American Gossip King

Chapter 242 I'll Pay Back

2003, mid-September.

It was during the chilly spring season.

Trump Tower, Carl Media Group.

Ian sat in his office, brainstorming plans for future development.

Besides doing news reporting, Ian's main goals in 03 were to expand in the financial industry and in the British media, and to further increase his influence.

Just as he was pondering this, his secretary, Ida, entered: "Mr. Hua has requested a phone call."

"Take it." Ian took the phone. "Hi, Ziruo."

Hua Ziruo's voice on the phone was somewhat gloomy: "You failed to keep your promise."

"What did you say?" Ian was taken aback.

"Documentary," Hua Ziruo said.

"I released it," Ian replied, "and during prime time."

Because China attached great importance to this cooperation, the documentary was produced very quickly. After filming, editing and post-production were completed immediately, and then it was sent to Ian. Ian did not delay and directly handed it over to LANN, Fox News, and CBS for broadcast.

The key to this is its reach, so we're just giving it away for free.

Hua Ziruo said, "But CBS re-edited it and used a dark filter, which severely distorted our image."

"What did you say?" Ian stood up abruptly.

Sensing something was off about his tone, Hua Ziruo softened her tone considerably: "You don't know?"

"Fuck!" Ian cursed. "James Perry promised me I wouldn't make any changes, and I swear I knew absolutely nothing about it."

Hearing his angry tone, Hua Ziruo said softly, "I believe you. At least the version LANN released was the original. Fox made some minor changes, but not that serious. It seems your influence with them isn't enough!"

Ian was so angry he was shaking all over.

James Peley, if you don't want to let me go, then don't. What's the point of playing these tricks on me?

He said into the phone, "Don't worry, Ziruo, I will definitely give you an explanation for this."

"Okay, thank you." Hua Ziruo didn't say anything more and hung up the phone.

Ian hung up the phone, his face ashen.

………………

Instead of calling James Peley immediately, he first checked the CBS version.

As expected, CBS made significant changes to the documentary, even omitting parts of Ian's own statements, leading to further misunderstandings.

A brilliant editing technique can turn beautification into defamation. It's fortunate that Ian Karl was careful with his words, but even so, it still reveals a kind of "deep malice of Ian Karl towards China".

Damn it!

After thinking for a while, he called Gaskell and briefly explained what had happened.

Gaskell hesitated for a while before saying, "You know CBS supports the Democratic Party."

Ian suddenly realized.

The two major parties in the United States have different foundations. The Republican Party is a conservative party that is rooted in the American grassroots and leans towards tradition.

But behind every conservatism lies a radical and reformist aspect. In a powerful nation, this radicalism manifests as support for external expansion.

Of course, this doesn't mean the Republican Party doesn't support it—when a country is strong, even the most conservative parties will support foreign expansion.

To maintain your status as an international police force abroad, you need a legitimate reason, enemies, and allies.

Europe is our ally, terrorists are our current enemy, and the Far East is our long-term enemy!

Therefore, China must target its objectives and must never glorify them.

Without enemies, what gives you the right to expand your military, wage war, unite with allies, and exploit other regions?

A good enemy allows you to consolidate all your resources, keeping 90% for yourself and using the remaining 10% for external threats.

So, CBS tricked Ian.

Ian took a deep breath: "I don't understand why they didn't tell me? They should have known it would make me angry."

"On the contrary, I think they don't know, at least not that you'd be this angry. They probably think you're at most a little dissatisfied," Gaskell laughed. "They know you have investments in China, and that you did this simply to protect your interests there, but they don't know how much you trust and value the Chinese market. You've hidden this very well. To be honest, I was shocked when you told me how much you valued China. Hiding it well is a good thing, but it also gives others the wrong impression. They think you wouldn't care; after all, as a businessman, breaking promises is common."

Ian told CBS not to edit the original footage again, which was just a verbal instruction, so there's a good chance CBS didn't take it seriously.

Careless!

"Fuck!" Ian cursed. "I care about this!"

Gaskell sighed, "So you're planning to confront them? I must remind you, if you reveal your true level of friendliness towards China, you'll offend two groups of people at the same time. One group is anti-China, and the other is Jews."

CBS is also controlled by Jews, and I knew Jews couldn't be trusted!

You have betrayed my friendship!

Ian took a deep breath.

After a long pause, he said, "No, I will not reveal my true intentions, but this matter cannot be left like this, and I must also give an explanation to the Chinese side."

"What's your plan?"

Ian thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Simple. Let's make the losses I suffer even greater!"

three days later.

A news report was broadcast from China.

China has officially and angrily accused Carl Media, claiming that Ian Carl failed to fulfill the agreement and made significant malicious alterations to their documentary, and demanding that Ian Carl immediately pay $100 million in compensation.

The latest novel is first published here!

At the same time, a contract was produced, which stipulated that the documentary delivered by China to Carl Media Group could not be modified in any way, and that violation would result in a compensation payment of 100 million yuan.

This news immediately caused an uproar around the world.

Is Carl Media going to compensate Chinese people?

Given the nature of Americans, this is something they would never accept.

However, Carl Media soon announced that they would pay the fee and issue a formal apology for smearing China.

………………

In the office, Ian and Hua Ziruo clinked glasses.

After downing his glass of red wine in one gulp, Hua Ziruo sat down on Ian's sofa and loosened his tie.

His expression was noticeably more relaxed.

This isn't about a hundred million; what's more important is Ian Carl's attitude.

You have to understand that he is the person with the closest ties to Ian on the Chinese side. If Ian goes back on his word, he himself will be suspected.

Fortunately, Ian did not disappoint him and provided the best solution immediately.

The two of them sat on the sofa, feeling much more at ease.

Ian lit a cigar for Hua Ziruo himself: "Use these two hundred million to increase your shareholding in Ping An Insurance."

Ian paid 100 million in compensation and used the same amount to buy shares of Ping An Insurance Company at half price.

In reality, they didn't lose a single penny.

Hua Ziruo laughed and said, "No problem. With your statement, the documentary will be even more popular now."

It was originally just a documentary, but Carl Media's apology suddenly made the matter a hot topic. Most importantly, it implicitly announced to the world that Americans have been deliberately smearing China.

Ian Carr's "bowing his head in apology" is an admission of this fact.

You ask why I should bow my head? Nonsense, I have hundreds of millions of dollars invested in China. Isn't it only right and proper for me to bow my head, admit my mistake, and compensate according to the contract?

Money talks, that's only natural!

In this way, the previous smear campaign instantly lost its effect.

Those who are interested can even compare the results from both sides and realize what Americans have been doing... This predates TikTok by a lot, the only downside being that it wasn't long-lasting.

People are always forgetful.

But what does it matter?

The important thing is that I did more than I could do!

Faced with this turn of events, China has even more confidence in Ian's friendship—he has truly done his best!

Hua Ziruo asked, "Won't this damage your reputation in the United States?"

Ian smiled: "Ian Carl's heroic reputation wasn't earned by defaulting on debts. He corrects his mistakes, and many things depend on how you exaggerate them. Besides, after this incident, no one can say that I'm loyal to China."

Ian discovered a legitimate way to help China... He would sign various contracts with China, then break them, and then, as if he had lost, admit his mistake, apologize, and pay compensation.

Speaking for China from the perspective of a helpless loser.

This is good for everyone.

"That's absolutely right!" Hua Ziruo chuckled.

The most wonderful thing in the world is when you're doing something that harms someone, but they still think you're on their side.

Ian Carl paid $100 million in compensation to China, which shows that his relationship with China is not good at all... Who can say that I am not anti-China?

Ian raised his glass: "I lost a hundred million dollars, and now I need an explanation from CBS."

(End of this chapter)