Late at night.
Several high-ranking leaders from various departments of Great Xia convened at the official residence of the elder Ouyang.
A hint of weariness was visible on their faces, yet no one complained.
The fact that Elder Ouyang had summoned them for a meeting in the middle of the night clearly indicated a major crisis.
During the waiting period, they whispered and speculated amongst themselves.
"So, what's the big deal?"
"It actually prompted Elder Ouyang to gather us all in the dead of night."
"Has Bear Country declared war? Or has the US launched another decapitation strike on a country in our alliance? Could it be a decision to reclaim that island?"
Indeed.
In everyone's opinion.
Only a matter of earth-shattering importance could compel Elder Ouyang to convene such a late-night meeting.
"My apologies, everyone, for dragging you out of your beds and to my humble abode in the middle of the night."
"However, the matter is extremely urgent and requires our collective deliberation."
A trace of anxiety flickered across Elder Ouyang's brow.
Yet, he maintained his usual composure, exhibiting an unwavering demeanor as if facing an insurmountable crisis with equanimity.
"Elder, you are too kind."
"Please, tell us what's on your mind."
"We will certainly give it our utmost effort."
Elder Ouyang paused for a moment.
Then, he slowly began to speak.
"Meng Hao, do you all recall him?"
Meng Hao.
Despite not having extensive direct contact with him from the military and high-ranking government officials, he was undoubtedly a star figure among Great Xia's elite.
"We do. You spoke very highly of him, Elder."
"A young man with peculiar convictions, who, through his own efforts, has bolstered the nation's strength."
"Isn't Meng Hao the very person who put Bear Country in our debt to such an immense degree?"
"..."
When Meng Hao was mentioned.
Everyone's initial impression was of the mechs produced by his company, Huarong Technology, which had helped Bear Country secure mineral wealth worth hundreds of trillions.
However.
Gathering them all for a meeting in the dead of night, could it be that Meng Hao had once again achieved some epoch-making technological breakthrough?
"Alas."
"This matter, I bear the primary responsibility."
Before delving into the main topic, Elder Ouyang first took responsibility upon himself.
These words left everyone exchanging bewildered glances.
In their recollection.
Elder Ouyang was an elder who rarely displayed his emotions.
How could he readily admit to making a significant mistake?
Everyone's breathing subtly slowed, and the entire conference room fell into an absolute silence.
They were all awaiting Elder Ouyang's subsequent words.
"It was my fault, my ambition was too great!"
"I wanted to leverage Meng Hao's assistance in developing nuclear submarines to also put India in our debt."
"But who knew, at the multinational military equipment exhibition in Australia, Meng Hao was detained."
Subsequently.
Elder Ouyang concisely briefed everyone on the specific situation.
"What?"
"The United States, at the risk of antagonizing us, detained Meng Hao on the territory of their ally, Australia?"
"Our over a hundred elite soldiers couldn't even discern the US's kidnapping plot... This was clearly a premeditated act, a masterpiece of multi-party collusion."
"The technology for the F-35 fighter jets and lithography machines were not acquired by Meng Hao through some illicit means and reverse-engineered from finished products, but he genuinely started with empty shells and developed them from scratch?"
"My heavens, we already thought Meng Hao was crucial to our country, but we never imagined he was such a prodigious technological genius."
"..."
High-ranking officials from various departments exchanged whispers and discussions.
Initially.
When they first learned of Meng Hao's name.
They assumed he was merely a gifted young man with his own channels to acquire some advanced foreign technologies.
Some even privately speculated that he was a nephew or protégé of someone Elder Ouyang was very close to.
Otherwise.
It would be impossible to explain.
How Meng Hao could develop lithography machines and also tinker with mechs.
But.
Now, Elder Ouyang himself shattered all their assumptions.
He completely denied providing any assistance in the establishment of Meng Hao's companies or the development of his technologies.
Even if it was difficult to believe.
This was the reality.
"Elder."
"If what you say is true."
"Meng Hao's existence is far more valuable than five army divisions!"
Years ago.
When a certain prominent scientist abandoned the superior environment of the United States and chose to return to his homeland.
The US high command had evaluated him as being worth more than five army divisions.
And now.
Meng Hao's achievements had surpassed that of that renowned scientist.
His existence was of extreme importance to Great Xia.
One must understand.
Given Elder Ouyang's character.
He might remain silent about certain matters, but anything he stated was an absolute fact and not a fabricated excuse or reason.
Since.
Elder Ouyang said he had not assisted Meng Hao, and had even been indebted to him... because of Meng Hao's existence, both India and Bear Country owed him tremendous favors.
"I truly never imagined."
"Great Xia could possess such a prodigious genius."
"I feel his importance is comparable to that of Einstein, who developed the atomic bomb."
A high-ranking official from the military remarked sincerely.
His assessment of Meng Hao did not provoke any objections from others; instead, everyone remained silent, even nodding in agreement.
One must consider.
The end of World War II, the atomic bomb was the decisive final blow that altered the entire world.
Comparing Meng Hao to Einstein.
This honor was exceptionally high.
However.
Elder Ouyang's self-reproach seemed excessive.
Who could have predicted.
That the United States would resort to such despicable tactics.
Detaining Meng Hao, even at the risk of global scorn and falling out with India and Great Xia.
"Elder Ouyang, this incident is not your fault, and you need not blame yourself so much."
"The way the United States handled this... it has truly crossed all lines and defied our understanding."
"Please, just give us your orders, what is our next course of action!"
Further discussion was futile.
Meng Hao's importance was undeniable.
What was needed now was to quickly retrieve Meng Hao from the hands of the Americans.
"Yes, that is indeed the case."
"For this matter, myself included, someone must bear responsibility and face punishment!"
"However, before that, our primary objective is to get Meng Hao back!"
Elder Ouyang let out a rare sigh.
"Haste makes waste."
"My suggestion is to proceed with caution."
"Let me outline my thoughts first, and you can all offer your input to collectively brainstorm..."
...
Dawn was breaking.
The numerous high-ranking officials from various Great Xia departments, having concluded their meeting, boarded their respective chauffeured cars.
They no longer cared about returning home for a quick nap, and all headed towards their office buildings.
Lin Yin, the chief official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He sat in the back of the car, his expression grave.
"Sir, are we heading home?"
The driver, noticing his grim expression, asked cautiously.
"Not home, to the office... Contact Secretary General Chen and have him convene a few deputy ministers. They are to report to my office first thing after work!"