As Jarvis approached, his posture humble and his steps brisk, Meng Hao stood his ground. He extended his right hand, which Jarvis, with his distinctively rough, hairy hands of Anglo-Saxon heritage, grasped firmly.
"I truly didn't expect you, President Meng, to be so accomplished at such a young age!"
"A young talent like yourself is a rarity in this world."
"Especially your dignified appearance; even the most handsome men of our Anglo-Saxon nation would feel ashamed in your presence."
Pride in one's ethnicity was not exclusive to the descendants of Yan and Huang in the Great Xia. It was a shared characteristic of any individual who harbored love for their nation and people.
The compliment from Jarvis, stating that Meng Hao surpassed even the most handsome men of his own ethnicity, was indeed a high form of courtesy.
Meng Hao returned the smile.
"Your Excellency Jarvis, you are not quite what I'd expect from a businessman steeped in the smell of copper."
"At first glance, I mistook you for an expatriate expert well-versed in our Great Xia culture!"
"This modified casual Tang suit you're wearing, paired with cloth shoes, suits you perfectly. It's refined."
The mutual praise exchanged upon their meeting, translated by their aides, elicited hearty laughter from both sides.
Invisibly, their relationship had been brought closer.
As they spoke and chatted, surrounded by their retinue, they proceeded to the newly renovated reception room.
At Jarvis's request,
Meng Hao had Chenghua bring out several bottles of iced cola. This globetrotting Jarvis, accustomed to various regions, was astute. Seeing Meng Hao's youth and the lingering summer heat in early September, he immediately opted for iced cola as their beverage.
Meng Hao found himself appreciating Jarvis even more for his lack of pickiness, his absence of extravagance, and his unassuming demeanor.
After brief pleasantries,
Meng Hao got straight to the point.
"Mr. Jarvis, could you please explain the general condition of the F-35 fighter jet airframes to me?"
Gulp, gulp.
Truly parched and hot, Jarvis let out a satisfied cold burp after downing two bottles of iced cola.
He then gestured to his assistant behind him to hand over his briefcase. From it, he produced a thick stack of documents and a tablet.
"Currently, I have ten F-35 fighter jet airframes in my possession. We discussed this over the phone..."
Indeed.
Meng Hao already had a general understanding.
However, these ten F-35 airframes were not as exquisite, perfect, or rare as Jarvis had bragged about.
But then again.
He was a businessman.
They always sang their own praises.
After Jarvis spent over three hours explaining the dense documentation filled with specifications, written descriptions, and vector graphics, he then proceeded to use the tablet to present a comprehensive, three-dimensional video explanation lasting over four hours.
During this time, Meng Hao repeatedly suggested going out to enjoy some local delicacies of Shilin, but Jarvis declined each time.
As the sun began to set,
Everyone had spent over eight hours with Jarvis, including two casual meals.
Looking at Jarvis, who had consumed no less than ten bottles of cola, his throat dry and his forehead beaded with sweat from the explanation,
Meng Hao felt a surge of emotion.
It was truly taxing for this exceptionally dedicated arms dealer, Jarvis, to elaborate on such a pile of industrial waste to such a complex degree.
In comparison, those back home selling electric vehicles couldn't even manage a decent PPT for a new product launch. Couldn't they learn from this man's dedication!
Unable to bear it any longer, Meng Hao stopped Jarvis from his continued rambling and got straight to the point.
"I believe we are now thoroughly acquainted with the situation regarding your... extremely rare, industrially refined, crystallization of American technology, highest military manufacturing, globally unique ten F-35 fighter jet airframes."
"Shall we proceed directly to the pricing!"
Having traveled all the way from America to the small coastal city of Shilin in Great Xia, and having spent over eight tedious hours talking,
Jarvis's goal was this final decisive moment.
The pricing stage.
The cunning arms dealer, Jarvis, sat beside Meng Hao.
With extreme sincerity and a face etched with honest simplicity, he formally stated his price:
"For such exquisite industrial works of art, sold only to those who understand their value... what do you say to 1.7 million US dollars per unit?"
You've got to be kidding me.
Meng Hao stood up, ready to leave.
Although he had one hundred million US dollars in his account,
that didn't make him a fool to be exploited.
Was Jarvis taking him for someone who couldn't understand English!
The listed price on the American website before was one million US dollars per unit, and now he was making an exorbitant demand!
Seeing Meng Hao about to leave,
Jarvis quickly grabbed his sleeve.
"1.5 million US dollars..."
"1.3 million US dollars..."
"1.1 million US dollars..."
"Oh, dear friend Meng, please don't go... as we say in Great Xia, ask for the sky, settle on the ground... why don't you make an offer!"
Meng Hao was almost amused by this persistent, insincere Jarvis.
He held up a finger and waved it in front of Jarvis.
"Mr. Jarvis, don't think I don't know that besides me, no one else is buying these aircraft shells!"
"However, I'm not as cunning as you and won't arbitrarily undercut the price!"
"We must have contractual integrity. Your website listed them at one million US dollars per unit, and I won't pay a cent more."
Jarvis quickly chimed in.
"Oh, dear."
"One million it is, then."
"We'll negotiate the finer details!"
Seeing Jarvis's obsequious, fawning demeanor, Meng Hao was simultaneously annoyed and amused.
He sat back down at the table.
"Alright."
"Then let's sign the contract."
"Let's be clear upfront: for ten F-35 fighter jet airframes, the total price is ten million US dollars. I will arrange payment through a third-party international escrow service. Once all the aircraft shells are delivered and confirmed, the payment will be released!"
Jarvis smiled obsequiously and nodded repeatedly, "Dear Meng, you are truly too shrewd. God, you should be on Wall Street, becoming a professional financial shark managing funds."
More worthless flattery.
Meng Hao couldn't be bothered to deal with Jarvis anymore.
After the negotiation concluded, as they were about to sign the contract,
Jarvis leaned in conspiratorially towards Meng Hao.
"Dear Meng, if you pay an additional 10 percent, which is one million US dollars in total... I can help you get an invoice for an extra twenty million US dollars!"
Meng Hao rolled his eyes. He really wanted to slap Jarvis's smug face and then curse him in English, "Fuck you, get out!"
The contract was signed.
Jarvis blinked his small eyes again.
"Oh, right, dear Meng, do you require shipping services!"
"I'm well acquainted with the CEOs of many global shipping companies. For a mere two hundred thousand US dollars, I guarantee to handle everything perfectly, without you having to lift a finger."
At this moment, Jarvis showed none of the refined demeanor of a Great Xia businessman.
His exposed true face was that of a ruthless profiteer, eager to squeeze out the last penny!