Chapter 928 - Lease? Not A Chance (1/2)

“Haha, Mr. Jiang is quite comical.” Elder Ye chuckled. “If Mr. Jiang is just a businessman, what are the tens of thousands of businessmen around the world?”

Jiang Chen smiled and didn’t continue on this topic. He raised his hand slightly and invited Elder Ye to sit.

“It’s not appropriate to stand and talk. Please take a seat, Elder Ye.”

The trio sat down in the parlor room. The waiter poured tea for Jiang Chen, Elder Ye, and Ye Yunfei then stepped to the side respectfully. Ye Yunfei took out a notebook and a pen from her briefcase and prepared for the recording of minutes.

Seeing Jiang Chen sitting there alone, Edler Ye was slightly surprised. Although it was a private visit, the things to be discussed later would be related to cooperation between the two countries. Jiang Chen’s attitude was still too informal.

Out of good intentions, Elder Ye reminded him, “Mr. Jiang doesn’t need an assistant to record conference transcripts?”

“My assistant is already here,” Jiang Chen said in a relaxed tone and tapped the wristwatch on his left hand.

Elder Ye was somewhat confused as he didn’t understand what he meant. Sitting on his left hand, Ye Yunfei’s gaze carried a hint of disappointment. The temperament he showed earlier gained some approval from her, but now, his informal attitude in this high-level negotiation instantly destroyed any positive image he built up in her mind.

Jiang Chen didn’t notice Ye Yunfei’s feelings, but he read Elder Ye’s confusion.

Obviously, the old man didn’t understand what he just said.

Jiang Chen smiled and pointed at his wrist. Dark blue rays weaved next to the watch, forming a three-dimensional female holographic figure. Looking at Elder Ye and Ye Yunfei completely dumbfounded, artificial intelligence Jean nodded.

“Jean is my name.”

Elder Ye stared at everything that was happening in front of him with astonishment. Although he heard about Future Technology’s holographic technology, it was far more shocking witnessing it with his own eyes. Ye Yunfei’s expression was also exaggerated now. Although the Future phone she was using now also had holographic imaging capabilities, it was nowhere nearly as advanced.

“Ms. Jean is my personal assistant.”

“She is…”

“She’s an artificial intelligence.” Jiang Chen smiled.

Elder Ye nodded and recovered from his initial shock. He smiled gently and said, “Artificial intelligence? If Mr. Jiang hadn’t reminded me, I would’ve almost thought Ms. Jean was a real person. Future Technology certainly leads the world’s technological frontiers and the technologies you introduce always shock us.”

In the early days, Jiang Chen’s Future Technology once designed a drone system for the military. The military still praised the system, which had almost no obvious bugs. The Soaring Dragon II high-altitude drone independently developed by Hua, with the help of the intelligent drone control system, maximized its performance.

When Elder Ye saw this artificial intelligence no different than a real human, he sighed in secret.

It seemed he still underestimated Jiang Chen back then.

“You’re flattering me.” Jiang Chen smiled back. “Let’s get to the topic.”

Elder Ye nodded and his smile gradually converged into a serious expression.

“Since Mr. Jiang said that, I will be straightforward. My visit to Xin this time was precisely meant to discuss the space elevator you completed recently. Although Hua’s space activities aren’t frequent, and the market size is also quite limited, but we’re quite interested in the amazing technology you’ve demonstrated.”

“So, what’s your proposal?” Jiang Chen smiled.

Elder Ye cleared his throat and smiled kindly.

“We hope to closely cooperate with you in the development of space resources. After internal discussion, the cooperation we propose is to establish Hua Space Development Company. For a period of 50 years, we will sign the elevator track lease agreement for two freight rails and two passengers rails for space resource development purposes.”

Leasing? Two of each?

Jiang Chen was stunned by Elder Ye’s proposal.

Although he didn’t expect something material on the first day, the proposal from Elder Ye was too whimsical. The total number of tracks was twelve, but he wanted four from the start. How can I agree to this?

Elder Ye wasn’t to be blamed for this kind of proposal. After all, it was a plan discussed in a high-level internal meeting. Nowadays, the space activities of countries around the world weren’t very frequent. Although they were optimistic about the prospects for the development of space resources, no one could accurately estimate the prospects.

Seeing as Jiang Chen wasn’t speaking, Elder Ye thought he was considering the proposal, so he paused then added: “The price is negotiable, as long as the figures given by your party are within a reasonable range.”

“If there’s anything unsatisfactory about the proposal we came up with, please point it out and we can discuss it.”

Silence ensued in the room for a long time.