Chapter 118: Buying an Aircraft Carrier for Fun (2)

Leges had finished reviewing the documents. This technology was indeed comparable to a protective shield. His face remained expressionless, but a faint smile touched his heart; results were what mattered. As for Xiao Tianci, as long as he desired cooperation and development, there would be plenty of opportunities. It seemed Xiao Tianci truly had obtained the Xiao family’s technology. If that was the case, the plan had to proceed, but it must be done slowly; there was no room for haste.

"Mr. Xiao, this technology is indeed on par with a protective shield, but do you really intend to exchange it for just one aircraft carrier?"

Xiao Tianci shook his head. Leges sneered inwardly, knowing it wouldn't be that simple. He waited to see what kind of price Xiao would demand. Perhaps he needed help in propping up Meihua again? The blow Meihua had suffered this time was significant. Even with the Xiao family’s financial resources, restoring Meihua would likely be a daunting task.

Then again, perhaps not. Xiao Tianci never did things by the book; he might propose some bizarre conditions. But as long as they were reasonable enough, this deal had to be struck.

Leges spoke calmly: "Mr. Xiao, what kind of assistance do you require me to provide?"

"Tsk, tsk..." Xiao Tianci retorted mercilessly: "The President certainly knows how to talk. This is a fair trade—one is willing to sell, and the other is willing to pay. To put it bluntly, it's just a transaction."

Indeed, Leges smiled and said: "Mr. Xiao speaks the truth. Then, Mr. Xiao, please name your price."

Leges waited for Xiao Tianci to state his true price, but to his surprise, Xiao Tianci emphasized again: "Our relationship right now is exactly like a john with a prostitute, or a pervert meeting a slut."

Vulgar and shameless. Was this an act, or his true colors? Leges broke into a cold sweat. He realized that, in truth, it was much better to negotiate with people from those old noble families.

"Ahem..." He cleared his throat: "Mr. Xiao, there is no need to repeat that explanation. Let's discuss our transaction."

"Heh... heh..." Xiao Tianci leaned back and laughed: "I’m just a straightforward person; I say what I mean. Oh, you’re talking about the deal? Didn’t I just tell you? An aircraft carrier."

Leges frowned, looking at Xiao Tianci in confusion: "But Mr. Xiao, you shook your head just now?"

"Oh, that. You said one. I don't want just one." Xiao Tianci leaned forward, saying each word clearly: "I... want... an... entire... aircraft... carrier... strike... group."

Leges’s expression changed instantly. If Xiao Tianci had asked to purchase a single aircraft carrier—so long as it wasn't the latest model—he could have agreed, even if it were currently in active service. But an aircraft carrier strike group was a different matter entirely. A strike group was not just one ship; it was a combat force composed of anti-submarine, air defense, escort, destroyer, submarine, and supply vessels, all integrated into a single unit.

Xiao Tianci naturally had his own ideas. For this purpose, he had even conducted some research. Truth be told, countries like China and several others had the capability to build individual aircraft carriers—though they couldn't compare to the level of the United States, much like the difference between a high-end sports car and a standard family vehicle. There was a gap, but it was functional. However, very few possessed an actual strike group, especially one developed and manufactured domestically. The development of a strike group is effectively the development of a nation's entire navy. It involves numerous facets, making it a gradual, evolutionary process. One must first develop submarines, then achieve breakthroughs in anti-submarine and air defense capabilities, cruisers, frigates, and destroyers. Only when these supporting elements reach a certain level can a nation truly build a strike group independently.

Steadying himself, Leges said: "Mr. Xiao, you should know that a strike group is of no use to a private individual. If you wish, I can provide you with a submarine or a destroyer from our active fleet; that wouldn't be a major issue. But providing an entire strike group at once is impossible. Furthermore, it would cause countless problems; international bodies and the United Nations would intervene, creating significant trouble for both of us."

Leges tried to find a way to make the deal happen: "I can help you assemble a strike group within three to five years." Rich people sometimes grew bored and played with unusual things—just seeking thrills and novelty. Perhaps this Xiao Tianci was one of them. Yet, his instincts told him otherwise. His actions, while seemingly absurd, often revealed interesting motives upon closer analysis.

In reality, Leges wasn't worried. He would certainly give him outdated equipment. Even if Xiao had another country backing him, there was no need to fear; they would be empty hulls, stripped of their most important weapons and sensitive military systems.

Xiao Tianci shook his head: "No, that won't do. The condition is simple: an entire strike group, fully integrated and currently in active service. It doesn't have to be the most advanced, but it must be fully equipped—planes, missiles, submarines, everything. Oh, if there are nuclear weapons, you can leave those out; that stuff is dangerous."

Upon hearing this, Leges refused flatly: "Mr. Xiao, that is absolutely impossible. I do not have the authority, Congress would never pass it, and the international community would never permit it."

A madman, truly a madman. What did he want this for? To establish his own private army? To show off? To use as a decoration around his island, or simply to satisfy a personal obsession? If he had a country backing him, the technology he offered would be ten times more valuable than a strike group. But demanding a strike group like this was entirely out of the question.

Xiao Tianci looked at Leges: "You're saying this is absolutely impossible?"

Leges shook his head again: "Absolutely impossible. Forget about a private individual owning such force; even selling one to another country would take years of diplomacy and various methods. The world has hundreds of countries and the United Nations. Things don't just happen because you want them to. Mr. Xiao, this isn't like doing business."

Leges knew Xiao Tianci's background by heart. For a young man from the bottom ranks, without special training or political experience, Leges could believe he was clever or a business genius, but he couldn't believe he truly understood politics. Politics were far more complex than business.

Before he could finish his thought, Xiao Tianci snatched the electronic pad from his hand. Leges tried to grab it back, but he grabbed only air.

"Look, President Leges, I have other business to attend to today and no time to dine with you. I need to meet with other clients, so please feel free to leave." Xiao Tianci waved his hand: "I won't see you out. Have a good trip, see you next time."

Leges didn't stand up, nor did he leave. He was seething. When had he ever been treated with such disrespect? Xiao Tianci, let him be arrogant for now; sooner or later, he would pay the price.

As a president, he was not one to be easily ruffled. Even being dismissed like this, he managed to sit there, expression unchanged: "Mr. Xiao, if you are truly serious, you should know this is impossible. You might want to reconsider..."

Xiao Tianci spread his hands helplessly: "Since you say all my conditions are impossible, I suppose there is truly nothing left for us to discuss." He pulled out a communicator and called the Chief Steward, Lin Jian: "Show the guest out."

The Chief Steward entered from outside the door. Following him, Leges's aides and bodyguards entered as well. The atmosphere shifted; once they were inside, the conversation could no longer continue. Leges had no choice but to stand up slowly. He looked at Xiao Tianci, unable to comprehend his motives, and asked: "Mr. Xiao, may I ask, what do you intend to do with it?"

Xiao Tianci stood up, pocketing the small electronic pad—he would need it later—and looked at Leges with immense pride: "Heh... heh... what else? Just to play with, of course!!!"

Leges was so infuriated he nearly fainted. He finally understood why people like Will had been driven to vomit blood on the spot by Xiao Tianci.

Without waiting for Leges to leave, Xiao Tianci began walking toward the inner chambers, muttering to himself, yet speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear:

"Sigh, when I was poor, I used to think, one day when I’m rich, I’ll buy two aircraft carriers at once. I'll sink one and keep the other—how satisfying that would be! Who would have thought, now that I have the money, I can't even fulfill such a small wish... such a small wish..."

By the time he turned the corner and disappeared from sight, everyone—the Chief Steward, Leges, the aides, and the bodyguards—stood there, stunned and dripping with sweat.

There was no point in negotiating further. Leges had to leave. But that... that thing... he had to get his hands on it. The protective shield could wait, but he had to secure this. But how?

***

The Chief Steward escorted Leges to the entrance. Seeing Leges leave with a furrowed brow, lost in deep thought, the Chief Steward couldn't help but admire his boss. Buying an aircraft carrier—unless it was the absolute latest model, perhaps it wasn't entirely impossible!

"Wow... are you really going to buy an aircraft carrier? Have you lost your mind? Even if you have money, you don't spend it like this! Why would you buy that? With that kind of money, you could do some good deeds! There are people who can't afford school, people who don't even have enough to eat. You really are a spendthrift."

Fire Phoenix, upon learning of Xiao Tianci's intention to buy an aircraft carrier, acted as if she had been personally stung, pacing back and forth as if the money were coming out of her own pocket.

Xiao Tianci, holding little Gege in his arms, asked: "Little Gege, do you know what an aircraft carrier is?"

Little Gege nodded vigorously: "It's for fighting. The Pearl Harbor sneak attack was done with aircraft carriers. The teacher told us."

Xiao Tianci nodded in satisfaction. The teacher she mentioned was the Chief Steward, Lin Jian. It was the only way, given the circumstances. Although Xiao Tianci believed the Chief Steward was a better teacher than anyone else, having her by his side was dangerous—but leaving her away from him, unless she was with the Xiao family or Ni'er, wasn't safe either.

Most importantly, besides himself, little Gege wouldn't go anywhere else.

"Little Gege is so smart. What do you want to eat tonight? Brother will treat you."

Little Gege was much more cheerful than before, a fact Xiao Tianci had to admit was largely due to Fire Phoenix. Without hesitation, she rattled off a dozen things, only one or two of which Xiao Tianci recognized. He was left stunned. Seeing his expression, little Gege thought she had asked for too much and that her brother was unhappy.

She hurriedly grabbed Xiao Tianci’s hand and shook it: "Brother, little Gege doesn't want anything anymore. Little Gege doesn't want anything. Brother, don't be angry, don't be angry."

Xiao Tianci smiled and patted her head: "Brother isn't angry, little Gege. Brother was just wondering where we could find those things."

Little Gege looked toward Fire Phoenix. Xiao Tianci thought to himself: *I knew it, she must have taught her that. The Chief Steward would never have told her these things.*

Fire Phoenix was still fuming over the aircraft carrier. She had been so busy venting that she hadn't heard the conversation between Xiao and little Gege. Seeing Xiao look at her, she raised her head and said: "What? Did I say something wrong? I think you’ve taken the wrong medicine. Why would you buy an aircraft carrier for no reason? If you have money, donate it to the Red Cross! Hmph, you spendthrift. I’m going to call Sister Ni'er later and see how she deals with you."

Hearing her words, Xiao Tianci didn't know whether to feel sad or pleased. Her heart was in the right place, like most people, but her thinking was too simple and impractical. Seeing her emotional state, Xiao Tianci sighed: "Alright, since you feel that way, and since your intentions are good, I'll explain it to you."

"You mentioned people facing education or employment issues, or the Red Cross you talked about, but the truth is, you don't know the half of it, do you?"

Xiao Tianci's tone was heavy and serious. Ever since that night, he had told himself to be more serious with Fire Phoenix. It would help maintain his image as her boss and keep a necessary distance. He had been acting far too inappropriately with her; if Ni'er found out, things would be even worse. Yes, maintain the image, maintain the distance.