Slander, pure and unadulterated slander!

On the morning of December 12th.

The French government issued a bulletin, and a piece of news rapidly surged to the very top of the world media's trending searches!

Western media outlets even dedicated entire pages to reporting on the matter.

"Chinese Scientist Jiang Xu Accused of Stealing Construction Data for the ITER International Fusion Experimental Reactor, Currently Detained by French Police."

As soon as the news broke, it was frantically reposted by media outlets across the globe.

In particular, certain unscrupulous self-media outlets back home conjured up all sorts of exaggerated headlines simply to grab attention.

All manner of news items instantly flooded the Chinese-language internet.

"Shocking! This Scientist Actually Did Such a Thing!"

"We've Lost All Face, Jiang Xu is Destroying Our Future!"

"So What About Landing on the Moon? Energy is the Future, and We've Been Kicked Out of the Future!"

……

Such sensationalized headlines truly left one speechless.

Especially those pieces of news with glaringly biased agendas; they were blatantly swimming against the current to push their narrative.

The ITER project, namely the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is an international collaborative project jointly established by dozens of countries including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, and Japan.

Its purpose is to cooperatively build a large-scale scientific experimental device leading toward controllable nuclear fusion.

It could be said that from its very inception, the ITER device was aimed at ultimately realizing controllable nuclear fusion!

As of now, this represents humanity's sole glimmer of hope.

The hope of the entire village.

A colossal artifact crafted through the combined efforts of humanity.

As soon as the news broke, certain domestic sympathizers with foreign interests, who had previously been heavily suppressed, immediately began to offer sarcastic sneers:

"So what if you landed on the moon,呵呵 (hehe). Basic scientific research and energy research are what matter most."

"Your country might as well just wait to be kicked out of the ITER project, hahaha, uncivilized wasteland."

"Hahahaha, exactly, exactly. An achievement the Americans accomplished sixty years ago, and you have the nerve to show it off without even feeling ashamed."

"Word has it that it will be completed in 2025, hahaha, your country's energy revolution is going to fall behind once again, just waiting to get beaten!"

"..."

While everyone was still awaiting official confirmation from the Chinese authorities, these clowns had already couldn't wait to jump out.

There was simply no helping it.

The forest is large enough to house all sorts of birds.

The great Eastern nation simply has too many people.

Just think, out of ten thousand people, there is bound to be one idiot. With a population of 1.4 billion, how many would there be?

Hiss, too horrifying to imagine.

……

At the Xishan Base, Fang Jing also saw this news.

From the very first moment, he was certain that Jiang Xu would never do such a thing.

He didn't actually know Jiang Xu personally.

Why was he so dead certain?

Because it was very simple.

Damn it, the main structure of ITER hasn't even been completed yet, and the largest components were just loaded onto a ship from China, probably only just reaching the Indian Ocean.

The thing hasn't even been built yet, whose construction data are you stealing, damn it?

And wasn't it clearly China that provided the most construction components?

Anyone with even a shred of insider knowledge could tell at a single glance that this was frame-up by the other side.

A targeted frame-up!

If Fang Jing could figure out the underlying mechanics, the higher-ups naturally could as well.

As it happened, Elder Zhu was currently in the underground section of the Xishan Base.

Upon seeing the news, Elder Zhu was so furious he practically wanted to punch someone!

Fuming, he immediately placed a call to the director of the Institute of Plasma Physics.

"Hello? Is this Elder Zhu?"

"It's me, Zhu Jincheng. Have you seen the news?"

"Zhu... Elder Zhu, we've seen it. Jiang Xu could never do such a thing. It makes no sense..."

The person on the other end of the line assumed Elder Zhu was calling to assign blame, and the director of the Institute of Plasma Physics grinned somewhat nervously.

However, he firmly believed in Jiang Xu.

Jiang Xu was dispatched to France by their research institute, and his character was beyond reproach in the director's eyes.

"I am not calling to assign blame. I place unconditional trust in our scientists. Right now, I want your cast-iron guarantee: did you guys instruct Jiang Xu to do anything behind the scenes?"

"No, absolutely not!"

Hearing that Elder Zhu was calling to align their stories, the director of the Institute of Plasma Physics immediately lit up with joy and hastily gave a definitive reply.

"That's good..."

Elder Zhu paused for a moment, then immediately said in a stern voice: "Shut down the ITER project immediately. If they dare to frame us, cooperation? To hell with cooperation!"

"Zhu, Elder Zhu, that's precisely where the problem lies."

The director on the other end wore a bitter expression and said helplessly, "The final component we provided has already reached the Indian Ocean. The timing they picked is extremely targeted..."

"In other words, they've used us up, and now they're planning to kick us aside?"

Elder Zhu's voice turned cold and sharp, and his tone shifted entirely.

"Exactly, that's presumably what they have in mind."

"Good, very good."

Elder Zhu was almost laughed to the point of anger.

Fine, fine, so that's how you want to play.

Since you don't want me to play anymore, then none of us will play!

With a flash of ruthlessness in his heart, Elder Zhu narrowed his eyes.

You think you're the only ones who can tear off the mask of civility?

I can do it too!

"Leave this matter to me. I'll take full charge!"

……

In the afternoon,

the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wu Youde, personally convened a press conference.

At the press conference, reporters from various countries craned their necks in eager anticipation.

As Wu Youde walked out, the reporters swarmed like sharks catching the scent of blood, frantically bombarding him with questions regarding the French classified data theft case.

"President Wu, France claims it is in negotiations with China. Did Jiang Xu really steal the construction data?"

"President Wu, please give us a response."

"President Wu, will this incident affect our deployment in controllable nuclear fusion?"

"..."

"Bang! Bang!"

Wu Youde was growing somewhat impatient with the commotion raised by the reporters.

He slammed his hands twice heavily on the table, a trace of displeasure crossing his face, and sternly rebuked:

"Quiet! Will all reporters present please keep it down!"

The reporters at the scene gradually quieted.

When absolute silence was restored, Wu Youde then spoke in a resounding voice:

"I know what every reporter here wants to ask, and I am here precisely for this matter."

"Regarding our colleague, Comrade Jiang Xu, our official stance is this."

Noticing that the reporters below had already begun frantically clacking away at their keyboards, Wu Youde paused. Paying them no mind whatsoever, he spoke with a deep, resolute voice:

"It is utterly impossible for him to have stolen ITER data, and we will lodge solemn representations with the French government over this."

"This is a blatant slander and frame-up by the United States and its followers!"

"We do not accept such slander and frame-up!"

"Furthermore, in view of the unfair treatment and defamation directed at our scientific and technological personnel by the French government, effective immediately, our country officially withdraws from the ITER project!"

Having said that, Wu Youde turned and left in a huff.

Left behind in their original spots, the reporters were struck dumb with shock.

Just like that, they had laid their cards completely on the table?

Consequently, that very afternoon, an even more overwhelming wave of news exploded across the world.

"China Announces Withdrawal from ITER Project!"

"Standing Firm with Jiang Xu: He is Incapable of Theft."

"The Innocent Need No Defense: This is Slander and Rumor-Mongering by the US and Its Followers!"

This time, the Chinese government displayed unprecedented strength and resolve.

They were determined to protect Jiang Xu at all costs!