Seeing Meng Hao's extremely cautious demeanor, Zhang Weimin chuckled, shaking his head. This kid. Why was he so resistant to any ties with the military? Could it be...? Zhang Weimin took a sip of tea and asked unhurriedly, as if casually, "By the way, Xiao Meng, who else is in your family! Is there anyone the country needs to look after! A talent like you is a rare technological treasure for our Great Xia!"
Huh? Why did the conversation suddenly shift? However, facing Zhang Weimin's question, Meng Hao answered honestly, "My parents work out of town. They run a small factory. We don't need special care for now!"
Oh! Zhang Weimin's hand holding the teacup paused unintentionally. "Then, have you found a girlfriend?" This question, he thought, was the crux of the matter.
Huh? Why did it jump to personal relationships again? First parents, now girlfriends. Was he planning to conduct a background check on the spot and forcibly recruit him into the military! "No... not yet!" "But what does this have to do with today's discussion?"
Seeing Meng Hao growing more nervous, Zhang Weimin smiled even more brightly. Yes. It was just as he suspected. This kid was probably worried that if he joined the military, he wouldn't be able to find a partner! After all, the military was full of men. But... if he wasn't dating anyone, that made things easier!
Zhang Weimin remained composed, his demeanor becoming even more cordial towards Meng Hao. "Don't worry, I'm just asking casually. When we first met, I emphasized that the country respects your personal opinions. Whether you join the military to serve the nation or run a private enterprise to bring glory to the country, both are ways of serving the homeland! However, personal matters are still important. As young people, you can't always neglect your lifelong commitments due to a busy career!"
Uh! What was all this? The first few sentences were still normal. Why did it suddenly shift to his lifelong commitment? Never mind. As long as the other party didn't forcibly recruit him and expose his desert base and system secrets.
Seeing the conversation nearing its end, Meng Hao quickly tried to steer it back. "Um... Brigadier General... can you help me resolve the difficulties I mentioned earlier?" Meng Hao was referring to the official ban on his live stream by the "Little Broken Station" and the public announcement on the entire network to boycott Huarong Industries, founded by Meng Hao, which was suspected of being a military factory.
Zhang Weimin smiled slyly, then shook his head. "No, I can't handle this matter!"
Huh? After all that talk, was it all just idle chatter? Meng Hao felt a bit dejected. Could his online promotion and marketing strategy really die so suddenly? He muttered dejectedly, "Huh? Even the military can't handle it! It seems I'll have to expand my offline business."
Seeing Meng Hao's crestfallen expression, Zhang Weimin couldn't help but want to laugh. He picked up Meng Hao's words, "This matter, it's just that I don't have the authority to handle it! After all, my main job is to liaise with you and gather your opinions to report upwards! Resolving social matters requires intervention from our high-level military command!"
Huh? There's hope! Meng Hao's previously dampened spirits surged again. "Then, what level of officer is needed to coordinate and resolve this?"
Zhang Weimin didn't answer directly but smiled faintly. He took a secure military computer from a随行 officer. The thick, briefcase-like computer was opened, revealing a miniature encrypted communication phone on the left. He dialed a number! The call connected. At the same time, a video feed appeared on the computer screen.
"Minister Liu!" "I'm currently in Shilín, meeting with this kid Meng Hao. He indicated that the manufacturing and delivery of 1,000 mechs should be manageable..." "Yes, he's unwilling to join our military directly but prefers to cooperate with the military as a private entrepreneur..." "As per your and the highest command of the National Security Headquarters' instructions, I absolutely respect Meng Hao's opinions..."
Minister Liu? Meng Hao glanced curiously at the computer screen. It was clear that Minister Liu, a Lieutenant General with three stars on his shoulders, was Zhang Weimin's direct superior. Hmm. The rank was Lieutenant General, which meant he was already a member of the Great Xia military's top brass. The matters he had reported should be settled. With a word from a Lieutenant General, wouldn't the CEOs of social platforms like Little Broken Station, Douyin, and Bilibili all give face!
After Zhang Weimin finished reporting Meng Hao's situation and clearly explained the actions of manufacturers like Dong Jian and Aoshi Heavy Industry, who had submitted PPTs on mech manufacturing before his arrival, Minister Liu frowned. "I can't handle these matters either! After all, they involve dealings with social functional departments. However, we absolutely cannot let a promising young man like Meng Hao become disheartened. How about this... don't hang up the video call yet, I'll report to that esteemed person and see what their opinion is... if there are no issues, I'll transfer the video!"
Huh? Even a Lieutenant General couldn't handle it? Could these social platforms have such immense power? To be honest, Meng Hao had put a lot of effort into founding Huarong Industries and producing two mechs. Although these were tasks assigned by the system, Meng Hao had still invested considerable effort. His hard-earned achievements were about to be banned just because he was suspected of being a military enterprise! And he was being bullied by inferior companies like Aoshi Heavy Industry, which had become popular online by copying his products and sales methods. It wasn't just Meng Hao who would feel discouraged. Anyone with a bit of temper and ability might be swayed by foreign powers through insidious means due to dissatisfaction with the current situation.
However, what Meng Hao couldn't understand was that Minister Liu was already a Lieutenant General, one of the highest-ranking figures in the Great Xia military. Why couldn't he handle social platforms like Little Broken Station and Douyin? Meng Hao's request was simple: he only wanted online social platforms, primarily Little Broken Station, to retract their "slander" against him. He didn't want Huarong Industries to be falsely labeled as a military enterprise leveraging military influence, and he didn't want his online sales channels to be cut off. This simple matter should not be a problem for a dignified Lieutenant General. Furthermore, even a Lieutenant General needed to report to someone and showed utmost respect. What kind of terrifying existence was this person!
As if sensing Meng Hao's disappointment and indignation, Zhang Weimin appeared unsurprised, as if he had anticipated everything. He patted Meng Hao's shoulder. "Don't worry, Comrade Xiao Meng! Although our Great Xia still has many areas that need improvement, our country and government will never wrong any meritorious individual; similarly, we will never let any traitor colluding with foreign powers off the hook!" Huh? Brigadier General Zhang Weimin's words seemed to have a deeper meaning!