America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 279 English is good, I should learn it.

Madison smiled, picked up one of the Spanish silver coins, and introduced it with affection and pride: "I picked this coin up at a flea market when I was 29 years old. At the time, I was just a sales clerk at a pawn shop. I've always believed it brought me good luck because it gave me my first $6! With that first pot of gold, I opened my own small shop and started my legendary life! Later, when I had more money, I bought it back at a high price."

Zhang Ailun was also somewhat surprised. Looking at the Spanish silver coins of varying quality, each one seemed to be telling its own story. He took out his own horn coin, opened the box, and placed it on the table.

"Although I couldn't get all the pieces for you, it should be just a matter of time," Zhang Ailun said.

"Your horn coin is in really good condition." Madison was also a little surprised. He picked it up, examined it for a few moments, and couldn't put it down.

"These are coins the previous owners found inside the fish's belly. They were very lucky!" Zhang Ailun said.

"I like lucky koi fish," Madison laughed, then added, "Mr. Kim, how much would you like to sell me this horn coin?"

"Money isn't that important to me. Since this coin can bring Mr. Madison good luck, it's not of much value to me. I just need to sell it at the original price." Zhang Ailun smiled. "Being able to make friends with Mr. Madison with this coin is enough."

"How can that be? Five million, I'll buy this coin. After all, I can't let you come all this way for nothing, otherwise people will think I'm bullying you." Madison shook his head and immediately gave a number.

"Okay. Deal." Zhang Ailun nodded. As expected of a great collector, he's really generous.

"Cheers!!"

The two raised their glasses and drank heartily.

After chatting and laughing for a while, Madison felt a little unwell, so he took the collection and left, leaving his female assistant to handle the transaction and transfer.

The head of the organization provided Gwen with the Hamburg Foundation's account information, and they quickly arranged for the transfer. A notification was received that the funds had been received, with an additional $500 million in income.

Zhang Ailun smiled with satisfaction. His female assistant chimed in, her voice high-pitched as she shoved him, "Mr. Jin, there's still some time before the party starts. Would you like me to help you shower and change, and perhaps give you a massage?"

"Of course." Zhang Ailun did not refuse her kindness and put his arm around her as they walked into the bathroom of the private room.

The process was naturally very comfortable, and Little Allen was furious.

An hour later, Zhang Ailun emerged from the door looking refreshed, followed closely by his female assistant, Gwen, whose face was flushed and whose legs were trembling slightly.

Zhang Ailun considerately told her to go and rest for a while, and went to the lobby to get a glass of ice water from the bunny girl to quench her thirst.

Colonel Wood, who had been waiting for some time, approached with his glass raised and said meaningfully, "Mr. King's conversation has certainly gone on for a while. Youth is indeed an advantage!"

"There's nothing we can do about it, it's talent," Zhang Ailun replied with a smile. "The Colonel must have felt the same way when he was young."

Wood disagreed, but he didn't say so.

"I heard you also invested in an armed nation and did business with the military district in Los Angeles," Colonel Wood asked with a smile.

"That's right, I've always paid close attention to news about arms deals and I'm very interested in that area. However, I rarely manage to find anything good. I mostly just do small orders, since arming a nation requires qualifications," Zhang Ailun replied modestly.

"You're already a billionaire, and you've even acquired a recycling company. You'll never have any more worries in your life. You're qualified enough. The qualification issue is for those outside the industry."

Colonel Wood smiled, glanced around, and said, "I do have some things I'd like to sell. I wonder if Mr. Jin would be interested?"

Zhang Ailun hadn't expected that before he'd even exchanged a few words with the other party or mentioned wanting to buy weapons, the other party would come to him on his own initiative.

It seems that the identity of a billionaire works well no matter where you go, because you are really rich and they really want to make money off you.

If we exchange resources, everyone will have a bright future. Why not do it?

"Mr. Wood, you can tell me." Zhang Ailun nodded.

"Our military region recently tendered for a batch of Black Hawk and Apache attack helicopters. Seven Black Hawk helicopters are currently in service and slated for retirement or export, but we haven't found suitable buyers yet. Several qualified armed nations and companies have contacted us, but their offers are not satisfactory," Colonel Wood said.

"How much are you prepared to offer for a Black Hawk helicopter?" Zhang Ailun asked.

"The market price for a Black Hawk helicopter is $700 million. Of course, our helicopters have been in service for many years, and there are many problems and parts issues that haven't been addressed. The market price for a used Black Hawk is only around $200-500 million," Colonel Wood replied.

"I heard that someone once bought a Black Hawk helicopter for $70," Zhang Ailun said, puzzled.

"You're probably referring to damaged and retired aircraft. Normally, these kinds of attack helicopters need to be sent to an aircraft graveyard for disposal, and their cannons and machine guns need to be removed and reported. In principle, they cannot be exported again. However, our Black Hawks were retired normally without too many problems, so they can be bought and sold normally. The equipment, cannons, and various instruments are all intact. It's just that military regions usually need qualifications to export retired aircraft, and we haven't obtained that qualification yet. Therefore, we plan to sell them domestically at a price of $260 million to $300 million per Black Hawk."

Colonel Wood said, "Mr. Madison invited me to this party, and several arms dealers and arms companies are also here, in order to promote this business cooperation. They just quoted me a price of $240 million to buy a Black Hawk helicopter. I heard that Mr. Jin also has investment business in this area, so I wanted to come and ask if you have any intention to buy it."

Zhang Ailun feigned deep thought, then readily agreed, "I'm certainly very interested in attack helicopters. I've previously purchased a used Gazelle and also owned a Little Bird helicopter, but their quality and price certainly can't compare to the Black Hawk. I can buy them for $260 million per Black Hawk. What do you think of that price?"

Colonel Wood was somewhat surprised, but quickly pretended to be hesitant. "The price is indeed very good, but we need to go back and think about it some more. But I can guarantee that at least two Black Hawk helicopters will be reserved for you."

"That's great! Two Black Hawks are enough for me. After all, I don't really need so many helicopters except for collecting them, and it's troublesome to find someone to sell them. Perhaps the military region should also refer to the quotes from other arms companies and armed nations." Zhang Ailun smiled, seemingly not too concerned.

Colonel Wood was also a little puzzled. He talked to his assistant. According to their expectations, the other party should be very interested in Black Hawk. Why is the other party now acting so ambivalently, as if it doesn't matter whether they have it or not?

In reality, the quotes from those arms companies and armed nations are generally only around $180 million to $220 million, because there are many hidden costs involved in retired aircraft, and subsequent maintenance and repairs will also cost money.

If something goes wrong, you have to fix it, right? If a part breaks, you have to replace it, right? Do you think ammunition for weaponry is free?

The labor costs are also very high. Basically, they have to find the ground crew of their military region to refurbish the equipment again and buy bullets and shells from them. They can also make another profit from this.

American equipment is notoriously fragile and delicate. Unless it's exported and then re-imported domestically, and has been tested in harsh environments, it won't be as durable and reliable. Apart from third-world countries and militants who are severely lacking in air force capabilities, there aren't many fools willing to buy it.

The Z-10 and Z-20 attack helicopters, as well as the Mi-8 and Mi-24, are not without a market. The Mi-24 has a market price of approximately $1200 million, while in the second-hand arms market, a 7% new Mi-24 sells for only around $450 million. Retired and damaged aircraft are even cheaper, almost at rock-bottom prices, and are being sold at bargain prices.

While Blackhawk is a well-known brand, the 70% new female deer offers better value for money.

Even if a used Black Hawk sells for $500 million, half of that is the cost price, leaving little profit for the middlemen. They would actually prefer to buy cheaper Gazelle and Gazelle aircraft, which at least don't require as much technology.

As they were talking, several more models and women arrived, along with Melissa, the host of the underground casino, who greeted the leader.

Zhang Ailun responded with a smile, then stood up to leave, saying, "Mr. Wood, please excuse me."

"Please go ahead." Watching the leader leave, chatting and laughing with several blonde women, Colonel Wood felt a little helpless, wondering how to keep this big client.

"Mr. Jin, are you also involved in the arms trade?" Melissa asked with a smile.

"It's just small-scale stuff. My main business is resource recycling." Zhang Ailun smiled slightly. "I guess Mr. Wood doesn't lack arms companies and armed nations to trade with, so I guess it's hopeless."

"That's not necessarily true. I heard that Mr. Wood's term has ended and he needs to be transferred to another military region or choose to retire honorably. I suppose they also want to get rid of that batch of weapons as soon as possible, keeping only the newly purchased equipment to leave a good impression on the new officers. In the past, when customers wanted to buy their Black Hawk helicopters, it cost at least $500 million," the blonde woman next to her said with a smile.

High emotional intelligence leaves a good impression on newly arrived officers.

Low emotional intelligence, just trying to make money! Settle the books!

"Honey, where did you get this information from?" Zhang Ailun asked, somewhat surprised.

The blonde woman smiled and approached him, playfully bumping into him. "I have connections and acquaintances who have done business with Mr. Wood. Mr. Kim, I also have investments in gold shops and jewelry stores in Los Angeles, as well as lingerie design. I think we get along very well."

"I think so too. Cheers." Zhang Ailun raised his glass and clinked it with hers. He didn't refuse her initiative to come to his door, and instead pulled her into his arms to comfort her.

The group chatted and laughed. Melissa suggested visiting the zoo and the museum, and Zhang Ailun didn't refuse. They went out and got into a car to head to their destination.

Here, I saw lion cubs, leopard cubs, bear cubs, elephant cubs, and other animals in cages once again.

The leader also fed them a few live chickens and North American gray rabbits, but the animals were mostly lazy and didn't want to move at all. They were fat and big-eared, and it was clear that they were taken care of by professional staff and had plenty of food and water.

After touring Madison's museum collection, Zhang Ailun discovered several new items and took a few photos with his phone, which he then sent to Old Jack.

Old Jack: What do you mean? Are you going to make your move here? Where is this? So many treasures. It's kind of like a private museum in Madison.

Zhang Ailun: You guessed it, I am on Madison's private island. Can you tell the value of these antiques?

Old Jack: How did you sneak in? There must be a lot of security personnel on the island. I advise you not to get any funny ideas.

Zhang Ailun: How could that be? I'm not short of money now, there's no need for me to go back to my old profession. I just think these things are pretty good. I was invited to the island by Mr. Madison as a formal VIP.

Old Jack: There must be so many exciting shows there, you must be spoiled for choice!

Zhang Ailun: Of course.

He immediately took several photos of the figures of the hot women around him.

The other person cooperated by arching their back and sticking out their buttocks, holding onto the wall with one hand, turning around with a smile, lifting their skirt, and enthusiastically inviting you to press the F key to enter the cockpit.

Old Jack: ...

Damn it, you beast!

He accompanied several hot and beautiful women on a tour of the island, and then took a car back to the villa area. Their relationship naturally improved a lot, after all, the leader was rich and powerful and had a pleasant way of speaking.

We've already entered the final round of home runs.

Then, at their enthusiastic invitation, the leader went into the private room next door to do some research on human body art and learn English pronunciation.

You're good at English, you should learn it.

Time quickly passed into the early hours of the morning, and the sound of fireworks could be heard outside. Through the window, a dazzling view could be seen.

The leader glanced at the time and decided that they could not stay here any longer.

He immediately got dressed, said goodbye to the several beautiful women whose names he couldn't remember, kissed each other goodbye, and exchanged contact information.

Upon leaving, he encountered Colonel Wood, the owner of Armed Nation, and directors of Madison and Blue Pharmaceuticals, who were drinking and chatting.

It turned out to be an old acquaintance?

Zhang Ailun walked over and greeted them.

"I never expected it to be you, Mr. Jin. It's been a long time." The owner of Armed Nation exclaimed in surprise.

"Hello." Zhang Ailun smiled and nodded.

Colonel Wood also said, "Mr. King, we will carefully consider your offer. If you have time another day, you can come and inspect our military base."

"If I have time another day, I'll visit your base." Zhang Ailun smiled and greeted Madison again, explaining that he had personal matters to attend to.

"Are you leaving already? The fireworks display has only just started, and there's still half an hour before the event begins." Madison said with some regret.

"If I stay any longer, I might have to go to the hospital," Zhang Ailun said half-jokingly.

"Haha, that just shows Mr. Kim is very popular! I'll send someone to take you to the airport," Madison laughed. He called over his female assistant and had a driver escort him to the airport.

Zhang Ailun waved goodbye and went outside to call over Sieg and the Beggar Clan disciples who were watching the fireworks display.

"Boss, you're leaving already?" Sig and Bailey were somewhat surprised. Giving up halfway? That's not like you.

Zhang Ailun smiled and said, "I'm going back to rest."

Without offering much explanation, he got into the back seat of the Cadillac: "The matter is settled, there's no point in staying here any longer. Do you want to continue staying here all night? Or like Johnson, accepting a tip or reward from a wealthy man?"

In a little while, besides fireworks, there might be gunfire going off here.

"Of course not."

Sieg immediately replied, "Jorsen is a real warrior! The show here is fantastic!"

Without saying anything more, he got into another car with Bailey and headed to the airport.

The driver successfully brought the vehicle to the airport. Zhang Ailun said goodbye to his female assistant Gwen and boarded his Cirrus 4.

Bailey only breathed a sigh of relief after starting the plane, piloting it away from the private island, and looking out the window at the neon lights that had shrunk to a tiny patch.

Good, at least we've avoided being forced into a corner by the CIA.

(End of this chapter)