21: Chapter 21 only requires providing the outermost perimeter of security.

Li Yi naturally followed the news of the Global Hawk crash, but as the person operating behind the scenes, he merely chuckled at the exaggerated or deceptive reports.

News reports always have a certain stance and purpose; many are a mix of truth and falsehood.

Expecting them to disclose the truth is far too difficult. They hide what is unfavorable to them or distort their reporting, all while mixing in self-righteous rhetoric.

It's fine to watch, just don't take it all as truth!

After noon, just as Li Yi was preparing for a nap, he received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Haidari.

"Lieutenant Colonel Haidari, did you successfully receive the Tianlei Type IV Anti-Aircraft Missile launchers and equipment?" Li Yi asked after some pleasantries.

"We have received them. The Tianlei Type IV Anti-Aircraft Missile is too powerful; looking at the missile launch monitoring data, it really only took one anti-aircraft missile to shoot down the Global Hawk."

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari had already received news from the experts at the Glass House who were testing the Tianlei Type IV Anti-Aircraft Missile. While testing its combat performance, the experts saw from the monitoring data that only a single anti-aircraft missile was used to down the Global Hawk.

A single Tianlei Type IV Anti-Aircraft Missile has an original price of 8 million USD, with a minimum cost of 4 million USD.

However, a Global Hawk's manufacturing cost alone is as high as 73.7 million USD per unit; if R&D costs are factored in, it reaches 123.2 million USD per unit. And that was the price twenty years ago; it would be even more ridiculously high now.

Using an 8 million USD anti-aircraft missile to shoot down a 123 million USD Global Hawk is a profitable deal no matter how you look at it.

"The combat performance of the Tianlei series is very reliable, you can rest assured now," Li Yi emphasized.

"Yes, we are very reassured now. Are you still in Beirut?"

"I'm still here."

"When do you have time? Let's discuss the fulfillment of the arms trade contract."

Although the arms trade contract had been signed, it was better for both parties to meet and discuss the details regarding the delivery of goods.

"I have time this afternoon. At the same place as before?"

"That works. Can you make it around 3 PM?"

"3 PM. No problem."

Li Yi could teleport there, so timing was not an issue at all; he could even manage a good afternoon nap.

After resting for over an hour, Li Yi teleported to that unfinished building in Beirut, then walked out to catch a taxi to the residential building where the previous negotiations had taken place.

When he arrived, Lieutenant Colonel Haidari was already there, along with his assistant Captain Jalal and Mannila.

Upon meeting, Lieutenant Colonel Haidari excitedly wanted to give Li Yi a cheek kiss. But Li Yi politely dodged it, not being used to their enthusiasm, and simply extended his hand for a handshake.

After both parties were seated, Li Yi spoke first, "Lieutenant Colonel Haidari, you have seen the combat performance of the Tianlei Type IV Anti-Aircraft Missile; the other models in the Tianlei series possess the same excellent combat performance."

"It is indeed a fine product," Haidari did not deny it.

"Then let's discuss the payment of the deposit. A 15% deposit, with 5% paid in gold and 10% paid in oil. You find that acceptable?"

"No problem. We are ready to pay the deposit. For the gold payment, where should it be delivered? Here?"

Li Yi suddenly remembered he needed to pay Mannila a 20 million USD commission fee and asked him, "Do you want gold or US dollars?"

Mannila considered it and said, "US dollars." US dollars could be transferred directly to his secret bank account; gold would require finding a place to store it.

Li Yi turned to Lieutenant Colonel Haidari and said, "The 5% deposit is 22.625 million USD. Of that, 20 million USD can be paid in US dollars, and the remaining 2.625 million USD in gold. The gold can be delivered right here."

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari saw Li Yi and Mannila exchange a few words before suddenly saying 20 million USD would be paid in dollars; he knew they had a private deal but didn't care about the specifics.

Paying in US dollars was also a good thing; although Iran was short on dollars, it was still better than paying in gold. After all, gold had more uses.

"Provide a bank account, and I'll arrange for someone to transfer the 20 million USD. The 2.625 million USD will be calculated based on the average gold price of the last five days at 2,000 USD per ounce, totaling 1,312.5 ounces, which is 37.2088 kilograms. We are friends, so I'll give you 37.3 kilograms of gold."

Li Yi checked the recent international gold prices, which were fluctuating around 2,000 USD per ounce. Haidari giving 37.3 kilograms was a bit extra, so he said, "No problem."

Mannila secretly slipped a piece of paper to Li Yi under the table. Li Yi saw it was bank account information, so he took it out and said to Haidari, "Just pay the 20 million USD directly to this bank account."

"The 10% deposit of 45.25 million USD will be paid in oil. Based on the current international oil price of 80 USD per barrel, the transaction price will be 40% lower than the international price, which is 48 USD per barrel. In total, 942,700 barrels of oil need to be paid; let's just call it 943,000 barrels. How do you plan to receive this oil?"

Seeing that Li Yi didn't answer immediately, Haidari gave two options, saying, "We have oil in both Iran and Syria that can be used for payment. But you will need to prepare tankers to transport it."

Li Yi thought about it and felt it was better to trade the oil in Syria; it was relatively more chaotic there, so no one would be watching. He said, "Let's trade in Syria. Once your side has filled the storage tanks, notify us to come and transport it. Where are your oil storage tanks located?"

"How about Deir ez-Zor? We can provide protection."

Deir ez-Zor is located in northeastern Syria, where local factions are intertwined. Li Yi didn't care how chaotic it was as long as the trade could happen. He said, "Once you fill the tanks, our side will immediately send people to receive it. Your side only needs to provide perimeter security."

"Only perimeter security? Fine, our side will send troops to guard the perimeter."

Lieutenant Colonel Haidari found it strange that Li Yi didn't require an armed escort for the oil, but since it reduced his own trouble, he was happy to oblige.

"We've settled the deposit payment. When can your side deliver the first batch of the Tianlei series, and where will the delivery take place?"

"Once we receive the deposit, the first batch of the Tianlei series will be delivered within Syria in three days. I will inform you of the specific time and location then, and you can send people to receive them."

Haidari had no issues with the delivery of the first batch of the Tianlei series, but the second and third batches needed to be expedited for deployment to the various units under the Glass House.