workers were laid off and couldn't get their paychecks, those people would really pack their bags and come to their homes.

Only those who work at the grassroots level truly understand how difficult it is.

So now Director Cao is full of enthusiasm and asks, "Who's as famous as Michael Jackson? Let's invite them over. Can we get them to come?"

Xiang Dong nodded and then shook his head: "Inviting people over shouldn't be a big problem. These singers also need to expand their markets, and China is a very good market for them."

It's not simply because there are many Chinese people, but because China is now one of the few remaining communist countries.

For capitalist countries, it is a mysterious other world that can easily ignite a desire for conquest.

What a sense of accomplishment it is to spread your music to a completely different land and win over the people living there!

Even if the singer himself isn't interested, his or her team will be enthusiastic because it's an achievement that's definitely worth bragging about.

Look, XX's music has conquered the world.

Xiang Dong still shook his head: "Their ability to come doesn't mean they can attract enough fans."

"Because most of their songs aren't widely sung in our country. That's not enough to support a complete concert."

"Michael Jackson's concerts didn't have this problem. The main reason was his live performance energy. His dancing was very attractive, and his dancing was already very influential in our country."

"This way, even if the people in the audience haven't heard all of his songs and can't sing along, they can still get into the concert atmosphere by watching the dance."

"This is an effect that no other foreign singer could achieve."

Upon hearing this, Director Cao could not hide his disappointment: "So, we won't be doing concerts by other foreign singers anymore?"

In fact, concerts by Hong Kong and Taiwan singers can also cause a sensation, and they never have to worry about selling out their tickets.

However, their influence, their global influence, certainly cannot compare to that of those big foreign singers.

Director Cao also hopes that the concerts by foreign superstars will introduce Shanghai to the world and let the world know that this land is full of hope.

The carriage lights were dim, and the train swayed and rocked on the tracks, like a ship sailing on waves.

Wang Xiao was lying on the sleeper berth with his eyes closed when he heard Xiang Dong's laughter: "The reason why Hong Kong and Taiwan singers are popular now is mainly because their music videos are played on TV and their songs are played on request channels."

"For Western singers to become popular, besides relying on punch-hole CDs, they mainly depend on radio stations. The songs that are played most often by music radio stations and are listened to a lot by people become popular."

"Nowadays, people have plenty of TV to watch, but radio music programs are still very popular. It's precisely because everyone is busy watching TV that artsy young people prefer to listen to the radio and are less willing to join the TV craze."

Director Cao clapped his hands: "I understand. Go to the radio station and ask them which songs are played the most and are the most popular. Then we'll invite those singers."

Xiang Dong laughed even louder: "No, no, no, what I mean is, whichever singer we think is most suitable, we should have the radio stations play their songs more often, so that we can cultivate a fan base."

Their voices faded into the distance; it was unclear whether they had gone to wash up together or if Wang Xiao herself was drifting closer to sleep.

In a daze, the clanging of the green train drowned out the conversations in the carriage, and accompanied by the sound of the wind, she drifted off to sleep.

In her last moments of blurred consciousness, she was still thinking.

That's right, information can be filtered.

In this era of extremely limited information channels, why do you have to ban it outright?

You can absolutely filter out foreign popular culture and spread it to everyone to achieve your goal.

This is what a win-win situation is.

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[I'm exhausted, I'm going to sleep.] Good evening.