Chapter 137: The Zhou Ming of Now is the Same as the Zhou Ming of Then

The sound of Norderman's applause echoed through the hall of the Nanjing Development Bank. Everyone present, including Luo Han, Zhang Heng, and Wang Jian, was stunned. They stared at Norderman and Zhou Ming in disbelief, as if caught in a surreal dream.

Their astonishment was not only due to Zhou Ming's brilliant arguments but also because these arguments had received affirmation and praise from Norderman.

This was Norderman, the influential figure who shaped the economic development of the 1980s in the U.S., laid the theoretical foundation for the financial systems of Western countries, and won the Nobel Prize in Economics! His expertise in economic theory was beyond reproach, and his systematic understanding of economic theory was unparalleled. That's why, when he asked Luo Han a question, Luo Han couldn't muster the courage to answer directly and had to turn to Zhou Ming for help.

At that time, Luo Han thought that only Zhou Ming could handle this challenge, given his previous successful speech at Hong Kong University. At the very least, he could navigate this situation.

But Luo Han didn't expect that as Zhou Ming and Norderman conversed, Zhou Ming would present one breathtaking argument after another, culminating in Norderman's applause. This was simply unbelievable.

Even more shocked than Luo Han was Wang Jian. As Norderman's student, Wang Jian knew him better and was fully aware that Norderman gained fame in the Western world not just because of his free market theory, but because of his quick thinking. Throughout his life, Norderman had debated with various economists and always managed to persuade them. It was his debating skills and sharp mind that revived his free market ideology during a time when government intervention was predominant.

Wang Jian had witnessed numerous face-to-face debates between Norderman and other economists. Yet, even the first American Nobel laureate in Economics couldn't convince Norderman.

Now, in this impoverished country of China, an unknown bureaucrat had managed to impress Norderman with his economic theories. Wang Jian found this astonishing.

"How is this possible?" Wang Jian muttered to himself, unable to believe what was happening before him. This was something he couldn't have even dreamed of.

For Wang Jian, China was supposed to be a totalitarian state reminiscent of slavery, where people were ignorant and easily manipulated by their leaders. The country lacked markets, and most people were supposed to be starving. Not to mention that the most basic business knowledge would be unheard of.

In a country that seemed like a living dead zone, how could someone like Zhou Ming emerge and impress Norderman with his economic theories?

Regardless of Luo Han and Wang Jian's acceptance, Norderman continued applauding and said to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, your arguments are truly magnificent. Even many economists working for the White House couldn't express such insights. I'm curious, did you study at MIT or Cambridge?"

Zhou Ming smiled awkwardly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Norderman, I've only been to Hong Kong City at most. I've only heard of those two universities you mentioned, and I haven't attended any of the famous universities you've heard of in China."

This revelation made Norderman's eyes widen in surprise. "Oh my God! So you haven't systematically studied any economic theories?"

"Basically, yes," Zhou Ming replied. Although he majored in economics at university, the reform and opening up were just beginning when he was in school. The knowledge he gained there was insignificant compared to someone like Norderman, and since he had been reborn and forgotten much of his past knowledge, it wasn't entirely inaccurate to say he hadn't studied economics.

Norderman had anticipated this response but was still astonished. He exclaimed, "Oh my God, this is simply a miracle. It's incredible!"

Norderman then turned to Wang Jian and said, "Hey, Wang, your country is truly a place full of wonders. Not only the rapid development of Nanjing but also the people. My goodness, before meeting Mr. Zhou, I couldn't believe that someone could understand market principles so profoundly without systematic economic training. If I told the old men at the White House, they'd think I was crazy."

Hearing Norderman's generous praise of Zhou Ming, Wang Jian's face darkened. He had previously disparaged China and its people in front of Norderman, but now Norderman was showering Zhou Ming with praise. It felt like a slap in the face. The more Norderman praised Zhou Ming, the louder Wang Jian felt the slap on his face.

Wang Jian couldn't understand how someone like Zhou Ming could exist. He had to say to Norderman, "Professor, Zhou Ming is just an exception. Since this country has always been under centralized control, it's not surprising that he can speak persuasively on economic issues. Besides, you might not know this, but people in this country love to boast. What he said might be nothing more than nonsense."

Norderman shook his head and said, "I don't agree with your view. From Mr. Zhou's remarks, although he hasn't systematically studied economics, his insight into market operations is undeniable. Look at the examples he provided; they relate to our own experiences. This shows he is a remarkable person who sees the world with open eyes. Our bureaucrats don't truly wish to understand this rising country. That's what I call real arrogance!"

Wang Jian smiled awkwardly, "He might be an exception. You know, Professor, there are always a few surprises in such a large country."

"One such exception is enough to make me optimistic about the future of your country!" Norderman said.

As Norderman and Wang Jian finished their conversation, a reporter from Hong Kong Financial suddenly pointed at Zhou Ming and exclaimed, "Zhou Ming, are you the Zhou Ming?"

This puzzling question piqued Norderman's curiosity. He asked, "He's called Zhou Ming. Didn't he introduce himself at the South Lake Port?"

The reporter from Hong Kong Financial said, "No, Mr. Norderman, remember I told you about an official from the mainland who gave a speech at Hong Kong University?"

Norderman nodded, "I remember. I also listened to the recording of that speech. It was very passionate, full of nationalistic sentiment."

The reporter nodded, "Yes, that's the speech. The official from the mainland was also named Zhou Ming."

Norderman immediately realized, "You mean the speech that could go down in the annals of world oratory was the work of this Mr. Zhou?"

"I believe so. There wouldn't be two Zhou Mings from the mainland with such insight and ability," the reporter said.

Hearing the conversation between Norderman and the reporter, Wang Jian instinctively touched his face, feeling as if he were receiving even more and louder slaps.

Especially with the reporter's comment, because if Norderman's praise of Zhou Ming could be attributed to ignorance of Chinese people, perhaps Zhou Ming had just impressed him. But the speech at Hong Kong University was not something simple boasting could explain. It required not only courage but also quick thinking and substantial knowledge—qualities not typically found in mainland Chinese!

Wang Jian had thought about how he would perform in such a position, and the result was that even ten of him together couldn't achieve what Zhou Ming did.

Wang Jian looked at Zhou Ming and increasingly felt that Zhou Ming was no longer a mere individual but a phenomenon that shouldn't exist in this world!

Norderman, unaware of his student's feelings, looked at Zhou Ming with admiration and said, "Mr. Zhou, I didn't expect you had given such a speech at Hong Kong University. It's incredible. God, how many more surprises are you going to give me? I feel like I'll need medicine before hearing more about you next time; otherwise, my heart might not be able to take it."

Although being praised by a master economist like Norderman felt great, Zhou Ming felt a bit embarrassed under the public gaze. He said, "Mr. Norderman, you're overestimating me. What I've said are just my personal opinions, not worth comparing with your theories. As for the Hong Kong City speech, I'm afraid it was just due to my colleague's mistakes that angered the students. I was just there to rescue the situation."

Norderman shook his head and said, "No, Mr. Zhou, you shouldn't belittle yourself. It's precisely because you haven't systematically studied economics that your insight is astonishing. Because you weren't prepared, your speech was unparalleled."

Zhou Ming realized that this foreign old man was probably stubborn, so he decided not to argue and just shrugged, "Alright, I just want to say I was a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat."

Norderman laughed, "But not every blind cat finds a dead rat."

Finally, Norderman said, "Seven years ago, when I came here and learned about your reform and opening-up, I said it was just talk and your economy was still backward. I still stand by that statement, but I must add that as long as you, Mr. Zhou, are here, your reform and opening-up will definitely achieve results that will astonish the whole world!"