Chapter 239 Interview
"Stop putting on a show here! You don't care about the lives of the people at all! You're just trying to divert attention, afraid that we'll see through the government's incompetence and stop trying to win votes for Zhang Quanmin!"
"Exactly. How dare you attend a murderer's funeral? Aren't you afraid the victims will come after you at night to claim their lives?"
As soon as Liu Ming clicked on the video sent to her by her colleague, a sharp and piercing questioning voice came out, and she quickly turned down the volume.
The picture taken with the mobile phone was a bit shaky, but the figure of First Lady Lan Yan could still be clearly seen.
She was dressed in a well-cut black mourning gown, a diamond brooch pinned to her bosom gleaming with tiny glints. Her hair was meticulously combed close to her scalp, her expression tense, her lips pursed into a perfectly defined curve.
Her sad and solemn posture, almost impeccable, formed a sharp contrast with the chaotic background around her.
However, the accusations became more intense, even to the point of physical violence.
A large piece of dirt suddenly flew out from the crowd, crossed the safety line drawn by the bodyguards, and hit Lan Yan's skirt with a bang.
Extremely embarrassed.
Liu Ming thought Lan Yan would definitely change her expression, but she just frowned, then raised her eyes and looked at everyone, her voice gentle but firm.
"I understand everyone's anger. But the reason I'm standing here is not because I agree with Song Xiaojun's crimes, but because I don't want to see this country torn apart by hatred and violence."
"…The disaster that has already occurred cannot be undone, but those who are still alive must continue to look forward. I sincerely hope that our society will not see another Song Xiaojun."
By the end of his speech, Lan Yan's eyes were filled with tears, and the angry crowd quieted down.
Liu Ming took a deep breath.
Although she didn't want to casually judge someone, she couldn't help but sigh, "What a perfect political show."
At this moment, the driver's voice came from the front seat, "Reporter Liu, the headquarters is ahead."
The car then stopped in front of the railing.
Liu Ming put away his phone and turned to look out the car window. Not far away, he saw an elegantly designed white-facade building standing under the blue sky.
After passing security, the driver drove the car to the parking lot where the receptionist was already waiting.
Liu Ming picked up the interview bag, quickly got out of the car, and followed the receptionist into the headquarters, which ordinary people couldn't even get close to.
Although time was tight, she still made sufficient preparations for the interview.
For the interview subject, First Lady Lan Yan, Liu Ming read a large amount of public text and video materials and wrote an interview outline in advance.
According to records, Lan Yan came from a working-class family. When she was in junior high school, her mother died fighting for the rights of female textile workers. At the age of 18, she was admitted to the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, where she met Zhang Quanmin, then 32 and a twice-divorced man. Two years later, they married. That same year, Zhang Quanmin became the leader, and Lan Yan became his wife.
Liu Ming reviewed the information he had collected in his mind and decided to ask Lan Yan later what influence her mother had had on her.
In her opinion, Lan Yan clearly inherited her mother's political legacy. This is why the young and inexperienced Lan Yan was so popular with the public during her time as First Lady.
It can even be said that she also contributed to Zhang Quanming's success in defeating his competitor Lin Anna.
But judging from the fact that Lan Yan attended Song Xiaojun's funeral, Lan Yan did not cherish this legacy, and the public's love for her has almost been worn out.
This is also the reason why Liu Ming said that she was putting on a political show.
She didn't like Lan Yan very much, so naturally she wasn't enthusiastic about the interview.
In fact, compared to the noble, elegant, affluent and well-known first lady, Liu Ming would rather interview people at the bottom of society. They are the group that cannot make their voices heard and need to be seen by the public.
However, even though Liu Ming thought this in her heart, she couldn't help but feel nervous when she stepped into the room.
But the next moment, the receptionist stopped her and said, "According to the request of the Prime Minister's wife, you are not allowed to bring any electronic devices in. Cell phones, cameras, recorders... none of them are allowed."
Liu Ming almost lost his breath. "If I'm not allowed to bring this, how can I conduct an interview?"
The receptionist looked indifferent and asked, "Don't you have a pen and a notebook?"
Liu Ming had no choice but to take out all electronic devices from the interview bag, taking only a pen and a notebook, and pushed the door open.
Lan Yan sat on the sofa, a half-drunk glass of red wine on the table in front of her. Unlike her elegant and dignified appearance in front of the camera, she was now wearing a loose long-sleeved dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and her posture was somewhat casual.
She stood up enthusiastically and said, "Now that you're here, please take a seat."
Liu Ming walked over with some surprise. Lan Yan seemed to be looking forward to this interview?
After some polite greetings, the two sat down again.
Liu Ming was very curious why Lan Yan designated her to interview.
"Madam, have I met you before? Sorry, my memory is not very good and I don't remember it very well."
Lan Yan raised her hand to tuck her long hair behind her ear and smiled gently, "No, you haven't seen me. However, I've read the news report you wrote about Birchwood Capital. It's very well written, and I've always wanted to meet you."
Is that so?
Liu Ming's eyes followed Lan Yan's hand, sweeping across her face lightly and quickly, and then his gaze fixed.
Her face... her makeup is too heavy, the foundation is applied so thick and white that even her fine hairs are invisible. It makes me feel suffocated just looking at it.
Liu Ming frowned in confusion. Is it necessary to go to this extent?
However, this is not her concern, so let's just start the interview.
Liu Ming opened the interview book and felt lucky that she had written the outline in the book, otherwise she would have to improvise.
She was about to speak when Lan Yan suddenly stood up, walked to the window and pulled all the curtains.
Lan Yan walked back and sat down, explaining, "You can see into the house from outside, so it's better to be careful."
She looked at Liu Ming, "Where were we just now?"
Liu Ming was stunned, and Lan Yan answered without thinking, "Oh, yes, I just mentioned the Birch Capital report. Reporter Liu, what really impressed me most about that report was your friend Lin. She reported her boss even at the risk of being banned from the industry. I'm curious, what happened to her?"
Liu Ming's heart immediately rose. She knew that this matter was not that simple. The leader's wife specifically asked her to come for the interview. It turned out that she had ulterior motives.
But what did she want to do by asking about Lin Wei?
Liu Ming put on a polite smile and responded, "My friend is fine and is still working at the foundation. Madam, let's get back to the interview. I understand that your mother—"
Lan Yan interrupted her, "Are you talking about the Skydome Foundation? I heard that it's a humanitarian organization on the surface, but in fact, its members are secretly plotting to control the empire's economy."
Liu Ming suddenly became alert. The person behind Lan Yan was Zhang Quanmin. Was she planning to take action against them by finding out the details of the foundation?
Although she did not join the foundation, she learned some inside information from her girlfriend Lin Wei. She knew very well that this organization brought together outstanding women from various industries. They had different opinions, but they all held a common belief in resisting the decadent patriarchal system.
Therefore, no information about the foundation can be revealed to Lan Yan.
"These rumors are too outrageous. Those who believe them should sell them health supplements. Madam Prime Minister, don't you agree?"
"I believe it."
Liu Ming was stunned.
"I heard that you can only join the organization if you're recommended by a member of the foundation. Reporter Liu, I know you know someone at the foundation, so how about a deal? You recommend me to join the organization, and I'll give you a report that will shock the nation. How about that?"
Lan Yan looked at Liu Ming with an urgency in his eyes that Liu Ming had never seen in a public video before.
Should I admit it? What if this is a trap?
Liu Ming's eyes flickered for a moment, and then she smiled nonchalantly, "Madam, that's really just a rumor. I see you seem a little tired, so why not postpone the interview to next time? I'll take my leave now."
She stood up and walked out the door.
Lan Yan called out to her, "Don't you want to hear about the report that I'm planning to divorce Zhang Quanmin, the leader?"
Liu Ming suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lan Yan in disbelief.
————
The Song Xiaojun case caused strong reactions and debates online.
At the beginning, due to Zhang Quanmin's guidance of public opinion, everyone directed their criticism at Tianqiong.
After Tianqiong launched artificial organs and fought a great comeback, everyone came to their senses and realized that the government was trying to shirk responsibility.
So, everyone turned their guns around and started cursing the government and the leaders. After their enthusiasm was suppressed, they turned to cursing the lack of freedom of speech, the corruption of officials, the imbalance between the rich and the poor, and everything else that could be cursed.
At this moment, the First Lady attended Song Xiaojun's funeral, which once again pushed the situation to a new climax.
The public is increasingly dissatisfied with the leader, Zhang Quanmin, and has even threatened to have him resign.
Seeing that public opinion was intensifying, everyone thought that the leader Zhang Quanmin would come out to apologize to calm the controversy.
What no one expected was that Zhang Quanmin immediately signed and issued the new Marriage Law, which was also called the "Bloody Decree" by everyone.
"To safeguard social stability, new marriage regulations are hereby promulgated: 1. Women are prohibited from unilaterally filing for divorce. 2. The legal marriage age is adjusted to 18 for men and 15 for women. 3. ...This decree will take effect next month."
As soon as the decree was announced, there was a chorus of applause below the relevant news.
[I support this. From now on, gold diggers will no longer be able to make money by relying on betrothal gifts.]
If divorce had been banned earlier, Song Xiaojun wouldn't have ended up in such a desperate situation.
Only when families are stable can society be stable and the country become great again. Leader Zhang's decision is absolutely correct.
[This should have been done a long time ago. The country's fertility rate is so low right now, and it's all because of those feminists who are clamoring not to have children.]
I originally wanted to oppose Zhang Quanmin, but it seems I have no choice but to support him this time. However, it would be even better if the government could give some money to the lower-income people.
It’s not that there were no opposing opinions, but once they were published, they were either blocked or attacked and cyber-bullied by Zhang Quanmin’s supporters, or even humiliated.
"Has this country gone mad? Why should the stability of society come at the expense of women's freedom?"
Liu Yu, who has already been admitted to S University, was reading the comments in the comment section and was very angry.
My roommate echoed, "That's right. 15-year-olds are still studying and don't have a clear understanding of society. If they're tricked into getting married, do they just have to accept their fate for the rest of their lives?"
"No, we absolutely cannot allow this law to be implemented. Otherwise, they will only intensify their efforts. Now that even the "mother job" has been introduced, won't the next step be to prohibit women from working and studying?"
"But... we're just students. What can we do? Even speaking out online gets silenced."
"Whether it's contacting school organizations or joining forces with the Feminist Party, there's always a way!"
At the Women's Rights Party office, everyone is rejoicing over the new sponsorship.
"Chairman Zhu, I knew you would find a way! Now that the office has all the supplies and equipment, and the broken air conditioners have been replaced with new ones, we won't have to worry about funding shortages anymore. Maybe we can even run a good campaign this time."
The opposition that had originally united to want Zhu Yun to step down also softened their stance. Just as they were about to speak, they saw a party member running in.
"Oh no! Zhang Quanmin just issued a bloody decree prohibiting women from getting divorced."
Everyone's expressions suddenly changed. "Congress also agreed? With the election just around the corner, he's blatantly issuing a law that discriminates against women. Isn't he afraid of opposition from lawmakers and voters?"
Zhu Yun suppressed his anger and said thoughtfully, "With social contradictions intensifying and conservative forces on the rise, I'm afraid more people will support him than oppose him."
"The chairman is saying that he did this just to win votes?"
"I'm just speculating, but judging by past historical results, it's the general public that supports discrimination against women. Otherwise, the majority party in Congress wouldn't be Party A right now, but our Women's Rights Party. Everyone, don't be discouraged. Cheer up! We're protesting and calling on the public to march and protest. We must not let Zhang Quanmin's scheme succeed!"
Everyone then took action.
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