Chapter 110: Does

The barter method of trade is not common in modern international trade, let alone using raw materials to exchange for weapons and equipment.

"This... this is unconventional," Hasan of the Baba Sheep Country frowned, "International trade usually uses US dollars or British pounds for settlement."

"That is correct," Li Mingyuan admitted candidly, "but what Long Country needs right now is not foreign exchange, but raw materials that can directly drive industrial development. As you all know, our country is in a special period, and the channels for obtaining these resources are limited."

Abdullah pondered for a moment, then asked: "Then, what is the specific exchange ratio?"

Li Mingyuan took out a prepared list: "We have formulated detailed conversion standards based on international market prices. Taking the Dog Tycoon Kingdom as an example, one 107 Rocket Launcher (including 100 rounds of ammunition) is equivalent to 50 tons of crude oil; one Type 56 Rifle (including 500 rounds of Bullet) is equivalent to 1 ton of crude oil."

The representatives of various countries began to calculate seriously.

According to the international oil price at the time (about 2 USD/barrel, about 7.3 USD/ton), this meant the price of one 107 Rocket Launcher was about 365 USD, which was indeed nearly 30% cheaper than similar products from the Polar Bear.

Abdullah quickly calculated the account: "500 Rocket Launchers, 【redacted】 tons of crude oil; 【redacted】 Type Weapons, 【redacted】 tons of crude oil. A total of 【redacted】 tons... although the quantity is not small, considering the performance of these weapons, this exchange ratio is actually quite fair."

Other representatives also calculated the amount of resources their own countries needed to provide.

Xiangjiao Country needed to provide 3,000 tons of rubber and 2,000 tons of tin; Changshe Country needed to provide 1,500 tons of tungsten and 3,000 tons of chromium...

"This is also a rare opportunity for us," Ruan Wenming whispered to the assistant beside him,

"The price of the Polar Bear's weapons is getting higher and higher, and they add various political conditions. Long Country's weapon performance is not inferior, the price is cheap, and they only want resources, not political promises..."

The atmosphere in the conference room gradually turned from surprise to heated discussion.

Although the representatives of various countries felt this way of trading was novel, after calculating, they found that this transaction was very beneficial to both sides.

However, the negotiation was not all smooth sailing.

"【Redacted】 tons of crude oil, this is not a small number," Abdullah mused, "I need to ask His Majesty the King for instructions. Moreover, we hope to deliver in batches; we cannot provide so much oil all at once."

"Of course," Li Mingyuan had been prepared, "We can adopt a phased delivery method. For example, for the first batch of 【redacted】 tons of crude oil, we will provide a corresponding quantity of weapons; the second batch, the third batch, and so on."

Abdullah nodded; this arrangement made him heave a sigh of relief.

Zhashi, the representative of Xiangjiao Country, raised another question: "Our rubber production is limited; I wonder if we can pay part of it in cash?"

Li Mingyuan thought for a moment: "A combined payment method of 80% resources and 20% cash can be considered. But we prioritize countries that can provide all the resources."

Zhashi hurriedly stated his position: "Then we will try our best to gather all the rubber; if it is really not enough, we will then consider using cash to make up for it."

The negotiation lasted for a whole day.

During this period, the representatives of various countries left the table several times to contact their own governments to ask for new decisions.

By evening, most countries had agreed in principle to the conditions proposed by Li Mingyuan, waiting only to return home to formally report to their governments for approval.

Abdullah was the first representative to sign the preliminary agreement: "The Dog Tycoon Kingdom will deliver the first batch of 【redacted】 tons of crude oil within three months in exchange for the corresponding weapons and equipment. The specific procurement list will be confirmed within a week."

Ruan Wenming followed closely behind: "Changshe Country agrees to exchange strategic resources such as tungsten and chromium for weapons, and the first batch of resources will be ready within two months."

Representatives of other countries also signed similar preliminary agreements one after another.

The entire conference room was filled with the joy of Victory; this trade negotiation exceeded everyone's expectations.

After the signing ceremony ended, the representatives of various countries took their leave one by one.

Li Mingyuan personally sent them to the door and shook hands with every representative to say goodbye.

Finally, only Abdullah remained in the conference room; he signaled for his entourage to leave first, then mysteriously leaned closer to Li Mingyuan.

"Young Hero," Abdullah lowered his voice, "I have a private question I would like to ask you."

Li Mingyuan looked at him curiously: "Please speak."

Abdullah looked around to confirm there was no one else, then continued: "Does Long Country have any other... more advanced weapon systems? I mean, the kind that are more powerful than the 107 Rocket Launcher."

Li Mingyuan did not answer immediately, but instead asked back: "Why does Mr. Abdullah ask this?"

"We Dog Tycoons have plenty of money and plenty of oil," Abdullah said bluntly,

"His Majesty the King has a strong interest in advanced weapons. If Long Country has more powerful things, we are willing to pay a higher price."

Li Mingyuan nodded thoughtfully: "Indeed, we have some more advanced research projects, but they cannot be made public at the moment."

Abdullah's eyes lit up: "Does 'cannot be made public' mean we gave too little? Price is not an issue, and resources are not an issue. As long as it is advanced enough, we can provide anything Long Country needs."

Li Mingyuan smiled and patted Abdullah on the shoulder:

"If there are new weapon systems available for sale, I will notify the Dog Tycoon Kingdom as soon as possible. Please convey my promise to His Majesty the King regarding this."

Abdullah nodded with satisfaction and took a business card out of his pocket:

"This is my private contact information; you can contact me directly at any time."

Li Mingyuan took the business card and put it away solemnly: "Thank you for your trust; I believe this will be a good start for our long-term cooperation."

The two shook hands and said goodbye. After Abdullah left, Li Mingyuan stood in the empty conference room, the light of Victory flashing in his eyes.

The first step had succeeded—Long Country's weapons had officially broken into the international market, and more importantly, the urgently needed strategic resources were about to flow into the country in a steady stream.

"The resource problem is solved; next, we can fully push forward the research and development of the Numerical Control Machine Tool." Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, already beginning to plan the next steps of action in his heart.

Yang stood to the side, holding the supply list, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.

He checked the numbers repeatedly, as if he could not believe his own eyes.

"Is... is this true?" Yang asked stutteringly, "The first batch of ten thousand tons of crude oil? One thousand tons of rubber? This... this..."

His voice trembled, and the expression on his face went from disbelief to surprise, then to excitement, and finally almost to ecstasy.

One must know that in the international environment at that time, Long Country was severely blockaded, and obtaining these strategic materials was extremely difficult.

Now, these precious resources were being transported to the country in a steady stream; it was simply like a dream.