Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"Ahem!"

Zhou Bingguo coughed lightly again to cover up his earlier lapse in composure. Chen Dong's statement that it would take at least three months was too shocking, making his heart, which had seen many big scenes, pound.

"Comrade Chen, are you really capable of safely transporting back the machine tools from those companies you just mentioned?"

"certainly!"

"However, once the equipment arrives at the port, you'll have to find your own way to transport it. Once it arrives, my task is complete. The transaction is finished once it's in port. The rest is up to you: if the ship sinks, I'll still pursue the remaining payment from you!"

"Haha! Comrade Chen, you're joking. I can guarantee that there won't be any accidents at all for ships docking at Chinese ports. Not even a 1% chance will happen. That's my guarantee!"

"As for the transportation issues after arrival at the port, everything will be resolved as long as the machine tools can reach the port!"

In such a major matter, if anyone dares to tamper with things, it won't be a small matter of fighting corruption. With a heavy blow, you and your protectors will both be in serious trouble!

Seeing Zhou Bingguo's reply, Chen Dong smiled and said, "Minister Zhou, machine tools and equipment are easy to obtain, but you'll have to figure out how to get the equipment debugging personnel yourselves."

"Furthermore, you cannot disclose the origin of these devices to the outside world. If this involves me, then our cooperation will be both the first and the last!"

Zhou Bingguo understood what Chen Dong meant: they couldn't ask foreigners to help debug the equipment, because that would expose Chen Dong; they could only let China's own researchers figure it out themselves.

Even if Chen Dong hadn't reminded him, Zhou Bingguo, as a high-ranking official, would have understood Chen Dong's importance due to his sense of secrecy. Anyone who tried to find out where the equipment came from would be monitored by the National Security Bureau.

Five-axis CNC machine tools are simply too important; for China at this time, they can be considered strategic resources!

In the aerospace field, five-axis CNC machine tools can help Chinese military enterprises better process complex components such as integral aircraft beams, wing ribs, engine blades, and titanium alloy frames. With five-axis CNC machine tools, the number of parts can be greatly reduced, the weight can be reduced, and the overall strength can be improved!

In the shipbuilding industry, in addition to processing water turbine blades and steam turbine blades, they can even process large marine propellers.

These are not the most important things. What is important is that, as China's first step from scratch, with the world's most advanced five-axis CNC machine tool, China's research team can have better research and development references.

Compared to blindly groping in the dark, having physical objects for Chinese research teams to refer to will save them a lot of detours, saving not only national resources but also the precious time of these researchers!

This is the most important thing!

"Don't worry, Comrade Chen, China will handle this matter with the highest level of confidentiality. We will absolutely not let you be exposed," Zhou Bingguo said firmly. Chen Dong nodded, his tone slightly relaxed, and said, "Alright, Minister Zhou, now we should formally discuss the payment issue!"

Zhou Bingguo, Wang Huaimin, and the others all sat up straight, waiting for Chen Dong to present his conditions. Wang Huaimin earnestly reached out to Chen Dong, picked up a pen, and prepared to take notes. "Comrade Chen, please state your conditions!"

"First, 30% of the payment will be deposited into your central bank's secret account via a transfer, and there cannot be any restrictions or obstacles preventing me from exchanging it for US dollars!"

"Secondly, the remaining 70% will be repaid in installments using raw materials, with an annualized interest rate of 10%, and the price of raw materials will be recalculated every January!"

"Third, allow me to freely establish any company in China as a foreign investor, and grant me and my company certain policy preferences and land benefits!"

"Fourth, grant me a duty-free warehouse at both the Shenzhen and Tuozhou ports, and allow my affiliated companies to enjoy certain expedited, inspection-free import and export services!"

As Chen Dong spoke, Zhou Bingguo, Wang Huaimin, and the others quickly jotted down each point in their notebooks. After Chen Dong finished speaking, Zhou Bingguo put down his pen and said to Chen Dong, "Comrade Chen, please go to the next room to rest for a while. We will discuss it and give you our final answer!"

"Okay," Chen Dong and Chen Zaisheng immediately stood up and, led by Zhong Dequan, walked out of the conference room and into the corridor. Chen Dong took out a cigarette and said to Zhong Dequan, "You guys go first, I'm going to the restroom."

Zhong Dequan gestured to another cadre who had come out with him to follow Chen Dong to the restroom, and then led Chen Zaisheng into the next room.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was very quiet. Zhou Bingguo took a deep breath and looked at the others present. "Everyone, please speak up. What are your opinions on the four points raised by Mr. Chen Zaidong?"

Wang Huaimin didn't answer immediately, but continued writing something with his pen. A cadre from the Planning Commission raised his hand and said, "Sir, Mr. Chen Zaidong's four points are a bit too harsh!"

"The requirement of 30% transfer and immediate withdrawal will cause significant problems for our current foreign exchange regulatory system, increasing a lot of uncertainty!"

After the person from the State Planning Commission finished speaking, an official from the State Economic and Trade Commission also raised his hand and said, "A 10% annualized rate is too high. Moreover, if we agree to Mr. Chen Zaidong's conditions, and pay the remaining 70% of the payment in installments with raw materials, it will inevitably impact our country's export earnings. The days ahead will be very difficult!"

At this moment, another official from the Economic and Trade Commission suddenly raised his hand and spoke up, "Sir, could we propose to Mr. Chen Zaidong that the settlement be made through arms payments?"

"what!"

"If we simply repay the debt in installments using raw materials, the Economic and Trade Commission will be under a lot of pressure. Currently, the country's foreign debt repayment largely relies on the foreign exchange earnings from annual raw material exports. Spreading such a large portion out will likely affect repayment, and China's international reputation cannot be damaged!"

"Therefore, I propose that we settle the payment directly for the arms. Mr. Chen Zaidong was able to help us transport the machine tools subject to the Batumi embargo, so I believe he certainly has the ability to handle these arms!"

"Xiao Zhang, your suggestion is very pertinent," Wang Huaimin praised affirmatively. "Minister Zhou, we can't fall into the misconception that we can only repay with raw materials. Raw materials are fine, but what about weapons? What about textiles? We should at least ask Mr. Chen Zaidong's opinion!"

"Furthermore, a 10% annualized return is indeed a bit high, especially considering that an 8% annualized return is tied to no restrictions on foreign exchange conversion. As for Mr. Chen Zaidong's other conditions, we have no further objections!"

"Alright, then go and invite Mr. Chen Zaidong in!"