"You mean that Shen Dong bribed twelve pilots to bomb himself at the Central Police Station, and then sent people to shoot down those helicopters, while also retaliating against the US government and prominent business figures? Is that a fair interpretation?"
"What you think is your business."
"General Ralph, reality is not a movie. Even if it were a movie, I don't think the screenwriters in Hong Kong could write such a flawed script."
Hahahaha
Everyone laughed.
Seeing Ralph overwhelmed by the reporters' questions, Mike not only didn't help, but was secretly pleased.
So you dared to yell at me this afternoon, are you behaving yourself now?
"What I mean is that Shen Dong sent men to attack six armed helicopters, killing dozens of prominent figures in our political and business circles."
"You've said some contradictory things again. Mr. Shen isn't a god; how could he know in advance that the twelve pilots would secretly alter their mission last night to bomb the Central Police Station? Or is it that your garrison's mission was to bomb the Central Police Station and kill Mr. Shen, and he just received advance notice? That doesn't make sense either. From the time Mr. Shen was arrested at the Central Police Station to the terrorist attack, less than ten hours passed. I don't believe Mr. Shen could have arranged such an operation so calmly. Moreover, how could he have issued orders to the terrorists while he was at the Central Police Station?"
The reporter's series of questions prompted everyone present to nod in agreement.
Indeed, this is simply unacceptable.
"Which newspaper do you work for? I've noticed you've been trying to exonerate Shen Dong."
The reporter stated matter-of-factly, "I come from the People's Daily on Hong Kong Island, and my boss is Mr. Shen Dong. Is there a problem with me defending my boss?"
Some reporters shouted, "No problem!"
Ralph was furious and said, "This is not a courtroom."
The reporter said, "But this is a press conference. You are lying openly in front of the world's media. This will have a very bad impact on your country's image and influence."
Knowing he couldn't remain silent, Mike coughed and said, "General Ralph just said that it's only a suspicion, not a confirmation that Mr. Shen was the mastermind behind the terrorist attack."
A reporter from the inland said, "Just because of suspicion, you forcibly searched Xia Hua Society. Consul General Mike, can we interpret this as a blatant provocation against the Xia government?"
Mike said, "Of course not. I didn't know that General Ralph would lead troops to forcibly search Xia Hua Society. If I had known in advance, I would have done everything in my power to stop it."
Ralph stood up and said, “This is my responsibility. I was too anxious at the time, wanting to catch the suspect Shen Dong as soon as possible, so I searched Xia Hua Society without any regard for the consequences. Here, I apologize to Xia Hua Society and the Xia government for my reckless behavior. I, Ralph, will bear all the consequences caused by this incident alone.”
"General Ralph, there are some things you may not be able to bear."
"Then I will atone with my death."
Ralph then acted shamelessly, leaving the reporters speechless.
"I have another question."
A reporter from Asia Television stood up and asked, "Why did Secretary for Security Giles pressure Ms. Hu Yali to sue Mr. Shen? Could this be related to the bombing of the Central Police Station?"
Ralph immediately shifted the blame, saying, "Sorry, I'm not very familiar with Giles."
Mike cursed under his breath and said, "The police still can't confirm whether Ms. Hu Yali's words are true or not. After all, it's an audio recording, not a video recording."
The reporter glanced at his watch and said, "Right now, the recording of Ms. Hu Yali's conversation with Mr. Giles is being broadcast on our television station. I can tell you with certainty that this is true."
Qiao Ding'an stood up and whispered in Mike's ear, "Boss, just before going on stage, I received a report from the police officers that there is indeed this video."
Mike glared at Qiao Ding'an, blaming him for not telling him sooner.
Qiao Ding'an gave a wry smile.
Mike said, "If this is true, the police will follow this lead and should be able to get an answer soon."
The reporter asked, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Xia has lodged a strong protest with your country, and the military has also stated that the stationed troops will pay the price for their actions. What is your opinion on this?"
Mike paused for a moment, then said, "I have no authority to command the US military presence."
"General Ralph, what do you think?"
Ralph said coldly, "I have already apologized. If the Xia Kingdom's military and foreign ministry don't want to let me go, then I'll wait for them to come and kill me in Hong Kong."
Are you declaring war on the Xia Kingdom's army?
Ralph said, “Tell me the literal meaning, you don’t need to overinterpret it. I’ve already said it, I take full responsibility. War is definitely not a good option.”
After saying that, Ralph got up and left.
Mike said, "Friends from the press, this press conference is now adjourned. I hope you can give the Hong Kong Island government, the garrison, and the police some time. Once the truth is uncovered, we will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."
This press conference was, to say the least, a very unsuccessful event.
Ralph's performance, in particular, was absolutely terrible.
His contradictory statements, after being edited, were broadcast on TVB and ATV, and immediately drew criticism from the citizens of Hong Kong Island.
“I bet Ralph definitely knows about the bombing of the Central Police Station.”
"What do you mean 'know'? It means he gave the order 100% of the time."
"The US military was really ruthless in its efforts to kill Shen Dong."
"I can't understand what Shen Dong did to make the Americans so ruthless?"
"Mr. Shen is the smartest. After the incident, he immediately went to the inland to seek refuge."
"The government and military that openly murdered Hong Kong's richest man are terrifying."
"Hong Kong's image in the world has been completely ruined by these 'Americans'."
"Damn it, I'm going to march tomorrow to protest against the American government."
"Yes, a march, we must make Ralph pay the price."
......
At 10 a.m. the next day, tens of thousands of Hong Kong Island citizens took to the streets holding banners, demanding that the government severely punish Ralph and several other senior military officers.
At the same time, the Xia Kingdom's military also sent a lieutenant general to lodge a strong protest with the Hong Kong government.
Behind him were tens of thousands of Xia Kingdom troops in Guangcheng and Pengcheng.
Suddenly, a climate of fear and suspicion descended upon Hong Kong Island, and the world's attention was focused on it.
"Mike, look at the stupid thing you've done."
The U.S. General Vic gave Mike a severe dressing-down over the phone.
Mike smiled wryly and said, "Commander-in-Chief Vic, I didn't expect Shen Dong to have made preparations in advance."
"How did he know?" Vic asked.
Mike frowned and said, "Only Giles, Ralph, and Clyde knew about the entire bombing plan. The twelve pilots received the mission just ten minutes before it began."
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