Great warships

Chapter 1216 It’s all a trap, it just depends on who you’re trapping
“What about the other customers?”

"Other customers can pay half of the deposit first."

"Why? You are clearly treating us differently!"

"This is determined based on the user's credit rating. If the user's credit rating is high, they can pay less. For example, when we do business with Mingzhou Group, they can give us a 10% deposit, but when doing business with Asan, we must require full payment."

Alex was so angry that his lungs were about to explode: "You are treating us differently. You are showing contempt for us. We will sue you internationally!"

"Of course you can." The receptionist said, "You can sue as you like. This kind of request for a deposit or even full payment is normal business dealings and is negotiated amicably by both parties. If we can't reach an agreement with you, at most we will stop doing business with you, but we can't go to court to resolve it. If we only collect the deposit and help you recover, and you don't pay the balance at that time, we will still need to sue you. Instead of that, it's better for us to make an agreement in advance."

In fact, if the other party does not pay the balance, Zhenhua Heavy Industries can remotely lock the gantry crane at any time. However, Ah San will insist on not paying the money and may even retaliate by saying that the gantry crane is locked and construction cannot proceed. We will then have to go to court, so it is better to make things clear now.

Alex's face looked extremely ugly. This was simply a blatant slander against them, but they had no choice!
The recovery fee of 60 million US dollars is quite expensive. Alex certainly cannot agree to it on the spot. He still has to discuss it with the country. He can only leave with a serious face, feeling unwilling in his heart.

Orientals are too much. We should never do business with them. They look down on us Indians!
However, there are many things that only Orientals have, such as gantry cranes, so they have no choice.

After they left, the receptionist knocked on the general manager's office door.

"Mr. Guan, I have finished talking to them as you instructed."

"Well, what's their attitude?"

“Very angry.”

"No matter how angry you are, we still have to deal with the situation. We are sure to make a profit of the $60 million!"

"Yes."

Watching his men leave, Mr. Guan picked up the phone excitedly.

"Hey, Mr. Qin, Ah San has come to us. We are asking for 60 million and we will give you half of it. Don't want it? I know that your Mingzhou Group is big and powerful and you may not care about this little money, but this is our kind gift and you must accept it."

"We haven't received the 60 million dollars yet." Qin Tao's voice came from the other end of the line: "You still have to find a way for Ah San to raise the money."

"Oh? What can I do?"

"Oh, I see, Mr. Qin, you are so smart!"

On the other side, Qin Tao put down the phone with a smile on his face. In this world, the Indians are the easiest to rip off! Everyone wants to rip off the Indians, the British want to, the French want to, too. The French sold the Rafale fighter jets to the Indians at such a high price, didn't they think that the Indians were not so easily fooled?
The reason why Asan agreed was that he had already planned not to pay the balance!
Qin Tao put down the phone and looked at the people around him: "Dad, let's continue. The most important thing about an amphibious assault ship is the dock. Inside is the most advanced air-cushion landing craft in our country."

The hovercraft is a powerful weapon for amphibious warfare. It can be driven out from an amphibious assault ship and land directly on the beach. No matter what obstacles there are on the beach, it can be fearless. After all, the hovercraft can blow air downwards through its side skirts to create updrafts. It is essentially similar to a helicopter, but has a stronger carrying capacity and can carry main battle tanks to land on the beach!

075 has an important mission, and the equipment in its dock will be a strong support for carrying out the mission in the future!
No matter how powerful the attack power of carrier-based aircraft is, they are always in the sky. On land or on the sea, they still have to rely on hovercraft.

"That's right. Our Marine Corps will also be equipped with the Army's main battle tanks in the future. Amphibious tanks with thin skin and large fillings are not good enough after all." Wu Shengli nodded.

The main weapon of the Marine Corps is the 63A amphibious tank, which can be directly loaded into the belly of an amphibious assault ship and then driven out directly to the opposite side.

During the beach landing process, it can even fire directly at targets on the shore from the other side of the sea. However, due to its own weight, the armor of this tank is very weak, and even small-caliber anti-tank weapons may penetrate it.

We still have to choose the main battle tank, which has thick armor and can withstand all the attacks of the opponent's anti-tank weapons!

The army's main battle tanks need to be transported here using roll-on/roll-off ships after the Marine Corps has opened up a landing site. This is a subsequent step. It is the navy that opens up the beachhead, and the navy also needs powerful main battle tanks!

"Speaking of the transportation of main battle tanks, wouldn't the ground effect vehicle of your Mingzhou Group's Fourth Design Department be more suitable?" At this time, a leader spoke up.

At the beginning, when Qin Tao was wandering around the Russians, he accidentally met Tatyana Alexeeva, and he tricked her to the East, where he set up the Fourth Design Department to specialize in the development of ground effect vehicles.

Over the years, we have gradually achieved results. The 50-ton Peace Dove I has been used in large quantities to perform transportation tasks on many islands. The 200-ton Peace Dove II can already carry anti-ship missiles and travel around. Since it is the only technology in the world, it has always been used for domestic use and has never been exported.

Then, there is the 500-ton Peace Dove III, which has a carrying capacity of about 200 tons and can transport four main battle tanks at a time, but it cannot fly directly to the beach, so in Qin Tao's eyes, it is not of great significance.

"I heard that you are currently testing the Peace Dove 4 with a take-off weight of 2,000 tons. At the same time, you are also planning projects with a take-off weight of over 10,000 tons, especially a 100,000-ton aerospace aircraft carrier."

A 500-ton one is already the same size as the Caspian Sea Monster. A 2,000-ton one would be a gigantic behemoth. Moreover, there is also a 100,000-ton aerospace carrier?
Qin Tao has already decided that after returning, he will go to the Fourth Design Department to see what kind of existence they plan to develop the ground effect vehicle into.
Now, let’s continue to appreciate the majestic appearance of 075. There are many cabins inside, all of which are worth reintroducing. The ones for domestic use are much better than those for export.

Qin Tao and others were strolling in the garden, but the Asans were very nervous. After receiving the news from Alex, Sunil and others were very angry.

"The Orientals are going too far. They actually asked us for a high fee, while this kind of improvement should have been included in the gantry crane. They are cheating us!"

"Yes, we absolutely cannot be fooled, we must sue them!"

"Everyone, I have obtained the agreement signed by the Orientals and the British. It does contain a clause prohibiting resale to a third party. So, if we file a lawsuit..."

"The goods have been sold to the British, so they have the right to transfer them to a third party. This contract is illegal and invalid!" Sunil gritted his teeth and said, "Even if we go to court, we may not lose."

"However, according to relevant regulations, even if we go to court, it can only be between us and the British, and between the British and the Orientals. We have not signed a contract with the Orientals..."

There are a lot of twists and turns here that are not easy for ordinary people to figure out, but what is certain is that they have no chance of winning the lawsuit, and it will also waste their precious time!
"We have also investigated and found that the Orientals have established an independent currency settlement system. Almost all customers who do business with them use this currency settlement system. Therefore, even if we win the lawsuit, if they refuse to give in, we will not be able to freeze their funds."

An independent monetary settlement system is something even more terrifying. Unknowingly, the Orientals have already done so much preparation over the years!
To engage in international trade, international settlement is required, which is very difficult. In the 1960s and 1970s, it still mainly relied on telegrams. Telegrams were sent to each other to confirm various transaction information. It often took ten days or half a month to complete a cross-border transfer. This is obviously not conducive to international trade.

So, in 73, the United States took the lead and 15 banks in 239 countries jointly established SWIFT. By 1977, the financial telecommunications network between banks in these countries was completely connected, replacing the previous telegram and began to serve the trade of various countries.

Relying on advanced instant messaging services, this cross-border fund transfer can be completed within one day, safely and efficiently. As a result, it quickly gained recognition from other countries, and almost all international bank transactions are conducted through SWIFT.

However, this kind of transaction has great security risks. After all, these transactions are mainly centered on a certain country, and they can interfere arbitrarily.

Others don’t know, but Qin Tao has long known the ugly face of a certain country, so he made arrangements in advance, using the East’s advanced communication technology and the Mingzhou Group’s huge business network to start promoting his country’s CIPS system. Anyone who uses this system for settlement can be given a one-point discount!
Don't underestimate just one point. Doing business with the Minnesota Group can easily amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, so more and more countries are using it. Other units in the East are also following suit. For example, the Zhenhua Group has introduced the same policy, so companies doing business with them also use this settlement system.

After a few years, CIPS has completed its internationalization, and almost all transactions use this system. In this way, even if some people or forces want to make things difficult for Dongfang, they simply cannot do it because they do not use other systems and others cannot freeze their funds!

Upon hearing the news, everyone present fell silent. Who could have thought that the Orientals had come up with so many back-up plans without anyone noticing!

so amazing!

Then think about yourself, what have you done in these years? It seems that you have accomplished nothing!

The aircraft carrier has a lot of problems. The original intention was to overcome these problems and build a large aircraft carrier. Who would have thought that such an infuriating thing would occur!

"We haven't paid the British the final payment yet. With such a big loophole, I think we need to withhold the final payment so that we can use the money to pay it to the Orientals. Then we can solve the problem of the gantry crane. Without the gantry crane, it will take an extremely long time to build our next aircraft carrier."

Not paying the balance?

Countless people's eyes lit up, but there was also one person who shook his head helplessly.

"No, the British have already said that if we don't give them the balance, they will refuse to continue cooperating with us on the electromagnetic catapult. We have already invested a lot of money in this project, and I'm afraid it will all go down the drain."

Everyone's faces looked ugly again.

How to do?
The Orientals have calculated on them so thoroughly that they have no chance of turning things around!

How to do?
Alex who stayed in the East was also worried. This matter seemed to be stuck in a vicious circle and could not be solved at all. It was impossible for them in India to invest new funds in the gantry crane, but they could not do anything without money.

Got cheated!
With mixed feelings, Alex came to the bar, hoping to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Although the lower-level Indians don't drink, the higher-ups all like to have a few sips. Of course, none of them can drink well, and they get drunk after just one glass.

Alex was really depressed, but when he arrived at the bar, he unexpectedly found that the receptionist who rejected him was also drinking there!

He rolled his eyes and then walked over.

"Hey, man, why are you here?" Alex said with a smile on his face: "It's fate that we meet here."

"Yes, it's fate." The receptionist was no longer as formal as she was in the company. She said with a smile, "What would you like to drink? I'll treat you."

"Then have a whiskey."

This guy is really rude. At this time, shouldn't he treat me to a drink? The receptionist was secretly glad that he could get reimbursed this time, otherwise, I wouldn't treat you.

"Come on, cheers!"

The receptionist raised his glass and drank half of it in one breath. Then he looked at the other person and found that he had only taken a small sip. It seemed that the other person could only drink this one glass of wine.

"Brother, is there really no room for negotiation on the matter we discussed in the company?"

"Of course. When the contract was signed, it was originally stated that the price of a gantry crane was US$100 million. Later, both parties agreed not to transfer it to a third party, so the price was greatly reduced. Now Rosyth Shipyard is openly reselling it to a third party. Our boss is very angry, but you are really pitiful. You have been deceived by the British!"

In fact, a simple thought will tell you that they were indeed deceived by the British. The British initially said they would sell them new ones, but in the end they sold them second-hand ones, and there was also a contract dispute.

But now, they have to pay this money. They are the real suckers!
But what can they do? After signing the catapult contract with the UK and paying the money, it seems that they can only be manipulated by the British!

Thinking of this, Alex couldn't help but pick up the wine glass and took a big gulp.

"Yes, we were fooled by the British, but what can we do?"

"Of course there is a way. You don't have to pay them the balance. Given your style, you probably haven't paid them the full amount, right?"

"They haven't paid the full amount, but if we don't give them the balance, then our catapult agreement will be void. Our aircraft carrier is still waiting to use the advanced catapult."

Alex was probably drunk and extremely depressed, so he said things that he shouldn't have said. Of course, he might also be trying to use this honesty to trick the receptionist into talking.

"If you can lower the price for us, for example, to 10 million US dollars, we will grit our teeth and accept it. 60 million US dollars is really too much."

"That's impossible. We can't give you a penny less in price. However, if you want to use an electromagnetic catapult, you can buy it from us in the East. We have the most advanced and mature electromagnetic catapult in the world, and the price will definitely satisfy you!"

Procurement from you in the East? What a joke! We don't want to purchase anything from you in the East, but there is no other way this time!

Moreover, your Eastern technology is so advanced that our electromagnetic catapult will be useless if you use remote control. This thing is more dependent on chips and electronic systems to adjust the ejection force, which makes it easier to tamper with it.

Seeing Alex shaking his head, the receptionist didn't get angry and continued, "Then there is only one way left."

"any solution?"

"You probably haven't paid the balance for the Rafale fighter jets you purchased, right? This is a huge amount of money. If you save this money, you will have enough money to build the second aircraft carrier."

Alex's eyes lit up.

Rafale fighter jets are quite expensive, and they gritted their teeth and purchased them from France. A total of 36 aircraft were purchased for a total of US$43 billion, which is equivalent to US$1.2 million per aircraft!
This is an incredible number. After all, even the F-35 developed by the Americans is not so expensive. The fourth-generation heavy stealth aircraft of the United States is only this price!
Moreover, this is not the most expensive part. This contract also includes a base construction contract. The French claim that the Rafale fighter jets are very advanced, so ordinary hangars cannot bear the maintenance of such aircraft. A special base needs to be built, and the cost is another $700 million. Therefore, this has become the most deceptive procurement plan in history of $5 billion. Almost the whole world is laughing at the Indians for being stupid and having too much money.

Is Ah San really stupid and rich? Of course not!
"On the one hand, you can check yourselves. This kind of cheating contract must have benefited many people, so they agreed to the price required by Dassault. On the other hand, you can also announce that this aircraft has serious performance defects, such as stealth not meeting the standards, so you have sufficient reasons to refuse to pay the balance. How much is the balance?"

"We gave a total of $1.5 billion."

The French are really bold. For a 5 billion contract, India only gave 1.5 billion, and they actually dared to give all the fighter planes to India!

So, if Ah San doesn’t cheat you, who else will he cheat?

"That's right. Three and a half billion is enough for you to build a second aircraft carrier! Isn't this 60 million US dollars just a drop in the bucket?"

　PS: The time in the book is 2006, and this is also the price of that era. It should be half cheaper than ten years later. Huadong Zhixiong did not dare to write the price of a Rafale at US$2.4 million. After all, that was in 2016.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)