America 1919-Chapter 771 - : 264, Deal with the United States Navy_3

Chapter 771: 264, Deal with the United States Navy_3

“Although the volume of orders has decreased, the competition has become even more brutal!”

In Edward Albert’s view, it was precisely because the current order volume had decreased that military factories, in order to survive, would face even fiercer competition.

He did not believe that Donnie would have much competitive strength in this business!

“I’ve heard that many shipyards and military factories have already begun laying off workers, including some large shipyards as well as arms companies like Colt.

When I was on the battlefield, I learned a lesson: when the situation is not in our favor, we can hide and wait quietly. It simply comes down to a test of endurance between the enemy and us. Whoever can’t hold out will naturally fail.”

“But this persistence costs money!”

Edward Albert reminded Donnie.

“I think that in the future, shipping will become the mainstream method for global cargo transport. We can start with the development of cargo ships. Moreover, I do not plan to seek profits from Trident Shipyard in the first few years, as long as it can maintain its normal operations.”

Indeed, money talks!

Hearing Donnie express it like this, Robert Coontz and Edward Albert couldn’t help but sigh.

A large shipyard with an investment of 15 million US Dollars can actually go without seeking any profit in the initial years. Such audacity is not something ordinary people possess.

If they knew Donnie’s real thoughts, they would not think this way.

It’s not that Trident Shipyard wouldn’t want profits in these years; it’s just that the profits would comparatively be not as large.

With the development of maritime shipping and the rise of global sailing travel, the potential of the civilian market is still very vast.

Donnie believed that as long as Trident Shipyard’s direction was right, it could still make a profit in the early stage.

And, after all, Trident Shipyard already had a major customer, which was none other than Donnie’s own United States Logistics.

First, digest internally, then seek external partnership opportunities!

However, all these were plans for Trident Shipyard’s future. Right now, Tang Fei’s requirement was to acquire several decommissioned naval ships from the Navy. That was currently the most important for Donnie.

The United States Navy had its own shipyards, and the renowned Brooklyn Shipyard was one of the Navy’s own.

Edward Albert had even once served as the director of the Brooklyn Shipyard.

However, in the political environment of the United States, although Brooklyn Shipyard had a glorious history, the Navy decisively closed it down and sold it to the New York government when the US faced a financial crisis.

But regardless, the Brooklyn Shipyard was still one of the most important shipyards of the United States Navy.

Most importantly, it was also a shipyard that manufactured aircraft carriers.

So, after hearing Donnie’s development plan for Trident Shipyard, Robert Coontz and Edward Albert also thought that Donnie’s ideas were correct.

Competing with Brooklyn Shipyard for Navy contracts would be difficult without a significant technological advantage.

“If it’s just civilian maritime transport, it’s a bit easier!” said Edward Albert noncommittally.

Donnie smiled and said, “However, Trident Shipyard is just getting started and will need a lot of support. That’s why I’ve invited both of you here today, to discuss the issue of those decommissioned naval ships.”

Things needed to be done step by step. Donnie could take his time in collaborating with the Navy, but all these premises depended on having a start that would allow for long-term cooperation.

The few naval ships that Donnie had purchased from the Navy before were of small tonnage and could not serve this purpose.

Now, these larger-tonnage battleships were the most crucial.

With these battleships, Trident Shipyard would gain experience in retrofitting ships.

Of course, there were also the weapons onboard these ships.

Robert Coontz and Edward Albert exchanged glances. Initially, they did indeed have some reservations about cooperating with Donnie.

After all, Donnie was not the only person who wanted these ships; there were quite a few others as well.

But after meeting with Donnie today, the balance in their minds had started to tip in Donnie’s favor.

First, Donnie had cash!

One must admit, cash can be very persuasive at times!

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Secondly, the presence of General Pan Xing today was also a bargaining chip. Though General Pan Xing was the Chief of Staff of the Army, one could say without a doubt that he was the leading figure of the military in the United States!

Although General Pan Xing didn’t say much today and didn’t even mention Donnie’s shipyard, his presence signified an attitude.

Since they could obtain the interests they wanted and also build a good relationship with General Pan Xing, they felt the matter was negotiable and could be successfully discussed.

Thus, the subsequent negotiations went relatively smoothly.

The only issue was not how much money these ships would sell for, nor whether it was legal to sell the weapons on board to Donnie.

It was about how much personal benefit Robert Coontz and Edward Albert could get out of the deal.

When Donnie was willing to satisfy their personal interests, the negotiations were essentially drawing to a close.

Although Robert Coontz and Edward Albert both said they needed to discuss it with others, both parties actually understood that there would be no problems with the deal!

After the two had left, Pan Xing said with a smile, “You’ve helped them solve such a big problem, they should be thanking you!”

As mentioned before, the Navy’s military budget had been controlled, and the disposal of these ships had actually eased the Navy’s budgetary difficulties to a certain extent.

Donnie laughed and said, “It doesn’t matter who thanks whom, as long as the deal is struck, that’s good enough!”