Though one mouth could not outargue several, that did not mean they would concede.
Lin Feng's fans, defeated in the barrage comments and comment sections, felt deeply stifled. Annoyed, they hurried to call on friends and acquaintances to tell them about the matter.
As a result, Director Ao's video views began soaring, and the arguments it sparked grew louder and louder.
On top of that, some clever uploaders seized the opportunity to release videos about the matter, successfully drawing in a huge crowd of onlookers.
Thus, on Youku, Tudou, Tencent, Bilibili, and AcFun, not a single one of Director Ao's videos posted that day had fewer than 500,000 views.
If someone had kept track, they would have discovered that in just one day, counting views across all video sites, the total had already exceeded seven million!
There were certainly repeat views among them, but even if the number were cut in half, that still amounted to 3.5 million viewers.
At the same time, other uploaders of various sizes, such as "Baijiu Tom II" and "Ancient Era Assembler," also began releasing similar videos questioning Lin Feng's algorithm sales pitch.
Claims that Lin Feng was too arrogant, knew nothing about algorithms, was a fame-seeking fraud, could not develop algorithms at all, and had thoroughly screwed over Bilibili rapidly spread across the internet.
More importantly, such claims did not appear only in the video sphere.
Many uploaders who also ran Weibo accounts published articles raising doubts in tandem, successfully stirring up a massive wave of debate on Weibo.
Under such circumstances, as time passed, people's doubts about Lin Feng grew greater and greater.
As the saying went, enough accusations could melt gold. When one person criticized and questioned Lin Feng, people might just laugh it off.
But when dozens of moderately well-known uploaders across the internet all criticized and questioned Lin Feng, people instinctively believed what they said.
Although Bilibili noticed something was wrong and forcibly took down Director Ao's video that very night at eight o'clock, it could not control the other websites, nor could it control Weibo...
The next day, at lunchtime.
"Public opinion has completely spiraled out of control."
Qu Qiongying spoke with a grave expression.
"I never expected uploaders who make videos to wield such tremendous influence. Combined, their influence may be greater than that of many famous celebrities."
Lin Feng's mother was also quite troubled after saying that.
"Lin Feng, what are you planning to do?"
Lin Feng's father, Lin Guohua, asked sternly. The public opinion they faced was terrible; it could be said they were being completely suppressed.
Facing his father Lin Guohua's question, Lin Feng rested a hand on his chin and answered as he thought:
"The reason uploaders led by Director Ao, Ancient Installer, and Baijiu Tom II have been able to stir up such a huge wave of public opinion
is mainly because internet users do not trust my abilities enough. They do not believe I can continue creating miracles, nor do they know just how capable I am.
Although I developed the Handwriting Robot and the Coin-style Electromagnetic Rifle, many internet users probably still see them as toys, equivalent to an excellent air gun or gel blaster.
To break this, we need to tell them that what I developed is not a toy, that my inventions can change the world, and that Lin Feng is a genuine super genius."
"But what should we do?"
Lin Feng's mother, He Xueqing, became increasingly confused after hearing him. She had no idea how he intended to resolve this public opinion crisis.
However, after hearing Lin Feng's words, Qu Qiongying seemed to understand his train of thought. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled charmingly as she said:
"Actually, we do not need to do anything. We just need to wait for someone to come to us."
"Oh?"
Lin Feng's mother He Xueqing and father Lin Guohua looked confused. How could simply waiting resolve the crisis before them?
Lin Feng explained:
"The main reason people do not trust me is that although they think what I have developed is impressive, they do not believe it has reached a practical level capable of changing the world.
Weapons Industry should come calling next. Once news of our cooperation negotiations gets out, it will shake all of Great Xia.
After all, even Great Xia's Weapons Industry has taken an interest in what I developed. That proves my inventions are no simple matter. How could people not be shocked?"
"I see."
After hearing Lin Feng's explanation, his mother He Xueqing finally understood. Anticipation then appeared in her eyes.
Sure enough, two hours later, Lin Feng's father Lin Guohua received a call from the Security Director, telling them to make preparations in advance.
Inside a moving Passat, a young man in the car finally could not hold back any longer.
"Do we really need to pay such a high price to acquire the Coin-style Electromagnetic Rifle patent?
I think this thing is just a toy. There are plenty of things that can replace it, such as gel blasters and specially made air guns."
They were negotiation representatives sent by Weapons Industry's Beijing headquarters. They had flown from Beijing to Zhan City, then rented a car and followed the navigation system all the way to Xiaohe Town.
The entire journey had taken less than seven hours. They were all exhausted, but under orders from above, they could only rush to Xiaohe Town as quickly as possible.
Now, as the urban landscape around them grew increasingly undeveloped, the contempt in their hearts, combined with their dissatisfaction from the long journey, finally could no longer be suppressed.
"We do whatever the higher-ups tell us to do. Since the boss thinks highly of the Coin-style Electromagnetic Rifle, then we will negotiate."
A stern-faced middle-aged man seated in the front answered the young man's question. It was clear he had served in the military; the air of a soldier about him was strong.
"But the budget we were given is far too high. The bottom line is actually as high as fifty million, and it is being used to buy a toy.
I think that with fifty million—no, even with just five hundred thousand—we could develop something better."
The young man was not afraid of the stern-faced middle-aged man. He had powerful backers, and unless he made a major mistake, no one could do anything to him.
At that moment, another plump, greasy-looking middle-aged man spoke up. Smiling, he said:
"Zhong Xiang, a bottom line of fifty million is not that high. According to the information we obtained, the development cost of this Coin-style Electromagnetic Rifle alone exceeded nine hundred thousand."
"Tch. Spending that much only shows that Lin Feng's skills are too poor. Give our Weapons Industry researchers five hundred thousand in research funding, and they could definitely produce something better than theirs.
I still think there is no need to pay such a high price. A few million at most should be enough. After all, if they refuse to cooperate with us, do they dare sell it? We would dare report them!"
The young man named Zhong Xiang curled his lip disdainfully. He held Lin Feng in great contempt.
He was just a civilian inventor. Although the Coin-style Electromagnetic Rifle he had invented had some highlights, that could not conceal the fact that Lin Feng was an amateur researcher.
"Enough. Stop talking. We are almost at Xiaohe Town. Do not let your emotions show on your faces, or if the negotiations fail, we will be criticized by the higher-ups."
The stern-faced middle-aged man spoke.
"Yes, Team Leader Liang."
"Got it."
Two voices answered inside the car. The three of them were personnel specifically responsible for negotiations, while the other person, who had remained silent the entire time, held the lowest position and was the driver.
This afternoon, I received notice of a second-round recommendation. Overjoyed, the author decided to add an extra update as a temporary thank-you for everyone's support.
Also, please send recommendation votes and monthly votes!
Before you continue