Chapter 675

The audience below whispered among themselves, discussing the principal's speech and, when combined with the country's recent trends, it truly was the case.

Whether to abandon real estate is unknown, but electric vehicles must be pursued, and 5G must also be pursued.

Right now, this is the situation—both are being strongly supported.

Meanwhile, in unknown fields, computational power is being developed.

But the principal mentioned not a single word about 5G; throughout, he spoke only of artificial intelligence and electric vehicles derived from computational power—though computational power is not limited to these.

Healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, finance—all will greatly increase efficiency and shorten R&D cycles.

"I've said so much; let me end with one final point: regulation. No industry can exist without regulation, and technological innovation must also be regulatory innovation.

Last year there was a movie called Speed and Passion 7; I assume those here have seen it? Those who have, raise your hands." Fang Hong raised one hand.

Yet the hall fell silent; all were business and government officials, not a single hand rose—even those who had seen it kept theirs down, only Liu Tianxian raised hers.

Seeing no one else raise their hand, Liu Tianxian quickly lowered hers, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"You really should watch more movies; movies are the most direct manifestation of technological advancement. If movies don't innovate, they're truly finished.

This movie was like this: one of the lead actors, Paul, died in a car accident, and only part of the film had been shot. What was done about the rest? Digital avatars replaced filming.

Weta Digital developed a machine learning system called ac, extracting Paul's micro-expression units from his first six films, reconstructing facial details through deep learning to achieve near-perfect realism.

But this technology sparked ethical debates over digital avatars: does such a digital avatar possess personality rights? Could it be forged for commercial or other harmful uses?

Regulations have yet to reach any consensus to this day; I believe laws, once truly turned into norms, may take a very long time.

So innovation isn't hard—but every innovation carries a heavy cost behind it."

Fang Hong paused, then added: "Also, in some year in the 1800s—I forget which—Britain introduced an interesting law called the Motor Car Act, later known as the Red Flag Act.

Why was it called the Red Flag Act? Because by then, automobiles had already appeared, while carriage drivers were still considered white-collar workers; the arrival of cars directly threatened their livelihoods.

So they passed this law: automobiles must have three people—two inside the car, and one walking fifty meters ahead waving a red flag, ensuring the car could not exceed the flag's speed.

At that time, automobile speed was 6.4 kilometers per hour—roughly the pace of walking—intended solely to protect carriage drivers' interests.

And this law crippled the automobile industry; meanwhile, Germany rose, and the United States seized this opportunity with national effort, becoming a nation on wheels.

Today, how many Red Flag Acts are currently enforced or being considered? My friends, let us all strive together!

Fang Hong shifted tone, saying no more; his meaning had been clearly conveyed. He bowed slightly to the audience and ended his speech.

"Applause!" The hall erupted in loud clapping.

The principal still dared to speak—his final words were clear and highly forward-looking.

Liu Tianxian clapped vigorously, a satisfied smile on her face, thinking it was well said; many in the audience felt the same.

"Thank you, Principal, thank you for such an excellent sharing." Li Nan stepped onto the stage.

Time was up; Fang Hong descended the stage. On his way back to his seat, people occasionally glanced at him, some even watched him closely.

Previously indifferent to the principal, he now had some changed views—at least his words were what some wanted to hear.

Whether government officials, AI companies, new energy firms, or electric vehicle companies, all could use his words as backing.

His views could help them secure more funding and benefit a large number of enterprises.

Simply because his perspective was so ahead of its time—it could truly be told as a story.

Fang Hong returned to his seat; Liu Tianxian turned to him with a smiling gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Fang Hong asked.

"Because you're handsome," Liu Tianxian teased with a grin.

Fang Hong smiled helplessly, placing his hand over hers.

At that moment, Lei Bus leaned over and asked: "Principal, do you have great confidence in the future of electric vehicles? Can they overthrow fuel-powered cars?"

"I don't know if they can overthrow them; I merely explained from the international and national perspective that pursuing this is absolutely necessary," Fang Hong dared not make any guarantees.

When he was reborn, electric vehicles were still enduring pain, facing their most severe trust crisis.

Although the fuel vehicle market was squeezed, it still survived, not crushed as decisively as feature phones.

Lei Bus nodded, understanding; in his eyes, there was a flicker of interest, a desire to enter the electric vehicle field.

But time was nearly right; before announcing car manufacturing in 2020, he had already conducted three years of research.

Hearing the principal's words, that inner fire could no longer be suppressed.

Fang Hong didn't mind; China didn't lack people who could build cars—it lacked funding, technology, and depth.

The award ceremony on stage continued; the next winner was the Chairman of Xie Xin Group, a company focused on clean energy and lithium materials.

He wore a silk sash around his neck, holding the Trophy, saying: "The principal's speech was excellent—it gave me a sense of urgency, a heavy sense of responsibility. We're not trying to overtake; we're changing the track to win this technological war.

What Xie Xin Group will do is make new energy affordable to ordinary people as traditional energy!"

"Applause!" The hall clapped.

The Ten Economic Figures award ended quickly—only ten people—and then came the New Talent Award for Personage of the Year.

It was awarded to Ren Quan, General Manager of Meitu Company; the General Manager of Ele. me; and the General Manager of United Family Healthcare; each gave a brief speech.

The presenters were all prominent figures; sometimes two presented together, sometimes three—all made brief appearances.

The entire award ceremony lasted about two hours, from seven to nine.

Next came a half-hour dialogue.

Only one dialogue was arranged, featuring heavyweight, controversial guests—those who would deliver strong entertainment value.

The topic: Breaking Through Innovation Under the New Economic Form.

"Next, please welcome Jack Ma, Fang Hong, Cao Telei, and Lao Wang Zong to the stage for their sharing. They are all top performers in their fields and outstanding entrepreneurs—we wonder what insights their views will offer us." Li Nan invited them; four people total.

Staff placed four chairs on stage—each a single sofa chair.

Jack Ma stood up expressionlessly and walked toward the stage, looking intensely passionate—he had waited too long.

Lao Wang Zong remained calm; Cao Telei still swayed lazily.

These four seemed ill-matched, yet they all had some connections—Lao Wang Zong and Jack Ma, for instance, both had extended their hands into the film industry.

Cao Telei liked to occasionally voice opinions, repeatedly expressing dissent against Fang Hong in the media.

The four men took the stage; Jack Ma and Cao Telei sat in the two central seats, while Fang Hong and Lao Wang Zong sat on either side.

After sitting down, none of them looked at each other, as if each carried pride, calmly gazing ahead.

"Before we begin our discussion, let's have a short interview—I know many people are eager to ask them questions, right?" Li Nan looked toward the audience.

The audience immediately stirred—they were indeed eager to ask them questions.

"You, the young man in the back," Li Nan pointed to someone in the rear.

The man stood up, took the microphone handed to him by a staff member, and said with excitement: "I'd like to ask the Principal: you say Artificial Intelligence is the future and Electric Vehicle has advantages, so why don't you seem to be taking action?"

"Who says I'm not acting? I've been acting all along—I just need to first get my own house in order. Have you ever started a business? Anyone who has knows you must have a core product that makes money."

"Perfect your service for that product—make it thorough, refined—until competitors no longer threaten you, then you can think about other things."

"My Jade Rabbit is making money, but there are many competitors out there; Chang'e Technology is losing money—I now must turn losses into profits."

"Everyone can only do what they're capable of. I have ideals—I wish China's technology were number one in the world today—but wishing does nothing, because I don't have that much energy, time, or capital. My resources are limited," Fang Hong said.

The man nodded, understanding, then sat down.

"Mr. General Manager, how do you view the Principal—or rather, what do you think of Chang'e and Jade Rabbit?" Someone began provoking.

"My opinion doesn't matter—no one listens to me—but I can say this: Chang'e and Jade Rabbit are squandering a winning hand. For example, Jade Rabbit's billion-dollar acquisition of the entire film industry—was that for the sake of monopoly? What contribution did it make to the industry? None."

"Whenever we do anything, we must consider its contribution to the industry—we cannot act merely for monopoly or profit."

Jack Ma first sneered, then denounced Jade Rabbit's actions, implying they were underhanded and monopolistic, while elevating himself.

Just the old trick of belittling others to lift oneself up.

"Let me clarify two things: it wasn't an acquisition—it was an investment. The film industry was retreating from capital, suffering from severe funding shortages—I invested so much money only to help the film industry keep running, never intending to make a profit."

"If you invest in a hundred identical companies, can you expect all hundred to turn a profit? You'd be lucky if they don't destroy each other—and monopoly? That's nonsense. The cultural sector doesn't allow for monopoly."

"As for whether this action contributed to the industry—I won't claim contribution, but at least we don't talk nonsense," Fang Hong made his point unmistakably clear.

"Hahaha!" Laughter erupted throughout the venue.

The two hadn't even begun their debate, yet they were already clashing head-on.

But Jack Ma's remarks did sound like pure nonsense—he accused them of monopoly while also saying they were squandering a winning hand.

He might say that to Tony Ma, and Tony Ma would just laugh it off—but to the Principal, the Principal would strike back.

The other two men present sat calmly.

"This young man—he runs a big company, but his understanding is shallow. Who can't come up with ten billion? Many companies here could. But without contribution, it's meaningless. I said it: we do meaningful things," Jack Ma said, waving his hands dismissively.

He'd found a flaw in Fang Hong's words and launched another round of mockery: "You have money? We have more."

He also claimed Fang Hong lacked clarity and had low-level thinking.

This was revenge—he couldn't speak out in the audience, but now he could, so he spoke more.

Fang Hong stayed silent, letting him say whatever he wanted—he'd merely been modest moments ago, and this man had seized the opening.

Everyone in the audience watched with interest, but Liu Tianxian worried for him, fearing he'd be humiliated and unable to recover.

If he couldn't recover, he'd just flip the table.

"Principal, have you ever thought of becoming China's richest person—like Lao Wang Zong?" Someone else provoked.

"If he wants it, I'll give it to him," Lao Wang Zong immediately declared.

"When I was small, before my wealth reached one billion, I did think about it—but now I don't care."

"I miss the days when I made small films—that was when I was happiest."

"Hehehe," the laughter in the room clearly didn't believe him—it sounded like humblebragging.

Making small films meant being constrained by capital—it wasn't that free. You could only take such words lightly.

Liu Tianxian smiled faintly.

"I'm serious. In Chinese society, if you have a small house, a car, and a happy family—that's the happiest life."

"Once your wealth exceeds ten million, troubles begin—you must think about appreciation: should you buy stocks, bonds, or real estate?"

"When your wealth reaches one hundred million, problems multiply; beyond one billion, it's no longer your money—it's society's trust in you. You're merely holding it for society—you must feel responsibility."

This made sense—greater wealth meant greater responsibility, and that responsibility was common prosperity.

"What's the point of being the richest? How much can you eat? Honestly, I've never even touched money—I'm not interested in it. My wife handles all the money. These clothes? She bought them for me."

"Pfft!" Someone couldn't help laughing, and the venue burst into "Hahaha!" laughter.

Applause rose and fell continuously—this time, the Principal had truly shown off.

How could someone say such things so seriously? Do great men all possess a skill for serious boasting?

Some turned to look at Liu Tianxian, curious about her reaction.

Liu Tianxian blushed deeply.

(End of Chapter)