Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

327: Chapter 327 Unlocking the Morning StarWashington, State Department.

Spokesperson Nauert stands behind the podium, facing the reporters below.

Her expression is serious, her voice cold:

”The United States expresses grave concern over Malaysia’s decision. We are evaluating sanctions.”

A reporter asks: ”What kind of sanctions?”

Nauert reads from her notes:

”They may include canceling trade preference treatment, restricting U.S. corporate investment in Malaysia, suspending military cooperation, etc.”

Another reporter asks: ”Does this mean the United States will lose Malaysia?”

Nauert’s expression darkens.

When the news reaches Kuala Lumpur, it is already one o’clock in the afternoon.

Mahathir is having lunch. An assistant hands him the statement from the U.S. Department of State.

He takes a look, then smiles.

”They are still using the same old routine.”

He puts down his chopsticks and says to the assistant:

”Notify the media. I will hold another press conference at two o’clock.”

Two o’clock in the afternoon, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.

Reporters gather again.

Mahathir stands on the stage, his expression serious.

”The United States threatens to sanction Malaysia? Very well. Then I announce—”

He pauses, his gaze sweeping over the reporters below.

”If the United States cancels trade preferences for Malaysia, Malaysia will immediately initiate the process of joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At the same time, we will fully embrace the Chinese market.”

There is an uproar in the audience.

A reporter raises a hand: ”Prime Minister, does this mean Malaysia will completely turn to the East?”

Mahathir shakes his head.

”It is not a turn. It is a choice. A choice for the path most beneficial to the Malaysian people.”

He continues:

”Last year, the United States bought 35 billion dollars worth of goods from Malaysia. China bought 45 billion. ASEAN bought 60 billion. The investment Xingchen brings us will exceed 50 billion in the next five years.”

He pauses.

”Tell me, who is the true friend of the Malaysian people?”

The reporters write frantically.

Mahathir finally says:

”Malaysia is a sovereign state. Our choices do not depend on the charity of Washington.”

Gu Xinghe walks into Su Chen’s office with a smile on his face.

”CEO Su, Mahathir is tough. He hit back directly.”

Su Chen is reading a document and looks up upon hearing this.

”He knows what he is doing. Out of the ten ASEAN countries, Malaysia is the first to fully turn to Xingchen. Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand are all watching. If the United States sanctions Malaysia, other countries will think: If the United States sanctions even Malaysia, what can we expect from the United States?”

Gu Xinghe nods.

”So Mahathir dares to gamble.”

Su Chen shakes his head.

”It is not a gamble. It is a calculation. What the United States can give Malaysia is a few billion dollars in trade preferences a year. What Xingchen can give Malaysia is an opportunity for thirty years of industrial upgrading. If it were you, which would you choose?”

Gu Xinghe is silent.

Su Chen continues:

”What’s more, does the United States really dare to sanction? Sanctioning Malaysia is equivalent to pushing the entire ASEAN towards China. Washington can do that math.”

July 22nd, ten o’clock in the morning, Baoan Airport.

An Iranian special plane lands on the runway.

This is a modified Boeing 707 special plane, painted with the Iranian flag, which is particularly striking in the sunlight.

The cabin door opens, and the Iranian Secretary of Defense Hatami walks down the stairs quickly.

The sixty-five-year-old Hatami is wearing a dark suit, his hair is gray, but his pace is steady. He is followed by three attendants—two officers and one translator.

On the tarmac, Gu Xinghe is already waiting.

There is no red carpet, no ceremony, only a black business car.

”Secretary of Defense Hatami, welcome.” Gu Xinghe extends his hand.

Hatami grips his hand with considerable strength.

”CEO Gu, time is tight. The second batch of missiles will arrive at the port in three days.”

Xingchen Defense headquarters secret meeting room. This meeting room is on the twentieth floor of Block B, with no windows, only a huge projection screen and a long table. The soundproofing material on the walls has a dark gray sheen.

There are only four people: Hatami, Gu Xinghe, Su Chen, and the translator.

Hatami gets straight to the point.

”Mr. Su, Iran needs to unlock the positioning system of the Venus missile.”

Su Chen does not speak.

Hatami continues:

”We are not going to use it to hit civilians. We are going to hit high-value targets in Israel—military command centers, airbases, and intelligence agency headquarters.”

He takes out a document and pushes it to Su Chen.

”This is our offer. For the first batch of thirty Venus missiles, we are willing to pay 20 million dollars per missile, a premium of 10 million. The total price of 600 million dollars can be paid today.”

Su Chen looks at the document and does not move.

Gu Xinghe watches quietly from the side.

The silence lasts for ten seconds.

Then Su Chen speaks:

”Secretary of Defense Hatami, Xingchen weapons are equipped with position tracking chips and self-destruct devices upon export. Do you know why?”

Hatami nods.

”To prevent them from being used for non-defensive purposes.”

”Correct. If the positioning system is unlocked today, you can use the Venus missile to attack any target. I can unlock this batch of missiles for you, but Xingchen must retain the right to remote monitoring. If the missiles deviate from the intended target or aim at civilian facilities, Xingchen has the right to initiate self-destruct.”

Hatami frowns.

”Is this a lack of trust in us?”

Su Chen shakes his head.

”This is fairness for everyone. Xingchen weapons can be used for self-defense and counterattacks, but not for indiscriminate attacks. If Iran promises to only attack military targets, Xingchen can unlock them.”

He pauses.

”But Xingchen must retain the right to remote monitoring. This is the bottom line.”

Hatami looks at the accompanying Revolutionary Guard commander.

The commander is a colonel around fifty years old with a scar on his face. He nods slightly.

Hatami turns to Su Chen.

”Very well. We accept remote monitoring.”

The secret agreement is drafted on a separate laptop and is only five pages long when printed.

”Supplementary Agreement on Unlocking the Venus Missile Positioning System”

Xingchen unlocks the positioning system for thirty Venus missiles, allowing Iran to set targets autonomously

Iran pays a premium of 20 million dollars per missile, for a total of 600 million dollars

Xingchen retains the right to remote monitoring; if the missile target deviates from the military scope, self-destruct can be initiated

Iran promises not to use the unlocked technology for reverse engineering

Disputes are under the jurisdiction of the Shenzhen International Arbitration Court

When Hatami signs, his hand is steady.

When Su Chen signs, his pen strokes are powerful.

The two exchange agreements and shake hands.

There are no flashes, no reporters, and no applause.

Only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Three days later, a port in the Persian Gulf.

The night is deep.

A 50,000-ton cargo ship slowly docks. The hull is dark gray, and a Russian flag hangs from the stern.

On the pier, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Jafari welcomes them personally.

The containers are opened one by one.

The silver-gray missile launch tubes gleam coldly in the moonlight. Thirty Venus missiles lie quietly in the containers.

Jafari walks to the nearest launch box, reaches out, and touches the cold metal surface.

He says to the people around him:

”In three days, the Israelis will know what ’Iran’s Wrath’ means.”

Gu Xinghe sits on the sofa, and Lin Wan stands nearby.

Gu Xinghe asks:

”CEO Su, do you really believe Iran will only hit military targets?”

Su Chen is silent for three seconds.

”I don’t believe it. But remote monitoring is the final insurance. If they dare to hit civilians, the missiles will self-destruct in mid-air. The Iranians know this, so they will restrain themselves.”

He pauses.

”More importantly, let the Americans see what Xingchen weapons can do. This is more effective than any advertisement.”

Lin Wan pushes the door open, holding a tablet in her hand.

”CEO Su, there is a reaction from the United States. Hawke is pushing Congress to urgently pass the ’Block Xingchen Chain Act’, threatening to sanction all participating countries.”

Su Chen takes the tablet and scans it quickly.

Then he smiles.

”Let them sanction. Wall Street has already started to defect. JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are still waiting for our nod.”

He stands up and walks to the window.

”Financial hegemony, military hegemony, they are all paper tigers.”

He turns around.

”What is truly hard is technology and human hearts.”

In the distance, on the Persian Gulf, a cargo ship is unloading. In the night sky of Tel Aviv, there are still echoes of air raid sirens. On Capitol Hill in Washington, lawmakers are discussing a new sanctions bill.

But everything is changing.

The rules of finance, the rules of war, the rules of the world are being rewritten.

And the person holding the pen stands at the window in Shenzhen, looking at the lights of this city.