Human nature is hard to test.
However.
Relationships can be completely bound by benefits.
Of course.
This so-called benefit is not as simple as just money.
For example.
William's subordinates... once held high, upper, middle, and even lower-level leaders of the entire research center military base.
William, on a daily basis, treated them well, providing good food and drink, and basically satisfying all their requests that were not too excessive.
Salary, fully provided.
Respect for dignity, fully provided.
Merits and benefits, shared equally.
Even to the extent that.
For every subordinate who was forced to leave the research center military center, William would argue reasonably, arranging a good place for them or corresponding merits and benefits.
Of course.
The wool comes from the sheep.
If you, Lieutenant General Tommy, are going to transfer these people, then you must give them corresponding rewards.
In this regard.
Lieutenant General Tommy had no objections.
What he needed to do now was to replace the entire military base with his own people before the Western Alliance multinational joint military exercise officially began.
As long as William didn't hinder him, what was a little loss of blood?
Anyway.
As the joint military exercise began and the financial circles of Great Xia were targeted, these expended benefits would be returned tenfold, a hundredfold.
In Lieutenant General Tommy's view.
William's actions of seeking benefits for his subordinates were not only not excessive, but incredibly worthwhile... He even thought William was a bit foolish.
Even if he didn't cause trouble, he should have kept the benefits for himself, why share them with his subordinates?
In the words of those ancient landlords in Great Xia—
"Giving away bright silver to the poor is simply an act of damnation!"
Lieutenant General Tommy might not know.
William was the truly wise one.
What kind of debt is the hardest to repay?
The debt of gratitude!
What kind of mineral vein is the hardest to obtain?
Connections!
What's more.
Anyone who could catch William's eye was, without exception, someone with a human touch, not someone incapable of bloody courage.
Every time he sent away those who were grateful to him and felt indebted to him.
William always received a saying: "Brother William, this is truly a shame, a great loss for you."
Facing everyone's indignation on his behalf.
Thinking he had become a bow used and then put away, or a dog killed after the rabbits were gone.
To all this, William would always smile and say—
"There's an old saying in Great Xia, 'When the old man lost his horse, who knew if it was a blessing or a curse!'"
And Meng Hao, who always attended the banquets, would smile as he watched William.
He even had a premonition.
Perhaps in the future, William would become the most powerful person in the United States... Whether this future would be ten or several decades later was not important.
A seed, once planted in suitable soil, would surely grow into a towering tree one day.
And without a doubt.
Meng Hao was the one who planted this seed of William.
Regarding William.
Meng Hao was quite approving.
This kid, after being sidelined by Tommy and forced to complete tasks.
His attitude towards himself had barely changed.
In that case.
Meng Hao would not only plant the seed but also water and fertilize it, allowing it to grow vigorously.
...
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was nearly a month later.
Meng Hao's assistance in the United States' new energy vehicle research and development was basically completed... Of course, the main accomplishment was the complete finalization of the Gui Gwei conventional-powered electric submarine.
Now.
The Gui Gwei submarine, hidden tens of meters below Meng Hao's workshop, had completed all its internal and external system installations.
All it needed was for the artificial intelligence system to fully awaken and undergo the final testing.
At the same time.
The entire military base had also basically completed its secondary expansion.
Four berths capable of accommodating ships over 100,000 tons had been opened, nearly a hundred berths for ships over 10,000 tons, and the number of berths for other smaller vessels was simply incalculable.
It was clear.
The United States had invested heavily this time.
At least four aircraft carriers over 100,000 tons were guaranteed.
After all, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were known as perpetually sailing combat islands.
With four 100,000-ton aircraft carrier berths, theoretically, more than eight 100,000-ton aircraft carriers could dock and rest.
It was evident.
To deal with Great Xia.
The United States had spared no expense this time.
...
A brand new helipad.
In stark contrast to Meng Hao's workshop nearby, where he had spent more than four months and which had not been renovated.
On the helipad.
The propellers of three large American military helicopters were slowly turning, in idle state.
These three large military helicopters could accommodate at least over a hundred soldiers.
Any discerning eye could tell.
Why would it require such a grand display to escort a palm-sized, military-grade mobile hard drive.
Creating such a huge commotion.
It was definitely to escort William away.
"Hao Ge."
"Take care."
"After this farewell, I don't know if we'll meet again in a few years, or decades, or even longer."
William was a smart man.
He had already realized that this dilapidated military base could not confine Meng Hao.
Of course.
This had nothing to do with him.
William, who had already been sidelined, had his future fate decided by Lieutenant General Tommy nearly a month ago.
Not in his position, not responsible for his affairs.
Since he was merely the nominal highest-ranking official of the military base, why bother worrying about whether Meng Hao would leave.
As for the interests of the United States?
Please.
In a country where profit is paramount for merchants.
You, Lieutenant General Tommy, have sidelined William to this extent, and you still expect him to love America?
Isn't that ridiculous?
Besides.
Given his relationship with Meng Hao.
One day in the future, even if the United States was defeated by Great Xia, he would be able to find refuge in Great Xia.
In fact, it would be much more impressive than the so-called colonel or even senior colonel rank.
Meng Hao.
What kind of person was he?
A figure that any country would treat with utmost courtesy.
It was only Lieutenant General Tommy who would repeatedly resort to schemes to deal with Meng Hao.
Seeing William looking emotional and full of farewell sorrow, Meng Hao patted his shoulder, then gave him a brotherly hug.
"Alright, don't be so dramatic."
"Hurry up and leave, we'll have a chance to see each other again in the future."
"Don't worry, I've given you a great gift, after all, we're brothers!"
William nodded.
Reluctantly, he released Meng Hao's embrace.
Wiping away a few tears that had actually welled up in his eyes, he turned and walked towards one of the military helicopters.