You Say You Believe in Science, But You Fly on a Sword - Chapter 69
Chapter 69: If Looks Could Kill
“Good morning, reporters. The press conference is about to begin. Please remain quiet. ”
The host, in a suit, walked onto the podium.
After confirming that everyone backstage was ready, he began the press conference.
“Welcome everyone to this Chinese Academy of Sciences press conference. The topic of this press conference is Genetically Modified Chinese Cauliflower. ”
As soon as he said this, the reporters began to murmur amongst themselves.
“Genetically modified? Really modified? ”
“Not gene induction? No mistake? ”
“Fake, right? Is it Academician Su Qin’an again…”
“Everyone, please be quiet! ”
The host coughed twice and said, “I know you all have many questions about this, so now please allow Academician Su Qin’an to introduce the genetically modified cauliflower. A round of applause, please! ”
Backstage, Wu Qingsong and Liu Qiming exchanged a glance, then both looked at Su Qin’an.
Su Qin’an smiled at them and walked to the front.
Looking at the sea of reporters and the occasional flash of cameras below the podium, Su Qin’an smiled and sat down in the middle seat, with Liu Qiming and Wu Qingsong on either side.
Although this was only his second time on a podium, neither his status as a Huake Academy academician nor his experience as the First True Disciple of the Daojian Sect made him nervous.
“Hello everyone, I am Su Qin’an. ”
Su Qin’an smiled at the reporters and said, “What I’m going to introduce to you today is a new vegetable—Genetically Modified Cauliflower—developed with the help and support of the Nine Heavens Research Group and many parties in China. Its effect is to strengthen the body, enhance the constitution, and is edible for people of all ages…”
Su Qin’an spoke for nearly an hour, including but not limited to his deep feelings for China, the honor of contributing to China’s scientific research, that this food has no drawbacks except the inability to achieve immortality, and subtly suggesting that China is the best.
He subtly manipulated the President of the United States who was watching the broadcast.
Sitting in the White House, he glared at Su Qin’an on television, trying to kill him with his eyes to remove an obstacle to America’s future: “What… what does he mean! What does he mean by China won’t engage in hegemonism like some countries! ”
If looks could kill, he wished everyone would look at Su Qin’an.
“…Okay, that’s all I have to say about the Genetically Modified Cauliflower. ”
After four parts: patriotism, introducing the cauliflower, the research process, and future prospects, Su Qin’an finally ended his fifty-minute speech: “Does anyone have any questions? ”
The reporters looked at Su Qin’an, all speechless.
Other press conferences are 80% business and 20% small talk and pleasantries.
You, however, spent less than twenty minutes of your fifty-minute speech on the introduction. The rest was either rambling, patriotic pronouncements, or threats. We are truly amazed!
If Su Qin’an knew what the reporters were thinking, he would say, “Why am I like this? Because I am benevolent! ”
“Does anyone have any questions? ”
Su Qin’an feigned surprise, saying, “If not, then that’s all for today’s press conference? You probably all have a lot to do, so we won’t waste your precious time! ”
His rambling wasn’t without consideration; it was even approved by Liu Qiming and Wu Qingsong.
A press conference can’t possibly detail every aspect of an invention; some things must be kept secret.
How to fill that remaining time?
Express some patriotism!
It also helps to promote exchanges between the Cultivation World and the Mortal Realm.
Most importantly, it reduces the workload of the Strategic Deception Bureau, saving them from having to constantly mislead others, leaving them with no time to watch others being misled.
Seeing that the opportunity to ask questions was about to end, an American reporter quickly stood up: “Academician Su, will your genetically modified cauliflower affect the ecological environment, causing problems such as gene flow, ecological imbalance, and the invasion of alien species? ”
Su Qin’an smiled: “To that question, I can say unequivocally, no. The genes of the Genetically Modified Cauliflower are mild and will not be mutually exclusive with the genes of other organisms. Problems like ecological imbalance and alien species invasion are impossible. ”
When crayfish first arrived in China, they were considered an invasive species and had a significant impact on native Chinese species.
That situation didn’t last long because clever Chinese people discovered that crayfish are delicious…
So crayfish went from an invasive species to nearly endangered because they were eaten so much, now they even need to be artificially farmed, and the price in restaurants is not low.
If Australians had that capability, rabbits wouldn’t be such a problem.
“Academician Su, since genetic modification technology has been used on cauliflower, it must not be far from animals. Will China use genetic modification technology on humans in the future? ”
After hearing the Japanese reporter’s question, Su Qin’an smiled, “If we can ensure that genetic modification technology truly benefits humanity, why not? ”
“But how can you be sure it’s a benign mutation? ”
The Japanese reporter pressed on: “The field of genetics has always been a forbidden zone for human technology. China’s daring to reach into the field of genetics is audacious. Are you simply trying to benefit humanity, or are you conducting biochemical experiments under the guise of benefiting humanity? ”
Wu Qingsong looked indifferent, but his tone was so cold it felt like winter: “First, our nation’s future research directions and methods don’t seem to require reporting to you, do they? ”
This silenced the Japanese reporter for a moment.
“Second, China’s daring to reach into the field of genetics shows that we have the ability and the confidence to ensure that our mistakes or insufficient technology will not lead to major problems that negatively affect the world. ”
Pausing, Wu Qingsong’s hawk-like gaze fixed on the Japanese reporter, causing him to look away, unable to meet Wu Qingsong’s gaze: “Even if there were problems, China would do everything in its power to minimize the impact. ”
This was another subtle jab at the Japanese reporter.
What does “will not lead to major problems due to insufficient technology” refer to?
Of course, the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant incident!
And what does “do everything in its power to minimize the impact” refer to?
After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant suffered a critical accident, Japan not only failed to rescue it immediately but also concealed the news for nearly twenty years, causing irreparable damage to the world.
The Japanese reporter’s face flushed, speechless.
“Besides, there’s a Chinese saying: What you see is only what you want to see. ”
Wu Qingsong continued, “The kind of person you are will influence how you view others. If you can refrain from approaching this press conference from an adversarial standpoint, please do not attempt to push China into the eye of the storm in your questions. If you insist on doing so, I’m afraid we won’t have anything to discuss. ”