Let you play a corrupt official, are you saying you want to make progress?

Chapter 4: A Wealth of Social Acumen

Qin Xuan certainly didn’t anticipate that this time, he would receive due credit without any doubt. Before he transitioned to this world, he had accomplished significant feats in the past, only to witness those achievements inexplicably attributed to others later on. It turned out that the beneficiaries were relatives of certain influential figures. Qin Xuan had grown accustomed to such situations. However, after his transition, receiving the well-deserved recognition felt somewhat surreal.

“What’s on your mind, Little Qin? Do you have any more questions?” The station manager noticed Qin Xuan’s dazed expression and promptly inquired.

“Yes, Little Qin, if you face any challenges, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll assist you in resolving them,” a female leader added.

This time, Qin Xuan had successfully revitalized the program, making it not only the most exceptional but also the most popular show in the station. Perhaps it was a stroke of luck, but regardless, Qin Xuan was the sole hero of this situation. If they wanted the program to become a hit, they would have to rely on Qin Xuan.

“No, I don’t have any difficulties. I was just contemplating how to improve the program even further!” Qin Xuan regained his focus and expressed.

The station manager and the others were quite pleased with this response and nodded in agreement.

“Excellent. Let’s work together to help Qin Xuan make this program a success. Qin Xuan, you bear a significant responsibility, but it’s all for the benefit of our station. Rest assured, I’ll credit you as the primary contributor. We old-timers won’t compete with you!” The station manager was now in high spirits.

Even Yang Chongming seemed excited and realized that Qin Xuan possessed an excellent understanding of historical culture. He understood that mere skills couldn’t have resulted in such a smooth completion of the task.

“Little Qin, this is my business card. Find some time to visit our research institute for knowledge exchange,” Yang Chongming handed over a business card from his pocket.

The station manager quickly clarified, “Little Qin, Professor Yang is a renowned historian in the country. He provided the theoretical support for this AI character restoration.”

“Professor Yang, I will visit you when I have the time!” Qin Xuan accepted the business card, knowing that the program had the backing of historical experts, even if the specifics were still a mystery.

After their conversation, Qin Xuan left the studio. There were no celebrations or banquets, and all the rewards were distributed directly. It was clear that the people here were all about getting things done. In contrast to Qin Xuan’s previous world, significant achievements called for obligatory celebratory banquets, where one’s performance was equally important. There’s a famous saying that captures this well: “Even if Stephen Hawking were here, he’d have to stand up and make a toast at the banquet.”

At this moment, Qin Xuan’s name was making waves on the internet. Various video clips were edited to highlight his wisdom in his words. The most popular was the analysis by Qinghong, which delved deep into the wisdom behind Qin Xuan’s statements. Qin Xuan’s personal social media account gained 700,000 new followers.

Qin Xuan didn’t pay much attention to his username or acne scars. Both were chosen casually. Otherwise, he could have attracted even more followers. Many fans messaged Qin Xuan, asking for a live broadcast or interview.

This world was characterized by simplicity. After the show, there were no flashy interview segments. Soon, Qin Xuan returned to his rented apartment, quickly tidied up, and lay down on his bed.

At that moment, a system task appeared.

“Ding dong, time-limited task. Host, elucidate your actions and the historical context of that time to the audience through a live broadcast. A successful explanation will earn you rewards. Do you accept the task?”

The system was as straightforward as ever.

Without hesitation, Qin Xuan sat up from the bed and replied, “I accept the task!”

Qin Xuan had conducted extensive research on the history of the Ming Dynasty. It’s well-known that the Ming History was revised by the Qing Dynasty, a process that took over a century to complete. Many aspects of it do not align with unearthed relics and logical reasoning. To uncover the truth, one must rely on excavated artifacts and privately written historical texts.

During the Ming Dynasty, civil officers, along with their families, often prioritized their interests and those of their families above all else. Some actions that may seem illogical at first reveal their significance when you consider the historical context.

Soon, Qin Xuan started a live broadcast that immediately captured the attention of netizens.

[“Wow, Xuan Bro is live! Let’s check it out.”].

[“Xuan Bro isn’t the original challenger, but a staff member from the studio. Without him, this broadcast might have been a disaster.”].

[“That’s right, I heard the same. The AI created something remarkably complex, even simulating human nature.”].

When Qin Xuan went live, viewers enthusiastically expressed their support for him. In this world, people with special abilities always receive affection from others.

[“Why did the Ming Dynasty label these inventions as trickery? Weren’t they technological advancements?”].

This was the most common comment in the live chat.

Qin Xuan noticed this comment but didn’t provide a direct answer. Instead, he smiled and asked, “Before I address that question, let me ask you a different one: the Song Dynasty had already invented movable-type printing, so why did the Ming Dynasty, centuries later, continue to use woodblock printing primarily?”

This question left the audience puzzled.

This had always been a point of confusion: movable-type printing was more efficient in terms of time and labor, yet they clung to the outdated woodblock printing.

“The answer is simple. Movable-type printing makes books more affordable. When books become cheaper, how can the literati maintain their monopoly? Additionally, woodblock printing results in neater publications.”

“Most importantly, movable-type printing streamlines the process, reducing the need for labor and resources. But in ancient times, there was no shortage of either!”

Qin Xuan explained directly, leaving the audience somewhat perplexed.

“This time, the show introduced a groundbreaking technology. Imagine if they presented a more efficient way to build dams. A dam that previously required tens of thousands of workers could now be built with just thousands or even hundreds, and once constructed, it’s a permanent solution. Do you think this technology would be widely adopted?”

Seeing the confusion among netizens, Qin Xuan continued to ask.

[“Of course, it would benefit the nation and the people.”].

[“I used to think so, but I read some bloggers’ analysis. They suggested that ancient officers cared more about their family interests and paid little attention to the common people. Maybe no one would promote such technology.”].

[“Xuan Bro, don’t keep us waiting, please tell us.”].

“Not only would it not be promoted, but it might face resistance from some people. The Ming Dynasty allocated a substantial yearly budget for flood control and dam construction. Where this money ultimately goes is anyone’s guess. If you can provide a permanent solution, you’re cutting off their source of income!” Qin Xuan woke up the dreamers with his explanation.

[“Wow, that seems plausible! I used to think the ancients were foolish, but now it appears it’s not them but me who was naive!”].

[“Exactly, if we follow Xuan Bro’s explanation, it all makes sense.”].

[“If you want to do well while time-traveling, you need to grasp not only historical knowledge but also understand the mindset of these people. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you might meet your demise.”].

The netizens began to share their thoughts.

Qin Xuan also felt a sense of amazement. Underneath seemingly irrational situations, there was always a logical explanation. It was akin to his experiences in his world before time travel, where his company would organize a performance every holiday. Even though no one attended, and the performances were lackluster, they continued to hold them every year because it was profitable. Canceling it would mean cutting off a source of income.

Fortunately, such things didn’t exist in this parallel world. After explaining these concepts, the live broadcast room erupted with activity. Various gifts started pouring in, and it was unstoppable. Qin Xuan was also surprised by the enthusiasm of these viewers. In just half a minute, there were eight or nine celebrations alone. As for this live broadcasting activity, the studio didn’t interfere, and Qin Xuan used his account, reflecting the very human aspect of this world.