"Damn it, why didn't you tell me earlier? What's the point of telling me now? The printing presses of various newspapers are already spinning, and the reports can't be removed at all..."
Benjamin was so angry that he almost dropped the cup. People in this era already have the concept of the power of public opinion. As politicians, we know how powerful it is to accumulate bones, destroy bones, and use public opinion to make gold.
People's words are terrible. Once newspapers start to release a certain point of view, a large number of people will be induced to hold that point of view. This is purely a matter of whoever has the loudest voice wins. How can the position of newspapers be given to the Chinese in vain?
Benjamin yelled and called his secretary, "Take my warrant and issue a strict order to all newspapers in London. It is forbidden to report any news about the banquet conflict. All published news will be invalid..."
"Ah? How can this be done!" The secretary was anxious. "Prime Minister, please calm down. Once this order is issued, the parliament will explode!"
"Please think twice, who will bear the losses caused by the suspension of printing at this moment? The newspaper itself will definitely not bear the burden. Do we need to use administrative funds to make up for it? This is not a small amount. The total sales volume of British newspapers every day is at least 20 We can’t afford more than 10,000 pounds!”
"In addition, such behavior will anger the opposition. They will say that we interfere with freedom of speech! They are worried that they have no excuse to cause trouble. How can we proactively provide ammunition?"
"Finally, there is a very important point, which is the shareholders behind these newspapers! Their power is too great, and if this group is offended by their intricate connections, what foundation do we have for governance?"
Sir Gordon also quickly dissuaded the Prime Minister, "Yes! That's what I thought about before. I knew that the consequences of a forced ban would be disastrous, so I didn't take action!"
"What can you do? Arrest all those reporters and accuse them of accepting bribes? It's just a gold coin, which is ten pounds a dozen. Can you still shoot them with this small amount of money?"
"And what Xiao Letian gave was not cash, but a commemorative gold coin! The pattern cast on it is the scene when Ryukyu presented its government. This is originally a gift gold coin! If we push too hard, these reporters can directly change their words and say... these They are all souvenirs given to the newspaper office, and they are Oriental collectibles!”
"What can we do? The Chinese gave The Times a commemorative gold coin. Is this a bribe?"
Sir Gordon obviously understands China's gift-giving culture very well. "Another very important point is that these gold coins are originally the reporter's personal property. If we mix it up like this, the gold coins can only be turned over or returned!"
"People are selfish. We have to forcefully push the gold we got? Will they hate us? In the future, the direction of the media will be even more unfavorable to us. We can't touch this hot potato!"
After everyone tried to persuade him, the furious Prime Minister finally came to his senses. What emerged in his heart was deep fear. "It's terrible. How can this man be so smart about giving gifts?"
Gordon smiled bitterly and said, "That's because you have never been in China. Chinese bribery has formed a subculture. Bribery is a lubricant in interpersonal relationships!"
"Not to mention officials, even neighbors and relatives need bribes to maintain friendship. They have a saying that if you don't visit your home for three years, you are not a close relative! But can you visit your home without a gift?"
"Even if you invite relatives and friends to do things, you still have to prepare food, drinks and gifts. If you don't have any profit, you won't be able to do it early!"
"As for the officialdom, the number of bribery methods is staggering. There are many hidden rules accumulated from thousands of years of experience. The person giving the gift will think of all the difficulties that the recipient may encounter. Then he gave a high-sounding reason so that other political opponents would not be able to attack him!"
"Today is just a small test. The gifts given to these reporters, from the total value to the type, including the reasons for the reporters' rejection, including the troubles the reporters may encounter after receiving the gifts... Xiao Letian has thought about these clearly, and a They have solved all of them!”
"In other words, since this gold coin was sent out, it has been invulnerable to anyone! Such a shrewd calculation is not the skill of Xiao Letian alone, but the accumulation of thousands of years of experience in Chinese officialdom ah!"
"Stop talking!" Benjamin yelled angrily. "You sound like you miss me, don't you? Have you not stayed enough in the Qing Dynasty? If you haven't stayed enough, go back and continue to be your admiral! Go and take your bribe." go……"
Gordon shrank his neck in fright and dared not speak anymore. Montauban quickly comforted him after hearing this. After persuading Benjamin for a long time, he finally lost some of his anger.
At this moment, the clock in the corner pointed to three o'clock in the morning. Benjamin smiled bitterly and said, "It's over, it's too late. Newspaper distribution will start in another hour..."
Montauban said with a gloomy face, "Forget it, I admit this loss, isn't it just scolding me? It doesn't matter, I can stand it... We will settle this debt later!"
"After we in France resolve the crisis in the north, we will definitely use all our strength to destroy this devil!"
Benjamin patted his shoulder, "That's good if you think so. Now we have to look forward! Since we can't eliminate Xiao Letian physically, we can only eliminate him mentally!"
"Haha, doesn't he want to be recognized by the UK? Doesn't he want us to exchange credentials with the Chinese? This is my right. I just won't give it to him. I just drag him to death. I don't see what he has. Method!"
"You want to use the Queen to influence me? Haha, just dream, the Queen will always be the Queen of the Empire on which the sun never sets. She can remain neutral but will never go against the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for the sake of an outsider!"
"You want to get actual benefits by flattering the queen? It seems that you only have a little cleverness, but no great wisdom!"
"Gordon!" Benjamin said coldly.
"Please give me your orders! Dear Prime Minister!" Sir Gordon stood up and said respectfully.
"Make good use of the relationship between you and the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. From tomorrow on, you don't have to do anything but accompany the little emperor on a tour of England. You must be intimate!"
"If you need any expenses, ask your dear Earl of Baliqiao for reimbursement. He must have the funds provided by the Emperor of France!"
"He Xiao Letian wants to capture the Queen's heart, so we will capture the heart of Emperor Tongzhi! Britain's bet will never be on you, Xiao Letian, we will only support the Qing Empire!"
"The more fierce Xiao Letian's troubles are, the greater our aid will be to Emperor Tongzhi... This Asia must not be given to the Han people, absolutely not!"
"I can't take care of you, but I can hang you up! Let's see how long you can spend in Europe!"
