Chapter 280: Times Have Changed

Meanwhile, in Paris, at the Élysée Palace.
The atmosphere in the French president's official residence and office was as somber as a funeral parlor.
The protests, like wild horses, had completely spiraled out of control.
Mob rioters were setting fires throughout the city, and to suppress them, thousands of police officers were deployed daily to this war without gunfire.
In the fierce clashes, thousands were injured and fell on both sides.
Now, turning on the television revealed nothing but bloody images of demonstrators clashing with police.
"What are the demonstrators' demands?"
President Kmaron's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse.
"Their demand is... the complete repeal of all the new policies we're implementing.
This includes the fuel tax increase, and... the tax cuts for the wealthy."
"Didn't I hear they also have a condition: that I resign?"
"Mr. President, that's just the opposition using this as an excuse; ignore it.
However... regarding the fuel tax and several other policies, I'm afraid we really need to consider withdrawing them."
Kmaron never imagined that a mob could stir up such a storm.
He had thought that these people would only cause trouble for a few days, vent their emotions, and then go home and sleep.
"A complete withdrawal of the new policy, including that 'digital tax,' right?"
"Yes. Streaming giants like YouTube and Netflix have already stated that if a digital tax is forcibly implemented, they will raise subscription fees across the board in France.
YouTube is even preparing to multiply their usually inexpensive membership service several times over."
"Not only that, there are rumors that Facebook and Picpic are seriously considering withdrawing from the French market entirely."
President Chernell's teeth were grinding.
Damn it!
Things shouldn't have come to this!
It was those damned tech giants who, united, cornered him and the entire French government!
They used those fabricated videos and rampant rumors to force themselves into the role of a "rich president," inciting this raging inferno!
“But…Mr. President, our new policies, to some extent, do indeed benefit the wealthy…”
“That’s not important!” Cameron roared.
“What’s important is who’s instigating these fools!
Other bills can be withdrawn, but the ‘digital tax’ prepared for these bastards absolutely cannot be withdrawn!”
“But…Mr. President, you’d better try to ease tensions with them.
The stock market is too volatile right now; even those large corporations that initially supported us are now openly expressing their dissatisfaction.”
That’s right, those wealthy individuals who once put him on the presidency have immediately turned their backs on him and turned their guns on him once they realized their wealth was threatened.
These ungrateful wretches!
“By the way, Mr. President,” another aide suddenly spoke up, “there’s a very strange rumor circulating in the financial markets right now.”
“A rumor?”
“Yes. It’s said that on the eve of the protests, a sum of over ten billion euros of foreign capital quietly flowed into our market.”
Moreover, their targets are remarkably consistent—all of them are shorting.
"What?! Hundreds of billions of euros? This is market manipulation! It's a financial attack!"
"The problem is, this money wasn't concentrated in one place, but rather cleverly dispersed among major blue-chip stocks and many industry leaders. The method is extremely professional, minimizing the direct impact on the market..."
Just then, a thought flashed through President Kmaron's mind.
"Could it be... that this matter is also related to 'Fanghuan Investment'?"
"Yes. Although a formal investigation hasn't been launched yet, and it can't be confirmed.
However, all the rumors circulating are pointing to them."
"Bang!"
Kmaron slammed his fist on the table.
"I knew it! It really was them! Those bastards, they're in cahoots!
They incited the riots while simultaneously laying instigations, orchestrating this scheme to plunder France!"
Although it's still just speculation, it doesn't matter.
As long as he uses his presidential power to order a thorough investigation, he's confident he can dig out these lurking rats and strip them bare!
However, just as he's about to give the order, his aides rush forward and stop him.
"Mr. President! Please calm down! You must calm down!"
"Calm down? Look at my face, do I look like I can calm down?!"
"Mr. President… 'picpic' has already taken down all the inflammatory videos related to this demonstration."
"...What did you say?"
Krárón was stunned.
The culprit who had instigated the chaos and thrived on disorder had suddenly… stopped?
“Right after ‘picpic’ began massively removing videos, Facebook and YouTube also quietly started reducing the exposure of related content.”
“Why?!”
“Mr. President, don’t you understand? They’re sending a signal to us…to the entire French government!”
The aide’s voice trembled slightly.
“They’ve fully demonstrated their power. Now, they want to say: the game is over.”
President Krárón’s pupils constricted sharply.
He finally understood.
"They mean... this is the end?"
"Yes. Their subtext is that as long as we completely repeal the digital tax bill, they'll stop inciting public opinion."
"Ha...haha!" Kmaron laughed bitterly, his laughter filled with utter absurdity and despair.
"I've never seen such shameless people in my life!"
"Mr. President, you must negotiate with them."
"Is this negotiation?! Is this a one-sided negotiation?! Isn't this just asking us to raise the white flag and surrender?!"
"But...if we choose to completely break ties with them here, they only need to lift a finger, and those videos will flood the internet again.
By then, the demonstrators, who are already approaching a million, could easily swell to two million, three million, or even more!"
"..."
President Kmaron swallowed hard, a chill rising from his spine.
Only now did he truly understand what it meant for "times to change."
When he was elected president, he was full of vigor, believing he had all of France under his feet.
But now he was horrified to realize that there were always those more powerful than him.
True power no longer resided in the halls of power.
It belonged to those tycoons who knew how to manipulate the hearts and minds of the people and extract endless wealth from them!
Even more so, the Eastern capital group known as "Fang Huan" had delivered a clear and cruel ultimatum to him through this action:
If he dared to cross the line again, they wouldn't hesitate to turn all of Paris into a true inferno!
"Mr. President, now you must make a decision."
Kmaron gave a bitter smile, slumped into his chair, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"A decision? What... is there to decide?"
The answer had been predetermined from the very beginning.