As everyone's gaze focused on him simultaneously.
Major General Tommy waved his hands with a chuckle.
"Everyone here is a top figure in the US. I'm just a humble Major General; you don't need to take the opinion of this old man so seriously!"
Yet, a *humble* Major General?!
Indeed.
In the US, a Major General was considered part of the top echelon.
However, compared to the other top figures present, the rank of Major General truly wasn't that significant.
But.
One couldn't merely look at the rank.
One had to consider.
Tommy was the supreme commander of the US Arms Research Headquarters… The importance of his position was such that he wouldn't trade it for Vice President!
"Mr. Tommy, you are too modest."
"If it weren't for your repeated insistence on avoiding the spotlight, let alone a mere Major General, it would be perfectly normal to promote you directly to Five-Star General."
"Alright, now is not the time for mutual flattery. Let's hear your plan!"
Tommy chuckled.
Like an old fox.
"I'm very interested in the traditional history of Daxia."
"I recall that in Daxia's history, there was a stratagem called '捧杀' (pěng shā)!"
"Heap ultimate praise upon someone, elevate their existence to the extreme… and then, they plunge into an abyss of eternal damnation!"
The conference hall was silent.
Everyone waited for Tommy's next explanation.
"Before, we were all smearing and belittling Meng Hao, trying to create controversy for him on Daxia's internet."
"In fact, this was completely wrong."
"We should change our approach… For instance, my plan's first step is to continuously elevate Meng Hao on Daxia's internet."
Subsequently.
Major General Tommy calmly and unhurriedly presented his entire plan.
"Excellent idea!"
"As expected of Major General Tommy!"
"Truly brilliant."
"I agree."
"I agree too."
"..."
Seeing that Tommy's plan was agreed to by almost everyone.
The US President also nodded.
"Since everyone agrees with Major General Tommy's opinion, I naturally have no reason to object… Moreover, I also strongly agree with Tommy's plan."
"All departments, proceed according to the plan."
...
US Arms Headquarters.
The US general who had previously commissioned Jarvis to sell the F-35 shells was a bit bewildered by the document issued by his superior.
However, he still followed orders.
He picked up the phone.
"Connect me to the military's propaganda department… Yes, I just signed an order, and it needs to be spread online immediately!"
"Uh, the gist of it is that the F-35 shells purchased by Daxia's Huazhong Technology were indeed just scrapped shells… and their developed mechs incorporate a large amount of F-35 technology. Huazhong Technology and its founder, Meng Hao, are geniuses for being able to acquire top-tier technology from our discarded fighter jet shells!"
"Immediately, on the entire network, admit that Meng Hao has cracked our F-35 technology… What, you think this is a slap in the face to our US military?… This is my order, you don't need to raise any objections, just do it!"
...
Kingdom of the Netherlands.
ASML Lithography Headquarters.
The chief executive was having a headache dealing with documents.
Previously.
The lowest-ranking board member had sold four lithography machines, which should have been scrapped and melted down at a steel plant, to Daxia.
As a result.
Shortly thereafter, Daxia announced that it possessed its own domestically produced lithography machines.
For this reason.
The US high command had been holding them accountable.
They believed that those four lithography machines were not scrapped at all but were bribed by Daxia, and four fully functional machines were sold.
In response.
The US had even issued an ultimatum.
If no explanation was provided within three months, ASML would face sanctions.
Damn it.
Who knew how Daxia had acquired four fully functional lithography machines and sold them domestically.
With less than half a month left before the ultimatum expired.
The ASML chief executive, who was close to despair, received a secret message from the US.
"Huh? They're no longer pursuing our responsibility for selling lithography machines to Daxia?"
After reading the first line of text,
The chief executive's hanging heart finally settled.
He continued reading with a relaxed mindset, only to become increasingly alarmed.
"The intelligence suggests that Daxia's Huazhong Technology truly possesses the technology to crack lithography machines and replicate, develop, and produce them!"
"And the head of this company, Meng Hao, has single-handedly overcome the challenge of lithography machines!"
"Therefore, ASML should acknowledge Meng Hao's great achievement and announce this fact to the world."
What the heck?!
A young man from Daxia has actually solved the lithography machine problem?
What's even more outrageous is.
The US is actually demanding that ASML, on behalf of the company, publicly announce that Meng Hao possesses the technology to develop and manufacture lithography machines?
Are the US higher-ups out of their minds?
When the chief executive saw the final signatory, he immediately fell silent.
The person who issued this order was none other than the US President.
...
Kingdom of Sweden.
As one of the less than ten modern countries globally with a king and a court, the most influential aspect of this country to the world was its Nobel Prize.
The Nobel Prize, which had existed for over a hundred years.
It was recognized by the Western Alliance as the highest honor in five major fields.
However.
The King of Sweden received an encrypted message from the US.
The message clearly stated.
That the next Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry should be awarded to a young man from Daxia, whom they had never heard of… Meng Hao.
Awarding two out of the five major prizes to the same person was already extremely outlandish… something that had never happened in the more than a hundred years of the Nobel Prize's existence.
What was even more outlandish was.
The US actually demanded that the King of Sweden personally issue an order to establish a new Nobel Innovation Prize!
And the first recipient of this newly established award was also this previously unheard-of Meng Hao.
"This is too absurd."
"I must protest to the US."
Just as the King of Sweden was about to submit a diplomatic protest to the US, he saw the signatory of this message.
The US President?
What in the world was this?
Despite the Kingdom of Sweden proclaiming itself a so-called neutral country,
In reality, when dealing with the leader of the Western Alliance, the US, they had no room for negotiation whatsoever.
After a moment of silence.
The white-haired King could only choose to comply.
"Notify the court ministers."
"Correct the list of recipients for the Physics Prize and Chemistry Prize to Meng Hao."
"At the same time, establish the Nobel Innovation Prize, and the recipient of this award will also be Meng Hao!"
Amidst the protests of his ministers, the King of Sweden spread his hands helplessly.
"This is the US's intention, and it's a personal request from their President!"
"If anyone has any objections, feel free to protest to the US; I will absolutely support you."
Upon hearing this.
Instantly, all objections vanished!