An bankrupted uncle selling roasted goose tried to ride on the coattails of "Hyperthyroidism Brother," a popular American internet celebrity, by following him to five cities. He was mocked as a "clown," but unexpectedly, the government rewarded him with 100,000 yuan instead. Even Hyperthyroidism Brother wanted to bring him back to the U.S.! Why did this happen?

Just a few months ago, Lin Jiang from Chongqing was on the verge of bankruptcy and overwhelmed with worries. But now, he has transformed into the widely-discussed "Roasted Goose Brother" across the internet.

This grassroots entrepreneur, after chasing the American top streamer "Hyperthyroidism Brother" through five cities, not only saw a surge in sales of Rongchang braised goose from his hometown but also received the title of "Chief Promoter" from the local government, along with a reward of 100,000 yuan. Hyperthyroidism Brother even expressed a desire to take him to the U.S.

What seemed like a farcical pursuit of traffic turned out to be an underdog's story written with clumsiness and sincerity.

As the saying goes, "sincerity is the ultimate skill." Lin Jiang’s “adventure” began when he faced an economic crisis. After consecutive failures in entrepreneurship, the pressure of life made it hard for him to breathe. When he learned that Hyperthyroidism Brother, who had 30 million followers, would visit China, he sensed an opportunity. Borrowing money to cover the cost of traveling between cities, he brought the local delicacies—Rongchang braised goose, roasted suckling pig, and peppery chicken—and embarked on a nearly obsessive "feeding journey."

When they first met in Chengdu, he was so nervous that he mistakenly referred to the "braised goose" as "chicken," which led to being pushed away by security guards. The live-streaming chat room was filled with mockery such as "hitchhiking" and "clown."

But Lin Jiang didn’t back down. His trademark became his flower-patterned coat, loud voice, and broken English. Even if he had to stand outside the bodyguards' human wall, he would raise the braised goose high and shout, "This is Rongchang braised goose!"

For him, the turning point came at the fifth stop, Changsha. When Lin Jiang’s shoe was lost in the chaos while frantically chasing Hyperthyroidism Brother’s live-streaming car, netizens’ jeers gradually turned into a wave of "come on" messages.

Hyperthyroidism Brother’s bodyguards went from pushing him away to helping him carry the braised goose and even offered him the prime spot on camera. This enthusiastic American influencer was eventually moved by his persistence, repeatedly exclaiming in front of the lens, "He is the only person I feel genuine from."

Before leaving China, Hyperthyroidism Brother kept mentioning wanting to take "Uncle" to the U.S., and the live-streaming chat room was flooded with "UNC!" calls.

Lin Jiang’s “riding on the coattails” was more than just surface-level. He studied Hyperthyroidism Brother’s dietary preferences, prepared non-spicy braised goose in advance, and always had his phone ready to cover costs, earning praise for being straightforward.

More importantly, he never used his growing popularity for profit. Instead, he redirected the tens of millions of followers and video quotes over ten thousand yuan to his hometown, significantly increasing online orders for Rongchang braised goose. Some companies saw their sales skyrocket by ten times, and even veteran halibut makers were forced to work overtime.

The Rongchang District government quickly embraced this unexpected fortune, reimbursed Lin Jiang’s expenses across five cities, awarded him 100,000 yuan, launched a global campaign to design a cartoon image for "Roasted Goose Brother," and planned to create a Halibut Food Festival.

This cultural outreach initiated by a grassroots individual ultimately evolved into a win-win situation for both the city and the individual. As Chongqing netizens put it, "He wasn't chasing a网红 (internet celebrity), but the chance for his hometown to be seen by the world."

When the tide of traffic eventually recedes, what remains from this underdog story might not just be numbers on braised goose sales, but a proof: In a race dominated by algorithms and capital, sincere clumsiness can still open a door.

Source: Hualong Network

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829345049644042/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.