Chapter 743: The Alliance's Counteroffensive
Chapter 743: The Alliance's Counteroffensive
"Has the video caused any significant reaction online?" Manina asked with a dark look, turning to face Xiong.
"Your Majesty, there hasn't been any notable response yet," Xiong hurriedly replied. "The video was posted 17 minutes ago, and the website's moderators immediately closed the comments section and reduced the video's visibility."
"So, this video hasn't sparked any large-scale discussion online yet."
"Go and delete the video!" Manina frowned. "Why should we keep a video that could damage the reputation of the United Government?"
"But... Alright, I will have my assistant delete it right away." Xiong responded.
When he first saw the video, Xiong's immediate reaction was to delete it and mute the account.
However, Duke Haidon was a powerful seventh-rank expert and a noble duke, so he didn't dare to take action.
Now that the emperor had ordered the deletion, he no longer had any reservations and would proceed directly.
Xiong called his assistant to delete the video.
After finishing his call, Manina walked to the window in his study and turned to Xiong, saying, "Come, Xiong. We're going to Haidon's residence now."
Xiong was startled. "Your Majesty, should we bring others along?"
"There's no need. Are you afraid he'll rebel?" Manina sneered and flew out the window first.
Xiong didn't dare to linger and hurriedly followed the emperor.
...
However, events did not unfold as Manina had hoped.
Two hours later, the hashtag "Blues didn't torture prisoners; the previous torture scenes were staged by the United Government" topped the social media trends on Skrull.
The high popularity of this hashtag was not due to Duke Haidon's video.
In fact, after obtaining Manina's approval, Haidon's video was quickly deleted.
The real instigators behind this uproar were King Makerton III of the Makerton Kingdom (also known as Senior Zhu) and Speaker Sindra Doppler of the Beck Republic.
Half a month ago, the incident of "Skrull soldiers being brutally tortured by Blues in the prisoner camps" sparked widespread discussion on Skrull. The United Government heavily publicized this event, putting unprecedented pressure on the Anti-Alliance Organization.
For a time, the term "Anti-Alliance Organization" was almost synonymous with "Skrull traitors."
But at that moment, Senior Zhu and Sindra Doppler began planning their counteroffensive.
In the past half month, they actively contacted veterans from the prisoner camps, using generous sums to uncover the true and reliable facts.
The most influential figure they contacted was Lance's brother, Lamb.
Lamb had a good impression of the Blues and only defamed them in the media out any choice.
Senior Zhu approached him and promised political protection.
Under the cover of the diplomatic embassy, Lamb successfully escaped from the Solar Empire to the Makerton Kingdom.
Here, he had no reservations and revealed everything about his experiences on Earth, recording it all in a video.
...
In the past ten days, Senior Zhu and Sindra Doppler had been quietly gathering strength, waiting for the right opportunity.
Now, that opportunity had finally arrived!
Although Duke Haidon's video only stayed online for a few minutes, his influence ensured that at least tens of thousands of people, including the intelligence departments of the Makerton Kingdom and the Beck Republic, had seen it.
This video could be considered the clarion call for Senior Zhu and his allies to launch their counteroffensive.
Just as Duke Hayden's video was deleted, Senior Zhu uploaded Lance's video.
In the video, Lance sat formally at a desk, speaking with a serious expression: "Greetings to all who are watching this video. I am Lance, the older brother of Lance, the commander of the expeditionary force.
Here, I wish to apologize solemnly to everyone.
In truth, in the Blue Star prisoner-of-war camp, not a single Skrull prisoner was mistreated. Not only were we not mistreated, but we were also given many privileges, such as... (omitted 300 words).
The reason I claimed on the 'Blazing Sun' program that I was mistreated in the Blue Star POW camp was entirely out of coercion. The organizers forced me to say those things.
I hereby declare solemnly that I did not suffer any mistreatment at the hands of the Blue Star people. The scars on my body were left by the 'Flare Spot' organization on Skrull. The Blue star people even went out of their way to heal these injuries.
Now, let me show you some evidence..."
At the end of the video, Lance displayed a large number of photos and videos he had taken on Blue Star.
These included images of the POW camp's meals, dormitories, and library, as well as the Blue Star's sports fields, athletic events they held for the prisoners, and even videos he shot after leaving the camp, exploring various Blue Star cities.
...
Senior Zhu uploaded Lance's video to the internet using his personal account.
Not only Lance's video, but also the deleted video of Duke Hayden, and the testimonies of other soldiers who had been to the POW camp, were uploaded by him.
Sindy Doppler had not discussed this with Senior Zhu beforehand.
However, he was well aware that this was an excellent opportunity.
So he quickly supported Senior Zhu online and released all the evidence and key information he had collected.
Senior Zhu and Sindy Doppler launched their campaign simultaneously, and their network public relations departments worked at full capacity.
They bought traffic, top posts, trending topics, and push notifications, and flooded the comments with likes, shares, and forwards.
Given the high quality of the topic, it immediately caused a sensation on the internet. Within just a few hours, almost every Skrull who frequently went online became aware of the matter.
The online public opinion surged, and the condemnation of the United Government filled every corner of the internet.
"Too much! I was still cursing the Blue Star people a few days ago, and now you're telling me it was all an act by the United Government?"
"If something happened, it happened; if it didn't, it didn't. What's the point of this charade?"
"The Blue Star people treated the prisoners so well, clearly showing they didn't want war. And the United Government twisted the facts?"
"To gain war support, you deliberately smeared the enemy, truly the lowest of the war profiteers! And the saddest part is that the cost of war falls on us, the general population."
...
The internet was filled with angry comments.
The official websites of the United Government and the expeditionary force nearly crashed due to the influx of angry people lodging complaints.
The anti-United Government organization finally had their moment to shine!
They continuously stirred up topics online, fanned the flames, and revealed the truth.
Public support for the anti-United Government organization shot up in a "V" shape, quickly rebounding, and the voices opposing the invasion of Blue star once again returned to the mainstream.
For a time, the internet was filled with "Don't believe the United Government, refuse to pay for those despicable war profiteers."
Senior Zhu and Doppler's plan was a complete success.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
