Chapter 62: Governing the Country via The Sun: For World Peace (Seeking Readership)

The commanders of the British and American fleets both realized that the standoff could no longer continue.

If they kept "hugging" like this, it would be utterly meaningless, aside from inflicting more scars on their respective hulls and greater psychological pressure on the officers and men of both sides.

After all, they were not engaged in a solemn standoff; they were performing a farcical comedy for a bunch of madmen!

If an accidental discharge were to actually happen, wiping out this bunch of madmen wouldn't even be enough to compensate for the severe consequences.

Consequently, the two battleship behemoths that had been practically welded together slowly and cautiously disengaged, bearing scores of scratches and dents all over their bodies.

The subsequent warships likewise followed orders to break contact, bringing an end to this dangerous game of "naval bumper cars."

The massive fleets began to regroup, retreating in opposite directions and carving huge, white wake arcs across the sea surface.

On the ocean, only that eager crowd of spectator ships remained, still emitting regretful jeers and complaints of "Is that it already?"

"Listeners, the fleets of both nations have disengaged! Thank God, no war broke out, and we have not yet stepped into the abyss of war..."

Jeff Hackman's long sigh of relief finally came through the radio.

Listeners guarding countless radios across America dared not exhale that long-held, trembling breath until this very moment.

An extreme crisis, one fully capable of igniting a world war, had somehow weathered its most perilous phase amidst this absurdly comic atmosphere.

The next day, the front pages of all major mainstream newspapers in America shared virtually the same tone—

On one hand, they showered high praise on the naval officers and men of both countries for displaying "astonishing restraint and professional competence" under extreme pressure, thereby averting a catastrophe;

On the other hand, they used the harshest language to denounce those wealthy onlookers who had watched from yachts and even added fuel to the fire, condemning them for "treating the nation's destiny as child's play" and "blatantly violating the Prohibition Act."

Yet, a debate flared up over whether purchasing and consuming alcohol on the high seas actually constituted a violation of Prohibition.

By contrast, the Sun, which held the most comprehensive information, didn't dwell excessively on yesterday's thrills, virtually transforming itself into a master of international political economy—

"Anyone with half a brain knows that Britain and America cannot possibly go to war."

"For no other reason than the fact that the current British Empire is dead broke!"

The article proceeded to analyze at great length that the glory of the British Empire was an illusion, whereas the economic desolation brought about by war was a harsh reality.

The war had caused the loss of one-third of Britain's national wealth, driving its current unemployment rate sky-high and plunging its domestic economy into a deeper slump.

With the economy in a slump, the British treasury fell into extreme straits, compelling them to levy luxury taxes on alcoholic products in order to alleviate their fiscal crisis.

The hike in tax rates triggered a chain reaction: the cost of producing liquor soared, the domestic British market shrank rapidly, and a shrinking market led to reduced tax revenues, forming a vicious cycle—which was precisely why Britain was willing to use military threats to force open the American market.

On the other hand, all of Britain's colonies were already alienated at this point, and the independence movement in Ireland weighed unbearably heavy on the British. Beyond that, successive protest movements had erupted in Egypt and India...

"Therefore, with no tax revenue coming in and expenses everywhere, the British Empire is nothing more than a pauper with empty pockets!"

"With no money, on what grounds can they wage war against America, which possesses the entire North American continent, industrial might that crowns the globe, and the world's number one gold reserves? What are they going to fight with? Generate electricity from love?"

"Hence, as long as our America demonstrates firm resolve, just as we did yesterday, those British bastards will inevitably choose to back down, just like this time!"

"Yesterday's event was not the continuation of a crisis, but a glorious victory! America has achieved a sweeping victory!"

In this era, data lacked transparency and information traveled slowly. In the eyes of many, Britain remained the world hegemon of economic prosperity, advanced science and technology, and global naval supremacy!

Yet Logan's towering, visionary article effectively stripped away the heavily patched trousers of the British Empire.

The economic figures regarding Britain cited above were thoroughly detailed, sourced from intelligence data provided by Michael Collins of the Irish Republican Army, clearly far from being fabricated.

As for the situation concerning the British colonies, ahem, the newspaper generously attributed it to the words of the pitiful captured Colonial Secretary Churchill, which could be called a treasure trove of authenticity!

...

"Well, I understand the logic, but since a war isn't going to happen, why didn't you go aboard the ship yourself?"

At the newspaper office, Richard laid down Logan's article and posed a seemingly unrelated question.

Logan answered with righteous confidence: "What if there was an accidental discharge?"

Just like the first time, Logan still hadn't figured out how fighting had broken out.

Being blasted by heavy naval guns was hardly a pleasant experience.

"Then why did you organize a group tour to watch?"

Logan retorted with a question: "Do you know why America has so few people?"

"?"

"Because America simply has far too many people who love courting death!"

Richard thought for a moment and nodded in wholehearted agreement!

"It's a pity they didn't take a shot at them." Richard's lingering resentment at that moment was perfectly synchronized with the British and American captains.

"Yeah, it is a bit of a pity..."

The two utterly shameless scoundrels sighed with regret.

Yet the outside world felt the Sun was sometimes driven by madness and sometimes possessed the talent for statecraft.

When this newspaper wasn't being abstract, it was surprisingly non-abstract.

Bah, I mean, it actually had quite a bit of substance.

If the previous exposure of dirt had merely caused Americans to feel disgust toward Britain, this stripping away of their foundation caused Americans to lose all sense of awe toward them.

So the British Empire was nothing more than a crumbling house!

Public opinion swiftly shifted from previous panic toward a blind optimism, and the cult of "winning" once again ran rampant: "The British bastards were frightened away by our will and strength, a massive victory for America!"

Interestingly enough, the British media also declared that they had "forced the Americans to purchase alcohol themselves, undermining their ban, a resounding victory for the British Empire!"

Onlookers across the entire globe stared blankly, holding newspapers from both sides.

So you people, who nearly sparked a world war, both won, and the only losers are the rest of us terrified of getting dragged into a global conflict?

Then the Sun popped up to declare: No, peace-loving folks like us are losers too!

The Sun stated, "Looking back from the Chicago boxing matches all the way to this Atlantic standoff that nearly triggered a world war, what is the root of it all? Prohibition, and all the various law enforcement measures spawned by Prohibition!"

Richard, the author of the piece, declared that as a responsible man, the pit he dug (the Chicago boxing tournament was his proposal) should naturally be filled by himself.

"As a responsible media outlet, our newspaper has the obligation to offer the American people a statesmanlike remedy to solve the problem."

"To prevent the world from sliding toward the edge of war once again, we propose: implement special judicial and policy exemptions in Chicago, and establish a special municipality for legalized drinking!"

"I call this—making Chicago drink! Only then will the world find peace!"

"Pfft!!"

Logan, who was drinking tea as he read this, spat it all out in a single spray!