Chapter 313

Upon hearing this, Long San's eyes, sharp as an eagle's, narrowed slightly.

Lockheed Martin could be said to be the largest arms dealer in the Ugly Country.

It stands as the head of the Ugly Country's five major military-industrial groups.

Founded in 1912, the company is an aerospace manufacturer with a century of history,

and simultaneously serves as the Ugly Country's number one defense contractor.

Not only did it produce the most advanced fifth-generation fighter, the F-22, but it also developed the stealth multi-role fighter, the F-35.

Furthermore, the company handles nearly all production and launch operations for the Ugly Country's military satellites.

It can be said to have once been the bellwether of the global arms industry.

However, to be fair, excluding auction sales,

the DWS platform, due to its excessively low prices, completely fails to match the opponent in terms of sales profitability.

"Hello, Mr. Lawrence!"

Long San extended his hand and shook the other man's.

Then Jam Lawrence spoke:

"Mr. Long, I have a few friends who wish to meet you; I wonder if that is possible?"

Although he did not know what scheme the other man was hatching, Long San still nodded.

Thus, Jam Lawrence led Long San away from the banquet.

The guests clearly knew Jam Lawrence's identity and immediately made way.

Even Unreliable smiled upon seeing this scene,

for he knew that these Ugly Country military-industrial complexes now owed him a favor tonight.

It must be known that these military-industrial complexes generally support the Elephant Party,

rather than Unreliable's Donkey Party.

However, this time Lockheed Martin had approached him, hoping to meet Mr. Long.

Consequently, the ones truly paying for this banquet had become these arms tycoons.

Meanwhile, Long San was led by Jam Lawrence to a rather private small room.

Inside, four middle-aged men were already present.

Each of these individuals possessed deep eyes, appearing extremely shrewd.

Then, Jam Lawrence began the introductions:

"This is Mr. Meredith Leonard, CEO of Boeing!"

Meredith Leonard, whose hair was somewhat sparse and body stout, stood up and said:

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Long...!"

Soon, Long San had met the others in the room.

There was Steadway Philip, CEO of Raytheon Company;

George Burton of Northrop Grumman;

and Emerson Vick of General Dynamics.

From their appearance alone, it was evident that these were standard Anglo-Saxons.

After shaking hands with each of these people, Long San took a seat.

Jam Lawrence of Lockheed Martin then spoke:

"Now that Mr. Long, representing the DWS platform, has arrived, gentlemen, let us discuss...!"

Thereupon, George Burton of Northrop Grumman said:

"Mr. Long, the DWS platform shows no respect for intellectual property rights; you are selling our weapons on a large scale without paying us a single dollar.

Is that not strange?"

"So weapons require copyright too? But to us, those are merely obsolete items;

if we hadn't manufactured so many in the past, we might have just thrown them away!"

Long San said with a smile.

Hearing his words, the anger of everyone present flared up,

yet they also knew that losing their temper would serve no purpose.

Even if they were to tear this Mr. Long into eight pieces,

the DWS platform would not reduce its dumping of Ugly Country weapons.

Rather than roaring here and wasting this hard-won opportunity to meet with DWS platform executives, it would be better to discuss some constructive issues.

Calming his emotions, Jam Lawrence of Lockheed Martin said:

"Mr. Long, we hope your side can raise prices on certain products... and furthermore, cease weapon sales to the Ugly Country homeland!"

Long San looked coldly at these people and said:

"Is it because our platform has made it impossible for you to conduct international arms business?

As for the homeland, do you also feel that having too many weapons is not a good thing?"

"Correct!" Jam Lawrence said:

"Since the birth of the DWS platform, our trade volume in the international arms market has plummeted... apart from some allies, our sales figures have basically dropped to zero.

As for the homeland, a chaotic Ugly Country is not what we wish to see!"

"This should have nothing to do with our organization; whatever happens in the Ugly Country will not affect the DWS platform in any way.

As for complaining that we sell too cheaply and wanting to raise prices, what benefit would that bring us?"

Seeing the aggressive manner of speech employed by this elder, Jam Lawrence let out a sigh.

In reality, although they were the CEOs of the five major arms companies,

these companies did not belong to them;

they were merely professional managers working for the various families lurking behind the scenes.

The rise of the DWS platform had caused severe performance issues for the arms companies.

This had aroused serious dissatisfaction among the families backing them.

Initially, these families had been clamoring to crush the DWS platform,

appearing determined to drive their opponent to death.

However, as the DWS platform displayed ever-increasing power,

along with its reckless, madman-like ruthlessness,

the families hiding behind the Ugly Nation finally understood:

simply trying to eliminate this organization by force was utterly unrealistic.

Just like normal human logic dictates:

if you cannot beat them, then find a way to negotiate.

Thus, this meeting, arranged through the unreliable Ma Ding, came to pass.

Then Jem Lawrence of Lockheed Martin spoke:

"If your organization can significantly raise prices on its goods, we can pay your side ten billion dollars annually..."

"Heh, we are not beggars!"

Long San rejected the offer without a second thought.

If he truly raised prices as the Ugly Nation desired,

the DWS platform would inevitably be spurned by many nations.

The relationships they had carefully maintained with the Third World would vanish in an instant.

"This..." Jem Lawrence frowned.

"Actually, I do have an idea; would you gentlemen care to hear it?"

Long San said.

"Mr. Long, please speak!" Jem Lawrence replied.

"That is, your enterprises place annual orders with our platform, then supply the goods to the Ugly Nation government.

Do not rush to reject this; if you agree, I can promise no longer to supply weapons directly to Ugly Nation soil... all weapon prices will be doubled."

Long San laid out his proposal.

"Moreover, under such an arrangement, you would reap even greater profits!"

In reality, this was exactly what many Ugly Nation suppliers knew well, even though purchasing from the Dragon Nation was illegal.