Chapter 210: Increasing Production Rate

“I really like this energy-shield booster of yours, though a bulk purchase will still need to get the approval of the Union, I am at least able to make a purchase if it’s just a few thousand sets of this for use. How do you plan to sell this device?” Thuram directly asked.

Xia Fei chuckled. “It’s great that you’re interested in our product, but as you can see, the factory has yet to officially begin its production. I truly have no stock aside from a few samples. Besides, do you plan to buy the standard, enhanced, deluxe, or economy version?”

Thuram furrowed his brows. “What versions? You’re almost about to confuse me; are these energy-shield boosters all different?”

Xia Fei shook his head. “They function similarly, but there’s a difference in terms of their recharging speed; the economy version provides a twenty-five percent increase in recharge, the standard at thirty, the enhanced at thirty-five, and deluxe at thirty-eight. Of course, different versions mean different prices.”

Thuram appeared to be very interested. “Oh, that’s interesting. Tell me about these prices, then.”

“The economy version will be around two million star coins, the standard at four, the enhanced at ten, and finally, the deluxe will set you back thirty million star coins,” Xia Fei rattled off.

“The deluxe is merely three percent better than the enhanced, yet its price is actually three times of the other. Xia Fei, this is some shrewd pricing you’ve got there.” Qin Mang laughed.

Xia Fei feigned innocence. “Old man, don’t get me wrong. Though the difference is merely just three percent, there will be a significant increase in terms of the production cost of the product itself, on top of the difficulty of production, rising up to at least five times the price. Honestly, a thirty-million price tag isn’t at all expensive.”

In truth, the cost of every energy-shield booster was merely around one million star coins, while the various versions were all a result of selecting the products made that fit the mark. The base cost did not differ. The only reason Xia Fei had priced his products differently was solely to differentiate them by performance, allowing him to maximize his profits.

Thuram waved his hand dismissively. “You’re wrong saying that, old coot. To be able to increase a ship’s defensive capabilities by ten percent, several million star coins ain’t nothing. How about this: I’ll order five thousand standard versions and one thousand enhanced versions? Wait till I get my secretary to contact you. If the shield boosters are well received, perhaps I will have a huge surprise for you.”

Xia Fei nodded. “Uncle Thuram, I have no problems letting you sign an advanced order, though I can’t guarantee when I can deliver the goods.”

“What nonsense?” Thuram rolled his eyes at Xia Fei. “This will be a done deal as long as you are able to provide me with the first batch of your products. You can carry on with all the other details as you deem fit.”

Xia Fei and Qin Mang laughed. It seemed that Thuram really liked this energy-shield booster, impatiently wanting to make a large purchase of it.

Xia Fei was of course elated that he managed to get his first order for Quantum Holdings. For them to have gotten an advanced order before their production even started made for a decent start. Xia Fei could not help but feel totally confident of Quantum Holdings’ future with this.

If he could also get that doppler radar system he had gotten in the Dark Abyss into production, Xia Fei was almost positive that Quantum Holdings would be able to find itself a spot in the vast universe. There was also Harris’s genetic research; while it had yet to see any sort of profit at this stage, it would ultimately be able to generate revenue for the company in the long run.

There was no need for Xia Fei to intervene regarding the fine details of the business. He made a call and got the business personnel to take over. Thuram clearly intended to let Xia Fei earn a tidy profit, not even specifying a time for goods delivery. There was no way another contract out there with similar conditions existed.

Later that afternoon, Xia Fei accompanied Thuram and Qin Mang to enjoy the local Chinese funfare. The two men were full of praises for the local delicacies, though Qin Mang was unfortunately still in recuperation, so he could only sample a small taste of each dish, unable to have a proper feast.

While Qin Mang came for a visit on paper to recuperate, Xia Fei could clearly tell that the old man had another intention in mind. His suggestion to sightsee in famous landmarks were all soundly rejected by Qin Mang, and after looking at the world map for some time, the old man actually picked The Pampas in Argentina as the location of his recuperation, even instructing Xia Fei to look for him as soon as he could.

Of course, Xia Fei agreed readily, giving Andre a call so that arrangements could be made for the old man to live and survive out on the plains. Andre had wide connections and was very capable. In just the course of a few hours, he had managed to construct a huge tent out there on the grassy plains, even seeing to the minor details such as providing servants and chefs for the elderly man.

After sending off Qin Mang and Thuram, Xia Fei went to the workshop and saw that Porter had changed into common work clothes, a set of tools strapped at his waist, busy lying under a large molecular forming machine. Charlie was standing at the side, somewhat at a loss. He had n