Chapter 1535: Thank You for Letting Me Earn So Much

In the evening at Central City on the Xiuluo Holy Star, the communication terminal in Kedi Zao's room lit up with an incoming signal.

Kedi Zao was sitting at the table making preliminary estimates for the Brocade Ore channels on a Data Pad; upon hearing the prompt, he pressed the answer button.

"Kedi Zao, I've made progress on my end. I've already met with the procurement lead for the Kaoquanzao Free Territory. Their need for ships is indeed very urgent, and I've told him about the situation with your batch of goods."

Kedi Zao nodded and said.

"What was their reaction? Did they say specifically how many they need?"

Gekeka clasped his hands in front of his abdomen and spoke in a steady voice.

"Their current shortfall is significant. After the Kaoquanzao Free Territory and the Xikushi United Nations formed an alliance, they had to integrate their defensive lines, but the Kaoquanzao Free Territory lost a large number of ships in the war of attrition over the past few months. Their current inventory is insufficient to cover the length of the merged defensive lines."

"That procurement lead, Chajiasu, has been hitting walls at the Greer Union's military supply department for nearly ten days and was about to give up."

"When he met with me, his attitude was clearly more proactive than I had imagined. Although he was still saying he had to see the goods before discussing the price, I could feel that as long as the goods are real, they are willing to pay."

Kedi Zao's eyes brightened slightly.

"Did you give him a quote? Or did you just lay the groundwork first?"

Gekeka smiled and said.

"Hahaha, how could I? I only mentioned the quantity and the condition of the ships to first confirm the strength of his willingness to buy, then determine the price. Now that their willingness is high enough, I plan to organize a detailed specification sheet of the ship inventory to send to him in the next two days, and then negotiate the price simultaneously."

Kedi Zao picked up the Data Pad to the side to check it, then said.

"I've already made preliminary calculations for the Brocade Ore side. If calculated at the current market price, the total amount of Brocade Ore we can mobilize from both channels, plus ordinary ore, has a total value of about 80 billion Grell coins."

"If the ships are resold at market price, they should sell for at least 120 billion or more, leaving a profit margin of about 40 billion."

Gekeka's expression froze briefly upon hearing that number, then he said.

"80 billion in material costs. Are you sure this figure didn't miss the transshipment fees and packaging costs?"

"I've already added the transshipment fees at a rate of 15 percent. The channel cost for Brocade Ore is higher than for ordinary ore, but for the ordinary ore, your inventory can be mobilized directly without additional procurement costs."

"After comprehensive calculation, 80 billion is the net cost including all upfront investments. If we want to ensure profit, the external quote must be at least 120 billion or more; it would be best to negotiate it to around 130 billion so there is room to maneuver for profit."

Gekeka nodded and said.

"I understand. I will design the quotation proposal based on the ship specification sheet and inspection promise you provided. Leave the negotiation to me; I will sync the results with you once I have them."

After the communication ended, Gekeka whispered to himself in his seat.

"80 billion in costs. If I can negotiate to 160 billion, the profit will be 80 billion. He doesn't know about the extra 30 million, so won't I earn even more?"

That same night, Gekeka sent a communication request to Chajiasu, attaching the specifications for those 300 ships.

Soon, the communication connected, and Chajiasu's face appeared on the screen; he was looking at the just-printed summary of the ship specifications.

"Gekeka, I've already looked at the ship specification sheet you just sent. 300 frigates, marked as sealed and awaiting inspection, with system interfaces matching the Kaoquanzao Free Territory's fleet standards. When can you arrange for an inspection?"

Gekeka said.

"The inspection can be arranged within three weeks. The transfer process for the first batch of ships has already been initiated."

Chajiasu said directly.

"The Kaoquanzao Free Territory really does need this batch of ships to fill the gaps in our border defense fleet. Just give me the price; what method of settlement will you use?"

Gekeka's body leaned forward slightly.

"The market reference price for this batch of ships is calculated based on the market price of new ships of the same specifications, totaling about 160 billion Grell coins. The payment method will be material exchange, with Brocade Ore prioritized, supplemented by other ores and currency."

At the mention of the 160 billion figure, the scales on Chajiasu's jaw lifted slightly as his muscles contracted.

"160 billion. This figure corresponds to the price of brand-new ships of the same specifications on the market. This batch of yours is sealed stock; logically, there should be room for a discount."

Gekeka smiled and explained.

"This batch of sealed stock is different from ordinary second-hand ships. Their hull structures have not experienced combat wear, and the core components of the main thrusters and weapon systems are in an unworn state. They only need external marking adjustments and main control system replacements to be put directly into use."

Chajiasu's fingers stopped on the table as he looked at Gekeka on the screen.

"Settling entirely in Brocade Ore is somewhat difficult. The Kaoquanzao Free Territory's output of Brocade Ore is limited, and most of it has already been pre-ordered by existing contracts. The available inventory is insufficient to support a material exchange of this volume."

Upon hearing this request, Gekeka feigned difficulty and made a concession.

"Sigh, although in principle we cannot do this, considering this is our first cooperation, I can adjust the ratio. 70 percent settled in Brocade Ore, and the remaining 30 percent can be supplemented with other ores or general currency."

The scales on Chajiasu's jaw moved.

"70 percent Brocade Ore is still not enough. After calculating my available inventory, I can support at most 60 percent."

Gekeka was silent for two seconds on the screen, putting on an expression of having no choice but to compromise.

"60 percent is lower than the ratio I originally budgeted. But considering the Kaoquanzao Free Territory is our first major client, I can accept this ratio. The other 40 percent will be supplemented with general currency and ordinary ore."

Chajiasu's brow relaxed slightly, and he said in a relaxed tone.

"Good, let's go with that ratio. 60 percent Brocade Ore, 40 percent currency and ordinary ore. Once the inspection confirms the condition of the ships, I will have the finance department initiate the payment process."

Gekeka nodded and said.

"I will send the inspection arrangements to your communication terminal within three days. At that time, your technicians can accompany the transport fleet to the Xiuluo Holy Star to check the condition of the ships. If the inspection passes, the first delivery can proceed on a cycle of six standard weeks."

Chajiasu reached out and pressed the end button on the side of the communication terminal.

Seeing the communication end, a cunning smile appeared on Gekeka's mouth.

He stood up, walked to the side of the Greer Union route map on the wall, and reached out to draw a virtual line across a certain position on the edge of the chart.

"Hehehe, I didn't expect him to actually agree. It seems the Kaoquanzao Free Territory is truly in urgent need of this batch of ships. I must hurry to prepare the Brocade Ore and the transport fleet. Kedi Zao, thank you for letting me earn so much."