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The biennial international air show opened as scheduled once again.

Arms enterprises from various countries showcased their latest products here, including all kinds of aviation equipment, airplane models of various types, and actual aircraft samples. Besides aviation products, there were also all sorts of weaponry like guns, tanks, ships, and so on.

They were all looking for prospective customers to fulfill arms orders.

The air show has evolved into a large-scale international trade fair, similar to an auto show. It’s mainly for showcasing a country’s military strength and capabilities, with various physical exhibits and lively flight performances to attract others to observe and negotiate.

The only difference is that an auto show exhibits a company’s image, while the air show displays a nation’s image and power.

September 3rd.

The second day of the air show’s opening, when many tourists were present and the atmosphere was bustling.

Crack!

A luxurious motorcade arrived at the air show, Liu Yingying stepped out of the car energetically. Accompanied by several Russian officials, she led a group of sharply dressed elites into the air exhibition.

Many tourists and military procurement agents from other countries frequently looked over curiously. Some recognized the Russian officials accompanying her, holding not-so-low positions. Among them, one with a beard was none other than Ivanov, the head of Russia’s military trade agency, causing many onlookers to be secretly astonished.

“Director Ivanov, which models of fighter jets do you sell?”

Liu Yingying, dressed in a professional suit and looking immaculate and capable, stood her ground even in the face of the head of Russian military foreign trade. She was the one spending money after all, and the customer is king.

“Miss Liu, our current fighter jets for export mainly include the Su-30, Su-35, and MiG-29. The Su-30 and Su-35 are our country’s current main heavy fighters; one is twin-seat, the other is single-seat, and both are equipped with thrust vector engines. The former emphasizes dual-use for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, while the Su-35 is a super-maneuverable multi-role fighter. The MiG-29 is a medium fighter, relatively affordable and cost-effective…”

Ivanov immediately perked up, giving Liu Yingying an enthusiastic rundown, with the translator barely keeping up with his pace.

Arms trade has always been one of the most profitable industries in the world, not only with huge profit margins but also generating long-lasting returns.

Therefore, it is often mentioned in the same breath as drug trafficking and smuggling, referred to as the world’s three most profitable industries.

And fighter jets, as the pinnacle of industry, are frighteningly expensive, easily costing tens to hundreds of millions of US dollars.

Last time, Russia had cooperated with Jieke Company, selling them artillery, rocket launchers, armed helicopters, armored vehicles, tanks, and more, earning a hefty sum for Russia.

Now, seeing the major customer Jieke Company coming over again, and knowing the current situation faced by the Jieke Group, they were extremely enthusiastic, aware that this was another big deal knocking at their door.

Liu Yingying nodded, then returned to her team to consult with several military experts she had brought along.

These were all retired senior military officers from various countries, re-employed by the Jieke Group due to various real-world difficulties, and now their families were living in the Mande Region, bound to Jieke Group’s ship, as it were.

“Miss Liu, considering all factors, the MiG-29 has short legs, its combat radius is too small. If it took off from our Mande Region, it would be difficult to threaten the southern prime areas controlled by the Chan Country Government Army,” said one military expert in a low voice, crossing off the infamous short-legged MiG-29 from consideration.

Chan Country is shaped like a diamond, stretching 2,000 kilometers from north to south and over 900 kilometers from east to west. Considering the MiG-29’s range is insufficient to threaten the Chan Country Government Army’s heartland, it was definitely not an option.

“The Su-35 is good, but it’s too expensive and too delicate, beyond our own industry’s capability to properly maintain and service,” another military expert added, ruling out the priciest Su-35.

“In terms of best value for money, the multi-role Su-30 is the most suitable for us.”

After some discussion, the Su-30 stood out as the preferred choice of fighter jet.

Liu Yingying took note and then continued her visit accompanied by Ivanov.

With Liu Yingying’s arrival, and especially with Ivanov personally accompanying her, all attending military enterprises with discerning eyes began to inquire and investigate, quickly understanding her identity.

Liu Yingying’s past wasn’t much talked about, just an ordinary undergraduate who had worked in finance and real estate.

Now, though, it was different; she represented the Jieke Group.

Nowadays, who didn’t know that the Jieke Group was wealthy!

Otherwise, why would the United States be so keenly targeting them, if not for envy at Jieke Group’s huge profits?

After understanding her background and identity, these people’s eyes lit up, and the heads of various military enterprises eagerly pushed their way forward, warmly introducing their businesses to Liu Yingying.

Those rushing to approach Liu Yingying, apart from some more neutral countries, included many member states from Europe, such as the UK, Germany, France, and others; they all swarmed forward as if on fire, eager to snatch up the order.

“These paupers, do they not have any pride left of us Westerners, to actually go lick the boots of Jieke Group, disgraceful, utterly disgraceful.”

Not far away, Dixon, an official from the Beautiful Country delegation, had a face as dark as a pot’s bottom. He had come over with a stunt flight team and what he witnessed made his blood pressure soar.

As an ally of the Beautiful Country, knowing well that the Beautiful Country was preparing to take action against Jieke Group, they still went ahead to sell arms to the other side, utterly losing the face of European gentlemen.

If Dixon hadn’t been mindful of the occasion, he would have burst into a torrent of curses.

“Heh, Mr. Dixon, it seems your power of persuasion is not strong enough!”

Next to Dixon stood Cao Shanmu, an official from the Hua Country delegation. The two were old partners and often met at various airshows.

As he talked, Cao Shanmu glanced at Liu Yingying out of the corner of his eye, filled with emotion.

As for the situation of Jieke Group, his superiors had already conducted multiple investigations.

Cao Shanmu also knew about the financial power of Jieke Group. If he weren’t worried about causing an international dispute, he would have taken his own Huaqi Military over there already.

However, the arms trade to some extent is linked with political deals.

With the relationship between Hua Country and Jieke Company being somewhat sensitive and Su Jie’s background being what it was, along with the border it shared with Chan Country.

If this arms deal were made, it would be deliberately misinterpreted by the whole Western bloc, and they would collectively condemn, leaving no chance to clear their name even if they jumped into the Yellow River.

“A bunch of fools blinded by money, only understanding to earn short-term profits, no wonder they’ve lost the position of world hegemony. Not like our country, able to stand where we are today, because of our unity.”

Dixon mocked coldly and contemptuously, looking down upon those Europeans who only recognized money.

“Cough cough, Dixon, why don’t you take another good look?”

Cao Shanmu, struggling to restrain his laughter with a twitching mouth, pointed towards Liu Yingying, his face full of mocking jest.@@novelbin@@

Dixon was startled, took off his glasses to wipe them, and after putting them back on to take another look at Liu Yingying, he nearly had a hypertensive crisis, his face turning shades of purple and green.

Because at Liu Yingying’s side, Dixon saw the all-too-familiar military enterprises of the Beautiful Country—Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics—crowding in front of Liu Yingying, incessantly showcasing their products, hoping to draw business.

“Miss Liu, Lockheed Martin is truly the world’s number one aerospace company. If you are interested in procurement, I will try to persuade my country to allow it.”

“General Dynamics is the frontrunner in ground vehicles. We have various types of military armored vehicles that can meet combat needs in different terrains and environments.”

“Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company in the world and a leading manufacturer of both commercial and military aircraft, with customers in over 150 countries and regions. If Miss Liu is interested in procurement, we can absolutely provide you with value for money service…”

These companies were jostling in front of Liu Yingying, outbidding each other, strongly recommending their own products.

As for the conflict between Jieke Company and the Beautiful Country, what did that have to do with them, the arms dealers?

There’s a saying that you’re not a real international arms dealer if you don’t sell arms to your own country.

Of course, their willingness to sell didn’t mean they’d get approval from Congress, that was a different matter altogether.

Regardless, they made their stance clear; Jieke Company was so wealthy, with a market value not showing off because it wasn’t listed, but in terms of net profits, it ranked among the top few in the world. It would be quite inappropriate not to introduce themselves and seek business from such an oil-rich company.

“Fuck, a bunch of utterly shameless bastards, traitors, the termites of the United States. I’m truly ashamed of them; I’ll certainly impeach them with the President when I get back,”

Dixon could no longer hold back and began to curse out loud.

Cao Shanmu watched the farce, chuckling to himself, knowing this joke would bring down the house when shared with his colleagues back home.

Liu Yingying, oblivious to the small stir her presence had caused, browsed around the airshow, lavishly purchasing various kinds of arms based on military experts’ recommendations, much to the delight of the arms dealers, including Ivanov.

Especially today’s biggest winner—Russia clinched an arms deal worth seven billion US Dollars in preliminary negotiations, totaling one-seventh of their annual arms export quota.

This deal wasn’t just about the price of combat aircraft and weapons; it included ground support equipment, spare engines, ground crew and pilot training, software, and other related support.

As for the subsequent logistical maintenance and periodic repairs and upgrades, that was yet another considerable expense.

The money for this had to be paid out periodically, and the additional revenue generated by the maintenance and part replacement of a fighter jet over its service life far exceeded the jet’s initial cost.

A small country normally would neither have the qualification nor the financial means to purchase such a significant amount of arms.

Apart from Russia, other arms dealers also had their share of the pie, making Jieke Company the biggest cash buyer of this Russian airshow, attracting envious glances from many.