Chapter 438: 431 Viceroy: Banned books are not allowed to be read

Viceroy's Mansion.

"Bang~~~~"

"This is the new book for the 'Knowledge Cup'?"

Inside the mansion, Fat Peng's angry roar came out.

Fat Peng threw "Anarchy: The East India Company" onto the table, his face flushed red, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

"What 'Anarchy: The East India Company', it's simply nonsense!"

"This is a distortion of history, it's naked slander!"

He paced back and forth in anger, cursing non-stop,

"The East India Company promoted trade development and facilitated cultural exchange, how can it be written like this?"

"This author is simply harboring ulterior motives, wanting to smear the glorious history of the British Empire!"

What the hell?

"Traitor, this is a traitor to the Empire!"

Fat Peng started cursing again.

He stopped abruptly, pointed at "The East India Company", and continued to roar: "What the book says, what plunder, what colonialism, are all exaggerations!"

"The actions of the East India Company in India were to help local development, bringing them advanced technology and systems. Without the East India Company, who knows how long India would have struggled in backwardness!"

Hmm, at least in the eyes of many British people, it is like this.

Yes, I did plunder, but didn't you also gain great benefits?

Otherwise, you would still be a backward country now!

This is Britain's view of colonies: I did colonize, but without our colonization, this land would be backward and poor. Therefore, our merits outweigh our faults!

Logic is smooth!

Fat Peng was furious:

"Who exactly is this author? Could it be written by someone from the East?"

"Could it be a conspiracy of the East?"

He glared at his secretary.

The secretary said hurriedly: "This book was written by someone from our country."

Fat Peng: "???"

It is worth mentioning that this author's work is not the kind that copies mechanically; his historical data is often very rich, which is his style. In "The Rise of the East India Company", he used a large number of East India Company archives from the British Library, data from the National Archives of India, and Persian historical books.

Fat Peng roared continuously,

He picked up "The Rise of Great Powers", and his tone softened slightly:

"This book 'The Rise of Great Powers' is barely readable, at least it has a relatively objective description of the development process of other great powers."

"But look at 'Anarchy: The East India Company', this is completely misleading the public, it's malicious slander against our British Empire!"

"I absolutely do not allow such a book to circulate in Hong Kong, we must take measures!"

Secretary weakly: "Then... what should we do?"

Fat Peng: "What do you mean what should we do? That is to stop Director Guan Zu immediately and tell him not to sell this book anymore!"

Secretary: "But... Director Guan Zu has already sent many, many books to every household in Hong Kong."

Fat Peng: "Ah? Selling so fast?"

Secretary: "He sent them."

Fat Peng: "Sent? Is he crazy? These are all for money!"

Secretary: "I checked, he sent the books for the 'Knowledge Cup' directly in the past too!"

Fat Peng gasped.

Fuck!!

Is this Director Guan Zu a pervert?

Fat Peng's gaze turned to "Anarchy: The East India Company" on the table. This 'Anti-Book' is a disaster: "Can you withdraw them?"

Secretary: "I'm afraid it's difficult, they have all reached the citizens' hands. If we make a big fuss to collect them, I'm afraid it will trigger discussion among citizens."

Fat Peng's face looked ugly, and he cursed the secretary: "Why didn't you discover it earlier? Didn't I tell you to follow this matter? Why didn't you discover this book the first time?"

Secretary lowered his head.

In this matter, he indeed made a mistake by not reading the book himself, leading to a large number being sent out.

Secretary suggested: "I have a compensation method."

Fat Peng: "Speak!"

Secretary: "Require Director Guan Zu not to allow the knowledge in this book to be used as exam questions for the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', this way we can reduce the citizens' reading."

Fat Peng: "..."

This method is like stinky dog shit.

But unfortunately, he had no better way.

Fat Peng: "Go call Director Guan Zu here!"

Secretary lowered his head: "Yes!"

After the secretary left,

At this time, Fat Peng saw his two daughters crossing the hall to the garden.

"Wait..."

Fat Peng thought for a moment and walked out of the study: "Laura, didn't you say you wanted to be a model?"

An hour later,

A black Chevrolet arrived at the gate of the Viceroy's Mansion, and Director Guan Zu and Fang Ting stepped down.

Almost at the same time, the Chief Secretary's car also arrived at the Viceroy's Mansion.

The two met.

The Chief Secretary had a worried expression, because Fat Peng had talked to him many times recently about work, and Fat Peng didn't like the Chief Secretary's performance very much.

Sometimes leadership style is a very strange thing; they always like certain people and hate certain people.

Just like how Hoder himself doesn't like Director Guan Zu.

After seeing Director Guan Zu, his expression turned cold instantly.

Director Guan Zu: "???"

He gave a sneer.

But thinking about this Huo De's background, Director Guan Zu didn't find it strange that he didn't look favorably upon him.

Chief Secretary Huo De is 57 years old this year, with graying hair.

He used to be a soldier with a tough style, and the time he came to Hong Kong happened to be during the storm of suppressing the leftists, so he was transferred to Hong Kong.

Even after 1997, whenever there was a major political event in Hong Kong, Huo De would "coincidentally" arrive in Hong Kong early for various reasons, and then start connecting with opposition political party members, "strategic lurkers," and opposition mouthpieces (Apple Daily, Next Magazine), proposing "situation and tasks" to them, striving to achieve the best effect of "making trouble."

There have always been many reports saying that this Huo De is from the Military Intelligence Section.

Therefore, Director Guan Zu had no good impression of him at all.

The two walked into the Viceroy's Mansion.

Then the Viceroy's secretary walked out: "Mr. Huo De, please wait a moment, the Viceroy wants to see Mr. Director Guan first."

Chief Secretary Huo De: "............"

He felt unhappy inside, but on the surface, he didn't dare to voice any objections.

Study,

Fat Peng and Director Guan Zu were drinking coffee again.

Fat Peng picked up his coffee and took a sip: "Do you know what coffee this is?"

Director Guan Zu shook his head: "I don't know."

Fat Peng: "It's latte coffee, do you know its origin?"

Director Guan Zu: "I don't know."

Is this Fat Peng going to talk to me about the art of language?

Fat Peng explained to Director Guan Zu: "In Italy, latte originally meant milk; initially, this coffee was just simple, pure coffee plus milk. But later it spread to the United States, and people kept innovating, adding various flavored syrups, making it rich and colorful..."

Director Guan Zu: "Hmm, hmm." Fat Peng: "This is just like the government we are in now, which also needs to constantly inject new vitality and new elements. You are young and promising, just like that unique flavored syrup. If you can join hands with us, you will definitely be able to make this land of Hong Kong bloom with a different kind of brilliance, and the future opportunities and achievements will be limitless..."

Director Guan Zu: "Hmm, hmm... Viceroy, I, Director Guan Zu, also want to make progress."

Fat Peng felt this sounded strange.

"I'll get straight to the point... I am very dissatisfied with the book 'Anarchy: The East India Company' today, this is slander against our Empire!"

"Ah? Viceroy, that's not right, this book talks about the East India Company, what does it have to do with the Empire?"

"............"

Fat Peng got stuck instantly.

Fuck!

What you said makes sense, but...

Fat Peng slapped the table: "In short, it's just not allowed, it absolutely cannot appear in the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'."

(Content omitted)

Director Guan Zu nodded: "I will definitely cooperate with the Viceroy's request. It will not appear in the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'."

Fat Peng was satisfied: "Good."

Thinking for a moment, he said again: "In the future, when you print books, you must obtain my consent."

Director Guan Zu frowned: "That's not right, Viceroy, according to Hong Kong law, printing books is free. Unless you propose to amend this law and then let the Legislative Council pass it... I personally support the Viceroy's decision, and I will definitely vote in favor in the Legislative Council."

Viceroy, loyalty!

Actually, Director Guan Zu also had some considerations; when it comes to banned books in Hong Kong, there are so many.

Director Guan Zu didn't even dare to say those book titles out loud.

This is also a disadvantage of the freedom to print books.

Director Guan Zu's words caused Fat Peng to think deeply.

"Amend the law? Strengthen the supervision of books?"

A bit tempted.

As long as supervision is strengthened, wouldn't Director Guan Zu be unable to print books even if he wanted to?

Wait... there is a problem here!

Fat Peng thought of the purpose of his coming to Hong Kong—freedom! Freedom! Still fucking freedom!

Only with freedom can they do whatever they want, and do whatever they want in the future.

Therefore, this law cannot be amended!

Fat Peng looked at Director Guan Zu: Fuck, this person is so insidious!

Heart tired!

Fat Peng: "Hahaha~~ printing books, this is the freedom of Hong Kong citizens, no need to amend it. Drink coffee, drink coffee..."

The two drank coffee again.

Very quickly,

Director Guan Zu left the Viceroy's Mansion.

The Viceroy summoned the Chief Secretary Huo De: "I need you to do one thing..."

Huo De: "Please speak, Viceroy!"

The Viceroy's eyes were cold: "Currently, the Police Commissioner seems to have a bit of a relationship with Director Guan Zu. Find an excuse to end his term and promote Deputy Commissioner Davis to be the Police Commissioner."

Huo De puffed out his chest: "Yes, Viceroy, I will get it done as soon as possible!"

The Viceroy nodded,

The police matter that happened in Causeway Bay made him realize that Director Guan Zu has a very strong relationship in the police force, so he wants to find someone who doesn't get along with Director Guan Zu to be the Commissioner.

Disrupt all of Director Guan Zu's police relationships.

I am the Viceroy,

How could I really be helpless against Director Guan Zu?

ATV.

After Director Guan Zu left the Viceroy's Mansion, he came to ATV.

"Boss~~~"

Wen Huixin walked into the office.

Director Guan Zu: "Just now, I met with the Viceroy, and he made a request to me."

Involving the Viceroy?

Wen Huixin became serious.

"In the past few days, Five Star Property has sent more than 1.7 million copies each of 'The Rise of Great Powers' and 'The East India Company' to Hong Kong citizens... Originally, these two books were set as the source of knowledge points for the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'..."

"But the Viceroy is very dissatisfied with 'The East India Company', feeling that it is slander, so he doesn't want it to be on the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'."

"The News Department needs to report this news."

"Ah?"

Wen Huixin: "That's not right? Boss, if we report it, won't the citizens be even more excited?"

Director Guan Zu said with a straight face: "Impossible, you have to believe in the quality of our citizens; if they are told not to watch, they definitely won't watch."

Wen Huixin: "???"

Banned books, that would definitely make them even more excited.

How could the boss not know?

She looked at Director Guan Zu, who was serious and righteous...

Alright, understood!

Wen Huixin's forehead had black lines hanging down.

Director Guan Zu at this time: "And, because this matter involves 7 million citizens, as well as the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', it is very important and needs to be repeated in every news broadcast, every day, for a total of 3 days."

3 days? That is 9 times?

Wen Huixin understood the boss's intentions even more now.

Director Guan Zu said again: "The Viceroy ordered it this way, so we who do things must definitely achieve 'say one, think two, do three'... Since the Viceroy doesn't want others to read this book, we should add the words 'banned book' in the wording."

Wen Huixin: "!!"

Good guy, I say good guy!

Boss, you are truly ruthless; adding the words 'banned book' will make the citizens even more excited.

The pleasure of taboo!

Then, Wen Huixin thought of another layer: This is the boss wrestling with the Viceroy!

Absurd!

At the same time, Wen Huixin felt incomparably excited: working with such a boss is too cool!

Wen Huixin: "Yes, Boss, I understand!"

Director Guan Zu: "Really understand?"

Wen Huixin: "Really understand, I think 3 days isn't enough, 5 days! After all, this is a problem that concerns all Hong Kong citizens. What if they study hard for a month, want to participate in the 'Knowledge Cup', and then we inform them that the 'Knowledge Cup' doesn't test this, wouldn't that be a waste of their time?"

Wen Huixin was righteous:

"A citizen wasting a month of time, then wouldn't 7 million citizens waste 7 million months of time? That is equivalent to wasting 580,000 years! If this time were used for beneficial things for humanity, how meaningful it would be!"

She even sublimated the theme!

Awesome!

Very quickly, 19:00, ATV News.

"Hello, audience friends! I am the host Wen Huixin..."

"Recently, Five Star Property distributed more than 1.7 million copies each of the two books 'The Rise of Great Powers' and 'The East India Company' to 7 million Hong Kong citizens; originally they were set as the source of knowledge points for the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'."

"But now things have changed. The Viceroy clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with the book 'The East India Company', stating bluntly that the book contains a large amount of content that distorts and slanders the British Empire, therefore listing this book as a banned book, and believes that the knowledge points of the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' are not allowed to use the content inside the banned book 'The East India Company'."

"Here, the Five Star Group and ATV jointly issue a statement, we respect the Viceroy's wishes, the 'Knowledge Cup' and 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' will no longer use..."

"At the same time, the Viceroy also clearly stated: Citizens are not allowed to watch this banned book!"

Once this news came out,

All Hong Kong citizens: "???"

Viceroy: "!!!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 439 =====