Chapter 858: Gambling Contract
Translator: _Min_ Editor: Rundi
As Jiang Chen had expected, after coming home from work one day, Natasha wanted to speak to him.
“The Kremlin hopes that you can fulfill the original contract ahead of schedule. As compensation, we are willing to buy five RM-320 rocket engines at twice the price.”
After Celestial Trade received Russia’s contract to supply the International Space Station, Jiang Chen reached an agreement with Russia to sell the RM-320 rocket engine used on Celestial 1 at reasonable prices several years later.
Jiang Chen originally was planning to wait until 10 years later before fulfilling the agreement. However, seeing that all the countries in the world were preparing to reach the Moon , Russia couldn’t just sit on the sideline. With a tight budget, they couldn’t afford to invest too much money in developing more advanced rocket engines, so it was natural that the Kremlin thought of Jiang Chen.
The RM-320 engine was no longer used by Celestial Trade. Although it marked the top technical jewel of the apocalypse’s rocket, it was the product of nearly 50 years of almost zero rocket development. After the birth of space elevators, no one developed the troublesome and high-cost rocket engines. Instead, they devoted all their energy to missiles and spacecraft engines.
But this didn’t mean it was technically impossible to improve the engine.
After integrating some of the pre-war technology, the apocalypse scientists made improvements on the RM-320 rocket engine and developed a more advanced RM-400—which was exactly what Celestial Trade used for its Moon landing.
From this perspective, it didn’t seem to be an issue to sell RM-320 engines to Russia. However, taking into account his strategic needs, Jiang Chen hoped that Russia could focus on Eastern Europe instead of a gradually escalating space race.
So, after organizing his thoughts, Jiang Chen shrugged and replied.
“There are only two years left before 2020. Can’t you wait?”
“Time doesn’t wait and the technology will be outdated. Under the current international environment, who knows if your RM-320 will still be leading the space race in 2020?” Natasha rolled her eyes.
Jiang Chen laughed when he heard the question.
Even with a decade, SpaceX’s Falcon series wouldn’t catch up to the RM-320.
“How about this. I promise that before the end of 2020, the performance of RM-320 will still be leading.”
“What if it’s not?” Natasha said.
“Then I will not sell it and give it to you for free.” Jiang Chen smiled confidently.
Natasha thought for a moment and nodded.
“In this case… there should be no problem. Then I will reply to the Kremlin.”
“Wait.”
Natasha, who was preparing to get up, sat back down.
“What else?”
“Since it is a gambling contract, then whether win or lose, there should be a prize,” Jiang Chen said. “If I win, and no rocket engine is superior to the RM-320 in terms of performance by the end of 2020, what do you plan to pay? ”
Hearing Jiang Chen’s words, Natasha’s lips closed together and her long curved legs crossed together
“Oh? What do you want?”
Jiang Chen smiled and proposed.
…
With a gambling contract, Natasha left Jiangchen’s mansio. Although it was already eight o’clock in the evening, the embassy did not close for the day. To be honest, Natasha had more than enough credentials to serve as an emissary through her repeated effort in reaching agreements with Future Group.
However, for some odd reasons, she did not seem to have any plans for promotion.
At noon the following day, Russia delivered four new Guardian-class frigates to Celestial Trade. This 500 million US Dollar military sales were paid with Xin New Dollar. Due to the astonishing success of the Moon colonization program and the end to the region conflict with Moro securing the victory, the Xin New Dollar showed a trend of continued strength in the foreign exchange market, and the exchange rate against the US Dollar had risen to 1:1.2.
Although the rising exchange rate didn’t benefit exports, many industries of Future Group were unique and without competition. In addition, an increase in the exchange rate meant that Xin’s import prices were cheaper, and it would help Xin’s companies to invest overseas and expand their influence on the international economy.
The four Guardian-class frigates were sent to Coconut Island. The engineering robots would equip them with Type-50 J-model electromagnetic pulse cannons. Counting two ships and two submarines that were previously purchased from Russia, Celestial Navy already owned six frigates, more than sufficient to form an attacking formation with maneuverability and firepower.
In addition, the shipyard of Future Military was built on Ange Island, and orders for the first destroyer had been issued. Soon after, Celestial Trade would list its own produced warships and use its own gunboats to defend its sovereignty.
After the completion of the handover ceremony, Jiang Chen returned to Coro Island. When he noticed the time, he headed to the Future Building.
After Xia Shiyu reported on the company’s most recent progress, Ivan’s phone call followed.
Touching the screen and picking up the phone, Jiang Chen asked.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s related to Madagascar.” Ivan replied. “At present, Madagascar’s government forces, with the help of the foreign troops we dispatched, are already besieging Arrow and the rebels trapped in the Bezaha area in the southern part of the island. President Bernard called us half an hour ago and hoped that we could cooperate with the government forces in the final attack on the besieged rebels.”
Ivan paused and waited for Jiang Chen’s instructions.
Jiang Chen’s index finger gently tapped the table and debated.
As early as Celestial Trade’s soldiers landed on Madagascar, the outcome of the war had already been decided. No matter how the former President La Jonah fought together with Arrow, he could not escape the end of this demise.
However, Jiang Chen did not order the Foreign Corps to eliminate the enemy immediately, but instead dragged the war out for as long as possible.
Jiang Chen’s approach was the exact same as that of the Moro Independent War. Only when Madagascar owed enough money would the government be more obedient. Rather than forcing Celestial Trade to intervene on the island, he hoped to be greeted as a savior.
What’s more, dragging this war on had also consumed the strength of the Freemasonry.
However, the Jews seem to have given up this chess piece. Originally, they were sending more mercenaries to Madagascar. Now, even the transporting of supplies became more cautious. The turmoil in Eastern Europe has left them with no energy for the southernmost island of Africa.
Obviously, from the perspective of the Freemasonry, the threat from Russia was far greater than that of Future Group, a multi-national company.
“Send our Aurora-20s and finish this mess.” After a long pause, Jiang Chen ordered.
“Roger!”