140: For a moment, it was unclear who had lost out.

After the demonstration, Xi Hai brought Kelaifu into his office to begin discussing procurement issues.

"How much?"

"How much did you say this thing costs?"

As expected, upon hearing the price Xi Hai quoted for the balanced anderson SC020, Kelaifu displayed an expression of extreme shock and let out a sharp exclamation.

Seeing Kelaifu's exaggerated expression, Xi Hai's mood instantly grew tense.

bu hao, I set it too high!

He hurriedly opened his mouth to remedy the situation:

"Five million is indeed a price that is a bit... uh, I don't know how to describe it,"

"How about we..."

Seeing that Xi Hai was about to say the second half of the word, Kelaifu hurriedly interrupted—

"No! This price is truly too reasonable!"

"The Empire will forever remember your contribution!"

"For the first batch of orders... how about fifty thousand units?"

Looking at Xi Hai's stunned expression, Kelaifu thought to himself—that was close, he almost gave this guy a chance to raise the price.

However... after thinking about it for a moment, he felt something was wrong.

The mainstream engagement range for fleets now is between 10 gimi and 5 AU, but that aircraft's strike radius is 30 AU!

Such an insanely powerful aircraft only costs 5 million energy currency per unit?

In one of the Empire's key star systems, the tax revenue collected in a single month could buy tens or hundreds of thousands of them!

The Grand Duke in front of him couldn't possibly be someone who knows nothing; such people wouldn't survive three days in the universe.

Since he knows everything, it's impossible for him to have misquoted such a low price.

Therefore, Kelaifu believed he had found the truth of the matter—this newcomer Grand Duke had designs on him.

This doesn't look like flattery; after all, there's no need to offer such huge—and long-term—profits for flattery.

This is more like an inexplicable hint—a hint that he wants to tie him to the same boat!

He only charges five million, but the Empire's procurement price is definitely more than five million!

This extra...

He first looked around. There was no one else in the office, but Kelaifu was certain that there was definitely more than one camera pointed at him, just waiting to record him agreeing to this price.

So... should he?

Kelaifu indicated that he was truly tempted. This wasn't a one-off business deal—this was a long-term play!

The kind that provides a continuous stream!

There aren't many people in the Empire who bribe military officers; everyone is terrified and tries to scrape by by making their subordinates suffer. This was the first time he had faced such a test!

Although taking it would mean having a handle held against him...

But—

This is just too much.

So good.

Now, he, Kelaifu, declared that Grand Duke Chu Xiluo had moved him with his sincerity.

So how should he secretly signal his stance to this Grand Duke?

He heard that the Taxation Department of Tianjin Seat V89 didn't seem to get along with this Grand Duke.

He could just slap a label of colluding with the... ah, no, colluding with the enemy on them and deal with them.

As for which enemy they are colluding with?

Isn't this place crawling with wild aliens and star pirates?

Who would dare to question his craftsmanship in making labels?

As for the Taxation Department here... sorry, although you are innocent, I know better than you that you are innocent.

Please quietly say goodbye to this world.

"Uh... Mr. Kelaifu?"

Seeing this Minister of Military Affairs suddenly daze off, Xi Hai felt a bit confused.

Just a moment ago, this person looked like he had made a huge profit and stopped him when he intended to lower the price further.

Xi Hai then realized—Damn it, he sold it too cheap! He was still too conservative!

But then this Minister of Military Affairs was stunned by his own actions, until now—

"Oh, oh, no,"

Kelaifu also realized how ridiculous his actions just now were.

He had been in the position of Minister of Military Affairs for so long, and yet he still lacked this bit of strategic composure?

He hurriedly explained while trying to divert attention:

"No, it's just that my implanted personal terminal received a communication,"

"We received a report that the 89th Branch of the Tianjin Seat Taxation Department is colluding with aliens, and we are preparing to severely punish them now!"

Hearing this topic, Xi Hai's attention was indeed drawn to it—so the Empire knew about this?

He leaned forward and said with a serious expression:

"Colluding with aliens, and that's just a severe punishment?"

"How do I remember it... The Lacray Empire claims to be the successor of the Second Empire? If the Second Empire discovered collusion with aliens—"

Kelaifu:

He is forcing me to take a stand!

It seems he really hates the Taxation Department here!

Then I'll take a stand!

"Understood. Since the reconstruction of the industrial system here requires time,"

"Then—"

"I will let you see their fate before these two aircraft carriers complete their refitting."

Only then did Xi Hai nod.

This Kelaifu had always left a good impression on him—easygoing, sensible, and efficient.

It seemed he could distinguish between important and trivial matters now.

"Alright, let's talk about the pricing for the remaining fighters—the mistral, vesta a021, and bullfrog."

Of course, for the subsequent pricing, Xi Hai added another zero to the base that already had a zero added.

This action further confirmed Kelaifu's conjecture—surely, the previous balanced anderson fighter was a perk Xi Hai had given him.

Just like that, the first military procurement contract between Xi Hai and the Empire was signed under such dramatic circumstances.

After the negotiations concluded, Xi Hai went to make the final improvements to his ideological education book, while Kelaifu—after returning, immediately took his fleet and set sail, heading straight for the 89th Branch of the Imperial Tax Administration Department in Tianjin Seat.

Originally, everyone treated this as an ordinary, routine civil war between departments, until they actually discovered aliens in that damn place.

What happened that night is inconvenient to say; all that can be said is that the hatred education received by the Imperial Navy's elite fleet led them to do some very irrational things.

After one night, not even the ruins of the entire 89th Taxation Branch remained.

9-89th (Guardian Angels) Legion base, (When Julius and 8225 were discussing the flag design)

Julius: Our flag should follow our traditional red color scheme.

8225: OK (Note: Red)

Julius: We want a sky eagle spreading its wings to soar.

8225: OK (Note: Flying bird)

Julius: And some patterns symbolizing heroism and protection, which should reflect our blood-is-thicker-than-water relationship with the local people.

8225: OK (Note: Blood)

8225: Alright, just wait for my news! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!

Julius: It had better be.

Julius: However—my brother, that battle-scarred helmet you keep on your private Shuttle is so alluring; I feel it calling to me. Can you let me touch it?

8225: ...

8225: Wait, how do you know about it?

(In the end, he didn't get to touch it)

(Later, when drawing)

8225:

What kind of bird did they want again?

Whatever, just draw it.

Nothing wrong with it, wings, feathers, and draw a drop in the middle... Blood?

What was the requirement again?

Forget it, just like this.