912: Chapter 97 Brand Effect

"My 'titan' system currently has the strongest civilian AI architecture in terms of computing power globally."

"Besides me, no one else can give you this guarantee."

The two stared at each other for a full ten seconds.

Qi Weiguo suddenly laughed.

He extended his hand; this time, it was an equal handshake.

"Deal."

"This Friday, have someone bring the proposal to see me."

"As long as the technology is solid, I will personally approve this bid."

...

Three days later.

"Xinwen Lianbo" spent a full three minutes reporting the news of the return of the fragmentary manuscript of the 'yongle encyclopedia'.

In the footage, Shen Yan, dressed in a dark suit, stood beside Qi Weiguo, accepting the bright red certificate of honor.

Although the camera only gave him a few close-ups, his calm demeanor instantly swept across the internet.

#MostHandsomePatrioticEntrepreneur#

#NineHundredMillionDonation#

#Shenyan Group#

These topics shot to the top of the trending search list as if they were riding a rocket.

In a private clubhouse in City S.

Lin Zifeng watched the television screen, and the red wine glass in his hand was violently smashed onto the floor.

The scarlet wine splattered onto the carpet, resembling a glaring pool of blood.

"Damn it!"

"How dare he? How could he bear to do that?!"

Lin Zifeng couldn't understand.

That was nine hundred million!

If it were him, let alone donating it, he would charge a fee just to let someone look at it.

Shen Yan, this madman, just gave it away like that?

"Young Master Lin, calm down."

The lackey beside him carefully handed over a tissue.

"He's just putting on airs, throwing away tangible money for some empty fame. What an idiot."

"You know nothing!"

Lin Zifeng kicked the lackey.

"Did you watch the financial news today?"

"The Shenyan Group just announced they won the bid for the National Museum's 'Smart Cultural Relics' renovation project, with an initial budget of 1.2 billion!"

"Twelve hundred million!"

"This is a national Class-A project. Is this about money? This is a talisman!"

Lin Zifeng slumped onto the sofa, his face ashen.

He knew that from this day forward, he no longer had the qualifications to challenge Shen Yan.

That person was no longer just a private boss who could be easily manipulated; he was now a national partner.

...

Jinghai City, Shenyan Group Headquarters.

In the top-floor conference room, the executives sat ramrod straight, not daring to breathe loudly.

Shen Yan sat in the main seat, flipping through the photocopy of the contract that had just been delivered.

It bore the bright red national emblem seal, heavy and significant.

"Why do you all look so glum?"

Shen Yan closed the document, his gaze sweeping over the people on both sides of the long table.

"Do you think I lost out by exchanging nine hundred million for this contract?"

Wu Ya sat in the first seat to his left. Her makeup today was exquisite, but it couldn't hide the fatigue in her eyes.

"CEO Shen, the Finance Department is under immense pressure."

"To launch this project, we need to front 300 million in capital, and the investment in technology R&D is also a bottomless pit."

"If this is just for reputation, isn't the price too high?"

Wu Ya voiced the thoughts of most people present.

They were businessmen who valued ROI (Return on Investment).

This deal, by all calculations, was a loss.

Shen Yan smiled but didn't answer directly.

He stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Below him were the bustling streets of Jinghai City, and in the distance, the faintly visible outline of the Forbidden City.

"Wu Ya, what business do you think we are in?"

Wu Ya paused for a moment.

"We... do software, we do AI, we do big data."

"No."

Shen Yan turned around, the sunlight behind him casting a golden rim around him.

"We are in the business of 'trust'."

He walked to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and wrote two characters on it—【Standard】.

"The National Museum project is just the beginning."

"When our security systems and our AI algorithms become the standard for protecting national cultural relics..."

"Then, the three thousand museums across the country, the five thousand archives, and even future smart city security..."

"Who will they choose?"

"They can only choose the standard setter."

Shen Yan heavily tapped the whiteboard once with the marker in his hand.

"What I want to do is not be a contractor who earns a quick buck and leaves."

"I want the Shenyan Group to become the various 'blood vessels' of this nation's digital infrastructure."

"As long as this country continues to operate, our blood will flow, and money will be earned."

The conference room fell into a dead silence.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the man standing in the light.

They only saw the first layer; Shen Yan was already in the stratosphere.

Chen Guangke, sitting in the corner, listened with burning excitement, nearly crushing the thermos in his hand.

It truly had to be Brother Yan!

This move was absolutely brilliant!

This wasn't donating an antique; this was clearly buying a money-printing machine!

"Alright, stop daydreaming."

Shen Yan threw down the marker and clapped his hands.

"Since the contract is secured, don't drop the ball for me."

"Tell the Technology Department to mobilize all the computing power of titan one."

"I want to turn the National Museum into an impregnable fortress within one month."

"If anyone dares to cause trouble in this matter..."

Shen Yan's voice deepened. It lacked deliberate fierceness, but it sent chills down their spines.

"Then pack your bags and leave on your own. Don't make me do it."

"Yes!"

A uniform chorus of replies echoed in the conference room.

Fire ignited in everyone's eyes.

Following a boss like this, though tiring, was truly exhilarating.

After the meeting adjourned, only Shen Yan and Chen Guangke remained in the office.

"Brother Yan, you are truly divine."

Chen Guangke leaned in, his face full of admiration.

"Just now, Old Liu from the Technology Department messaged me saying that after seeing our bid win, those top talents they couldn't recruit before are now actively submitting resumes."

"This is the brand effect."

Shen Yan unbuttoned the top button of his collar, sat back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.

Busyness was like the subway during Jinghai City's morning rush hour; once you were pushed in, even if you didn't want to move, the crowd behind you would push you forward.

Once the Jinghai City National Museum project landed, the doors of the Shenyan Group were almost trampled down.

Before, headhunters racked their brains trying to poach talent from the Shenyan Group; now, headhunters were kneeling at the Human Resources Department door, begging to submit resumes.

Wu Ya walked with a spring in her step these few days; the sound of her high heels hitting the floor was half a beat faster than usual.

The stack of documents she held in her arms was the 'essence' remaining after three rounds of screening.

Pulling out any random resume would be enough to shock people.

They were either PhDs from MIT or architects returning from Silicon Valley, and there were even a few who were treated like royalty at their previous companies, being kept with stock options.

Now, these people had only one thought—join Shen Yan and work on 'titan'.

Shen Yan sat behind his spacious desk, looking at this pile of 'gold,' and rubbed his slightly throbbing temples.

Having too many talents was sometimes a sweet form of torture.

He had to distinguish who was truly capable, who was there just to polish their resumes, and who might be a corporate spy.