Chapter 184: Slapping Faces Feels Great

The Spring Festival of 2022 had just ended when an explosive piece of news wildly spread across the internet globally.

“Japan conducted Ebola virus variant experiments in Africa, causing the death of tens of thousands of Africans!”

“The heinous Japanese secretly conducted live experiments in Africa!”

“The once-dissolved Unit 731 has been resurrected, this time carrying out terror experiments in Africa!”

“Japan has brought demons to Africa!”

…

These various article headlines kept changing to attract the attention of different types of netizens from around the world.

The articles not only listed a lot of experimental data but also provided many pictures, and of course, there were confessions from some of the captured Japanese.

Some articles were published on Facebook, some were tweets shared on Twitter, some were on various Weibo within Tang Country, and there were short videos on video-sharing websites also.

However, the photos did not seem very clear, and as for the videos, they also looked quite amateurish, with some footage even in black and white and evident signs of editing.

As the situation stirred up a huge controversy, the world’s attention turned to Japan, and the Japanese Foreign Minister Yamano Dairo held a press conference immediately.

“This is a naked slander against Japan. The videos are completely edited montages, and the people at Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute in Kenya, mentioned in the articles, are all still working normally and have not been arrested by anyone.

We are also highly concerned about the recent Ebola virus outbreak in South Sudan and will donate medicine to the South Sudanese government.

We hope the media will inform the public not to believe the rumors on the internet that these articles and videos are clearly someone’s attempt to frame us.”

“Minister Yamano, I am a journalist from ‘Asahi News.’ Who do you think is framing Japan?”

“Japan will form an investigation team to travel to Africa as soon as possible to ensure that the people of the world are given an objective truth!”

“Mr. Foreign Minister, I am a journalist from Le Figaro: Are you sure this is a frame-up? After all, you just mentioned that an investigation team is about to depart for Africa.”

“As is known to all, us Japanese are always kind and courteous, and our nation would never commit such crimes against humanity.”

“Mr. Foreign Minister, I am a journalist from Global Communications: You say Japan wouldn’t commit crimes against humanity, but historically, you have. Are you denying the existence of Unit 731?”

“Ah, that… the situation is different…” Yamano Dairo’s face turned red with embarrassment, having hastily forgotten the unpleasant history in his moment.

In fact, in his mind, such history did not exist; Japanese textbooks would not contain such content.

“Mr. Foreign Minister, I am a journalist from The Washington Post: Could you tell us the approximate value in US dollars of the drugs your country is donating to the South Sudan government?”

Yamano Dairo showed a grateful look. It’s a friendly country’s journalist, after all, knowing how to give him an out.

“Japan will donate $100 million worth of medicines, including the Ebola virus vaccine, which we have procured from pharmaceutical factories in your United States.”

…

After this press conference, the internet immediately erupted in noise, especially many Japanese netizens, indignantly rushed to Facebook, Twitter, Weibo, and other platforms to debate and defend under the articles or videos.

As usual, the Western media kept silent or downplayed the incident.

Facebook and Twitter even banned and blocked accounts they deemed to be Japanese or imposed restrictions like throttling.

Just like what they did in 2019, they were blatantly suppressing objective voices, showcasing Western-style freedom of speech.

However, they soon realized that all these measures seemed utterly ineffective.

This situation panicked the technical staff of the two companies. What kind of tech could break their bans? What could make their throttling measures ineffective?

At that moment, the President of South Sudan, Rein Leinar, personally held a press conference, accusing the Japanese of Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute.

They had heartlessly released the Ebola virus variant upon the people of South Sudan, aiming to eradicate the population of South Sudan.

The South Sudan government requested the United Nations to hold a special session to discuss this matter, asking for justice for South Sudan, and he was willing to present related evidence in person at the meeting.

“Mr. President, I am a journalist from ‘Africa Frontline’: Are these displayed pictures and video materials real?”

Rein Leinar replied with firm righteousness: “Of course, the photos and video materials were taken by our national defense forces’ special troops during their operation, and all these individuals have fully confessed that they are Japanese.”

Rein Leinar’s statement shocked the audience, as the Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute was located far in Kenya, and when did the South Sudan national defense forces acquire such long-distance assault capabilities?

“Mr. President, I am a Reuters journalist: Are you saying that your country’s defense forces’ special troops entered Kenyan territory and captured all personnel from Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute?”

“Yes, our special troops entered Kenya with Kenya’s consent, so you need not worry that we didn’t respect Kenyan sovereignty.”

“Mr. President, I am a journalist from Global Communications: How do you respond to yesterday’s statement from the Japanese Foreign Minister Yamano Dairo?”

Rein Leinar calmly stated, “I appreciate Minister Yamano’s on behalf of Japan for the donations, as our country really needs it right now.

But I must say, this is to be expected, as this epidemic was caused by the Japanese, and that fact cannot be erased.”

…

In the capital of Japan, Kyoto city.

“Damn it, you said yesterday that you had contacted the director of the research institute and everything was normal, how did it become that today they’ve all been captured by South Sudanese soldiers?”

With his eyes red with rage, Yamano Dairo loudly scolded the bowing person before him.

Today, because of his statement yesterday, he had ruined his entire reputation.

Japan’s diplomatic image had also completely collapsed; his face truly smacked painfully.

“Yamano-kun, getting angry now won’t solve anything. We should think about how to deal with this situation,” said the Prime Minister who was seated at the head of the table.

“Yes, Prime Minister, I am just indignant.”

“Mr. Wutian, are you sure that there is a problem with the research institute now?” asked a bespectacled aide.

The man, who had been deeply bowing next to Yamano Dairo, stood up straight; surprisingly, he was an old man with white hair.

“Yes, I tried to contact them again today and found that they are out of reach.

I asked the nearby U.S. military base commander, Colonel Thomson, to go and check it out, and when he did, the place was empty, and even many pieces of equipment and research materials had been cleared away,” said the white-haired old man.

“Didn’t the people at the U.S. military base notice something wrong with that place? They cleared out everything and didn’t know?” the bespectacled aide asked in surprise.

“I asked Colonel Thomson, and he told me that Minister Kodamura told him three days ago that the research institute was moving out, and he didn’t ask too much at that time.”

“Damn it, there must be something wrong with this Minister Kodamura; his actions are that of a traitor!” Yamano Dairo said furiously.

Suddenly, the Prime Minister spoke, “Watanabe-kun, this incident is troubling, but you need to personally go to Africa and investigate what exactly happened to the research institute.”

“Yes, sir, I will not fail the task,” said the bespectacled aide, standing up and bowing.

Prime Minister turned to Yamano Dairo and said, “Yamano-kun, this time you need to hold a press conference to state that there were some unreasonable factors that led to your misjudgment yesterday.”

Yamano Dairo’s face showed difficulty as he spoke, “Prime Minister, we need a proper explanation; otherwise, simply saying that I made a misjudgment might not be convincing…”

Prime Minister looked toward Wutian Zongnan sitting beside him, “Wutian-kun, since the error occurred in your department, you should take responsibility.

Arrange for one of your executives to resign, and the President of Buan Biology and the Director of Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute should perform seppuku at home.”

“Yes, I understand,” said Wutian Zongnan, raising his head, “But the relationship between Buan Biology and Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute might not be so easy for others to trace…”

The Prime Minister coldly swept his gaze over Wutian Zongnan and said, “Now that the matter has come to light, stop treating the world as fools. Don’t let Japan be embarrassed once again!”

“Yes, I will ensure the matter is handled properly,” replied Wutian Zongnan, bowing his head.

The Prime Minister looked at Yamano Dairo, “Do you know now what to say, Yamano-kun?”

Yamano Dairo nodded and said, “Understood. This incident is completely unrelated to the Japanese government. It was the individual act of a particular corporation.

Now, both the Director of Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute and the President of its holding company, Buan Biology, have performed seppuku. A senior management member of Buden Pharmaceutical, who failed to supervise properly, has also resigned.

The Japanese government will thoroughly investigate the matter and hand over the responsible individuals to the International Court for trial. Meanwhile, we hope the South Sudan government will also transfer the criminals from the Kenyan branch of Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute to the International Court.

Additionally, the Japanese government is willing to negotiate compensation with the South Sudan government for this incident to ensure that the victims may rest in peace.”

“Alright, proceed with that,” the Prime Minister said emotionlessly, nodding and standing to leave.

The bespectacled aide approached Wutian Zongnan and said, “Mr. Wutian, I need your people to accompany me to Africa for the investigation, preferably someone familiar with the situation of the Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute branches.”

“Understood, Dr. Zasakimoto Yuhibo, the Deputy Director of Heiying Pharmaceutical Research Institute, can go with you.”

“Mr. Wutian, it might be best to temporarily pause some plans.”