Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 302 Public Relations Crisis
After the word "racial discrimination" popped up, Susan and Xu Ruiya were obviously a little panicked. Both of them grew up in the United States and knew the lethality of this word to the image of public figures.

Although discrimination against Indians is not as sensitive as that against Jews and blacks, it is still a taboo. If not handled properly, it may ruin Zhang Chao's publishing market in the United States.

Zhang Chao didn't expect that his words would be elevated to such a level. He just frowned and took out his credit card to pay the bill.

On the way back to the car, Susan said worriedly, "Aren't you worried? They said you were 'racist' on NBC."

Zhang Chao asked: "NBC? Is it a big influence?"

Xu Ruiya explained: "NBC is the abbreviation of the National Broadcasting Company in the United States. It is one of the top three television networks in the United States. Although the report just now was very short and it was not an important program, it still had an impact."

Zhang Chao asked again: "Do you think what I just said is 'racial discrimination'?"

Xu Ruiya said helplessly: "'Racial discrimination' is a very broad concept. Not to mention a word, an action or a gesture of some politicians or entertainment stars can be regarded as racial discrimination under the guidance of someone with ulterior motives."

Susan said: "Obviously, someone wants to interpret your words as 'racist'."

Zhang Chao said helplessly: "Okay. But since it has already happened... let's go back to the car and talk about it."

When Zhang Chao returned to the carriage with his ticket, he saw David Miller sitting there with a sullen face and his cell phone beside him. It was obvious that he already knew about this.

Seeing Zhang Chao coming in, David Miller stood up and seemed a little excited, but he quickly restrained his anger and just said, "Zhang, you fell into someone's trap."

Zhang Chao said, "I already know." Then he briefly talked about the show he saw in the small supermarket at the station.

David Miller was extremely frustrated. He said, "The American Indian? I have never heard of such a newspaper. You are so careless - I am so careless too. They did it on purpose!"

Zhang Chao asked, "What did the publishing house say?"

David Miller said: "Now the top management means to cancel the dialogue with Kiran Desai, and then hold a short press conference after getting off the train at Chicago Station early tomorrow morning."

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "Press conference? You want me to apologize?"

David Miller said: "There is no better way. Of course, we will let the public relations department write the script for you, and you just need to read it.

Don't worry, our public relations department is excellent, and the apology statement they write will be sincere and decent, so you won't be too embarrassed."

Zhang Chao asked, "And then?"

David Miller said: "You are Asian and they are Indian, neither of you is a sensitive group to 'racial discrimination', so just keep a low profile for a while. In addition, the launch event of the second part of "The Great Doctor" held in New York may be cancelled.

We are worried that there will be protests organized by Indians, and the situation will get out of control.”

Zhang Chao said firmly: "I don't agree!"

David Miller was anxious and said quickly: "I know they are slandering you, but..."

Zhang Chao interrupted him and said, "If you follow your plan, I will be confirmed to have made 'racial discrimination' remarks, which will be a permanent stain. I will never accept your plan.

You can even cancel the sale of the second volume of The Great Doctor, and I will find another publisher to publish it. As for an apology, that is out of the question.”

David Miller said helplessly: "You, you... to use the words of you Chinese, you are acting on impulse!"

Zhang Chao softened his tone and consoled the man, "Don't worry. I have experience in dealing with people who throw dirty water at me."

David Miller didn't believe it, but said: "Zhang, I know you are very influential in China, and all the media will revolve around you. But this is America!"

Zhang Chao smiled and said, "How do you know that the American media can't revolve around me? By the way, did Kiran Desai inform her to cancel the event? Or did she inform you to cancel the event?"

David Miller shook his head and said, “Not yet. You two are both writers I admire, and I sincerely hope that you two can have a wonderful conversation like the one we had yesterday and today.”

Zhang Chao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Not yet? That's good. If possible, please make sure she boards the Lakeside Express tomorrow." The California Zephyr they were currently riding only went to Chicago, so they needed to transfer to the Lakeside Express in Chicago to reach New York.

The third dialogue was originally scheduled to take place on the Lakeside Express.

David Miller said: "I'm not sure...Kiran Desai is not a person who likes to talk in public, and it's rare that he can accept to participate in this event...

If she refuses to proceed with the next step because of what you said, then I can’t convince her.”

Zhang Chao thought for a moment and said, "Since she hasn't informed you yet that she won't be coming, that means there's still room for redemption. So, you can confirm it with her tonight; if you don't want to make this call, then I'll do it."

David Miller looked at Zhang Chao in surprise and began to hesitate.

As the planner, he certainly didn't want the event to come to an abrupt end amidst such an unseemly controversy, nor did he want the sales of the second part of "The Great Doctor" to be affected.

——After all, he didn't want to lose Zhang Chao, a best-selling author who had already fulfilled his potential.

But he was more worried that if Zhang Chao and Kiran Desai met, they would spark some uncontrollable comments. At that time, he might lose two writers at the same time.

While he was hesitating, his cell phone rang. David Miller saw the incoming call number on the screen and became nervous. He picked up the phone but hesitated to press the answer button.

Seeing that everyone's attention was attracted by him, he could only helplessly turn on the screen: "It's Jilan calling."

Zhang Chao reached out to take the phone: "If you don't answer it, I'll do it!"

David Miller pulled his hand back as if it had been burned, and said, "Let me answer the call!" Then, with a fearless look in his eyes, he pressed the green answer button.

Everyone looked at David Miller nervously. He greeted the other party as usual, and then wanted to talk about what happened today. However, he just started to say "I'm sorry..." and was interrupted by the person on the other end of the phone.

As the whispers continued on the other end of the phone, David Miller's face kept changing, and finally settled on an extremely strange expression before he hung up the phone.

Susan asked first: "How is it? Didn't she say she wasn't coming?"

David Miller shook his head and said, "No, she emphasized that she wanted to come. She said, 'She hesitated before because of this commercial promotion,' and 'after hearing what Zhang Chao said, she suddenly realized that she had to come.'

And let me say to Zhang Chao, 'Don't feel guilty or anything special, we just want this to be a fun chat. '"

Xu Ruiya was stunned for a moment and asked, "That's all?" David Miller spread his hands and said, "That's all."

Zhang Chao listened to the whole process and laughed, "You said I fell into a trap, but obviously Ms. Kiran Desai did not. She is very wise and courageous.

I think our conversation will be very interesting.”

David Miller hesitated and asked, "What about the press conference in Chicago?"

Zhang Chao thought about it and asked, "If you arrange a press conference, who do you usually choose to cooperate with?"

David Miller said: "In terms of television media, it is usually CBS, which is located in New York and is the most influential television network on the East Coast. In terms of print media, there are many, such as The New Yorker and The New York Times..."

Zhang Chao said, "Let's include FOX this time. I have some connections with them. Also, have you invited the American Indian newspaper?"

David Miller said angrily: "It's just a tabloid that is only distributed in the Indian community! How can we invite him?"

Zhang Chao said openly: "Call him, you must call him, it will work!"

David Miller was speechless for a moment, not knowing what tricks Zhang Chao was playing.

Xu Ruiya had been at Tide Culture for a long time and had seen many of Zhang Chao’s tricks. She knew that he must have thought of a way to break the impasse, so she reminded him, “Mr. Miller, if you follow the plan of the publishing company’s top management, you will definitely lose Zhang Chao.

If Zhang Chao follows through, there will be a chance to create a bigger momentum for the second part of The Great Doctor.”

Seeing that David Miller still didn't understand, he added: "There is an old Chinese saying - 'Treat a dead horse as a living one'..."

After a long explanation, David Miller was finally convinced and said to Zhang Chao: "I hope your magical power can also work in the United States. I will go and persuade the top management."

Zhang Chao then asked, "The first episode of our dialogue journey will be broadcast tonight?"

David Miller nodded and said, "Yes, the clip of your conversation with Stephen King will be broadcast on CBS at 10 o'clock tonight. The conversation material between you and Li Yiyun today was handed over to the staff who came to take over when she got off the car this afternoon.

According to the plan, it should be broadcast tomorrow night. But now..."

Zhang Chao said: "The plan cannot be changed! And I hope to participate in the editing of relevant content via a conference call."

Although David Miller was a little confused, as things had come to this point, he could only follow Xu Ruya's instructions - "Treating a dead horse as if it were alive for medical treatment" - and agreed to Zhang Chao's request.

After the discussion, it was already 7: in the evening. The train had already left Denver Station and plunged into the dark night.

The California Zephyr will leave Colorado tonight and enter Nebraska. Zhang Chao looked at the schedule and suddenly remembered that Penny from The Big Bang Theory was from Nebraska.

Because of her, Sheldon simply put a big "X" on the map of the United States for Nebraska when choosing a place to live outside of Pasadena.

Compared with the previous state of Nevada, Nebraska is even more "sparsely populated". With a similar area, it has a population of only 200 million. For Zhang Chao, who has lived in densely populated areas since childhood, it is hard to imagine what life would be like in a state equivalent to the size of a Chinese province but with only the population of a medium-sized Chinese city.
As a writer, I am naturally always curious about the various forms of human life. Unfortunately, the entire journey through Nebraska was at night, and when I woke up, the train was about to enter Iowa, so I couldn't even get a glimpse of it.

Zhang Chao couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Because they were in a bad mood, several people did not choose to eat in the dining car, but chose the food delivery service.

Zhang Chao ordered a set meal, which included a pearl tempura shrimp appetizer, an Amtrak steak main course, and a chocolate spoon cake dessert. It tasted good, but Zhang Chao really missed Chinese food now.

After dinner, I took out the tea bag I bought today and made a cup of tea. It was better than nothing.

After finishing all this, he took out his cell phone and started calling different people according to his plan...

America’s night is China’s day.

Zhang Chao's words "I write in my mother tongue" were immediately transmitted back to China through the Internet. Some online media even added subtitles to Zhang Chao's interview and posted it online.

Everyone who saw it sighed: "This kid is still so good at touching people's hearts!"

Although some people think that Zhang Chao's words are just "telling the truth", the truth is often the most hurtful.

The Writers Association, which had been paying close attention to Zhang Chao's whereabouts in the United States, could no longer sit still. Wang Meng watched the video of Zhang Chao saying something and then turning away gracefully on his office computer seven or eight times, then he sighed and said, "It's really worrying..."

Xiao Wenbing, who was in charge of the external relations of the Writers Association, was anxious and said to Wang Meng: "Mr. Wang, you are too protective of him. Zhang Chao said one word and our 'China-India Literature Forum' and 'China-India Writers Exchange Forum' will not be held."

Wang Meng was surprised and asked, "What does this have to do with whether these two forums are held or not?"

Xiao Wenbing said: "How can it not be related. Zhang Chao and the Writers Association..." As he was speaking, he suddenly remembered that Zhang Chao was not a member of the Chinese Writers Association, so he had to shut up.

But he immediately added: "That Kiran Desai is not from India..." As soon as he said it, he realized that Kiran Desai was only "of Indian descent" but not an "Indian" in the sense of nationality. She is now an "American".

Wang Meng said with a smile: "So why are you so anxious? I told you that Zhang Chao's role outside the Writers Association may be greater than that inside the Writers Association, but you just don't believe it. You detained a 'Sun Wukong' like him. Are you planning to make him the 'Bimawen' or the 'Great Sage Equaling Heaven'?"

Xiao Wenbing and other leaders of the Writers Association who were watching the excitement: "..."

Wang Meng said: "Since he is Monkey King, we should let him go free in the world."

"But, but..."

"What else? If the Indian National Academy of Literature asks, just answer this: Zhang Chao is not a member of the Writers Association; even if he is, we cannot restrict his freedom of speech.

Alas, what's more, maybe they don't care at all? There is nothing to worry about in the world, only mediocre people worry about it! Disperse, disperse!"

There may be “no trouble in the world” on the Writers Association’s side, but that doesn’t mean there is “no trouble in the world” on the other side of public opinion.

Soon, an article signed by "World Wind" on Sina Blog quietly became popular. The title was -

"Tonight, we are all Indians!"

(End of this chapter)