Chapter 55: A Model of Supporting the Military, a Pioneer in Technology, and a Law-Abiding Citizen

The Old General remained calm, as if he hadn't heard Li Jiajun's "loyal advice." He waited until Li Jiajun had finished his performance before slowly putting down his teacup.

"Alright, Comrade Li Jiajun."

The Old General's voice wasn't loud, but it had the power to make Li Jiajun shut up instantly.

"We understand your concerns. We have also seen your worries regarding product quality and your responsibility toward national security. You are a responsible and capable comrade."

These words started with high praise, flattering Li Jiajun.

Li Jiajun's heart skipped a beat; he thought it was a bad sign. Having spent so many years in society, he knew this routine too well. If they praise you first, it means they want you to put in a lot of effort later without being able to ask for a high price.

'Flattery never fails. This old man's level is quite high.'

Sure enough, the Old General changed the subject, his tone becoming incredibly sincere: "However, your technology is far more significant to the country than you imagine. Therefore, after our research and decision, the state will cooperate deeply with your factory through 'Technology Transfer and National Defense Cooperation'."

"Cooperation?" Li Jiajun caught the word and felt a little relieved; at least they weren't just taking it for free.

"Yes, cooperation." Liu Jianguo finally caught his breath and said bluntly, "Kid, stop acting. We know your little schemes all too well. Tell me, name your price. The state wants your technology!"

Liu Jianguo's words were simple and crude, but Li Jiajun loved hearing them.

This was the sentence he had been waiting for!

He immediately put on that difficult expression again, rubbing his hands together, and said with a conflicted face: "Leader, this isn't about the money. It's mainly because... my R&D costs are quite high. You know, for us private enterprises, it's not easy..."

He began his groundwork, preparing to quote a sky-high price in his mind.

'One hundred million! Yes, one hundred million! This technology is worth at least that much, right? No, that's too high. What if I scare them off? How about... eighty million?'

Just as he was fighting an internal battle, vacillating between eighty million and one hundred million, the Old General spoke again, directly interrupting his train of thought.

"The state will buy out the relevant technology patents for your 'Honeycomb' drone versions 1.0 and 2.0."

The Old General held up one finger.

Li Jiajun's heart tightened. 'Ten million? That's fine, that's not a small amount.'

"One hundred million."

"Buzz—"

Remember us 101 Reading Network.

Li Jiajun felt as if his brain had been smashed hard by a Big Hammer. He had only been thinking about it, but this was a real one hundred million, and it came from the mouth of such a big shot.

At that moment, his mind went blank, and his ears were filled with a loud ringing sound. He stared blankly at the Old General, his mouth slightly open, even forgetting to breathe.

One... hundred million?

He had just been feeling guilty for even daring to think of one hundred million, and the other party had just blurted it out?

Seeing his lack of reaction, the Old General thought he was dissatisfied with the price and added: "Of course, this buyout is not a complete buyout, but a semi-buyout. That is to say, there will be a certain percentage of royalties. You might wonder why it's called a buyout if there are royalties; well, you know we are using it for military purposes and it doesn't generate profits. So, this royalty will be converted—considering the subsequent upgrades of the technology and your contribution—into an additional ten million in technical consulting and authorization fees that we will pay you annually for military applications."

It was as if another nuclear bomb had detonated in Li Jiajun's brain.

A one-hundred-million buyout, plus a ten-million "pension" every year.

Li Jiajun's eyes went straight.

He felt blood rushing to his head, and his whole body felt light, as if he were stepping on clouds. In his entire life, he had never even dared to dream of so much money!

He wanted to pretend, to appear calm, and say, "Since the country needs it, I will reluctantly accept it."

But when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. It wasn't his fault for being pathetic. Cough, of course he was pathetic; after all, this was one hundred million! If he put it in the bank to earn interest, the daily interest... well, he couldn't calculate it right now, and he had no heart to calculate it anyway.

Liu Jianguo watched as Li Jiajun switched instantly from a "cunning merchant" to a "foolish landlord's son"...

'This kid! He's so damn interesting! A moment ago he was acting all concerned about the country and the people, and then one hundred million just stunned him! That little expression, that dull look...'

Thinking this, Liu Jianguo walked over and patted Li Jiajun on the shoulder heavily: "Kid, come back to reality! How about it, are you satisfied with this price?"

Li Jiajun nodded subconsciously, then shook his head quickly. Finally, he sucked in his saliva and squeezed a few words through his teeth: "Sat... satisfied! It is my honor to serve the country!"

The agreement was signed quickly.

When Li Jiajun signed his name on that thick document stamped with the national emblem, he still felt like he was dreaming.

The joint investigation team began to withdraw like a tide.

But they didn't leave immediately.

In the factory courtyard, the Old General gathered all the workers.

He personally handed a huge, bright red banner made of gold velvet, which had been urgently made, into Li Jiajun's hands in front of all the workers.

On the banner, two lines of hot-stamped gold characters shone brilliantly in the sun—"Model for Supporting the Military, Pioneer of Technology"!

"Comrade Li Jiajun!" The Old General's voice was loud and powerful, "Thank you and your factory for your outstanding contributions to the national defense cause!"

The workers watched this scene, first in silence, then erupted into thunderous applause and cheers!

"The factory director is awesome!"

"Our factory is a Model for Supporting the Military!"

A huge sense of pride and honor made every worker puff out their chests, their faces flushed with excitement.

The Mayor of Baishui City also stepped forward, shook Li Jiajun's hand tightly, and announced publicly: "The city has decided to list 'Li Family Toy Factory' as the highest-level key support enterprise in the city! We will provide the highest level of policy support! If you need land, we give you land! If you need policy, we give you policy!"

Cheers rang out through the entire factory area again.

Li Jiajun held the banner, which was taller than he was, listening to the cheers in his ears and looking at the genuine smiles on the workers' faces. For the first time, his money-loving heart was filled with something called "honor" and "sense of achievement."

Of course, this feeling lasted for less than a short time.

After sending off the big shots, when his phone went "ding" and he received the transfer notification text message with a long string of zeros, all the sense of honor was instantly replaced by a purer joy.

He closed the door, let out a long sigh, and then couldn't wait to take out his phone and open the transfer notification text message from the bank.

The long string of zeros that dazzled him made him very excited, but immediately after, it plunged him into a period of reflection.

He sat in his boss chair, looking up at the ceiling, and muttered to himself in a tone of lonely life: "Sigh, one hundred million... just like that. The life of a rich person is just so plain, unpretentious, and boring."

And this immense feeling of loneliness made him feel he had to share (show off) it with someone.

So, he skillfully opened the streaming software again.

As soon as the stream started, countless Netizens who heard the news poured in, and the bullet comments exploded instantly.

"Holy crap! Main Streamer, are you still alive?"

"Main Streamer, Main Streamer! Are you okay? What happened that day?"

"That old guy is very bad, I thought you were locked up!"

Li Jiajun looked at the bullet comments, cleared his throat, and said with the world-weary tone of someone who had seen it all: "Sigh, I made the family worry. Actually, it was nothing major. It's just that the state felt my toy factory was doing well and insisted on bringing me warmth. They gave me money and a banner; I couldn't stop them. I told them I was just a regular toy factory director, but they wouldn't believe me. You see, being too outstanding is sometimes a trouble."

This "Versailles" remark ignited the bullet comments again.

"???? I believe in your ghost!"

"You old guy, you're starting to show off again!"

"Bringing warmth? How come I heard they brought a pair of silver handcuffs?"

"Brothers, don't believe him! I just came back from the foreign internet, the news is blowing up! The Main Streamer's 'toys' wiped out Israel's ace brigade!"

"So, that investigation was because of this? Main Streamer, you still say you're a regular toy factory director?!"

Li Jiajun looked at the screen full of doubts and spread his hands innocently: "What ace brigade? I don't know about that. Our Li Family Toy Factory, from top to bottom, are all good citizens. We only produce happiness, not anything else. Don't talk nonsense, you're ruining my business reputation!"

He knew that the incident at Middle East must have been an accident; it was just that he was purely unlucky this time, and it definitely wouldn't happen again.

Why did he dare to think so?

Because he knew himself; he was just a pure good citizen.