"We are deeply apologetic for what has transpired. First, on behalf of all the citizens of Long Country, please allow me to extend our most sincere apologies to the Western nations!"
"I am ashamed to be born in such a despicable nation; this is an indelible flaw in our national character."
"We were wrong, we were truly wrong! We are willing to compensate double the losses incurred by other countries due to the plagiarism incident. We hope for your magnanimity and forgiveness!"
"We are sorry..."
Before Long Country could react, these traitors and Western sympathizers, acting in the name of Long Country, had already preemptively apologized to other nations.
Joseph Biden, the President of the United States of America, acted with great synchronicity, stepping forward with a display of feigned sorrow and compassion to respond to these traitors and Western sympathizers.
"This is not your fault; it is a portion of officials in Long Country who, blinded by greed and driven by immense profits, deliberately committed this heinous act of stealing secrets and severely infringing upon intellectual property."
"As long as the official government of Long Country is willing to compensate our nation for its economic losses with two hundred and twenty billion US dollars, offer a sincere apology, delete all pirated software, cease all infringing activities, and sign a commitment to never engage in similar research again!"
"We can then forgive Long Country and continue to provide them with professional industrial software. Otherwise, we will permanently ban all access to industrial software within Long Country and impose severe economic sanctions!"
"Indeed," the United Kingdom, the former master and now subordinate of the United States of America, chimed in, "unless Long Country is willing to compensate for the economic and emotional damages caused to us, totaling one hundred and twenty-eight billion pounds."
"Otherwise, we will jointly boycott all industrial products manufactured by Long Country."
Following suit were Sakura Country, Germany, Korea...
They successively put forth their compensation demands, with the cumulative amount reaching a staggering one trillion Renminbi.
This was still not enough; more evidence was needed to completely silence Long Country.
Soon, a monologue video became a trending topic.
A person of Asian descent, dressed in the lab's signature white coat, stood before the camera, his face filled with grief and indignation.
"My name is Sun Zi, formerly a citizen of Long Country, and now a proud citizen of the great United States of America."
"Before coming to the United States of America, I was responsible for industrial software research and development at Long Country Heavy Industries Group. Due to the extreme backwardness of Long Country's technology, the industrial software we developed performed at less than one percent of that of other countries."
"I was in despair and prepared to give up when the highest leader of Long Country suddenly visited and convened a secret meeting. At the meeting, he demanded that we directly copy and imitate the mature industrial software of other countries."
"As a believer in God, a normal person educated with fair Western principles, I could not commit such a wicked act. I resolutely refused and was subsequently severely persecuted."
"After being beaten and thrown into a dark room, I was tortured in various ways every day. I thought I would die there. Unexpectedly, Long Country's compulsory education was too poor, producing only bookworms who couldn't complete the tasks."
"They had no choice but to seek my help. To escape, I feigned compliance and helped them research for over a month, successfully copying several industrial software programs. Then, they lowered their guard, and I found an opportunity to escape."
"After leaving the lab, I went through several near-death experiences. Finally, with the help of a public intellectual, I came to the United States of America through political asylum, completely separating myself from the wicked Long Country."
At this point, Sun Zi was still in tears. He took a deep breath, pulled out a USB drive from his pocket, and held it high.
"Before I left, I copied a part of the research log. This contains the evidence of Long Country's plagiarism. Today, I will make it public so that the world can see Long Country's true face!"
With human testimony and physical evidence, and someone confessing on behalf of the defendant, this combined offensive completely ruined Long Country's reputation. Many people began spontaneously demanding that Long Country apologize.
Some individuals had even started smashing products made in Long Country, demanding a comprehensive boycott of all goods from Long Country.
Despite the seemingly favorable situation, Joseph Biden felt an inexplicable unease. To ease his mind, he sought out the industrial representative of the United States of America.
"Long Country has somehow acquired a group of top hackers. Won't they suddenly produce a batch of top-tier industrial software like before?"
"Rest assured, Mr. President. No matter how strong those hackers are, it's useless. They can only destroy, not create. Moreover," the industrial representative of the United States of America waved his hand, "industrial design requires a vast amount of formulas and parameters. These things take a long time to accumulate."
Hearing the industrial representative's reply, Joseph Biden breathed a sigh of relief, his heart at ease.
"I knew they wouldn't be able to develop it! We should have directly sanctioned them with this. What's the use of strong hardware? Software is the brain of industry. Without a brain, no matter how strong the body, it's just a lump of rotten flesh!"
After venting, Joseph Biden felt much better. "Let's go. Summon the representatives of other countries. We've finally managed to get a hold of Long Country's weak spot. We should carefully discuss how to bleed them dry."
"Long Country has plundered quite a few good things recently. This time, I want them to give it all back!"
Meanwhile, in the main conference room of the capital of Long Country.
After reviewing the demands of the Western countries, Assistant Zhao, standing beside the highest leader, couldn't help but stand up and roar, "This is outrageous, utterly outrageous! A fine of one trillion, acceptance of supervision, and no further research into similar areas."
"They want to completely lock down our industrial system, forcing us to remain in low- to mid-end labor-intensive industries, forever unable to upgrade our industries and join the ranks of developed nations. We will forever be their source of raw materials and market for dumping products!"
"The imperialists' ambition to destroy us is unceasing! We must not yield; we must resist to the end!"
"Assistant Zhao," the Minister of Industry Research suddenly stood up, interrupting him, "you are correct. However, these industrial software programs are indispensable auxiliary tools for industrial design and construction. If they are suspended, while it may not cause significant impact in the short term."
"But in the long run, the speed of design and construction will be greatly reduced, leading to enormous economic losses. To avoid being threatened by the West, we must find a way to develop our own industrial design software."
The Minister paused, then turned to the highest leader in the main seat, "Boss, according to estimates, we have at most three months. With the current personnel in the research department, it is absolutely impossible to complete the research of hundreds of industrial software programs simultaneously."
"Could you please contact Professor Jing? We need his help."
Upon hearing Jing Mingqiu's name and recalling the many miracles he had created, everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief and looked towards the highest leader, expecting him to summon Jing Mingqiu to create another miracle.
However, the subsequent development was beyond everyone's expectations. The highest leader unhesitatingly and decisively refused his request.
"No!"