Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 405 - 387 Perfect Buyer

Chapter 405: Chapter 387 Perfect Buyer

To give away for free, or to sell for money?

Gao Yi didn’t dwell too long on this question. For his own safety, and to maintain an appropriate distance, he decided it was better to sell rather than give away.

He wouldn’t call it a favor, but undoubtedly someone should appreciate Gao Yi for this relationship.

Gao Yi’s channel was through Mu Tianwen.

It was somewhat amusing that Gao Yi could now truly consider himself as serving his country in a roundabout way.

Gao Yi looked at the computer in front of him, which had a USB drive plugged into it. The content in the drive wasn’t a formula or text, but a video.

In the video, a woman expounded in French on her new discovery in great detail.

Lucy was translating on the side.

"In January of 2017, the Harvard Laboratory managed to produce metallic hydrogen, but unfortunately, due to an operational error, this unique sample was lost. It’s a pity—we were half a year behind the Harvard Laboratory, but our technique is different. Similar, yet completely different, and our sample of metallic hydrogen is very stable. Technically speaking, we are obviously better. This is a discovery worthy of a Nobel Prize."

The woman in the video was brimming with excitement, but more than that, she was radiant with joy. Undoubtedly, she was lying in the arms of a man, and that man could only be Iron Fist George.

Iron Fist George, very curiously, asked, "How did you do it? It must have been difficult, right?"

"Actually, it wasn’t that hard. We used a diamond anvil cell to achieve pressures above 600 GPa, and we designed a new type of infrared spectrometer. But all these have been published; the true core secret has never been revealed."

Iron Fist George appeared indifferent, saying, "If it’s a secret, then don’t talk about it—uh, actually, what’s more important is that I wouldn’t understand what you’re saying. Of course, I would be happy for your accomplishment. You might even win the Nobel Prize, dear."

"I know you don’t understand, but I can’t help wanting to tell you. When liquid hydrogen is compressed to 425 GPa, metallic hydrogen can be obtained. But during one operation, we made a mistake—liquid helium got mixed into the liquid hydrogen, and then, a miracle occurred. I don’t even know whether to call it chemistry or physics. In any case, once the climbing film phenomenon of liquid helium was confined, metallic hydrogen appeared in its liquid state under a pressure of 260 GPa. Though it was liquid, it was still metallic hydrogen... Continually pressurizing it to 310 GPa then resulted in solid metallic hydrogen."

The woman in the video turned around. She spoke very seriously, "It’s a miracle, an inadvertent discovery that could change the future. But even if it’s a coincidence, the metallic hydrogen that has always existed in our laboratory is sufficient for us to win a Nobel Prize."

Lucy had a hard time translating because there were a lot of scientific French words that she had to look up before she could articulate them, so the translation went on for a long time.

But before selling an item, one must always check its authenticity, and without a doubt, this video should be genuine.

That is to say, without needing formulas or a complete and complex process, just a few words from a female researcher meant the secret was no longer a secret.

After verifying the product, the first thing Gao Yi did was to call Mu Tianwen.

Mu Tianwen answered the phone.

Every time the phone rang it was for a reason, if not to save a life, then to ask for advice. Mu Tianwen had developed a mindset toward his elder brother’s calls, so as soon as he answered the phone, he said, "Is something wrong? Is it urgent?"

Gao Yi truly felt a bit embarrassed, but he soon became excited. This time, at last, he could repay his junior brother, who was a generation behind him.

"There’s something, very urgent, but it’s good news. Contact your professor immediately and tell him I have something urgent and good to discuss with him."

Mu Tianwen was puzzled. He asked in surprise, "You could have good news... no, I mean, what good news could you possibly have that involves him... nevermind, I’ll contact my professor right away. But big brother, do you want to talk to him yourself?"

Gao Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Better if I say it myself. It’s not that I’m unable to say it through you, but I fear it would bring trouble to you. Uh, I’ll say it myself."

"Okay, then please wait a moment."

Mu Tianwen hung up, and it took a good half-hour before he finally called Gao Yi back, giving him a phone number.

Gao Yi dialed the number, and the call was quickly connected. Then, a very gentle voice said, "Hello."

"Hello."

It wasn’t their first interaction, but it was the first direct conversation, and Gao Yi didn’t know how to address Mu Tianwen’s professor. However, formalities weren’t necessary now—getting straight to the point was better than anything else.

Gao Yi spoke softly, "I have something in my hands. The United States, the UK, Germany—all want to buy it. If you’re interested, I can sell it to you too."

"What is it?"

"Metallic hydrogen. The French’s research results. Uh, you should know something about me, so you should understand that I’m not a fraudster who makes empty promises. Today, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Look for a buyer for me. Ah, the price is one hundred million dollars, the same for all countries."

Gao Yi reflected for a moment, then added, "It’s just a deal, non-negotiable. Also, I am responsible for guaranteeing the authenticity of the product. If you want to buy it, I can give you the item first. You can pay after verifying it."

Having finished speaking, Gao Yi always felt that stressing it was a deal didn’t fully convey his sincerity, so he couldn’t help adding, "Actually, money isn’t the issue. The problem is that this has to be a one-time transaction."

"Okay, thank you. I understand what you mean. Let’s do this—I’ll think about it, then we’ll talk again shortly, alright?"

"That’s fine, but it has to be quick. Three days at the most. Give me an answer within three days."

The call ended, and Gao Yi let out a sigh of relief before saying to Lin Xianghua, "First time, still a bit nervous inside."

Lin Xianghua said quietly, "Why sell it for money? Selling it... makes it less pure."

Gao Yi laughed, "You don’t understand, do you? Nobody values what’s given for free, but a new technology that’s hot on the national black market? Being able to sell it is a huge favor."

"It’s not about favors."

"It’s not just about favors, but remember this, unsolicited generosity is either scheming or thievery, eagerness isn’t commerce."

Gao Yi diverted the topic; he was now wondering whether to give the favor to Grasse or Panetta.

Giving it to Grasse meant owing the Pentagon, while giving it to Panetta meant owing the CIA, and right now Panetta urgently needed a success to combat political enemies, though he was already at the peak of his career. If he gave it to Grasse, it would inevitably mean pushing Grasse up another level immediately.

It was a difficult decision, and logically speaking, Grasse was closer, but Panetta needed this triumph more. It didn’t seem quite right to just give it to one or the other; maybe it would be better to discuss it internally and then decide the allocation.

Gao Yi made up his mind, but now he had to consider whom to speak to first.

Just then, Gao Yi’s phone rang.

That was quick; not even five minutes had passed since the last call.

Answering the phone, he heard Mu Tianwen’s mentor speaking softly, "Can you tell me if the explosion and dismemberment case in Amsterdam had anything to do with you?"

Gao Yi was shocked, "You know about that?"

"I don’t, but someone does. By saying so, are you admitting it?"

"Yes, I did it."

"Fine then, the buyer acknowledges the authenticity of the merchandise. As long as the inspection passes, one hundred million dollars will be paid immediately."

Gao Yi was stunned, then inexplicably began to feel uneasy, finally saying softly, "Maybe you should advise the buyer to reconsider? There’s a three-day period, no need to hurry."

"I’m not privy to the specifics, but I know that since the buyer is aware of the person who died in Amsterdam and the general circumstances of the case, they’re willing to buy; there’s no problem. It’s a good deal. How should we deliver the goods, and how should the payment be handled?"

Gao Yi looked at Luca and whispered, "How do we receive the payment?"

Luca was first shocked, then overjoyed, "That fast? The efficiency is too high, I’ll handle the payment method."

Gao Yi took a deep breath and continued on the phone, "Alright, I’ll send you the merchandise. Give me an email, I’ll send it directly. Uh, the goods are a video."

"Send it over."

An email address was provided. Gao Yi downloaded and forwarded a video; intelligence worth one hundred million dollars, possibly determining future technology, just like that, was sent away.

After delivery, goods must be inspected, and the video was seven minutes long—but the inspection took nearly four minutes. Gao Yi was highly skeptical that those inspecting had fast-forwarded through it, only watching at regular speed during key moments.

Gao Yi suspected this because that’s how he had watched it himself.

Another call came in.

"The goods have been inspected. The buyer asked me to thank you on their behalf. It’s good stuff, what they’ve been looking for. They didn’t expect to get it from you. Please send your account details, and the buyer will make an immediate payment."

Gao Yi swallowed hard and said to Luca, "Send the account to the same email..."

"No, don’t send it via email. Just dictate it to me, and I’ll write it down."

So, Gao Yi dictated as Luca wrote down the account details, then before he could say much more, the voice on the phone said sternly, "The transfer is made, the transaction is complete, this has been a good deal. We hope to do business again in the future. This phone number will now be permanently out of service. For further contact, use the old channels. On behalf of the buyer, let me say thank you again. Goodbye."

The call ended, and Gao Yi couldn’t help but check his watch, less than ten minutes for the whole process.

From initiating contact to concluding the deal, less than ten minutes—that was the concept, that was the experience.

Gao Yi put down the phone and silently looked at Luca.

About four minutes later, Luca suddenly exclaimed loudly, "The money’s in the account! One hundred million and sixty-six thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight US dollars! Great, it’s safer to have a little extra change. The paying party is a trading company in Madrid, beautiful!"

Not a round number, having both change and an exact sum is safer—100066888. They had given a bit over sixty thousand dollars more, but the key was that the number carried a blessing only the Chinese people would understand.

Lin Xianghua sighed softly and smiled, "Seems indeed it’s better than giving it away for free, everyone is happy. If this technology can really be used, then all the better."

"One hundred million dollars, even if it’s just for a stockpile of technology, it’s worth it. Even if it’s just for a bit of inspiration, it’s worth it."

Once Luca giddily finished saying this, he turned quickly to Gao Yi and declared, "In the future, we must still do business with such buyers: efficient and generous, perfect buyers, absolutely perfect!"