The press conference was held on time at five o'clock in the evening.
Li Mingsheng sat on the stage in a well-dressed manner, adjusted the microphone and said, "It's time, let's officially start. Regarding the hijacking of the supervision meeting, our Longcheng government, as well as the garrison troops, the special forces responsible for counter-terrorism, the police department, and other competent departments should apologize to the people and all public officials in Longcheng face to face. Because of the negligence of various departments and the lack of a proper resettlement plan for our fellow workers, the emergency incident occurred... This is the government's responsibility, we can't refute it, sorry!"
After Li Mingsheng finished speaking, he immediately stood up and bowed to apologize. The commander of the garrison corps and several leaders of the police department also stood up and apologized.
Below the stage, all the media’s cameras and live broadcast equipment began to light up.
Li Mingsheng bowed and paused for a few seconds before nodding slightly. He sat down slowly and continued into the microphone: "I need to disclose to the media and the public several key data of this incident, as well as the multiple rescue plans we have prepared. There were as many as 160 innocent people and public officials who died in the Supervisory Committee building... Outside Longcheng District, we organized a second rescue plan, annihilated more than 40 bandits, arrested more than 10 people, and arrested several bandit leaders... "
There is nothing false or inflated in this series of data, because the casualty report has long been circulated among the public and the media. Lying at this moment would instead arouse public resentment and further reduce the credibility of Longcheng Municipal Government.
After reporting the data, Li Mingsheng looked up at the media and said with wide eyes: "I reiterate that the No. 1 policy to seal the border is to protect the safety of the people of Longcheng and some Chinese doing business in the war zone. The extreme attack by the Chi army has crossed our bottom line. In the future, we will do our best to strike the extreme armed forces active in Casaro and Sinalo to show our determination to eliminate all terrorists. Okay, now I would like to invite reporters to ask questions..."
"Mr. Mayor, I want to know, did you receive an order from the higher-ups in District 1 when you chose to enter the main building of the Supervisory Council without any weapons or security personnel and take yourself as a hostage? Did they order you to do this?" A middle-aged reporter stood up and asked, "Also, was the second forced rescue plan organized outside the district an order you gave? You were still being held hostage by the bandits at that time, didn't you consider your own safety?"
Li Mingsheng adjusted the microphone and spoke frankly and truthfully: "First of all, I chose to enter the supervision meeting to replace the captured hostages without receiving any orders. At that time, the commander of the Chi Army specifically asked me to enter the scene, otherwise they would kill people... So I had no choice. I am the chief political officer and I should take responsibility at the critical moment."
"Then when we carry out the second rescue plan, you are still in the hands of the bandits. How can we guarantee your safety if we forcefully attack?"
"Before I left, I informed the Municipal Command Center that we cannot accept that the bandits killed people in the city and then swaggered back to the war zone. Therefore, we must do our best to keep them, regardless of my personal safety." Li Mingsheng responded fluently: "In fact, the Municipal Command Center also did this. I don't blame anyone, they did the right thing. No matter what, we should not compromise with extremists..."
As soon as he finished speaking, deafening applause broke out from below the stage.
Li Mingsheng was actually very frank in what he said. He did not lie in the first half of the press conference. As for the details of the second rescue plan, he wanted to say it but could not, because it involved the political struggle within Longcheng City.
However, Li Mingsheng, a mayor, was willing to tie his hands and be held hostage by the bandits in exchange for the captured hostages, which was indeed very popular. There was a live broadcast at the time, and the public saw him go in with their own eyes.
So, everything has two sides. Li Mingsheng's narrow escape also allowed him to gain a firm foothold after his return. He has been in office for more than two years, and he has always been restrained in doing things. The supervision will affect him, and the various circles and factions in Longcheng are also checking him. He can always feel that the chair under his butt is unstable.
But after coming back this time, his position has become much more solid and many people have a good impression of him.
…
In the city, the headquarters of the Coders Association.
After Jing Yan was rescued by the special forces, he sat alone in the office for half a day. He was very depressed and angry because he knew what price he paid for coming back this time.
“Boom boom!”
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Jing Yan shouted.
A middle-aged man walked in and whispered, "Gu Baishun ran away and is not in the hospital!"
"Why are you running?" Jing Yan asked with a frown.
"He heard from the people in the detention center that Wei Xiangzuo was taken out by Su Tianyu, so he might be scared." The other party replied softly: "Su Tianyu has the imperial edict in his hand, and he might choose to use the power of others to fight against him, so Gu Baishun was unsure and ran out of the district to hide."
Jing Yan was very surprised to hear this: "I don't even know these details, how did Gu Baishun know them?"
“I don’t know.”
"…!" Jing Yan picked up the cigarette box and whispered, "This guy is really quick to react! I was able to come back this time, thanks to him!"
…
Cassaro area.
Zhao Weihu lay on the hospital bed, staring out the window. He slowly took out a USB flash drive with an electronic code from his trouser pocket, and then said to the guard, "Bring me the third book on the third row of my bookshelf."
"yes!"
Hearing the sound, the guard walked to the bookshelf, took down the book and handed it to Zhao Weihu.
"You go out." Zhao Weihu ordered.
The guard nodded and left. Zhao Weihu held the small USB drive in his hand and after thinking for a long time, he put it in the small groove on the inside of the book.
…
One day later.
After Su Tianyu took a nap in the terrorist squad and then took another nap at the police station, he finally recovered.
In Secretary Lu's case, the police department handled it completely according to Secretary Li Yuan's instructions. Su Tianyu was released after only giving a statement.
As soon as the people came out, Gou Liuzi originally wanted to go home, but was directly picked up by Li Yuan and brought into Li Mingsheng's office.
"Uncle Li!" Su Tianyu called out with a nod and a bow.
Li Mingsheng was a little surprised by this title, but he still smiled and nodded: "You still have to run errands."
"Okay, where to?"
"Casaro, Ruler Army Base."
"Ah?! Are you kidding?" Su Tianyu replied a little confused.