Editorial office of the Chicago Tribune, USA.

"Katie, is this the report you wrote after returning from the interview?" the editor-in-chief asked as he looked up after reading the outline with a frown.

"Yes, soybean breeder Pandel had just returned from a trip to China, and I was fortunate enough to get an interview. The female reporter Katie's face was flushed with excitement, and she involuntarily raised her voice: "This is the first-hand information of the 'Oriental Magic Bean'." ”

"Oriental magic beans?"

"Well, that's what I call the new soybean variety for the Chinese. In the past few decades, there has been a 'green revolution' in which the output of rice, wheat and other food crops has doubled. In contrast, soybean production has been growing slowly. The achievements of the Chinese, announcing the arrival of the soybean 'green revolution', deserve any praise. Katie spoke upright, not noticing the editor-in-chief's face.

Katie is a beautiful and talented young female journalist, however, in the media world of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it is not enough to be beautiful and talented, she must have a brilliant report to have a chance to stand out.

The Chicago Tribune is a large media outlet, the leading daily newspaper in the Chicago area and the Midwest, but Katie is unfortunately placed in the underappreciated agriculture group.

It was at this time that Katie discovered an opportunity for the "Oriental Magic Bean".

The Chicago Tribune, which also happens to be the main soybean producing region in the United States, believes that the revolutionary soybean variety from the East will be a flashpoint.

However, the editor-in-chief rubbed the flesh on his cheeks and commented lightly: "Don't you think the praise in the report is too much?" You know, in the past so many years, our domestic soybean yield has also been high, and it is too early to say that the Chinese have brought the soybean 'green revolution'. ”

"It's different. Katie waved vigorously, "I've collected data on soybean yield increases across the country over the past two decades, and the results show that significant increases in yields are rare, and overall, there is no indication that soybean yield genes are improving at a faster rate so far." But Chinese purely improved the soybean yield increase gene......"

"Katie. The editor shouted, accentuating: "We have to look at the problem from a longer-term perspective, and the scientific and technological content of China's high-yield soybeans is worth studying." ”

"The problem of scientific and technological content?" Speaking of this, what else does Katie not understand, "Some people don't want to see Chinese soybeans become famous? Is it the soybean association that has an opinion? Or does the bio-agrochemical company have an opinion? God, they are hindering freedom of speech......

As she spoke, Katie's tone became more and more intense.

The editor-in-chief stared at her for a moment, until Katie automatically became a little calmer, and then said, "First of all, you know, we are not God's newspaper. ”

After a pause, the editor-in-chief began with "second": "We are a capitalist newspaper, and we also follow the requirements of capital and make articles that are in line with social trends." ”

Even as a young journalist, Katie has never heard of this argument, but the irony can only be perceived when she experiences it herself.

She endured her nausea, but her tone was better, and asked, "What's going on?"

The editor-in-chief said expressionlessly: "Katie, do you know how strong the soybean industry-related enterprises are?"

Katie certainly knows.

In the United States, the soybean production, supply and marketing chain is completely controlled by multinational corporations, in terms of seeds and other raw material inputs needed for production, represented by Monsanto, and in terms of planting, trade and processing, it is dominated by multinational grain merchants such as ADM, Bunge, Cargill, etc.

"Is there a company involved? Which one?"

"Not any one, Katie. Think about the foundation of the U.S. soybean industry, and what's the difference between it and China's soybean policy?"

Katie hesitated for a moment and said, "You mean, genetically modified technology?"

"You're right. The editor said solemnly: "What makes American soybeans go to the world is epoch-making genetically modified technology and capital. ”

"For example, Monsanto's genetically modified seeds are tied to glyphosate. Genetically modified seeds also have high requirements for water and fertilizer conditions and mechanical input, which requires that they must be planted in a large area to have economies of scale and reduce unit costs. And this system, which requires an inevitable increase in the cost of agricultural inputs, forces soybean producers and capital to join forces......"

"It's to become a slave to capital, right?" Katie replied sarcastically.

The editor-in-chief turned a deaf ear and continued: "You interviewed Pandel, and you should know that China's soybean production system is almost starting from scratch, which is not in the interests of the United States. ”

Katie was too lazy to calculate whose interests it was not in at this time, and her brows furrowed: "However, the Chinese have really changed the soybean industry, and this is not that we are unhappy." ”

"I know, but how to catch up technologically is a matter for scientists. Our task is to produce reports that meet the expectations of public opinion. The editor-in-chief sighed.

"In line with public expectations?" Somehow, Katie wanted to laugh when she heard this description.

The editor-in-chief let his tone relax and said, "After all, the new varieties of the Chinese are still quite powerful. ”

"Huh?"

"But different varieties are better suited to different regions. You can focus on the unique light, temperature, water and soil resources that support China's soybean production, such as large temperature differences, annual sunshine hours, and organic matter content in soybean fields...... All in all, China's soybean production can skyrocket, not only because of the internal factors of seeds, but also because of external conditions. "The editor-in-chief is well organized.

Katie had a pained look on her face, uh, even though she didn't have any eggs.

No matter how good the external conditions are, they are only the external factors provided for the growth of soybeans, and the internal factors are the key to the key, when can they be explained in reverse?

The editor-in-chief turned a blind eye and said unquestionably: "At least until the wind changes, you should report in this direction." ”

With that, the editor-in-chief handed Katie's report back for her to revise.

Katie stayed on the spot, looking at the deliberately bold "Oriental Magic Bean" in the report she carefully wrote, and muttered to herself for a while: "Is it interesting to deceive yourself like this?"

......

In any case, "freedom of opinion" cannot resist the will of capital.

The subversive "Jiadou 13" has been reported in the United States, but it has rarely been treated with front-page headlines, let alone praise such as "revolutionary".

Interestingly, most of the reports are similar to the public opinion orientation - "Chinese soybeans are a bit interesting, but how high the promotion value is, it has yet to be verified" Balabala.

It's just that although the influence of the American media is strong, it cannot hide its greatness.

......