I bought a prison in the United States.

What is the market price for this batch of goods you need?

Paul glanced at Ringo, seemingly surprised that the other would ask such a question.

But he still honestly said:

"The valve costs $3.8 each, and the copper pipe costs $2.2 each, for a total cost of $9800."

"My prices are $5.5 for the valve and $3.5 for the copper pipe."

"Total amount: 14,500; Gross profit: 4,700."

Paul didn't need to think when he reported these numbers.

Every number was etched into his mind, because he had calculated them countless times over the past few days.

Lin Ge also memorized these figures, driven by a businessman's sensitivity to costs:

"What if I help you complete this order?"

Paul paused for a moment, then instinctively asked:

"How will you help me?"

"I have a workforce at McLean County Correctional Center where inmates can work on stamping, assembly, and packaging."

"Send me the valves and copper pipes that weren't burned out, and my people will clean, inspect, and repackage them."

"If you need to replace a damaged part, I can also purchase the raw materials and make it using my stamping machine. You just need to tell me the specifications."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Paul's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by wariness.

Having done business in Tulsa for so many years, he knew that no one would help you for no reason.

"How much do you want to charge?"

Lin Ge recited the number he had already calculated in his mind:

"Cleanup and repackaging, valves $0.68 each, copper pipes $0.42 each."

"If parts need to be replaced, the material cost will be 10% above cost, and the processing fee will be calculated separately."

"In total, I estimate it to be around two thousand dollars."

He deliberately quoted the numbers to two decimal places to make the bill sound like it had been rigorously calculated, rather than a casual donation.

In fact, he knew in his heart that even if he only charged five hundred dollars, the business would still be profitable, as the hourly wage of prisoners was so low as to be negligible.

But he needs Paul to feel that this is a reasonable market price, not just a low price.

Paul's lips moved slightly.

The $9,800 cost has already sunk.

Regardless of whether the goods can be delivered or not, he has already paid the Mexican supplier for them.

Now he faces a choice:

Either lose the entire $9,800, plus lose customers and bank loan collectors.

Alternatively, spend another two thousand dollars to have Ringo's people clean out the usable parts and complete the order delivery.

An investment of $11,800 yielded an income of $14,500.

The gross profit dropped from 4,700 to 2,700, which is less, but there is still a profit to be made.

More importantly, the customer was saved, the bank's grace period was met, and the time before the insurance payout was received was over.

Ringo looked into Paul's eyes and knew that Paul had already settled the score.

The price he quotes will definitely be lower than that of the insurance company.

With the exorbitant prices quoted by the US, Paul might not only fail to make a profit, but could even lose money.

So Lin Ge didn't urge him, he just waited.

Pressuring someone will reveal your eagerness, and eagerness is the most expensive currency in negotiations.

"Can you finish on time by next Friday?" Paul asked.

"sure."

Lingo's answer was without any hesitation.

He didn't need to hesitate; there was plenty of time in the prison factory, but a lack of orders.

"Alright." Paul extended his hand.

Lin Ge grasped that hand.

My palms were sweaty, as if I were grabbing a piece of driftwood while drowning.

"Mr. Chen, I ran into you that night, and you've come again today. I don't believe in coincidences."

Paul looked at him:

"You must have figured something out."

Lin Ge gave an enigmatic smile.

Of course he noticed.

What he saw in the Chamber of Commerce service corridor was a young man who was about to default on his contract.

Today we see a small business owner cornered by a fire, with no bargaining chips and only the instinct to survive.

These are all business opportunities.

But he couldn't say that.

"Paul, I can see that you're just an unlucky but hardworking businessman."

As Ringo spoke, he used his abilities to apply the 25% approval he had received from Hobbes to Paul.

And he, in turn, exerted his amplified persuasive power through language:

"On the night of the fire, you were still able to attend the Chamber of Commerce meeting and listen to what I had to say."

"This shows you're not so easily broken down. Doing business with someone like that carries the lowest risk for me."

This statement both gave Paul a way out and implied that his actions were based on risk assessment rather than sympathy.

In business, saying "I'm helping you because you deserve it" will move the other person.

Saying "I'm helping you because the risks are manageable" will make the other person think you are a respectable businessman.

Both statements are correct, but the second one is more in line with how Lingo sees himself.

Paul's eyes reddened. He rubbed his eyes with his fingers and then looked up.

"My father opened this hardware store in 1962. At that time, it was just a small shop selling screws and nails."

"I used to help out at the shop after school when I was a child. It took me 20 years to turn the shop into a warehouse."

His voice was choked with emotion:

"My father entrusted his business to me, and I can't let it be ruined in my hands."

Ringo nodded:

"Send the usable goods to me next Monday, and my people will start cleaning them up."

"Give me a list of the specifications of the damaged parts, and I'll find steel to make replacements."

"it is good."

Paul took a deep breath and forced a stiff expression back onto his face.

"Mr. Chen, I really don't know how to thank you."

Lingo patted him on the shoulder:

"Once your insurance payout arrives, remember to contact me for your next order; that'll be my way of thanking you."

Paul paused for a moment, then seemed to understand something, and smiled with relief:

"You are an interesting person, Mr. Chen."

"You're here to help me, but actually you're the one who benefits. You need orders, and my orders are stuck."

"You took over at a low price, which not only saved me but also filled my own production capacity, and in the end, I still feel indebted to you."

He put his hands in his pockets, and his tone became more candid, like that of a businessman:

"I've been doing business in Tulsa for so many years, and my father has introduced me to many shrewd businessmen, but you are the shrewdest I've ever met."

"But you're not annoying because you don't hide the fact that you're making money off me; it just makes me feel like I'm not losing out either."

Lin Ge smiled.

This is the best state for a business, where both people feel they've made a profit.

Paul bought back the grace period from his clients and the bank with two thousand dollars, while Ringo traded cheap labor for two thousand dollars in cash and the possibility of a long-term client.

Who actually earns more?

It does not matter.

The important thing is that both sides are willing to do it again.

He turned and walked towards the pickup truck, opening the door.

"See you next Monday, Mr. Paul."