Empire of Shadows

Chapter 675: Saying "Thank You" Sounds Too Stiff Between Brothers [666+20]

Chief Blue is just the chief of the police department; he doesn't enjoy the same treatment as the mayor, so the reporters aren't as "lenient" towards him.

After he described the process, a reporter immediately asked, "Chief Blue, why did you consider using lethal weapons to stop the ongoing crime instead of using non-lethal ones?"

"You have batons or other weapons that wouldn't cause death. Why didn't you choose those weapons and instead directly chose to shoot?"

"Were there any special reasons that led you to make such a decision?"

"For example, their refugee status."

Chief Blue looked at the reporter and the badge hanging on his chest, then shook his head. "I don't quite understand the meaning and purpose of your words. The reason I made these decisions is that they were destroying citizens' private property and attacking, injuring, and even killing innocent federal citizens."

"As the chief of the city's police department, taxpayers pay our salaries, so we have the reason and the obligation to protect the safety of taxpayers!"

"When their lives are threatened and our dissuasion is ineffective, I can only order the police officers to shoot in order to guarantee their legitimate rights and interests."

The reporter continued to press him, asking, "Did you know they were refugees before you ordered the shooting?"

This reporter was constantly trying to link the police shooting to the refugees' identity. Lance had instructed him, and he was very vigilant, determined not to fall for it.

If he answered "yes," then tomorrow's newspaper would report, "The police chief ordered the shooting after clearly identifying the suspects as refugees." It seems like there's no problem.

But when it's over-interpreted, it will make people feel as if the police chief ordered them to be shot dead simply because he knew they were refugees.

He hates these refugees, or at least is hostile to them.

But what if he answered "no"?

The reporters would write, "The police chief ordered the shooting without knowing the identities and specific circumstances of these people." Although there's nothing wrong with saying that, what would people think when they read it?

Wouldn't they think he didn't even know if these people were criminal suspects, just thought they looked like it, and then ordered the shooting?

Sometimes, once public opinion boils over, right and wrong are no longer important. What's important is appeasing public opinion.

Sometimes, what the truth is doesn't matter. What matters is what people want.

So, any answer is a bad answer. This is a trap!

At this moment, Chief Blue was sweating slightly. He sincerely thanked Lance's ancestors for eight generations. This wasn't profanity; he was speaking from the bottom of his heart.

Before coming, Lance told him many ways to deal with these reporters and what kind of difficulties and questions he might face.

Although this question wasn't exactly what he expected, the core was right!

He pursed his lips. "No matter who it is, as long as they dare to harm innocent federal citizens, I have the courage to draw my gun on them."

"The police are the city's security guards. Our duty is to protect the safety of every federal citizen. It doesn't matter who the criminal is!"

Mayor Williams and James both showed slightly surprised expressions. Mayor Williams had originally planned to interrupt the question, but he didn't expect Chief Blue to answer so well.

He wondered if Lance was giving advice behind the scenes, while James just thought he answered too well!

This question full of traps didn't stump him. Immediately, another reporter started asking questions.

"Chief Blue, I've noticed that everything you've said so far is based on your personal description to us. We can't judge the truth of these matters."

"It's also possible that you remembered it wrong, or..."

He didn't continue, but smiled. "We want some evidence to prove that these things you said are true."

"Instead of being fabricated to deal with us."

Mayor Williams frowned. He didn't know that there had also been incidents of beating, smashing, looting, and burning on the road. He thought that these things only happened at the demolition site.

Not only him, but these reporters also thought that these bad things only happened at the demolition site, so they asked this question.

Now that people are dead and injured, those rioting workers certainly won't be foolish enough to smear themselves, so there will definitely be buck-passing.

In politics, uncertainty and ambiguity often mean that there is more room for deeper manipulation.

Mayor Williams wanted to speak, but Chief Blue spoke first, "On the road from Newport to the old industrial area, groups of rioting refugees are beating, smashing, looting, and burning roadside shops, and robbing passersby."

"Now they are in the hospital. You can also go there to see what the streets they ravaged look like now."

"I must reiterate that all my actions and decisions are based on protecting the property and personal safety of federal citizens."

"And before I ordered the shooting, I tried to stop the crime according to relevant regulations, but failed, and the criminals had obvious violent resistance, which could have harmed me and my colleagues, so we chose to kill them."

"If you have solid evidence to accuse me of anything, then I welcome you to report me to the prosecutor's office."

"If you don't have this evidence, but want to slander my motives..."

His gaze lingered on the faces of several reporters for a moment, without saying anything, but the threat was obvious!

Mayor Williams nodded slightly. It was a very appropriate speech, reasonable and well-founded. No one could find fault with it.

Some reporters originally thought they could break through from Chief Blue, but they didn't expect his answer to be so tough and without any flaws. Even if they dug a trap, he didn't fall into it.

As for the others here, asking them is meaningless.

Mayor Williams himself is a veteran politician of several decades, and his answer will only be more prudent than Chief Blue.

Although Councilor James is a new generation politician in the city, he has worked by Mayor Williams' side for so many years and has been influenced by his father. Even if his answer isn't brilliant, it won't be wrong.

As for Arthur...

Nothing can be asked from that guy covered in shit.

Although unwilling, they ended their questioning of Chief Blue.

Chief Blue also returned to stand behind. He finally breathed a sigh of relief. The hair in his wide-brimmed police hat was already wet, having been soaked with sweat in such a short time.

Next were some neutral reporters. Mayor Williams and James could easily deal with the questions they asked.

The press conference ended quickly, and the content released from this conference began to spread around in a very short time.

Major newspapers that had already finalized their layouts began to rearrange their front-page headlines and printing tasks. They understood that tomorrow's newspapers would be a big hit!

After the press conference ended, Mayor Williams kept Chief Blue behind. In a small room, he first affirmed the police chief's decisiveness and ability today.

Then he talked about his performance at the press conference, "You spoke very well, showing the sense of responsibility of a federal police officer. Did you think of these things yourself?"

Chief Blue didn't dare to take credit, "Mr. Lance told me to say this."

Although he had guessed, when he said it, it was still a bit shocking to Mayor Williams!

He didn't come, but he knew what was going to happen and how to let Chief Blue know how to deal with it.

Even he, at this moment, was full of confidence in the future and felt a little afraid of Lance.

Lance, who was more valued by Mayor Williams, valued to the point of having some other emotions, was walking towards the tallest building in the naval base.

"Mr. Lance, I will add a pass to your car later, so you can come in directly in the future!"

The colonel's face was full of smiles. Last time, he went to Lance's wedding to help General Miles deliver things, and naturally received some gifts from Lance.

The gifts were very good. Who wouldn't like those little cuties?

So his attitude was also very good. He was General Miles' confidant and could be considered a member of the Miles family. He was very clear that there was a cooperative relationship between the entire family and Lance, and it was developing towards familiarity and deeper cooperation.

Maybe in the future, Lance will also become one of their best friends, like those arms group representatives.

Giving Lance a pass can actually only allow him to drive directly to the downstairs of the headquarters building. If he wants to enter the headquarters, he still needs General Miles or other responsible persons to agree.

This kind of worthless favor, giving it is giving it. Compared to the benefits he can bring, it's actually nothing.

Lance said thank you and casually asked, "Did you finish the cigars last time?"

"I still have some over there. Take some when you leave."

The colonel didn't want to laugh at first. He had to maintain his serious image in the military camp, but... he couldn't help but smile, so much so that the patrolling soldiers who happened to pass by didn't believe their eyes!

That tyrant colonel who could scare new recruits to death actually smiled?

"The things are very good. I like them very much!" he said, pausing, "Thank you."

"You're welcome!" Lance shook his head indifferently. "We are friends."

"Friends should help each other!"

The colonel was inspired by Lance's personal charm and agreed with his point of view. "Yes, we are friends!"