Chapter 213 Two Trillion Four Hundred Billion!
Inside a spacious and bright conference room, decorated with simple elegance, photos reflecting the friendly cooperation between the two nations hung on the walls.
Oil Country representative Prince Aodebiao and Dragon Country's Commander Liu Chengzhi sat on opposite sides of the negotiation table, with their respective teams of assistants following behind them.
The two first engaged in simple and polite pleasantries, exchanging greetings about the recent situations in their respective countries and engaging in some friendly conversation; the atmosphere was harmonious and amicable.
After the pleasantries, they officially entered into the main topic.
However, before the formal negotiations began, Oil Country representative Prince Aodebiao suddenly spoke up, a hint of expectation on his face as he said:
"Respected Mr. Liu, we have a somewhat presumptuous request!"
"It's just that… would it be possible to give us some discount on this purchase?"
A mix of caution and anticipation flashed in Prince Aodebiao's eyes.
Upon hearing this, Commander Liu Chengzhi was indeed somewhat surprised.
In previous transactions with Oil Country, it was always Dragon Country that took the initiative to offer discount policies to facilitate cooperation!
And Oil Country, this famously known "The Oil Tycoon," usually didn't care much about such small discounts due to its immense financial strength.
After all, they were filthy rich and had always presented themselves on the international market with an image of being big spenders.
Yet today, they had actually taken the initiative to mention a discount!
This made Commander Liu Chengzhi keenly feel that his previous guess might be correct!
Oil Country's economy might indeed have been significantly impacted by the energy crisis.
But at the same time, Commander Liu Chengzhi also understood that Oil Country had tasted the massive benefits of using mechs in combat before!
Relying on the mechs purchased from his own country, they had uprooted their archenemy Daishin in a short period!
This powerful combat capability kept their demand for mechs strong.
It was just that, considering their economic situation, they might not be purchasing on such a large scale as they had in the past.
Commander Liu Chengzhi pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"We can offer you a discount, but the discount won't be very large; at most, each mech will be 500 million Dragon Country Coins cheaper."
When Commander Liu Chengzhi said this number, he was also weighing the interests of both sides and the market situation in his heart.
He felt that this discount margin could demonstrate Dragon Country's sincerity without causing too much impact on profits.
Of course, the granting of such discounts was a right bestowed upon him by his superiors, and it was also the bottom line for Dragon Country!
However, this was clearly not Dragon Country's true bottom line!
When they were trading with the Desert Alliance previously, they had prepared generous discounts, but the other party didn't even give the Dragon Country trade representatives a chance to propose them!
Just like that, Dragon Country silently made another huge profit!
Commander Liu Chengzhi prepared to follow the normal bargaining process and propose Dragon Country's discount level!
If The Oil Tycoon felt the discount wasn't enough, they could just negotiate further!
To Commander Liu Chengzhi's surprise, after Prince Aodebiao heard this number, a satisfied smile immediately appeared on his face as he said:
"No problem!"
"500 million it is!"
Prince Aodebiao laughed!
Commander Liu Chengzhi was stunned for a moment. Looking at the smile on Prince Aodebiao's face, he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
In his impression, Oil Country would never have even glanced at such a discount margin before, and might even have felt that Dragon Country was insulting them.
After all, they used to throw money around like dirt, and their concept of money seemed quite different from other countries.
But now, a mere 500 million discount made them so satisfied, which further confirmed that Oil Country's economic situation was far worse than before!
Commander Liu Chengzhi sighed inwardly, feeling a hint of pity for Oil Country's plight, but in the business negotiation, he maintained his professional attitude, nodded, and said:
"As long as your country is satisfied with this discount, then let us begin the formal transaction!"
"May I ask how many mechs your country intends to purchase this time?"
As he spoke, Commander Liu Chengzhi brought over a contract that had been prepared long ago and took out an exquisite ballpoint pen from his pocket, preparing to fill in the relevant information on the contract to finalize this impending transaction.
At this moment, the corners of Prince Aodebiao's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a mysterious smile.
He slowly extended his hand and made an "eight" gesture.
Commander Liu Chengzhi was taken aback, clearly somewhat surprised; he subconsciously assumed it was eight!
Commander Liu Chengzhi quickly calculated in his mind: one mech was 30 billion; excluding the discount, eight would be 240 billion.
Although this number was already an astronomical figure for an average country, for Oil Country, the former "The Oil Tycoon," Commander Liu Chengzhi felt it was within reason.
Indeed, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse; even if Oil Country's economy was affected, its purchasing power was still not to be underestimated.
The country would have another considerable income this time; Commander Liu Chengzhi was absolutely delighted.
Perhaps because he was in such a good mood, Commander Liu Chengzhi even jokingly teased the other party.
He feigned a look of shock and intentionally raised his voice as he said: "What?"
"Is your country planning to purchase eighty this time?"
After saying this, Commander Liu Chengzhi couldn't help but laugh himself.
He assumed the other party would understand this was just a joke; after all, the number of eighty mechs was truly too enormous, exceeding his expectations.
In his view, although Oil Country had the purchasing power, considering various factors, they shouldn't be purchasing so many at once.
However, to Commander Liu Chengzhi's surprise, there was not a hint of a smile on Prince Aodebiao's face; instead, it was filled with complete astonishment.
Prince Aodebiao's eyes widened as he looked at Commander Liu Chengzhi, seemingly unable to believe what he had just heard.
Commander Liu Chengzhi was still wondering, why are you so surprised?
Then he heard Prince Aodebiao speak:
"How did you know we wanted to buy eighty… and not eight?"
"Did you learn of our intentions in advance?"
"Or perhaps…"
"Our Oil Country has a reputation abroad, and our wealth is a well-known fact! So Mr. Liu subconsciously assumed we were buying eighty, and not a mere eight!"
Originally, Prince Aodebiao had wanted to surprise Commander Liu Chengzhi with the purchase quantity of eighty mechs; after all, eighty mechs was a rather terrifying number and an extremely rare large-scale procurement in international military trade.
As it turned out, it was Commander Liu Chengzhi's joke that had startled him instead.
Upon hearing Prince Aodebiao's words, this Dragon Country Major General's eyes suddenly widened, filled with shock and disbelief.
He tried his best to restrain his excited emotions, but his brain had already begun to calculate at lightning speed involuntarily.
How much was eighty times 30 billion again?
At first, a number flashed in his mind: "240 billion"!
But soon he realized that was wrong; it wasn't 240 billion!
It was 2.4 trillion!!!!!
2.4 trillion!!!!!
Good heavens!!!!!
Has Oil Country gone crazy?