Chapter Ninety-Three: The Trial of the Century

A week later, on Capitol Hill in the United States, at the Capitol Building.

All preparations for the proceedings at the United Nations International Court had already been completed. Beneath the turbulent currents, all parties had also reached an accord. Everything now awaited the afternoon hearing to reveal the final outcome.

Over the course of that week, the malignant intentions of the nations had been laid bare, moving from covert to overt.

With relentless propaganda from various countries, the notion that the Virtual Network Company was a threat had swept across the globe. Fueled by jealousy in some, or by the instinct to follow the crowd in others, even users of the virtual network joined the chorus, enjoying the convenience it brought while at the same time protesting the company’s monopolistic conduct.

In short, the prevailing view now was that the virtual network belonged to the world, to all humanity, and should not be the exclusive property of the Virtual Network Company. Like the electric light, the automobile, and the airplane in history, the company ought to contribute its technology to the development of the world, share its research, and benefit all mankind.

What a robber’s logic that was.

Yet sometimes, when falsehoods are held by the majority, they become truth.

A few still spoke up for the Virtual Network Company, and a few still stood firmly on its side, but in the roar of the greater tide, their voices were drowned at once, unable to raise even the slightest ripple.

Though the people of China resisted fiercely, even staging small-scale street protests, the Chinese authorities still made no move. All sides were convinced that, barring accidents, once the United Nations International Court concluded its hearing, the virtual network would fall into everyone’s hands. And little China, especially now that the major nuclear powers had once again restored the capability to launch nuclear weapons, no longer possessed much of a voice.

But would events truly unfold exactly as all sides imagined?

The answer, of course, was no.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, America time, on November 12, 2017, that is, two o’clock in the morning on November 13 in China, the square before the Capitol Building in Washington was packed shoulder to shoulder with spectators from every nation who had come to witness the trial of the Virtual Network Company.

This hearing truly deserved to be called a trial of the century. Never before had any proceeding drawn the gaze of the entire world, and never before had a hearing opened with a simultaneous global broadcast.

At this moment, the whole world was watching. At this moment, history was being written.

Although most people understood full well that, for this profoundly unfair trial of the century, future generations might well heap nothing but condemnation upon it, this was what had to be done now, was it not?

If it was not restrained, who could say what monstrous thing the Virtual Network Company might grow into?

Likewise, who could guarantee that the Virtual Network Company would not become the first company in the world to rival, or even surpass, a nation?

Therefore, the Virtual Network Company could absolutely not be allowed to continue.

“Plaintiffs: the United States, Britain, France, Germany, North Korea and South Korea, the Soviet Union...”

As the trial began, under the gaze of the world, the Chief Justice of the United Nations International Court stood in the square before the Capitol Building and began reading out the plaintiffs. For more than ten minutes, he recited nearly every country in the world except China, his voice carried to all directions by dozens of loudspeakers.

“The defendants: China Virtual Network Co., Ltd., and Mr. Blue Sky, the legal representative of China Virtual Network Co., Ltd. The Court asks whether Mr. Blue Sky is in attendance for this hearing?”

The Chief Justice wore a stern expression as he asked this in a ringing voice.

No one answered.

“Once again, the Court asks whether Mr. Blue Sky, legal representative of China Virtual Network Co., Ltd., is in attendance for this hearing?” After two minutes, the Chief Justice’s face had turned somewhat dark, and he repeated the question. This time, he added one more sentence.

“After three inquiries, if the defendant, having been duly summoned by this Court, fails to appear without proper cause, the Court will proceed with judgment in absentia. The defendant shall be deemed to have voluntarily waived the right to litigate.”

Hearing this, all the Chinese people present became frantic with outrage, their anger surging as they protested loudly. Back in China, public fury mounted in waves, and even the top leadership was seething.

The supreme leader of China stared grimly at the live broadcast on television and etched the Chief Justice of the United Nations International Court deeply into his memory.

“Chairman! What do we do? If we do not take action now, I’m afraid the Virtual Network Company will truly be finished!” Several elderly men in military uniforms beside him grew so anxious that their faces flushed red, and they all spoke up.

“No need to rush. I believe Blue Sky has his own plans.” The supreme leader drew a deep breath and said calmly. Among everyone present, he was the only one who knew the truth behind Blue Sky. That godlike steel battle armor still haunted his dreams from time to time. “So long as Blue Sky does not wish it, no one can forcibly dissolve the Virtual Network Company!”

“No one can!”

...

“May I ask whether Mr. Blue Sky, legal representative of China Virtual Network Co., Ltd., is present at this hearing?” At the United States Capitol Building, the Chief Justice of the United Nations International Court issued the final inquiry.

Alas, still no one answered.

After waiting thirty seconds, the Chief Justice struck the gavel forcefully and declared in a loud voice, “The Court hereby declares that the defendant, having been duly summoned by this Court, has failed to appear without proper cause. The Court shall proceed with judgment in absentia. The defendant shall be deemed to have voluntarily waived—”

“Wait. I would like to ask... who gave you the right to judge me?”

A clear and fluent English voice suddenly reached everyone’s ears.

All at once, everyone turned toward the sound. There, not far away, a young man was standing, slowly walking toward the Capitol Building.

The moment they saw that figure, everyone was seized with excitement, for the person who had arrived was none other than Blue Sky.

“I must say, English is truly unpleasant. Let us switch back to Chinese. I trust that even if you do not understand it, you will find a way to understand it, won’t you?”

Though phrased as a question, Blue Sky switched back to Chinese immediately.

As expected, simultaneous interpretation began at once, broadcasting his words over the loudspeakers.

“Why did the defendant fail to appear on time? This Court has the authority to hold you in contempt!” the Chief Justice said sternly and loudly.

“You have not yet answered my question. I asked... who gave you the right to judge me?” Blue Sky paid him no heed at all and continued speaking for himself. “Do you really think you are qualified to judge me?”

The moment Blue Sky finished speaking, the simultaneous translation came through. The Chief Justice’s expression darkened, but he did not lose his temper. Instead, he asked directly, “Defendant, the plaintiffs accuse your company’s products of monopolizing the industry through market barriers and infringing upon major economic sectors across the world. Do you admit to this?”

To everyone’s surprise, Blue Sky actually nodded and answered magnanimously, “I do.”