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Chapter 217 We Must Uphold World Peace! (First Update!)

On the big screen, the price list, written in black and white, was displayed prominently.

After the camera focused on the price list for a moment, Curtis raised his hands and clapped lightly.

Immediately afterwards, the two price lists switched to a list of prices for more parts.

On the left, besides San Francisco Special Alloys, there are several other companies.

On the right, it's the same. Besides General Atom Electromagnetic Systems, there are a few more companies, but the prefixes of these companies are all names that the reporters present are familiar with.

General.

Boeing.

Boston Dynamics.

Lockheed Martin.

Each company has a corresponding price list, with prices varying on both sides. However, each price list with discrepancies is accompanied by a short video.

A short video of a test.

The results of this short test video clearly tell everyone that the prices of these companies on the right do not match their quality.

Comparatively speaking, the price on the left is more reasonable.

Upon seeing the final result, the first to react in an uproar was the American journalist present.

As the freest people in America, these journalists are always at the forefront of freedom and democracy, acting as the mouthpiece of the American government.

Of course, they are also seeking personal gain.

The simplest and most direct way to seek personal gain is to attack the government's military spending.

What's the problem? Attack military spending.

What ideas do you have? Attack military spending.

They're trying to change the subject by attacking military spending.

In short, anyone with an idea can attack military spending.

Before this, they had been trying to obtain America's military's financial records.

Unfortunately, the military's budget is like a mountain blocking the way; anyone who asks about it is doomed.

But now, America's Navy has actually taken the initiative to reveal the prices of some spare parts!
And as they had expected, these prices were expensive, but the quality varied greatly.

Those attending this hearing included representatives from the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Navy, the other two branches of the military, and various suppliers.

After reviewing the prices, the reporters turned their cameras to the Army, Air Force, and Navy supplier companies, hoping to hear some answers from them.

However, the reporters were quick, and the targets they wanted to interview were even faster.

The camera had barely turned to them when, before they could even speak, they all got up and left.

The reporters didn't chase after him; instead, they stayed put and turned their cameras toward Curtis, and toward the people in the House and Senate.

They must dig up some bombshell today and then deliver a devastating blow to the government.

Compared to them, the expressions of journalists from other countries looked very strange.

Some were watching the spectacle, some were cursing, and some looked like they were about to stab someone.

Among these people, the journalists from England had the most terrifying expressions; they looked as if they wanted to devour everyone present.

The unusual behavior of the English journalists was noticed by journalists from other countries, especially the French journalists, who whispered sarcastic remarks upon seeing the expressions of the English reporters.

"It's alright, it's only $150 million. England has money, they can buy whatever they want."

"If all else fails, just pry off the jewel on the Queen's head. That's worth tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of dollars. You can easily buy a whole bunch of those. Your old aircraft carrier would last for decades."

Despite the French journalists' mockery, the English journalists did not show the anger they had expected.

Just as they were about to continue their mockery, an English journalist spoke up:

“I need to remind you that America sold the arresting cables for the aircraft carrier to other countries, and the lowest price I’ve heard of was $400 million.”

"Among them, the price in France seems to be 500 million US dollars."

With just a few casual words, the situation instantly reversed, and smiles shifted from the faces of the French journalists to those of the English journalists, and then to the faces of the other journalists.

$500!
$500!
$500!
The French journalists kept repeating the number in their minds. Finally, they gritted their teeth, turned their cameras to Curtis in front of them, and prepared to go back and deal with those damned politicians after they finished filming their news here.

$500 million for a rope!
Damn psycho!
The noise from the reporters did not affect the interaction between Congress and Curtis on the other side. Both sides ignored the noise and continued their question-and-answer session as if nothing had happened.

To other people, it felt as if the two groups had already set up a script and were now filming according to it.

Unbeknownst to them, the reporters' voices encapsulated the question-and-answer exchange between the two sides.

On the stage, the old man in the very center picked up a hammer and struck it a few times:

"Quiet!"

"This is a hearing between America, the Navy, and Congress. General Curtis is reporting to Congress on the progress of the Navy's supplier replacement. You should not be making noise here."

With the resounding thud of the gavel, the reporters fell silent, allowing Curtis's voice to be heard by those present.

"America was able to stand at the top of the world, instead of disintegrating like the Soviet Union, because we attracted talent from all over the world."

"It also relies on our system, and our technology will always be ahead."

“I think it’s well worth spending some money to facilitate this blood renewal.”

"Because in the near future, our navy will grow stronger at a visible rate."

"And a stronger navy can ensure that our citizens of America can go anywhere in the world."

"It also ensures their safety anytime, anywhere."

"It can even provide 24/7 global rescue!"

"We guarantee that we will not abandon or give up any American citizen."

"Of course, as the maintainers of this world order, we will also protect everyone on this planet equally."

"Regardless of which country they come from, whether they are Black, White, or Asian."

"We will protect them all equally, and we must safeguard world peace!"

Curtis's voice grew louder and more forceful.

The loud voice, even without amplification equipment, echoed clearly throughout the hall, reaching everyone's ears completely.

If the people present were ordinary American citizens, Curtis's words would have been very inflammatory.

Unfortunately, everyone here is a seasoned veteran.

They were all journalists for at least a few years, and then they did nothing right for several years in a row.

Or rather, there wasn't a single human being here, so Curtis's impassioned words didn't resonate with anyone. Only the planted individuals in the press throng raised their hands and clapped loudly after Curtis finished speaking.

After a round of applause, the old man in the center of the stage picked up a hammer and struck it with a thud.

As the applause subsided, the old man began to summarize the hearing:

"The evidence submitted by General Curtis proves the success of the Navy's supplier reform this time, and also fully demonstrates the necessity of the Navy's supplier reform this time."

"Now, please vote to determine which naval suppliers will be replaced or adjusted in accordance with this reform after a certain number of years."

As the old man finished speaking, the members of Congress sitting on either side pressed the bells on their hands. Green represented approval, red represented disapproval, and yellow represented abstention.

This hearing had 25 members of Congress on each side, plus three people in the middle, for a total of 53 people.

Before long, the 53 people had cast their votes.

27 people voted in favor, 21 voted against, and 5 abstained.

Seeing this result, the old man in the middle picked up the hammer again and started hammering away.

"The voting results are in: 27 votes in favor, 21 votes against, and 5 abstentions."

"This result means that Congress has approved General Curtis's plan."

"In the coming days, we will compile the plan into a document and then issue it to the Ministry of National Defense, which will then issue it to the Navy."

"I believe that in the future, General Curtis's reforms will promote the development of our navy, making it stronger and able to protect more people!"

"Today's hearing is now adjourned!"

He struck the hammer three more times, then the old man in the middle got up, walked down from the platform, and left through the side door.

No sooner had the three of them left than the remaining members of Congress followed suit.

Finally, there's Curtis.

The final shot focuses on his retreating figure as he leaves through the side door; his back is strong and upright, giving one a sense of boundless security.

When the reporters tried to leave, the security personnel standing by the door stopped them. The security personnel didn't say much, but simply reminded each of them that they should have the news reviewed by America's people before publishing it.

After giving them repeated instructions, the security personnel finally let the reporter leave, then turned off the lights and locked the door.

On the other side, Curtis quickly caught up with the departing old man, then slowed down and followed closely behind him.

He took two steps before turning back to look at Curtis:

"This exchange of benefits was quite good; they're getting more and more skilled at it."

Faced with the old man's praise, Curtis shook his head repeatedly: "I'm still not as good as Speaker Lawrence."

"With a single substitution, they changed a few supplier names, put on a few different labels, and announced the prices, which convinced the entire American population."

Lawrence waved his hands repeatedly at Curtis's words:
"Let's not talk about these things anymore. It's all in the past. There's no need to keep bringing it up."

"As Speaker of the House, I'll only say one thing to you: America got to where she is today because of her fists."

"We can make money, but we absolutely cannot lose our fighting power, understand?"

Lawrence spoke in a gentle and soft voice, like an elder giving guidance to a younger person.

Curtis listened quietly with his hands hanging at his sides.

After listening, he nodded slightly: "Curtis understands!"

"Good to know!" Lawrence replied, then stood on tiptoe to pat Curtis on the shoulder before turning and disappearing into the depths of the corridor.

No sooner had he disappeared than Curtis spat out of the open window in the corridor.

After spitting, Curtis turned and left.

Outside the Capitol, Baroque and several others stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing Curtis emerge, they immediately greeted him with smiles.
"General Curtis! We've succeeded!"

Looking at his excited subordinates, Curtis gently waved his hand:

"It's nothing, let's go back first!"

…………

Suzhou.

As the broadcast signal on the computer screen was cut off, Ji Shuangshuang turned around, holding chicken feet in both hands, and asked Lin Yi while gnawing on them:

"Why does that rope he's using look a little familiar?"

"That guy named Smith is also American. I think his company is called San Francisco Special Alloys?"

As she murmured this question to herself, Ji Shuangshuang's eyes, tinged with drunkenness, slowly widened, and she even forgot to gnaw on the chicken claw in her mouth.

After a moment, she swallowed hard and leaned her head closer to Lin Yi:
"Could it really be our stuff?"

Lin Yi didn't answer, but instead put his right index finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

He then tapped Ji Shuangshuang's brow with his finger, and then tapped himself:
"Remember, our goal is to make money, don't worry about all that other nonsense."

"Once we've made enough money, we'll stab him in the back!"

"This matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me..."

"No, you should forget about this later."

After hearing the instructions, Ji Shuangshuang stuffed a chicken foot into her mouth, took two exaggerated bites, then closed her eyes, collapsed onto the sofa, and lazily replied, "Okay!" with a hint of drunkenness.

"I'm drunk, I'm asleep, I don't know anything."

Lin Yi glanced at the person lying on the sofa pretending to be dead, then at the pile of bones and cans on the coffee table, rolled his eyes, went to the bathroom to get hot water, washed the face and hands of the person lying on the sofa pretending to be dead, covered him with a thin blanket, and then began to clean.

On the sofa, Ji Shuangshuang opened her eyes, first wrapping herself up like a silkworm cocoon, then tilting her head to look at Lin Yi and asking:
"Won't we get arrested by the police if we do this?"

Lin Yi stopped mopping and rested his chin on the mop handle: "Just pretend you don't know."

"I saw they gave a lot of orders to that San Francisco Special Alloy company today. Will we get a lot of orders soon?"

"Correct!"

"Is it making money?"

"Very profitable!"

"That's fine!" Ji Shuangshuang muttered, turned around, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

After tidying up, Lin Yi spread out his cot, wrapped himself in the blanket, and fell into a deep sleep.

The office fell silent, with only the occasional sound of the wind outside the window echoing the two people's breathing.

Unlike him, the instigator slept soundly, while the others who watched the broadcast of America's hearing couldn't sleep at all.

Central China.

The dim room lights came on, and the people in the room got up one after another and walked out without saying a word.

Lü Hongxuan was also in the crowd, walking out with them.

After leaving the room, he didn't go back to the dormitory like the others. Instead, he went to the outdoor ping-pong table, sat down, and then looked up at the sky.

The sky was filled with a bright, waning moon.

The soft moonlight shone on his face, making it look somewhat pale.

After about 10 minutes of wind, a light footstep came from not far away, and then Liang Xinghua appeared in the moonlight and slowly walked towards him.

When the other party got closer, Lü Hongxuan noticed that Liang Xinghua was also carrying a bottle of liquor.

Besides the liquor, there was also a plate of braised dishes.

Liang Xinghua sat down beside him, saying nothing more than shaking the wine and braised dishes in his hand: "Want a drink?"

(End of this chapter)