Chapter 717: 702 The Responsibility of History: Promoting

February 20th.

A plane from Nanjing arrived at Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.

Kong Sang stepped off the plane, cheering and jumping for joy.

In that land of Nanjing, she always felt heavy-hearted; she felt as if every inch of soil she walked upon held the bones of compatriots slaughtered by the Japanese, and she even felt she might never have the courage to set foot on that land again.

Still, the atmosphere of Hong Kong made her feel at ease.

Furthermore, Ding Hu, Dan Ying, and airport service staff were pushing seven or eight suitcases, which contained a massive amount of precious historical materials.

Iris Chang's slender figure walked out of the plane.

Over at the arrival hall, Guan Zu was waiting in a VIP room. When the broadcast announced the plane's on-time arrival, he stood up and strode toward the exit with his entourage.

Soon, Guan Zu saw the figures of Iris Chang, Kong Sang, and the other two.

Guan Zu walked over quickly:

"Ms. Chang, you've worked hard!"

Iris Chang smiled, her face thin: "Mr. Guan, long time no see."

Guan Zu looked at Kong Sang, Ding Hu, and Dan Ying: "You've all worked hard on this trip. Let's go, let's head back."

……

The next day.

Guan Zu took Iris Chang directly to Mindful Hospital.

In the car.

Iris Chang said gratefully: "Thank you, Mr. Guan, but my health is fine; there's no need for a check-up."

Guan Zu shook his head: "It's necessary. Your health is important. Compared to the last time I saw you, you've clearly lost a lot of weight. For the next half month, a team of experts and professors will help you revise the manuscript. During this time, you can properly adjust yourself. I've already found a health team for you; they will guide your fitness and diet plans. Of course, if you don't want them, that's fine too; I respect your wishes."

Iris Chang: "Thank you."

Guan Zu said solemnly: "Although the book is finished, an even greater challenge lies ahead. We need to promote this book throughout the United States and Europe, and as the author, you might have to work quite hard."

Iris Chang said firmly: "This is my responsibility."

This promotion would not be smooth sailing.

Because in the 1980s, Japan's economy took off, even boasting that they would buy out the United States. This led to massive Japanese infiltration into the U. S.

Although they were dealt a heavy blow by the U. S. during the Plaza Accord, Japan's influence in the U. S. remained greater than that of other Asian countries.

And Japan had repeatedly promoted their "legitimacy" worldwide.

For example, in 1990, Shintaro Ishihara, a leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and author of the bestseller *The Japan That Can Say No*, said in an interview with *Playboy*: "People say the Japanese committed a massacre there, but that is not true. It is a story made up by the Chinese. This story damages Japan's image; it is all a lie."

*Playboy* was a famous American magazine that once achieved a circulation of over 7 million copies per issue, with an estimated global readership (including pass-along) of over 20 million, meaning one in every ten American adults read it at the time. It long held a dominant position in the men's magazine sector and accounted for a significant share of the U. S. magazine advertising market, effectively influencing advertising pricing rules for print media; it could be said to have "dominating power."

For example, in September 1986, Japanese Minister of Education Masayuki Fujio declared that the Nanjing atrocities were "merely a part of the war."

For example, during his tenure as Minister of Justice in 1994, he told the *Mainichi Shimbun*: "I think the Nanjing Massacre and other such things are fabricated lies."

For example, in August 1994, Director-General of the Environment Agency Shin Sakurai claimed that Japan did not enter the war for the sake of aggression.

And so on,

Many, many more...

Therefore, Guan Zu was fully prepared psychologically for the upcoming battle of public opinion.

He also hoped Iris Chang was sufficiently prepared.

"These are the preliminary preparation materials." Guan Zu took a thick stack of documents from his briefcase, between the pages of which were yellowed clippings and handwritten notes.

"In the U. S., Xiao Fu and Li Jie have already contacted *The Washington Post*, *The Los Angeles Times*, as well as various social celebrities and literary figures. They will help us promote it when the time comes."

Iris Chang opened the file and saw the detailed planning proposal for the sample book of *The Rape of Nanking*.

"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Guan." She looked up at Guan Zu.

Guan Zu said solemnly: "No, it is you we should thank. Without you, my preparations would be useless."

Iris Chang looked at the bustling city outside the window: "Some things just have to be done by someone."

It took a full day,

and Mindful Hospital completed a full-body check-up for Iris Chang.

Afterward, psychologist Li Xin'er conducted a psychological assessment, and the final result was relatively optimistic.

Perhaps at this moment, Iris Chang's heart was burning with fire; how could she be depressed?

Why did she suffer from depression in her previous life? Perhaps it was related to the massive backlash and crazy retaliation she faced from the Japanese after the book was published in the U. S. and the West.

In this life, with the Umbrella Corporation and Guan Zu and his people, she might have a safe and comfortable living environment, allowing her to avoid Japanese retaliation and continue to fight against them with high morale.

A new day, at the University of Hong Kong, the expert group hired by Guan Zu began revising *The Rape of Nanking*.

They were not changing the content, but rather looking for errors and omissions, making corrections under Iris Chang's guidance.

After arranging all this,

Guan Zu returned to the Five-Star Group headquarters in Central Plaza.

In the office,

Guan Zu sipped tea leisurely, then stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking Hong Kong, striking a pose of pure posturing.

The life of a group chairman was just that simple and unadorned.

Finding the view a bit boring, Guan Zu went to feed the fish; finding feeding the fish boring, he picked up a few newspapers to read.

"The police held a press conference yesterday, announcing a major piece of news..."

Hmm, this was about the major case involving the 701 Unit.

He flipped to the second page.

"Hmm?"

Guan Zu suddenly became interested.

"With 118 days left until the Dragon Boat Festival, although it is still early, various dragon boat teams in Hong Kong are already gearing up, beginning their training and preparation, sprinting with all their might for the upcoming Dragon Boat Racing extravaganza."

"As an important activity for Hong Kong's traditional festivals... the 'Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races' are particularly eye-catching... It has been confirmed that over 170 teams from home and abroad, with more than 4,000 athletes, will participate in the competition, which features 17 events..."

Despite Hong Kong being ruled by the British for so many years,

Dragon boat racing was actually very popular in Hong Kong.

The earliest recorded Dragon Boat Festival race in Hong Kong was held in North Point, Eastern District, in 1919, and it subsequently evolved into an annual racing competition.

Modern large-scale dragon boat races began in 1976. That year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board specifically organized the first "Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races" to attract foreign tourists, and it subsequently developed into one of Hong Kong's international events.

Seeing this,

Guan Zu suddenly had an idea—should the Five-Star Group also organize an internal dragon boat race for its various companies and departments?

The more Guan Zu thought about it, the more it made sense.

Qu Yuan, I'm coming to save you!

Guan Zu quickly called his secretary, Wu Lianqian, and gave her the instructions.

Wu Lianqian noted them down one by one: "Understood, I will have the General Administration Office prepare a planning proposal immediately..."

She was about to withdraw,

but Guan Zu thought of the 2025 Guangzhou dragon boat joke/laughingstock.

"Wait..."

"Tell them, no outside help is allowed for the dragon boats of each company or department..."

"Otherwise, be careful, or I'll label them as the 'Department with No Men,' and shame them to death!"

A bit of dark humor, hehehe~~

Wu Lianqian: "..."

She felt that the Chairman's smile was a bit strange. However, she was already used to the Chairman's occasional bouts of eccentricity.

After Wu Lianqian left,

Guan Zu continued reading the newspaper.

"It is worth mentioning that one of the teams is the Dragon Eagle Long Zhoudui. Its financier, Wang Kun, had his villa stormed by a group of ruthless bandits at the beginning of the month, and his entire family was wiped out. According to police reports, Wang Kun appeared to be a charitable wealthy merchant, but in reality, he was a drug lord..."

"Currently, the 'Dragon Eagle Long Zhoudui' lacks financial support and is seeking assistance from all walks of life..."

Guan Zu: "..."

He remembered now.

In the original plot, the location where Wang Kun was killed was at the dotting ceremony of the dragon boat race, where he was shot in the head by Ah Jong.

Now, Ah Jong didn't kill him; instead, he was wiped out by the 701 Unit.

Thinking about it this way, it would have been better to be killed by Ah Jong; at least he wouldn't have had his whole family wiped out.

(Wang Kun: "...")

……

Three days later.

A notice was issued to the entire Five-Star Group.

"Notice on Organizing the First Internal Long Zhousai of the Five-Star Group"

To all employees of the Group:

To promote traditional Chinese culture and enhance team cohesion and collaborative spirit... the first internal dragon boat race of the Five-Star Group will be held around the Dragon Boat Festival...

The relevant matters are notified as follows:

1. Competition Purpose: Inherit the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival culture...

2. Scope of Participation: Teams from various subsidiaries and departments of the Group are to participate. Outside help of any kind is strictly prohibited...

3. Competition Format: Standard dragon boat team speed racing is the main competition format, divided into preliminary rounds, finals, etc., with champion, runner-up, and second runner-up prizes, as well as special awards such as 'Best Style Award' and 'Strongest Collaboration Award.'

"

Once the news was out...

All employees of the Five-Star Group: "..."

Some were excited: Hahaha~~~ It's going to be lively.

Some were speechless: We're rowing boats? Are we feeding the fish?

Most employees were very enthusiastic, as this was the first large-scale collective activity of the Five-Star Group, and it should be a lot of fun, hahaha~~~~

……

……

March 4, 1995.

A plane arrived in San Francisco.

"Chairman!"

"Ms. Chang~~~"

At the airport, Li Jie, accompanied by Leopard and Li Qiao, was there to meet them.

Guan Zu hugged Li Jie: "Still single?"

Li Jie smiled bitterly: "Yes."

In fact, with his appearance, temperament, wealth, and status, there were many women who wanted to marry him, but Li Jie didn't fancy any of them.

Iris Chang smiled: "I'll introduce some friends to you when I go back; I guarantee they are of good character."

Li Jie sighed slightly: "Thank you, no need."

Accompanying Guan Zu this time were Tian Yangsheng and Gong Wei, while Ding Hu and Xu Zhengyang did not come due to their special status, so as not to invite trouble.

In addition, secretary Liang Xiaorou also came along.

The group got into two cars.

In the car,

Guan Zu asked Li Jie: "How are the specific arrangements here?"

Li Jie's expression turned serious as he reported: "First is printing the book. I have already contacted the HarperCollins Publishing Group."

He then introduced this publishing group:

"HarperCollins Publishing Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation, has a long history of over 200 years, with a profound cultural foundation and fruitful publishing achievements. In the U. S. publishing industry, it is known as one of the 'Big Five' publishing giants, alongside Penguin Random House, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan."

The *Lord of the Rings* trilogy was published and promoted by them until it became a global phenomenon.

"The reason I contacted this publishing group is that several of its shareholders are Jewish."

"I attracted their attention with the reason of 'The Oriental Holocaust'."

"They are very willing to help us in this regard."

Li Jie's current persona is that of a democrat who fights for the rights of ethnic minorities, which has a lot of overlap with the Jewish people, so the two sides are close.

Guan Zu also agreed with this route; by following the Jewish route, with them out in front, it could reduce a lot of political risk.

Anyway, it was impossible to mix with the WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) faction; they didn't look down on you at all, and they were also wary of you and suppressed you.

The enemy of an enemy is a friend, so the Jews are currently... temporarily usable "friends"!

Guan Zu: "Good, when can it be published?"

Li Jie: "Paid, expedited, 10,000 copies can be printed in half a month."

It is worth mentioning that the U. S. publishing industry follows the principle of freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, and generally, the government does not conduct pre-publication censorship or approval of book content.

Guan Zu nodded upon hearing this.

Li Jie: "Besides printing the book, we are also preparing to stir up public opinion first..."

"I plan to organize a small 'exhibition' in a high-traffic area of Union Square in San Francisco, arranging for actors to wear tattered Republican-era clothing, with simulated bloodstains on their faces, holding exhibition boards with slogans like '300,000 Souls Are Weeping' and 'The Covered-Up Oriental Holocaust.' Additionally, we will arrange for people to play the role of Japanese soldiers and perform behavioral acting..."

"Then, we will arrange for our KTVU television station to report on it."

Guan Zu nodded.

This idea works.

Before they knew it, they arrived at Iris Chang's hotel.

Iris Chang got out of the car, and bodyguards Brother Tian Yang'en and Ruolan followed her in, while Li Qiao (Maggie) arranged for their check-in.

Guan Zu and the others continued toward Chinatown.

Guan Zu: "Just now, with Ms. Iris Chang present, some details were inconvenient to discuss... I have a suggestion."

Li Jie: "Please instruct me, Chairman..."

Guan Zu: "Just performing is not enough; we need conflict. Only with conflict will the incident escalate further..."

"First, regarding the 'Oriental Holocaust' exhibition you mentioned, find an opportunity to attract the Japanese to it and create conflict... then the news will come. At that point, it won't just be our KTVU station covering it; we can also pull in Jewish-owned television stations to report on this incident."

"After the reports, you can start organizing Holocaust exhibitions to let more Chinese people understand this massacre..."

"Then there's the protest march; go directly to Japantown to march and demonstrate, force them to apologize, and it would be best if conflict breaks out..."

"It would be best if it could trigger a major disturbance; that way, the eyes of the entire United States will be drawn here..."