Chapter 258 By what right do you speak to me?

These few words, if one didn't listen carefully, weren't actually that loud.

But at this moment, in this special meeting of the United Nations Security Council where one could hear a pin drop, these words were like a clap of thunder, instantly exploding in everyone's ears.

"The Eastern Country objects."

The Representative of the Ugly Country, who had been wearing a triumphant smile, ready to accept congratulations from allies, and even rehearsing the scene of opening champagne at a victory banquet in his mind, saw his smile instantly freeze.

That expression was like a rooster that had just reached the middle of its crowing only to be suddenly grabbed by the neck.

It was comical and awkward.

The atmosphere in the venue completely solidified in that instant.

Following that was a burst of commotion.

Countless flashes flickered frantically, freezing the steady and resolute face of the Representative of the Eastern Country on screens all over the world.

The Representative of the Ugly Country was stunned for several seconds before suddenly snapping back to his senses.

He looked at the Representative of the Eastern Country in disbelief, clearly not expecting that at this moment when the "overall situation was settled," the Eastern Country would actually dare to jump out and make such a "futile" struggle.

"Object?"

The Representative of the Ugly Country straightened his slightly messy tie, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, trying to maintain his lofty, hegemonic demeanor.

He looked at the Representative of the Eastern Country, his lips curling into a mocking arc:

"Respected Representative of the Eastern Country, what exactly are you objecting to?"

"Are you objecting to the right of all mankind to freely explore space?"

"Do you want the vast universe to become the private territory of certain countries?"

This kind of moral labeling could be said to be quite practiced.

However.

Faced with this aggressive questioning.

The Representative of the Eastern Country only gave a faint smile.

He was in no hurry to refute, instead unhurriedly turning on the microphone in front of him.

"Freedom?"

The voice of the Representative of the Eastern Country was calm, but every word precisely dissected the ornate outer garment of the Ugly Country's proposal, revealing the puss-filled essence within.

"We certainly support freedom."

"But what we object to is the bandit logic of practicing hegemony under the banner of freedom!"

The Representative of the Eastern Country's gaze was like a torch, looking directly into the eyes of the Representative of the Ugly Country, his words sharp:

"Your so-called 'neutralization of space,' your so-called 'whoever develops first benefits.'"

"It sounds nice."

"But the logic behind this, I think everyone present, as long as they aren't fools, can see through it."

At this point, the Representative of the Eastern Country paused, a meaningful smile appearing on his face:

"You are simply relying on the fact that you possess companies like SpaceX and your first-mover advantage to try and stake out territory."

"You are attempting to turn the public resources of all mankind into your own private back garden."

"As for those high-sounding reasons..."

The Representative of the Eastern Country spread his hands and, facing the camera, spoke a line that perfectly captured the spirit of the internet:

"Those who understand, understand."

This phrase, "Those who understand, understand," was simply a stroke of genius.

It lacked a long-winded argument, yet with an extremely contemptuous attitude, it directly pierced through the Ugly Country's fig leaf.

...

The Representative of the Ugly Country's face turned beet red from being choked by these words.

He hadn't expected the Chinese, who had always been rigorous and stiff in diplomatic settings, to also know such passive-aggressive tricks.

"You... this is slander!"

The Representative of the Ugly Country was somewhat exasperated and could only forcibly argue: "We are doing this to incentivize technological progress! For efficiency!"

"Efficiency?"

The Representative of the Eastern Country immediately counterattacked, citing sources with rigorous logic: "According to Article II of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means."

"Your current proposal completely violates the basic principles of international law!"

The two sides went back and forth, engaging in a fierce battle of words.

But it was clear that in this debate, it was the Eastern Country that occupied the moral high ground and the logical peak.

Relying on his consistently impressive eloquence, the Representative of the Eastern Country was quick-witted and logically clear.

He would sometimes quote international law clauses, sometimes list past cases of the Ugly Country's double standards, and sometimes use humorous language to mock the other's hypocrisy.

After this series of punches, the Representative of the Ugly Country was left speechless, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

The Representative of the Ugly Country felt like an elementary school student being thoroughly thrashed by a university professor from every angle.

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that all his arguments appeared pale and weak before the other's tight logic.

...

Just as the Representative of the Ugly Country was at his wits' end, forced into a steady retreat and wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

The Representative of the Eastern Country suddenly stopped the debate.

He looked at the disheveled Representative of the Ugly Country, the playfulness in his eyes gradually disappearing.

In its place was an unprecedented seriousness, as well as a sense of pressure.

That pressure didn't come from linguistic skill, but from a kind of solid confidence.

The Representative of the Eastern Country straightened his collar, leaned forward slightly, and rested both hands on the table.

This posture was extremely aggressive.

The entire venue instantly fell silent.

Everyone sensed that the real finishing move was coming.

Sure enough.

The Representative of the Eastern Country shifted his tone, his dominance fully unleashed.

He stared at the Representative of the Ugly Country and, in a voice that wasn't high but was enough to shake the whole venue, issued a soul-searching question:

"Do you, the Old Ugly, really dare to have a clash with us?"

These words were like a bomb of staggering yield, detonating directly in the center of the venue.

The Representative of the Ugly Country's pupils shrank sharply, and he subconsciously took half a step back.

But it wasn't over yet.

The Representative of the Eastern Country continued, every word carrying the aura of iron horses and golden spears:

"Military strength, comprehensive national power—do you still think your Ugly Country is number one?"

"Are you prepared for this?"

"If not, why do you still dare to be so condescending?"

"Sir, do you still think we are the Eastern Country of decades ago?"

"Have you really considered from what position you should be speaking to me?"

"Do you know you are speaking to a country whose scale in all aspects is already among the world's top?"

"Have you thought about the consequences of speaking like that?"

...

These words, through the global live broadcast signal, instantly spread to every corner of the world.

The Dongguo Netizens in front of their screens, after a brief moment of daze, instantly boiled over!

The pot had completely exploded!

Countless people jumped up from their chairs, waving their fists, their faces flushed with excitement.

The bullet chats on major live streaming platforms, at this moment, were like a bursting flood, instantly drowning the entire screen.

"So tough!"

"Too domineering! Holy crap!"

"Badass! Before, this Ugly Country guy was still blabbering, but as soon as our diplomat spoke, he was silenced."

"Tears in my eyes. It turns out that without us realizing it, our Eastern Country has the confidence to say such things."

"Yeah, it hasn't been easy. Thinking back to those years, how much did we have to endure for the sake of development?"

"This is the style of a major power! This is what you call being tough!"

"I see that Representative of the Ugly Country's legs have gone weak, hahaha!"

At this moment, national pride surged in the heart of every Chinese.

That long-accumulated frustration was completely released in this questioning of "Do you dare to have a clash with me?"

And at the scene.

The Representative of the Ugly Country was indeed frightened.

He looked at the eyes of the Representative of the Eastern Country, which seemed to contain thousands of troops, and felt that oncoming military deterrence; the shirt on his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He felt like he wasn't facing a diplomat, but a steel torrent ready to set out.

He panicked.

He was truly panicking.

He hadn't expected the Eastern Country to be so tough this time, tough enough to directly put military strength on the table.

In this situation, the Representative of the Ugly Country could only refute with bluster, attempting to use moral kidnapping to regain some face:

"You... aren't you a peace-loving country?"

"Saying such things now is not in line with your peace policy!"

However.

This weak and powerless refutation, besides exposing his lack of confidence, had no effect whatsoever.

Seeing this scene, the Dongguo Netizens were laughing even more crazily.

They all laughed.

The bullet chats flooded the screen again:

"Hahaha, dying of laughter, so now he's starting to talk about peace?"

"As expected, the Great Man was right: if we seek peace through struggle, peace will survive; if we seek peace through compromise, peace will perish."

"To deal with hooligans, you have to speak with your fists!"

"Weren't you quite arrogant just now? Why are you acting like a coward now?"

However.

Amidst the celebration and excitement.

There were also some careful Netizens who had been closely following the matter and felt a hint of confusion.

They asked weakly in the bullet chat:

"That... although it's very satisfying, but..."

"Didn't the atmosphere hyped up on the internet before say we were pushed into a corner and were very passive and tragic?"

"Yeah, at that time, the articles from the official media made me want to cry, feeling like we were going to be bullied to death."

"How come we're so tough now?"

"Yeah, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. I thought we were the ones on the offensive this time and others were on the defensive?"

This doubt seemed somewhat out of place in the fanatical atmosphere, but it keenly sensed a hint of something being off.

This script... seems a bit wrong?

What happened to the tragic drama we were promised?

How did it turn into a power fantasy as it went along?

However, before they could figure it out.

...

The meeting process continued.

Although the Representative of the Eastern Country swept through the debate segment, leaving the Representative of the Ugly Country questioning his life.

But.

In this United Nations Security Council, which emphasizes the number of "allies," reality remained cruel.

Although the Ugly Country lost completely in terms of morality and logic, they held a large number of votes in their hands.

Finally, the meeting entered the voting phase.

Even if the Eastern Country's delegation argued strongly on just grounds, even if they performed like gods of war.

But because the Ugly Country had many allies, combined with some countries not daring to take a side under the Ugly Country's tyrannical power.

The voting results came out.

The Ugly Country's "Space Neutralization" proposal was passed.

The Eastern Country's delegation ultimately lost by a narrow margin.

As the chairman's gavel fell.

"The proposal is passed."

The meeting was adjourned.

However, strangely.

At the moment this result was announced.

The Eastern Country's delegation, which had clearly lost, didn't have a trace of frustration on their faces.

On the contrary.

That same Representative of the Eastern Country, who had just been domineeringly rebuking the Representative of the Ugly Country, seemed to have... a flash of an imperceptible smile in the depths of his eyes when he heard the word "passed"?