Break out of the courtyard

Chapter 1041 September Counterattack

The news that Hong Kong Island Peace College suddenly expelled 13 American students and that Cheung Ho-ping sued these 13 American students for defamation, seeking HK$13 in damages for reputational loss, quickly became a global trending topic.

The buzz surrounding the 6th Nobel Peace Prize Virtual Dream Awards Ceremony hasn't died down yet, and now the founders of the Peace Prize have launched this lawsuit, making it hard to ignore.

However, Mr. Zhang, who was trending on social media this year, took his eldest son Zhang Bei and several bodyguards to Harbin after hosting Mr. Hua and Mr. Li, who came to Hong Kong Island to experience the virtual dream world.

His purpose in coming here was twofold: first, to refine the virtual dream world of Project Night Cherry, and second, to donate the hard drive containing bacterial research data to the Museum of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin.

Finally, he also wanted to see the sample footage of the "731" movies filmed by the directors and actors.

Because film censorship in mainland China is relatively conservative, many bloody and nude scenes need to be cut, resulting in two different narrative films between China and abroad.

Even if most of their images are the same, the final screening will definitely give the audience two different sensory experiences.

With only about twenty days left until its release on the 18th of next month, Peace Group has yet to promote the film. I wonder if this is the reason why Zhang Heping has made himself a trending topic.

"Dad, if we include the four years of secret research conducted by Unit 731 before its renaming, the time span of this Night Cherry Blossom Project's virtual dream would be as long as 13 years!" Zhang Bei realized this big problem only after seeing the evidence in the exhibition hall.

The Korean War lasted for 3 years and 1 month. To facilitate the experience, the virtual dream of the Korean War only retains five major battles, spanning 168 days.

Even so, if the perception speed is increased by 10 times and the experience is continuous, it would still take 17 days to complete the virtual dream of the Korean War.

If the Night Cherry Blossom Project's virtual dream world lasts for 13 years, it would take participants 1.3 years of non-stop work to possibly complete the experience.

Some people might ask, why not increase the perception acceleration by 100 times? Wouldn't that shorten the time?

Mental exertion!

The greater the sensory acceleration rate, the more active the brainwaves of the regenerating brain become, and the more active the brainwaves are transmitted to the experiencer's brain through mental energy conversion, thus causing the experiencer's brain to rapidly consume nutrients in the body.

The regenerated brain receives nutrition from external nutrient solutions, as long as the supply of nutrient solutions is sufficient.

The participants have limited nutritional needs and must constantly seek them from the outside world, which means they need to eat.

The greater the sensory acceleration rate, the more frequently the user needs to eat.

Once the dream is activated at a high multiplier, if the player leaves the dream to eat and replenish their nutrition, they will miss the rapidly developing dream storyline during this period.

If the user frequently leaves the dream to eat, they will miss more of the dream's plot.

In that case, it would be better not to accelerate perception at all.

However, without accelerating perception, we return to the initial problem: the time span is too large, making it impossible to quickly experience the entire Night Sakura Project virtual dream.

This problem is actually similar to the problem of high power consumption encountered after the invention of the first generation of computers.

It's worth noting that early computers consumed as much as 150 kilowatt-hours of electricity, while many modern laptops consume less than 0.1 kilowatt-hours.

To put it bluntly, Zhang Heping's current fourth-generation Black Iron gaming helmet is not advanced enough, it consumes too much mental energy, and it cannot adapt to the virtual dream world with its high-multiplier accelerated perception mode.

Zhang Heping, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, stood next to the regenerative brain server, not distracted by answering his eldest son Zhang Bei's questions.

Bored, Zhang Bei put on his gold-rimmed glasses again and released his mental energy into the regenerative brain server that had constructed the virtual dream world of Project Night Cherry.

However, Zhang Bei's mental energy was drawn into the virtual dream, and he only lasted for a few seconds before he took off his gold-rimmed glasses and took out half a bottle of brain-boosting liquid from his pocket and drank it.

The reason for this is that Zhang Heping constructs dreams too quickly, which is equivalent to giving the regenerative brain a thousand-fold acceleration of perception.

If it weren't for this rapid dream-building speed, it would have taken Zhang Heping more than ten years just to construct the virtual dream of the Night Cherry Blossom Project.

As evening approached 19 p.m., the director of the Harbin government office received more than a dozen inquiries at the door before he noticed that Zhang Heping's appearance had changed.

Zhang Heping took off his gold-rimmed glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and said to his eldest son, who came to help him, "You mentioned the time span before!"

Zhang Heping took the brain-boosting liquid handed to him by the bodyguard and drank 15 bottles in a row before continuing, "The main purpose of this Night Cherry Blossom Project's virtual dream is to meticulously recreate the inhuman atrocities committed by the Japanese devils on the Japanese island. Except for those unverifiable dialogues, nothing else can be deleted."

"However, on another note, do you think any normal person could experience the Night Sakura Project's virtual dream world for an extended period of time?"

"Especially when they go there as tourists to watch those atrocities in the labs, who can last the entire 15-minute experience?"

"No visitor managed to stay until the end!" the museum curator, waiting nearby, interjected softly. "Currently, the longest anyone has lasted is 1 minute and 39 seconds!"

One minute and 39 seconds, which translates to about 17 minutes if we accelerate the perception tenfold, is not even enough time to watch a complete human experiment. This shows the level of endurance of those tourists.

As Zhang Heping walked out, he said, "Try to use the tourist mode as little as possible, lest no one dares to visit your place in the future!"

The museum curator said with a wry smile, "We also wanted visitors to use the experiential mode, but those people wouldn't listen to our advice. They felt that being locked up in a cell was a waste of time, so they switched to the visitor mode themselves."

"There's nothing we can do about it!" Zhang Heping put his gold-rimmed glasses back on, nodded to the director of the Harbin government office, and continued:

"Your virtual dream world is different from the Nanjing Fallen Virtual Dream World; it doesn't have that much space for movement."

"If you want visitors to use the experiential mode, you have to give them something to do, such as plotting a prison break or working together to kill the Japanese islanders inside."

"Is this alright?" The curator's eyes gradually lit up.

"Why not?" Zhang Heping smiled. "In the end, although no one escaped from Project Night Cherry Blossom, there were always those inside who dared to resist!"

Seeing that the curator was deep in thought, Zhang Heping stopped talking to him and instead chatted with the director of the Harbin government office for a few minutes.

Afterwards, they got into the car and drove straight to the largest restaurant in Harbin.

Six years ago, Zhang Heping set up a branch factory of Heping Automobile in the neighboring city of Shenyang, which brought about a complete automobile industry chain in the area, making Harbin very envious.

Therefore, Zhang Bei received a warm welcome from the city government during his previous visit to Harbin, as did Zhang Heping during his current visit.

Especially the next day, when people from Shenyang also arrived, the hospitality became even more extravagant.

Unfortunately, neither Zhang Heping nor Zhang Bei drank with them, making the people of Harbin think that attracting investment was a long shot.

On the afternoon of the third day, the investment manager and public relations manager of Heping Group brought a group of people over for drinks, which finally got the people from the Ha and Shen families into a good mood.

However, these Northeastern men didn't give it their all, each afraid of drinking these Southerners into the hospital and delaying subsequent business negotiations.

Zhang Heping disliked social engagements, but the people from the Ha and Shen families were so enthusiastic, inviting him to banquets day after day, that he finally asked his concubine Chen Shuting to send reinforcements.

For the next two days, Zhang Heping did not visit the exhibition hall, but instead flew back to the capital.

After spending half a day in a virtual dream world of the Korean War and half a day in a virtual learning dream world on Hong Kong Island, Mr. Hua and Mr. Li returned to Shenzhen and then flew back to the capital.

During the two days Zhang Heping returned to the capital, he spent most of his time discussing the sample film of "731" and subsequent press releases with Hua Lao and Li Lao.

There are many factors to consider domestically, so it's impossible to take a clear stance against Japan and the US like Zhang Heping did.

Therefore, while the "731" films released in mainland China may evoke some anti-Japanese sentiment, their primary message is to encourage viewers to cherish the good life they have now.

The "731" movie that is about to be released in Hong Kong is more of a horror film than a documentary.

I wonder how many people will see a psychologist after this horror documentary is released overseas, and how many people will complain about the film!

Friday, July 8th.

On the day Zhang Heping was preparing to return to Hong Kong Island, Hua Lao arrived at the Zhang family home in Houhai early in the morning. He first mentioned that the American had donated some original historical documents to the Museum of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Army in Harbin, and hoped that the Hong Kong Peace Academy would no longer target American students.

"They've got their eyes on the Night Cherry Blossom Project's virtual dream equipment?" Zhang Heping chuckled, bringing over a water cup and kettle, which he then handed to Xiao Qin, the guard who had come forward to help.

"They wanted to send historians and biologists to Harbin," Hua nodded and said. "Given our educational exchange and cooperation agreement with the United States, we agreed to their request."

"What did the WTO say?" Zhang Heping took the glass of water that had been poured for him and said with a faint smile, "They didn't invite us to the ministerial meeting in April."

"Those foreigners want us to loosen the controls on the Lifespan 120 drug!" Old Hua frowned. "Last month, 2053 people received free injections of the Lifespan 120 drug, and this month we should reach 2556."

"Some people have suggested that a certain number of 120-year lifespan potion slots be allocated to foreigners. What do you think?"

Zhang Heping sneered, "They want to curry favor with those foreign officials, do you think I can't do it myself?"

"Don't forget, I'm paying for all the Lifespan 120 potions being produced right now!"

Seeing that Zhang Heping refused so directly, Hua Lao knew better than to try to probe further.

The old man and the young man drank a few sips of tea, easing the tension that had almost escalated into a confrontation, before Old Hua changed the subject, saying, "I heard you're planning to have the Moon Palace base project implemented in the Northwest?"

"Hmm!" Zhang Heping held up his water glass, gently swirling the tea leaves in the water, and slowly said, "Let's send some exploration equipment to the moon first, and see if we can find a substance to replace gold in amplifying mental power."

Upon hearing this, Elder Hua immediately perked up. "The Ruomu Divine Tree isn't made of gold, nor does it require a continuous supply of nutrients like a biological brain or a regenerating brain. Why don't you go to Sanxingdui and study it?"

"I haven't had a moment to spare lately!" Zhang Heping took a sip of tea, put down his cup, and said, "The rules for free trials of the Lifespan 120 drug cannot be changed. If foreigners want to use the drug, they'll have to wait 5 years to become citizens."

"As for the citizenship requirements, the asset requirement could be raised to 1000 million US dollars; the current 50 US dollars is too low!"

Old Hua frowned and asked, "Isn't 1000 million magnesium dollars too high?"

"Besides the asset requirement, can't we also obtain citizenship through a talent introduction program?" Zhang Heping countered, "What's the point of having foreigners who have neither money nor skills?"

The level of medical care in China has improved significantly in recent years, which has led to the total population of mainland China exceeding 12 billion long ago. There is no shortage of people.

Mr. Hua felt that the asset threshold was too high and the chances of it being approved were slim, so he dropped the topic.

The two chatted for a while longer until their flight was about to depart, at which point they went to the Capital Airport together.

After Zhang Heping, Zhang Bei, and the others boarded the plane, Elder Hua returned to his car. His bodyguard, Xiao Qin, who had been silent for most of the morning, finally spoke up: "Elder Hua, Advisor Zhang doesn't agree to release the quota for the Lifespan 120 drug to the public. What about the WTO?"

"Those who are not in a position should not meddle in its affairs!" Old Hua said calmly. "I will simply convey Consultant Zhang's message back; how they handle it is their business!"

"Times have changed. The era of foreigners blocking our technology is over. Now it's our turn to find ways to prevent our technology from being leaked!"

"Will they have a problem with Consultant Zhang?" Xiao Qin gripped the steering wheel and glanced at Old Hua in the rearview mirror.

"You'd better keep your opinions to yourself!" Old Hua's lips curled up. "Why do you think Consultant Zhang would rather lose money producing the Lifespan 120 potion than hand over the related technology?"

"Besides the Lifespan 120 potion, there are also Lifespan 160 and 200 potions! After his uncle and aunt used the Lifespan potion, the effect of delaying aging was slow, so many people thought they weren't using the Lifespan 120 potion. Which Lifespan potion do you think they used?"

"Do you think those who have already used the Lifespan 120 potion might offend Consultant Zhang because of the dissatisfaction of foreigners?"

Xiao Qin pursed his lips and asked, "A free trial of the 120-year lifespan potion... could this be one of Consultant Zhang's schemes?"

……

After returning to Hong Kong Island and confirming the sample of the "731" movie that was being shown overseas, Zhang Heping produced a bunch of materials related to Unit 731 and launched a media offensive through Heping Media and Heping Smart Technology.

After months of planning and preparation, the people from Peace Media and Peace Wisdom Technology finally received permission from the big boss, and their excitement was indescribable.

Qu Zhouping, the head of Peace Media, first showed a sample of the "731" film to various media leaders and online trolls to unify their anti-Japanese sentiments before launching a multi-pronged effort both online and offline.

The first day's offensive was relatively mild, merely bringing up the news that Japan and the United States had previously accused the Peace Group of researching chemical weapons and responding to it.

At this moment, because the flu has subsided in various places, many people have forgotten the news that the Japanese people falsely claimed that the virus originated from Zhang Heping's biochemical laboratory.

Qu Zhouping wasn't foolish enough to use the big boss's negative news for publicity, so he only cited relevant news about the Peace Group.

The next day, a lawyer's letter paved the way!

All media outlets and individuals who had previously published false reports about the Peace Group and Zhang Heping received lawyer's letters from the Peace Law Firm, and Peace Media subsequently released the relevant list.

This is too broad a target. Fortunately, the Peace Group gave them a chance to admit their mistakes. They agreed not to prosecute them as long as they retracted their previous statements within 24 hours and issued a public apology in writing or video.

By the third day, numerous people were apologizing and issuing apology letters online, in newspapers, and on television.

At this point, this wave of public opinion began to gain momentum!

Data regarding Unit 731's bacteriological research was only recently released...