During the day on January 1, Becker specially requested to take a bath, changed into decent clothes, shaved, and combed his hair neatly himself.
There is no longer a stylist dedicated to him in the presidential palace, but he still has to try his best to look the best. When dealing with people like Charles, he not only has to rely on knowledge and talent, but also fully displays his personal charm.
In the evening, after receiving his lunch box and finishing his meal, he was taken to a small reception room by the staff. Berkeley was very nervous and asked as calmly as possible: "Is Mr. Charles arriving soon?"
The staff member replied: "President Xia will arrive in an hour and a half, but he explained that President Berkeley still lacks sufficient understanding of the Kingdom of Kiri and the New Alliance, so he is here to study a documentary."
Only then did Berkeley realize that a screen was placed on the wall opposite the seat, and a small projector was placed on the table in front of him.
After the staff finished speaking, they turned off the lights and turned on the projector to play a promotional documentary called "New Alliance and the Kingdom of Kilili".
The promotional materials in this area are only the content of the official video promotional videos edited and produced by the Propaganda Department, which can be played for several days and nights. As for the archived materials in the archives, they add up to tens of thousands of hours.
Since the establishment of the New Alliance and Huanxiang Industrial, they have attached great importance to preserving various historical records. There is a team of more than 200 people responsible for this matter. Its direct leader is Ke Mengchao, who was later replaced by Shen Sishu, led by Cui Wanhe
Specific supervisor.
Various detailed recording materials, not only photos, audio and video, but also a large number of archival documents and electronic data, were collected with strong support from the R&D department, and the archives of the original grass shoe uppers were also inherited.
This was the policy formulated by Ke Mengchao from the very beginning, to let future generations know what the Kingdom of Kilili was like in the past? What did the new alliance do, and what changes did it bring to the world?
Leaving the most detailed records will not only allow future generations to clearly remember this period of history, but on the other hand, when times change, it will also be the most effective way to fight back against the slander and distortion of various enemies.
There are many kinds of promotional documentaries for the New Alliance, which are edited and combined with various materials for different occasions. There are also several types of duration, such as five minutes, fifteen minutes, half an hour... Some are open to the public and can be found online, and some are public.
The ones are internal learning materials.
What Berkeley watched was a ninety-minute version for new members of the New Alliance to learn from. This version is still being updated as the New Alliance Army advances.
Originally, this promotional video did not have English dubbing. It only had two versions: Eastern Mandarin and local dialect. The subtitles were all in Eastern Mandarin. But when I showed it to Berkeley directly, he couldn't understand it, so the relevant personnel processed it and rushed it.
English dubbing and subtitles.
The so-called internal learning materials are played in various training classes and study classes. Students and cadres watch them live and are not allowed to record them. Many of the contents can be found in public information, but some clips have not been put online.
.
That’s not to say that these contents are ulterior, they are just for ordinary students to see, and everything the New Alliance does is upright.
However, after careful discussion by Shen Sishu, Cui Wanhe and others, they believe that some pictures or scenes are too challenging for ordinary people's cognition. If the dubbing is re-edited by someone with ulterior motives, it may lead to rumors and reports that confuse right and wrong.
There are many international news organizations that are repeat offenders in this regard.
The New Alliance has mastered the weapon of public opinion in the country of Kyri, but in the international community, at least for now, it has no say at all and no ability to spread public opinion. Although almost no one in the international community pays attention to this poor place of Kyri, it is precisely
Caution is required in this situation.
That day, I met Gaole at the Youpo Noodle House in Wage Mining. After dinner, the conversation between Charles and Berkeley was not over yet. Because Charles was very busy and had a lot of things to deal with after dinner, so he
Let Berkeley watch the promotional video first.
No matter how it is revised, the narrative structure of this promotional video is the same. The first fifteen minutes are an introduction to the former Kingdom of Kilili, combined with a large amount of field shooting data and survey statistics. Half of the content is an introduction to Fiso Port, and the other half is
Introduce other states of Kiri Kingdom.
Not long after the film started, Berkeley was as confused as Charles when he read his letter!
Of course he knew how poor and backward the country was, with the annual per capita output value being less than 500 meters. The country's seven major states were once divided and occupied by five local armed forces, and the big forces also governed various small forces...
Berkeley originally had a conceptual understanding of these things, but when the life scenes in various neighborhoods came to him, he was unfamiliar and horrified. He could hardly breathe while holding his thighs and trouser legs with his hands, as if he was walking through hell.
It is not accurate to say that it is a life scene, maybe it can only be called a survival scene.
Berkeley also suddenly saw his own lens, because the film not only introduced the misery and despair of the people, but also briefly introduced the history and ruling class of this country. Of course, the current president Berkeley cannot be omitted.
The main part of the documentary introduces the establishment and purpose of the new alliance, a series of measures to create forest areas, build agricultural reclamation areas, establish a new order, and transform the old society. The focus is on the Port of Aiso as an example, showing a series of measures in just over a year.
With the change of time, cities, mountains and rivers and people's spiritual outlook have taken on a completely new look.
The documentary also introduces the process of the New Alliance's liberation of Banda and Wage City, as well as the achievements of social transformation. In the last part, it is mentioned that the New Alliance has liberated the entire country of Kilili Country by the end of 2021! Just watch this ending
, you know that this promotional video is the latest version, and the cultural and publicity department has just worked overtime to produce it.
Berkeley felt lost. The screen had turned on and the lights in the room had also turned on. He was still staring at the empty wall and was distracted, unaware that two more people had walked in.
"Berkeley, you demand to see me so strongly, what do you have to say?"
Hearing this voice, Berkeley suddenly woke up and found that there was a big black man wearing sandals and a short-sleeved Han shirt in the room, it was Charles, the president of the new alliance.
Although he didn't understand what Charles was saying, he stood up as if he was electrocuted, bowed his head and stretched out his hands.
Charles didn't mean to shake hands with him. He turned around and sat across the table from him. Behind him was the wall where the projection screen was hung just now.
Another staff member with an oriental face also sat on the side and opened his mouth to translate in English what Ciel had just said. Ciel spoke Eastern Mandarin, which is also the working language of the new alliance. Berkeley could not understand it, so he specially brought
Got a translator.
The translation was very simple and did not add any unnecessary modifications. For example, when Charles said Berkeley, he directly translated it into Berkeley without adding titles such as "Sir" or "President".
Berkeley stretched out his hand to grab some air, and sat down awkwardly, with a look on his face.
He had read Charles's information and knew that the man in front of him would be twenty-two years old this year. He graduated from a public high school in Port Feso and had been a gang member in the local neighborhood since he was a child. With such an educational background and resume, he was actually about the same as being illiterate.
.
But when Charles sat in front of him, he felt a sense of oppression, which made him feel awkward. It was completely different from many scenes he had imagined in advance. He didn't know what to say for a moment. Moreover, he had just watched such a propaganda documentary, and it turned out that
It seems that some of the things I have prepared can no longer be said, and I need to reorganize my thoughts.
After waiting for a long time, Charles didn't see Berkeley speak, so he took the initiative and asked, "Don't you have something to say?"
When Berkeley spoke, his tone became weaker unconsciously: "Mr. Charles, have you read my letter carefully?"
The conversation between the two was very interesting. Charles spoke in Eastern Mandarin and needed a translator to translate it into English; Berkeley spoke in English, but Charles did not need a translator and could directly pick up the conversation, explaining what Berkeley was talking about.
Everybody can understand it.
Why not use the local dialect? Because Berkeley doesn't know it! He went to England when he was three years old. He knows several foreign languages, but he can hardly speak the local dialect. Then why not communicate in English? Because Charles doesn't want to!
Charles replied directly: "I watched it. Not only did I watch it myself, but I also convened a meeting with the top management of the new alliance in Mowang City to discuss it. There was a Shen Xiucai in our new alliance. He sighed at that time and said, what age is this?
There is actually Sima Zhong? I used to think it was incredible when I read history, but I didn’t expect that I can still see him alive now!"
The translator directly transliterated the name, and Berkeley was confused and said: "What is Sima Zhong?"
Charles: "Sima Zhong is nothing, Sima Zhong is a person..."
Charles told an allusion about Emperor Hui of the Eastern Jin Dynasty "why not eat minced meat", and finally said: "This Sima Zhong doesn't seem to be an idiot, but he has serious cognitive defects. He still wants to solve the problem and proposes
Come up with your own plan.”
Berkeley finally understood, his face turned red and he said, "Do you think I am such a ruler?"
Charles: "Yes or no, let the facts decide. Let's keep the story short. First, let's ask a question. What do you think determines the situation of a country?"
Berkeley didn't realize that from the beginning of this conversation, he was carried away by Charles's rhythm. It wasn't that he gave Charles some suggestions and then exchanged guidance, but that Charles sat down and dominated the conversation.
.
Berkeley pondered for a few seconds, thinking about how to give a perfect answer. However, Charles did not wait for his answer, and then continued: "I think it must include three elements. The first is its institutional system.
Secondly, there are specific domestic and diplomatic measures based on this institutional system.
Finally, there are those who maintain this system and implement these measures, including administrative units and state machinery at all levels.
In the letter you wrote to me, you suggested that I should resolutely safeguard the current system of this country, continue the domestic and foreign affairs measures you have taken, and continue to appoint those officials to manage this country and retain the original management system.
It is these factors that determine the situation of Kilili Country. So I want to ask you, what is the difference between this and when you were president? Let me ask you again, what was the situation of Kilili Country in the past? It was a hell on earth!"
Berkeley was choked by this series of questions. After a while, he said: "Actually, I have been working hard to change this country since I took office. As long as you give me a little more time..."
His voice became weaker and weaker, and in the end it was almost inaudible. This was something he often said before, and he spoke it subconsciously, but after watching the propaganda documentary just now, he really didn't have much confidence anymore.
Charles: "The question I just asked you is, what determines the state of a country? Nothing has changed in this country between before you took office and after you took office. What's the point of giving you more time?"
It’s not that we didn’t wait, but our waiting was just meaningless suffering. My parents waited from birth to death, and I waited from childhood to adulthood, but we didn’t wait for any hope, and instead slipped deeper and deeper into the trap.
abyss.
It is the new alliance that has pulled this country out of the abyss and allowed people who were once desperate to make another choice. I believe you have not seen it."
Charles's eloquence in daily communication is much better than Berkeley imagined. In face-to-face conversations, he is just like Charles in the speech video, and his thinking is very clear and his reactions are very quick.
Berkeley finally reorganized his thoughts and composed himself: "First of all, on behalf of the twenty-fifth president of the Kingdom of Gila, I would like to congratulate the new alliance led by Mr. Charles on winning the new central government.
I just learned that the new alliance has achieved good results in many aspects, and I would like to congratulate it. I want to meet President Charles. I just want to provide some experience and suggestions on how to govern the country. After all, I have actually led
This country.”
Charles: "Please just say it, I'm listening."
Berkeley carefully considered his words and said: "Mr. Charles, I know that you are an idealist like me. But sometimes ideals have to succumb to reality. Many of the suggestions I made are actually
From a realistic perspective.
For example, I suggest that you try to retain the original officials, at least some of them, because they are the people who know the country best and are also the group with the highest level of education in the country.
I know that some of them are incompetent and many of them are not honest and upright, so I urge them to become incorruptible and upright and deal with those officials who violate the law.
But you can't get rid of everyone, because we really can't find another more competent and capable group. If they are all abandoned, then who will govern this country?
I wonder if you have heard of a saying? Even the worst order is ten thousand times better than no order at all!"
Charles: "I've heard of it. Someone told me that gangs emerged because there was a vacuum of order that needed to be filled, but they used the most barbaric method.
But why do we have to endure this worst order? Why not establish a better order... We will discuss these later, I won't interrupt you, you can continue with your own thoughts."
Berkeley's train of thought was interrupted for a moment, and he paused before continuing: "For another example, I suggest that we must pay attention to the public universities in the country. They cultivate the few elites in this country and are our most precious."
wealth.
Some people think that I have invested too many resources in this university, and its annual budget accounts for half of the national education funding. In fact, this needs to be explained, because much of its budget comes from donations from overseas alumni.
The country of Jili is too short of talents, especially the talents who can effectively govern the country. Build such a university and cultivate a group of the most high-end elites. Even if we further develop basic education, we can use them to cultivate educational talents..."
Charles just said that he didn't want to interrupt Berkeley's train of thought, but now he had to interrupt: "I have to tell you one thing. All the teachers and students of Jili University are now under control."
Berkeley almost jumped up from his chair and shouted, "Why? You arrested them all!"
Charles shook his head and said: "Either arrest, or temporary control, and subject to comprehensive screening and investigation, because of a serious criminal incident, and based on this criminal incident, many illegal and criminal clues were subsequently discovered..."
Charles briefly introduced the process of that vicious case and the results of the investigation, and then said: "We have a Shen champion in the new alliance, as I just told you.
He is specially responsible for the investigation of Jili University. This man is very knowledgeable. I used to think that he also had a lot of boring knowledge, such as the story of Sima Zhong I just told. But later I gradually realized that those knowledge were not boring at all!
But he recently did something very boring. The New Alliance was registering residents in various communities, so he assigned a task that no one could figure out.
He asked the on-site registration personnel to make a supplementary list. The statistical scope was the several blocks adjacent to Jili University. Whether it was a girl or a daughter-in-law, as long as the registration personnel thought there was some attractive woman, they would mark it and then summarize it on this supplementary list. .
Mr. President, what do you think he wants to do?" As the conversation progressed, Charles called Berkeley Mr. President for the first time, but there was an obvious sarcasm in his tone.
Berkeley was surprised: "Are you selecting women for the officials of your new alliance?"
Sishu Shen, who was a few kilometers away, was presiding over a meeting to arrange the latest work. He felt inexplicably hot at the base of his ears and itchy in his nose.
Charles continued: "We didn't know what he wanted to do at the time, he was so mysterious that he didn't explain it to anyone.
But this kind of boring thing makes the staff feel very interesting. Anyway, it can be done easily during the resident registration without consuming more manpower and material resources.
Although there are differences in the aesthetics of specific people, the difference is generally not too big. They just mark the women they think are beautiful.
The total residents of the neighborhoods involved are about 200,000, and there are almost 13,000 women marked on this supplementary list. The specific number is 12,943.
Then Shen Zhuangyuan issued a second order, asking the investigators to take this form and the resident registration information, visit these women one by one, and ask only one question, have they ever been assaulted by students from Jili University? You know the result ?”
Berkeley said in confusion: "What's the result?"
Charles's voice suddenly became very cold: "Not one!"
Berkeley: "Not one? Although it is a good result, I think it is unlikely."
Charles: "You have misunderstood. Of the thirteen thousand people, not one of them has been violated by students from Jili University!"