After more than an hour of haggling and discussing trade details, the contract was finally settled.
Iron ore: US$52.20/ton, importing 100,000 tons per month, totaling US$5.22 million. (tax included)
Bauxite: US$80/ton, importing 200,000 tons per month, totaling US$16 million.
The total transaction amount is US$21.22 million, and it will be shipped from Darwin Port to Anga Island Port on the 1st of every month for a period of five years.
Although Anga Island currently does not have a deep-water port, Jiang Chen has invested in the construction and expects to have two berths completed by the 1st of next month. Anga Island has a relatively high population base and is far away from the other eight islands. It is very suitable for transformation into an industrial island focusing on manufacturing, so a deep-water port with moderate throughput is still necessary.
In one afternoon, he signed a large order for the company with a monthly revenue of over 10 million U.S. dollars, and Oliver was naturally beaming with joy. After negotiating the contract, Jiang Chen did not leave immediately. Instead, he chatted with him about the mining industry.
Oliver also answered all Jiang Chen's questions. For example, he also told Jiang Chen about the sluggish iron ore trading volume and the falling rare earth prices in 2016. In fact, this information can be obtained by simply searching on the Internet, so there is no secret at all.
"Can I take the liberty to ask? As far as I know, your company's main business is in the Internet field. Why do you need to acquire large amounts of iron ore?" Oliver asked.
"Is your company still particular about the use of the buyer's minerals?" Jiang Chen joked.
"I'm just a little curious. Of course, if it's inconvenient, forget it. This question will not affect our cooperation." Seeing that Jiang Chen was not going to answer, Oliver smiled and apologized for his abruptness.
"I'm really sorry. This question is a business secret. I can't answer you... To express my apology, please allow me to invite you to dinner." Jiang Chen said.
"Haha, I'm very happy. I know there is a very good restaurant in Melbourne. How about being my car..." Oliver happily accepted Jiang Chen's invitation.
It happened to be time to get off work. The pair left the company and settled into a Brazilian-style kebab restaurant near Melbourne.
From the appearance, this barbecue restaurant is no different from the street snacks in China. In a semi-open store, the owner, who is obviously not Brazilian, is grilling brown meat slices on a charcoal stove. Use that greasy aroma to seduce passing tourists.
Sitting at the bar-like table in a bar, it didn't take long for the plates to be brought to the two of them.
Two bottles of cold beer and four plates of barbecue were enough to satisfy Jiang Chen.
“Is the future of mining bad now?”
"It's not bad, but I'm afraid it will get worse." He talked about work matters. Oliver sighed.
"Because of the economic situation?" Jiang Chen asked casually.
"In a nutshell, it's the economy, and the fundamental reason is demand." Oliver took a sip of beer and let out a hearty breath, as if he was letting out the worries that had accumulated in his chest.
"Can you tell me more carefully?" Jiang Chen asked with a smile while holding the barbecue skewers.
He still has a lot of interest in mining.
"For example, if you build a 5,000-square-meter building, you will need about 30 tons of steel. But once the house is built, the potential demand for steel will be reduced by 30 tons. Not just houses, everything from cars to screws is made of steel. All the products were produced. Then the steel plants reduced their production. The mining farms also reduced their production, and the economy was ruined." As he spoke, Oliver smiled.
Although Jiang Chen didn't understand what was so interesting about this.
"Is it okay to tell me these things?"
"No problem. It's off work time now." Oliver waved his hand and said arrogantly, "Besides, even if the company wants to lay off employees, it won't be my turn."
"In other words, the overall trend of iron ore prices is downward?"
"That's right, it could still reach US$2.1 per ton in 2008. Now, US$0.95 is pretty good."
"According to your statement, the mining industry is hopeless." Jiang Chen smiled.
"Not necessarily. Unless there is a technological breakthrough." Oliver shook the glass of beer.
"Technical breakthrough?" Jiang Chen frowned slightly.
"Yes, unless there is a huge technological change, such as everyone throwing away their current cars. Just like everyone threw away their hand spinning machines in 1765, and people threw away their steam engines in 1885... .. . It’s too far off topic. Hey. Speaking of which, I still envy you.”
"There are many people who envy me."
"I'm not talking about money, but your industry. Don't you think the IT industry is the field most prone to technological breakthroughs?" Oliver wiped a piece of barbecue and said with a smile.
"It is also the industry most prone to bankruptcy." Jiang Chen teased.
Oliver was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. Infected by this laughter, Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh too.
Looking at the two people who seemed to be in a state of panic, the passers-by on the street looked sideways.
... ...
When Jiang Chen returned to the hotel drunk. It's already ten o'clock in the evening. The foreigner was unexpectedly talkative and funny. Jiang Chen and him went from the customs of Australia to the grilled fish in his hometown of Lake City. In short, the conversation turned to speculation, and the two of them chatted until late into the night while eating barbecue and drinking beer.
When leaving, Jiang Chen and Oliver exchanged business cards and then left.
Seeing Jiang Chen, smelling of alcohol, appear at the door, Ayesha hurriedly stepped forward and helped him to the toilet, took off his clothes, and wiped the sweat off his body with a hot towel.
"Why did you drink so much?" Ayesha whispered in Jiang Chen's ear.
"I met an interesting person." Jiang Chen burped, smiled, and then leaned against Aisha's budding breasts.
Aisha's fair skin was suddenly stained with red clouds. Just as she was about to help Jiang Chen up, snoring sounded in the bathroom...
... ...
The hangover was uncomfortable, but with Jiang Chen's metabolic rate, he only felt uncomfortable when he woke up the next day and recovered after a short while.
Due to the unexpected smooth signing of the contract, the next day, which was originally scheduled to be very busy, was actually free.
Now that he had finished everything, Jiang Chen took her for a walk around Melbourne in accordance with the agreement he made with Ayesha before coming here.
Take photos in front of landmark buildings, shop in shopping malls...
I have to say that it is really tiring to go shopping with a woman, but when he saw Ayesha's happy and pretty face, Jiang Chen really felt that all the fatigue in his body was healed.
In a word, it's worth it.
The last stop of the trip was St. Patrick's Cathedral. Although it seemed a bit strange to bring a pagan to admire this religious building, from the admiration shown by Aisha when she looked up at the magnificent cross relief, Jiang Chen Xin was also quite emotional.
Not all beliefs are bigoted.
Not all bigotry is unforgivable.
In today's highly secularized world, even a complete atheist can hold the hand of a believer and admire the brilliance of art in front of a pagan church.
Seven hundred years ago, the Crusaders and XXX became a river of blood for the ownership of the Holy Land. Seventy years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union lowered the Iron Curtain for ideology.
However, looking back now, it seems that nothing is unforgivable or unacceptable.
Just like the uncanny workmanship of Suzhou gardens and the colorful windows of Notre Dame de Paris, the world should have far more shapes and colors than people think.
If one day, human footprints expand to the borders of the solar system, and I wonder if it will be a bit ridiculous to look back at today's "geographic conflicts" and "ideological conflicts".
I just don’t know what civilization should be worried about at that time...
... ... Is it the direction of evolution? Or something else.
Just as Jiang Chen was sighing with emotion, Ayesha gently pulled his cuffs.
After recovering from his emotions, Jiang Chen looked at her with a pleasant look and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
"I want to go in and have a look...is that okay?"
"certainly."
Putting all his emotions behind, Jiang Chen held Aisha's little hand in a gentlemanly manner.
The two of them walked towards the interior of St. Patrick's Cathedral together. (.)