Chapter 225 Counterattack from Peking University!
The sales feedback on the first day still made Director Zhao hesitant and he was afraid to make up his mind.

The urgent calls from various provinces and cities the next day made Director Zhao determined.

Decisively ordered the printing of another million copies!
As time went by, the book "The Rise of Great Powers" began to spread rapidly in the entire book market.

The main reason for its spread is everyone’s curiosity about “imperialism”.

Over the past few decades, from state-printed newspapers to government auditoriums to rural loudspeakers.

One point that everyone has repeatedly emphasized is to defeat imperialism and the harmfulness and harm of imperialism.

But many people are confused about how imperialism came about and why they are imperialists.

Most people passively shout slogans and move forward according to their "cognition", feeling passionate but confused.

The imperialism in their minds is always shrouded in a layer of fog, blocking the way but they have no idea what the other side is.

Now, this book called "The Rise of Great Powers" is like a ray of light, dispelling the fog surrounding them and illuminating their figures.

It turns out that these countries relied on plundering and killing to rob unimaginable wealth.

It turns out that their strength was not due to their civilization, but simply because they discovered the truth of the world earlier.

It turns out that the rise of every country is accompanied by betrayal and alliances, all driven by geopolitics.

What Liu Hongtu and Director Zhao could not have imagined was that this book was not only circulated crazily among young people, but was also being read by some middle-aged cadres.

Because for them, the government only talks about reform and opening up, and integrating with the outside world, but they have no idea what to change or how to integrate.

Their attitude towards Europe, America and Japan has always been hostile, but now they have no idea how to communicate with them.

Most importantly, they know nothing about Western countries.

The emergence of "The Rise of Great Powers" conveniently solved this problem for them.

Although there was no very detailed discussion, at least many cadres knew that Spain and Portugal completed the great geographical discoveries and were the first to develop colonies.

Britain defeated the Spanish Armada and began to build colonies around the world, thereby completing capital accumulation.

This book even became a topic of conversation for many middle-level officials, and they began to exchange and discuss history.

In short, with the invisible spread of "The Rise of Great Powers", the middle class and emerging intellectual groups in the entire country began to open their eyes to the world for the first time and understand these countries that had been invisibly blocked.

Of course, along with the popularity of "The Rise of Great Powers" comes not only enthusiastic support from everyone, but also criticism like a storm.

“This is a glorification of capitalism and a promotion of Western empire”

"Western countries are world powers, but what are we?"

“The so-called great power is the worship of money and the pursuit of capital.”

Articles began to be published in major newspapers and magazines, criticizing "The Rise of Great Powers".

However, these criticisms have not caused any controversy for the time being, because Li Changhe is still filming with the crew in the deep mountains and forests.

So no one continued to refute these objectors, of course some people from the Xueyou Society also wrote rebuttal articles.

Unfortunately, they are powerless and their words cannot get published in any major newspapers, nor can they make any waves.

However, these critical articles actually further promoted the sales of "The Rise of Great Powers". Many people bought the book out of curiosity because of the comments in the newspapers.

However, many comments eventually affected Xinhua Bookstore and Publishing House.

"Old Liu, I think there's a lot of opposition from society. If we continue like this, we might get into trouble."

Inside the office, Director Zhao said worriedly.

Liu Hongtu also frowned, he had never expected so much criticism.

"I think there is nothing wrong with this book. The whole book is a very objective review of the economic development of various countries. Some articles are just nitpicking and making accusations."

After thinking for a while, Liu Hongtu said in a deep voice.

"So what you mean is, keep printing and selling?"

Director Zhao hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively.

Liu Hongtu nodded: "I think as long as there is no order to ban it, we will continue to sell it."

"There's a saying that goes, 'The more truth is debated, the clearer it becomes; the more truth is explained, the clearer it becomes. Now is not the time to label people, so we need to open our minds."

"China and the United States have established diplomatic relations, so what can't be written?"

"Besides, we are not the first to publish. Peking University's magazine has published several issues, and I haven't seen anything said about it."

"If it really wasn't working, I guess we would have called a halt long ago!"

Liu Hongtu became more and more confident as he spoke. They were not the only ones fighting for this book, as Peking University was behind them.
Sure enough, a few days later, the People's Daily published an article.

"On the Relationship between Economic and Social Systems"

Written by: Chen Daisun

Peking University's first move was a jackpot. Mr. Chen Daisun, a national-level professor and a leading figure in economics, wrote the article himself, discussing the relationship between the economy and the social system.

There is not a single word about "The Rise of Great Powers" in the entire article, but it undoubtedly supports "The Rise of Great Powers" because he removed all the labels that were put on the rise of great powers.

The most important thing is that this article was published in the People's Daily, which is another very strong signal.

Following closely behind were professors and lecturers from Peking University’s Department of Economics.

Hu Daiguang, Lu Zhuoming, Hong Junyan, Li Yining and others wrote articles to join the debate.

Moreover, their articles have been published in major national newspapers and magazines.

With their insights and abilities, their rebuttals to some critical articles were simply devastating and crushing!
At the same time, along with the Peking University Economics Department speaking out, professors from many well-known universities across the country, not just those in the Economics Department, have spoken out. To put it bluntly, they all just came from that era, and no one wants these people who accuse others to continue to gain power.

Just like that, the overwhelming opposing comments began to collapse after Peking University launched a public opinion counterattack.

As for Xinhua Bookstore and People's Literature Publishing House, they had been waiting for instructions from the top, but there was no instruction from the top.

This also made the two of them feel relieved, completely free of burden, and began to boldly promote "The Rise of Great Powers"

After all, having no instructions is actually the biggest instruction.

It is impossible for the top leaders not to notice such a sensational social debate; even the national print media were involved.

However, no comment was made from above, which actually meant that they approved the publication of this book.

However, Li Changhe didn't notice all this.

It was not until that evening that Li Changhe and Zhu Lin returned to the staff quarters for dinner again.

At the dinner table, Li Lishan asked Li Changhe, "What do you think about the "Rise of Great Powers" issue?"

"What do you think?"

Li Changhe asked his father curiously.

"You do not know?"

Li Lishan was speechless. Such a big thing happened, but his son, the instigator, didn't even know about it?

"what do you know?"

"Dad, I've been in the mountains over in Mentougou recently filming a movie with Linlin. What happened to 'The Rise of the Great Powers'?"

"It was published and sold like hot cakes, which led to a huge debate, and even teachers from Peking University got involved."

At this time, Li Lishan took a few newspapers and handed them to Li Changhe.

"Huh? It's coming out so soon?"

Li Changhe was a little surprised, then he took the newspaper and started reading. After finishing reading, he put the newspaper down with a smile.

"I see!"

"I don't think it's a big deal. The opening up of people's minds is a slow process. People's understanding of the West has to come step by step. My book is just the first shot."

People nowadays may have various worries, but Li Changhe is not worried at all.

No one knows better than him how committed the people above are to reform and opening up.

Apart from anything else, this book was definitely written in response to the needs of the current top management.

Even if the Peking University teacher had not come forward, Li Changhe felt that this matter was not a big deal.

But it is still great to have the protection of Peking University.

Especially Mr. Dai, who actually took action personally and launched the counterattack, which moved Li Changhe very much.

You have to know that Mr. Dai never published articles easily over the years, and even those people back then couldn't find any evidence against him.

After all, as a leading figure in domestic economics, he doesn't even have a book, let alone being involved in such institutional turmoil.

But this time, he acted decisively, perhaps only because the person involved in the turmoil was his student.

"Yes, this time your Peking University has made a name for itself."

"To be frank, this debate has actually made more people see the determination of the top leadership to reform, and understand the extent of their openness."

"And your Peking University is at the forefront of the times again this time, and you have really made a name for yourself this time."

"But I think you still need to be cautious and not regard this kind of limelight as qualifications. Whether you are in school or working, don't regard these things as honors."

"Don't worry, Dad. I understand all this."

It is easy for Li Changhe to accurately grasp the pulse of the times, and he does not need to be complacent about it.

After all, there will be many more operations like this in the future.

After the two of them returned to the house, Zhu Lin started packing again.

"What are you doing?"

Li Changhe was a little surprised to see Zhu Lin packing some clothes.

Zhu Lin turned around and said, "Didn't our mother just tell me to tidy up the things in our room?"

"Didn't our eldest sister and her family return to the Northeast?"

"My mother said that when they come back, we should let them live in our house, so that we don't have to deal with coal tickets in the winter."

"Next time we come back, we can live in my room!"

Zhu Lin explained to Li Changhe with a smile.

"If you hadn't told me, I would have forgotten about their tickets back to Northeast China yesterday."

"Well, we still have to make room for them. Okay, then I'll help you clean up!"

Li Changhe then started to help Zhu Lin clean up.

Next time I come back, I'll have to live upstairs.

(End of this chapter)