Chapter 315: There is only one solution.

"This is truly the first time I've had a meeting with you all like this, via video conference."
On the video conference screen, the faces of European political leaders appeared slightly stiff, conveying an indescribable awkwardness.
A speck of dust in this era, falling on everyone, feels like a mountain.
The shadow of the pandemic is looming over the globe, and countries have urgently issued bans on gatherings of more than four people.
The vast majority of companies have adopted remote working, and the power center that determines the livelihoods of billions has also had to succumb to the situation, deciding the fate of the European continent through video conferences.
Heads of state who used to chat and laugh at summits can now only stare at each other through cold screens—a scene that is both absurd and comical, yet tinged with an unspeakable bitterness.
But as the rotating president of the EU, Ms. Merkel has no time for sentimentality.
She bears the fate of the entire Europe on her shoulders and must quickly gather these beleaguered leaders to find a way out for the wrecked ship of Europe amidst this raging storm.
While she lacked the final say, her mission at this moment was to guide the course and forge consensus amidst the turbulent waves.
“I have reviewed all the reports submitted.”
Merkel’s voice was calm and clear, transmitting through the air to every corner of the European continent.
“The situation is worse than we imagined… that damned virus, the infection rate is outrageously high, and the death toll is climbing daily.
We must take stronger measures.”
As soon as she finished speaking, an avatar in a window flashed excitedly.
“Stronger? How much tougher can we be?!”
The Italian Prime Minister’s voice was filled with barely suppressed anger.
“We have closed our borders, turned away all tourists!
Do you know how much economic damage this alone has caused us, Madam President?”
These words struck a nerve with everyone.
What does the word “Europe” mean to the world?
It’s history, it’s art, and it’s tourism.
This pillar industry holds a pivotal position in the economic landscape of every nation.
Now, this pillar has been abruptly severed by the pandemic, and the ensuing economic tsunami is crashing against the coastlines of every country.
“Of course I know, gentlemen, I know this problem is serious.”
Merkel’s gaze swept across every face on the screen, her composure unwavering.
“But you must understand a more terrifying fact:
If we cannot stop the further spread of the virus, the losses we are experiencing now will only be the beginning!”
She waved her hand, and a shocking data chart immediately popped up on the main screen.
It was a precipitous drop, a truly alarming sight.
The chart simulated the annual loss of tourism revenue the EU would experience under continued border closures.
The room fell silent; even breathing became heavy.
The numbers on the screen felt like a heavy mountain, making it hard for them to breathe.
“Five trillion euros.” Merkel pronounced the figure slowly and deliberately, like a judge reading a verdict.
“This is only a conservative estimate based on existing models by our European Commission.”
In other words, the final figure will only be higher, much higher!
One trillion five hundred billion... euros!
This number exploded in everyone's minds like a bombshell.
Those present were all seasoned veterans, yet this number still struck them like a hammer blow to the heart.
Everyone anticipated a dire situation, but no one expected it to be this severe.
Even worse, this was only the loss from the tourism industry.
"If we add the losses from all other industries...
Gentlemen, it would be an apocalyptic scenario that none of us could bear."
"So, what is your proposal?!" someone finally couldn't help but ask in a hoarse voice.
"There's only one solution," Merkel said firmly.
"A vaccine! We must produce a vaccine as quickly as possible, at all costs."
"Since it has spread to this point, why not consider herd immunity?"
A somewhat resigned voice rang out.
"That's a pipe dream!" Merkel immediately rejected the idea.
"To achieve herd immunity, it means that at least 70% of the population in each country would be infected!
How many people would die in that process? Most importantly, this virus is constantly 'evolving.'"
"Evolving? What do you mean?"
"It means mutating!" Merkel's voice grew even more serious.
"That's why we need a vaccine even more!"
Only vaccines can keep us up with its mutation pace and block the spread of the mutated virus through booster shots.
Without vaccines, this nightmare will never end!
The most terrifying aspect of this virus, besides its infectiousness comparable to a plague, is its almost bug-like mutation ability.
Even if you survive one infection and develop antibodies, you could still be defeated by its 2.0 or 3.0 versions at any time.
Therefore, only vaccines can break this endless cycle at its root.
"Where did this damn thing come from? I heard rumors that Fang Huan invested in it!
They manufactured the virus at AstraZeneca in the UK, shipped it back to China, spread it, and then sold vaccines… This, this is the devil's script!"
The Polish Prime Minister exclaimed excitedly.
"Hahahaha!"
In the video conference, bursts of snickering erupted from the heads of state.
Merkel, rubbing her forehead, spoke slowly and deliberately:
“Mr. Chancellor, let’s use common sense and logic to analyze this ‘devil’s script.’
“First, manufacturing a world-destroying biological weapon in AstraZeneca in the UK, then secretly transporting it to China to poison people?
Leaving aside whether AstraZeneca has the capability, just think about how many links would need to be navigated?
From researchers in the lab, to the drivers in the logistics, to the layers of security checks and biodetection at Heathrow Airport and Chinese customs.
Not a single person in the entire chain can make a mistake, not a single email can be intercepted, not a single surveillance camera can capture anything unusual.
Frankly, even a 007 movie wouldn’t dare to depict this.
This is practically trampling the world’s most stringent security system underfoot!”
She paused briefly, her tone becoming even sharper:
"Secondly, and most importantly, if any link in this plan is exposed, even just a confession from a low-level employee,
that's a crime against humanity, the highest level of terrorism!
Fanghuan Investment, all its executives, and even the Xia Kingdom behind it, will face global persecution and sanctions—utter political, economic, and physical destruction.
The question is, what are they after? Money?"
Merkel's lips curled into an almost imperceptible sneer:
"I've checked Fanghuan Investment's information. They're a newly minted global financial giant; last year, their legitimate profits in the financial markets exceeded the GDP of many small countries.
They can easily make a fortune with a few capital operations.
Why would a top-tier billionaire, richer than a nation, risk being riddled with bullets to rob a convenience store on a street corner?"
"Thirdly, even if they wanted to poison the country, why not Tokyo, why not New York? Why choose to detonate it in their own country, paralyzing their own global factory, severing their own country's economic lifeline?
This kind of rumor is obviously impossible using common sense and logic."