“Then if we find a new buyer, can we ask for a higher price?” Lucas asked.
The problem now is that there is not enough money to spend. If the buyer changes and the price increases by hundreds of millions, not only will the deposit and compensation be paid, but the remaining money can be used to complete the construction.
"It's up to you to discuss this matter." Sergey said: "This is not what we have to worry about. What skills you can use yourself. The price you want depends on your skills."
Lucas and Duquesne looked at each other, and then took a deep breath: "Okay, let's leave for the East now!"
Eastern, Mingzhou Group.
The shipyard is still a busy scene, but there are a few more foreigners. Their arrival does not attract anyone's attention. After all, foreigners often come here, as long as they do not enter the restricted area, and with the increase of domestic warships, Construction shifted to the third factory. Almost all the ships built here were foreign trade warships, so there was no need to worry about being seen.
“Mr. Qin, your shipbuilding technology is really good. It would be great if I could order from you!”
“Yes, our pyramid country also needs powerful warships! We originally wanted to join the big dog’s warship sharing plan, but we were squeezed out by others, alas!”
The customers here are from the Pyramid Country. Although they are located in North Africa, they are separated from the Middle East by the Suez Canal. Even before the canal was opened, the continents were connected together. Moreover, their race is the same as that of the Middle East. The relationship was very cordial at that time.
At that time, during the four Middle East wars, the Pyramid State was almost the leader. However, the more it fought against Israel, the stronger it became, and they lost land one after another. During the Fourth Middle East War, the Pyramid State lost all of the Sinai Peninsula.
If they can't defeat it, then negotiate peace. Through peace talks, they brought over the Sinai Peninsula. But because of the peace talks, they became traitors!
Since then, they have been squeezed out by other brothers and can only live alone in North Africa. However, their relationship with the United States has developed. They receive large amounts of military aid from the Americans every year. They even have the second largest M1 in the world. Tank troops!
However, in terms of navy, their strength is still very weak. The main force is frigates of several thousand tons. This time they received the news and came over immediately.
Mamish has been here several times before when purchasing submarines and has a good relationship with the Mingzhou Group. This time he is responsible for leading the team. His eyes are looking at the 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship on the outfitting dock, full of expectations.
“Mr. Qin, it would be great if there were warships of that tonnage!”
“That’s impossible. Goudahu’s aircraft carrier is only 40,000 tons. If you have two amphibious assault ships of the same tonnage as theirs, do you think it’s appropriate?”
Mamish nodded, yes, this purchase was paid for by a wealthy family, and the warships were purchased for them to use. Although they were excluded from the plan to share warships, it also enhanced their strength and could be used by others in the future. The country's fleets unite together to jointly safeguard regional peace. However, the tonnage of their warships must not be larger than that of big dogs. This is a basic principle.
As he was talking, Xu Zhengyang picked up his mobile phone and answered a call, and then said to Qin Tao: "Mr. Qin, the French are here."
“Okay, let them go to the conference room. Come on, everyone, we will go to the conference room too.”
Mamish nodded and became excited. This opportunity is too rare. Their navy will finally have more than 20,000 tons of warships!
“Mr. Qin, can this kind of warship be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult?” Mamish asked Qin Tao as he walked.
“Of course you can, but now, you don’t need to install additional equipment. It is enough to operate helicopters. After all, you do not have carrier-based vertical take-off and landing fighter jets. In your situation, it is not convenient to purchase them from us.”
They are soft-spoken and soft-handed. A lot of the military expenditures of the pyramid countries are funded by the US military. In the past, they bought submarines because the United States did not produce conventional submarines. The navy of the pyramid countries has a tradition of purchasing submarines from the East. In addition, the United States People also want to see the performance of this submarine.
What about fighter jets?
Countries that now own the fourth-generation stealth aircraft produced by the Mingzhou Group carefully control the fighter jets and do not let anyone get close to them. However, if the Pyramid Country has a navy, the Americans will definitely make various demands, and even Maybe I can get one and take it apart to see if it's possible. Therefore, Mingzhou Group will not export fourth-generation stealth aircraft to the pyramid countries.
They have these two amphibious assault ships first. If they want to buy them in the future, they can buy American F-32Bs. However, if the Flying Toad wants to be exported to the Pyramid Country, it will take at least ten or even twenty years.
So now, there is no need to build an electromagnetic catapult.
Mamish nodded.
A group of people entered the conference room. Inside, Duquesne and Lucas were still feeling uneasy. When they saw the person coming, they finally reacted.
Pyramid country people? Are they potential customers?
"Two, we meet again. These are guests from the Pyramid Country. They came to our group to order amphibious assault ships. However, our group cannot produce them now. I heard that you have two ships to deal with, so I introduced them to you. .”
“Okay, okay.” Duquesne said a few words, but still couldn’t organize his words, so Lucas hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
“It’s a great honor. Please rest assured that our two amphibious assault ships are of high quality and have all the main engines. As long as you pay, they will be delivered to you within two years!”
“Let’s listen to the introduction of the warship.” Qin Tao said.
"Well, our Mistral class adopts a modular design concept and can be easily changed in size. The largest of them is a model with a displacement of 24,000 tons. This is the type of ship that is being built on the slipway now." Luca Si introduced: "This Mistral-class amphibious assault ship uses an advanced forty-megawatt gas turbine, coupled with several diesel engines, with a total power of sixty megawatts. In addition to driving the warship, it also has sufficient reserves. Electricity to prepare for future electromagnetic catapults.”
“Its deck is very large, with a length of 214.5 meters and a displacement of 24,542 tons. If rounded up, it has a weight of 25,000 tons.”
Lucas introduced it very seriously, and the people of the Pyramid Country also listened very seriously, but in fact, both sides had their own plans. The people of the Pyramid Country could get two warships of more than 20,000 tons without spending any money, so there was nothing to criticize at all. Yes, no one will be refused.
For the French, this project must be exaggerated so that the people of the Pyramid Country can easily pay for it!
“What do you think of our warships?” Lucas spat out his words and spoke for half an hour before stopping. He felt that his introduction was quite good.
“Sounds good, what’s the price?”
Finally we have arrived at the most critical issue! Duquesne took a deep breath, and then said: "This is the most advanced amphibious landing ship, priced at one billion euros!"
Originally, the amount given to Da Mao was 600 million euros, but now they decided to increase it to 1 billion so that they can make money.
After finishing speaking, Duquesne looked at the people across from him nervously, fearing that these guys would bargain, or even just slap their butts and leave if they found it too expensive.
Who would have thought that the other party did not refuse and nodded directly: "Okay, then one billion euros per ship! We want both of them!"
So generous? It doesn't look like the style of the Pyramid people at all. Could it be that they have received military aid from the United States again? No, if it's US military aid, the order also belongs to US companies, and it's not your turn.
Dickener looked at Qin Tao with doubtful eyes.
Qin Tao had a smile on his face and nodded slightly to him.
It’s Mr. Qin’s help. Mr. Qin is really a good person!
That’s right, at this moment, Decena was really moved. Mr. Qin was so interesting!
Of course he didn't know what Qin Tao was thinking about.
The father-in-law asked Qin Tao, where is his next move? There seems to be no chance to use those prepared back-up moves. Now, isn't the opportunity coming? As long as these two warships continue to be built, the French will continue to use 40-megawatt gas turbines. When those gas turbines are exported, there are regulations that they can only be used on their own aircraft carriers.
When it becomes unusable in the future, they will have to come to Qin Tao. At that time, won’t the extra 400 million euros they want still have to fall into the pockets of the Mingzhou Group?
The contract was drafted and various details were discussed for more than half an hour. The two parties signed the contract, and Duquesne finally let go of his hanging heart.
“Excuse me, when can you send the payment?”
"Within a week, we need to bring the contract back to the leaders to see it. It will be effective after approval." Mamish said: "According to the conditions in the contract, part of the payment will be paid directly to the Mingzhou Shipyard. Come, it’s a supplement to your other contract, is there no problem with this?”
"Of course there is no problem." Duquesne said: "As long as the remaining funds are given to us, we can continue to build."
“Okay, now that the contract is signed, we have completed a project. Next, let’s go to the banquet hall of the guest house to celebrate!”
Dicana was very happy, but Lucas thought of something and became worried again.
In the banquet hall, the lights were bright, shining on the excited faces. Duquesne couldn't help but drink a few more drinks. Lucas was holding the wine glass, waiting for the opportunity. When there was no one around Qin Tao, he left immediately Go up.
“Mr. Qin, we hope to purchase frequency converters from you to meet the grid connection needs of our ship-wide integrated power system.”
"Of course there is no problem." Qin Tao nodded: "This project is our Golden Sun Motor Company's responsibility, right? You can go to them directly."
“Mr. Qin, we have approached you before. They offered us US$40 million, which is a bit expensive. Can you lower the price for us?”
“It doesn’t matter what I said. Our group is very large and each branch is independently operated. The price they gave you must be the most appropriate. By the way, when did you purchase it?”
"last year."
“Then the price should have increased a lot this year, the **** US dollar has been depreciating.”
Will it continue to rise? Lucas's eyelids began to twitch. Could this project turn into a loss-making project again?
“Will the price increase again?”
"Yes, it will definitely increase, but you will also make money. After all, I originally quoted Da Mao 600 million, and now I quote them 1 billion. We, the Mingzhou Group, help matchmaking, and forget about commissions. After all, we are good friends. Well, but the price of this equipment has gone up, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Qin Tao made it very clear. According to international practice, there should be a commission for introducing such a large business. Now, if the Mingzhou Group does not want their commission, it is already a big deal. Next, won't they? Should the combination of generators and inverters produced by Mingzhou Group be purchased at normal prices? What face do they have to ask for a low price? Not enough friends?
Lucas looked ugly and had nothing to say.
Throughout the banquet, Lucas was depressed. After returning to the room, he told Duquesne about the incident. Duquesne's heart dropped and he slapped his thigh hard.
Sorry, it’s less! If I had known that the price of Dongfang's equipment would increase, I would have asked for an additional one to two hundred million. Seeing that the people from the Pyramid Country agreed, they were very happy!
However, once the contract has been implemented, it cannot be changed.
The next day, the two of them came to Golden Sun Motor Company with many worries and found the sales manager.
The sales manager took out a printed brochure and looked through it.
"The combination of generator and inverter you need has increased to US$50 million per set. However, after deducting factors such as exchange rate changes and the decline in the purchasing power of the US dollar, it is the same as the US$40 million per set in the past. "
At this time, Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. Well, it seems that the Easterners are not too much.
Lucas is afraid of price increases, especially of doubling the price. Orientals can do this kind of thing. Now, the price increase is only from 40 million to 50 million, which he feels is still acceptable.
Over the years, the US dollar has indeed been depreciating. This is an indisputable fact.
“Do you accept euros?” Lucas asked.
“Do you accept RMB?” the sales manager asked.
This is not a casual rebuttal of the opponent, but the big thing Dongfang is going to do next.
If Europeans want to use euros directly to buy products from the East, then the Europeans have to accept the RMB from the East. Only in this way can everyone benefit from each other. Even if you don't use RMB to buy things directly in the European market, just use it as a currency in foreign trade and then reserve it in various central banks, that is a huge step forward.
Now that they have encountered it, I have to mention a few words to slowly let them accept it.
You have to spend euros, and we have to spend renminbi. This is only fair and reasonable.
Lucas was stunned for a moment and murmured in his mouth: "Yes, we should also accept RMB. The trade between us should be settled in RMB and euros to save the Americans."
After placing the order, Duquesne and Lucas went back to work. Sure enough, within a week, the money arrived, and construction of their Mistral-class amphibious assault ship continued. At the Mingzhou Group, a new construction project was held on the slipway almost at the same time. groundbreaking ceremony for the amphibious assault ship.
Nicolas was extremely excited.
"Today, we are very happy to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sevastopol-class amphibious assault ship here! This is a 25,000-ton amphibious assault ship. Its construction will greatly enhance the amphibious warfare capabilities of our navy. !”
Qin Tao was also shocked when he heard Nicholas say this. You are really brave enough to give this kind of amphibious assault ship such a name!
However, how the warships are named is the customer's business. Mingzhou Group is just the builder of the warships. How the customers name it has nothing to do with them.
"After some false attempts, we finally got back on the right track. We believe that Dongfang is our best friend. Mingzhou Group has never let us down. The warships we ordered from here will be used in the shortest time. Complete the construction in time and join our navy! With the construction of these two warships and the modification of the Nassimov, the number of warships of more than 20,000 tons in our navy will reach six. This is important for us to protect our national territorial waters. Protecting our maritime rights and interests is of great significance!”
Two Kirov-class ships have been modified. The fourth ship was commissioned in 1998 and does not need to be modified for the time being. So all we need to do is modify the Nassimov. In this way, the Korean Navy will have four Kirov-class ships. Coupled with two newly built amphibious assault ships and six warships with a displacement of more than 25,000 tons, the scale is also very large.
Those present applauded.
This is a new beginning!
A berth in the shipyard was vacated. On this berth, arc sparks were flying, and the construction of the amphibious assault ship for Damao finally started!
This is of great significance. The recovery of the Mao Navy is increasingly relying on the Mingzhou Group. First, it sent warships for modification, and now it is completely new production!
Although the ceremony was over, Da Mao's naval officers stood on the slipway and looked at the warships under construction. Although the construction had just started, they were already full of expectations and looked forward to the warships being built.
Da Mao's navy is recovering, and they will definitely return to being as powerful as before!
Hibernian Bay, on the aircraft carrier Lincoln, after hearing the news, Swift looked at the sea and thought for a long time.
“Da Mao’s former glory has been lost, and now they place their hopes of recovery on the East. This is obviously fantastic!”
“Yes, it is sheer fantasy to rely on outsourcing to make the navy stronger!”
Everyone around them looks down upon them. How can a country that cannot build its own equipment and can only purchase equipment from outside be said to have a powerful navy?
What a joke!
"You are paying attention in the wrong direction." After a long time, Swift said: "You only know how to laugh at Da Mao. Don't you see that Mingzhou Group has grown into a terrible monster? Now, we still use this monster There is no way, in the future, this monster might swallow our fleet!"