Chapter 1648: Over budget!
"I know that the tasks in all aspects are quite time-sensitive."
But as you all know, the current situation of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire is such that launching this project at this critical juncture shows how much importance the higher-ups attach to it.
In order not to affect the overall situation, the relevant construction work must be completed in the shortest possible time.
This will create a virtuous cycle, recovering funds and ensuring that our Dragon Star Empire meets its financial needs.
"Therefore, this demand is extremely important!" Minister Li Yaqi emphasized solemnly.
The president of the interstellar investment bank in charge of the Xiaolong construction said with a slight smile, "If we're talking about pressure, I should say that I'm under the most pressure."
I haven't complained at all, so you can rest assured, bank manager.
If they don't finish, I'll look down on them.
Upon hearing his words, everyone present exchanged smiles.
Because what he said was indeed correct.
Xiaolong Construction Interstellar Investment Bank has the longest payback period among the four interstellar investment banks, and also the lowest success rate, with a high probability of failure.
The main project of the JF-17's Interstellar Investment Bank is to approve loans to interstellar civilizations to build their infrastructure.
There are essentially two ways to cooperate in this area.
One type is equity-based loans. I approve a loan for you with a very low interest rate, but I can take a stake in your buildings and also have certain usage rights.
This means that unless it is a very important star gate or star port, the payback period is generally ten to thirty years or more. This is in a good period. If it is a project in a bad period, the payback period may be more than one hundred years.
This clearly does not meet the actual needs of the current Dragon Star Empire.
Another option is to avoid the Dragon Star Empire having a controlling stake in these interstellar buildings within their own universe. In that case, they would either need to obtain high-interest interstellar loans, which come with extremely high interest rates.
If neither is desired.
There is another special form of cooperation, which is leasing.
For example, after a certain interstellar building is completed, the ownership of the interstellar building is still in the hands of the local forces, but it is agreed that the right to use and manage it for the next fifty or one hundred years will belong to the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
In this way, one can obtain low-interest interstellar loans, or even interest-free interstellar loans.
Even so, among the four types of interstellar investment, this type of interstellar investment is still the most difficult to carry out.
The future bank president's frank statement also clarified his own situation.
And it was also a reminder to the other three that since he hadn't complained, the three of you shouldn't let him down here.
"Actually, these task indicators are secondary."
"The most important thing is to finalize how much funding the central bank is willing to approve for us," a bank president said earnestly.
When this practical matter was brought up, everyone present fell silent.
Because this is indeed the most important thing; as the saying goes, even a clever cook can't make a meal without rice.
As an interstellar investment bank, it undoubtedly needs to have funds on hand to invest, right?
The amount of money these interstellar investment banks have in their pockets directly affects their confidence in conducting business.
If a reputable interstellar civilization comes to you seeking loans and investment, then naturally every project must be a large one; smaller projects can be handled by yourself.
If they come knocking on your door and you don't have the funds to provide them, wouldn't that be like slapping yourself in the face?
Even as the head of the central bank, Fennie, the angel, would find it difficult to make a decision on this issue.
Their gazes also fell upon Li Yaqi from the Ministry of Commerce.
To be honest, Li Yaqi from the Ministry of Commerce originally had no authority to decide this matter.
Because from beginning to end, only one person has controlled the treasury of the Dragon Star Empire.
You are Lilith's secretary.
Fortunately, she had spoken with her secretary, Lilith, about the matter before coming to the meeting and obtained a satisfactory figure.
Minister Li Yaqi looked at everyone and said, "First of all, this is the first operation of the four interstellar investment banks."
Therefore, none of you here know how big the actual demand is, and even your head office president couldn't give an accurate figure before.
I don't know either.
After all, this kind of thing has never happened before.
If we were to calculate the funding requirements of a universe, we could do it in a little while.
However, calculating so many interstellar civilizations and universes is truly too difficult.
Therefore, the funding budget policy given above is as follows.
First, allocate a total of 100,000 trillion Star Coins to four interstellar investment banks.
In addition, you have the right to mobilize various technology investment cooperation projects below the T5 technology level, and you can apply for technology investment cooperation projects at the T6 technology level.
In addition to the 100,000 trillion star coins, you also have the right to allocate resources and materials worth 300,000 trillion star coins for investment when needed.
If these conditions cannot be met by then, you can submit an application to me, and I will then discuss with the Supreme Secretary whether the upper limit can be raised again.
We will do our best to meet your needs, but please remember that you are not just the presidents of an interplanetary investment bank.
You are also the presidents of the Dragon Star Empire Investment Bank; you need to have a broad perspective.
As for what to do, you know perfectly well.
Upon hearing the total budget of 400,000 trillion star coins, the five bank presidents present were all taken aback.
Because this amount of money is truly terrifying.
They themselves are even aware of the situation.
This is very likely all the funds the Dragon Star Empire has on its books.
As for why they can be given to them, it's because everyone knows that such investments are usually not allocated all at once.
For example, for an investment project with a construction period of one year, its funding may be divided into two to four phases.
A loan payment is made in each period.
This approach reduces the pressure of needing funds or materials, while also lowering risks. If any problems arise with the investment project, it can be stopped at any stage.
In this way, even if the investment fails, the loss will not be too great at once.
It was precisely because of this consideration that such a large budget was approved, as there was a great deal of 'time leeway'.
"Hahaha, please rest assured, Minister."
We have been entrusted with such great trust by our superiors, and we will certainly not let them down.
We will certainly hold ourselves to high standards and perfectly fulfill the requirements set by our superiors.
"To seek more benefits for our empire!" a bank president said firmly, his resolute expression like that of a general about to go into battle.
Everyone was already used to this person's attitude.
Because she is a die-hard fan of the Dragon Emperor series, she talks about the Dragon Emperor series most often in her spare time.
My eyes are filled with little stars.
Her biggest regret was that she couldn't become a soldier, follow Emperor Xiaolong, and fight for him.
This is the thing she regrets the most.
But she has a good attitude.
Her current motto is to make the most money for Dragon Emperor in her position!
She wants the Dragon Emperor to spend the money she earned!
Of course, these are all just jokes to be made over tea.
"Next, let's talk about these small details and whether you have any problems."
If you bring this up now, we'll resolve it on the spot as soon as possible. Which department do you want to contact? I can contact them right now.
"Once you're out of this door, you must complete your assigned tasks as soon as possible," Minister Li Yaqi said.
Next, a discussion began in the room, aiming to resolve as many issues as possible before starting.
——————
Dragon Emperor Star Command Ship - Bridge
"The four interstellar investment banks have begun operations," Lilith, Zhao Chen's secretary, reported.
Zhao Chen nodded in satisfaction: "Implementing this plan at this time actually carries a great risk."
However, considering that our enemies are not only those who devour civilizations, we also need to think about the future.
Therefore, while preparing for war, we also need to develop as quickly as possible, not only developing our own Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
We must also develop interstellar civilizations and universes that can supply the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
Remember to do your best to meet their needs and cooperate with them.
If anything requires the intervention of other departments within the Empire, those departments should step up when necessary.
Secretary Lilith nodded and said, "I have already given all the instructions."
The secretariat will assist the Department of Commerce with this plan.
The diplomatic corps also provides full cooperation; diplomatic personnel from various interstellar civilizations and universes will do their utmost to assist in the selection of investment projects and the negotiation process.
"Yes, wherever I need to step in."
"Just tell me," Zhao Chen said.
Zhao Chen's words alone are enough to show how much importance the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire attaches to the Ministry of Commerce's plan.
To say that those previous cooperative projects, including the Space Trade Alliance, were merely for the purpose of creating a cash cow...
The plan of these four interstellar investment banks is to water these money trees, so that they can grow into towering trees in the shortest possible time, providing shelter for the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
After discussing the current affairs of the Ministry of Commerce.
Zhao Chen continued to ask, "The previous meeting between the Elf Kings of the Holy Elf Empire has already confirmed a cooperative project with us to jointly develop space exploration technology."
How is it going?
Secretary Lilith pulled up the relevant documents and said, "After the high-level exchanges between the two sides, the scientists and researchers from the Holy Elf Empire who specialize in this field immediately formed a team and came to our empire."
We also made arrangements for the research institute immediately.
This research institute is Institute 903, under the Supreme Military Research Institute of the Dragon Empire. It is mainly responsible for research in the fields of space exploration, radar technology, and quantum transmission technology.
After we officially began our cooperation with the Holy Elf Empire, the head of Institute 903 received the news, and we also formed a dedicated team.
The two sides conducted joint research within Institute 903.
So far, it has been about ten days.
The collaborative research between the two parties is reportedly progressing smoothly.
Hearing Lilith's words, Zhao Chen nodded in relief.
He seemed to remember something and asked again, "If I remember correctly, the first batch of our second mass-produced T7 quasi-T7 starships will be officially delivered in the next few days?"
Secretary Lilith glanced at the schedule and nodded, saying, "Yes, it will be in the next few days."
The first batch of 100 T7 Gold Saint Angel-class light star cruisers will be officially rolled out and put into service.
However, the Imperial Military is still discussing which legion or fleet it will be delivered to.
At this point, Secretary Lilith shrugged and smiled.
Zhao Chen naturally knew what that smile meant.
The previous T7 Golden Scarab-class heavy interstellar dreadnoughts were only produced in very few quantities due to their high cost and long construction period.
Therefore, there is no formation arrangement for the time being; the principle is to deploy them wherever they are needed.
But this quasi-T7 Gold Saint Angel-class light interstellar cruiser is different; the first batch will have one hundred ships.
How could the commanders of the various legion fleets not be envious?
Keep in mind that this is an interstellar cruiser. Although it's not as versatile as an interstellar destroyer, having one more interstellar warship is still a boost to our strength.
Who wouldn't want an extra T7-level interstellar warship in their fleet?
Therefore, a heated debate was bound to take place within the Imperial military.
I don't have any other plans for the next few days, right?
That just so happens that I haven't inspected military research institutes in various places for a while. Could you arrange for me to visit them?
"Give me all one hundred quasi-T7 Gold Saint Angel-class light interstellar cruisers and that Institute of 903," Zhao Chen ordered.
“Okay.” Secretary Lilith immediately noted these things down.
Although Lilith rarely accompanies Zhao Chen when he goes out now, it's because she has too many things that she needs to supervise personally.
There are other candidates to be arranged as secretaries who will accompany Zhao Chen.
However, Lilith would always inquire about the schedule and would also assign it to the secretary in charge of Zhao Chen.
Although Zhao Chen had told her several times that she didn't need to do everything herself.
But Lilith stated unequivocally that she didn't care what her current status was, whether she was the Empire's Supreme Secretary or the Empire's Housekeeper.
But her original, and forever identity, was that of the Dragon Emperor's secretary.
Therefore, this is her duty.
Next, Zhao Chen set off to prepare to personally welcome the rollout of the second near-T7 interstellar warship of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
Meanwhile, the Falcon Dragon Interstellar Empire launched four interstellar investment bank projects.
Although it didn't have a significant impact on ordinary people, it quietly exploded among the high-level officials of various interstellar civilizations and universes.
Like a storm, it swept across all known civilizations in the universe at an astonishing speed!