Chapter 750
The air in the living room seemed to be suddenly compressed by an invisible force. The ticking sound of the clock in the corner suddenly became clear, and each tick seemed to strike on everyone's tense nerves.
Sir Grey's hand holding the coffee cup paused slightly, and the corners of his smiling mouth pursed into a line. A hint of inquiry flashed across his deep blue eyes and fell on Su Miao.
Wang Ming frowned and was about to speak to come to the rescue, but Su Miao nodded slightly to indicate that he could answer.
She calmly tapped the small bronze drum, her fingertips lightly stroking the flying egret pattern on the drum:
"This gentleman asked about freedom, look at these egrets flying high.
According to legend, 'Buluotuo' is the ancestor god of our Z tribe. He created descendants who can fly. He has longed for the sun since ancient times and possesses the mysterious power to resist gravity.
Therefore, we, the Z people, have never been fond of decadent and rigid rituals, just as the mountain wind never feels trapped in the valley, nor does it obey the rules of a powerful system. Our totem symbolizes our yearning for freedom, which has lasted for thousands of years.
The reporter tightened his grip on the recorder and was about to ask further questions when Su Miaoji continued:
"But did you notice the direction these egrets were flying? They were all flying in the direction of the sun streak.
Just like us, the Z people, while maintaining our unique cultural traditions, we voluntarily choose to join other ethnic groups with the same destination to form the big family of the Chinese nation.
Our current sun is the Chinese government led by D, and this is what we long for."
As soon as he finished speaking, a few suppressed exclamations of admiration came from the back row, like the first sound of a stream when the spring snow melts.
Su Miao picked up the silver collar that Mrs. Grey had put down:
"The winding branches on this collar appear to grow independently, but in fact they are connected by their roots. This is exactly what our country's ethnic policy is all about. The 56 ethnic groups are like these branches, growing freely on the common land, yet closely connected."
The blond reporter's brows furrowed even more, his Adam's apple rolling as he lobbed out pointed questions. The red light of the recorder shone glaringly in his palm:
"But in reality, aren't ethnic minorities often asked to give up some of their cultural identities in order to achieve so-called 'unification'?"
"Have you been to Gui District?" Su Miao suddenly asked back, his voice still gentle.
"During our March 3rd Song Festival, we can wear traditional costumes and sing folk songs; at the Bronze Drum Festival, hundreds of bronze drums sound together.
We have our own language, culture, and festivals. If this is called 'giving up traditions,' then what is freedom?"
She turned to the drum in Lord Grey's hand:
"This replica of the drum comes from our national heritage, and our heritage relies heavily on the attention and protection of the country.
True freedom means reviving endangered skills, allowing every child to proudly speak their own language, and allowing multi-ethnic families to develop steadily in a safe environment."
The reporters and staff present began to applaud, first a few sparse applause, and then a wave of applause.
Mrs. Grey gently held Su Miao's hand: "My dear, you have shown us the truest China."
Wang Ming announced the end of the interview at the appropriate time.
The reporter who asked the question put away his recorder in disappointment, while other media rushed to take pictures of the exquisite ethnic handicrafts on the table.
The camera flash cast a dazzling light on the bronze drum.
Those egret patterns with spread wings seem to be really flying, carrying thousands of years of cultural memory, flying towards the more distant future.
After the interview, the Gray family went back to the hotel to rest. When saying goodbye, they expressed their hope to establish a personal friendship with Su Miao and have the opportunity to communicate frequently in the future.
The best bridge between them is Hu Xiaodie, and they can communicate through her later.
When only the Chinese staff were left in the reception room, Wang Ming couldn't hide his excitement and patted Su Miao's shoulder:
"Xiao Su, your answer just now could be included in a diplomatic training textbook! I thought you couldn't answer it and almost interrupted the interview."
Qin Xue was also pleased and said, "The part using bronze drum patterns as a metaphor is particularly vivid. It not only showcases the cultural heritage but also conveys the political stance. It is much more vivid than the official statement we prepared."
"In fact, I think there is no standard answer to the reporter's question. It is the most genuine and personal answer that sounds more convincing."
Wang Ming nodded thoughtfully: "So what you just said is your true feelings."
"He asked this question simply to exploit my minority status and find some possible loopholes to criticize our policies.
Then I told him clearly that national unity is not just a forced statement, but is like the casting process of bronze drums, where different metals naturally fuse together at high temperatures.
The same is true of cultural integration, just like today, when I saw the light in Lady Grey's eyes when she put on the silver necklace, it was a resonance across cultures that did not require any preaching.
Qin Xue suddenly laughed out loud, revealing teeth as white as pearls:
"It is precisely your heartfelt expression that is more convincing than our carefully crafted external propaganda."
She turned to look at Wang Ming, with a serious suggestion in her tone:
"Secretary Wang, I suggest that you change the approach to your foreign affairs training in the future and allow young people more freedom to express themselves. Perhaps they can create special sparks like Miaomiao did."
When Su Miao walked out of the museum holding the heavy gift book, the afternoon sun was just the right warmth.
The cordon had been removed long ago, and the uniformed security guards were greeting tourists with a smile. From a distance, she saw her father Su Yuan sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree, reading a thread-bound book intently.
She remembered the last look the Eagle Country reporter gave her at the end of the interview. It was no longer questioning, but a thoughtful scrutiny.
The thick book in my arms was slightly warm, as if foreshadowing that the fate planted today would one day echo in the wider world like the sound of a bronze drum.
Su Yuan was reading a book very attentively until his daughter's shadow fell on the page, then he reacted.
He put the bookmark in place and closed the book, then asked his daughter with a smile, "Miaomiao, are you done with your work? Did your meeting with your foreign friends go well?"
"Yes, it went very smoothly. Sir Grey's family is even friendlier than I expected. This is the book he gave me. Dad, they like the gift you commissioned, and it's been well received by everyone. Even the head of the diplomatic department praised your ingenuity."
Su Miao walked forward and handed the book to his father with a cheerful smile in his eyes.
"This isn't something I came up with on my own. We discussed it together. I already know those veteran craftsmen, so it's not difficult to ask them to make something. As long as the foreign guests like it and it's not rude, that's fine."
The father and daughter walked out talking and laughing, their car was parked outside.
"Miaomiao, Xiaosu, wait a minute~"
Qin Xue's voice came from the direction of the museum gate. Su Miao and his father turned around at the same time and saw Qin Xue chasing out quickly, holding the hem of her skirt. Her small leather shoes with high heels made a rapid "thump thump" sound on the stone road.
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