146: Chapter 146 We don't sell technology, we only sell finished products. Take it or leave it.
"Protection money?"
General Ross felt as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke of his life.
He laughed in extreme anger, the flesh on his face trembling wildly from sheer fury.
"Chen Yuan, you are too arrogant! Do you think you can blackmail The Pentagon just because you have one piece of broken armor?"
"We just won't do this business, that's all!"
The general waved his hand abruptly and turned to leave with his procurement team.
"The military of America will never bow down to an extortionist arms dealer!"
He walked very slowly, his steps even deliberately sluggish, actually waiting for Chen Yuan to ask him to stay.
Unfortunately.
He had overestimated his leverage and underestimated the ruthlessness of Chen Yuan.
"Victor."
Chen Yuan didn't even look back at him, just yawned nonchalantly.
"Here, Boss!"
Victor stood up straight, cooperating perfectly, the fat on his face shaking.
"Pack up this exoskeleton. Also, help me contact Princess Salama of Saudi Arabia."
Chen Yuan's voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced the ears of every soldier present.
"Just tell her I have a new shipment here."
Chen Yuan looked at his slender fingers, his tone full of regret.
"Since the US military can't afford it, I think the tycoons in the Middle East will be very interested."
"After all, money is the thing they lack the least."
General Ross's footsteps were instantly nailed to the ground as if they had been filled with lead.
He turned his head abruptly, his eyes wide as copper bells.
"You dare?!"
This roar carried an undisguised panic.
If this thing really flowed into the Middle East...
A nightmarish image instantly flashed through General Ross's mind.
Those local militants who wore robes and rode camels all year round suddenly equipped with this kind of individual armor capable of tearing tanks apart.
Then what would the tens of thousands of US troops stationed in the Middle East be? Moving live targets?!
It would be a one-sided massacre!
The Pentagon would become the laughingstock of the whole world, and he, General Ross, would be the greatest sinner in the history of America!
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Chen Yuan chuckled and turned toward the elevator.
"The technology is mine, the factory is mine, and I will sell to whomever I want."
"Take it or leave it."
"Anyway, once the camels in the Middle East are equipped with mechanical legs, they will definitely run faster than your Humvees."
Chen Yuan stepped into the elevator and made a move to press the close button.
"Wait!"
General Ross completely broke down.
He scrambled back, almost rolling, and grabbed the elevator door that was about to close.
"Mr. Chen! Let's talk this over!"
The expression on this iron-blooded general's face at this moment was worse than if he had swallowed a fly.
"Your terms... we can discuss all of them."
"Inspection-free privileges, procurement lists, even an independent base; I can use military resources to help you apply for them."
"But this set of exoskeletons must absolutely not leave North America!"
"That's all you had to say."
Chen Yuan stepped out of the elevator again, his smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.
He took a brand-new electronic contract from Victor and handed it to General Ross.
"Sign it. Ten billion US dollars for the first batch of one thousand units."
General Ross looked at the astronomical quote, his heart bleeding.
But he could only grit his teeth and swallow his pride.
He picked up the pen, just about to sign his name on the screen, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a line of small print.
[Note: The products delivered this time are the basic foreign trade version (Codename: Monkey Version).]
"Monkey Version?"
General Ross keenly sensed that something was wrong.
"Chen Yuan, what does this mean?"
"It means exactly what it says."
Chen Yuan shrugged matter-of-factly, pointing to the imposing armor in the center of the venue.
"What I just showed you was the 'complete version' with a bio-neural interface system."
"But that technology is too advanced and does not conform to current ergonomics."
"So, the 'Monkey Version' sold to you has the neural connection removed and replaced with physical joystick controls."
"The armor thickness is reduced by thirty percent. The maximum jump height is two meters. The lifting limit is five hundred kilograms."
"Most importantly, its core power source is not a bio-battery, but a specially made high-energy lithium battery."
Chen Yuan added with a smile: "Fully charged, the battery life is about... two hours."
"Two hours?!"
Colonel William screamed from the side, "What can you do in two hours? It's not even enough for an assault mission! You're selling defective products!"
"This is called a technical barrier, understand?"
Chen Yuan glanced at him coldly.
"The core technology is not for sale."
"I only sell finished products, and they are neutered ones at that."
Chen Yuan patted General Ross's stiff shoulder.
"Want the complete version? Sure. Pay more, and bring The Pentagon's core secrets to trade."
"This is outright robbery!"
General Ross was trembling with rage; he felt like a fat pig waiting to be slaughtered.
Not only did he have to pay an astronomical price, but what he was buying back was a defective product weakened by seventy or eighty percent!
"No, this is still protection money."
Chen Yuan's smile faded, his eyes revealing an unquestionable domineering air.
"This money isn't buying equipment."
"It's buying the safety of your bases in the Middle East from being flattened by this equipment."
"General, my patience is limited."
Silence.
A long, deathly silence.
General Ross gripped the electronic pen tightly, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.
He looked at Chen Yuan's face, which showed no room for compromise.
Finally.
Like a deflated ball, he humiliatingly signed his name on the screen.
"Ding—"
A crisp electronic notification sounded in the underground training ground.
The screen of the encrypted computer in Victor's hand instantly lit up with a green light.
[UBS notification: Your account has received a remittance of 10,000,000,000.00 USD.]
Ten billion.
The first deposit had arrived.
Victor was so excited that all the fat on his body was trembling.
He covered his mouth tightly, afraid that he wouldn't be able to stop himself from oinking with laughter.
The money earned this way was even crazier than a money printing machine!
As for the military delegation, they turned and walked toward the elevator with their tails between their legs, like a group of defeated roosters.
"Pleasure doing business, General."
Chen Yuan watched their backs and waved, in a great mood.
"Remember to leave a five-star review."
General Ross stumbled, nearly falling headfirst into the elevator.
As the military personnel left completely.
The smile on Chen Yuan's face gradually faded.
He turned his head and looked at the deep, dark steel corridor of the underground base, which seemed to lead to the depths of hell.
His gaze became incredibly profound.
"Boss, with this money, our next move..."
Victor rubbed his hands and leaned in, his face full of anticipation.
Chen Yuan rubbed his knuckles, his voice low and powerful.
"The money is here."
"Notify Zola."
"That plan... can begin."