199: Chapter 199 List of People Earning a Million Yuan Annually

Three days later, a list of 521 people, screened through layers of filtering, appeared on Lin Zhou's desk on time.

Five hundred and twenty-one people.

Behind every name was a personal file detailed down to every detail of their daily life.

"Andrei Ivanov, 48, former Soviet 'Buran' program cryogenic propellant expert. After the project dissolved, he worked as a technical consultant at a distillery in Siberia. He is wanted by local police for alcoholism and fighting..."

"Kim Min-jun, 35, PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Because his paper on 'Strong AI Ethical Risks' was too radical, he was suppressed by academic cliques, his research project was forcibly terminated, and he is currently doing data analysis at a game company, deep in debt."

"Emily Carter, 29, PhD in Biology from the California Institute of Technology, specializing in gene editing in extreme environments. Her advisor's academic achievements were proven to be fraudulent; she was implicated, expelled from the laboratory, and is now working as an adjunct lecturer at a community college."

Lin Zhou's fingertips slid across the screen, and name after name appeared. They had all been top figures in their respective fields, but now they were trampled into the mud by reality. The text in the files recorded their unwillingness and their struggles.

Jack had truly figured him out.

These people were not gentle sheep; they were hungry wolves! Hungry wolves whose teeth had been pulled and claws locked!

What they lacked was not ability, but an opportunity to tear into the world without restraint!

And he, Lin Zhou, was the one who would give them that opportunity!

"Well done."

Lin Zhou closed the tablet and pressed the intercom button directly, connecting to Qin Yue.

"Qin Yue, make arrangements. I want to hold a global livestream at eight o'clock tonight."

On the other end of the line, Qin Yue's speech paused for a moment: "Leader, another livestream? So sudden? What are you announcing this time?"

Lin Zhou leaned back into his chair, a hint of playfulness appearing on his face.

"Sending out acceptance letters."

At exactly eight o'clock in the evening, the familiar livestream room lit up on time.

There was no warm-up, no promotion, but as soon as Lin Zhou's figure appeared on the screen, the number of global online viewers broke through the ten-million mark, and the number was still climbing at an astonishing speed!

Countless people around the world turned their gazes to the man on the screen!

Lin Zhou did not lay any groundwork and went straight to the topic.

"Good evening, everyone. One month ago, I, on behalf of the Cyber Freedom Republic, issued an invitation to scientific researchers around the world. Over the past three weeks, we have received over one hundred thousand resumes. Thank you all for your trust and enthusiasm."

With that one sentence, the barrage of comments scrolled by so fast that the content was almost illegible.

[Holy crap! It's here! The main event is here!]

[One hundred thousand! Have all the geniuses of the world come to compete? How are we supposed to play now?]

[Leader, don't keep us in suspense. Announce it quickly, who exactly was chosen! I've been waiting until my flowers withered!]

Lin Zhou glanced at the rapidly scrolling comments and continued, speaking clearly, his voice reaching everyone's ears.

"Our team and the artificial intelligence system have carefully reviewed every single resume. Today, I will announce the result."

He paused here, letting the suspense ferment.

In the livestream room, even the barrage of comments became sparse for a moment.

"The first list of researchers for the National Research Institute has been determined."

"Within the next twenty-four hours, all those selected will receive our official acceptance email. Please, all friends who submitted resumes, keep an eye on your inboxes."

Once these words were spoken, the discussion area boiled over!

[Holy sh*t! So fast! Is this real or what?]

[Inbox opened, hands clasped together, sitting here waiting for a miracle to happen! Please!]

[Brothers, don't fight me for it! That spot must be mine!]

[Soaking up some good luck, I hope there's a spot for me! Even if it's to go plant trees in the desert, I'll do it!]

The screen was washed white by the flood of comments, and the corners of Lin Zhou's lips curled up. This was just the appetizer.

The real main course was just about to begin.

"Next, I want to talk about the issue everyone cares about most: compensation."

He held up one finger.

"For all researchers who accept our offer but choose to retain their original nationality for the time being, we will provide a one-year probationary contract. During the probationary period, the base annual salary will be three hundred thousand US dollars."

Three hundred thousand... US dollars!

All the comments in the livestream room suddenly disappeared for a second.

Then, the screen was completely submerged by an even more surging torrent of characters!

[??? Did I hear that wrong? Three hundred thousand? US dollars???]

[Three hundred thousand bucks for a probationary period?! I worked my ass off getting a postdoc in the US, working like a dog for my boss at MIT, and I only make seventy thousand a year! Is this a probationary period?]

[I'm crazy! I'm really crazy! And this is just the base annual salary! That means there are bonuses and subsidies?]

[Leader! Do you need a janitor? I also sent a resume! I'm a great sweeper!]

Lin Zhou ignored the scrolling comments, his expression unchanged, as he simply raised a second finger.

All the viewers held their breath, waiting for his next words.

"That is only for non-citizens."

"If the selected candidate is willing to pledge to join the nationality of the Cyber Freedom Republic and become our country's first batch of scientific citizens..."

He paused for a moment, saying every word with great weight, striking at everyone's nerves.

"Then, this number will triple directly."

"An annual salary starting at nine hundred thousand US dollars. With no upper limit."

"Furthermore, after the one-year probationary period is over, all researchers will see their salaries increase significantly based on their contributions and assigned position levels."

"The most important point." Lin Zhou's voice rose abruptly, "As long as your project has prospects and value, the National Research Institute will provide... unlimited research funding support!"

In the livestream room, the scrolling comments disappeared completely.

Hundreds of millions of viewers forgot to type at this moment.

A nine-hundred-thousand-dollar annual salary was merely the "starting price."

Unlimited research funding.

This wasn't recruitment.

This was using mountains of gold and seas of silver to build a scientific holy land that every researcher dreamed of!

This was the most unreasonable way to crush all rules and reserve with money!

A few seconds later, the comments erupted, denser than at any time before!

[I regret it! Why didn't I study hard back then! Why did I choose finance! Is it too late to change my resume now?]

[Nine hundred thousand US dollars... I could never earn that much in my whole life! Even a dog would wag its tail and go over for that kind of pay!]

[Don't say anything else, I've already started hating my parents for not giving me a scientist's brain!]

[This isn't a job, this is becoming a Celestial Dragon! A Cyber Celestial Dragon!]

[Brother above, stop dreaming. Do you think having a brain is enough? Didn't you see the Leader's requirements? Top journal papers! Having hosted national-level projects! We mere mortals can't even touch the threshold!]

[Wuwuwu, I'm broken, completely broken! So the only difference between me and the elite is a smart brain!]

The scrolling comments on the screen were interwoven with envy, jealousy, and regret, and a look of satisfaction finally appeared on Lin Zhou's face.

This was the effect he wanted!

To declare to the whole world in the most direct, crude, and unreasonable way—

He, Lin Zhou, wanted to build what kind of nation!

A nation that truly respects knowledge, respects talent, and is willing to pay any price for it!

"Finally," Lin Zhou composed his expression and announced in a solemn tone, "Everyone who receives an acceptance notice, please follow the instructions in the email and go to the nearest Cyber Freedom Republic embassy within the stipulated time to process the relevant visa and employment procedures."

"The embassies we have established in one hundred and twenty countries around the world will provide you with twenty-four-hour uninterrupted service starting tomorrow."

"The Cyber Freedom Republic looks forward to your arrival."

"Together, let us change the world."

The livestream signal was cut, and the screen went black.

Lin Zhou leaned back in his wide chair, closed his eyes for a moment, and then slowly let out a breath.

The pieces were set.

The great net was cast.

Now, it just depended on how many big fish eager to change their destiny could be caught.