It had to be said.
The old saying held true: the older the ginger, the spicier it is.
These elders, who had weathered countless storms and life's ups and downs, had hit the nail on the head, pointing out the vulnerability of the younger generation engrossed in the information feast of the internet.
Before the truth was revealed, who could guarantee this wasn't just a fabricated scam?
The portly woman, chastised by the elder and elderly onlookers who couldn't stand her demeanor, turned ashen and chose to remain silent.
Earlier,
hearing her son's casual remark that Meng Hao had defected from Da Xia to join the United States, she had felt an inexplicable surge of joy.
But,
now that she had calmed down and thought about it,
who could guarantee that it wasn't just a widespread online manipulation?
...
Kyoto.
The residence of Elder Ouyang.
The meeting was still underway.
After the elder's insightful and incisive analysis, almost everyone expressed doubt about the news of Meng Hao joining the United States, as announced by the US military lieutenant general.
After all,
Meng Hao himself had not personally admitted it.
A high-ranking military official... a general personally trained by Elder Ouyang, was the first to break the stalemate.
"Everyone, from the current perspective, my analysis is that Meng Hao is still under the control of the United States... This is why, after the US official announcement of his betrayal of Da Xia and joining the US, he has not yet come forward to deny it."
"And, the United States is taking advantage of Meng Hao's complete disconnection from the outside world to spread the rumor that Meng Hao has joined the US... This will cause global shock, and simultaneously mobilize their infiltrated and bribed personnel within Da Xia to aggressively diss Meng Hao and stir up trouble, making everyone despise him, hate him, and curse him... Even our officials are somewhat inclined to believe it... This way, they can present the current online chaos to Meng Hao and, at the opportune moment, persuade him to truly join the United States."
Indeed.
The best way to crush a warrior is not by sending a more formidable and fierce opponent.
Instead, it is by employing a stratagem of sowing discord, making him feel that his own base of support no longer accepts him.
This tactic,
has been employed numerous times throughout Da Xia's history of warfare.
For example, Cao Mengde, the admirer of married women during the Three Kingdoms period, deeply understood this principle.
"Think about it."
"When Meng Hao discovers that not only is he vehemently scorned by the people of Da Xia, but even our officials have chosen to ignore him... disheartened, wouldn't he have no choice but to fall into the trap and join the United States?"
His words,
completely clarified Elder Ouyang's line of thought, summarized it effectively, and presented it to everyone.
Boom!
Everyone's minds were blown.
Damn it.
The damned United States.
They had truly played a grand game.
If not for Elder Ouyang's timely guidance,
they might have been completely deceived and pushed such a talented individual as Meng Hao into the arms of the United States.
"Then, Elder, how should we respond now?"
Elder Ouyang smiled faintly.
"I just received news that some ignorant individuals have spread the news of Meng Hao 'defecting' to the United States to his family..."
"Meng Hao's mother, furious and upset, accidentally fell and was directly hospitalized..."
"My intention is that for now, we should refrain from any visits or sending people to offer comfort..."
"This will create the illusion for the United States that our officials have abandoned Meng Hao... At the same time, we must do everything in our power to find Meng Hao and convey our official stance to him..."
Indeed.
When the US side learned that Meng Hao's mother was hospitalized and the Da Xia officials took no action, they would certainly believe their scheme had been fully achieved.
They would then let down their guard and formally extend an olive branch to Meng Hao, inviting him to join the United States.
And during this lapse in vigilance, a flaw would surely appear. This would be the time for Da Xia to do everything possible to contact Meng Hao and reveal the true domestic situation to him.
This was currently the only feasible method.
...
Australia.
The seaside villa where Meng Hao was staying.
Meng Hao, who had been confined and under house arrest for half a month, was utterly bored.
His days consisted of swimming in the sea, sunbathing, and playing beach volleyball.
Although he had the company of the beautiful Luna, as a young person of the information age, being suddenly cut off from the outside world brought a pervasive sense of boredom that permeated every moment of his life.
Among these,
the issue of food was the most troublesome for Meng Hao.
Judging by the situation,
Luna seemed unlikely to grasp the essence of Da Xia cuisine anymore.
With no other choice,
Meng Hao had to order his own meals every day.
Fortunately,
apart from being prohibited from leaving a certain radius around the villa and from communicating with the outside world,
Charles fulfilled Meng Hao's every need.
For example,
various exotic ingredients from Da Xia.
One day,
Meng Hao prepared Sweet and Sour Pork ribs... a representative dish of Huaiyang cuisine from the eastern coastal cities.
After washing and draining the ribs, he coated them with starch and rock sugar, finally drizzling with old vinegar and topping with chopped green onions before serving.
In addition to the sweet and sour pork ribs,
Meng Hao, bored to the extreme, prepared a large table full of dishes.
Adhering to the principle of absolutely no waste,
besides Luna, some US agents who were secretly monitoring Meng Hao were also invited to dine together.
People have flesh and blood hearts.
Over the past half month of surveillance,
these US agents, who were also bored to death, had become friendly with Meng Hao, mingling and getting acquainted.
Furthermore,
compared to the table of exquisite dishes Meng Hao concocted daily,
the simple colas, hamburgers, and fries had started to make them feel nauseous.
Charles turned a blind eye to his subordinates frequently freeloading on Meng Hao's culinary creations.
He had absolute confidence in his subordinates' loyalty... fostering good relationships with Meng Hao could contribute to his efforts to persuade Meng Hao to join the United States.
"Everyone."
"How is the taste of today's dishes? Please try them."
Under Meng Hao's enthusiastic invitation,
the agents did not stand on ceremony and picked up their cutlery to taste the food.
They were aware of Meng Hao's identity and strength.
Moreover, they understood that the higher-ups were determined to bring Meng Hao to the United States.
If they built good relationships with Meng Hao now, and they were all Americans in the future, who knew, they might even be able to climb the ladder and rise high.
Among people who are familiar with each other, it is not only about flattery.
Rather, the more relaxed and natural the interaction, the better the relationship.
"Brother Hao."
"I think this sweet and sour pork could have a little more sugar and oil, otherwise the flavor is a bit bland."
One agent, who looked rather simple and honest, directly pointed out the "problem."
Damn it.
In this dish, Meng Hao had already added a mountain of sugar and oil.
If it weren't for the need to cater to the palates and digestive systems of these foreigners, Meng Hao would never have used such a large quantity of sugar and oil.
These Westerners,
truly had a heavy palate.
No wonder,
the United States had the highest obesity rate in the world.
"Uh, this dish, if it were in Da Xia, many people probably couldn't eat it..."
"It's because I've been with you all for so long that my taste buds have changed..."
"Come, come, try this steamed fish with black beans. It's quite salty, it should suit your taste..."
Meng Hao suggested with a chuckle!