Meng Hao took a trip to the Bear Country.
He had originally thought that after the business department of Huarong Technology finalized the negotiations, the contract could be signed directly.
But what was the outcome?
The Bear Country side directly presented a grand gift.
The spoils of war previously won from the Western Alliance countries were a group of mineral deposits estimated to be worth nearly 13 trillion US dollars.
In addition to large quantities of rare minerals and strategic metals, there were also several small lithium mines.
Under the strong request and persistent argumentation of Major General Gudevef,
The Bear Country's official government agreed to contract one of the small lithium mines in the Chicken Brother region directly to Meng Hao.
Although the specific contracting amount was yet to be determined,
The Bear Country's official government stated that the contract period would be 99 years.
In other words,
This lithium mine was equivalent to being resold to Meng Hao.
Possessing a lithium mine in the Bear Country.
Such a significant matter,
Meng Hao had to make a personal trip to the Bear Country... and select one from several lithium mine groups.
...
Major General Gudevef, who had long admired Meng Hao... oh, he should be addressed as Lieutenant General now... gave Meng Hao a "discomforting welcome" upon their meeting.
He led his subordinate key generals and subjected Meng Hao to a barrage of challenges.
Damn it.
Was the "Water of Life," vodka with 96% alcohol content, truly a beverage that humans could tolerate?
Even after double dilution,
Meng Hao was quickly taken down.
Day after day.
For more than ten consecutive days.
Before even seeing the lithium mine, Meng Hao almost ended up in the hospital due to drinking.
For this young man from Great Xia who allowed the Bear Country to win the actual combat military exercise against the Western Alliance countries.
Besides the military bigwigs,
Major government officials, and even the Great Elder of the Bear Country, had learned from him.
Meng Hao could barely remember the strange, difficult-to-pronounce names and remarkably similar appearances of these enthusiastic Slavs.
Well.
The only thing he remembered was.
That vodka, which felt like it was burning his entire stomach.
Finally.
On the 17th day of his arrival in the Bear Country,
Meng Hao, accompanied by Lieutenant General Gudevef, flew to a large mineral deposit group adjacent to the Arctic Circle.
In the vast expanse of white snow,
Countless construction vehicles were in operation.
The military helicopter carrying Meng Hao and Gudevef landed on the tarmac of the already completed temporary living quarters.
More than a dozen high-level executives from the 27th Mining Company, responsible for mineral extraction, had been waiting for a long time.
After a series of rapid Bear Country phrases,
Meng Hao was warmly welcomed into the temporary residence.
Looking at the spread of dishes on the table,
Meng Hao was a little bewildered.
"Lieutenant General Gudevef."
"Didn't we come to see the lithium mine?"
"What's going on?"
Gudevef smiled.
"My dear Meng."
"The lithium mine is under the heavy snow."
"You're not going to dig underground to see it, are you... Don't worry, the radar detection 3D map is ready, and you can choose one later."
"Before that, let's enjoy a good meal and drink... Look, the vodka is already prepared. We won't go home until we're drunk."
What the heck?
More drinking.
Can we not do this?
These past ten-plus days,
Meng Hao had done nothing substantial.
He had just been drinking.
...
Near the Arctic Circle lies the region of the midnight sun.
Drowsy from drinking, Meng Hao was finally invited to the office after an unknown period of sleep.
Lieutenant General Gudevef and others, who treated vodka like water, burst into laughter upon seeing Meng Hao walk in, looking listless.
"My dear Meng."
"When it comes to black technology, you are a dragon among men, a leading figure."
"But when it comes to drinking, you are truly no match!"
Meng Hao was on the verge of tears.
Brother.
What's so proud about being able to drink?
The national characteristic of the Bear Country is too troublesome.
Their most direct way of expressing emotions is to get you drunk to death.
Forget it.
Let's not dwell on this.
Finally, they were getting down to business.
Looking at the blueprints presented by the staff, Meng Hao carefully reviewed them.
The Bear Country had provided four lithium mine deposits for Meng Hao to choose from.
However,
The reserves in these mines were not large.
They were generally between 10,000 and 20,000 tons.
This was understandable.
After all,
The total annual proven lithium reserves were only between four and five million tons.
These small lithium mines of one or two thousand tons were more than sufficient for a company like Meng Hao's, valued at around one billion.
After repeated consideration and comparison,
Meng Hao chose a lithium deposit with a reserve of 17,000 tons.
"Let's go with this one."
"Spodumene deposit."
"Moderate burial depth, moderate excavation difficulty, moderate extraction difficulty..."
"What is the specific price?"
Lieutenant General Gudevef handed Meng Hao a pre-drafted contract.
The text on the document was written in both Great Xia and Bear Country languages.
"This contract is too outrageous!"
Meng Hao was somewhat stunned.
The contract clearly stated.
The contracting fee for the mine contracted by Meng Hao was 1 Great Xia currency per year, for a contract period of 99 years.
This is...
It was practically a free giveaway.
The Bear Country made a huge gesture.
They directly gave away a mine worth tens of billions for free to Meng Hao.
Seeing Meng Hao's bewildered expression,
Gudevef nonchalantly patted Meng Hao's shoulder.
"My dear brother Meng."
"Our Bear Country never mistreats its friends."
"If it weren't for your strong support earlier, let alone this lithium mine worth tens of billions, we wouldn't have been able to secure even this comprehensive mineral deposit group worth trillions of US dollars."
"As a token of our gratitude and reward, giving you a small lithium mine for free is only fitting."
"Of course, as we are doing business, there are a few points that need to be clarified for you."
The points mentioned by Gudevef were actually within reason.
First, Bear Country personnel must be hired for the extraction of the mineral deposits.
Second, Bear Country equipment must be leased for the extraction of the mineral deposits.
Third, the lithium ore extracted and refined is not allowed to be sold to the Western Alliance countries; it can only be used by Meng Hao, Great Xia, and the Bear Country.
Even if Gudevef hadn't brought these up, Meng Hao would have complied.
The mine was essentially given away for free.
It was only natural to increase employment for the Bear Country and allow the mining company to earn something from leasing equipment.
Of course,
There was one last point, which was probably the most important one for the Bear Country.
From now on,
Meng Hao's companies, including but not limited to Huarong Technology and other factories, would grant the Bear Country priority purchasing rights for their products, including lithography machines, mechs, and other technological products.
Of course,
Correspondingly,
Meng Hao and the Bear Country's 27th Mining Company would have priority and preferential purchasing rights for various minerals produced, including but not limited to various rare earth metals and radioactive minerals.
Exchanging a 17,000-ton spodumene ore deposit for Meng Hao's friendship and preferential purchase rights.
This was indeed a grand gesture.
But it was hard to say whether Meng Hao had profited more, or the Bear Country had profited more!
"Alright."
"No problem."
"This contract can be signed."
After the Huarong Technology personnel accompanying Meng Hao re-examined the contract several times with caution,
This contract, with an annual fee of 1 Great Xia currency and a 99-year term, was officially signed!