Shang Jianli showed no displeasure at Ji Shileng taking over the conversation.
He had intended to use this agenda item to let Ji Shileng vent his anger on Imperial Capital News anyway.
Imperial attendees far outnumbered their Federation counterparts. They had the home advantage, after all.
The director of Imperial Capital News also possessed an extensive network of connections, so many Imperial participants spoke up in his defense.
They hoped to overwhelm the Federation through sheer numbers and force it to abandon the demand for an apology from the entire staff.
Su Ke had barely clenched his fist before Ji Shileng pressed it down.
The director’s lips curled, undisguised contempt in his eyes. He was openly mocking their failure to recognize their limits.
Before opposing him, they should have investigated his standing and connections.
With so many people joining the attack, he refused to believe Shang Jianli would continue siding with the Federation.
Seeing his certainty of victory, Ji Shileng found it rather amusing.
Though he was unimpressed by their strength in numbers, he decided to play along.
Today, he was trying hard to be an exemplary young man who “listened attentively.”
Turning a few pages of the proposal, Ji Shileng held his pen and spoke unhurriedly.
“So you all believe the past shouldn’t be discussed now?”
“Of course!”
Facing Ji Shileng, the speaker looked somewhat intimidated.
He swallowed nervously several times and turned toward the director. Receiving an encouraging look, he steadied himself.
Then he summoned his courage and said loudly, “Mr. Ji, times have changed”
Resting his cheek in one hand, Ji Shileng asked with interest, “In what way?”
“The subject of this meeting has been clearly defined: discussing false reports published and broadcast during the Interstellar Military Competition”
“Earlier matters don’t really fit today’s agenda”
At his sarcastic tone, Ji Shileng laughed outright.
“Fine. There will always be another opportunity to settle the old accounts”
Since they insisted earlier matters were separate, he could deal with those later when he had time.
But Ji Shileng had principles. He would not yield.
“However, forgive me for asking: as the victim, why should I give you a chance to reform?”
Much of the director’s smug smile disappeared. His lips tightened, his voice turning ominous.
“Mr. Ji, I believe the road will be wider if we both take a step back”
“Sorry, one more question”
Ji Shileng found him laughable.
“Do I need you to make way for me?”
Call Ji Shileng arrogant and unruly if you liked—he had the means to back it up.
Path to Stardom alone had been singled out as a representative “foreign” game in Imperial draft legislation preparing to impose “sanctions.” Was that not proof enough of its influence?
Besides, the Ji family did not even base its business in the Empire.
Make way for him?
What way?
Did he need it?
And Shang Jianli’s position was already clear. What did their numbers matter? Did their combined standing outweigh his alone?
“To put it bluntly, my friend, if we make way for each other, aren’t you the one getting the better deal?”
Ji Shileng asked leisurely.
The director was sweating with anger. Ji Shileng was right: Imperial Capital News barely registered in the Ji family’s eyes.
Even if the Ji family’s reach did not yet extend all the way into the Empire.
“Mr. Ji, I think you’ve forgotten how much public credibility Imperial Capital News enjoys”
The director gritted his teeth.
“Surely we can’t sacrifice that over your unreasonable demand?”
“Wouldn’t that be even better?”
Ji Shileng smiled more brightly and spread his hands.
“Imperial Capital News separated from the publicity department recently, didn’t it?”
He spoke frankly, concealing nothing.
“Since it’s already been separated, does that mean a new media organization will eventually emerge to put you out of existence?”
He had said put them out of existence, not replace them.
The former suggested that Imperial Capital News might disappear entirely.
The latter merely meant it would remain in existence while losing credibility and public attention.
Ji Shiyun and Ji Shifeng had already begun enjoying their tea.
Somehow, while they were not looking, their youngest’s combat prowess had grown exponentially.
For now, they would let him continue. They could step in toward the end.
Lately, Imperial Capital News had been afraid the publicity department would support a new outlet, then diminish its audience and influence before eliminating it altogether.
“Nonsense!”
The director snapped.
“Enough”
Only now did Shang Jianli step in to restore order, without the slightest concern for the director’s predicament.
“I think you should give the proposed apology serious consideration”
He made no attempt to hide that he was siding with the Ji family rather than his own people.
More precisely, he was siding with Ji Shileng.
The director could not accept it.
“General Shang, isn’t this an abuse of your authority? Imperial Capital News does not accept this decision”
They could put forward a few “writers” and “reviewers” to apologize for the false reporting about Ji Shileng and Joker Studio.
But if the entire staff apologized, how much amusement would their competitors derive from their humiliation in the coming days?
Their credibility, visibility, and influence were all foremost in the Empire.
If anything went wrong, the organization itself would unquestionably suffer.
Ji Shileng thought indifferently: It deserved to suffer.
Shang Jianli paid the director little regard.
“You don’t accept this decision? As the perpetrators, what right do you have to say that?”
Ji Shileng raised his hand and added, “We Federation citizens don’t like pressuring people. If you really refuse, we can take this to the Interstellar Court”
His tone was perfectly ordinary, yet the pressure he exerted was no less than Shang Jianli’s.
“I don’t mind making a few extra trips there”
“An apology would have settled everything. We aren’t asking for anything else”
As a major shareholder in Joker Studio, Su Ke spoke up.
“If you insist, Joker Studio will see this through to the end”
Those who had defended the director promptly fell silent.
Empty talk was their specialty. If they actually had to contribute anything, they would refuse to the bitter end.
Imperial Capital News was being roasted over the fire. Furious at Ji Shileng and Su Ke, the director’s face and neck turned scarlet.
Seeing that he remained silent, Ji Shileng continued.
“Over the past few days, those reports of yours have cost us several hundred million star coins, by our preliminary estimate”
Then he added with great consideration, “If you truly don’t want the entire staff to apologize, compensation of a hundred million star coins per person would also be acceptable”
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