United States Washington.
Time flies and it’s Friday, April 26th.
In the White House briefing room, since being caught up in the Paula Jones case, Bill Clinton has reduced the number of personal press conferences he hosts. Today is the first time in the past two months.
Because the timing is great.
Today, reporters will certainly not ask Kenneth Starr what scandal he has uncovered, or whether the single-item veto he just obtained some time ago is unconstitutional.
The number of times the president holds personal press conferences is determined by the individual based on his schedule and is not mandatory.
However, Clinton is a politician who is very good at marketing his personal public image and knows the benefits of maintaining appropriate direct contact with the media. In the first two years of taking office, Clinton basically maintained a very stable frequency of hosting personal press conferences once a month. Only in the past year or so has he had to reduce it to about once every two months.
Amidst the click of the shutter, the first reporter from the Washington Post who was called asked an expected question just as Clinton had envisioned: "Mr. President, how do you evaluate Simon Westeros in this country?" Zhou’s visit to China?”
Clinton showed a friendly smile that he had cultivated for a long time and affirmed: "This is a very great business visit. Simon's exchanges with Chinese officials will bring the economic cooperation between China and the United States into a new stage, and this will also It’s a win-win, as evidenced by the Fed’s stock market growth in the past week.”
Very cliche answer.
The reporters in the audience thought so. The second reporter stood up and the question was no longer so friendly: "Mr. President, do you think it is reasonable for China to entertain Simon Westeros with the etiquette of receiving a head of state?"
As the reporter spoke, many people were paying close attention, unblinkingly, to possible microexpressions on Clinton's face.
Unfortunately, everyone is doomed to be disappointed. Mr. President’s expression is still impeccable: “China does receive Simon with high standards. However, based on Simon’s achievements, I think this is what it should be. Moreover, everyone actually knows that, and officially Compared with a state visit, the difference is very obvious, and I hope you will stop deliberately misleading the public."
"Mr. President, do you currently have plans to visit China? If so, will the size of your China visit team be larger than that of Simon Westeros?"
"No, my first term has been focused on restoring the federal domestic economy. If possible, I hope to visit China during my second term," Clinton said with a smile and continued: "As for Considering the size of the team visiting China, considering the interests of taxpayers, I will choose ways to save expenses as much as possible."
"Mr. President, it is rumored that Simon Westeros's visit to China cost US$12 million. Do you think this is a reprehensible extravagance?"
"I don't think there are that many, and I don't understand where you got the data from, so I can't comment."
In fact, everyone knows that the two questions just mentioned are a bit provocative.
Simon's trip was so large that it was sure to be expensive.
However, since it is an active invitation from Chinese officials, it is very clear who pays these expenses. Although someone has a lot of money, he is not a bully. Moreover, if a single invitation to Simon Westeros can bring such a boost to the country's economy, not to mention US$12 million, it would be worth ten times the cost.
Another reporter stood up and was still polite: "Mr. President, will this visit to Westeros prompt Washington to speed up WTO accession negotiations with China?"
"No," Clinton shook his head decisively: "Currently, our negotiations with China on joining the World Trade Organization are still in their early stages. The Federation will be very cautious about this negotiation in order to absolutely ensure the interests of the American people."
"So, Mr. President, China's accession to the WTO is a foregone conclusion and the question is just the specific terms of the contract?"
"For China, a huge market with a population of 1.2 billion, joining the WTO will be beneficial to the whole world. I look forward to introducing China to join while safeguarding the interests of all WTO member states, but I have to say that this is not a foregone conclusion. , everything depends on whether China shows sufficient sincerity."
"Mr. President, what do you think of the impact of the 'Westeros Effect' on the stock markets of Asian countries?"
Clinton put on a well-placed teasing smile, but his words were consistent: "I have noticed this a few years ago, and it is very interesting. However, frankly speaking, I think this is just an overreaction of the market. Asian countries have been They are long-term partners of the federation, and their economic development is very good.”
The topic surrounding Simon's trip to China lasted for nearly an hour, and all the questions prepared by reporters were answered. When he sensed that someone was starting to lead in an unpalatable direction, Clinton decisively announced the end of the press conference.
After leaving the White House briefing room, a short, plump female White House intern with black hair came over and handed a piece of information to Clinton while saying: "Mr. President, the Vice President is waiting for you in the Oval Office."
Clinton nodded, took advantage of the girl approaching him, grabbed a handful behind her, and whispered: "Come to me after dinner."
The intern subconsciously glanced behind him, and two other White House staff members followed him out of the briefing room. They both turned a blind eye to Mr. President's actions just now. The intern blushed a little, but still slightly agreed, and followed Clinton to the Ellipse. Go to the office.
An intern named Monica Lewinsky handed over the latest Clinton approval survey report.
Clinton was multitasking while walking and reading with his head down. He also quickly reviewed in his mind whether there were any mistakes in the answers he just gave at the press conference.
The results are satisfactory.
Especially the approval numbers on the report.
Kenneth Starr's investigation into the Paula Jones case not only failed to hit his public approval rating, but even had a counterproductive effect. The number currently has reached the highest level since taking office, 61.5%. Such an approval rating, as long as it is not If a big surprise occurs, re-election is almost certain.
Re-election is also the primary issue that Clinton needs to consider at the moment.
Everything else has to stand aside.
On the other hand, the report in hand is actually from the Internet survey of Yigrit Company.
Different from the errors caused by small sampling by physical survey companies, the accuracy of support rate reports analyzed based on network data is very high. Clinton also knows that the Westeros system regularly provides him with these documents that are not humane to outsiders, which is actually a kind of reminder.
In the personal press conference just now, Clinton always behaved very appropriately.
However, it is impossible to say that there is no envy or even jealousy in the heart for that young man’s high-profile visit to China. However, Clinton's strong psychological quality successfully resolved all these negative emotions.
Because it makes no sense.
If it cannot be resolved or even turned into actual actions, it will only cause trouble for him.
From the posthumous son of a low-level white trash in this country to the high position of federal president and one of the most powerful people in the world, Clinton's journey was far from being as easy as the outside world imagined. His distinct goal-oriented personality made him always aware of what he needed. What is needed, so these unnecessary emotions do not accumulate.
Clinton knew that the only thing he had to do was to continue his power to the greatest extent possible.
First is the second term.
Then, like the Bush family, build the Clinton family into a long-lasting political powerhouse.
To do this, he must unite all available resources.
Therefore, as long as Simon Westeros can support his re-election and the follow-up, everything else will be fine.
As for the wealth and power that young man possessed at this time, which was unmatched by anyone else, it was useless to envy him, and it would even make people feel powerless if he thought too much about it.
Arriving at the Oval Office, Vice President Al Gore stood up and greeted Clinton. When he saw the black-haired female intern who followed him in, he frowned slightly and waited for the other party to serve them coffee before leaving. With two people left, Gore said bluntly: "Bill, I asked someone to recommend the girl just now to the Department of Defense. What do you think?"
Clinton just picked up the coffee and took a sip. After hearing this, he only paused for a moment and nodded quickly: "No problem."
Even Al Gore paid attention to this matter, and Clinton realized that it was time to let go, otherwise it may lead to unpredictable consequences. So although I was a little uncomfortable with Gore's frankness, I still agreed.
Seeing Clinton's agreement, Al Gore didn't say much. He turned to the topic and talked to Clinton about today's business.
Indirectly it is still related to Simon.
As of yesterday's close, the Nasdaq index had reached 3,697 points.
Last time, all parties jointly canceled Simon Westero's plan to suppress the rise of the Nasdaq Index, but now, the rise of the Nasdaq Index is really out of control. The increase in two months has exceeded 10%. If this continues, If the Nasdaq collapses before the election at the end of the year, it could be a big trouble.
Economic indicators are a core factor influencing US elections. George Bush's defeat in the 1992 election is the most obvious example.
However, the two discussed it for more than ten minutes without any clue.
I couldn’t help but think of Simon Westeros’ regular reduction strategy more than two months ago, which was actually correct. However, there are some things that everyone knows are right, but it is difficult to implement them, and they will even oppose others to implement them, because the general trend is like this.
Now the entire Wall Street has fallen into madness. To be honest, the methods the White House can use are definitely no more or more sophisticated than Simon Westeros.
The most direct way is to push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates as Westeros suggested at the beginning of the year.
Then what
Raising interest rates is the most unstable double-edged sword.
A little carelessness will completely burst the new technology bubble. In this case, it is better to take a gamble, let it go, and bet that the Nasdaq can survive November.
After being at a loss for a moment, Gore looked at Clinton: "Where is Simon now?"
Clinton shook his head: "I don't know, but it must be a beautiful place in China."
"Perhaps you should take the time to give him a call."
Clinton hesitated a little, but nodded: "I will contact him as soon as possible."
In fact, they also understood that this call was not to ask someone for advice, because the other party had already made suggestions to them, but not only was it not adopted, it actually disrupted someone's decision to take it on their own. Therefore, this call, to be more precise, was just to reassure them that someone could tell them that the Nasdaq could survive until the end of the election.
China, Yangshuo.
In a villa on the top of Dongling Mountain on the other side of this small county town on the Lijiang River.
It's still morning on the east coast of the United States, but it's already late night here in China.
In the past few days, Simon and Janet left the group and quietly climbed the Great Wall on Wednesday, and then went to see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses on Thursday. After all, these iconic attractions are must-see when in China. On Friday, this afternoon, the private plane first landed in Guilin and then arrived in Yangshuo.
In the evening, for the first time, she stood on the terrace of the mountaintop courtyard and watched the strange peaks towering around her. Even though she was born into a wealthy family and had traveled all over the world since she was a child, Janet was still shocked by the creation of heaven and earth in front of her.
Guilin's landscape is the best in the world.
Well-deserved reputation.
I was very excited to watch the sun set, taste the various delicacies carefully prepared here, and chat with Simon about my weekend plans. Finally, I lay in bed and pestered Simon about the book "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Tiger" that the man has been reading in recent days. "Dragon", after all, couldn't bear to stay up late, and just fell asleep at this time.
The entire trip was on a comfortable private plane, and Simon's physical fitness was much better than Janet's, but he was not sleepy at this time.
Holding Janet in her arms like a cat, she waited until the woman stopped muttering, then flipped through the last few pages of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" under the bedside table lamp, while sorting out recent events.
At the end of the two-day trip, Simon has actually been paying attention to the follow-up feedback on this matter.
Except for the stock market shocks in Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries, there were no other unexpected situations.
So much the better.
As soon as this week passes, the popularity of public opinion will quickly decrease.
In fact, Simon has never forgotten some of the potential risks that this visit may bring, whether political or economic. Therefore, not only is this visit very large on the surface, privately, the Westeros family Huge investments have also been made in operations at the public opinion level.
Simon's goal is for this visit to be a 'win-win' outcome.
After an unknown amount of time, the woman in her arms arched again and hummed a few times, seemingly dissatisfied. Simon smiled, put down the book, and reached out to turn off the lamp.
Apricot blossoms and spring rain in the south of the Yangtze River.
When I woke up the next day, there were no apricot blossoms or spring rain, but the misty mountain scenery of the small town of Yangshuo in spring.
This is also Jiangnan.
On the terrace of the courtyard near the Li River, which overlooks the small town on the other side and the surrounding peaks, Janet is wearing the Hanfu just delivered in the morning. The color of the clothes is a very light blue, with a few hand-made embroideries on the cuffs and placket. Other large pieces are left blank and have a unique charm. The material is still thicker pure cotton fabric instead of silk gauze, which can resist the cold in the morning fog in the mountains.
The waitress put it on with help, admired it in the mirror for a long time, and then forced Simon to put on a 'couple's outfit' of the same style.
Then they turned to have breakfast together on the cliffside terrace.
Chen Qing, who also changed into a set of aqua-green Hanfu, knelt down next to the low table where the two were dining to serve. The girl's Hanfu-style tight waist was completely different from the wide robes and big sleeves of Simon and his wife. It was a standard maid's outfit. Traces of the land has placed its own position very correctly. Seeing Chen Qing dressed up like this, Simon was not surprised why she had become more and more popular with Janet in recent days, and he had to admire the girl's all-around talent.