193: Chapter 193 Another Beggar's Visit? Director Zhou's "Closed Door"!

Early the next morning, Lin Zhou arrived outside the familiar reception room in the Beijing Suburbs.

He was still dressed casually, his attire indistinguishable from any ordinary young person here for a vacation.

Director Zhou was already waiting in the teahouse.

The purple clay tea set remained on the tea tray in front of him, and the room was filled with the faint, elegant aroma of tea.

"Sit." Director Zhou gestured to the seat opposite him and personally poured a cup of tea for Lin Zhou.

Lin Zhou sat down as instructed, skipping the pleasantries, and pushed the intelligence briefing that Jack had prepared overnight across the table.

The briefing detailed the motives of agricultural giants like Sterling, the methods they might employ, and a feasibility analysis of them disguising themselves as pirates to carry out robberies.

Director Zhou picked up the briefing, reading it page by page very slowly, his brow furrowing as he did so.

"It seems this group is truly desperate." He set down the briefing and took a sip from his tea cup. "The methods are despicable, but they are indeed troublesome. Just as you said, once they succeed, they can completely wash their hands of any responsibility."

"That's why I need the power to flip the table." Lin Zhou met his gaze and spoke bluntly.

"What do you want to get from me? Missiles? Artillery?" Director Zhou looked up at him, his gaze becoming extremely oppressive.

"Lin Zhou, you must understand, we could help you defend Ironforge because it was on your territory, an act of anti-aggression. But this time it's the high seas, and the nature of the situation is completely different. Any piece of weaponry with our markings appearing at the conflict site would hand a knife to the Western media, and they would portray us as 'destroyers of world peace' and 'supporters of pirates.'"

"Heh, didn't I say it on the phone? Containerized weapon systems!" Lin Zhou said with a smile, his tone relaxed. "As long as it can protect us from pirate harassment, that's enough."

"Little trinkets?" Director Zhou snorted. "Things that can intercept missiles don't count as little trinkets."

Containerized weapon systems were designed precisely to meet the needs of countries that cannot easily purchase warships but still have coastal defense requirements.

It integrates radar, fire control, and weapon stations into standard shipping containers, disguising them as ordinary cargo during peacetime and raising the weapons during wartime to effectively strike targets like speedboats and low-altitude aircraft.

"It seems you've done your homework." Director Zhou set down his teacup and leaned back into his chair. "We do have the items. However, selling them to you now is too conspicuous."

The spirit Lin Zhou had just mustered instantly deflated by more than half.

"You are currently buying maritime patrol boats, and now a ten-thousand-ton armed merchant ship suddenly appears—what would neighboring countries think? This kind of transaction cannot be viewed solely on its own merits; one must also consider the international reaction it would cause."

"So there's no other way?" Lin Zhou pressed, his tone revealing his unwillingness to give up.

"There is a way, actually." Director Zhou said, leaving the sentence half-finished, playing coy.

"The weapon systems cannot be sold directly to you. However, we can sell a batch of 'economical coastal defense kits' to the 'Democratic Republic of Sudan, which has friendly cooperative relations with our country,' to be used for protecting its ports and coastal facilities. This is a normal arms trade that fully complies with international law."

Lin Zhou was stunned for a moment. He looked at Director Zhou as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Selling to Sudan? What does that have to do with him?

Seeing Lin Zhou's bewildered expression, Director Zhou picked up his teacup, a knowing glint in his eyes behind his glasses: "Didn't you just sign the Moscow Agreement with Sudan? Doesn't it contain a clause stating that you have leased a Red Sea port in Sudan and are responsible for the security of that region?"

Lin Zhou's breath hitched for a moment.

This was taking a roundabout path to achieve his goal!

In name, this batch of weapons is sold to Sudan to defend Sudanese ports.

But in reality, according to his agreement with Sudan, port security is the responsibility of the Cyber Freedom Republic. So, who actually operates and deploys these weapons becomes a matter that can be handled "flexibly."

"What exactly… does this kit include?" Lin Zhou tried his best to make his voice sound steady, but the end of the sentence still wavered slightly.

"A set of MSR-210 low-altitude early warning radar and two RMK-30 remote weapon stations." Director Zhou knew it like the back of his hand. "Thirty-millimeter caliber, chain-fed, with a fire control system integrated with laser rangefinding and thermal imaging. It is more than enough to deal with those speedboats you mentioned. Additionally, it can be compatible with firing anti-tank missiles, which is a bonus surprise."

Lin Zhou's blood began to heat up. This configuration was tailor-made for him! Especially those two remote weapon stations, which could be installed directly on the deck of a cargo ship, using the shipping container shell as cover.

"And the price?"

"The total price is 28 million RMB." Director Zhou stated a figure.

This price was practically giving it away. The radar and fire control system alone would cost more than that on the international market.

"However, we have an additional condition." Director Zhou continued.

"Please tell me."

"This batch of kits will serve as the first combat test for our export models. Therefore, we need to send a few 'technical advisors' along with the ship, responsible for installation, debugging, and… collecting combat data." Director Zhou stared at Lin Zhou. "Their identity will be engineers hired by the Sudanese Port Authority. Your people must ensure they remain perfectly safe."

Lin Zhou laughed out loud. This wasn't an additional condition; it was clearly another huge gift! These "technical advisors" were one hundred percent experienced naval technical officers, or perhaps even special forces personnel.

With them on board, it not only solved the problem of weapon operation but also meant he had brought in instructors and a stabilizing force for his makeshift fleet.

"No problem! I give you my word of honor that they will be as safe and comfortable on the ship as they would be in their own homes!" Lin Zhou patted his chest in assurance.

"Your honor isn't worth much." Director Zhou waved his hand. "I want our people to be unharmed; nothing else matters."

With the matter settled, Lin Zhou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He picked up the now lukewarm tea and downed it in one gulp.

"Director Zhou, there's one more small problem." Lin Zhou rubbed his hands together a bit sheepishly. "Just having cannons isn't lively enough. I also want something… that can fly, is disposable, and makes a bit of noise."

Director Zhou raised an eyebrow: "Suicide drones?"

"This item has been somewhat sensitive internationally lately, and export controls are very strict." Director Zhou shook his head. "I can't help you with this."

The light in Lin Zhou's eyes dimmed again.

"However…" Director Zhou drew out his tone, implying more than he said. "While I can't help you, the market can. You know, there's a company in Shenzhen called DJI; their civilian drones are quite good."

"I hear they have a model called the Matrice 350 RTK, an industrial-grade one with strong payload capacity and good wind resistance. It can also be fitted with various loudspeakers and searchlights. Whether you buy it for aerial photography, surveying, or… accidentally attaching something else to it, that's your own business."

"Of course, we also have many small drone factories; the technology might be average, but they are cheap…"

A gleam returned to Lin Zhou's eyes.

Director Zhou was pointing him in the right direction! Civilian drone exports are unrestricted; how they are modified after purchase is an internal matter for him.

Given the hands-on ability of Li Xiang and his group of tech geeks, turning industrial drones into simple attack drones would be a piece of cake.

"Thank you for your guidance, Director Zhou!" Lin Zhou stood up and bowed deeply.

Director Zhou accepted the bow calmly, stood up, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Remember, what we've given you is the fishing rod and bait, not the fish. How you fish, and whether you catch a shark, depends entirely on your own ability."

He paused and added another sentence.

"Also, the 'technical advisors' on that ship are all a bit homesick, but they volunteered. Their salaries will come out of your account."