Bruce pouted, his eyes showing a hint of disdain.
Clearly.
He had been spoiled since childhood, and at this moment, his rebellious streak was acting up again.
Charles scratched his head.
He could see the disdain and indifference in Bruce's heart.
However.
He was, after all, an outsider. He couldn't possibly scold this clueless, spoiled second-generation heir too much on behalf of Vice Admiral Tommy... Moreover, as his only son, Vice Admiral Tommy's doting on Bruce had reached an unimaginable level.
Including Charles and the others, they all believed.
Bruce was Charles's only weakness, and at some point in the future, this kid would definitely bring devastating losses to Vice Admiral Tommy.
Charles did not intend to discuss Meng Hao further... As a staunch subordinate of Vice Admiral Tommy, he felt he had said enough. If Bruce still didn't take it seriously, then it would be a matter for the adoptive father and son to resolve privately.
Meng Hao's guess was correct.
Charles's visit this time was indeed not just for Vice Admiral Tommy's personal affairs.
"By the way."
"This research center military base is the latest establishment. You should understand its primary purpose, shouldn't you?"
Facing Charles's question.
Bruce still maintained a slightly arrogant demeanor... Unlike William's genuine demeanor from the heart, although Bruce appeared subservient to Vice Admiral Tommy, his trusted subordinate, deep down he didn't really regard Charles, a former high-ranking intelligence official, with much importance. He always felt that as Vice Admiral Tommy's subordinate, he was naturally superior.
Bruce picked up his wine glass and responded hesitantly.
"Isn't this research center military base mainly for imprisoning Meng Hao?"
Imprisoning Meng Hao.
Look at the way he spoke.
Even if William's relationship with Meng Hao was extremely good, he would at most say "house arrest."
Imprisonment.
What was this?
Did they really consider Meng Hao a prisoner of their America!
Cough cough cough.
Charles choked on the red wine he had just swallowed, and then quickly changed the subject.
"It's only one reason that Mr. Meng Hao is temporarily staying at this research center."
"There is another reason, which is to prevent the Great Xia side from snatching him."
"Although your uncle, Vice Admiral Tommy's brilliant plan is sufficient to conquer the world, currently, the Great Xia fleet is still stationed on the high seas of Australia, not far from this newly established military base... It is obvious that they have not completely given up on searching for Meng Hao."
Bruce nodded.
He still didn't pay much attention to Charles's explanation.
However.
In his opinion, Charles had a point.
His uncle, Vice Admiral Tommy, was a rare political genius not only in the United States but in the entire world.
"Actually, based on my understanding of Meng Hao and Great Xia, setting up such a military base is completely superfluous!"
"Our Uncle Tommy is a rare genius recognized by the world."
"But, having said all this, is there anything you need me to do?"
Bruce was completely a spoiled child.
He truly believed that Great Xia had completely abandoned Meng Hao... Given the malicious slanders and smear campaigns against Meng Hao on Great Xia's internet, if it were him, Bruce, he wouldn't be able to stay for even a day.
"Now, I need you to arrange a ship to patrol the nearby waters and see how the military deployment is going."
"Also, I need to conduct preliminary surveys of the water conditions, as the US military may conduct military exercises in the nearby waters soon."
"Of course, this is also promoted by Vice Admiral Tommy... Remember, this is currently the highest military secret, and it must not be leaked."
There was one good thing about this simpleton Bruce.
As long as it was a decision made by his Uncle Tommy, even if he was unhappy or had doubts, he would execute it one hundred percent.
For example.
The upcoming military exercise.
As long as Vice Admiral Tommy mentioned that it was confidential, he would absolutely not reveal a single word to any third person.
"This, you can rest assured."
"I obey Uncle Tommy's words one hundred percent."
"I'll go arrange a ship for you right away."
Watching Bruce's hasty departure.
A trace of worry flashed in Charles's eyes.
Although this kid obeyed Vice Admiral Tommy one hundred percent... their conflict with Meng Hao had reached an irreconcilable point... If he were to make any small moves against Meng Hao, Vice Admiral Tommy would be in a very passive position.
And this time.
Vice Admiral Tommy had specifically asked Charles to reveal the news of the US military exercise in the nearby waters to Bruce, so that this kid could prepare himself well and gain some recognition in the upcoming military exercise, thereby polishing his future path.
It's just that.
How much of this kid would listen, and how much he would understand the true meaning behind Vice Admiral Tommy's words, remained to be seen.
...
Although he did not know the reason for Charles's sudden visit.
Meng Hao, however, had accelerated the research and manufacturing speed of the Angelica Electric Submarine.
Large-scale underwater sonar, sonar stealth modules, drive engines, energy sources capable of lasting for months, and storage compartments.
Looking at the hastily manufactured "new energy vehicles" that were deliberately used to confuse, and the seemingly unformed but ready-to-assemble Angelica, Meng Hao felt a surge of excitement.
The day of his return to Great Xia, and back home, was getting closer and closer.
...
After staying at the research center military base for several days, Charles returned to the US mainland.
The White House.
Another routine high-level meeting.
As the highest-ranking official in the United States, the eighty-year-old elder continued to listen to the bickering of various high-ranking officials.
"I don't think there's any need to conduct another military exercise. Great Xia has clearly abandoned Meng Hao, and their fleet might just be temporarily stationed around Australia..."
"Vice Admiral Tommy, I also think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. This Meng Hao kid has been completely abandoned..."
"We are willing to invest in Meng Hao in any way, for example, the research center military base with a total budget of 1.2 billion US dollars last time, we didn't say a word..."
"Nonsense, that 1.2 billion US dollars wasn't allocated from the defense budget, it was personally paid by Mr. Masheck, the head of Test..."
It could be seen.
The US high-level officials were astonishingly unanimous regarding Meng Hao's importance to the country.
However.
They were extremely displeased that Meng Hao was won over by Vice Admiral Tommy.
After all.
How could such a great achievement be attributed to Vice Admiral Tommy alone?
Besides.
Even if you had merit in recruiting Meng Hao, shouldn't the allocation of Meng Hao to which department be discussed collectively? How could he be directly incorporated into Vice Admiral Tommy's arms research and development department?