The reporters around him did not expect that the old man who had always been profit-oriented, even creating and promoting a distribution system to reap huge profits, would actually uphold a sense of justice so highly today.
The American journalists looked at each other in confusion. In such a situation, it was unrealistic to ask them to continue fighting. Bernard Elno already held the moral high ground. The previous incident on White Horse Island had been a sensation and was widely known. America was indeed at fault in this matter.
The President was also closely monitoring Bernard Elno’s trip to the United States at the time. He was most concerned about public opinion, so he was very worried that Bernard Elno would spout nonsense everywhere. And Bernard Elno did not disappoint. As soon as he stepped off the plane, he started spouting nonsense at full speed.
What’s worse, this Old Man Deng had the audacity to make fun of me in such a subtle way. This is intolerable.
His face paled as he immediately instructed his staff, “Quick, notify all major media outlets to immediately write articles aimed at defaming Bernard Elno. Dig up all his old grievances and publish them. Then, label him as someone who came to the United States only for sensationalism and has no genuine interest in fighting terrorism.”
The staff member immediately said, “Commander-in-Chief, this person is extremely immoral, completely unbecoming of a businessman. I’ve always felt something was fishy. Furthermore, he holds a superior position in this matter and already holds the moral high ground.”
The President’s staff said seriously, “If we rashly launch a public opinion war against them, we might end up hurting ourselves. I think we’re in the wrong on this matter, so we should try to keep a low profile. If all else fails, we can impose appropriate punishment on Blackwater to appease public anger.”
The president said angrily, “I don’t want to argue with him, but this guy is really too much! He donated 200 million US dollars to promote himself, and I can accept that. As long as money is money, I will certainly welcome it with open arms. But why is he excluding America? Isn’t this a blatant accusation and a deliberate slap in the face?”
He paused for a moment, then added, “I don’t mean to defend Blackwater. It’s just that Blackwater’s nature is too unique. Almost all of its members are our supporters. We have so many dirty jobs around the world that need them, and they’re the only ones who can do it.”
“If we don’t help Blackwater now, now that their reputation is completely tarnished, we won’t be able to ask them to do our dirty work anymore, and the public will be extremely hostile towards them! So, no matter what, we have to help Blackwater now.”
At this point, he gritted his teeth in annoyance and said, “If Bernard Erno hadn’t kept insisting on this, the influence of this matter would have declined by now!”
His chief aide also looked helpless and said, “I really didn’t think Bernard Elno would dare to oppose us openly.”
The Supreme Commander said firmly, “So, don’t hesitate. Just do as I say. Let’s fight him head-on through public opinion. Isn’t he on the moral high ground? We can’t climb up, but we can bring him down! Once he’s on the same moral high ground as us, it will be a fierce battle, with no one being right or wrong.”
After that, he seriously instructed his staff: “You must remember that sometimes, we don’t have to make money to win. In the business world, it doesn’t matter if I don’t make any money myself. As long as I can make my competitors lose, I still win.”
Seeing the thoughtful expressions on their faces, the commander-in-chief said calmly, “Think about it another way, gentlemen. If you’re dirty and can’t be washed, why don’t you just dirty someone else? If everyone’s dirty, no one will be disgusted by your smell.”
The metaphor of the commander-in-chief suddenly enlightened everyone!
Everyone immediately felt as if they had realized something, and their eyes became clear and bright.
Previously, they had been worried that Bernard Elno would fight them to the bitter end. Now, they realized the Commander was right. After all, what was there to fear? The White Horse Island incident had already left them in a slump, and if they couldn’t improve themselves, they might as well give up and discredit Bernard Elno. Once he was discredited, the public would naturally turn against him.
So, the round-faced, most senior aide said without hesitation, “President, I’ll contact the media right now and find out all the bad information about Bernard Elno. It just so happens that he was so rude to the Americans today, and he’s already offended the American media. They have a legitimate reason to confront him! Let’s take this opportunity to discredit him!”
The Commander-in-Chief nodded slightly, seeming willing to be taught. He smiled and said, “As Commander-in-Chief, I may not have as much experience as those professional politicians, but when it comes to business, all the past Commanders-in-Chiefs are probably no match for me. Bernard Elno is a businessman, so let’s compete with him as we would in the business world!”