Lunch.
It was set to be at an extremely luxurious six-star hotel in the port city of Menda.
Besides Songzan.
Several influential figures were also invited as guests to accompany Meng Hao.
Songzan showed the utmost respect to Zhang Xijin, who followed behind Meng Hao, her face flushed like an apple.
Even though Zhang Xijin's identity was registered as Meng Hao's security personnel upon entry.
In reality.
The relationship between the two.
Anyone who wasn't an idiot could see it was far from a simple ordinary assistant and security guard.
"Making such a big fuss?"
"Is it a celebration banquet already?"
Meng Hao greeted Songzan with a smile and then took Zhang Xijin's small hand as they sat down together.
"Mr. Meng Hao, what are you saying!"
"If this were a celebration banquet, it would be too shabby."
"This time, there is something I wish to seek your opinion on."
This was considered shabby?
Even Meng Hao, who had seen much of the world, encountered many dishes on the table that he had never seen before.
He casually picked up food, ate, and waited for Songzan to state his business.
"It's like this."
"Australia is planning to hold a military equipment exhibition."
"My father's intention is that we also plan to participate!"
Hmm?
A military equipment exhibition.
This was a rather common affair.
Some countries around the world held them every year.
It was called an exhibition, but in reality, it was to showcase some of the country's unique or high-tech military equipment.
Mainly for wealthy buyers like the oil-rich nations of the Middle East to purchase!
And India was also a regular at military equipment exhibitions.
After all.
India, with its foolish people and abundant money.
Its equipment was all manufactured by various countries.
Major powers around the world were very fond of such wealthy patrons who were concerned with face and willing to spend money.
"Mmm."
"Go ahead and participate."
"What does this have to do with me?"
Meng Hao was diligently devouring a strangely shaped but delicious fish.
"My father's intention is that we also have some products to exhibit and put up for tender..."
What the heck?!
Cough, cough, cough.
Meng Hao almost choked.
Had he heard correctly?
India, which had always been a buyer of military equipment and whose own weapons were claimed to be of mixed manufacture, was planning to participate in an exhibition... and sell its own equipment?
Speaking of which.
What indigenous equipment did India have to sell?!
Wait.
Meng Hao paused.
Could it be that they intended to sell the recently technologically breakthrough J-2 nuclear submarine?
Please.
India only had one of these.
And.
Even if Meng Hao gave the complete set of modification technology blueprints to India's researchers.
But.
Given India's military research and development technological level.
It would likely take at least five to eight years to fully digest these blueprints.
Otherwise.
Why would they think Meng Hao would gift this blueprint?
Could it be just for the five hundred million US dollars?
Please.
Meng Hao was a businessman.
Not a philanthropist!
"However, India doesn't have the capacity to mass-produce the J-2 nuclear submarine yet, does it?"
"Even if you get an order, you probably won't be able to produce and sell it?"
Meng Hao muttered to himself.
Wasn't this an attempt to force him to stay in India?
To help them produce the J-2 nuclear submarine?
India, although not very sharp-minded and possessing a strange characteristic of valuing face,
But surely they wouldn't be so foolish as to provoke a conflict with China just because Meng Hao was an enemy of China.
Songzan smiled.
"Brother Hao, you're overthinking it."
"We understand this principle."
"But we have always purchased high-tech equipment from other countries. Now that our country has its own indigenous nuclear submarine, shouldn't we let the world witness it?"
Understood.
Spending 500 million to invite Meng Hao to participate in the J-2 nuclear submarine breakthrough... and then spending at least tens of millions of US dollars to travel to Australia for a military equipment exhibition.
There was only one reason.
To save face for India.
Damn it.
There's an old saying in China.
"Prosperity without returning home is like walking in brocade at night."
If the whole world doesn't see that India also has a reliable nuclear submarine, how can they maintain their dignity?!
Meng Hao remained non-committal about this act of saving face.
He was a businessman.
He provided labor and products, and as long as the client paid, that was enough.
What the client did with the product had nothing to do with Meng Hao.
As long as it didn't destroy the world or harm China's interests, they could do whatever they pleased.
Meng Hao picked up another piece of food that resembled beef but melted in his mouth and savored it.
"Oh!"
"So that's how it is."
"That's a good thing."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Meng Hao finished the piece of meat and blinked.
"You want to ask me about the quality of the nuclear submarine, don't you?"
"Don't worry, anything from Huarong is a premium product."
"Feel free to take the submarine over... Although the technology isn't as advanced as China's or the US's top nuclear submarines, it's definitely top-notch among second-tier countries."
Songzan shook his head.
He personally poured Meng Hao a glass of wine.
"It's not that reason... Brother Hao, we have absolute faith in your craftsmanship."
"My father's intention is that if, during the exhibition, our submarine encounters any issues, with you present, you can at least provide immediate repair advice."
"If our submarine malfunctions in front of the eyes of various countries and we can't fix it, the embarrassment would be immense."
What?
He wanted Meng Hao to participate in Australia's military equipment exhibition as well.
Meng Hao frowned.
He was somewhat reluctant.
After all.
Australia belonged to the sphere of influence of the Western alliance countries.
If any situation were to arise, it would be a case of being unable to call for help.
However.
One should not refuse a smiling face.
After all, he had received five hundred million from them, so he should give some face.
Meng Hao took a sip of the red wine that Songzan had personally poured.
He put on a reluctant expression.
"Songzan, I've been away from home for too long, I need to go back and see."
"Moreover, the previous employment contract only stipulated that we would assist in the technological breakthrough of the nuclear submarine, and it did not include attending the military exhibition in Australia."
Seeing Meng Hao's reluctance.
Songzan quickly explained.
"Brother Hao."
"The price is negotiable!"
"We'll add another hundred million, how about that?"
Good heavens.
He knew India valued face, but he didn't expect it to be to this extent.
Inviting him for the nuclear submarine breakthrough, the price was 500 million.
Now, to get Meng Hao to attend the military equipment exhibition in Australia, and to ensure that India's submarine wouldn't break down and cause them to lose face.
They had directly increased the budget by 100 million.
This was a 20% increase in the amount.
Not a small sum!
Meng Hao swirled the red wine glass in his hand, with no intention of agreeing immediately.
After all.
This wasn't about money.
It was about his own safety.
Seeing that Meng Hao remained silent,
Songzan urged him anxiously.
"Brother Hao, do you feel the money is still not enough?... Or is it for some other reason?!"