A Belated Statement

Secretary-General Wang of the Chinese Weiqi Association had been very irritable lately. The controversy surrounding the LG Cup final was raging, and the matter between Ke Jie and Byun Sang-il was dominating the headlines of major media outlets every day.

His superiors were urging him to make a statement, the public was waiting for an explanation, and his phone was ringing off the hook every day. But the problem was, how should this statement be written? Who should be said to be right or wrong? Would writing it offend anyone?

He repeatedly studied the match recordings and consulted various opinions, but he still couldn't make up his mind. After all, Ke Jie was China's pride, but Byun Sang-il was not an unknown figure either. If he offended the Korean Weiqi Association, it would also be a diplomatic problem.

"How about we write a bland statement that doesn't offend anyone?" his assistant, Xiao Li, suggested.

Secretary-General Wang shook his head. "No, that would make us seem like we're not doing anything, and the public won't buy it."

"Then... how about we give each side fifty lashes and say that both sides are responsible?" Xiao Li suggested again.

Secretary-General Wang still shook his head. "That won't work either. It would make us seem like we don't have a stance, and our superiors will criticize us."

"Then... what should we do?" Xiao Li was about to cry.

Secretary-General Wang sighed. "Let's do this. Let's first set up an investigation team to investigate the matter thoroughly. After the investigation is clear, we'll issue a statement."

The investigation team was established, with Secretary-General Wang personally serving as the leader, Xiao Li serving as the deputy leader, and several experts and Go players. They held several meetings, discussed various possibilities, but never reached a consensus.

As time went by, the pressure from public opinion increased. Secretary-General Wang frowned every day, unable to eat or sleep.

Finally, one month after the end of the match, the Chinese Weiqi Association issued a statement.

The statement was very long, thousands of words, and could be summarized in one sentence: After investigation, there were some disputes in this match, but both Go players showed good sportsmanship. We hope everyone will look at it rationally and not overinterpret it.

As soon as the statement came out, public opinion was in an uproar.

"This is the same as saying nothing!"

"This is a typical example of bureaucracy!"

"The Chinese Weiqi Association only knows how to mediate!"

Secretary-General Wang felt even more irritable when he saw these comments. He knew that this statement had not solved any problems but had instead aroused more dissatisfaction.

But he couldn't help it. He could only try to appease all parties and try to calm things down.

One day, Secretary-General Wang received a call from the old president of the Weiqi academy.

"Secretary-General Wang, your statement is very well written!" the old president said with a chuckle.

Secretary-General Wang was stunned. "You... you mean it?"

"Of course, I mean it!" the old president said. "Your statement doesn't offend anyone, and it doesn't take responsibility, perfectly embodying the purpose of our Weiqi Association: maintaining stability and promoting harmony!"

Secretary-General Wang suddenly understood. It turned out that what his superiors wanted was not the truth but stability!

He breathed a sigh of relief and felt a sense of ease.

He picked up a pen and added a sentence to the end of the statement: "Hereby declare!"

Then, he posted the statement online.

Sure enough, the focus of public opinion immediately shifted to the four words "Hereby declare." Everyone speculated about the deep meaning of these four words.

Secretary-General Wang smiled with satisfaction when he saw this scene.

He knew that his mission was accomplished.

As for the matter between Ke Jie and Byun Sang-il, who still remembered it?

The next day, Secretary-General Wang came to the office refreshed. He made himself a cup of tea, then turned on the computer and prepared to start his day's work.

He suddenly saw that there was a file on the desktop with the file name "Notice on the Establishment of the 'Chinese Weiqi Association 30th LG Cup Final Statement Research Group'."

Secretary-General Wang was stunned.

He picked up the file and looked at it carefully.

His face gradually turned pale.

His hands began to tremble.

He had only one thought in his mind:

"When will this day end!"