C2234 The Prime Ministers Counterattack (1/2)
”Dammit, why didn't you tell me earlier? ”Now tell me, what's the use? At this moment, the printing presses of the various newspapers have started spinning, and the reports cannot be removed …”
Benjamin was so angry that he almost threw the cup. The people of this era already had the concept of the power of public opinion, as politicians, they knew too well how to destroy bones and how to talk back to others.
People were really afraid that once a certain point of view was released in the newspaper, a large number of people would be lured to this point. This was all because of the person who had the loudest voice would win, so how could the position of the newspaper be given to the Chinese for nothing?
Benjamin shouted at the top of his lungs to call for his own secretary. ”Bring my order to all the newspapers in London to prohibit any news regarding the clash of banquets.
”Ah?” ”How can this be!” The secretary was getting anxious. ”Prime Minister, please calm down. Once this order is given, the council will explode!”
”Please think again, who will bear the loss of stopping printing at this moment? The newspaper itself definitely won't be able to afford it. Do we need to use the administrative funds to make up for it? ”This is not a small amount. The daily gross volume of sales of British newspapers and magazines is at least 200,000 pounds, which we cannot afford!”
”It would also anger the opposition, who would say we are interfering with freedom of expression! They were just worrying that they wouldn't have an excuse to cause trouble, so how can we take the initiative to provide ammunition? ”
”And lastly, the shareholders behind these newspapers! They are too powerful. If we were to offend this group, what kind of foundation would we have? ”
Sir Gordon also tried to dissuade the Prime Minister. That's what I was thinking. I knew the consequences would be unthinkable if I were to forcefully ban it. That's why I didn't act! ”
”What can you do? Grab those reporters and tell them they took the bribes? It's only one gold coin, and it costs ten pounds. Can you shoot them with this small amount of money? ”
”And Xiao Letian did not give them cash, but gold coins as a souvenir! The pattern on it was the scene of the Ryukyu giving up his power. This was originally a gift gold coin! If we push them too hard, these reporters can just change their words... These are all souvenirs for the newspaper, they're from the east! ”
”What should we do? For the Chinese to gift the Thames with a memorial gold coin, could it be that they want to bribe him? ”
Sir Gordon clearly understood Chinese gift culture very well. ”And very important, these gold coins are originally the personal property of the reporters, if we were to mix them, the gold coins can only be turned over or returned!”
”Humans are selfish. The gold they got was forcefully pushed away by us? Will they hate us? ”From now on, the media's influence on us will be even more unfavorable. We can't touch this hot potato!”
Everyone tried their best to persuade the infuriated Prime Minister, who finally regained his senses. Deep fear surged through his heart. ”How terrifying. How could this man be so smart at planning gifts?”
Gordon smiled bitterly and said, ”That is because you have never stayed in China before. Chinese people's bribery has already formed a subculture, and in human relationships, bribery is a kind of lubricant.”
”Don't even mention officials, even the relatives of the neighbors have to bribe them to make friends with each other. They have a saying, 'If you don't visit within three years, you won't be intimate!'” And you can pay a visit without a present? ”
”Even if you asked your relatives and friends to do something, you still had to prepare a gift for your wine and food. It would be too early if you didn't benefit from it!”
”As for government officials, there are a lot of ways to bribe others, including a lot of unspoken rules that require thousands of years of experience. The giver will think ahead of all the difficulties the giver will encounter, and even give a reasonable excuse so that the other political enemies cannot attack him!”