Throne of Vientiane Civilization

In the next few days, Zhou Xu planned to follow his original plan and go into seclusion until the day the meeting started.

However, ideals are full, but reality is very skinny.

After the banquet, Peter and Fisher came to the door one after another.

"One by one, they really can't keep their cool."

Zhou Xu was speechless, but he had to see him.

After all, these two are now his big clients, so they still have to receive basic treatment.

Peter arrived earlier than Fisher, so Zhou Xu met him first.

"Don't worry, Senator Peter. Your country's position in the United Nations will not affect our cooperation. These two matters are separate and distinct."

Although he had already emphasized this point at the previous banquet, Peter was obviously still not at ease.

Now that he had received Zhou Xu's promise again, he finally felt relieved. Then, his attention shifted to the progress of firearms research and development.

"Your Majesty, I wonder how the research and development of firearms is going?"

He is now counting on this turnaround, and more importantly, according to the previous agreement, once the guns are developed, he will bear all the raw material expenses. Under this premise, for every two guns produced by Da Zhou, he can get one.

To put it simply, he no longer needs to bid against Fisher!

Zhou Xu now knew exactly what Peter was thinking.

Even though he still has a lot of individual crossbows waiting to be sold, from Peter's point of view, they have indeed spent a lot of time on research and development from last year to now. It would be a bit unreasonable if there is no progress at all.

Thinking of this, Zhou Xu spoke slowly after a little thought.

"We have made some progress. At this stage, we have developed the first sample of the matchlock gun according to the design of the M1891. However, the gun is still unstable and its performance is very limited."

"Based on the performance shown so far, it is better to continue using the individual crossbow, so this one needs to continue to be improved and upgraded."

Before traveling through time, Peter was a gun user after all, and he knew something about matchlock guns.

He did not expect that the Great Zhou would be able to develop a firearm like the M1891 right from the start. However, considering the current era, he could accept the development of the matchlock rifle.

Judging from Zhou Xu's current reaction, this matchlock gun doesn't seem to be very effective. For a moment, he felt a little worried.

Noticing Peter's change of mood, Zhou Xu spoke calmly...

"This is just the first test product. After improvement, the performance will definitely improve. Developing things always requires this process. You have to get used to it."

"For now, the matchlock gun will continue to be improved on the existing basis until its comprehensive performance reaches the point where the individual crossbow can be completely eliminated."

Peter couldn't point out any problem with Zhou Xu's words. He was only concerned about one thing.

"So how long will this take?"

“It’s hard for me to make any guarantees about this.”

“…”

Looking at Peter who was speechless for a moment, Zhou Xu explained calmly.

“The improvement of something is a process of continuous breakthroughs. It is not easy to make a breakthrough on the original basis. If you encounter a technical bottleneck in the middle, it is likely to be stuck for a long time.”

“Even if we develop a version that meets performance standards, it will take a long time to mass-produce it, set up an assembly line, and train workers.”

“…”

Well, he was convinced.

In fact, what Zhou Xu said was basically true.

It took several years for the Great Zhou to start developing firearms, develop matchlock rifles that could be mass-produced, and then go into mass production.

But according to Peter's time, it's not even two years yet. How could it be so fast?

Afterwards, Peter complained to Zhou Xu again. His fundamental purpose was to obtain some privileges from Zhou Xu and get a batch or two of individual crossbows or something.

But Zhou Xu obviously didn't buy it.

Given his current situation, not only could children not provide him with labor, they would even cause him trouble. He had to admit that he had previously crammed a large number of children into the immigrant group with the intention of throwing the trouble onto Zhou Xu.

Zhou Xu actually didn't care.

In his opinion, although children cannot form the labor force immediately, they are young and more malleable.

Having grown up in the Great Zhou, they will have a stronger sense of belonging to the Great Zhou in the future.

Not to mention that there is a Joan of Arc hidden among this group of children.

But this matter should be treated separately and what needs to be said must be said.

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"Under this premise, I will still sell you that batch of individual crossbows. This in itself is a preferential treatment I give you."

As soon as he said this, Peter felt even more embarrassed.

"It was just an accident. After all, it is nominally immigration, and it is basically voluntary. I can't force anyone."

This is indeed a lame lie. The conditions of their Great Zhou are out there. How desperate must those people under the Luosha Republican Party be to not want to come?

However, the other party had already found a way out for himself, so there was no need for him to specifically withdraw this way. After all, he and Peter would still have to continue to cooperate, and they couldn't let their relationship become strained at this time.

Thinking of this, Zhou Xu also waved his hand.

"It doesn't matter. After all, I didn't say before that I wouldn't accept children. It's not a breach of contract if you send a child here. However, the value of a child is not equal to that of an adult laborer. You should be aware of this."

"Of course, Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will definitely pay attention to the selection in the future!"

Regardless of whether Peter will pay attention to screening in the future, the number of children among the immigrants sent here will definitely be reduced appropriately.

This is also a good thing for Zhou Xu.

Taking in children is a long-term consideration, while taking in adults provides a ready-made labor force.

All parts of their Great Zhou are now developing and they are in need of labor. Naturally, the more ready-made labor the better.

"Then I wonder if His Majesty Emperor Zhou can give me some preferential treatment for the next batch of individual crossbows?"

Peter said this with a flattering look on his face.

In front of Zhou Xu, he no longer cared about his face.

You have to know that the man in front of him is a wizard at the Out-of-Body Realm level. He can shoot lightning with just a raise of his hand. A Vajra Realm warrior can die in front of him. How can he have any face in front of this man?

In response, Zhou Xu just smiled.

"After all, my business is for the highest bidder. I just gave you a preferential treatment once. You are making it very difficult for me to do this."

"Your Majesty, we are going to cooperate for a long time after all. What do you think..."

Looking at Peter like this, Zhou Xu suddenly came up with an idea.

“That’s not impossible.”