mtlumby2d Chapter 1240: Sergei Lets Himself Go
Chapter 1240: Sergei Lets Himself Go
Sitting on the podium in the Phoenix Hall, Sergei Mo's mood was like a mixture of emotions.
At first, it was a deep humiliation. This whole day, from the press conference to the signing, and now the free questions, every step seemed like a carefully designed humiliation. The young president, in the most elegant way, pushed Tsarist Russia step by step into the abyss of humiliation.
What followed was an uncontrollable anger. Why? Why did the Tsarist Russia have to be treated like this? Even if there were indeed inappropriate things back then, this kind of public execution-style humiliation was too much.
But soon, a strange sense of relief came over me.
"That's enough," he said to himself, "I've lost enough. What else do I have to be afraid of?"
Yes, the treaty has been signed and the territory has been ceded. Do you still care about this little face?
Thinking of this, Sergei suddenly felt much more relaxed. He stole a glance at Su Zhengyang beside him. The young man was sipping tea elegantly and seemed to be enjoying the "news drama" that was about to begin.
"Okay," Sergei sneered in his heart, "Don't you want to see a good show? Then I will put on a real good show for you."
He had already made up his mind that if the reporters' questions were too sharp, he would fight back without hesitation. Anyway, it had come to this point, so what was there to worry about?
Shame? Tsarist Russia has already lost face today. But why should Tsarist Russia be the only one to lose face?
If reporters asked about military threats, he would talk about China's military buildup. If they asked about compensation, he would talk about China's high demands. If they asked about the negotiation process, he didn't mind talking about how the young president pressed forward step by step.
"Don't you want a wonderful press conference?" Sergei said to himself as he looked at Su Zhengyang's profile. "Then I'll make it more exciting."
Once this thought came to him, Sergei felt more relaxed than ever before. Yes, he had nothing to lose. In that case, why not give it a try?
"Minister Sergei," the reporter from the British Empire Times stood up and said in an aggressive tone, "May I ask what kind of pressure did the Tsarist Russia have to make such a major concession? Was it a military threat or economic sanctions?"
The meeting hall was silent, and everyone stared at Sergei Mo, waiting for his response.
Unexpectedly, Sergei suddenly gave a meaningful smile.
"This is an interesting question," he said calmly, "but before I answer, I would like to ask you a question."
The English reporter was stunned for a moment: "What's the problem?"
"I'm very curious," Sergei's voice suddenly became relaxed, "Why would your Prime Minister Chujian return the port city to China so readily? You know, it's the pearl of the British Empire in the Far East."
There was an uproar at the scene.
The reporters did not expect Sergei to suddenly counterattack, and his first move was to directly target the weak spot of the English Empire.
The reporter's face turned ugly: "This... these are two different things."
"Oh? Really?" Sergei continued, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "I think they are very similar. After all, we have all been through the same 'negotiation', haven't we?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "negotiation".
The reporters present all understood his implication - when the English Empire returned the port city, it was also under pressure from China that it had to make concessions.
Su Zhengyang on the rostrum raised his eyebrows, seeming to be very interested in this unexpected development.
"Then," Sergei continued, "maybe you should ask Prime Minister Chujian what kind of 'pressure' he was under when he made the decision? I think his answer will be very interesting."
The English reporter's face turned red and he was speechless for a moment.
The other reporters began to whisper. No one expected that this Tsarist Russian diplomat, who seemed to have already admitted defeat, could actually launch such a beautiful counterattack.
"Le Figaro, the French Empire," a female reporter stood up and said, "Minister Sergei, this territorial cession has almost shaken the foundation of the Tsarist Russia in the Far East. Does this mean that the decline of the Tsarist Russian Empire is inevitable?"
There was a gasp in the meeting room. This question was too direct, almost nakedly announcing the decline of Tsarist Russia.
However, Sergeimo smiled. This time, his smile was sharp.
&34；亲爱的女士，&34；他慢条斯理地说道，&34；您提到&39；衰落&39；这个词，让我想起了一些有趣的事情。&34；
He paused deliberately: "At least, our Moscow is still there. And the French Empire..."
He looked at the female reporter meaningfully: "I heard that Fuhrer Hitler is already preparing to march into Paris?"
There was an uproar at the scene.
The French female reporter's face turned pale instantly. This is indeed the biggest pain point of the French Empire - the army of the Bird Empire is pressing forward step by step, and Paris is in danger.
&34;This...these are two different things,&34; the female reporter stammered.
&34；哦？是吗？&34；谢尔盖默的语气愈发讽刺，&34；您刚才不是在讨论&39；衰落&39；这个话题吗？那我们不妨来比较一下，到底是失去远东一些领土更令人担忧，还是即将失去自己的首都更令人忧虑？&34；
These words were so sharp that even Su Zhengyang on the rostrum couldn't help but look at Sergei Mo again.
"I think," Sergeimer continued, "rather than worrying about the situation of Tsarist Russia, it is better to worry about the fate of your country. After all, when Hitler's tanks roll into the Champs Elysees, it will not be just a simple matter of "decline." "
The French female reporter's face turned pale and she was speechless.
In the following question-and-answer session, Sergei Mo completely let himself go and showed a whole new image.
When the Associated Press reporter asked about the compensation issue, he asked back: "Speaking of money, isn't your country also worried about the gold standard recently? China has a large amount of gold reserves."
When the reporter from Bird Empire asked about the military threat, he smiled and said: "You mentioned the military, which reminded me of an interesting phenomenon - why did Führer Hitler always have the same nightmare recently? He dreamed that he was lost in the ice and snow of Siberia?"
When the Reuters reporter was about to ask about the Tsar's attitude, Sergei interrupted and said, "Before asking about other monarchs, why don't you first ask why your king has been looking for houses in the Caribbean recently?"
Each of his counterattacks was just right, hitting the nail on the head and being humorous. The reporters, who were originally furious, were speechless.
"I appreciate your concern," Sergei said leisurely, "but instead of worrying about the situation of Tsarist Russia, it is better to think more about your own troubles. After all, the world is changing too fast. If you laugh at others today, you may laugh at yourself tomorrow."
Su Zhengyang on the rostrum laughed in silence. This old diplomat, who had been stubborn all his life, now showed an amazing edge because he had completely let go of his burdens.
When an Italian reporter asked about the international status of Tsarist Russia, Sergei said: "I suggest you go back to your country and check who is in charge of Rome now. Is it Mussolini? Or the Pope? Or the tourists sunbathing on the streets?"
The entire Phoenix Hall was infected by his humor, and suppressed laughter was heard from time to time.
Su Zhengyang picked up the teacup and hid the smile on his face. He originally wanted to embarrass Tsarist Russia, but he didn't expect that this old fox would throw in the towel and make a beautiful comeback.
"Interesting," he thought to himself, "Sergei is indeed the most experienced diplomat in Tsarist Russia."