Chapter 1082: Chapter 1081: An Unexpected Invitation
For District 11, this was an extremely eventful day.
Ever since that "broadcast," phones in various departments of District 11 have almost been overwhelmed. Not only did the people of District 11 engage in angry protests and demonstrations, but even many Britannians were astounded. Although they also live in District 11, they seldom leave their neighborhoods, so they are naturally unaware of the situation in those camps.
Of course, it cannot be denied that Britannians have a deeply ingrained superiority complex as conquerors over the residents of District 11, which is understandable. After all, in a war between two countries, if we win, we think you’re stupid, you’re dumb, you’re fools, you deserve it.
But when it comes to massacring unarmed civilians, that’s another matter entirely.
Especially when this matter was broadcast worldwide.
In fact, quite a few people have already flocked to Shinjuku, trying to uncover the truth of the event, and the media from various countries stationed in District 11 are also excitedly scrambling. District 11 has no way to manage them. They can monitor their own media, but it’s impossible to control reporters from the Eurasian Federation or the Chinese Federation. What will they do then? If they let them in, the so-called poison gas theory will collapse on its own.
If they don’t let them in, it still suggests you’re hiding something.
Either way, it’s a loss!
In the end, District 11 had no choice but to steel themselves and lock down the Shinjuku Concentration Camp, insisting it was a poison gas attack, while also taking rescue actions for the residents of the Shinjuku Concentration Camp.
This was also to refute the conversation recordings broadcast in that program... Clovis had ordered the cleansing of all of Shinjuku at that time. If everyone had really been killed, that would have been the real problem!
So the official had no choice but to debunk rumors, claiming that Clovis’s intention at the time was to "cleanse" the terrorists hidden in the camp, not targeting civilians. The official is currently aiding those civilians, and so on... Of course, at the very least, they have to set their stance, right?
However, the chaos for the District 11 government had nothing to do with Fang Zheng.
After the broadcast, he took others and left Shinjuku, returning to the bustling commercial district.
"Well, that’s it for today, although the fun wasn’t quite satisfying... You all go back to the hotel first and meet up with Natsuse and them."
Glancing at the time displayed on his personal terminal, Fang Zheng spoke, and hearing his words, the girls nodded.
"Then what about you, Mr. Fang Zheng?"
"I’m going to the Chinese Federation’s embassy to attend a dinner party and find some fun."
In response to Asuna’s inquiry, Fang Zheng smiled and extended his hand, and with a subtle motion of his slender fingers, a crimson invitation appeared in his hand.
Although Fang Zheng’s plan was to integrate District 11 into the Chinese Federation, such a thing couldn’t just be one-sided enthusiasm, and Fang Zheng also needed to see for himself what the Chinese Federation of this world was like. Of course, if there were any issues, he wouldn’t mind using his own methods to improve the Chinese Federation.
After all, helping District 11 was a duty; the homeland is what’s most important!
If good things aren’t kept for one’s own people, should they be left for a three-time traitor?
Night fell.
When Fang Zheng arrived at the Chinese Federation’s embassy, it was already evening. Utilizing the identity and permissions obtained through a previously designed infiltration terminal, he easily broke through the tight security and entered the embassy’s banquet hall.
In contrast to the outside clamor, the banquet hall was still a scene of indulgence and revelry. This was naturally so, although the Shinjuku incident shocked many, for those currently in the banquet hall, Shinjuku had nothing to do with them. Even if they were shocked by the plight of Shinjuku’s residents, it was nothing more than that.
As a regular diplomatic dinner, the entire process of the banquet felt quite dull to Fang Zheng. It was nothing more than a group of nobility and officialdom whining about trivial matters, with people below casually agreeing, similar to the black-haired straight-haired woman at the front who’s babbling about world peace... heh...
"Truly, the songstress doesn’t understand the agony of a nation’s fall, still singing ’After the Court Flower’ across the river."
Listening to the other’s dreamlike speeches, Fang Zheng hummed lightly and spoke. However, just at this moment, a clear and melodious voice came from beside him.
"From what you’re saying, you don’t agree with Princess Marina’s speech?"
Hearing this voice, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, then turned his head to look beside him, where he saw a girl dressed in a qipao, with a shapely figure, sporting a bun and ponytail, holding a glass of champagne and smilingly looking at him.
"Such an attitude towards Princess Marina is quite disrespectful, you know?"
"I’m not interested in her, so I don’t care if I offend her. Such naïve and immature statements are currently the least marketable."
The other party spoke in Mandarin, and naturally, Fang Zheng also replied in Mandarin.
"The threat of the Reapers has just passed; no one knows what other kinds of dangerous enemies lurk in the vast universe. War doesn’t change with human will. Even if we call for peace, would the other side be willing to discuss peace with us? You won’t negotiate peaceful coexistence with an unarmed monkey—of course, an exception might be the zoo."
"Interesting perspective."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s answer, the girl blinked.
"So, do you think reconciliation among all humanity is impossible?"
"Of course not; if there’s a driving force, then it’s still possible. In fact, the Reapers are such a catalyst, aren’t they? Although they caused unimaginable disasters and harm, it’s precisely because of the Reapers’ existence that Coordinators, New Humanity, Earthlings, etc., were able to abandon their differences and fight together. From this perspective..."
He spoke while raising his chin and gesturing towards the black-haired woman in front.
"A single Reaper is more useful than a hundred princesses."
"If Princess Marina hears your words, she’ll certainly be angry, as a girl, she doesn’t like being compared to those terrifying metal creatures."
As she spoke, the bun-haired girl extended her hand towards Fang Zheng.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Wang Liumei, and I’m part of the Chinese Federation’s delegation. May I ask who you are...?"
"Fang Zheng, just an ordinary commoner."
Grasping the hand extended by the girl, Fang Zheng smiled at her. Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Wang Liumei giggled.
"An ordinary commoner wouldn’t be able to enter such a banquet hall, would they?"
"Actually, I sneaked in."
Fang Zheng raised the wine glass in his hand.
"Because I heard there would be a feast here today, I thought I could join for a good meal, so I came."
"Hahaha..."
Hearing this, Wang Liumei couldn’t help but chuckle, covering her mouth.
"So, does this banquet suit Mr. Fang Zheng’s tastes?"
"Not at all."
Fang Zheng shook his head, showing a look of great disappointment.
"The Kung Pao Chicken was too strong, Dongpo Pork too greasy, only the Lion’s Head and Mapo Tofu were barely noteworthy, and as for the Yangzhou Fried Rice... I don’t even want to mention it."
Fang Zheng was telling the truth this time; whether it was because the cuisine from this world’s Chinese Federation had deviated, or because the embassy’s chef was incompetent, in any case... Fang Zheng was quite displeased with the food.
Of course, he wasn’t lying – in fact, his main reason for sneaking into the banquet was to taste his homeland’s cuisine.
Initially, Fang Zheng thought the embassy’s cuisine would be more authentic...
Oh, if Chinese cuisine in this world is like this, Fang Zheng would be powerless; after all, he never learned to make dishes that light up!
"If Master Li heard Mr. Fang Zheng’s evaluation, he would surely cry."
Wang Liumei rolled her eyes as she mentioned.
"By the way, Mr. Fang Zheng, is this your first time visiting District 11?"
"Indeed."
"In that case, let me take you to a Chinese restaurant I know well, I assure you the food there will satisfy you."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Fang Zheng’s eyes immediately lit up.
"Then I’m looking forward to it."