General Tommy picked up his teacup slowly and took a sip.
If it weren't for his golden hair and blue eyes, his composure while drinking tea would make one suspect he was a remnant of the Qing Dynasty, crawled out from a grave.
He truly had the appearance of a schemer, full of wicked ideas.
"Everyone."
"Use your brains and think."
"Since Meng Hao stubbornly denies any assistance from Da Xia... then where did the technology for his lithography machines, F35 fighter jets, and NG new energy batteries come from?"
Although lithography machines were produced by the Arismann company of Helan.
However.
Everyone knew.
A significant number of technical personnel involved hailed from the United States.
Whether it was providing technical support or embedding personnel within Arismann to monitor its activities,
In short, to sum it up.
The primary reason for the high-level executives of Arismann's apprehension towards the US government was naturally their fear of the United States.
On the surface, Arismann was one of Helan's pillar enterprises, enjoying complete autonomy.
But in reality.
The true puppet master, who held absolute control, remained the US government.
Following General Tommy's evasive answer,
All the reporters present exchanged glances.
The F35 fighter jets were American!
The lithography machines were under actual US control!
NG Company's main customer before its bankruptcy was the American Test Energy Vehicle company!
Even.
The shadow of the United States loomed behind Rui Tian, a country that claimed neutrality.
With the conversation reaching this point,
The answer was all but obvious.
"General Tommy."
"Are you implying that Meng Hao is actually under US control?"
This statement.
Immediately caused a ripple effect.
*Click, click.*
Countless flashes of light erupted, the sound of shutters almost rivaling a village girl popping beans in Da Xia.
General Tommy shook his head with a knowing air.
"No, no, no."
"That's absolutely not what I'm saying."
"The United States would never control any free citizen... we are a nation that values democracy, freedom, and dignity!"
Damn it.
If Meng Hao were present at this moment,
He would probably slap Tommy's face.
General Tommy continued with his seasoned demeanor.
"To be precise, after Meng Hao received substantial aid from the United States, he ultimately discovered that only the United States was the most suitable nation for scientific research and technological development."
"Only the United States, the world's most powerful nation with the most advanced technology, could provide Meng Hao with the perfect environment for growth."
He paused slightly.
General Tommy produced a document.
"And this is a document that Meng Hao personally drafted and signed not long ago."
"In this document, he highly praised the advancement and superiority of our United States... and announced his renunciation of Da Xia nationality, formally applying to join the United States."
What was going on?
Meng Hao was abandoning his Da Xia nationality and officially joining the US.
The reporters, who had already sensed explosive news due to their years of experience and sharp instincts, were utterly bewildered.
According to General Tommy's account.
Meng Hao's series of technological contributions were all thanks to US support and temporary accommodations.
Following this logic.
The reason Meng Hao had consistently denied support from Da Xia's military or Mao Xiong's military for Huarong Technology was because he had US military backing.
And, based on all current evidence.
This seemed to be the most reliable and probable explanation.
The United States had been hiding its true intentions deeply!
It turned out.
Everything was a grand chess move by the United States!
No wonder the US had so highly publicized Meng Hao as the greatest scientific expert in this world, or perhaps in human history.
So.
From beginning to end, Meng Hao was one of them!
The higher Meng Hao was lauded, the more it proved that the United States remained the most technologically powerful entity in the world.
Seeing the uproar in the hall.
The flashes of light were like a galaxy of stars.
General Tommy nodded with great satisfaction.
"Regarding Mr. Meng Hao's application to join the United States, after careful consideration by our Congress, we have decided to approve his application."
"Effective immediately, Mr. Meng Hao, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, and Innovation, will officially become a member of the United States... Please note, this is not merely issuing a green card to Mr. Meng Hao, but an exception for him to become a US citizen directly!"
A green card from a certain country.
In essence, it was a second-class status, granting permanent residency and most citizen rights.
Even so.
The number of people who wished to obtain a green card and become second-class citizens of the United States was like a river of carp, countless.
The fact that Meng Hao was directly admitted as a US citizen was no surprise to the reporters present.
Firstly, all of General Tommy's deductions were logically sound.
Secondly, based on General Tommy's logic, it was only natural for Meng Hao, with his monumental scientific achievements, to be granted US citizenship.
Finally, while some reporters felt the United States had played a terrifyingly deep game and envied Meng Hao's meteoric rise to US citizenship, many others felt that from a national perspective, Meng Hao's actions were akin to treason.
He grew up in Da Xia.
Received his education in Da Xia.
Yet, he accepted funding and support from the United States.
And ultimately chose to join the US.
While one's aspirations cannot be forced, such behavior was undeniably unsettling.
"You're talking nonsense!"
Suddenly.
A reporter stood up.
From his speech and appearance, it was clear he was a reporter from Da Xia.
"You're talking nonsense."
"I'm a fan of Brother Hao. I watched his Huarong Technology live stream go from less than a thousand viewers to over ten million followers."
"Brother Hao would never be someone who sells out his country for personal gain... you're making it all up!"
Facing the Da Xia reporter's questioning and angry outburst,
General Tommy shrugged... as an old fox, if mere insults at a press conference could make him flustered or expose his flaws, he would be too incompetent. He gestured to the security personnel who were about to escort the Da Xia reporter out.
"It's alright."
"I can understand the feelings of this reporter from Da Xia."
"After all, someone they considered a national hero turned out to be a supporter of our United States... that's indeed difficult to accept emotionally!"
"However, facts are facts, and they do not change based on human will."
The reporter suppressed his anger.
"If you have the guts, let Meng Hao come out and personally admit that he has joined the US."
General Tommy shrugged.
Appearing helpless.