Major General Tommy's seemingly helpless and arrogant demeanor truly made one's blood boil.
Watching the reporters from Great Xia, who were barely suppressing their anger.
Major General Tommy took another sip of his tea.
"Young man."
"Patience, please."
"You know, our country, the United States, has always respected human rights and has never forced anyone to do anything."
Hmm.
A country that so respects human rights.
Was currently detaining Meng Hao and refusing to release him.
"Regarding Nobel laureate Mr. Meng Hao, we offer one hundred percent respect and absolutely no coercion..."
The way he put it.
As if.
Asking Meng Hao to prove his innocence was coercion.
Simultaneously, adhering to the principle of wanting to have it both ways, the phrase "acting virtuous while engaging in immoral behavior."
Major General Tommy, in a public forum, once again threw Great Xia under the bus.
The United States respects human rights and doesn't "coerce" Meng Hao to clarify the facts; yet, Great Xia demands Mr. Meng Hao speak out and explain the situation... which implies Great Xia doesn't respect human rights.
This maneuver.
This act of blaming the victim.
The US side was truly a master of it.
Seeing the young reporter from Great Xia's face turn a shade of liver-red.
Major General Tommy calmly began to speak.
"Of course."
"I have here a letter personally written by Mr. Meng Hao applying to join the United States... can the handwriting be authenticated!"
"If you truly don't believe it, you can also invite Mr. Meng Hao to come forward and explain the situation... however, I must remind you, our Capitol Hill has already approved Mr. Meng Hao's application to join the United States. As a US citizen, you cannot compel Mr. Meng Hao to do anything."
This is akin to a divine Pigsy turning the tables.
Only the shameless Major General Tommy could pull this off.
Damn it.
The fact that Meng Hao was detained by the United States was known only to a handful of high-ranking officials.
For Meng Hao's safety.
The truth was not to be known to the public in Great Xia, the United States, or even India.
Meng Hao was clearly being held by the United States, yet now they were playing the game of inviting him to speak.
The sheer shamelessness of it was astounding.
Being cornered by Major General Tommy like this.
The young reporter from Great Xia was truly at a loss for words.
After a long pause.
He hesitantly stepped down.
Indeed.
The other party held Meng Hao's application to join the United States... and unless Meng Hao himself came out to deny it, no one would question the US government's statement... after all, the United States was one of the world's leading powers, and no one would suspect it of detaining Meng Hao.
Seeing that he had successfully rebuffed the young reporter from Great Xia.
Major General Tommy, though smug on the inside, maintained a poker face and continued his grand pronouncements.
"As everyone knows, the United States is the world's strongest military, technological, and economic power, which is why we can attract technological geniuses like Meng Hao to join us..."
"At the same time, the United States will continue to provide the most favorable conditions and the freest research environment for talents from all over the world. We also hope that all aspiring individuals will apply to join us..."
"Today's press conference concludes here. Afterward, I have arranged a sumptuous banquet for everyone, firstly to entertain you, and secondly to celebrate Mr. Meng Hao's joining our great United States..."
Boom.
This news.
Like a bombshell, it exploded into the crowd.
An official announcement, Meng Hao's handwritten application letter presented, and a celebration banquet organized...
With the grand style of the United States doing things so thoroughly, it was impossible for Meng Hao's joining the US to be a mere misunderstanding... otherwise, the US would have lost all face.
However.
Meng Hao, a technological talent rarely seen in Great Xia in a millennium, had publicly announced his departure from Great Xia and his joining the United States.
This news.
Was enough to shock the entire world.
...
The press conference hosted by Major General Tommy was broadcast live globally.
As the news reached countries around the world.
In an instant.
Major live streams erupted.
During this period.
The name Meng Hao, with the continuous official announcements from US-led organizations, had practically become a well-known technological star among young people worldwide.
The result.
Just now.
The United States suddenly produced a handwritten application letter from Meng Hao, stating that this technological prodigy, who had recently caused global discussion, had actually announced his decision to join the United States?!
For a moment.
Countless doubts arose.
United Kingdom: "God, is this true? Meng Hao actually chose to join the United States... However, joining the United States is no different from joining our United Kingdom. Congratulations, congratulations!"
Australia: "Huh? So Meng Hao didn't disappear on our soil. He must have secretly sneaked into the United States to avoid Great Xia's obstruction... We were blamed for it, so it's fine then, let the music play and the dance continue!"
Japan: "Baka, this Meng Hao-kun is too smart, playing a trick of feigning a frontal attack while secretly advancing from a side path... If we had known earlier, we should have extended an olive branch to him sooner. Perhaps he would have joined our great Amaterasu Empire!"
United States (domestic): "Damn it, we were protesting before. Now that I think about it, our US government is indeed always the strongest... What are we protesting for? I suggest we cast our votes for the current President in the next election."
"It's time to mock the netizens of Great Xia."
"Before, we thought they had produced a technological genius who might surpass us in the US."
"Indeed, in this world, the strongest technological talents always join the United States."
"..."
When the news reached Great Xia.
Everyone's mind went blank.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. How could Brother Hao be someone who sells his country for glory... However, the application letter in Major General Tommy's hand doesn't seem fake."
"How could Brother Hao betray his own blood and join another country... but the series of evidence presented by Major General Tommy points squarely to the fact that Meng Hao would join the United States."
"I also feel this isn't real, it's more like the US is staging a drama, using Meng Hao's matter to attract talent from other countries to join the US... Where is Brother Hao now? We need Brother Hao to come forward and explain."
In response to this.
A large number of US netizens, who had been schooled by Great Xia netizens before, along with some self-proclaimed patriots, keyboard warriors, and paid trolls whose allegiances were unclear, began to run rampant on Great Xia's internet once more.
"Say, if you don't believe it, why don't you ask Meng Hao to say something!"
"Quickly tag Meng Hao! Why isn't he speaking at this critical moment?"
"Is Meng Hao hiding? Is he afraid to show himself!"