It wasn't unreasonable for President Ren to feel some internal complaints.
Damn it.
It would have been one thing if giants like Blue-Green Phones, Chao Mi Tech, or Xia Xin International were competing with him.
But why was even the military involved?
With that military satellite, a culmination of advanced technology.
How were companies like Hua Wei supposed to compete?
They weren't even playing on the same level!
If the military hadn't stepped in.
Hua Wei would have definitely secured at least two lithography machines in stock.
And then there was.
That kid, Meng Hao.
Didn't he know how sought-after high-tech products like lithography machines were?
Couldn't he have produced a few more in stock?
However.
After a few grumbles.
President Ren felt his mood balance out again.
Heh heh.
Four lithography machines in total, the military took two, Hua Wei got one.
As for the remaining one, it went to General Manager Lei of Chao Mi Tech, who was incredibly lucky.
After interacting with his viewers for over two hours, just as he was about to end his morning stream.
Suddenly, there was activity outside.
A tremendous roar came from above.
Meng Hao walked out of the factory hall, curious.
The Mech Ji's camera followed Meng Hao closely, appearing on the plaza of Hua Rong Technology's factory as well.
In the sky.
Seven massive military cargo-dual-use helicopters were slowly descending.
The deafening roar was from their churning rotors.
As the helicopters landed.
The immense downdraft made Meng Hao and Qin Muyan stagger.
"We meet again, Meng Hao."
From the passenger cabin of the lead military helicopter, a familiar face jumped out.
Zhang Weimin.
"General Zhang."
"What brings you here?"
Meng Hao looked, somewhat stunned, at the dozens of technical engineers and over a hundred robust elite soldiers who followed Zhang Weimin off the seven helicopters.
"We're here to pick up the goods."
"Best to get it done quickly, lest someone else snatches it."
"You know, lithography machines are in high demand, many people have their eyes on them."
Zhang Weimin was in a good mood.
His face was all smiles.
Uh.
Meng Hao looked at his military uniform, the shining golden star on his shoulder, and felt speechless.
Seriously.
Are you kidding me?
Who would have the audacity to snatch food from the military's mouths?
As for the viewers in the livestream.
After a few seconds of stunned silence.
A barrage of comments flooded the screen.
"Holy cow."
"This is amazing."
"Brother Hao has some serious clout."
"The military dispatched a transport helicopter squadron to fly nearly a thousand kilometers from the capital just to pick up the goods!"
"Livestreaming sales, getting a military helicopter squadron to pick up the goods, I bet besides Brother Hao, no one else in Great Xia has ever done this."
"..."
Watching the technical engineers and elite soldiers who disembarked and immediately headed towards the lithography machines.
Meng Hao rubbed his temples.
"General Zhang."
"There's really no need to be so anxious."
"No one would dare snatch goods from you guys."
"The price of 1.5 billion includes shipping costs... Next time, we'll deliver it for you."
As a businessman.
As the head of Hua Rong Technology.
As the CEO of a private enterprise.
Meng Hao cared deeply about the customer's shopping experience.
Even though each lithography machine was a behemoth weighing 150 tons, the customer had paid billions, so services like nationwide delivery, doorstep service, free installation, and custom orders still needed to be provided.
However.
Zhang Weimin's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait, you said next time?"
"Does that mean you have more than four lithography machines?"
"Quick, quick, show me, I'll buy it even if it's over 1.5 billion!"
Uh!
This General Zhang's focus always seemed to be on such strange things.
Meng Hao spread his hands.
"No, there are really only four."
"If you don't believe me, feel free to search every nook and cranny of the factory!"
"What I meant was, this batch of lithography machines was repaired from four damaged lithography machines without core components ordered from Xiawei Islands City."
"However, thanks to their casings, I've mastered all the relevant technical parameters... Currently, I've used up my raw materials. Once I procure more, I will directly manufacture brand-new lithography machines that belong to Great Xia... You're welcome to order then!"
Oh?
No more lithography machines?
Wait.
Didn't he say there were four?
Zhang Weimin rubbed his hands.
A sly smile spread across his face.
"How about you sell the remaining two to our military as well!"
"Price is negotiable, 2 billion, 2.5 billion, 3 billion, just name your price, and I won't haggle!"
It was clear.
President Ren of Hua Wei's worries were entirely justified.
Let alone other giant commercial companies of comparable stature.
Even the military was eyeing the other two lithography machines.
"Sigh!"
"No, no, no."
"In business, honesty is the most important thing."
"We at Hua Rong Company, as a private technology enterprise, value our reputation more than our lives."
Zhang Weimin rolled his eyes and was about to continue persuading Meng Hao.
An elderly chief engineer with white hair, holding something that resembled a circular mirror, rushed over.
"You, you are Meng Hao, right?"
"Please, you must join us."
"This is a lithography machine, a real lithography machine, an authentic one!"
Meng Hao rolled his eyes.
Who was this old man?
Didn't he sell lithography machines?
And.
What did he mean by an authentic lithography machine?
Was he implying that his Hua Rong Technology would sell fakes?
Zhang Weimin, whose narrative was interrupted, showed no impatience. After all, from his understanding of Meng Hao, the young man's decisions were absolutely unchangeable.
He changed his tone and pointed to the chief engineer-like elder, whose eyes were filled with tears.
"This is."
"Hong Quan."
"Vice President of the Great Xia National Academy of Sciences... and the leader of the domestic lithography machine technology breakthrough team."
Elder Hong?
Meng Hao immediately showed the respect of a junior and a compatriot towards such pillars of Great Xia's scientific community.
"Elder Hong."
"Thank you for your recognition."
"Hua Rong Technology previously refused the military's invitation because we wanted to develop independently, without being subject to anyone."
"I appreciate your kind offer, but I haven't considered joining the National Academy of Sciences and transforming Hua Rong Technology into a state-owned professional enterprise yet."
Hong Quan, deeply moved, trembled.
He was about to continue persuading Meng Hao when Zhang Weimin interrupted him.
"Elder Hong."
"You should give up on this idea."
"This kid, I did my homework and tried to persuade him for half a month, but I couldn't change his mind."
"Besides, there's a strict order from Elder Ouyang not to interfere with any of Meng Hao's decisions. You should give up on trying to recruit Meng Hao!"