The subordinate officers' reports clearly and concisely detailed how the navy's top brass, colluding with Bob, had smeared and attacked Meng Hao and Huarong Technology, manipulating public sentiment with a planned campaign to discredit Meng Hao.
Furthermore, He Yuetang's hiding place in Hong Kong Island and the IP origins were thoroughly investigated.
In essence, all it would take was for Zhang Weimin to give the order, and security forces in Hong Kong Island would immediately apprehend Bob and He Yuetang.
The relaxed regulations in Hong Kong Island were to better facilitate domestic and international economic exchange. Consequently, minor transgressions and unspoken rules, if harmless, were not pursued rigorously.
Ultimately, the benefits of economic development outweighed the losses from petty theft.
However, once matters escalated to the level of endangering national security, there was zero tolerance.
Hong Kong Island was Chinese territory.
Turning a blind eye did not mean being unaware of what transpired on that land.
"Damn it all!"
"Colluding with foreign powers to harm their own countrymen. In wartime, such individuals would be lucky to be executed by firing squad."
Zhang Weimin gritted his teeth, enunciating each word.
Meng Hao.
He was a future titan of Chinese technology, highly praised by Elder Ouyang! And a target of particular attention for astute foreign agents like Bob.
Friends are met with fine wine, wolves are met with hunting guns.
China had never feared external enemies.
But these internal corrupt elements were insidious and difficult to guard against.
"Sir, shall we proceed with the arrest?" the officer inquired, seeking Zhang Weimin's decision.
Just as the Major General was about to nod, his gaze fell upon the last few pages of the report.
[To counter foreign pressure, Meng Hao publicly pledged that Huarong Technology would develop high-precision chip lithography machines below the 28nm process node!]
Hmm?
Developing high-precision chip lithography machines?
This Meng Hao.
He truly brought us so many surprises.
Although Zhang Weimin had limited contact with Meng Hao, he understood the man's character well.
Any promise Meng Hao made, he would absolutely fulfill with quality and quantity.
He suppressed his previous anger and grinned.
"If these two scoundrels knew that the vast sums they spent on information warfare, cognitive warfare, and public opinion manipulation had instead spurred Meng Hao to develop lithography machines, I wonder how furious they would be…"
"They truly don't understand Meng Hao. This young man, despite his age, always delivers on his word…"
"I'm suddenly eager to see what other surprises Meng Hao will bring us…"
Zhang Weimin chuckled and closed the file.
"These two petty thieves don't need to be arrested for now. I'm counting on them to continue stimulating Meng Hao, to push this young genius of ours…"
"However, they must be strictly controlled to prevent them from fleeing the country. Once they have no further use, we'll bring them back…"
The civilian officer who had delivered the report nodded and left after receiving the order.
The officer beside him curiously pressed further.
"Sir, do we still need to visit Meng Hao in Shilin to persuade him to join the military and convert the powered mechs into weapon platform docks?"
"If you've made your decision, I'll arrange the vehicle and travel schedule immediately!"
Zhang Weimin shook his head with a smile.
"Let's put this aside for now…"
"I believe this young man, Meng Hao, has boundless potential…"
"He doesn't falter against the weak, and he thrives against the strong. The more pressure you apply, the more surprises he delivers…"
Indeed.
To prove Huarong Technology was a private enterprise, and to counter the slanders of the online mob, Meng Hao had directly declared his intention to develop high-precision lithography machines to strike back, completely reversing the narrative.
It felt like a battle where one side had fired a rifle bullet in provocation, and the defending side had immediately unleashed a nuclear bomb.
Damn it.
This kind of overwhelming behavior that defied all expectations… Zhang Weimin liked it.
Seeing his companion officer look bewildered and hesitant, Zhang Weimin waved his hand impatiently.
"Ah, these powered mechs already have reserved connection slots…"
"After the thousand mechs are delivered, they'll be deployed for training first…"
"If enemy forces dare to invade our borders, we can simply send these mechs back to the factory for retrofitting…"
"According to the information submitted earlier, Huarong Technology, having completed its acquisition and rebranding, possesses over a dozen production lines and can be refitted at any time…"
…
Back in his office with a cheerful demeanor, Zhang Weimin, after careful consideration, asked Zhang Xijin to bring him a portable tablet and initiate a video call with Meng Hao.
The call connected.
Zhang Weimin smiled and spoke first.
"Meng Hao, I heard that after developing powered mechs, your next step is to tackle high-precision lithography machines, correct?"
Huh?
Although he had declared online that Huarong Technology would develop lithography machines to strike back at the online trolls, Meng Hao currently had no clear direction on how to reasonably achieve this.
After all, while the relevant technology existed within the system store, it seemed scientifically improbable for a company that produced "toy mechs" to suddenly rebrand and then develop high-precision lithography machines.
Meng Hao, who was struggling to find a plausible method and justification for developing and manufacturing high-precision lithography machines, suddenly received a call from Zhang Weimin and his daughter.
"Brigadier Zhang… oh, pardon me, Major General… your news is incredibly well-informed…"
"These trolls are as disgusting as flies; if you don't slap their faces hard, they won't understand why flowers are so red…"
"Besides, they've spent so much on public relations, and the entire internet is focused on Huarong Technology. If I don't take this opportunity to develop high-precision lithography machines and advertise them properly, wouldn't I be wasting their efforts?"
Although Meng Hao was still troubled by the plausible emergence of lithography machines, he cheerfully answered Zhang Weimin's question and congratulated him on his promotion to Major General.
Zhang Weimin raised an eyebrow.
This Meng Hao wasn't foolish! He could actually guess that Huarong Technology was being targeted by an organized smear campaign.
However, he surely didn't know that I've already found the mastermind behind it.
"Yes."
"We should indeed slap those ignorant smearers across the face."
"If you need any help, feel free to ask me… if you're uncomfortable talking to me, you can always have more in-depth discussions with my daughter!"
Zhang Weimin encouraged Meng Hao. He was eager for him to quickly develop and manufacture high-precision lithography machines, breaking the Western blockade on China's lithography technology.
"Mm."
"I'll do it as soon as possible."
Although he didn't understand why Zhang Weimin seemed even more excited than he was, Meng Hao nodded in agreement.
However, having more in-depth discussions with his daughter?
Why did that sound so awkward!