Chapter 1068 The smell of money permeates the air!
The deposit slip that Tang Dao took out was naturally the deposit slip for the German weapon master's equipment that Commander Wu gave to Tang Dao.
The deposit form worth up to 1 million U.S. dollars stamped with the seal of Krupp Far East Branch made Lou Dehua messy in the wind for a while, and then he smiled bitterly and let go of Tang Dao's hand: "Colonel Tang Dao, in your Chinese language
, you are really so bad, I know how bad Okabe Saburo was when he was negotiating with you."
The deposit slip in Tang Dao's hand was naturally familiar to Lou Dehua. It was one of Krupp's large arms orders in the Far East. The most terrible thing was that the goods had arrived long ago, but no one paid.
Final payment pick up.
Although the 'consignor' suddenly appeared now, the 15% discount instantly offset the original joy.
"Haha, my friend, don't you think this is another kind of mutual help? If no one can pay the follow-up payment, the large amount of equipment your company has worked so hard to transport from thousands of miles away can only lie in the warehouse, rotting and moldy.
A deposit of one million U.S. dollars may not be enough to cover your company’s losses!” Tang Dao replied with a laugh.
"No, no, if our company transfers this batch of arms back to China, the funds will still be withdrawn without losing money. It will never be like what you think, Colonel Tang Dao." Lou Dehua said angrily in sheep's clothing.
This can be regarded as the last act of stubbornness of this businessman. Otherwise, the 15% discount he promised earlier would make his liver and kidneys hurt. The total order amount is as high as 3 million U.S. dollars, which would require him to make a profit of 450,000 U.S. dollars.
Get out!
What is the concept of $450,000 in this era? Comparing the value of guns and guns may not reflect the purchasing power of hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, the USS Hornet aircraft carrier launched by American cowboys in early 1938 only cost $31.8 million.
Good comparison.
This almost means that if Lou Dehua opens his mouth, one percent of the Hornet aircraft carrier is gone. Do you think Lou Dehua can survive? Let alone friends now, I'm afraid even his wife can't
Acknowledge the account.
"Hey, I remember that this batch of equipment arrived in our country almost half a year ago! With the current replacement speed of your country's army, Mr. Lou Dehua, do you think that after your company has to transport it all the way back, just like this?
Is there any army division that would not despise scrap metal?" Tang Dao chuckled. "Besides, based on my understanding of the Germanic nation, they are one of the most trustworthy nations, and are more greedy than those who only seek money.
I don’t know how powerful the Hebrews are.”
"We Germans are naturally different from the greedy Hebrews."
When Tang Dao mentioned this, Lou Dehua nodded in agreement.
The Hebrews, who are extremely good at business, have already caused public outrage in the German Empire and are one of the reasons for the tragic liquidation in the future. Unfortunately, even Lou Dehua probably did not expect that his father-in-law would do such a brilliant job.
Almost sent the entire empire to hell.
"So! When a big customer comes to visit, the businessman is going to run away with the goods?"
"No, no, the amount of this order is too large, and it has exceeded my authority as the Far East manager to handle it independently. If the funds recovered are not correct, it will be difficult for me to explain to the head office.
Dear Colonel Tang Dao, if I do this, I won’t have to wait until a few years before my dear nephew kicks me out of the family on the grounds of enriching his own pockets." Lou Dehua pitifully made his final resistance.
Tang Dao just smiled but stopped talking.
He believed that his friend would be able to make up for his promise.
This guy is like a grinning wolf! The brighter and warmer Tang Dao's smile is, the buzzing in Lou Dehua's head is.
Holding the cigar and taking two more puffs to calm his thoughts, Lou Dehua finally made up his mind: "Let's do this! Because this is a contract that has been set long ago. In order to ensure the company's profits, the amount cannot be discounted, but I can help
You transport it out of Jincheng and arrive in the HD area, and then I can't do anything about it and it's all up to you. All shipping costs are waived."
"Haha, deal!" Tang Dao laughed loudly.
This is the answer Tang Dao wants most.
For Tang Dao, the most important thing is how these weapons can be transported quietly out of Jincheng, which is heavily guarded by the Japanese army. If they are transported by ant moving as he originally designed, I am afraid that the entire war may not be able to be carried out.
This batch of equipment was transported to the Taihang Mountains.
If possible, he was even willing to pay his businessman friend another $1 million for transportation fees.
"Huh~~~" Seeing Tang Dao's cheerful answer, Lou Dehua couldn't help wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, and finally made up for the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, seeing Tang Dao smiling heartily, the shrewd businessman reacted instantly.
This is wrong! He had to take risks to help transport hundreds of kilometers, Tang Dao couldn't thank him! How could it be the same as if he had taken advantage of Tang Dao?
"However, dear Colonel Tang Dao, do you have so much cash on hand to pay for it? I remember that the total amount of this order is more than 3 million U.S. dollars, which is worth about 13 million U.S. dollars when converted into silver, the hardest currency in your country.
Yin Yang!
Also, Colonel Tang Dao, don’t think about asking for this equipment with a deposit of 1 million US dollars. This is the overall purchase price. If you buy it separately, the price may increase by at least 30%. No, because I
Due to the increase in the company's transportation, warehousing and other costs, the price may rise by 100%." Lou Dehua, who felt that he had been cheated by Tang Dao, was determined to add another obstacle to Tang Dao.
At least, let Tang Dao, who seems to know everything, have a bigger head.
No matter how wise you are, this money is not created out of thin air.
Of course, more importantly, Lou Dehua needs to confirm whether Tang Dao is qualified to pay the final payment. If not, no matter how much Tang Dao is considered a friend, this batch of goods will not be given to Tang Dao.
This is the most basic principle of a businessman, and Lou Dehua will not violate it.
Just like his eldest nephew hugs the mustachioed Fuhrer's thigh tightly, Krupp's profits must be guaranteed. After all, the company's tens of thousands of employees also need to eat, right?
"Mr. Lou Dehua can rest assured that the goods will be delivered when the payment is due! The amount will still be based on the contract signed in the past. I will give you a point less, and you will not lose a bullet from me." Tang Dao promised sternly. "And, I hope to work with you.
Your company’s cooperation does not stop here, I will have more weapons and equipment that need to be customized from your company in the future.”
"It's better not to do it next time. In this transportation alone, our company has taken a huge risk. If the Japanese discover it, it will be difficult for me to explain to them. Maybe they won't do anything to me, but my company's future
Business in China will be even more difficult, and even the existing ones cannot be guaranteed. The possibility that I will be forced to go back is higher than 90%." Lou Dehua looked bitter.
He was indeed a little impulsive just now. In order to make up for his previous commitment, he thought of using the inspection-free pass to transport the weapons and equipment ordered by Tang Dao to the coal mines controlled by HD's own company through special trains transporting coal and iron.
But he just calmed down and thought about it, it is easy to transport it to HD, but it is indeed more than 200 kilometers away from the Taihang Mountains! The Chinese do not have trains or cars, and rely solely on human transportation. The Japanese are not blind or fools, can they not think of it?
Krupp?
Tang Dao is a smart man. One look at this man's face and you can tell what he is worried about. It is nothing more than being discovered by the Japanese.
But if he could open up the line of Krupp Company, it would be almost equivalent to opening up an arms supply line from the sea to Jincheng and then to HD. How could Tang Dao give up?
"I can assure you, Mr. Lou Dehua, that as long as you arrive in the HD area, our army will be responsible for transporting it back from there secretly and safely, and your company will never be implicated." Tang Dao assured with a serious and solemn face.
"But Colonel Tang Dao, what guarantee can you give?" Lou Dehua's blue eyes were not sarcastic, but full of distrust.
China has been retreating steadily on the battlefield in North China. The area he is now in is already the last line of defense for the Chinese army in North China. As a result, Tang Dao vowed to go deep into the Japanese-controlled area and equip an integrated infantry division to God.
It was transported back without anyone noticing. Even a normal person would not believe it!
"Haha, I think Mr. Lou Dehua may have some misunderstandings about my current position. Yes, Tang is just the commander of an infantry regiment now, but Tang still has close allies, such as the Eightyth Army.
...." Tang Dao smiled.
"Eighty Group Army..." Lou Dehua stayed for a few seconds, as if he was enlightened.
Lou Dehua himself is in the arms business, but he is not a fanatical military enthusiast. On the contrary, he prefers the humanistic aspect, but this does not mean that he has never heard of the name of the Chinese Eightyth Army.
In fact, for anyone who knows something about China's history in the past two decades, the army that was the predecessor of the Eighty Group Army is a must-know knowledge point that cannot be bypassed.
The establishment of the people's political party, the establishment of the first working people's political power, the strategic transfer of 10,000 kilometers that attracted the attention of the world, and the willingness to join the ranks of the former sworn enemies to jointly fight against the powerful enemies that invaded the motherland... these are all achievements of this army.
Miracle.
However, this does not add anything to Tang Dao's guarantee. What really convinced Lou Dehua of the strength of Tang Dao's guarantee was the performance of the Eightyth Army on the North China battlefield.
It was this peasant army that became a serious problem for the Japanese army on the battlefield in North China.
They may not be that tough on the main battlefield, but when the Japanese divisions gathered in large numbers and marched forward, they broke into pieces and entered the rear of the Japanese army, causing a not fatal but extremely painful harassment to the Japanese army's logistics and transportation.
Combat.
Imagine that the main army is fighting hard in the front, and the rear transportation team is also working hard to contribute to the front battle, transporting food and ammunition. As a result, they are frequently attacked by sneak attacks. Not only the personnel losses are heavy, but also the painful thing is that the food and ammunition are hijacked and cannot be transported.
On the front line, which commander would not give me a splitting headache?
But what is even more painful is that this group of peasant armies never operates on a large scale. They range from a thousand to dozens of people. They pinch the soft persimmons when they encounter them. If they encounter the hard ones, they either shrink back to the mountains or hide in private villages.
, allowing the Japanese North China Front Army Headquarters to command hundreds of thousands of troops from the air, but it was as powerful as an elephant swatting flies.
Now the troops of the Eightyth Army carrying out raids in the rear of the Japanese army are not only in Shanxi Province, but also went deep into Hebei Province a few months ago. Their activities have even been reported in the Pingjin-controlled areas.
With the full assistance of this force, it would indeed be possible to complete this seemingly impossible task.
"If that's the case, I'm quite interested in the follow-up cooperation you proposed. However, that will only happen after Colonel Tang Dao has paid all the balance. My friend, you also know that I am a serious businessman."
Lou Dehua was completely relaxed at this time and was actually joking.
"With this, it should be enough to pay the final payment to Mr. Lou Dehua!" Tang Dao took out another piece of paper from his arms and handed it over.
Since he had the opportunity to talk freely with this big arms dealer, how could Tang Dao not be fully prepared? He also knew how to maintain the friendship with the businessman. Sincerity and keeping promises were the foundation, but sufficient interests were the real driving force.
.
The silver that the 29th Army deposited into the Bank of the Four Countries before leaving was enough to open the heart of any capitalist.
"Oh! God!" Lou Dehua saw clearly the amount of silver written on the white paper and the seals of several major Western banks, and became a fool again.
He himself doesn't know why he is so shallow today and is always shocked by Tang Dao.
But there was nothing he could do. The massive amount of silver, worth tens of millions of dollars, still made him dumbfounded.
This may be the magic of ancient Eastern civilization! A middle- and low-level officer can actually control such terrible wealth. What about those high-ranking officials and generals?
"This silver..." Lou Dehua swallowed and asked with some difficulty.
"With the permission of Commander Song of the 29th Army, I can use half of it, which is about 30 million silver dollars, worth about 7.5 million US dollars!" Tang Dao answered honestly.
Lou Dehua, the Chinese general who once ruled half of North China, knew that he was indeed qualified to own such a large amount of silver, and he was extremely familiar with the seals of several major Western banks.
What's more, it makes no sense for Tang Dao to lie about this matter.
"Okay, what other weapons and equipment do you need? As long as you can pay, I guarantee that you can pick up the goods from HD in just 3 months." Seeing that he already had the money, Lou Dehua spoke much more crisply.
"The equipment I want is just a small amount of money. I will naturally give you the list later. I don't know if your company accepts Japanese yen and gold!" Tang Dao said with a smile.
"Yes, we have a trading company in Japan, which can be exchanged with Japanese yen. Gold is universally accepted, but the exchange rate may fluctuate to a certain extent. But as long as you have it, Colonel Tang, I can use the highest exchange rate within half a month."
Exchange according to the ratio." Lou Dehua nodded firmly.
This can be regarded as the first big order Tang Dao helped him obtain in China during the war. After excluding various expenses, the net profit will be more than 60%. No matter what, he must serve his customers well.
The losses caused by fluctuations in the exchange rate are nothing!
"Well, I have almost 10,000 ounces of gold and 2 million yen here. Since it is inconvenient for me to carry it when I enter Jincheng, I will hand it over to Mr. Lou Dehua and take it back with you as part of the final payment I paid in advance."
Tang Dao said.
Lou Dehua's mouth twitched slightly!
At this time, the ratio of Japanese yen to U.S. dollars is about 2.5 to 1, which is worth about 800,000 U.S. dollars. Adding in one ounce of gold can be exchanged for 45 U.S. dollars, which is 450,000 U.S. dollars. The total is more than 1.2 million U.S. dollars. What?
When Tang Dao comes here, it seems to be taken out so lightly?
Could it be that he is friends with the legendary second-generation super rich?
Of course, this is not the first time that Tang Dao has taken out money like a magic trick. The huge amount of money that keeps flashing has made Lou Dehua almost numb. This is not what he is curious about.
"Dear friend, aren't you afraid that I will take your money and never come back?" Lou Dehua was quite curious about how Tang Dao would answer him.
In an instant, he thought of many answers.
He has seen the tyrannical Tang Dao, and he has also seen the cunning Tang Dao.
"Friend, if a mere million dollars can make a Krupp family jealous of money, then how did the Krupp family grow from a small workshop to become the number one arms dealer in the Germanic Empire?" Tang Dao grinned, revealing his face.
A mouthful of white teeth.
Shaking the paper in his hand, "Besides, I still have nearly 8 million US dollars here, and I plan to discuss an investment with dear Mr. Lou Dehua!"
"Oh! God, come and kill this devil waving checks!" Lou Dehua covered his head with his hands. "The smell of money has made me sink completely, even if there is hell ahead!"
How could a shrewd businessman not know that this was a Tang Dao sheath?
Originally, it was just a normal order delivery. Tang Dao paid him to deliver the goods. From then on, even if he was regarded as a friend, it was just a long journey of seeing each other again. At most, he would only take the risk of offending the Japanese once.
But if they cooperate with Tang Dao for a long time, the friendship between the two will become more and more stable, but that means that they will offend the Japanese to death.
The Japanese will never tolerate the existence of a long-term channel for supplying arms to China within their territory.
Don't think this is a top secret. The fact that a large number of German-made weapons were brought to the battlefield is the biggest exposure in itself.
But the smell of money in Tang Dao's hands really made him unable to extricate himself! This damn businessman gene.
"Haha, it's not as serious as you think, dear friend. I won't be stupid enough to order a large number of German-made weapons and put them on the battlefield. I will make them myself, and neither the Germans nor the Japanese have ever seen them.
Firearms." Tang Dao laughed loudly.
"Can you do this?" Lou Dehua turned petrified again.
As an arms dealer, he knows very well that weapons manufacturing is a systematic project, from design to materials to production lines and finally to testing sites. Given China's current industrial level, what should we make?
"Of course I can't do it alone, so I need your company to build a steel plant! I am responsible for investing the funds required, and your company only needs to build the factory and purchase equipment. You see, your company has coal mines and iron ore mines.
China has low enough labor costs, and your government needs a lot of steel. This is definitely a lucrative business. When you go home waving the check, your eldest nephew may also fall in love with you for it.
"
"You are simply a devil!" Lou Dehua shook his head and groaned in pain.
Tang Dao This is a typical Tuqiong dagger!
This was his real purpose, to build a secret military factory in the Japanese-occupied areas with the help of the Germans.
What a bullshit steel factory, it's just a gorgeous coat for someone's military factory.
"If additional funds are needed, I can also convince Commander Song to use the other half of the funds!" Tang Dao smiled brighter than Chaoyang.
That would be $15 million...
Lou Dehua's last bit of persistence was shattered by the huge numbers quickly calculated!
What? It will offend the Japanese, so let them go to God!
Who let God not help me to suppress this devil who is waving checks and smelling of money!
