Chapter 125 The Press Conference

Five o'clock in the evening, the press conference started on time.

Li Mingsheng, dressed impeccably, sat on the rostrum, adjusted the microphone, and said, "The time has come, let's officially begin. Regarding the hostage-taking incident at the Regulatory Commission, our Dragon City municipal government, as well as the garrison troops, the anti-terrorism special forces, the police department, and other functional departments, should all apologize face-to-face to the public and to all civil servants in Dragon City. Because of the negligence of various departments, and the failure to come up with a proper plan for the resettlement of our labor friends, an emergency occurred… This is the responsibility of the government, and we cannot argue with it. We are sorry!"

After Li Mingsheng finished speaking, he immediately got up and bowed to apologize. The commander of the garrison's guard regiment and several leaders of the police department also stood up and echoed the apology.

Below the rostrum, the long guns and short cannons of various media outlets, and live broadcast equipment, all lit up with crackling sounds.

Li Mingsheng paused for a few seconds after bowing, then nodded slightly, slowly sat down, and continued to say into the microphone, "I find it necessary to disclose several key data of this incident to the media and the public, as well as the multiple rescue plans we have prepared. The number of innocent people and civil servants who died in the Regulatory Commission building is as high as one hundred and sixty… Outside Dragon City, our organized secondary rescue plan eliminated more than forty bandits, captured more than ten, and several ringleaders were arrested…"

None of the series of data was falsified or exaggerated, because this casualty report had already spread among the public and the media. Lying at this moment would only arouse public resentment and further reduce the credibility of the Dragon City government.

After Li Mingsheng reported the data, he looked up at the media, his tiger eyes widened, and said, "I repeat again, the No. 1 decree of border closure is to protect the safety of the people of Dragon City, and the safety of some Chinese doing business in war-torn areas. This extreme attack by the Chi Army has crossed our bottom line. In the future, we will do our best to crack down on extremist armed forces active in the Casallo and Sinarro regions, to show our determination to eliminate all violent terrorists. Okay, now let's invite reporter friends to ask questions…"

"Mayor, I would like to know, was your decision to enter the main building of the Regulatory Commission without any weapons or security personnel, and to use yourself as a hostage, an order from the upper echelons of District One? Did they order you to do so?" A middle-aged reporter stood up and asked, "Also, was the forced rescue plan organized outside the district the second time ordered by you? You were still being held hostage by the bandits at that time. Did you not consider your own safety?"

Li Mingsheng adjusted the microphone and said frankly and truthfully, "First of all, my decision to enter the Regulatory Commission to replace the captured hostages was not an order from anyone. At that time, the Chi Army commander named me to enter the venue, otherwise they would kill people… So I had no choice. I am the head of government affairs and should take responsibility at critical moments."

"Then, when the second rescue plan was carried out, you were still in the hands of the bandits. How could your safety be guaranteed if we forcibly attacked?"

"Before I left, I had already informed the municipal command center that we could not accept the bandits killing people in the city and swaggering back to the war-torn area. Therefore, we must do our best to keep them, without considering my personal safety." Li Mingsheng replied fluently, "In fact, the municipal command center did the same. I don't blame anyone. They did a great job. We should never compromise with extremists at any time…"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause rang out from below the rostrum.

What Li Mingsheng said was actually very sincere. He did not lie in the first half of the press conference. As for the details of the secondary rescue plan, he could not say even if he wanted to, because it involved political struggles within Dragon City.

However, the fact that Li Mingsheng, a dignified mayor, was willing to tie his own hands and be taken hostage by bandits in exchange for the captured hostages was indeed very pleasing. It was broadcast live at the time, and the people saw him go in with their own eyes.

Therefore, everything has two sides. Li Mingsheng's near-death experience also allowed him to gain a firm foothold after his return. He has been the mayor for more than two years, and he has always been restrained in his work. The Regulatory Commission was influencing him, and the various circles and factions in Dragon City were also checking and balancing him. He could always feel that the chair under his ass was unstable.

But after this return, his position has been solidified a lot, and many people have a good impression of him.

…

Inside the city, the headquarters of the Stevedores Association.

After Jing Yan was rescued by the special forces, he sat alone in the office for most of the day. He felt particularly depressed and angry, because he knew what price he had paid for his return this time.

"Knock knock!"

A knock on the door sounded.

"Come in!" Jing Yan shouted.

A middle-aged man came in and said in a low voice, "Gu Baisun ran away, he's not in the hospital!"

"Ran away? Why?" Jing Yan frowned and asked.

"He heard from the people at the detention center that Wei Xiangzuo had been taken out by Su Tianyu, so he might be scared." The other party whispered, "Su Tianyu has the imperial decree in his hand, and he might choose to use it to his advantage, so Gu Baisun has no confidence and ran to the outer district to avoid trouble."

Jing Yan was very surprised when he heard this: "I don't even know these details, how did Gu Baisun know?"

"Not sure."

"…!" Jing Yan picked up the cigarette case and said in a low voice, "This kid is really quick to react! I was able to come back this time, thanks to him!"

…

Casallo region.

Zhao Wei Hu lay on the hospital bed, staring out the window, slowly took out a USB flash drive with an electronic password from his trouser pocket, and then said to the guard, "Bring me the third book on the third row of my bookshelf."

"Yes!"

The guard heard the sound, walked to the bookshelf, took down the book, and handed it to Zhao Wei Hu.

"You go out." Zhao Wei Hu ordered.

The guard nodded and left. Zhao Wei Hu clenched the small USB flash drive, thought for a long time, and then clipped it into the small groove on the inside of the book.

…

One day later.

Su Tianyu took a nap in the anti-terrorism team and then went to the police department for a nap before finally recovering from his exhaustion.

The police department handled Secretary-General Lu's case completely according to the instructions of Secretary Li Yuan. Su Tianyu was released after only making a statement.

As soon as he came out, Gou Liuzi originally wanted to go home, but was directly picked up by Li Yuan and taken to Li Mingsheng's office.

"Uncle Li!" Su Tianyu nodded and bowed.

Li Mingsheng was a little surprised by this title, but he still smiled and nodded: "You have to run an errand."

"Okay, where to?"

"Casallo, Chi Army base."

"Ah?! Are you kidding me?" Su Tianyu replied a little confused.