Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1158: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Strong Declaration

In the president's office, the morning light poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and Su Zhengyang was reading today's "Zhenxing Daily".

Reading the article "The Robber Cries Thief: Refuting the Shameless Cry of Tsarist Russia", he couldn't help but smile. In the sharp wording of the article, Qi Yue's style can be seen everywhere - the arrogance that is neither humble nor overbearing, the sharp edge that does not give an inch.

"Secretary Zhang," he pressed the call bell on his desk.

Zhang Luanyu quickly pushed the door open and said, "President."

"Go buy a bunch of flowers," Su Zhengyang said, still looking at the newspaper, with a hint of relief in his tone, "Preferably red roses, and send them to Zhenxing Newspaper Office."

Zhang Luanyu was stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly: "Is it for the editor-in-chief?"

"Yes," Su Zhengyang put down the newspaper, "and said that he was thanking Zhenxing Daily for its concern for national affairs."

"Mr. President," Zhang Luanyu couldn't help but joked, "You are still so romantic."

Su Zhengyang looked up at him, with a rare gentle smile on his face: "You are getting bolder and bolder now, kid."

"I learned that from you, the President," Zhang Luanyu said with a smile, "but to be honest, the editor-in-chief wrote this article beautifully. Those noble lords of Tsarist Russia must be so angry that they will jump up and down."

"Qiyue," Su Zhengyang looked out the window, with a hint of pride in his tone, "I have never been someone who is willing to suffer a loss. It was like this when I was in school, and it is even more so now."

"Yes," Zhang Luanyu nodded, "The editor-in-chief's article is more powerful than those cannonballs."

"Go ahead," Su Zhengyang waved his hand, "Remember to get the best flowers."

"I understand," Zhang Luanyu turned to leave, then turned back and said, "By the way, President, would you like to attach a card?"

"No need," Su Zhengyang said with a smile, "She knows who sent it."

Watching Zhang Luanyu leave, Su Zhengyang picked up the newspaper again. Yes, Qi Yue knew who sent it, just like he knew who the article was written for.

In the struggle to recover lost territory, the couple worked together perfectly, with one using tough measures to force back the foreign powers and the other using sharp words to denounce injustice.

As soon as Fang Daigo entered the office, he saw the president reading the Zhenxing Daily.

"Mr. President," he said, bowing slightly, "Did you see today's report?"

"I see," Su Zhengyang put down the newspaper, his eyes sharpened, "Qi Yue's article is well written, but it's not enough."

&34;Not enough?&34;

"Not enough." Su Zhengyang stood up and walked to the window. "It's time for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make a statement. I want you to use the most formal diplomatic statement and the most sharp words to make Tsarist Russia understand one thing."

&34;What is it, President?&34;

Su Zhengyang turned around, his eyes sharp: "Let them understand what the real Eastern Empire is."

Fang Dihu's eyes lit up: "You mean..."

"Yes," Su Zhengyang said in a steady and powerful voice, "Tell them that China today is no longer the Qing dynasty that was at the mercy of others a hundred years ago, but an awakened lion. We will take back every debt they have paid for in the Far East."

"I understand, President," Fang Dihu nodded, "I will prepare a diplomatic statement right away."

"Remember," Su Zhengyang added, "don't use those fake diplomatic rhetoric anymore. It's a new era now, and it's time to use a new tone. Let them know that in this land, it's not their turn to teach us what "civilization" is."

"The president is right," Fang Dihu smiled knowingly, "It's time for them to taste the bitter fruit of their own actions."

"Go ahead," Su Zhengyang waved his hand, "I'll wait for the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

When Fang Dihu turned to leave, he heard the president's deep voice behind him: "Let them know that a true empire has stood on this land."

Looking at Fang Dihu's departing back, Su Zhengyang looked out the window, as if he could see the border in the distance. Yes, it's time to let the whole world know that the lion of the East has awakened, and this is just the beginning.

At 3 pm, the Foreign Ministry press conference hall was packed with reporters from all over the world, with their cameras pointed at the rostrum. They all knew that this would be an unusual press conference.

Fang Dihu appeared at the press conference stage on time. He wore a finely tailored Zhongshan suit today. He had a sharp gaze and a calm demeanor.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began in fluent English, "Today, on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to make a formal response to the recent unreasonable accusations from Tsarist Russia."

As soon as he finished speaking, flash lights in the press conference hall went on one after another.

&34；首先，&34；方醍醐的声音铿锵有力，&34；我要明确告诉沙俄方面：你们没有资格在远东问题上对华国指手画脚。一个世纪前，你们用坚船利炮抢夺我们的领土时，可曾考虑过什么&39；文明&39；、什么&39；外交准则&39；？&34；

There was an uproar at the scene, and reporters were frantically recording these strongly worded words.

"Secondly," he continued, "regarding the so-called 'violence in negotiation', I would like to remind the Tsarist Russia: when your warships were aimed at our coast, that was real violence. We are now just taking back what belongs to us in a way that you are familiar with."

A reporter from The Times raised his hand and asked, "Minister Fang, are you admitting that China used force in the negotiations?"

Fang Dihu sneered: "We are giving them a taste of their own medicine. We are taking it back in the same way they took it away. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Third," he said in a more severe tone, "I want to warn the Russian Empire: the Far East is not your backyard. This land has always been Chinese territory. Now, we are just taking back what originally belonged to us. If you want to call this "barbarism," then please ask yourself: what was your behavior a hundred years ago?"

A Russian reporter stood up excitedly and asked: "Is this a threat to the Russian Empire?"

"No," Fang Dihu looked directly at the reporter, "This is an announcement of a fact: the East has awakened. China is no longer a weak country that can be bullied. We have the ability and determination to take back all the territories that belong to us."

He swept his eyes across the room: "Let me be clear: this is not a threat, this is a declaration. It is a declaration of the arrival of a new era. In this era, no one can use force to infringe upon China's sovereignty."

"Finally," Fang Dihu's voice echoed in the press conference hall, "I want to tell all the countries that are still immersed in the glory of the past: Times have changed! China has stood up. We must not only recover the lost land, but also let the world know: On this land, a true Eastern empire has risen!"

When the press conference ended, the entire press room fell silent. All reporters realized that they had witnessed a historic moment. This was not just a diplomatic statement, but also a declaration from an emerging power to the world.

As a British journalist later wrote in his report: "This is not traditional diplomatic rhetoric, but the roar of an awakened giant. China, the sleeping Oriental lion, has finally bared its fangs."