Facts speak louder than words.
Meng Hao, the aggrieved party and the person directly involved, had appeared.
All attempts to stir up sentiment and spread rumors were reduced to mere sophistry and prevarication.
The highest-ranking official of the United States.
Watching the live broadcast of the global press conference, he slumped powerlessly into his chair.
"So, can anyone tell me now, what's the next step?"
"Tommy? This mess was his doing. Make him come out and clean it up!"
It had to be said.
This highest-ranking official of the United States was indeed skilled at shifting blame.
At the very beginning, the decision to detain Meng Hao was a resolution voted on by the entire Capitol Hill.
Now.
The blame was being entirely pushed onto Tommy.
He called out a few times.
Seeing no response, the highest-ranking official of the United States grew displeased.
"What's going on?"
"Get Tommy to see me!"
Charles.
This former senior intelligence official hurried forward.
"Your Excellency, the highest-ranking official, Lieutenant General Tommy may not be able to come."
Hmm?
Lieutenant General Tommy can't come?
The highest-ranking official of the United States' expression immediately changed.
"What, he caused this trouble and he's not going to deal with it, but expects us to clean up after him?"
"Hurry up, even if you have to drag him here, bring him to me."
Charles scratched his head.
"I'm afraid it's difficult."
"Just now, Lieutenant General Tommy passed away."
What?
Tommy is dead?
The highest-ranking official of the United States paused, his tone softening, but his words remained full of suspicion.
Lieutenant General Tommy, no less.
One of the top brass of the military.
How could he just die like that?
"It is absolutely true."
"He realized he had blown this out of proportion and therefore committed suicide out of guilt."
Charles lowered his head.
He had the look of one mourning a fellow creature that had met a tragic end.
"He's dead."
"Good that he's dead."
The highest-ranking official of the United States narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of an inappropriate smile appearing on his face.
Then, as if realizing something, he quickly adjusted his facial expression, putting on a show of sadness.
"Alas."
"What a pity."
"Lieutenant General Tommy did not deserve to die."
"However, I recall an ancient saying from Da Xia, '身死道消' (shēn sǐ dào xiāo)... When a person dies, their sins and responsibilities vanish with the wind, don't they?"
These words.
Described the act of shifting blame with such clarity and elegance.
However.
The words of this highest-ranking official of the United States struck a chord with everyone present.
For all of them, Tommy's death was the best outcome.
This way.
All the blame and responsibility could be fully attributed to Tommy.
The incident, from being an act of the United States as a nation, would be completely downgraded to being solely the actions of Lieutenant General Tommy.
Of course.
This was all contingent on the world believing it.
However.
Whether they believed it or not, this was the best explanation the United States could offer.
"Alas, what a shame, Tommy was a talented individual!"
"How about this, quickly prepare additional documents to promote Lieutenant General Tommy to General."
"Set the date of the documentation to three months ago!"
Of course.
This was not the highest-ranking official of the United States' final tribute to Lieutenant General Tommy.
Rather, it was a sophisticated maneuver to shift blame.
Lieutenant General Tommy was an influential figure.
However, judging by his rank and position, he was merely a lieutenant general in the military's weapons research and development department. His rank was too low to provide a satisfactory explanation to Da Xia or the world.
But.
Promoting him to General and bestowing upon him the title of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of National Defense would change things.
Detaining you, Meng Hao, for half a year, but the United States is losing a Deputy Commander-in-Chief of National Defense, a General, which should be considered an explanation.
Moreover.
As Deputy Commander-in-Chief of National Defense, this position would also allow him to act independently, bypassing the Capitol Hill.
Then.
All the responsibility would be entirely placed upon Tommy.
"Understood."
"I'll get right on it."
"You are truly too merciful."
Just as Charles was about to withdraw, the highest-ranking official of the United States called him back.
"Wait a moment, Charles, isn't it?"
"You were transferred from the intelligence department to the military's weapons department... and you are currently a Major General."
"General Charles has been promoted to Deputy Commander-in-Chief, so his position will be vacant... How about this, let's promote you to Lieutenant General and have you take over Lieutenant General Tommy's position... Of course, our Capitol Hill will arrange for some other individuals to work with you."
Good heavens.
This was to buy Charles's silence.
The implication was extremely clear.
You, Charles, are responsible for handling the matter of shifting blame to Lieutenant General Tommy.
However, you must handle it flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism from other countries, including Da Xia.
As a reward.
You will be directly promoted to a powerful position in the Lieutenant General rank... However, after Tommy's death, the vacant position in the weapons research and development department will certainly not be solely for you, Charles.
Charles was overjoyed.
"I will absolutely not disappoint your expectations..."
Before he could finish speaking.
He was immediately interrupted by the highest-ranking official of the United States.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"This is the will of Capitol Hill."
"Everyone, don't you agree?"
As expected of an old fox, with one sentence, he had tied the entire Capitol Hill leadership to his bandwagon.
"The highest-ranking official is correct. This is the expectation of Capitol Hill for you."
"Yes, Lieutenant General Tommy... oh no, the passing of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Tommy, a General, is truly regrettable... However, the weapons research and development department is a crucial department, and Capitol Hill must carefully consider the appointment of capable personnel."
"Charles, you go and attend to your tasks first. We will discuss arranging a deputy and colleagues for you here."
Good heavens.
These old foxes.
Tommy's body was not even cold yet.
They were already shifting the blame onto Tommy, and were now considering how to divide the spoils left by Tommy.
These people.
Were like vultures feasting on human blood and corpses... demons who would devour without spitting out the bones.
Of course.
Charles was already accustomed to this.
In fact.
He himself was one of the vultures partaking in the feast of Tommy's remains.
To him, Tommy's "passing" presented the greatest lesson and benefit:
When doing things, one must be extremely cautious, otherwise, these bloodthirsty vultures would be gnawing on him, Charles, next.
And.
It was a good thing that Tommy died.
It directly provided him, Charles, with the opportunity for a triple jump from Colonel to Lieutenant General.
As for Tommy having once supported him?
Yes.
That's right.
But, what of it?
In Charles's view.
Tommy's previous regard for him was entirely for his own benefit.
He felt no gratitude whatsoever.
...
In an apartment located in the Capitol Hill area.
Tommy, who had been declared dead by Charles, had a pale complexion.
He stared intently at the television.
Meng Hao, who had once brought him infinite glory, was now narrating his detention in the United States to the camera.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Tommy struggled to get up, intending to open the door.
Strangely.
The door could not be opened at all.
Click.
Through the gap in the door, someone threw in a video disc.
Tommy trembled slightly, picked up the disc, and instinctively examined it!