In the end, the Americans didn't pay.
After all, there was no way the online payment platform would pay for such a large amount of money. Not to mention, this was a corporate transfer, so it had to be done through a special bank transfer channel.
However, Lu Zhou didn't expect that the other side of the Pacific Ocean would actually pay up …
"The Americans are really paying?" After Director Li told Lu Zhou about this, Lu Zhou was surprised.
However, when he thought about it carefully, it was no longer a matter of money. At this point, it was no longer a matter of money.
Even if the United States didn't promise to pay for this rescue operation, the White House wouldn't really let China pay for this.
If their own citizens were in trouble, and they were asking other people to pay for them, this wasn't just a matter of shame.
Director Li nodded and said, "This morning, the United States Secretary of the Treasury did summon our embassy staff in Washington and talked about this matter. However, they said that 1.7 billion is too much, and they are only willing to pay for 1 billion US dollars."
1 billion US dollars!
Lu Zhou's hand that was holding the teacup was shaking a little.
He coughed and spoke calmly.
"… 1 billion is pretty good."
However, after hearing his words, Director Li felt a little apologetic.
"Even though we fought for you, 1 billion US dollars is already the bottom line for the White House … Is it enough? If it's not enough, we can also give you some. "
This rescue operation had greatly improved China's international image and national prestige. Just looking at the hidden value, it was worth the money.
Even though Lu Zhou was the chief designer of the Lunar Orbit Committee, Star Sky Technology was his private property. If Star Sky Technology really spent this much money on this rescue operation, it was reasonable for the central government to subsidize it.
After all, high-tech companies were the future of the country, and they couldn't let these excellent companies lose money on something like this.
However, after hearing Director Li's words, Lu Zhou shook his head.
"We don't need that much. Including all the costs, two to three hundred million at most will be enough."
This time, it was Director Li's turn to be stunned.
"Two or three hundred million? Then why did you quote 1.7 billion USD? "
Lu Zhou laughed awkwardly.
"Uh, aren't we waiting for them to bargain?"
Director Li: "…"
With a budget cost of two to three hundred million, the quoted price of 1.7 billion was indeed a little too much, not to mention that this was a humanitarian rescue.
In fact, Lu Zhou's original intention wasn't to earn this money. He was even prepared for the US side to only pay a small amount, and then he would "reluctantly" accept it.
However, who would have thought that the White House would be so generous and send him the rest, which made Lu Zhou a little embarrassed.
After thinking for a while, Lu Zhou also felt that it wasn't a good idea to do this, so he asked tentatively.
"Should I change my words?"
"There's no need to change it. Director Li couldn't help but complain about Lu Zhou. He thought for a while and said, "How about this … We'll pay the remaining US $700 million ourselves."
The remaining 700 million USD?
One billion is already over the limit, where is the 700 million?
Lu Zhou paused for a second. When he saw Director Li's cunning smile, he immediately realized what was going on.
Lu Zhou sighed and couldn't help but speak emotionally.
"I thought I was shameless enough … I didn't expect you to be even more nutty than me."
Director Li said with a straight face, "Nutty … You don't allow hidden expenses? And that documentary called "Mars Rescue" is free? Of course, you don't have to pay for it. Anyway, when the media asks, we'll say the entire rescue operation cost a total of US $1.713 billion. The US paid 1 billion, and we subsidized 713 million for humanitarian reasons … "
Lu Zhou couldn't help but ask, "Where did this 13 million come from?"
Director Li picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"It's just a small number, it looks like a big deal."
Lu Zhou: "…"
…
Almost at the same time.
NASA headquarters building.
Ares Project Ground Command Center.
The president stood next to the console with his hands behind his back. He stared straight at the flashing green dot on the big screen, as well as the irregular curve that connected the green dot.
Even though he knew that the green dot was Starlight, which was heading to Mars to support them, he didn't feel happy at all.
Twenty years had passed since the Columbia accident, and all seven astronauts had perished.
To be politically incorrect, he would rather double this number than let the Soviets get their hands on the wreckage of the Columbia in exchange for the lives of these people … And he was sure that the president had the same idea as him.
Of course, this was just a hypothesis. The Soviets had no chance of getting their hands on the wreckage.
But now …
However, the situation was developing in the worst direction.
The president was silent for a long time. He tilted his head and looked at Director Carson next to him.
"What's the situation like? I mean New Virginia. "
Carson was sweating profusely as he said, "The colonists are still in a stable mood. We have told them that the rescue ship is heading to Mars and that they have sufficient fuel for the return capsule …"
The president nodded and signaled to Carson that this was enough.
He paused for a second and spoke slowly.
"The second phase of the Ares project has completely failed. What we need now is to cut our losses.
"The BFS spacecraft is equipped with our most advanced space communication equipment. Boeing suggested that we find a way to crash the BFS spacecraft … We don't want the Chinese to get their hands on it."
It wasn't just the communication equipment, but there was also the environmental control and life support system, and even the cosmic ray shielding material in the cabin. These were all technologies that American aerospace companies had continuously improved after thousands of launch missions.
Even though China had the ion thruster propulsion system designed by Professor Lu, there was only one Professor Lu. American aerospace companies were still unparalleled in other fields.
This was the "crystallization" of North America's aerospace technology. Forget about the Chinese, even if they got a glimpse of it, it would be a huge loss for the US.
When Director Carson heard about the president's crazy plan, he began to sweat profusely.
This is a billion-dollar piece of equipment!
Not to mention …
"But the high-power signal transmission equipment on the BFS is the only way we can contact New Virginia. If we crash the BFS spacecraft …"
"Crash China's Starlight after it reaches Mars orbit … Just say that the spacecraft malfunctioned." After a pause, the president continued, "Compared to the safety of the colonists, no one will care about an iron shell floating in the sky."
Director Carson said, "But … if the BFS spacecraft is destroyed, New Virginia will be completely cut off from our communication channel. This will make the rescue mission more difficult."
"God will bless our heroes." The president interrupted Director Carson and drew a cross on his chest. He looked up at the big screen on the console and spoke in a voice that only he could hear.
"If something happens to them, we will remember their sacrifice."
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