The Great Xia was no longer in the age of feudal dynasties.
Naturally, the barbaric practices of wiping out entire clans and implicating nine generations of relatives did not exist.
However.
The nationwide joint blacklisting of Meng Hao.
This act of bypassing the laws and administrative departments of the Great Xia had indeed touched a nerve with the nation.
What's more.
The deepest motive for these internet enterprise tycoons to blacklisting Meng Hao was to pocket illicit money.
Colluding with foreign forces.
Uniting with unscrupulous capitalists.
Suppressing the shining light of Great Xia's national products.
To put it nicely, it was called doing anything to make money.
To put it crudely, this had already touched upon the national defense and security of the Great Xia.
After all.
The mechs that Meng Hao had developed.
Were highly valued by the highest commander of the military.
If Meng Hao's enthusiasm were truly dampened, and Huarong Industrial were suppressed and driven out of business.
Not only would the mechs produced by Huarong Industrial cease to exist.
If this individual, Meng Hao, who had the potential to grow into the World Tree of Great Xia's technology sector, were to be uprooted by these so-called internet tycoons under inexplicable circumstances.
Then these individuals would be nothing short of national sinners and criminals.
Of course.
Elder Ding did not elaborate on these deeper reasons.
He merely unleashed a series of stern words, then surveyed the surroundings, awaiting an explanation from these individuals who had nearly caused a major catastrophe.
Chen Juntian, the founder and executive director of "Little Break Station," Uncle Chen!
He couldn't help but speak up.
"Elder Ding."
"Is the situation that serious?"
"Isn't it just a private enterprise and its founder selling mech toys!"
Chen Juntian deliberately lowered his tone to sound extremely relaxed.
As if intending to lighten the atmosphere of the room.
Unexpectedly.
As soon as these words were spoken.
The eyes of several headquarters officials, including Elder Ding, all fixed on him, as if they wanted to devour him.
Elder Ding was amused to the point of exasperation by Chen Juntian's thoughtless and irresponsible remarks.
The situation was that serious?
Just selling mechs?
A private enterprise and its founder?
If he were to tell them.
That this seemingly ordinary private enterprise executive was a pillar of the nation, personally designated for protection by the highest military commander, Elder Ouyang, and the future of Great Xia's technology sector.
He wondered if these people present would tremble with fear.
"Oh?"
"It seems Chen Juntian, you have quite the opinions!"
"Can you represent the law? Can you represent the government?? Can you represent this country???"
"Who gave you the authority to blacklist at will? What wrong did Meng Hao do? Which law or regulation did Huarong Industrial violate?"
"Or perhaps, should we old folks retire and let you manage these few Great Xia headquarters?"
These words.
Were spoken with extreme weight.
It was as good as pointing at Chen Juntian's nose and shouting –
Who the hell do you think you are?
Do you have the right to voice your opinion??
Are you more awesome than Elder Ouyang???
Damn it.
For the sake of your petty affairs.
These old guys were severely reprimanded by Elder Ouyang, to the point of being thoroughly berated.
He questioned them about their work, what they did in their daily lives, and told them to do their jobs or get out!
Having suffered Elder Ouyang's scolding, naturally, they wouldn't show any pleasant expressions to Chen Juntian and the others.
Seeing that Elder Ding and the others were about to explode.
Chen Juntian, scared, quickly pleaded for mercy.
"Elder Ding, please calm down!"
"Whatever you need us to correct, please just say the word!"
"We will correct it, we definitely will!"
The other internet company CEOs, who were usually so arrogant and held in high esteem, also appeared like well-behaved students who had made a mistake, bowing and scraping, showing excellent remorse.
That was more like it.
Seeing that Chen Juntian and the others had a good attitude.
Elder Ding's expression finally softened considerably.
"First, before 24:00 tonight, I want to see all content on all your platforms that slanders, blacklists, or suppresses Meng Hao and Huarong Industrial completely disappear. Otherwise, none of you need to work here anymore. Great Xia has no shortage of businessmen, but it is desperately in need of technological geniuses like Meng Hao and national product shining lights like Huarong Industrial..."
Chen Juntian and the others nodded quickly.
"Second, you need to publicly apologize to Huarong Industrial and Meng Hao, issuing a statement that Huarong Industrial and Meng Hao are absolutely not riding on the military's coattails..."
Chen Juntian and the others exchanged glances.
Actually.
They didn't think there was anything wrong with saying that Meng Hao was riding on the military's coattails.
Even the Major General from Bear Country who purchased their products said that the mechs produced by Huarong Industrial were the strongest combat mechs on the planet!
And those mech concept companies that followed suit in suppressing Meng Hao and Huarong Industrial were doing the same, with their behind-the-scenes foreign military-industrial enterprises issuing statements saying that their products were the true military-grade quality.
There is an old saying in Great Xia:
The more you try to cover it up, the more obvious the truth becomes.
The more they denied it, the more it proved it was a fact.
Could it be that Meng Hao really had military backing.
And could he have caused all the leaders of the Great Xia National Economic Development Headquarters to mobilize and stand behind him to support him.
It was likely that his background was so terrifying that they dared not speculate recklessly.
Could it be.
That he was a direct descendant of a high-ranking military official.
And someone with such a powerful background would likely be at least a full General.
Chen Juntian and the others wished they could slap themselves.
Damn it.
Meng Hao.
Was too low-key.
With such a powerful background, why did you, Young Master Meng Hao, appear so discreet.
For a bit of money.
You almost lost your entire enterprise.
"Third, provide us with all the information about those companies that threw money at you, the so-called companies with foreign military-industrial backgrounds..."
"Let me tell you, their goal is not only to harvest the wealth of Great Xia, but also to infiltrate our military research and development circles."
Having said that.
Chen Juntian and the others dared not hide anything.
They quickly sold out all the intelligence on those companies that had invested heavily and advertised on their platforms.
See!
This is the nature of businessmen.
As long as their interests and survival are threatened.
No matter who it is.
They'll sell them out!
Moreover, Chen Juntian and the others were well aware.
As online social platforms, they at most received money for advertising, and at worst, issued warnings... or fines.
But, if they were accused of endangering Great Xia's national security, or of being involved with groups or individuals attempting to endanger Great Xia's national security.
That would be a fate worse than death.
This meeting.
Lasted until past four in the afternoon.
Seeing the sun slanting westward.
After this group of online social platform company CEOs, including Chen Juntian, had been thoroughly lectured and subdued.
Elder Ding finally let them go.
"Alright."
"The meeting is adjourned."
"Sorry for taking up everyone's time."
"Meeting adjourned."
"Remember, what you promised must be completed before 24:00 tonight, otherwise..."
Elder Ding did not finish his sentence.
But the internet tycoons present had absolutely no desire to hear what Elder Ding's "otherwise" entailed.
They quickly and politely, bowing and scraping, like retreating soldiers from a battlefield, hurried away!
The spacious conference room was once again left with only Elder Ding and a few other responsible individuals from the Great Xia National Economic Development Headquarters.