"Young man, don't be too hasty!"
"I've actually come to offer you a great opportunity!"
Meng Hao took a sip of the cola in front of him. Tommy, that old windbag, had been rambling for too long, and the ice in his cola had melted considerably. The diluted cola tasted strange… Was it the strange taste of the cola, or was it Tommy's words that had shocked Meng Hao?
He almost spat out the watered-down cola.
Offering him a great opportunity?
Speaking of which.
Old man Tommy.
You must have done your homework before coming.
You've even started spouting Taoist terms from Great Xia.
What gives?
Do you think you're an immortal, planning to offer Meng Hao a chance at cultivation?
Tommy didn't seem to pay much attention to Meng Hao's somewhat exaggerated reaction.
"It's like this, I'm officially inviting you to join American citizenship!"
There.
It's the same old song and dance.
Can't you come up with something new for a surrender speech?
Meng Hao gestured for Luna to get him another cup of cola.
Then he shook his head.
"Someone from your country, the United States, said the same thing to me a year ago."
"Oh, and he even offered me fifty billion US dollars!"
In response to Meng Hao's rebuttal.
Tommy looked as if he had expected this.
"No, no, no. Since I'm here, the offer must be very generous."
"Joining American citizenship isn't the condition; it's the outcome!"
Hmm?
Trading certain conditions for Meng Hao's American citizenship.
This is rather interesting!
Meng Hao took a sip of his iced cola, looking like he was waiting for the rest of the story.
"As long as it's something you can imagine..."
"Women, money, wealth, even territory, anything is possible..."
Wait.
Women.
Money.
Wealth.
Meng Hao could understand these.
Territory? What the heck was that about?
"Territory?"
Meng Hao instinctively asked.
Tommy nodded.
"That's right, territory!"
"We'll give you a piece of land. Within that territory, you can be an emperor and implement a feudal system, or a president and implement a republic!"
This offer was quite novel.
Meng Hao instinctively asked.
"What, is your country planning to split up?"
"To take a piece of land from the United States for me?"
"This seems a bit too generous, doesn't it?"
Any country.
Considers its territory its most sacred possession.
Let alone major powers like the United States and Great Xia.
Even a small, insignificant country would not dare to share its territory with others.
Pfft.
Old man Tommy chuckled.
"Mr. Meng, you jest."
"How could the United States possibly cede land? That's unrealistic!"
"I mean, pick a country in South America, Central Asia, or Africa, and we'll carve out a piece of their land for you to establish your own nation!"
Good heavens.
Your country's land is sacred and inviolable.
But other people's land can be carved up?
This international double standard is truly impressive.
Meng Hao suddenly recalled the nation of Israel, established by the You Tai people.
It seemed that with the help of the Americans, they had carved out a small portion of the Ba Tan country.
Then, with the backing of the United States, the You Tai people's Israel had almost completely annexed the Ba Tan country.
The United States, which always claimed to support human rights, democracy, and the territorial integrity of other nations,
was truly adept at the strategy of dividing territories.
Seeing that Meng Hao seemed to be tempted.
Tommy, the old man, thought he had a chance.
"How about it?"
"As long as you agree to join the United States."
"We'll fulfill our promise immediately!"
To carve out territory.
And establish oneself as a king.
If this were ancient times, it would be the treatment of a feudal lord.
I have to say.
The United States is unreasonable, truly unreasonable.
But their emphasis on Meng Hao is also genuine… and the conditions they offer are indeed generous.
"Mmm!"
"So you're saying."
"You're willing to agree to give me land and allow me to build my own kingdom… truly, anything I ask for, you'll agree to?"
Old man Tommy nodded repeatedly.
"Yes."
"As long as you join the United States, any condition is negotiable."
Meng Hao nodded.
He put on a show of being very interested.
"Alright."
" then, incorporate the promised land into Great Xia… Oh, and also, let me leave!"
Silence.
Sudden silence.
Tommy.
Charles.
Luna.
It was as if a flock of wild geese were flying through their minds.
What the heck.
This condition.
Is impossible to agree to.
Seeing Tommy petrified,
Meng Hao, feigning ignorance, asked.
"What do you say?"
"Didn't you say any condition could be agreed upon?"
"It seems your words don't count either!"
Tommy, the old fox.
Quickly recovered.
He forced a laugh.
"Mr. Meng, you really know how to entertain us!"
"It was difficult enough to invite you here, risking a fallout with the United States and the Republic of India, and being scolded like a dog by our ally Australia… If we were to let you go before achieving our goal, it wouldn't be appropriate!"
Meng Hao raised an eyebrow.
Heh heh.
You still say this isn't kidnapping.
However.
He had never intended to agree to Tommy's terms anyway.
What he had been doing before was just an act.
To give up his Great Xia nationality.
To join the United States.
And even become the ruler of a piece of land.
This was simply impossible.
Trees have bark, and people have pride!
If Meng Hao were to truly join the United States.
It's likely that not only he, but also his parents, friends, and relatives would become traitors' families, pointed at by everyone and spat upon.
Damn it.
Back then, when Great Xia was founded and was poor and white, there were still many talented individuals with patriotic sentiments who chose to return.
And now.
Great Xia had become strong.
And Meng Hao was going abroad to be a running dog.
This was a complete loss of face.
Seeing that this round of negotiation and persuasion was about to break down.
Tommy was not flustered.
"It's alright, Mr. Meng."
"Anyway, we have plenty of time to wait for you to change your mind."
"By the way, during this time, you'll have to put up with staying here… Apart from not being able to leave or contact the outside world, any request you have can be met."
"Women, yachts, gym equipment, entertainment facilities, all are available."
After saying that.
Tommy glanced at Luna.
"Honestly, this Luna is really too hot… If I were as young as you, I would definitely be drawn to her!"
"Luna, take good care of Mr. Meng… As long as he chooses to join the United States, you too will have the chance to ask for anything you desire."
Good heavens.
This was blatant bribery of his subordinate right in front of Meng Hao.
However.
Luna was quite clever.
"Dear Tommy, I appreciate your kindness."
"However, I am very clear about my position."
"As long as I can stay by Mr. Meng's side, I am already very happy and don't need any other rewards!"
Is that so?
Tommy raised an eyebrow, smiled, but said nothing.
He stood up and left.