Darkstone Code-Chapter 853 - 851: I Am a Proud Man
Nothing Lynch said was false, but sometimes he uses certain techniques when speaking to make his words more easily accepted.
The gentlemen in the room were softly conversing and discussing; to them, what Lynch said was indeed very tempting.
Especially the "decapitation tactic," a strategic thought that targets the opposing command center as the core of the strike, is highly valuable. Once the command center is attacked, the frontline can easily fall into chaos.
That’s war!
Every war involves tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of people. Once the "head" is lost, a minor trouble can evolve into a fatal big problem.
In the end, the Special Envoy responsible for military equipment procurement from the Ministry of Defense asked a question everyone cared about, "Mr. Lynch, if we’re planning to purchase a batch to try some tactical mixing, what’s the price?"
"Hundred and fifty thousand!" Lynch didn’t even hesitate.
He carefully observed the changes in these people’s expressions, finding no significant abnormalities; they didn’t even think it was expensive!
Of course, in this world dominated by giant ships and heavy artillery, the price of a battleship could buy... The people from the Ministry of Defense calculated, roughly ten thousand airplanes.
This year, Congress just approved the construction plan for two battleships, aiming to put them into service within five years.
The Federation having only one full fleet is still too weak. Since the Navy of the Federation has already proven its strength, there is no need to consider the foolish idea that "increasing the military budget might be misunderstood."
That concern only existed when everyone thought no one could defeat them; now, the worry is about others.
The cost of merely two battleships is approximately three hundred and seventy million Federation Sols, and along with other expenses, the comprehensive cost of the East Ocean’s second fleet, which fell behind in schedule, has surpassed one billion.
The military expenses that the Ministry of Defense and the Military have handled recently are generally in the hundreds of millions or tens of millions, at worst, in the millions. Suddenly hearing that it’s one hundred fifty thousand per airplane, their only thought was how could it be so cheap?
Even because it is so cheap, there was a ridiculous illusion, wondering if this thing was unreliable, which is why it was so cheap?
Seeing no dissatisfaction with the price on these people’s faces, but rather an uncommon skepticism, Lynch realized he could continue to raise the price.
This was something he learned from an auctioneer.
The auctioneer hosted many auctions, both big and small. He became good friends with Lynch because they swapped auction items on site.
But that doesn’t change the fact that the auctioneer was an outstanding auctioneer!
He told Lynch that when people were dissatisfied with a price, they showed clear reactions; maybe because the price was too high, maybe because they didn’t have money, maybe because they saw through the secret of the raised price.
No matter their reason for dissatisfaction with the price, this dissatisfaction is very apparent, just a kind of negation, visible through their eyes.
However, if someone shows a puzzled expression at an auction, it only represents two scenarios.
The first scenario: the price is lower than expected, making them feel it’s cheap.
The second scenario: they suspect the item is fake or there’s something hidden not seen in the catalog, which causes the low price.
Dissatisfaction and puzzlement form a stark contrast; someone was now a little puzzled.
In Lynch’s description, the birth of airplanes, or more accurately, effective airplanes, is a force changing the world’s balance. But isn’t the key to changing the world a bit cheap?
"Gentlemen, what I’m talking about is the price of the airplane itself. If you require more things, the price isn’t completely unchanged..."
Even President thinks so; after all, some luxury cars now cost tens of thousands, and to him, such strategic war weapons shouldn’t be something anyone could afford.
Of course, the "anyone" refers to those familiar to President around him...
Twenty minutes later, Lynch watched these people leave, breathing a satisfied sigh of relief.
The Chief Engineer cautiously approached, "Mr. Lynch, although it’s very impolite, I still want to know, did we succeed?"
Lynch didn’t look at him, continued to gaze at the distant sky, feeling his own perspective broadening, "Of course!"
"How many did we sell?"
"Twenty machines?"
Lynch then glanced at him sideways, "You missed a zero."
A total of two hundred planes, with the price raised to one hundred and sixty-eight thousand each; it was a discounted price. Lynch used his "patriotic sentiment" as a reason to voluntarily offer a discount for this procurement.
Two hundred planes, total sales reaching thirty-three million six hundred thousand, excluding less than ten million in costs and seven to eight million in taxes, his profit exceeded one hundred percent.
But things aren’t calculated this way; after the Ministry of Defense has this plan, they won’t pay the money themselves; they will undoubtedly submit the requests to Congress’s Military Appropriation Committee.
Only after the Military Appropriation Committee agrees will the money be transferred in batches to Lynch’s designated account.
To make all the committee members of the Military Committee stand by your side, you must show them your sincerity.
The Military won’t use its capabilities; it’s the rule. Lynch must do it himself if he wants to make it happen.
This is probably another two to three million, or three to four million, which goes directly into various foundations, followed by the expenses to hire lobbying groups.
In the end, he can pocket about ten million, maybe even less.
The Chief Engineer next to him turned red and let out a fart, his performance almost fooled Lynch, making Lynch think he had earned a lot of money.
But this amount of money is really nothing.
The Chief Engineer was breathing heavily, "Mr. Lynch, I heard the selling price of the aircraft this time... isn’t cheap?"
He didn’t dare to say "high" or "expensive", choosing "isn’t cheap" as a cautious probe.
Lynch nodded indifferently; this matter couldn’t be hidden. Once it reached the Military Appropriation Committee, those who should know would know soon enough, and there was no need to keep it under wraps.
"The total selling price is about thirty-three million, what’s up?"
"Nothing!", the Chief Engineer’s hands trembled uncontrollably with excitement, five percent, five percent!
One million six hundred and fifty thousand, in one go!
At least everyone could get twenty or thirty thousand each, and the lucky ones might even get tens of thousands!
In the old factory, they’d probably work to death without ever getting this kind of money.
More importantly, this perfect military sales intention let the Chief Engineer see a bright future. If anyone is desperately hoping for war to break out now, it is definitely him.
Every aircraft that goes down means money!
As for patriotism?
Sorry, in the face of profit, he felt ashamed.
Although ashamed, he had no intention of changing.
Soon, all the researchers in the institute became excited, as this money came just in time. The long, monotonous research work needed some relief, and money was just the thing!
Later, Lynch also left the institute, but he didn’t go home or search for someone to buy assembly lines for processing parts. Instead, he found Mr. Truman.
With Mr. Truman’s help, he met the old man who was still serving his sentence, the "former" Vice Admiral of the Federation, the future Admiral.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lynch, you look younger and more handsome than on TV.", the Vice Admiral was a very gentle old man.
Perhaps he had completed what he considered the most important choice in his life, and his spirit had reached another level, making him look internally younger than his appearance, even though his appearance already looked very young.
"Thank you for the compliment, General!", after shaking hands, the two entered the house.
Although the Vice Admiral was still serving his sentence, it didn’t mean others couldn’t visit him.
On the way to the study, Lynch was observing the house and said, "I rarely use honorifics with others because I’m proud intrinsically, and I don’t think anyone is higher than me..."
Walking in front, the Vice Admiral chuckled like he thought of something, "But you just used an honorific!"
He opened the study door, invited Lynch in, and then closed the door.
The General’s study had a wine rack, maybe this is the difference between soldiers and politicians.
"Would you like some?", he asked, then Lynch nodded, he didn’t ask Lynch what kind of wine he wanted, just brought over two glasses and a bottle of spirits.
After the General poured him some wine, Lynch said "thank you" and began to explain why he used the honorific.
"Because you are someone I respect, the Federation needs people like you, General."
"When people let morality step by step cross the bottom line and fall into the abyss for profit, and when many think that there’s nothing that can’t be solved by negotiations, we need someone to defend something for us."
"You chose the right choice at the most correct time, and gave us ten years!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"When our enemies hate you more, it means you should be more respected by us!"
"This is what you deserve!"
The General couldn’t help but laugh heartily after hearing this, not at all pretending, "Truman told me you are a very eloquent person, and warned me not to be fooled by your honeyed words."
"I know these words may serve some purpose, but I am still very happy."
"As people age, they always like to hear young people praise themselves!"
He wasn’t modest at all, but Lynch smiled and said, "Even when talking with Mr. President, I haven’t used honorifics, nor with the Emperor of Gafura."
The General was suddenly stunned, because this was not something that could be faked, could it be that Lynch really respected him?
He fell into speculation!
