"Have you all heard? The Crown Prince of Dubai was so satisfied with the boss's service that he swiped his card for $2 million with a wave of his hand!"
Mariano rushed into the restaurant and addressed the crowd waiting for their meal.
"No wonder he's the Crown Prince, he's so generous."
As Hans walked into the restaurant and washed the grease off his hands, he couldn't help but say something.
"Dubai's oil reserves have long been exhausted; you can only say his father was good at making money!"
Lawrence is quite familiar with the Middle East. Dubai is a relatively successful emirate in terms of transformation. Even after the oil is depleted, they still make money, which supports the extravagant spending of the royal family.
"But the boss finally made money, it wasn't easy!"
Kuhn said with great emotion.
It was indeed not easy. Even with the 50% share of the spoils, the employees considered Xia Yu's net worth to be only the amount of money in the company's account. After all, the majority of the investment was in heavy equipment, not to mention that the concentrated fire defense strategy was extremely expensive.
What could Xia Yu say?
He couldn't say anything, such as how the profits from selling weapons were frighteningly high, or how the 1 kilogram of local specialties he had had increased to over 1,000 yuan after he returned from Zhongfei.
It might not be heavy enough to cast the outer coffin, but it would definitely be enough for the inner coffin.
Regarding the construction of the first phase of the museum project, Xia Yu stated that he obtained a low-interest loan.
He did indeed take out a loan for the construction and decoration of the main building and ancillary facilities in the first phase of the project.
Of course, this also includes the cost of purchasing the chassis of the old tanks in the museum's collection.
Xia Yu paid for the vehicles in front of him, and the loan was settled as soon as it was disbursed.
After the first phase of the armored vehicle project is in stable operation, he will borrow more money to buy airplanes and remodel the aircraft carrier.
A shrewd businessman knows how to leverage resources to his advantage.
The difference is that unscrupulous businessmen will squander and enjoy the borrowed money until they are insolvent, leaving behind a pile of holes, while claiming that they have lived a worthwhile life, and then they go back to work on sewing machines.
Xia Yu would never be such a heartless debtor; he still has some sense of social responsibility.
"But those old tanks are really expensive. The boss only made a Panzer IV this time."
Dinner is served! As we eat and chat, the conversation naturally turns to the prices of the museum's collection.
In the modern military auction market, old tanks from World War II have been given a special category called tracked vehicles.
The prices they can fetch at auction are generally a zero higher than those of the magnesium and Soviet series.
Familiar classic tanks like the M4 and T-34, due to their large number in existence, can only fetch two to three hundred thousand US dollars at auction.
As for vehicles like No. 3 and No. 4, as long as they are not unusable shells that cannot be started, can be driven normally, and have complete parts and accessories, they can be auctioned for two to three million.
Not long ago, just two years ago in the United States, the family of the late billionaire Jacques Field auctioned off his collection of 160 vintage cars to fund the creation of a new museum.
One of them, a Type 4H lacking its side skirts, was successfully auctioned off for $2.5 million.
Last year, a man in his seventies had his home raided by local police, who seized his untracked Black Panther G tank and ordered him to sell it, or they would help him sell it.
The auction estimate given by the agency at the time was over $3 million. If the tracks were fully restored and the item was refurbished, it could easily fetch around $4 million.
Their museum's Type 5G tank, which can not only start but also fire, would surely fetch over 5 million at auction.
The Tiger model is even more expensive. Officially, only a few museums have them, but some also circulate among wealthy collectors.
These things are never reported to the public, and Xia Yu only found out about them after entering this circle.
Knowing that he had Tiger and Tiger II tanks that he could drive, many people used their connections to get his phone number and asked if they could sell them.
If it's just number 2, 3, 4, or even number 5, Xia Yu will sell it if the price is right.
But these are Tiger and Tiger II tanks! Even if he sold one for the price of two or three No. 5 tanks, he would still be losing money.
Xia Yu prefers to exchange cash for rare items rather than just cash.
It could be physical goods, or it could be assistance; if he's simply looking to make money, why doesn't he sell the high-volume models?
After having dinner in Wani Village, Xia Yu returned to Boge Village.
Excluding today, the museum has three more days until its official opening, and during those three days, there may still be visitors like Hamandan.
We found Kuhn, who had just finished eating, for a short meeting. The staff of Jihuo Defense had to help out before the official opening of operations, so while things weren't too busy these past few days, the technical staff gave several Marder tanks and T-64B1Ms a thorough maintenance check.
The weasel is alright, but the T-64B1M has always had the problem of suspension issues because the T-64 series design specifications excessively reduced the tonnage. In other words, adding weight makes the tank unreliable.
This is also why Xia Yu wanted to switch to the T-80 platform. He enhanced the torsion bar suspension through the system and frequently had it reworked, and it never failed him in battle.
Kuhn and his team also noticed this problem, so they take special care of it during each maintenance.
Repair what can be repaired, replace what cannot be repaired; Xia Yu printed out quite a few spare parts anyway.
Even so, the T-64B1M's modification potential has been exhausted.
The chassis has reached its load-bearing limit, the engine has a maximum output of 1200 horsepower, and the basic armor on the upper glacis has an effective penetration resistance of less than 400mm.
Even with multiple layers of sharp blades and a mango at point-blade length, it can withstand damage. But what if the enemy switches to better steel needles?
In addition to insufficient firepower, Xia Yu also suffers from a fear of inadequate defense.
Leaving aside the mainstream steel needles from Europe and America, Russia has also developed the 3BM66 Lead-2 fin-stabilized discarding sabot armor-piercing projectile, which has an equivalent penetration depth of 600mm at a range of 2000 meters.
If the active defense system is not activated, or fails to defend, or if the distance to the enemy is too close, there is a possibility that the vehicle could be penetrated and the entire crew could be destroyed.
Xia Yu was still hesitant about whether to change vehicles, since given the current intensity of combat at Jihuo Defense, the final version of the T-64B1M was sufficient in terms of performance.
According to the development plan of one generation in service and one generation under development, the time is almost up, and the new platform must be launched now no matter what.
So the wreckage of a T-80 has already been loaded onto a ship and is heading to Afica.
This derivative tank, based on the T-64, has a chassis with decent load-bearing capacity, and the effective thickness of the upper frontal armor is over 500mm.
If they don't use a gas turbine, they will still use their final version of the 6TD-2E diesel engine, the T64-B1M.
It still has 1200 horsepower, but it propels a heavier body, so the speed might be a bit lower.
Regardless, Xia Yu decided to modify one of them first to test the waters. Even if he didn't use it after the modification, it could still be kept as part of his collection.
In addition, regardless of the type, the company's next-generation tanks will need to have their top armor reinforced.
First, there's the threat of anti-tank missiles that can reach the top; second, there are the dangers posed by drones.
Xia Yu himself is a drone enthusiast, and this is the current trend. It's much easier to smash a tank open from the air than to penetrate its front.
We must be prepared for concentrated fire attacks, otherwise it will be too late when we are attacked by suicide drones.
Similarly, Xia Yu's insistence on developing field-based air defense systems is not only to defend against enemy helicopters, but also to counter drones.
With programmable munitions fired once or twice, there's no need for a sunshade at all; drones simply cannot get close.
"Buzz"
The following morning, the royal plane carrying the Joseon family had already begun its descent when Xia Yu, who was having breakfast, learned of this news.
"Your Majesty, welcome to Khunluga."
Xia Yu led the group in welcoming the old king.
Just as Hamandan said, this Abdullah II really came.
"Hello, Mr. Weasel!"
The old king was referring directly to Xia Yu's code name.
If you want to take something with you, there's no need to use any fake identities.
Furthermore, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Joaquin, he was also very interested in PMC companies like Focus Fire Defense, which had extremely strong combat capabilities.
As the saying goes, since we're already here, we might as well take the opportunity to assess the other party's strength.
When he was young, after finishing his studies abroad, he returned to China and was assigned by his father to be a platoon leader in the armored forces. He worked his way up to major and battalion commander before being assigned to the helicopter forces.
The old king's understanding of the main ground and air forces involved in the fire defense was so professional that it could be described as expert.
Last year, his pilot was killed by terrorists, and he even considered flying the armed helicopter himself.
Unfortunately, his people and military did not agree.
After learning of the old king's thoughts, Xia Yu readily agreed, since the man in front of her could be considered a potential client.
Because it doesn't have oil, York isn't as wealthy as those rich countries, but it still manages to get a considerable amount of anti-terrorism funds from the US every year.
The old king could afford to hire a fire defense force, especially with American money, to do his own thing.
Xia Yu drove him directly to the neighboring village of Boge.
Wani Village, along with the entire central area, can be described as classic and retro, while Bogo Village gives people a modern feeling.
Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armed helicopters, and fighter jets parked in the hangar all speak to the strength and power of the concentrated fire defense force.
Can you believe that a PMC company with fewer than 100 employees actually has an armored medical vehicle and a field medic?
It's not about extravagance, but rather that the company's boss values his employees highly.
"The female Mi-24V is still the classic model; you've modernized it."
Upon arriving before the deer and tiger, the old king stroked the fuselage and asked.
"Yes, after the digital upgrade, we used it to strike Zhongfei's former Seleka militia, and the results were fantastic."
Xia Yu replied with a smile.
Even though it's not cheap, you're still quite willing to invest.
The old king estimated that adding a top photoelectric head and integrating various devices into the fuselage would probably cost three to five million US dollars, more expensive than the old doe itself.
Normally this is how it should be, but in reality, Xia Yu used salvaged parts that he picked up, without paying a single penny out of his own pocket.
When the old king arrived at the vehicle yard, he was truly amazed. The Marder chassis was still faintly visible, but it had been fitted with a 30mm main gun, integrated with four horns, and the hull was covered with an explosive reactive armor kit specifically for infantry fighting vehicles.
The T-64B1M next to it has been modified so much that even its own mother wouldn't recognize it. No wonder the concentrated fire defense has such combat power; it turns out it's delivering a devastating blow to the opponent.
However, the old king believed that this style of warfare was suitable for modern counter-terrorism.
At least the rebels have heavy equipment like tanks, while the terrorists, apart from RPGs, can at most get their hands on anti-tank missiles.
Anti-tank missiles without a top-attack mode are severely countered by active defense systems, not to mention the concentrated fire defense system with such thick armor.
When paired with attack helicopters, they can be destroyed as soon as they are detected by terrorists.
After visiting Bogo village, the group returned to the museum. Ignoring the tanks they already owned, the old king headed straight for their target: the Tiger 6 tank.
The Tiger King is simply rarer; only the Tiger style achieves true balance and is therefore more favored by connoisseurs.
Xia Yu personally started the engine and took the old king to the training ground.
Of course, the vehicle was not fully loaded with 92 artillery shells and 4,500 machine gun shells (the maximum is 120 artillery shells + 5,100 machine gun shells).
He wants an in-depth experience; as long as he can take it back, he's willing to experience it however he wants.
As for not being able to take it back
There was no way that was possible. After confirming the style of the concentrated fire defense on the ground, the old king was confident that he could offer a price that the other party could not refuse.
"Thump"
The old king, in the gunner's position, rested his hands on the elevation and slack wheel, and pressed his fingertips on the firing handle, which resembled a paddle shifter on a sports car, to make a move.
The entire firing system is like a lighter, transmitting an electrical pulse through a circuit to the C/22 electric primer at the tail of the shell.
A PZGR.39 armor-piercing shell left the gun barrel and successfully hit a T-72 after traveling 1 kilometer.
A projectile weighing over 10 kilograms is no longer just a minor scratch; it successfully leaves a small hole in the T-72's turret.
If you aim at this hole and fire a few more shots, you still have a chance to penetrate it, after all, one shot can cut through nearly 100mm of the equivalent base armor!
After the shell casing was removed, Kolon loaded a PZGR.40 tungsten-core armor-piercing shell, which was a rare item back then, and can only be replicated by hand now.
"Knock knock knock"
During the reload interval, the old king stepped on the control lever for the coaxial machine gun, and the MG-34 began to roar.
"Thump"
The KWK36 88mm tank gun fired again. It can only be said that the old king is a professional. His firing rate and accuracy are several times that of Hamandan.
"What a great car, truly a great car! I wonder if Mr. Huangyou would be willing to part with it."
On the way back after the experience, the old king finally couldn't help but ask.
He really wanted it, after all, his Royal Tank Museum was scheduled to open in the next year or two, but he was currently in dire need of a prized tank.
The Tiger tank is a worthy addition to any tank museum, let alone a fully-equipped Tiger that can still be driven and engaged in combat.
"Your Majesty, this..."
“Listen to me first. I know you’ve rejected a lot of people, but they can only offer money. I’m different.”
Xia Yu wanted to say something, but the old king waved his hand to interrupt him, and said what he had already prepared in advance.
Yes, a king is different, especially a king from an Arab country.
John wasn't rich, but he had many wealthy brothers!
Not to mention the special status of the royal family, everyone has to give them some face.
"Your Majesty, please speak."
Xia Yu, now interested, signaled to the old king to make an offer.
This guy had clearly done his homework, which showed his determination to win. So, as long as the price was similar, Xia Yu was willing to make the deal.
How about a Leclerc?
The old king offered his price.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com