General Tommy was in the midst of a lively conversation.
Suddenly, someone entered from outside the door and whispered a few words into his ear.
"Hmm?"
"You mean, Meng Hao's new energy vehicle is almost ready?"
"Excellent, very excellent."
"This way, the bullets in our hands will be even more plentiful."
Those attending the meeting were all high-ranking US officials from General Tommy's faction.
When they heard General Tommy mention their "bullets" becoming more plentiful, their faces showed curiosity.
General Tommy didn't waste any more words with the core members of his faction and directly repeated what the messenger had just said.
"Didn't the Teste company commission us to have Meng Hao help produce the new energy vehicle… Meng Hao has finally succeeded after more than half a year."
"The Great Xia side wants to meddle in the financial sector, let them. However, we will introduce this batch of new energy vehicles into their financial sector."
Huh?
These high-ranking officials were somewhat bewildered.
They all knew that Meng Hao's research and development capabilities were astonishingly powerful.
But.
This new energy vehicle, no matter how you looked at it, was a civilian product. What did it have to do with thwarting the Great Xia's financial sector?
As if sensing everyone's confusion, General Tommy put on his wily old fox demeanor again.
"In classical physics, there's a saying: 'Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world!'"
"And to cripple the Great Xia's financial sector, this brand new energy vehicle will be that fulcrum."
"You must understand, the cost of this new energy vehicle designed by Meng Hao is less than ten thousand US dollars, while its selling price can reach over seventy thousand US dollars… there's a huge profit margin."
After General Tommy's reminder.
These high-ranking officials were not fools; they immediately understood what General Tommy was planning.
The United States held the distribution rights for this car… Of course, not directly, but by controlling Mashek of Teste, they could fully control the distribution rights of this car… This would allow them to decide which countries could sell these cars and which could not.
Naturally.
This was only General Tommy's first move.
Finance cannot exist in a vacuum; it must be linked to commodities.
And with the United States leveraging Meng Hao's new energy vehicle, priced at over seventy thousand dollars with a cost of barely ten thousand dollars.
They would certainly be able to introduce more advanced products with even greater profit margins.
In the face of absolute profit.
This could definitely shake the foundations of the Great Xia's financial sector.
However.
Before that.
The fleets of the United States and its allies must deter the Great Xia's dual aircraft carrier fleet, which had already reached Australian waters.
Otherwise, any efforts in the commercial sphere would crumble like sand.
"Excellent."
"It seems I am still wise and mighty."
"After all, I used my wits to bring Meng Hao back."
Here, among his own faction's high-ranking officials, General Tommy uncharacteristically took credit for himself.
For this.
The high-ranking officials present lavished him with praise that shook the heavens.
Of course.
This was slightly different from the usual commercial flattery.
After all.
General Tommy was speaking the truth.
If it weren't for Meng Hao, they would truly be in a passive situation this time.
It's just that.
This act of profiting from others' suffering, indeed, feels somewhat morally bankrupt… well, that's assuming that these individuals, led by General Tommy, actually possessed any morals.
Just as General Tommy was basking in self-satisfaction, like a melon seller boasting about his own wares.
That subordinate quickly brought another piece of news.
"Your Excellency."
"There's also a situation."
"According to Mr. Meng Hao's estimate, mass production of the new energy vehicle will be possible in about a month."
Oh?
General Tommy raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue.
"Currently, General Manager William and Deputy General Manager Bruce are in a fierce dispute over something."
"Once Mr. Meng Hao's design drafts are fully compiled into a bound volume, who will be responsible for escorting the USB drive containing the design drafts, and who will assist Mr. Meng Hao in the production of the new energy vehicle?"
Instantly, the room fell silent.
Without a doubt.
This was another opportunity to seize credit and curry favor.
General Tommy's smile faded, and he calmly took a sip of water.
"The design drafts are of utmost importance; we cannot be careless."
"How about this, I will personally arrange three military helicopters for the escort."
"Such an important task naturally falls to Colonel William for transportation… he is, after all, the highest-ranking official of the entire military base!"
My goodness.
Listening to these words.
It sounded completely like a matter of official duty, even giving Colonel William a great deal of face.
But in reality?
How could the old fox, General Tommy, leave such a prime opportunity to Colonel William, who was not of his faction?
With the expansion work of the research center's military base nearing completion.
And the joint military exercises of Western allies against the Great Xia about to begin.
Under these circumstances.
It was naturally Bruce, who remained at the military base, who would gain all the glory, have opportunities for advancement, and climb the ranks rapidly.
Furthermore.
While the design blueprints were important, ordinary officers could escort them.
As long as Meng Hao was in hand, any number of design blueprints could be produced.
And.
Escorting design blueprints didn't require the escort of three military helicopters; one would suffice.
General Tommy's actions.
Were nakedly paving the way for his great nephew… essentially his own son, his illegitimate son, Bruce.
As General Tommy's words fell.
Instantly.
Plaudits and flattery erupted.
"As expected of General Tommy, he handles matters impartially."
"Colonel William is really getting off easy… After the blueprints arrive, for safety reasons, let him stay in our US mainland laboratories for a month or two, as he is responsible for the design drafts."
"Colonel Bruce will temporarily take over the research center's military base in Australia, although it might be very strenuous for him."
Good heavens.
These people.
They were indeed from General Tommy's faction.
Every single one of them.
They were not only masters of flattery but also true villains who kicked you when you're down and beasts who fed on the suffering of others.
Facing this string of flattery.
General Tommy squinted with a smile.
Hmm.
After this matter is settled.
Young Bruce would, at the very least, skip the ranks of Colonel and Brigadier General, and be directly promoted to Major General.
Assisting Meng Hao in producing cars and supporting the military exercises would be enough for him to leap three ranks.
It is said that this boy is not good at handling matters and has offended Meng Hao.
Once things are over.
Meng Hao should also be transferred to the mainland, to be by my side. Then, I will mediate, and I don't believe I can't help these two young people rebuild their friendship.