The next day, the smell of gunpowder on the newsstands in Hong Kong Island was injected with a new element.
The front-page commentary of Ta Kung Pao reads: "Speak a fair word for the 'new voice of culture' Dragon Jump! And denounce the narrow-minded and xenophobic tendencies of some media outlets."
The article changed its prepared critical tone and wrote: "Since its launch in Hong Kong, Dragon Jump has rapidly expanded the market with its unique comic style and marketing strategy, attracting a large number of young readers and casting a stone in the dormant Hong Kong comics industry.
Although its operation has some shortcomings, as an innovative attempt, its exploratory spirit deserves recognition.
Mr. Kobayashi Tenwang is an overseas Chinese businessman who has taken root in Hong Kong Island to start his own business. His struggle is also a reflection of the Lion Rock Spirit of Hong Kong Island.
The media should be tolerant of new things in the market, and should be objective and fair to the individual operators, rather than stigmatizing them wantonly or even fabricating sensational rumors. This trend must not be allowed to continue!
Some media giants cling to their old ways, fearing competition, and colluding to suppress emerging forces, often accusing them of "poisoning" or "conspiracy." Their partisanship and xenophobia are the greatest harm to Hong Kong's spirit of diversity, freedom, and openness!
Wen Wei Po published an article in its headlines section: "Don't let public opinion chill the hearts of entrepreneurs! - Talking about the unfair treatment of Kobayashi Tenmo and Dragon Jump by the Hong Kong media."
The article was even more blunt: "In recent days, some mainstream media in Hong Kong have been reporting on Mr. Kobayashi Tenmo and Dragon Jump with a mixture of emotional attacks and unsubstantiated speculation, lacking the rationality and constructiveness expected of media outlets, and exhibiting a worrying trend of 'strangling public opinion.'"
The root of this trend lies in the vested interests' fear of the market structure being disrupted and their natural aversion to successful non-British outsiders.
Creating a fair and orderly business environment requires an open and inclusive attitude.
Frequently "closing the door and beating the dog", excluding and suppressing successful outsiders, not only harms entrepreneurs like Kobayashi Tenwang, but also the cornerstone of Hong Kong's own soft power of "embracing all rivers and seas".
We call on our colleagues in the media to move beyond their narrow perspectives and return to fair and objective journalism."
The title of the commentary in the New Evening News was even more pointed: "Who is afraid of Dragon Jump?"
Once these articles with clear positions and a change of target were published, it was like pouring another bucket of boiling hot oil into the raging battlefield of public opinion!
Inside the Sing Tao Daily's editorial office, the chief editor looked at the leftist newspapers delivered to him and sneered, "Wow! Are these pro-communist newspapers jumping out to play the good cop?
Want to win over that Japanese kid?
The acting really looks like that!
Do you think others can't see through their tricks?
Humph, you just want to take the opportunity to win people's hearts!
It's a pity that Xiaolin Tianwang has offended the entire Hong Kong newspaper industry this time. Can they save it with just their few pens?"
A reporter from Oriental Daily even sneered in a bar in Happy Valley that afternoon: "Tsk! What do you mean by openness and tolerance?
Why are you pretending to be an internationalist fighter?
Who doesn’t understand the little tricks of left-wing newspapers?
Aren’t you just trying to use Kobayashi Tenwang as a stepping stone?
To win him over and use him as a tool?
Naive! Who doesn't know that Kobayashi Tenmo is the target of public criticism?
Aren’t they afraid of getting themselves stained by the fish if they stick to it?
Just wait and see!
Look how he dies!"
A columnist for Ming Pao shook his head at a private gathering: "This move is indeed 'in line' with the left's consistent united front style, but choosing this at the height of the storm makes it seem too utilitarian and a bit hasty.
And...it's a bit too deliberate.
Do you really expect a Japanese to be moved by them?
It's just another disruptive figure in this chaotic battle of public opinion."
The reactions of ordinary citizens were also more divided.
Some people think that what the left says makes sense and that the media is indeed too overbearing;
Some feel that the left is just looking for excuses to win people over, and their motives are not pure;
Those staunch fans of "Dragon Jump" were very pleased, believing that a "major newspaper" had finally come out to uphold justice.
The left-wing newspapers' counter-trend voices and the right-wing media's continued bombardment, these two seemingly opposing factions actually hyped up the news reports, which were quickly compiled into a briefing and delivered to the Governor's Office.
In the study of the Governor's House, Sir Murray MacLehose put down the report summary in his hand, picked up the newspapers with huge contrasts, looked at them, and a deep smile appeared on his face.
Even the deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were smoothed out, as if he had seen something extremely interesting and enjoyable.
He picked up the exquisite bone china teacup and took a sip of the rich black tea.
"Honey, come and take a look."
He smiled at his wife who was reading a book on the sofa next to him and said, “This scene is getting more and more exciting.
Look at these left-wing newspapers, they're actually speaking out in support of Kobayashi Tenmo, it's really like providing timely help!"
Mrs. MacLehose put down her book, picked up the Ta Kung Pao her husband handed her, looked at it, and laughed: "They always do this, don't they?
Always trying to appear more "open-minded" and "inclusive," seizing every opportunity to win over people who appear useful.
Kobayashi Tenwang is now the target of public criticism. Do they think this is an opportunity?
Do you want to pull these helpless Japanese people into your warm embrace?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
“Exactly!”
MacLehose spoke in a relaxed tone, with a calmness that showed he had everything under control, "Their desire to perform just gave us the opportunity.
Both the left and the right were adding fuel to the fire, focusing public opinion on that Japanese boy.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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