On the Great Xia internet.
Even more so, all sorts of storms were brewing.
Originally.
Many people still had doubts about the news that Meng Hao had betrayed Great Xia and joined the United States, as mentioned by Lieutenant General Tommy of the US military at his press conference.
However, with the fanning of flames from all sides.
This matter gradually seemed to have become a fact.
As the saying goes, "three men talking of a tiger make it real," and "the rumors of the multitude can melt gold."
With the embellishment of countless behind-the-scenes manipulators.
What was originally a suspicion gradually turned into a fact.
As more and more news inexplicably appeared on Great Xia's official network.
The headlines of major public opinion media were flooded with videos from Lieutenant General Tommy of the US military's press conference.
It was even said.
Below these videos.
There were countless passersby, claiming to be rational and objective, who had reposted numerous foreign comments.
Including, but not limited to, so-called handwriting identification experts, psychology research experts, and other "judgments."
For most ordinary people.
They lacked much discernment regarding online information. In fact, ordinary people's nature was to go with the flow. After hearing and seeing a lot, and the information flow repeating, even absurd things would become true.
This was a weakness of human nature.
"Even a lieutenant general from the US military claims that Meng Hao has joined the US nationality."
"Moreover, the evidence is conclusive, and even Meng Hao's personal letter of joining the US has been made public."
"Meng Hao has not yet appeared to refute the rumors, indicating that this matter is entirely unfounded."
"It seems that Meng Hao has truly defected."
"..."
Just as countless netizens of Great Xia were half-believing and half-doubting the news of Meng Hao's defection.
More haters emerged.
If someone with intent were to click on these haters' accounts, they would clearly see that the same people who had previously vigorously supported Meng Hao, proclaiming him as the god of world technology, were now vigorously dissing and trashing Meng Hao, calling him a traitor to Great Xia.
These people.
Unless they were schizophrenic and displaying two personalities alternately.
Either they had been paid and sold their conscience.
It was very clear.
The latter possibility was greater.
As various posts smearing Meng Hao flooded the internet.
Many netizens of Great Xia had already been led astray by the hype.
"Damn it, are you kidding me? I used to trust and support Brother Hao so much, and now Brother Hao just turns his back and joins the US?"
"I used to think Meng Hao was the pride of our nation. How did he become a traitor overnight... Can anyone explain it to me?"
"No wonder Meng Hao was so unwilling to accept aid from our country and military before. It turns out he had already accepted support from the US in private... truly disgusting."
"..."
Under the lead of these paid keyboard warriors and haters deliberately smearing Meng Hao.
More and more netizens on the internet were verbally attacking Meng Hao.
It was even said.
They seemed to have definitively concluded that Meng Hao had defected and become a running dog of the US.
Even though they had not seen any concrete news.
These netizens, some of whom had even declared they were "about to blacken," were too easily swayed by emotions.
The earliest fans of Meng Hao, who were the enlightened elites, still believed that there was something fishy about this matter.
At least.
From beginning to end.
All the so-called "evidence" was provided by the US.
Meng Hao had not publicly appeared to clarify the matter so far.
"Everyone, let's not be too impulsive. Perhaps there's something tricky going on here..."
"If Brother Hao wanted to defect from Great Xia, he would have done so long ago. Why would he suddenly defect now..."
"Brother Hao previously threw a US representative down several floors. He couldn't possibly be this kind of person..."
"..."
In the face of the defense and refutations from the very few discerning elites.
The haters, whose eyes were already red from cursing, did not hesitate and unceremoniously retorted fiercely... Well, it was estimated that they could earn US dollars by spreading posts smearing Meng Hao and attacking those who spoke up for him.
"Get out of here. Still trying to defend Meng Hao at this point... He's simply a guy who abandons righteousness for profit..."
"What do you mean he didn't choose to defect from Great Xia and join the US before? Have you heard the ancient saying in Great Xia? 'Hoard rare goods and wait for a good price.' Meng Hao was always acting cautiously before, probably because the price wasn't right. Now that the price is settled, he naturally defects."
"For example, do you guys think you've been paid by Huarong Technology? You're all attacking Meng Hao, and only you guys are still blindly supporting him. You must have been paid."
"Hmm, I think the analysis from the poster above is extremely reasonable. These guys must have been paid to deliberately whitewash Meng Hao... Since he has been paid and defected to the US, he should endure the scolding he receives at home!"
"Trying to have it both ways. Where can you find such a good thing in this world!"
The deeper the love, the more intense the hatred.
These netizens of Great Xia, who had been led astray by the hype.
The more they had loved Meng Hao before, and the more they had hoped he would contribute to Great Xia's scientific research and surpass the US, the more fiercely they cursed him now, and the more they hated him in their hearts.
As public opinion on the internet became increasingly one-sided.
The true fans and clear-headed elites who had spoken up for Meng Hao had chosen to remain silent.
After all.
The entire internet's narrative had been skewed.
Even if they clearly recognized that there was something fishy going on, their words would only be retorted by the countless haters.
After all.
These haters were paid... they were professional biters, and their biting skills and combat power were beyond the reach of ordinary people.
These few people who supported Meng Hao.
Were utterly unable to contend with these mad dogs.
Even if they could convince one or two ordinary people who had been led astray.
There were still ten, a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand bewildered onlookers.
At this moment.
The only way to solve the problem was for Meng Hao to personally come forward and clarify.
However.
Where was Meng Hao now?
Why had he not appeared for so long?
...
United States.
It had been almost ten days since the press conference.
Lieutenant General Tommy, as usual, was drinking coffee and playing golf, exuding an air of a detached, carefree recluse.
"Lieutenant General Tommy."
"Your strategy is simply beyond expectations."
"Currently, after we invested a large amount of strategic funds, the public opinion war, information war, and cognitive war have initially achieved some results."
Oh?
Tommy put down his coffee, not picking up his golf club for the moment, but instead reaching into a box beside him and selecting a thick cigar.
He trimmed the end of the cigar and lit it with a torch gun, the smoke hissing.