Su Ran sat in his study, brow furrowed. He knew that if the rumors were not curbed in time, they would spread like a plague, shaking the foundations of the New Policies and the public's confidence, ultimately jeopardizing the entire strategy to counter the conspiracies of the foreign powers. Every decision concerned the life and death of Great Qing; he weighed the pros and cons of various approaches and finally decided to launch a multi-pronged attack to eliminate the influence of the rumors in the shortest possible time.
First, Su Ran issued an imperial edict through official channels, detailing the current international situation and the countermeasures adopted by Great Qing. The edict read: "Since my ascension, I have implemented the New Policies with the aim of making Great Qing prosperous and strong, and its people secure and content. However, foreign powers such as Britain and France, coveting our development, have attempted to restrain us through conspiratorial means. Yet, the people of Great Qing are united, and we have long had comprehensive plans in place. Militarily, we have strengthened our coastal defenses, with new warships constantly being built and our soldiers well-trained. Diplomatically, we have united with friendly nations to divide the enemy's coalition. Economically, we are developing internal circulation and stocking strategic materials. Great Qing is determined and has the strength to safeguard its sovereignty and the fruits of the New Policies. I hop…
Chapter 21