The might of Great Xia shocked the entire world.
Including the United States, all Western allied nations were bewildered by Great Xia's approach.
Great Xia's four public responses.
Of these, the fourth was undoubtedly the most devastating—and the most crucial.
It was evident to anyone with eyes.
Whether it was establishing the Great Xia Economic Circle or the dual aircraft carrier fleets patrolling around Australia, the ultimate goal was to retrieve Meng Hao.
However,
Hadn't Meng Hao already been wooed by the United States?
Why was Great Xia bringing this up again now?
Could it be.
They had received new intelligence, confirming Meng Hao was in American hands.
This news.
Naturally caused the most anxiety for Lieutenant General Tommy.
If Meng Hao had indeed escaped American control, or if Meng Hao had never truly joined the United States from the start.
Letting Meng Hao go.
Not only would Great Xia have a legitimate reason, but America's credibility would also be severely impacted. In fact, the US would be in a highly passive position.
Regarding this.
He specifically contacted his illegitimate son, Bruce.
Bruce, at present.
Was surrounded by endless flattery and applause.
He had no time to concern himself with Meng Hao.
To his uncle's inquiry.
He repeatedly assured him with certainty that Meng Hao would be fine.
Furthermore, Meng Hao was currently overseeing the establishment of the production line for the new Teser company's automobiles.
If all went as expected, the new energy vehicles would be publicly unveiled to the world during the US joint military exercises.
Naturally, with his own son providing assurance.
Lieutenant General Tommy was able to relax his worried mind. After all, not only did he have his son in charge, but he had also dispatched many capable assistants.
There would surely be no mishaps concerning the critical issue of Meng Hao.
Since Meng Hao was not a problem.
Even though he couldn't understand where Great Xia was getting its confidence from.
Lieutenant General Tommy, as the overall commander of the joint military exercises, proceeded with the planned troop deployments and preparations for the exercises.
...
The Pacific Ocean.
Australia.
Under the sunlight.
After days of rehearsal.
The fleet, now capable of executing joint maneuvers and military exercises, advanced westward towards the rising sun.
To their west.
To Great Xia's east.
In the waters surrounding Australia.
Great Xia's dual aircraft carrier fleet remained on high alert.
They had received a strict order.
This exercise would be a "live-fire exercise."
They were to stand firm against the Western allied fleets, yielding not an inch.
If any skirmish occurred, they were to engage with full force.
On the flagship of the Western allied fleet, led by the United States.
The commander's aircraft carrier.
Inside the command center.
The Major General responsible for the on-site operations of this military exercise – the same one who had previously dismissed Bruce as an idiot – was listening to his subordinate's report.
"Report."
"We are less than a hundred nautical miles away from the Great Xia fleet. At our current speed, we will make contact with the Great Xia fleet in approximately three more hours."
"Great Xia's dual aircraft carrier fleet is prepared for live fire, and there is no indication of any intention to retreat."
The Major General let out a cold laugh.
"The advantage is ours."
"We have both the timing and the geography on our side."
"Great Xia has no advantage or justification. If a friction does occur, we will immediately move to live-fire drills... Remember, we will absolutely not fire the first shot."
The United States.
This was a move to strike at the heart and soul.
To place all blame and fault squarely on Great Xia's shoulders.
"Yes!"
Seeing his subordinate about to leave.
The Major General called out to him.
"Oh, and by the way, initiate a satellite link with the overall commander of this military exercise, Lieutenant General Tommy, to receive his supreme command..."
This Major General was a shrewd individual.
He knew this was an opportunity for a monumental achievement, rarely seen in a millennium. To hoard such a significant accomplishment for himself would be incredibly selfish.
He had to give the primary credit for command to his superior, Lieutenant General Tommy!
"And also."
"Prepare for global broadcasting... That is to say, communicate with the rear communication reporting department and allow any media worldwide to access our high-altitude aerial surveillance signal. We want the entire world to see how the Great Xia fleet, despite being in the wrong, was forced to retreat by our triumphant US fleet."
Undeniably.
This Major General possessed a flair for propaganda.
It was truly a waste of talent to have him leading fleet exercises.
...
At this moment.
At the research center's military base.
Meng Hao was somewhat bewildered.
What was going on?
He had assumed.
After William's departure.
Bruce would be monitoring him twenty-four hours a day.
But what was the reality?
Ever since Bruce inexplicably reprimanded him and made him leave a recording as evidence some days ago, he had vanished.
However, seeing the constant flow of personnel and fleets moving about, Meng Hao could understand Bruce's actions.
This kid.
He was likely so overwhelmed by the flowers and applause that he had lost his bearings.
Still.
This was for the best.
With no one watching him, it saved him a lot of trouble.
After his daily routine of checking in at the new energy vehicle factory currently under assembly.
Facing the unfamiliar, lifeless, and joyless American soldiers, Meng Hao chose to ignore them.
He proceeded as usual.
Clocking out on time, eating at the mess hall, and using the excuse of lunch break to amble back to his office workshop.
He locked the door... In reality, Meng Hao's caution was entirely unnecessary. Bruce had already forgotten about him to the ends of the earth... Meng Hao excitedly rubbed his hands together.
Had the moment finally arrived?
Could he finally return to his homeland?
Great Xia, my motherland.
Parents, family.
Qin Muyan, Zhang Xijin, Luna.
I, Meng Hao, am finally setting sail for home.
Meng Hao dismantled the computer that had not been connected to the main US network, taking its most critical storage unit.
Then he moved the desk, revealing the large hole beneath it.
He climbed down through the opening.
Soon.
In the brightly lit underground dry dock, he saw the completed Ang Angelica, a conventional electric-powered submarine, the Ang Angelica!
The Ang Angelica, with its matte-colored exterior, carrying Meng Hao's longing to return home, lay quietly on its metal support frame.
Meng Hao calmly walked towards the metal steel structure in front of him.
He suddenly kicked away the tenon and mortise plug at the base of the steel structure.
As the steel structure began to slowly collapse.
A gush of seawater, filled with a salty tang, surged out like a fountain.
Meng Hao turned.
He quickly ran back to the Ang Angelica submarine and leaped.
Climbing onto the top of the vessel, he opened the hatch and slipped inside.
"Wen Qu, are you there?"
As Meng Hao called out.
The artificial intelligence "Wen Qu," which had already been awakened and had been waiting for days, immediately responded.
"Hello, Mr. Meng Hao, you're finally back."
"Can we set sail?"
After receiving Meng Hao's affirmative reply.
Wen Qu began the final self-check.
"Engines normal, power normal, electricity normal, life support system normal, preparing for seawater impact..."
"Analyzing disintegration of steel structure, estimated three minutes for full disintegration, seawater will pour in..."
"Mr. Meng Hao, please brace yourself. The large influx of seawater will cause impact and turbulence, but this is a normal phenomenon, do not be alarmed..."