HCB Chapter 514 The First Cultural Atomic Bomb
Chapter 514 The First Cultural Atomic Bomb
Zhang Chi listened to Xiao Qi's excited narration with great interest, nodding from time to time.
Although Xiaoqi is young, he has a quick mind and strong observation skills, which are particularly valuable in the field of publicity.
"Well, 'Blue Lotus'... it was published a year before the Battle of Shanghai." Zhang Chi picked up the comic and flipped through it, looking at the scenes of Shanghai in the 1930s and Tintin's friendship with his friend Chang Chong-Chen (the prototype of which is Zhang Chongren) in the Republic of China.
"Hergé had a keen eye, predicting the Japanese's lingering ambitions a year in advance," Zhang Chi said, seemingly commenting, yet also muttering to himself. "And he truly demonstrates considerable respect and kindness for the Republic of China and the Chinese people in this book, attempting to break down Western stereotypes about them. That's truly rare."
He put down the comic, his eyes sharpened as he looked at Xiao Qi:
"Xiao Qi, how much do you think ordinary people in the Western world, such as White Eagle and Europa, know about our Chinese civilization, our Nanyang land, and even the entire Eastern world through these comics?"
Xiao Qi was stunned for a moment, scratched his head, and answered honestly:
"That... seems to be rare. Superman and Batman are always stuck in their own cities. Tintin travels a lot, but mainly to Europe, Africa, America... There seems to be only one book like "Blue Lotus" that specifically talks about the Republic of China?
And… Westerners always seem to think we’re mysterious and backward? The Chinese in comics are either about kung fu, pigtails, opium dens, and other old-fashioned things? Or are they about Fu Manchu-like, shady characters?
Xiao Qi frowned as he recalled the biased Western works he had read during this period.
"You're absolutely right." Zhang Chi nodded approvingly, stood up, and walked over to the huge world map on the wall. "Westerners' perception of us is filled with arrogance and prejudice, either mystification, Orientalist curiosity, or the fear of the 'Yellow Peril' theory."
"Like Lovecraft's descriptions of those terrifying beings from the stars, this is born out of ignorance and deliberate demonization."
Zhang Chi pointed his finger heavily at the location of Southeast Asia:
"We in Nanyang will soon be reborn from the ashes and establish a brand new nation. But in the eyes of the vast majority of Westerners, what is this land? It's just the 'Spice Islands of the East', colonized in turn by the Dutch, the English, the Gauls, and the French."
Zhang Chi poured out all his recent thoughts:
"It's the rubber plantations, the tin mines, the trade transit points close to the mysterious Eastern dynasties. They don't see, or deliberately ignore, that hundreds and thousands of years before the arrival of the powerful ships and cannons of the Western colonizers, our Chinese ancestors had already traveled across the oceans, multiplied and thrived here, interacted and integrated with the local indigenous people, and together created a unique culture belonging to Nanyang, deeply nurtured by Chinese civilization."
Zhang Chi turned around and stared at Xiao Qi with burning eyes:
“In the future, we must go out and let the world hear our voices, understand our stories, and recognize our Eastern values.
Economy and military are hard power, but cultural propaganda is a more lasting and far-reaching soft power.
It can shape people's hearts and define 'who we are'. If we don't occupy this position, others will fill it with their imaginations, their prejudices, and even their fears."
Xiao Qi's heart surged when he heard this, and he nodded vigorously:
"Commander-in-Chief, I understand. Just like you said before, we need to export our culture and let Westerners know what we are really like."
"That's right." Zhang Chi walked back to the table, picked up the copy of The Blue Lotus, and tapped the image of Tintin on the cover with his fingers. "Since we've already invited Hergé to Yangon, this is a godsend opportunity. We can't let him sit idle."
Xiao Qi's eyes widened. "Commander-in-Chief, you mean... let Hergé continue drawing Tintin? Drawing his adventure stories in Southeast Asia?"
"Smart." Zhang Chi smiled as if he was in control of the situation.
Domestically, the picture books that had been popular throughout China for half a century before the time travel were a good propaganda vehicle. For the natives and Chinese who had just learned Chinese, they were good auxiliary teaching materials that could subtly change their values.
But overseas, especially in the Western world, comics are more easily accepted and more popular.
"Hergé is talented and has international influence. His The Adventures of Tintin is widely popular in Europe and even in the White Eagle. Through The Blue Lotus, he proved that he has the ability and willingness to depict the East in a relatively objective and even kind manner."
Speaking of this, Zhang Chi grinned:
"The most crucial thing is that he has a dark history of collaborating with the enemy, and in the next few years, Western Europe will be conducting a purge of Nazis. We must take full advantage of this and make him stay in Nanyang wholeheartedly, leaving this important cultural IP with the Nanyang stamp!"
"Get hit?" Xiao Qi was a little confused when he heard the strange word Zhang Chi said.
After Zhang Chi gave a brief explanation, he paced back and forth, his thoughts clear as a glance.
"Of course, Mr. Hergé is our honored guest. You must provide him with the best creative conditions, arrange for assistants, and provide him with detailed historical, cultural, and folklore information."
"Let him see with his own eyes the Chinese community here, see the relics left by Zheng He's voyages, and see how we Chinese have worked tirelessly to build our homes in Southeast Asia, intermarrying with the locals, trading with them, and building things together. Let Mr. Hergé experience the true landscape of Southeast Asia."
Zhang Chi's gaze became incomparably determined. It could be said that this was the first cultural atomic bomb he had prepared:
"Then, you have to urge him to draw a new 'The Adventures of Tintin'. The setting is in Southeast Asia, and the theme is - 'Since ancient times'."
"Through the perspective of Tintin, an adventurer familiar to Westerners, we discover, witness and spread a core message. When Western colonizers brought their body odor..." Zhang Chi said this with sarcasm, putting his hand in front of his nose and pretending to fan himself.
"Before they set foot on this land, we Chinese were already an integral part of Southeast Asia. We created prosperous port cities here, such as Malacca, Palembang, Penang, and Bangkok. We established a sophisticated trade network and spread advanced technology and culture."
"Nanyang's foundation is the result of the fusion of Chinese civilization and local culture. The establishment of our Nanyang nation is not to create something out of nothing, but to expel the foul smell, correct the source, and restore our rightful status and order."
Speaking of this, a proud expression appeared on Zhang Chi's face.
Zhu expelled the Tartars and restored China. He expelled the filthy and established the Nanyang Empire. His future historical evaluation shouldn't be too bad, right?
"I see. This is the 'since ancient times' you always mention," Xiao Qi said excitedly. He completely understood Zhang Chi's strategic intentions. "Just like you, Commander-in-Chief, always say, we must have the right to speak about history ourselves. Through Tintin's comics, let Western children, and even adults, gradually accept this 'since ancient times'!"
"Right." Zhang Chi patted Xiao Qi's shoulder vigorously. "Xiao Qi, this task is handed over to you. You are young, smart, and like comics, which is just right for you to interact with Hergé."
"You will serve as the 'special liaison' of our publicity department, specifically responsible for 'accompanying' and 'assisting' Maestro Hergé in his creative work."
"Remember, your attitude should be 'respectful,' but your direction should be 'guiding.' Also, don't let him slack off."
Zhang Chi knows that if you don't lock these cartoonists and novelists in a small dark room and force them to update their works, they will naturally become lazy.
They can come up with all sorts of excuses to delay updates, like lack of inspiration, needing to collect materials, wanting to play mahjong, or having something urgent to do...