110: The larger amount is the deposit.

The next day, Cloud Pavilion Headquarters.

Xia Yunting pushed a thin bank draft toward Lu Fan.

The numbers clearly written on it were: One Billion Yuan exactly.

"Brother Lu, this is the 99-year lease fee for that first batch of books. According to the agreement, it's a one-time lump sum payment," Xia Yunting said with a face full of smiles.

"The follow-up for the Ye Family's Collection and the yongle encyclopedia will have separate agreements. They're currently negotiating the details over there. Rest assured, I won't let you lose out."

Lu Fan glanced at the draft, calmly accepted it, and nodded. "I trust your handling of things, CEO Xia."

The entry of this massive sum of money provided ample capital for his next moves.

He turned to Jiang Fang on the side and instructed, "You stay behind and fully cooperate with CEO Xia and the Cloud Pavilion team. I'm leaving the wrap-up work to you."

"Remember, don't be overly pedantic about every penny. Make concessions when you should, donate what needs to be donated, and gift what needs to be gifted."

"As long as the country has a need, it doesn't matter if we take a small loss."

"Understood, President Lu!" Jiang Fang replied immediately, a professional light flashing in his eyes.

After leaving Cloud Pavilion, Lu Fan headed straight to an unremarkable but heavily secured commercial building in the Pudong New Area.

This was the contact point in Shanghai for the designated state-owned military industrial trade company, Huaxing Heavy Industry Equipment Import and Export Co., Ltd.

In a simple, practical meeting room devoid of any unnecessary decoration, Lu Fan met his contact person.

She was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with short hair, wearing a well-fitted dark business suit, sharp eyes, and a capable manner.

She exuded the characteristic rigor of the military industry and a trace of subtle vigilance.

A cup of clear tea sat on the table, steam curling upward.

"Hello, Mr. Lu. I am Wu Xue, responsible for handling your business affairs."

Wu Xue stood up with a firm handshake and got straight to the point. "The military district has already given us a heads-up. Tell me your specific needs directly. As long as it's within the scope of our authorization, we will do our best to satisfy them."

Lu Fan didn't waste words either, directly handing over a list. "Manager Wu, this is the list of supplies needed for the first phase."

Wu Xue took the list and scanned it quickly.

Her gaze moved across the list, her expression remaining professional.

However, an imperceptible flicker of surprise passed through the depths of her eyes.

Because the 'civilian' color of this list was quite thin:

Infantry Weapons:

type 85 submachine gun: 2,000 units

QJY-201 General-Purpose Machine Gun: 500 units

JS 7.62mm Medium-Caliber Sniper Rifle: 100 units

Corresponding Ammunition (7R): 30 million rounds

Heavy Firepower:

Type 55 120mm mortar: 100 units

Corresponding Mortar shells: 1,000 rounds

Protective Gear:

Level III Protective Standard Bulletproof Vests: 3,000 sets

The list was concise and clear, but the quantities were quite startling, especially those thirty million rounds of ammunition and one thousand Mortar shells.

This firepower configuration was enough to support a medium-intensity local conflict.

However, this wasn't a problem; her department was actually worried about having nowhere to offload these older products.

Having just received a call from above, she was truly afraid the other party would make some excessive request that would put her in a difficult position.

Looking at it now, this wasn't a hassle at all; this was clearly helping her solve a problem.

Wu Xue calmly placed the list on the table and looked up at Lu Fan.

"Mr. Lu, the equipment models on the list can be provided. However..." She paused, her tone carrying a routine reminder.

"According to the authorization, the final use of this equipment must be strictly limited to the 'overseas large-scale project security' category you reported.

And you will need to sign an end-user agreement and a letter of guarantee."

"No problem, I know the rules," Lu Fan nodded. "The use is guaranteed to be legal and compliant."

"Alright." Wu Xue took out a tablet and began operating it. "Then, let's confirm the price.

Since you are not purchasing brand-new equipment and the quantity is huge, according to company regulations, I can give you a thirty percent discount..."

Lu Fan directly raised his hand to interrupt her. "Regarding the price, there's no need to calculate it based on decommissioned depreciation or bulk purchase discounts."

Wu Xue's fingers stopped moving, and she looked at him with some surprise.

Lu Fan's tone was flat, but it carried an unquestionable weight. "Beautiful lady, we are close partners, but business is business.

Calculate it directly according to your company's latest, public catalog price for brand-new equipment. Whatever it should be, that's what it is.

If you give me a discount and I take a discount, how is the motherland supposed to keep its aircraft carriers afloat?

If you do business this way, even a wealthy landlord won't have any surplus grain left."

Wu Xue was stunned.

In all her years in this industry, she had seen all kinds of clients who bargained, asked for discounts, or even tried to use underhanded methods.

But someone like Lu Fan, who actively requested not to enjoy any discounts...

And who didn't even use the potential bargaining space of 'special channels' but instead paid in full at the highest retail price, was definitely the first!

This had already exceeded the scope of being 'generous'; it was simply... inconceivable!

"Mr. Lu, are you sure?" Wu Xue couldn't help but confirm, trying to find any sign of a joke or other intent on his face.

But Lu Fan's gaze was as calm as still water, showing only certainty.

"I'm sure. Full price, full payment," Lu Fan emphasized again.

Wu Xue took a deep breath, quickly suppressed the storm in her heart, and regained her professional composure.

"Understood, Mr. Lu. I will immediately calculate the final amount for you based on the brand-new catalog prices."

Her fingers tapped rapidly on the tablet, and she soon quoted a figure.

Lu Fan glanced at the final quote, his face showing no emotional fluctuation, as if it were just an ordinary string of numbers.

He took the bank draft from Cloud Pavilion directly out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Wu Xue.

"This is the payment for the goods. The extra part can be considered a security deposit for the next transaction."

Looking at the check, even though Wu Xue was used to big scenes, her fingers holding the tablet couldn't help but tighten slightly.

No bargaining, no discounts, payment before delivery, full payment, and at the highest retail price!

This kind of client was even more of a big spender than the tycoons in the desert; they could only be described as inhumanly wealthy.

She quickly checked the authenticity and validity of the bank draft, and after confirming it was correct, she solemnly put it away.

"Payment received, Mr. Lu. Huaxing Heavy Industry thanks you for your trust and cooperation."

She took out a mobile phone and said, "President Lu, take this encrypted phone.

Regarding the delivery date and address, they will be sent to this phone tomorrow.

Please bring the phone when receiving the goods; you'll scan a code for delivery then."

"Okay." Lu Fan took the phone and asked casually, "Miss Wu Xue, I wonder if your company accepts other things as payment currency?"

Wu Xue wasn't surprised and asked calmly, "I wonder what Mr. Lu would like to use for settlement?"

"I produce gold and silver on my end. I wonder if it's possible to settle with them?"

He asked tentatively; if the other party accepted them, it would save him a lot of trouble.

What he had taken out last time was only a third of the entire treasure; even more was still lying in his space.

Although it was reasonable and compliant for Liu Zhicheng and the others to sell gold and silver, they would still be noticed if the quantity became too large.

So, if he could avoid making them take risks, he would.

"Of course, gold and silver are natural currencies. There's no problem at all!"

Wu Xue had thought it would be something tricky, but hearing gold and silver, she felt no burden.

She stood up and extended her hand again. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Pleasure doing business with you." Lu Fan shook her hand and turned to leave the meeting room.

With the weight off his chest, he had to find a place to have some fun.