As a seasoned expert in traditional Great Xia culture, Gud Yefu certainly knew the saying—
One's own happiness should not be built upon another's suffering.
The procurement major general of the Bear Country, who usually paid attention to Meng Hao and Huarong Technology… well, he had been promoted to lieutenant general.
Gud Yefu had previously been a regular in Huarong Technology's livestreams.
Although it seemed like there had been a lot going on recently, and he visited the livestreams less often.
He was definitely aware of some of the internal and external troubles Meng Hao had been facing.
If he were calling Meng Hao at this moment, it absolutely couldn't be just to brag about his own promotion to lieutenant general.
Facing Meng Hao's slightly dissatisfied tone, Lieutenant General Gud Yefu chuckled.
"My dear Meng."
"Don't be so dejected and discouraged!"
"This time, I'm calling you about a business deal."
Oh?
Another business deal?
Was the Bear Country planning another military exercise?
The previous order of 100 Phantom-class mechs hadn't even been fully delivered yet.
Moreover, with Huarong Technology's current production line capacity, the delivery time for the Phantom-class mechs might be delayed, let alone ordering new mechs again.
"I apologize, dear Lieutenant General Gud Yefu!"
"My Huarong Technology has encountered some trouble… I imagine you, who regularly follow Great Xia's news and pay attention to me and my Huarong Technology, must have heard something!"
"Not only do we currently lack the capacity to produce more mechs… but even the delivery of the 100 mechs we contracted for will be delayed!"
On the other end of the line, Gud Yefu burst into laughter.
"My dear Meng."
"How did you know I was calling to order mechs?"
"However, besides that, we have other business to discuss!"
Other business?
Was the Bear Country considering importing lithography machines from Huarong Technology?
That would be an even bigger problem.
Huarong Technology, severely lacking components and raw materials, could barely continue producing mechs, let alone lithography machines.
"My dear Lieutenant General."
"We are currently extremely short on raw materials!"
"Not to mention the rare earth resources needed for lithography machines, we are even short on the composite battery raw materials needed for mechs."
Hearing Meng Hao's complaint, Gud Yefu laughed even more heartily.
"I know, my dear Meng."
"I am aware of all of it."
"That's precisely why I'm calling."
Huh?
He was calling precisely because of this matter.
Suddenly, a spark of realization flashed through Meng Hao's mind.
Could it be that—
Gud Yefu continued, "The previous live-fire military exercise has concluded."
"Thank you, my dear Meng… the Huarong i-model and Phantom-class mechs you provided were of great help to us!"
"And now, it's time for us to repay our friends."
Right.
Meng Hao patted his forehead mentally.
How could he have forgotten this detail?
The Bear Country had bought his mechs specifically for this live-fire military exercise, hadn't they?
The objective of this military exercise was the control of trillions of dollars worth of various rare earth resources.
Thinking of this, Meng Hao felt his mind instantly clear up.
Without delay, feeling that the difficulties before him were about to be resolved, Meng Hao's tone immediately became light and cheerful.
"That's wonderful, Lieutenant General Gud Yefu."
"I will immediately send you a list of all the resources we need."
"As friends, you won't suddenly inflate the prices, will you? … After all, the United States has issued a ban against me!"
Gud Yefu roared with laughter.
"What are you talking about, my dear Meng!"
"Our Bear Country has always treated friends with fine wine and enemies with a cudgel."
"You provided selfless assistance at a crucial moment of our military exercise; how could our Bear Country possibly gouge you or kick you while you're down when you're in trouble!"
Gud Yefu paused, then lowered his tone by an octave, his slightly clumsy Great Xia language filled with disdain and contempt.
"As for the blockade by the United States?"
"Do you think our Bear Country cares about them?"
"We've been under sanctions for many years!"
With Gud Yefu's assurance, Meng Hao finally breathed a sigh of relief, his hanging heart settling.
Testers, was it!
Intentionally backstabbing him, Meng Hao, and his Huarong Technology, was it!!
With the support of the Bear Country this time, Meng Hao's raw material problem was solved… Meng Hao would make sure to deal with Testers then!!!
"However…"
Just as Meng Hao began to relax, Gud Yefu's tone tightened again.
"Is there a problem?"
Meng Hao quickly pressed.
"Actually, when you encountered difficulties, I immediately reported the relevant situation to our military!"
"The military's stance is that you are a good friend to our Bear Country, and therefore, you will receive our full, unconditional support."
"However, our side's stance is that we do not accept transactions in US dollars!"
No US dollar transactions?
Did they intend to trade in Bear Country currency or Great Xia currency?
Before Meng Hao could ask, Gud Yefu preemptively explained.
"Our Bear Country military's proposal is bartering!"
"For instance, lithography machines, mechs, or other high-tech products from your Huarong Technology in the future!"
"Of course, we've long heard that you prefer not to deal with the military… so, the main parties for the transaction will be our newly established 27th Mining Company and Huarong Technology!"
See.
This is what you call attentive!
They even considered that Meng Hao didn't want to deal with the military.
Meng Hao was delighted.
He had no objections.
After all, bartering was an inherent trait of humanity since its inception.
"No problem, my dear Lieutenant General Gud Yefu!"
"The specific exchange ratios for the products will be discussed and negotiated between your newly established 27th Mining Company and our Huarong Technology's Business Department."
"Hereby, I express my most sincere gratitude to you and make a personal commitment… relevant companies from the Bear Country will be our highest-weighted primary partner in overseas countries for Huarong Technology!"
The call ended.
Both host and guest were pleased.
…
With the raw material problem solved, the next step was to consider the plan to retaliate against Testers Corporation.
Testers Corporation.
Its overall head was Maschek.
It was a conglomerate.
New energy vehicles only accounted for about one-tenth of this giant company's total business value.
Besides the globally renowned Testers automobiles, Testers' satellite network and rocket launch services were also extremely well-known.
In fact, it could be said that the United States, a nation built on commerce, was composed of many companies like Testers.
Striking at Testers Corporation was essentially equivalent to striking at the United States!
And Meng Hao's first step in his plan was to establish a new energy vehicle division under Huarong.
To rival and challenge Testers' new energy vehicle business!