What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 300 The Game, Taking a Chance
"of course not!"

Levi vehemently denied it—he was merely preparing.

He also hitched a ride and risked almost everything he had.

However, he immediately realized that Tang Wen was also one of the few who knew the truth, and his impression of him changed rapidly:
This is not a boastful grassroots entrepreneur.

Tang Wen already understood from his reaction that it wasn't just Gai Jin who wanted the technology, but also that McDonnell Douglas needed his help.

After learning the details of both sides, he relaxed and then began to apply pressure:
“Li, if McDonnell Douglas continues like this, I’ll start to doubt whether you’re really committed to improving the aircraft.”

$20 to $30 billion is a lot; I think the A320 and 737 are also very good options.

Levi immediately shook his head: "You definitely won't be able to get the technology license for those two types of aircraft."

"There are more than just Airbus, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas in the world."

Tang Wen looked north:

"I believe that $10 billion could buy all the technology of the Il-86 and help us to localize it, and the Russians would be very happy to cooperate."

The Il-86 is a four-engine, wide-body, twin-aisle large passenger aircraft developed by the older brother. Its takeoff weight is slightly less than that of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, and it can carry a maximum of 350 people, but its range is less than 5000 kilometers.

However, as soon as this model was exported, Levi's expression changed drastically:
"The Il-86 is already very outdated; its range and fuel economy are far inferior to ours."

Although the bear has turned to ashes, the shadow it casts on people of this era will not dissipate anytime soon.

Tang Wen did not hide anything: "Yes, but it is precisely because it is backward that it is easier to digest, and you know that the domestic industrial system is very suitable for the Il-86, and the industrial standards are the same."

The Il-86 is more than enough for domestic use; we have a vast territory!
I can also import the Il-62. Although it's a bit outdated, it's still an intercontinental passenger plane, and it's a special plane, so its safety is guaranteed.

My good friend Shi Juzhu just bought an aircraft carrier from them. If I go to buy airplanes, they'll definitely be willing to give me a very good discount.

The sudden Russian card caught Levi off guard, leaving him unsure how to respond. Then Tang Wen delivered the decisive blow:

“You know that Geigin operates an oil company, so the cost of operating passenger planes is definitely lower than that of other airlines, so a higher fuel consumption is not a big deal.”

Of course, I personally still have high hopes for McDonnell Douglas.

A very difficult customer.

Levi made up his mind, but he was even more convinced that Tang Wen was genuinely interested in bringing in McDonnell Douglas 11.

He ultimately lost this round:

"Alright, we can consider the price later. Right now, what we really want to know is where the money for the gold is coming from?"

Tang Wen smiled slightly:
"Don't worry, you'll see."

……

In 97, oil prices fell for two reasons:
First, Venezuela is increasing its oil production. This is the first time that major oil producers are trying to suppress oil prices in order to counter Venezuela's manipulation of OPEC's production expansion. This will begin in another month or two.
Secondly, the financial crisis led to a decline in global consumer spending, which naturally caused oil prices to drop.

It's only the beginning of the year, and oil prices have not only not fallen but have risen, from $9 last year to over $10, and seem poised to hit $20 or $30 a barrel.

But only the gullible and ambitious are blindly following the crowd; Robert and his family are clearly not.

He has now gathered trusted investors and family foundation members to share his hijacking plan:
"According to Wall Street's plan, oil prices should start to decline continuously in June or July. We should start selling before May and then dump the shares at the crucial moment."

We're all bullish on oil right now, pushing it higher and higher, but—"

He raised his voice:

"A secret that too many people know is no secret. We will take the initiative and detonate it before everyone is caught off guard."

Who could have predicted that the University of Tokyo would discover such a rich oil deposit, and even approve a private company to mine it? This secret is our winning formula.

Robert had already conceived a plan from the moment he asked Levi to keep it a secret:
If a unicorn oil company suddenly emerges in Tokyo, along with a super oil field, oil prices, which were expected to rise for several more months, would definitely suffer a severe blow. Information asymmetry is the key to the US dollar.

If managed properly, the hard-earned money from selling airplanes can't compare to the profits from stock trading. A single stock line represents the profits that would take dozens of airplanes to achieve.

Regardless of whether McDonnell Douglas can be saved, at least the family and their own circle can make money first.

"But how can we know if the information is true? As we all know, Tokyo University is a place that is short of oil."

When someone raised a question, the Stanford University geology and petroleum expert whom Robert had invited spoke up:
"This is a misconception. They just lack easily exploitable surface oil deposits, but judging from the geological structure, there are three submarine basins in the South China Sea with extremely rich mineral and oil reserves."

However, determining the exact location and the ease of development requires on-site surveying, which is very time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Robert then produced newspapers from the time when Geiger had his conflict with the monkey:
"Clearly, they have found a suitable location for digging the well."

If there's one thing that most excites the American, it's oil and gold.

Driven by the lure of gold, millions of cowboys ventured into the western wilderness; driven by the lure of oil, Rockefeller's henchmen were equipped with gear that surpassed that of the army at the time.

Many of those present immediately became eager to participate, while only a few remained worried, as this was only one side of the story.

Robert had no choice but to continue:

"There are also 100 orders. If anyone wants to withdraw, this information will be made public, and we can still make a lot of money."

The last obstacle was removed, and those present trusted Robert, reaching a consensus.

"The most important point:"

Robert pointed out the window:
"If Congress doesn't approve the deal, it's all for nothing."

The "honeymoon period" is over now, and the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 has no successor for this reason. Selling passenger aircraft and transferring technology to Dongda University is indeed a very sensitive issue.

However, there are quite a few lawmakers who hold McDonnell Douglas stock, so it's easy to imagine that the game will be very difficult.

But at this juncture, they can no longer afford to delay.

"Hughes and I will try to figure out how to deal with those difficult congressmen."

Lured by the allure of oil, some people volunteered to take on this task.

Hughes also raised his hand: "The premise is that there must be solid evidence. We must have Geigin take our geological experts to conduct on-site investigations!"

……

A construction site by the sea in Shanghai.

Luo Yuejin is almost sixty years old. He was among the first to venture into business and used to be a railway worker.

With his adventurous spirit, he successfully established himself in Shanghai, transforming from a small contractor into the owner of a construction company, specializing in construction work in coastal areas, and has already gained a small reputation in the industry.

Compared to the plains, the land formed by the silt deposited by the river is much more difficult to construct. Luo Yuejin relied on his many years of experience in Qiongzhou and constantly studied and researched to make his name known.

Just as he was inspecting the workers below, a bus pulled up and a middle-aged man got off.

Luo Yuejin hurriedly greeted them:
"Director X, what brings you here?"

"We've got a big job coming up, come with me and get ready."

"What big job is it that's in such a hurry?"

"You're so small that even the entire Huajian Corporation has been alerted. Let me tell you, you've hit the jackpot!"

(End of this chapter)