They’re all reborn, what’s wrong with being a little more almighty?

Chapter 191 Second Transformation
In Zhang Wei's view, considering the quality of "The Thirst Game", a 10% royalty is not excessive.

But considering that he is indeed a new writer in the United States and is not an American himself, Zhang Wei can accept a slightly lower rate. His bottom line is 8%.

So when Galante offered a price of 5%, Zhang Wei planned to bargain. If you said 5%, I would say I could get 15% in China. Then if you raise it a little, I would lower it a little, and in the end we should be able to get 9%. The deal is concluded around %.

But he didn't expect that Galante was determined to take advantage of him, and refused to let go of the 5% price tag.

For Zhang Wei, such a price is a bit insulting.

What's more, this novel has sold more than 3000 million copies in the United States. Even if it is the first volume, the efficiency must be more than 1000 million copies. A difference of 1% in royalties, that is hundreds of thousands of dollars. Really If calculated based on a 5% royalty rate, millions of dollars would be lost.

Even with the price difference of several million US dollars, Zhang Wei couldn't compromise.

Why did Galante, the subject, refuse to give in at all for the 5% price tag? After Zhang Wei thought about it carefully, he was able to analyze it thoroughly.

The first reason must be that the store bullies customers. A publishing giant like Xuele Group with a history of nearly a century and a listed group, there is definitely no shortage of book resources. There are a lot of writers who cooperate with them, so there is no shortage of books. Wouldn't care about a new writer.

Secondly, Zhang Wei's Chinese identity is definitely a negative factor in the United States. Compared with second- and third-generation Chinese immigrants, it is still a level lower.

……

The third point may be that, as Galante said, other publishers are unlikely to offer higher prices, so Galante has nothing to fear.

"zhangwei!" Zhang Wei said the spelling of his name.

"Hello, this is Amazon. How can I help you?" A sweet female voice sounded, and she sounded like a young girl.

"Don't talk nonsense with me, I'm talking to you about serious things!"

This is for the same reason that developers are unwilling to pay more compensation to poor households. When a developer launches a project, it is calculated in units of 100 million. Is there a difference of 1.8 million?

Once a copyright dispute arises, it can be used as evidence. When you get to court, open the envelope and check the contents. As long as the postmark date is earlier, you can prove that you are the original author of the work.

So Zhang Wei dialed the phone number above.

"That's about right. I'm thinking that you won't have time to write a novel now." Professor Shi nodded, and then asked: "How is the publisher looking for it? Did you find it?" Professor Shi continued to ask.

They are worried that if the money is given to the nail households, other demolished households will have to follow the same procedures. By then, it will not be a matter that can be solved with 1.8 million.

In Professor Shi's view, Zhang Wei must have spent 24 hours in the laboratory, except for eating, drinking, sleeping and going to the toilet, and spent the rest of the time in front of the test bench to achieve such results.

"I wrote a novel, and I knew Amazon had a publishing arm, and I wanted to publish it through Amazon's publishing arm."

"Don't fool me! I have been doing scientific research for almost 20 years, and I have some achievements. I am well-informed in this field. I have seen people who squeeze their cleavage, but I have never seen anyone who can squeeze out the time. !”

Ordinarily, with this kind of labor intensity, how can you still have time to write a novel?
What's more, Zhang Wei has successively made two of the world's top scientific research achievements, nucleoside modification and genetic scissors, in just a few months.

He is not worried that Xuele Group will plagiarize "The Thirst Game". Firstly, an established publisher like Xuele Group will not do such a thing. Secondly, it is also because Zhang Wei has taken anti-theft measures in advance.

Therefore, Galante would rather let go of the excellent work "The Thirst Novel" than increase the money.

"Oh, are you Mr. Zhang from the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley? I am very happy to serve you. How can I help you?"

"You still write novels?" Professor Shi looked surprised, and then immediately said: "Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning your ability, I mean, do you still have time to write novels?"

In terms of ethnicity, the American book market favors Jewish writers the most, followed by Italian writers. British and American writers are treated equally, while Mexican and Chinese writers are at the bottom.

"I heard from your sister-in-law that you went to New York again today?" Professor Shi asked.

"What I want to publish is a novel with a science fiction youth theme. I can accept self-publishing, but I hope Amazon can give me some preferential treatment in terms of channels."

To be able to produce two world-class scientific research results in just a few months is an exaggeration enough. Professor Shi would not have believed it if he had not actually read the paper in Science.

The most important reason is that Galante is unwilling to break the rules of the publishing industry, or that he is unwilling to break the rules of the American publishing industry for Zhang Wei.

A Chinese came to the United States to publish English novels. Even though the quality of the work was very good, Galanter refused to give in because of the inherent demerit points.

"Okay, I admit, I wrote this novel before." Zhang Wei had no choice but to lie.

Of course, this cannot be Bezos's contact information. Zhang Wei guessed that this should be the number of a public relations department or liaison department of Amazon, which is dedicated to solving problems for Amazon's related customers.

"We at Amazon have a publishing department and we are happy to help you, but please explain the situation in detail."

"Senior brother, I didn't realize it, but you are quite boring. When doing scientific research, you even pay attention to whether your female colleagues are showing their cleavage!" Zhang Wei said with a bad smile.

"Okay, I have written it down. Mr. Zhang, please leave your contact information and keep the phone open. Amazon Publishing will contact you as soon as possible."

As for African-American writers, they are a relatively special group. They focus on writing black literature, and the content is mainly about the life experiences of African-Americans in the United States. They write in other genres and no one reads them.

In the eyes of the Xuele Group, a writer of Zhang Wei's level only deserves the lowest 5%. If he is given a higher price, other new writers will also make the same request in the future. By then, the operation of the entire group will Costs will increase.

After returning to Princeton, Zhang Wei found a business card from his bag. It was the contact information left by Amazon when he signed a consulting contract last year.

In the evening, Professor Shi returned home.

"Hello, my name is Zhang Wei, and I am a consultant for Amazon." Zhang Wei introduced himself.

Zhang Wei took back his manuscript and left Xuele Group.

Scientific research is very busy, especially when the project enters a critical stage. Many scientific researchers spend all day and night in the laboratory. They have food and accommodation in the laboratory and have no time to go home.

"Sir, I need to verify your identity. How should you spell your name?"

But while doing research, Zhang Weiji was also writing a novel. This is really too much!
Zhang Wei smiled and replied: "Time is like cleavage, there will always be some squeezing."

It is actually very easy to prevent plagiarism in literary works. You only need to put your manuscript in an envelope and send it back to yourself, but do not open it after receiving it.

"I found Xuele Group."

"Seeing as you have been very busy these past two days, I didn't report this matter to you. I wrote a novel and planned to publish it, so I went to New York to find a publisher." Zhang Wei replied.

"Scholar Group? That's the top publisher in the United States. Did they agree to publish for you?"

"I agreed, but the royalties offered were too low, only 5%, so I refused."

“5% is a bit low, but as far as I know, in the American publishing market, Chinese-American writers are often priced down, let alone if you are Chinese. So most Chinese-Americans can’t write novels; They are all social science or economic books, and as long as they have enough gimmicks, they can sell well.”

"For example, Zhang Jiadun's book "China is About to Collapse", I heard is a bestseller in the United States. After he wrote this book, many programs invited him to be a guest!" Zhang Wei said disdainfully.

Professor Shi said with a worried look: "I've heard about that book. It was really popular in the past two years. I don't understand economics, but there are indeed many people who have similar views."

Zhang Jiadun's book "China is About to Collapse" was published in 2001. At that time, China had just joined the WTO and faced many opportunities and risks.

At that time, there were indeed many voices who believed that China could not face the fierce competition in the world market. Foreign goods would impact the Chinese market and cause most of China's companies to collapse, leading to a complete collapse of the Chinese economy.

This kind of voice is not only widespread abroad, but also many so-called economists in China agree with this view, belittle Chinese companies, and believe that Chinese companies cannot compete with foreign companies.

Chang Jiadun's "China is About to Collapse" caters to this view, which is equivalent to speaking to the hearts of many Americans.

For many Americans, regardless of whether what is said in the book makes sense or not, just because I like what you say and it meets my psychological expectations, I am willing to spend money to support you.

And the word "collapse" is also used very well.

It’s not just a day or two that the West has been badmouthing China’s economy, but before that, perennial anti-China media outlets such as The Economist and The Washington Post used the term “hard landing” to sing about it. Destroy China's economy.

The word "hard landing" is not as scary as "crash", and not as shocking as "crash". Especially when placed in the title of the book, the word "crash" is full of gimmicks, which will definitely help to sell the book.

It was also from this book that the West's behavior of badmouthing China was officially named "China Collapse Theory."

And as everyone knows, the West is pessimistic every year, while China is growing year by year. The so-called "collapse" time has been continuously postponed since 2005, and gradually it has become a calendar flip, and it has been postponed by one year. New year!

Zhang Jiadun was also nicknamed "Zhang Bureau Seat" by Chinese netizens and became one of the important cadres of the Strategic Deception Bureau.

But it was still only 2005, and China's economy had not yet slapped the West in the face with facts. So when Zhang Wei talked about Zhang Juzuo with disdain, Professor Shi was not as confident as Zhang Wei. Instead, he was a little worried. I'm afraid that China's economy will really collapse as mentioned in the book.

Zhang Wei immediately advised: "Professor Shi, that Zhang Jiadun is a liar. Just relax. China's economy will only get better and better! Don't look at our current economic aggregate, which only ranks third in the world." Six, but I think with the current development momentum, we will definitely surpass Japan and become the second in the world in five years!”

"I hope so!" Professor Shi sighed and continued: "Let's talk about your novel? Do you still plan to publish it? I also know a few publishers. Although the scale is not as large as Xuele Group, they still publish novels. No problem."

"Thank you, senior brother. I have contacted another publisher just now. If they can't do it, please trouble me again, senior brother." Zhang Wei said.

"Okay, if you need me, just tell me, don't be polite to me." Professor Shi changed his tone and continued: "One more thing, I have a business trip the day after tomorrow, to New Mexico, are you interested in going with me? "Is it an academic seminar?"

"Absolutely. It's a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Santa Fe Institute. It can also be regarded as an academic seminar."

“What is the Santa Fe Institute?”

"Is an independent non-profit research institution located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This research institution was co-founded by Professor Murray Gell-Mann in 1969 and several other scientists. The Nobel Prize winner in physics is the father of quarks.

In the United States, there are many such independent research institutions, most of which are for-profit. It is actually not easy for a non-profit organization to survive for twenty years. Therefore, this Santa Fe Research Institute has a very good reputation and reputation.

Although there are a few scientists at this institute who are resident scholars, most of them work part-time. They all have their own jobs. If they have time, they work on the Santa Fe research project. Normally, they still have to work in their original units. At work. "Professor Shi introduced.

"Their founder is a Nobel Prize winner in physics, so he should mainly study physics, right?" Zhang Wei asked again.

"Not only physics, but biology, chemistry, computers, sociology, finance, and even literature, music, painting, etc. are also within their research scope. Their main research direction is actually complex adaptive systems. Interdisciplinary research.”

Zhang Wei was stunned for a few seconds, and then asked a little embarrassedly: "Brother, what is the interdisciplinary research of complex adaptive systems?"

This time it was Professor Shi's turn to be stunned. He hesitated for a few seconds before asking, "You really don't understand?"

"I really don't understand!" Zhang Wei nodded sincerely.

Professor Shi was a little surprised and thought to himself: How could a talented junior like me not even understand such basic knowledge?

But he began to explain patiently: “Interdisciplinary research on complex adaptive systems refers to the study of multidisciplinary integration of complex systems with adaptive capabilities.

Such systems usually consist of multiple adaptive agents that can interact with the environment and other agents, and continuously optimize their behaviors and strategies through learning and adaptation. "

Zhang Wei was still confused, as if he was getting more confused the more he listened.

Professor Shi also realized that Zhang Wei didn’t understand, so he had to explain:
"For example, urban transportation involves research in multiple scientific fields. On the road, pedestrians, bicycles, private cars, and buses are each a different subject, and each subject has its own characteristics for urban transportation. different needs.

In order to study urban transportation, we need to use traffic engineering to design roads and traffic lights, sociology to understand the behavioral patterns of drivers and pedestrians, psychology to understand their mental states, and environmental science. To assess noise pollution, economics is needed to calculate returns from public transportation, and law is needed to formulate traffic regulations.

Therefore, if you want to improve the transportation operation mechanism of a city, you must study a variety of disciplines, as well as each subject in urban transportation and the interrelationships between each subject. The Santa Fe Research Institute does similar work. "

"I understand! So, this Santa Fe Institute is a hodgepodge of all types of research? Isn't that just like a university?"

"In terms of professional research, it is definitely not as good as the university, but in terms of cooperation and exchanges, the Santa Fe Institute is worse than the university. In the university, each major basically studies the content of its own major, while the Santa Fe Institute is Multiple majors collaborate on a project.”

Professor Shi paused and then continued: "In my opinion, this Santa Fe graduate student is like a platform for scientists to communicate. Scientists from different majors can understand and inspire each other on this platform. This model is quite good for collaborating on the same project. ”

"Hearing what you said, I really want to see it. Senior brother, I don't have an invitation. Is it okay to go hang out with you?"

"Of course it's no problem. You are the inventor of genetic scissors. Based on this, the Santa Fe Institute will give you VIP treatment!"

……

Zhang Wei followed Professor Shi to the party at the Santa Fe Institute.

"Shi, you're here, long time no see!" An old man with glasses and snow-white hair came up to him.

"Hello, Professor Gell-Mann, are you feeling well?" Professor Shi quickly stepped forward.

"Since the brace was installed, my health has been much better!" the old man said with a smile.

"Professor, let me introduce you." Professor Shi pulled Zhang Wei to the front and continued: "His name is Zhang Wei. Even though he is young, he is a genius scientist! Not long ago, in the field of biological sciences, a The sensational genetic scissors were developed by Zhang Wei.”

"Junior brother, this is the father of quarks I mentioned to you before, Professor Murray Gelman!"

"Hello, Professor Gell-Mann, it's an honor to meet you." Zhang Wei quickly greeted him.

"Mr. Zhang, congratulations on becoming the youngest guest in today's celebration!" Gelman looked Zhang Wei up and down and said at the same time: "Your name seems familiar to me. Are there many Chinese people who are familiar with it? Call this name?”

"You guessed it right, my name is the most commonly used name among Chinese people." Zhang Wei said.

"No wonder! I remember that the Chinese scientist who discovered graphene last year also had this name." Gelman said.

"Do you think that person is also me?" Zhang Wei asked with a smile.

"Hahaha, young man, you are much more humorous than Professor Shi!" Gelman replied.

"Humorous?" Professor Shi grinned and thought to himself, I would like to be humorous, but I can't be humorous. My strength doesn't allow it!

At this moment, a middle-aged man walked over. He looked at Zhang Wei carefully and asked, "Excuse me, are you the Chinese scholar who discovered graphene?"

Zhang Wei looked at the other person and saw that he was a stranger and didn’t recognize him.

The other party didn't seem malicious, so Zhang Wei nodded: "Yes, my name is Zhang Wei, and I discovered graphene. Who are you?"

"Mr. Zhang, you definitely don't know me, but I know you! My name is James, and I'm a reporter. Last summer, at the University of California, Berkeley, you exposed the fraud of Huang Yuxi's paper, and I was also there! Then It’s so exciting, I can still remember it vividly! ”

The conversation between the two fell into Professor Gelman's ears, and he was immediately surprised.

Just now he praised Zhang Wei for his humor.

Now he suddenly discovered that the humorous person turned out to be himself!

Professor Shi looked at Professor Gelman with a half-smile, as if asking: You old man, do you still find it humorous?
The reporter said hello, took his leave, and went to build relationships with other scholars.

Gelman still hadn't come to his senses, and he asked subconsciously: "The scholar who discovered graphene last year, is it really you?"

"It's me." Zhang Wei nodded seriously.

"You're not a biologist, are you? Genetic scissors, as the name sounds, are also the results of scientific research in biology! Why are you studying physics again?"

"In the first half of last year, I was still studying physics. I just started studying biology this year." Zhang Wei had a Versailles expression.

Professor Gell-Mann looked incredulous. This was not a subject selection for the college entrance examination. He casually jumped from physics to biology.

This is high-end scientific research, how can you change your major like this? It’s totally irrelevant! From physics to biology, it takes three to five years to learn just the basic knowledge.

You can just change your major and still produce top results. Do you dare to believe this kind of thing?
Gell-Mann himself is the world's top physicist, a top figure who has won the Nobel Prize, and he also founded an interdisciplinary staff organization such as the Santa Fe Institute. Gell-Mann knew only too well how vast the span was from physics to biology.

Even after seeing it with his own eyes, Gelman was still full of doubts. Zhang Wei's situation was beyond his knowledge.

At this moment, a woman walked in at the door. Judging from her dress, she was also today's guest.

When the woman saw Professor Gelman, she immediately walked forward and said hello.

"Professor Gell-Mann, I haven't seen you in more than two years. You look younger!" the woman said.

"Sophie, you are even more beautiful!" Professor Gelman greeted her with a smile.

This female guest is none other than Professor Sophie Goldwasser of the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, who proposed the zero-knowledge interactive proof.

When Zhang Wei came out of Goldwasser, he immediately said hello: "Professor, I haven't seen you for more than half a year, but you are still so dazzling!"

"Zhang! You came to the United States again! Why didn't you come to Berkeley to see us? Professor Aardman talked about you many times!" Goldwasser looked surprised.

"I am entering from New York this time, and I haven't had time to go to the West yet. When I go to Los Angeles in two days, I will visit Professor Adelman." Zhang Wei replied.

Professor Gelman next to him asked: "Do you know each other?"

"Of course I know, Zhang is a genius in the field of cryptography! His research results in the field of cryptography have directly promoted the advancement of the entire cryptography for ten years!" Goldwasser did not hesitate to praise him.

"Cryptozoology? This is in the computer field, right?" Gelman looked at Zhang Wei in shock, as if he had seen some strange animal.

You were a biologist when you first came here.

In the blink of an eye you are a physicist again.

Why are you now a computer expert?

It's just a transformation, but also a second transformation?

(End of this chapter)