10: Invisible pretense is the most deadly!

Regarding this negotiation, Director Gu Ming fully grasped the initiative.

William had black lines all over his face, cursing Dragon Xia's shamelessness in his heart.

The firepower of the Desert Camel Guerrilla fluctuates, and you still say you didn't do it?

"Mr. William, we meet again," Gu Ming said with a chuckle.

Just after the Dragon Summer National Bureau of Industry and Commerce lifted production restrictions on a certain steel factory, the Desert Camel region suddenly became lively.

Fireworks of all sizes flew across the sky; it was quite the spectacle.

"This cooperation has no other restrictive conditions; let the price do the talking," William said in a low voice.

He learned from the Triangle Building General at the Eagle Sauce Defense Department that Dragon Xia had made moves behind the scenes, throwing the Desert Camel region into chaos.

The generals at the Pentagon had no better option and could only compromise by selling the arresting gear technology in exchange for concessions from Dragon Xia.

"2 million USD is not the price we need; I hope Mr. William understands."

"I was ordered to negotiate with Mr. Gu, so naturally I came with sincerity. The arresting gear currently used on Eagle Sauce aircraft carriers costs 1.5 million USD per unit."

"If your country purchases enough, the price can be even more favorable."

Listening to William's words, Gu Ming fell into deep thought.

This guy's attitude has done a 180-degree turn; could there be a trap?

"1 million per unit is our greatest sincerity," Gu Ming said solemnly.

Although the Navy has money now, it cannot afford to spend it recklessly.

Especially the Eagle Sauce arresting gear, which is not only expensive but also a consumable item.

After the sea trials of the guangyu silent aircraft carrier, it consumes at least 8 arresting cables every year, which is over 50 million in expenses annually; this is all the hard-earned money of the Dragon Xia military and civilians.

"1.2 million USD; we cannot negotiate below this number," William insisted.

Gu Ming thought for a moment and offered his most sincere price: "1.1 million USD. Mr. William, you wouldn't want to return empty-handed, would you?"

"What about the quantity? How many do you want to purchase?"

"5 units. Currently, Dragon Xia only needs that many."

"I cannot answer to the board of directors for anything less than 10 units; I hope Mr. Gu can consider it."

10 units? What a big mouth.

"We need to discuss this."

After saying this, Gu Ming turned and left to report the situation to his superiors. With an expenditure of nearly 100 million in military funds, he couldn't make the decision alone.

According to the superiors' plan, on one hand, the Dragon Xia Navy would purchase domestically developed arresting gear from the equipment research and development department, and on the other hand, purchase a batch of Eagle Sauce arresting gear.

Stones from other hills can be used to polish jade; Dragon Xia's reverse engineering technology is quite good.

Working from both ends can significantly reduce the difficulty of self-development and allow for the production of Dragon Xia's own domestic arresting gear as soon as possible.

"Chief, the cunning Eagle Sauce company is asking for 1.1 million USD and insists that we purchase at least 10 units."

"What did you say? Agree?"

"Yes, yes, Chief."

Upon hearing this, Gu Ming nodded; his superiors had agreed to the other party's asking price.

However, he felt unwilling; nearly 100 million in military funds were just spent like that?

Half an hour later, both sides shook hands and closed the deal.

"Mr. Gu, happy cooperation."

William said with a grin, while Gu Ming's face remained gloomy, feeling indescribably uncomfortable inside.

Falling behind means getting beaten, and you even have to be willing to get ripped off.

"I hope that in half a month, we can hand it over smoothly."

"Rest assured, the Eagle Sauce company is the most trustworthy."

William was smiling on the outside, but harboring bad intentions on the inside.

Sell arresting gear to a rival? Sure, but it will be the lowest quality arresting gear we currently use.

The next morning, in the stepped conference room of the Qinchuan Administration for Industry and Commerce, six high-definition live broadcast cameras were placed in every corner of the room.

Lu Shenwei arrived early, but he couldn't find his seat in the back row.

"Strange, Director Zhou clearly said he had arranged a seat for me."

He couldn't get through to Zhou Wen's phone either; he was probably busy.

"Director, have you arrived? I just got to the bank; I'll come over as soon as I'm done."

"Uncle Ma, taking care of the loan is more important. I've already memorized the speech for the awards ceremony; I can handle it."

Last night, Lu Shenwei received a call from the branch president of the Cosmos Bank, so early this morning he arranged for Ma Quanlin and two deputy factory directors to take the documents to the bank.

Loans, after all, are best when they're in the pocket.

Since he had nothing better to do, Lu Shenwei wandered around the venue a few times.

Director Zhou was not some stubborn old fogey; he even knew how to use live streaming to boost popularity.

"Hey you, yes you! The guests are arriving soon; come over and help with the check-in."

A man who looked like a section chief pointed at Lu Shenwei and shouted. Lu Shenwei opened his mouth and said, "I'm here today to..."

"Just by looking at your attire, I can tell you're here on loan to help. Come and lend a hand; don't you see the other comrades are overwhelmed?"

The section chief, without giving him a chance to speak, handed the sign-in sheet to Lu Shenwei. The latter glanced at it, and wasn't his own name on the first line of the sign-in sheet?

Oh well, might as well since he had nothing else to do.

Lu Shenwei took the sign-in sheet and sat down generously to take charge of the check-in.

"You kid really have no manners, why did you sit down? The people coming in a while are all big shots in our Qinchuan business circle; stand to show respect."

Lu Shenwei opened his mouth: "The leader is right to educate me."

"Don't be unconvinced, kid. Look at the first name on the sign-in sheet—Lu Shenwei, you know? One of the top young entrepreneurs in our Qinchuan."

"About the same age as you, learn well from him."

Uh...

I've become a Qinchuan young entrepreneur just like that? Director Zhou is determined to put me on a pedestal.

"Don't just stand there, be sharp in a moment."

"Okay, leader."

Lu Shenwei just nodded and didn't explain; listening to advice keeps you fed, after all.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the entrepreneurs to be commended arrived one after another.

"Old Li, you old rascal, you came too?"

"If you can come, would Director Zhou not invite me? Old man, want to have a couple of drinks at noon?"

"Bring it on, would I be afraid of you?"

All sorts of figures arrived, some with Mediterranean hairstyles, some with rural-surrounding-the-city styles, and even some who were "brilliantly bald."

While busy checking people in, Lu Shenwei even subconsciously touched his own hair.

Will everyone in business have this hairstyle in the future? Is one of the conditions for becoming a strong person to go bald?

"I heard a big foreign exchange earner is coming today, named Lu Shenwei. Has anyone seen him?"

"You mean the director of Old Ma's factory, right? Julong Steel."

"That's him. I heard he's young and promising; he saved the near-bankrupt Julong Steel Factory in half a year. He's got some skills."

"It is said that their products sell well overseas, and they were even sanctioned by the Eagle Sauce Defense Department."

"Really? The Eagle Sauce Defense Department sanctioned our small Qinchuan steel factory? Did they commit a heavenly crime?"

"Shh, I heard the higher-ups intervened in this matter too."

"Don't talk nonsense; when the gods fight, those of us watching the fun might get wiped out if we're not careful."

Everyone chattered, and after signing in, they sat in the back row one after another.

"Has anyone seen Director Lu of Julong Steel? The awards ceremony is about to start; why hasn't he shown up yet?"

"Don't just stand there in a daze, kid; go find him quickly. Director Lu is the protagonist of this awards ceremony."

Section Chief Huang Liang scolded him anxiously, only to see Lu Shenwei unhurriedly write three big characters on the sign-in sheet—Lu Shenwei!