Chapter 97: Pyramid Schemes and Corporate Management

**Whew!**

Zhou Ming let out a sigh of relief as he sat down. After his impassioned speech, the bank presidents had all left. They were hurrying to retrieve their loans before they turned into real bad debts and non-performing loans. For those who had been brainwashed by Zhou Ming, any kickbacks or benefits were now insignificant compared to their careers!

Zhou Ming clearly remembered their heartfelt gratitude and handshakes as they were leaving:

"Advisor Zhou, we can't thank you enough. You're truly a benefactor to all of us in the banking sector in South River City! We never imagined how damaging this land speculation issue could be for us. If Advisor Zhou hadn't suggested that Mayor Chen regulate bank bad debts and personally held this meeting with us, we would have had no chance to stop it in time."

"Yes! We misunderstood Advisor Zhou before, which was really inexcusable! Advisor Zhou is genuinely thinking of us and is a financial expert considering the entire market!"

"Rest assured, Advisor Zhou, we will do our utmost to recover our loans! Those despicable speculators can dream on if they think they can make off with the money and leave us with a mess!"

It must be said that these bank presidents were quite endearing. As long as they held this belief, they would certainly be able to recover the market loans, and the land speculation crisis would be resolved.

Zhou Ming snapped out of his thoughts to see Du Peng and hotel manager Kong Xiaolin still looking at him in amazement. Zhou Ming smiled and said, "What? Have you two also been brainwashed by me?"

Du Peng, coming to his senses, excitedly approached, "Zhou Ming, you're incredible! I know these presidents are usually very arrogant, but they turned into completely different people here. Are you a reincarnation of Sun Wukong, having mastered some mind-control technique?"

Kong Xiaolin, though also excited, was more reserved compared to Du Peng's unfiltered enthusiasm. She said, "Advisor Zhou, you are truly remarkable. Those presidents came in so high and mighty, yet they ended up being so compliant. If I hadn't witnessed it myself, I wouldn't have believed it. How did you manage to do that?"

Zhou Ming waved his hand dismissively, "It's not as mysterious as you think. It's just a common brainwashing technique."

"Brainwashing? Pyramid schemes?" Du Peng and Kong Xiaolin were stunned, clearly unfamiliar with these concepts.

Du Peng, who had some background, tentatively asked, "Is this brainwashing similar to hypnosis? Isn't that something used against spies?"

"It's not as sinister as that. It's essentially about shifting concepts, making you stop thinking and follow my line of thought, accepting the ideas I've given you. That's brainwashing," Zhou Ming explained. "It might have started as a method used by spies, but it later evolved into a form of financial fraud known as pyramid schemes. Simply put, pyramid schemes involve recruiting downlines, brainwashing them through lectures, getting them to give money to the recruiter, and then having these downlines recruit others. This way, the money keeps rolling in."

Du Peng and Kong Xiaolin listened, stunned. Du Peng asked incredulously, "Is that even possible? Didn't those people realize they were being used as tools for making money?"

"That's why brainwashing is necessary!" Zhou Ming said. "What I did earlier was a form of brainwashing. Otherwise, these people wouldn't have paid attention to me or agreed to recover the loans. Brainwashing made it possible."

"But Zhou Ming, you said it was for their own good. Of course, they'd do it," Du Peng reasoned.

"That's just a guide. I'm not a deity; I can't make them give up their benefits voluntarily and help me recover loans without convincing them," Zhou Ming said.

Kong Xiaolin suddenly understood, "No wonder you said not to let them think too much. You meant to guide them to think about their future instead of the benefits they gained from land speculation, aligning their thoughts with yours. That way, they naturally follow the principles you've instilled without debating the pros and cons."

"Exactly," Zhou Ming affirmed.

Kong Xiaolin took a deep breath, her eyes full of admiration, "Advisor Zhou, you're incredible. I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. It's like a miracle!"

Receiving such praise from a refined hotel manager made Zhou Ming a bit embarrassed. "It's nothing special. It's just that these bank presidents had no prior experience with brainwashing and were completely unprepared, which made it easier. If I had met the person I encountered on the train to South River City, they'd have done an even better job."

Kong Xiaolin shook her head, "No matter how skilled that Yang Yong is, he might not have done as well in this meeting as you did."

She paused for a moment and then continued, "Besides, if this method were applied to employee training, it might yield impressive results."

Hearing Kong Xiaolin's suggestion, Zhou Ming's interest was piqued, "What are you saying?"

Kong Xiaolin, looking nervous, said, "Sorry, Advisor Zhou. I shouldn't have mentioned it. How could such a great method be used for employee training? My mouth was too reckless."

Zhou Ming shook his head, "I'm not upset. I'm just curious about why you'd think of applying this method to employee training. Have you seen or heard of anything similar before?"

"No," Kong Xiaolin replied. "I just thought that if your brainwashing method could be used for training, it might effectively stimulate employees' positive beliefs, boost their enthusiasm, and improve management."

Zhou Ming was impressed, "No, what you said is excellent. It's impressive that you could link brainwashing to corporate management. This method, though called by other names like 'success motivation' or 'potential development' in later years, is essentially brainwashing. It uses psychological suggestions to achieve success and motivation. Many companies use similar techniques, like group chants and games in the morning, which are essentially brainwashing processes."

Zhou Ming marveled at Kong Xiaolin's ability to make such connections at a young age, showing her capabilities and why she had become the manager of South Lake Hotel.

"Can you give me your pager number?" Zhou Ming asked.

Kong Xiaolin was initially stunned, then replied with excitement, "Advisor Zhou, you want my pager number?"

"Yes, is it too forward for me to ask a lady for her pager number?" Zhou Ming teased.

Kong Xiaolin shook her head quickly, "Not at all. I was just thinking of how to get your contact information, and now you're asking for mine. I'm thrilled!"

Zhou Ming joked, "However, if I ask for your pager number, it might not always be for good news. It could be to recruit you for another opportunity."

"Anything from Advisor Zhou is fine with me!" Kong Xiaolin said. "After hearing your speech, I'm so impressed. You're my idol!"

Zhou Ming smiled, "In that case, you'd better perform well. Just as you suggested, you should develop a concrete plan to apply my brainwashing method to employee training or corporate management. Don't just leave it as an idea."

Kong Xiaolin nodded earnestly, "Rest assured, Advisor Zhou, I will work hard to develop this management plan!"

"Great. I hope that when I contact you next time, you'll have a surprise for me," Zhou Ming said, patting Kong Xiaolin's shoulder. "Keep up the good work. Believe in yourself as the future's most capable and beautiful female executive!"

Kong Xiaolin was overjoyed, "Yes! Thank you, Advisor Zhou. I will definitely work hard!"

After Zhou Ming got Kong Xiaolin's pager number, he left South Lake Hotel with Du Peng. Once in the car, Du Peng remarked, "You've really killed two birds with one stone."

"What do you mean by killing two birds with one stone?" Zhou Ming asked, puzzled.

"That hotel manager! Zhou Ming, not only did you brainwash those bank presidents today, but you also brainwashed her. From the way she looked, she'd probably even reserve a room for you and wait for you if you asked," Du Peng admired. "And that manager is quite a catch. Just thinking about her makes one irresistible!"

Zhou Ming smacked Du Peng lightly, "Stop daydreaming. Focus on driving. We still need to report to Mayor Chen!"