Chapter 349: A Single Sentence to Handle Everyone

"I hope my country will become prosperous and strong in the future, and that there will no longer be people like me. Let's just call it a powerful nation."

"Ah Xiu, I'm very sorry that I can't go home due to what happened. You must take care of our child. I will be very grateful for their help. This time, with their assistance, you were able to avert the danger. In the future, there will be a secret mission for me in the army, and I won't be able to call home often. If anything happens, just call this number. Tell them what's going on, and they will help you."

"Okay, Ah Xiu, I miss you and the child too. My time is limited, so I'll say no more today."

With the final goodbye, the man hung up the phone and handed it back to Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming took the phone and said to him, "How was it? I told you I wouldn't lie to you, didn't I?"

"Indeed, Zhou Ming, you are a man of your word. Thank you very much!"

The man bent down and gave Zhou Ming a deep bow. At this moment, he had removed his military uniform and changed into ordinary clothes. He also wore a pair of specially designed handcuffs, with two armed police officers watching him on either side to ensure everything was secure.

Zhou Ming smiled at him slightly, "I also appreciate you believing in me and not shooting me earlier."

Recalling the earlier situation, the man looked back at the mess on Dongdan Street with regret, shaking his head and saying, "I was too impulsive. I acted without understanding the situation. I'm truly sorry for the country's cultivation and expectations of me, and even more so for this military uniform I'm wearing."

His eyes were filled with tears of regret. It is said that men rarely shed tears, but as one of the most elite soldiers in the capital garrison, he was undoubtedly a good man. His genuine remorse showed just how deeply he regretted his actions. Zhou Ming could only pat his shoulder in consolation, acknowledging that he had indeed made a serious mistake.

The situation was a twist of fate. The local Family Planning Commission officials from Yingshan had indeed gone to Xitun Village with the local police the day before. The official from the Family Planning Commission had beaten his wife and taken her to the county for a forced abortion. Fortunately, Du Peng arrived in time and immediately informed the city, intervening to prevent the tragedy.

However, it seemed fate had other plans. Although Du Peng managed to stop Ah Xiu's forced abortion, Ah Xiu unexpectedly went into premature labor. Du Peng quickly contacted a hospital in the city and transferred Ah Xiu there.

Due to the series of events, Du Peng didn't have time to contact his family. His family only knew that Ah Xiu was taken to the county for a forced abortion and had heard rumors of "a death of two lives," so they hurriedly notified him. He only heard this partial news, was confused, and didn't get the full story, compounded by interference from the Tan family officer, leading him to believe this was the case.

The Tan family officer had undoubtedly brought about the deaths of many innocent lives.

He was taken away by the armed police officers. Watching his retreating figure, Zhou Ming sighed. Originally, he intended to leave, but at that moment, a police officer hurriedly ran up to Zhou Ming and said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, quickly, there are many foreign reporters over there. Go and help with the interviews."

Interviews? What's the situation? Why do I have to be interviewed?

Before Zhou Ming could ask his questions, the police officer quickly dragged him to the front.

Such an incident occurring on the most important street of the capital would undoubtedly cause a sensation at home and abroad, especially in a foreigner's concentrated area where many international media were stationed and could move immediately.

At the Dongdan area near the commercial building, dozens of reporters with various faces and skin colors were crowded together, each asking questions in different accents of Chinese. In front of them, the political commissar of the armed police was looking flustered.

"Could you please explain what happened today? We heard that the soldier was the most formidable soldier in the capital garrison, and that he did this because of dissatisfaction with a national policy. He tried to express his dissatisfaction with the country and awaken other citizens. Is this true? If so, is the policy being proved to be inhumane and will it be canceled? Just an hour ago, your government blocked all communication. Is it to block the news…"

Before Zhou Ming reached them, he was bombarded with questions from foreign reporters, all very direct and critical. A bad answer could affect the country's image. At that moment, a thirty-something armed police officer was sweating profusely, struggling to hold up under the pressure.

Seeing Zhou Ming approach, the officer's eyes lit up. He immediately came over and said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, you arrived just in time. The higher-ups said you have excellent eloquence and will definitely be able to handle these foreign reporters."

Damn!

Zhou Ming cursed inwardly. He had wondered why the police officer thought to bring him to handle foreign reporters, and it turned out there was a connection. He hadn't expected the central officials to be so resourceful.

"Alright, Comrade Zhou Ming, now is the time when the Party and the country need you. I hope you can contribute."

The political commissar said as he tried to pull Zhou Ming, but Zhou Ming didn't budge. Facing his confusion, Zhou Ming said, "Actually, these foreign reporters are quite easy to handle."

The political commissar replied, "I understand that for you, Comrade Zhou Ming, it must be easy. I know you have been to Hong Kong and understand these foreign reporters better than we do, so the higher-ups instructed us to have you come and help."

Zhou Ming waved his hand, "No, I think you misunderstood. What I mean is, I only need to teach you one sentence to handle all the foreign reporters."

"Just one sentence?" The political commissar asked in disbelief.

Zhou Ming nodded seriously, "Yes, just one sentence: 'We are investigating and have no further comment.'"

"That's it?" The political commissar asked, stunned.

Zhou Ming affirmed, "That's it."

The two armed police officers were dumbfounded. It wasn't that Zhou Ming's answer was extraordinary, but because it was so ordinary. In simple terms, it conveyed one core idea—"I don't know!"

They hadn't thought of this answer. Facing foreign reporters, the higher-ups had instructed them to handle the situation well. If they only said "I don't know," could that even be considered an answer? It seemed too perfunctory. Would it work?

Zhou Ming sensed their concerns and immediately assured them, "I say it will work, and it will!"

"But…"

The political commissar wanted to argue, but Zhou Ming interrupted, "There's nothing to discuss. Why should we answer everything these foreigners ask? We are a major country. We should be more assertive, especially since they are seeking answers from us."

"You all know that these foreign reporters like to make wild guesses and write misleading reports about our country and nation. Since they're going to slander us anyway, let them guess and write whatever they want. It's none of our business!" Zhou Ming said.

"Can we really do that?" The political commissar still seemed unsure, "We're in a critical period of reform and opening up…"

Before he could finish, Zhou Ming firmly interrupted, "The more critical the time, the more assertive we should be! We need to focus on improving ourselves, not asking others. Our nation and people are destined to develop, and nothing can stop us. Why shouldn't we be assertive? We must be on the offensive, not the defensive!"

"Comrade Zhou Ming, you're amazing!" The political commissar, though not understanding what Zhou Ming meant by offensive and defensive, was energized by Zhou Ming's words.

"That's right, as men, we should be assertive. We say what we want to say. If you don't want to be asked questions, you should not ask. The higher-ups were right to send us to Comrade Zhou Ming."

With that, the political commissar ran off to use Zhou Ming's approach to handle the foreign reporters.

Zhou Ming sighed with relief. Handling those reporters would have been quite challenging for him, but he wasn't interested in making a name for himself or spending time with the foreign reporters. He had to teach them this method, since politicians abroad often used such strategies. It was called aligning with international practices!

However, Zhou Ming didn't expect that a reporter would suddenly recognize him and shout, "Hey, you over there! I know you're the one who persuaded that soldier to surrender. I want to interview you!"

Zhou Ming was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated being recognized so quickly just for appearing. To avoid the hassle, he decided to leave first. The police officer said behind him, "Comrade Zhou Ming, go on ahead. We'll keep these reporters away from you!"

Zhou Ming couldn't help but laugh wryly. It was as if the reporters were not just foreign journalists but assassins chasing him.

Zhou Ming quickly returned to the car, his expression serious. He understood that, whether today's events were due to his inaction or for other reasons, it was an opportunity that needed to be taken seriously.