Lu Zhou returned his focus to the Lunar Orbit Committee. He was about to complete the Control of Earth and Moon mission chain. On the other hand, a group of staff members was all the way at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest, moving cardboard boxes into the venue.
On the stage not far away, there was a director wearing a hat with several crew members behind him. He seemed to be doing an on-site inspection of the stage.
Everyone had their job to do, not one person was mucking around.
Director Li looked at the busy venue and spoke.
“What is… going on here?”
Standing next to him was Ou Haifeng, the head of the State Entertainment Department Office.
He quickly explained, “Isn’t it the National Day soon?”
“National Day? Isn’t that still a while away?”
Director Li thought to himself that Labour Day had not even begun yet, but they were already planning on celebrating National Day. Wasn’t this a bit too early?
Director Ou shook his head and said, “It’s not early, it’s only in five months. You have to prepare everything in advance, right? Not to mention that this is a national celebration, we have to be prepared!”
Director Li thought Director Ou had finished talking. He didn’t expect Director Ou to sigh and continued pouring his heart out, “This celebration is different from the past. The chief of our department specifically emphasized at the work meeting that this celebration must be bigger than before and must be done in a unique way. We have to show the world our national image and the culture of our country.”
Director Li couldn’t help but frown.
“Can’t you be more specific?”
“Basically, it means that science and technology must be emphasized at the celebration, highlighting the change that science and technology brought to our people’s lives and the country’s strength. We also have to take into account the aesthetics and record a show that people want to see. The level of excitement should be equivalent to the military parade.”
Director Li muttered, “Equivalent to the military parade… That is going to be difficult.”
Not just difficult, honestly, I think it’s impossible.
“Yeah.” Director Ou had a headache, and he said, “I also know it is difficult! Look at my hair, it’s gone all white.”
Director Li: “Actually, I don’t quite understand. Why is such an important celebration handed over to your department?”
“Sigh! I didn’t want this either! This was actually handled by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China, but when the person who took over heard that the requirements were so demanding, he immediately kicked the ball into our department. They said we have artistic brains in our department… But what can artistic brains do? If only we had some bright people in science and technology.”
Director Li snapped back to reality and spoke.
“What is that supposed to mean, you want to kick the ball to us? Let me tell you, don’t even think about it. The State Administration for National Defense is responsible for the country’s most important weapons, do not leave the fancy celebrations to us.”
“I didn’t mean that. How could we let you guys be responsible for creative and artistic activities, but… Aren’t you working in science and technology?” Director Ou quickly lost the smile on his face after he saw Director Li’s expression. He said, “I just want to ask, is there any kind of high-tech invention that can not only highlight the importance of technology to human lives but also take into account the artistic and creative aspect?”
Director Li was triggered.
“What do you think technology is? A painting that you can take out at any time for an exhibition?”
“You’re so correct, I think so too!” Director Ou said with a painful look on his face, “But here is the problem. The higher-up requires us to achieve this effect. The department has held several meetings on this matter. The top leaders told me at least five times that I must do this well and show the people at the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China our genius creative brains. I really don’t know what to do, so that’s why I’m asking you!”
Director Li looked at Director Ou and remained silent. He suddenly thought of something, so he spoke.
“This really is a tricky situation. But, now that I think about it… I think I might be able to help.”
“What?” Director Ou asked quickly, as if he were grabbing a life-saving source. “Tell me about it!”
“Holographic projection!”
Director Li recalled the thing he saw at the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study. He gestured with his hands and described vividly, “Get a projection device the size of a stadium and directly cover the audience… It doesn’t matter what content is displayed, the sense of science and technology alone will be a huge success!”
He still remembered the lifelike tank model he saw at the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study. He was still salty about not being able to put it on an aircraft carrier.
However, although it couldn’t be installed on moving surfaces, placing it in a stadium should not be a problem.
In his opinion, the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study could more than handle an entertainment performance.
When Ou Haifeng heard Director Li, he was stunned.
He opened his mouth and spoke.
“Holo… holographic projection?
“A holographic projection device the size of Bird’s Nest? Is that… even possible?”
He had only seen holograms in American sci-fi blockbusters when he was inspecting imported movies.
“It should be fine… At the Tokyo Olympics, wasn’t there a huge holographic projection? It’s already 2023, a bigger one shouldn’t be a problem, right? The times have changed. There are so many high-tech companies in our country. There must be a way to do it.”
In fact, Director Li wanted to talk to Jinling Institute for Advanced Study, but he thought that Lu Zhou might be annoyed by this, not to mention that the technology did not seem mature yet.
However, his hints were extremely obvious. As long as Director Ou was smart enough, he would know to contact Star Sky Technology.
This way, Director Li wouldn’t have to ask Lu Zhou for help.
Director Ou frowned and pondered.
“I’ll think about it.’
Director Li: “Go think all you want, I just think it is definitely possible!”
After Director Li walked around the stadium and gave some advice on behalf of the State Administration for National Defense, he quickly left the Bird’s Nest.
Even though he looked proud and arrogant on the surface, he was actually smiling inside.
After all, the Jinling Institute for Advanced Study always showed off to him; he was always being bragged to. This time, he could finally brag to others; it felt amazing.
Director Li got in his car and looked outside the window. He suddenly spoke emotionally.
“Xiao Chen, knowledge is everything!”
The driver in the front seat was muddled, but he smiled and began to kiss Director Li’s a*s.
“Director, you’re correct! You know what they say, an investment in knowledge pays the best interest!”
“Okay, enough, no need to recite poems, drive the car.”
“Yes, sir!”
After dismissing the Xiao Chen, Director Li, who was sitting in the back seat, began to ponder. He felt like he should complete the favor. After hesitating for a while, he finally called Lu Zhou.
After all, he was an old-fashioned person.
Although this theatrical performance was not a major event, it was performed on the motherland’s birthday. It displayed the national image of China. Not to mention that he also went to the stadium to guide the staff members. He couldn’t let this be screwed up.
After the call was connected, he didn’t give Lu Zhou time to react. He spoke enthusiastically with a smile.
“Academician Lu! Good news! Just now, I helped you secure a major project! Don’t need to thank me, it’s my job to help high-tech companies—
“What? No, it’s not troublesome at all! Why would you assume that? Am I that kind of person?
“Fine, fine, listen, Lu Zhou, it’s a bit windy here, so I can’t hear you properly. Someone will contact you in two days. That’s it, I’m hanging up!”
He pressed the hang-up button and put his phone back into his pocket. He had a mischievous smile on his face.
Xia Chen was looking at this through the rearview mirror. He was dumbfounded, unable to say a word. He breathed quietly, afraid of attracting any attention.
He felt that Director Li’s great and magnificent image in his mind had just been destroyed.
…
On the other end, after sending off Director Li, Director Ou returned to the stadium and began to think about what Director Li said earlier.
After all, Director Li was the chief leader of the State Administration for National Defense, his words were quite significant.
Even though he didn’t know how developed the current holographic technology was, from what Director Li said, it seemed interesting.
However, this was not his area of expertise. He didn’t know much about this stuff. He didn’t even know who to call for a consultation. He looked around at the people around him, and suddenly, his eyes lit up. He grabbed someone from the local intellectual property office and asked, “Xiao Wu, when it comes to holographic technology… Which company is the best?”
After hearing this question from Director Ou, Wu Yuanhang was confused. Although he was working in the intellectual property office, he was not in charge of specific patent approval, let alone specific technical requirements. Why would he understand such advanced things?
However, he couldn’t say no to the leader, so he spoke.
“Didn’t Director Li mention the Tokyo Olympics just now? Let’s check the holographic equipment supplier for the Tokyo Olympics. Maybe we can order from them?”
Ou Haifeng frowned.
“It’s not a good idea to outsource to a foreign company, right?”
“Director Ou, we are an entertainment department, not a university or a research institute. Do we really need to worry about technical things? It’s not like every piece of steel on the Bird’ Nest is produced domestically. The focus is still on the show itself, on the projector. As long as the show does well, why would the audience care about where the holographic projection equipment was bought from?”
Director Ou felt like this was reasonable.
“Perfect! I’ll leave this matter to you then.
“I will discuss with the show’s Director Liu, to see if we can incorporate holographic technology into our program. This will give the people of our country a unique performance!”
