Chapter 269 Buying back the Kiev (additional update 4)

"The Kiev, like the Minsk, was the most powerful war machine of the Red Empire Navy back then. Now, we are holding this auction, hoping to successfully auction it off like the Minsk." Uskimen Ke looked at the crowd sitting below and said confidently.

 This is the largest warship they can sell. It must be more expensive than the Minsk!

“The starting price for this auction is five million US dollars.”

 When Uskimenko finished saying this, the people below immediately started talking.

“What, five million? Isn’t that too expensive?”

"Yes, this ship is different from the Minsk. It just had a fire. Even Ah San didn't want it. How can this broken ship still be sold for five million when its internal structure was seriously damaged?"

“I heard that the Minsk purchased by Dazhou Company also had an accident and was unable to be refitted. This Kiev must also be a trap.”

 As soon as the auction started, it was plunged into a strange atmosphere.

Li Jinshan looked at the situation around him with a sullen face.

 Shoot it?

If the boiler inside is good, five million is not expensive. However, if the boiler is broken, they will definitely lose money by selling it back at this price and then dismantling it and selling it for scrap metal.

Minsk suffered a big loss. Is it going to suffer another setback on the Kiev?

Thinking of this, Li Jinshan looked at the people from Mingzhou Group not far away. Qin Tao was sitting there, seeming to be thinking about something. The bidding sign was thrown aside with no intention of raising it.

"The Minsk was sold for 80 million. Our Kiev is better than the Minsk. Come and bid!" Suchkov was anxious. He looked at the people at the scene and then looked at The one he arranged.

If you want to increase the enthusiasm for the auction, you need a commission to raise the price. He has arranged it. Now, why doesn't the commission bid?

“U.S. Steel, I heard that you are very interested in this warship, why don’t you make a bid?” Suchkov couldn’t help but name him directly.

Hearing his roll call, the people there hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I'm sorry, we can't bid. We suspect this is a trap. If we bid 10 million and they lose the price, then we need 10 million." If we buy it and dismantle the scrap metal, we can sell it for three to four million. However, we need to drag it back, occupy a dock to dismantle it, and a lot of labor. Taking into account these costs, we can earn up to one million yuan. 1.5 million, so if it’s more than 1.5 million, you’d be a fool to buy it.”

 Poof!

 Everyone at the scene couldn't help but laugh.

Even Qin Tao couldn't help but laugh. These big guys are so cute and stupid that they actually asked Americans to be their trustees. What's the result? The Americans are here to cause trouble!

Have you ever seen bidding like this? The group of people below do not increase prices at all, on the contrary, they are still lowering prices! In particular, it was disappointing to see someone who originally agreed to act as a trustee, but then came to disrupt the situation in the end!

Uskimenko's face was extremely ugly, and he could also see that Suchkov's arrangement was too unreliable!

"You, how can you say that? Didn't we agree..." Suchkov stopped here. He was so angry just now that he was stunned, but now he has discovered that if he says this, then That's stupid.

Although he shut up in time, he also knew that he was completely ruined. As the person in charge of the project, he had derelict in his duties if there was a sudden fire. Now, the auction was also messed up. Next, he, a loser, might be asked to leave the army. Bar?

Uskimenko's face was full of anger, but he also knew that he couldn't get angry casually here. If word spread, it would become a joke, and he had to save it!

Uskimenko tried hard to calm down, looked at the crowd, and then fixed his eyes on a certain person.

“Mr. Qin of Mingzhou Group, you are here too. Are you interested in taking photos of our warship?”

Of course Uskimenko remembers that when he acted side by side with Qin Tao, it was his most glorious time. He is very grateful to Qin Tao. Now, he hopes that Qin Tao can give him a hand again.

After hearing Uskimenko's words, Qin Tao stood up and bowed respectfully: "Dear Sir Uskimenko, we are honored to participate in this bidding. Our group is currently in a financial situation, even if That’s the case, we are still willing to spend two million US dollars to bid for this warship.”

(The historical auction price was about four to five million, but that was a few years later. Taking into account factors such as inflation, depreciation of the U.S. dollar, rising global steel prices, etc., in 1992, scrap iron was sold, Two million U.S. dollars is really quite high. Some readers also provided information, saying that scrap iron was priced at 150 U.S. dollars per ton at that time. East China Heroes searched for a long time but could not find relevant data, so we might as well just go with this price.)

After saying that, Qin Tao looked in the direction of the Americans: "We know that at this price, if we drag it back and dismantle it, we will definitely lose money. However, our brains are not flooded. If we can get the Kiev, then it will be Transform it into an aircraft carrier theme park. It can no longer sail on the sea. In this way, it is better to let it use its residual heat than to dismantle it."

Qin Tao was only willing to pay two million. This price was already higher than what the Americans said. Qin Tao also explained the purpose of buying it back: to transform the aircraft carrier park!

 Now, let me tell you that we are business-minded. We bought the Kiev back and after the renovation, it can be more attractive.

“So, if we succeed in bidding, we also hope that you can give us Yak-38 and Ka-25 as an additional gift. After the aircraft carrier park is renovated, we will display these aircraft on the flight deck.” Qin Tao said seriously.

Li Jinshan became inexplicably nervous.

Qin Tao has made a move and wants to pay 2 million to buy back the Kiev. Do you want to bid with him for 2.5 million?

 For them, two and a half million is not too much, and they can take the risk, but... what if Qin Tao increases the price? What if the boiler inside is really broken?

In his mind, what Qin Tao said just now sounded again: It can no longer sail on the sea. What does this sentence mean? Is this a hint that the boiler inside is broken?

You suffered a big loss last time, so be careful this time!

After Qin Tao finished speaking, the scene became quiet again. Everyone looked at the rostrum. Uskimenko felt extremely emotional in his heart.

Under the current circumstances, it is no longer possible to get a high price at auction. What Qin Tao said made him agree very much. What is the fate of the Kiev? Since it can no longer be transformed into an aircraft carrier and appear on the ocean as a war machine, it should be a good home for the Kiev to transform it into an aircraft carrier theme park and continue to use its remaining energy.

 It’s better than dismantling it into scrap metal!

 Two million, this price is something they have never thought of. However, if they miss this auction, they will really have no chance in the future.

“Mr. Qin, do you really want to transform it into an aircraft carrier theme park?” Uskimenko asked.

“Am I going to lie in front of so many colleagues?” Qin Tao said: “Then, how can I have the face to participate in other auctions?”

Qin Tao is here to speak openly and honestly, just to pave the way for the future. When the Varyag is purchased, it will be transformed into a maritime casino. Only when the Kiev is successfully transformed, others will I believe that after dragging it back, it is up to you to decide how to change it.

"Since it can no longer sail on the sea, then, we..."

Hearing these words, Li Jinshan completely gave up. Mr. Qin did not lie. It seems that this warship is really broken and cannot continue to operate!

 “The auction is over, everyone is welcome to join us!”

Uskimenko did not make a decision on the spot, but announced the end of the auction. Anyway, the potential buyer was Qin Tao alone. They had a good personal relationship and could continue to discuss it in private.

Everyone else left the meeting gloomily, only Qin Tao stayed. Looking at the empty conference room, Uskimenko felt mixed emotions. In the complicated mood, he walked towards Qin Tao.

“Mr. Qin, without you, we really wouldn’t have been able to get off stage just now. The **** Americans have been playing tricks on us!”

 After saying that, he looked at Suchkov with a reproachful look. You really know how to find someone to trouble you. If Mr. Qin hadn't been there, it wouldn't have ended at all!

Suchkov didn't dare to take a breath, and there was nothing he could do!

“Mr. Qin, can this price really not be higher?”

Qin Tao smiled bitterly: "After we drag it back, we still need to modify it, and we will have to invest about 500,000 to 1 million US dollars. When the aircraft carrier park opens, the entrance fee is 10 yuan, and we receive 500 tourists a day, that is 5,000 yuan, equivalent to It comes down to about one to two thousand dollars, and this is still the peak season. It will take us ten years to recover the cost."

 A simple calculation will tell you that after ten years to recover the cost, this kind of investment is already very uneconomical. If the budget is increased, there will be no need for them to buy it.

Uskimenko let out a long sigh: "Oh, we originally..."

 Originally, we were counting on the funds from the auction to buy two Su-33s. Now? Two million U.S. dollars, which can’t even buy the engine of the Tai Su-33, is enough to refuel the Kuznetsov!

"There is not much profit in selling such a decommissioned old ship. The Minsk is just a miracle. People from Kimchi will regret buying it back. Therefore, expecting the Kiev to be sold at the same price as the Minsk is originally Impossible." Qin Tao said: "If you sell the Gorshkov, you can still get a good price."

There are four Kiev-class ships. The fourth one, the Baku, was the latest model that was put into service in 1988. Therefore, if this warship is sold, Ah San will definitely change his mind.

 But how could the Northern Fleet be sold?

 How can they sell a new warship that has been in service for four years? How can they sell the treasure they have on hand?

 When something like a blown boiler occurs and they can't repair it themselves, they will sell the warship in tears. Ah San will still be the one to take over, and that will already be a few years later.

 This suggestion by Qin Tao is not feasible either.

"President Qin, the price of two million US dollars is too cheap. Therefore, our fleet needs to hold a meeting to discuss, and even need to report to Moscow and obtain Moscow's permission before we can sell this warship." Uskimenko said.

If it is sold for 80 million, he can make a decision right now, 2 million. This is a problem. It is too cheap. What if someone will turn over an old score in the future? After holding meetings to discuss and reporting to Moscow, after all the procedures were completed, he no longer had any responsibility. He could sell at a low price and there was nothing he could do about it.

Qin Tao nodded: "Well, I can wait. If this transaction can be completed, according to our practice, there will be a 20% service fee. Do you choose to open an account at the Moscow International Commercial Bank or go to Switzerland?" Open an account?”

Uskimenko's heart suddenly jumped. He glanced around. There was no one else around him. Even Suchkov, for fear of reproach, stayed far away from him.

Qin Tao's voice was so low that only he could hear it. He swallowed and said, "The account in the Swiss bank is the best. Moscow will not have any problems with this transaction and will definitely approve it."

Uskimenko thought for a while and continued: "As for the aircraft used for the exhibition, they have been retired and eliminated anyway. I will give you two Yak-38s and two Ka-25s, along with free gifts."

At this time, Uskimenko was still immersed in excitement. Two million, 20%, that is 400,000 US dollars!

"Well, Your Excellency Uskimenko, I hope we will have opportunities to cooperate in the future." Qin Tao said: "For example, leasing a few nuclear submarines from your submarine force can increase your income. .”

 Lease a nuclear submarine? Uskimenko thought.

This is not without precedent. In 1987, Asan rented a K-43 nuclear submarine from the Soviet Union. For Sange, who did not have a nuclear submarine, the rented submarine could train the crew and show off its power on the ocean. Very cost effective.

The first submarine was returned after three years of lease. Since then, Ah San has embarked on the road of no return of leasing submarines to show off. He has leased three types of submarines. For thirty years, he has always relied on rented nuclear submarines. Show off that it is the only country besides the five gangsters that has nuclear submarines.

Now, the East also wants to lease nuclear submarines?

Uskimenko said excitedly: "What submarine do you plan to lease?"

“Type 949, Type 941, or Type 971.” Qin Tao said three models in one go, leaving Uskimenko speechless.

 Oscar class, Typhoon class, Akula class, these are definitely big killers! It is the main force in Lao Maozi's navy. How could they lease such a submarine to the East?

“Moscow will not agree,” Uskimenko said.

"You can lend it to us quietly, and the rent will belong to your Northern Fleet." Qin Tao said.

Of course he did not expect Moscow to agree. If it were reported to Moscow, it would be damned if it passed, and it would cause an uproar around the world.

However, no one knows that nuclear submarines go underwater, and there are usually a number of them parked in caves. Therefore, it is possible to rent out one or two quietly.

I don’t know if Uskimenko has the courage. Anyway, it was just a plan proposed by Qin Taoxing. As for the loan, it was not for the navy to fill the gap, but for surveying, mapping and imitation. Rapidly reaching a new level in nuclear submarines.

When Qin Tao left, it was already dark. He returned to the hotel, and just after he checked in, he heard a knock on the door. When he opened it, he saw the familiar Pu Douxuan and Li Jinshan coming to visit with a familiar translator. .

“Mr. Qin, I’m sorry to bother you so late.” Li Jinshan said, “Congratulations on your successful bid.”

Qin Tao smiled: "Mr. Li, the agreement has not been officially signed yet. Maybe Lao Maozi still wants to sell it for 80 million, and then refuses to sell it to me."

To Li Jinshan’s ears, the 80 million at this time was simply a kind of irony. They were both broken warships. One ship had 80 million, and the other had 2 million. The gap was too big.

“Mr. Qin, if you can get this Kiev, can you test it and see if the boilers are in good condition? If so, can you resell it to us?”

Qin Tao glanced at Li Jinshan: "Well, of course there is no problem. If there are five intact boilers in it, then we will sell them to you for two million, five for two million. However, I advise you not to have too many expectations. Big fantasy. It’s better to order brand new boilers quickly. Lao Maozi’s boiler factories, such as Podolsk Boiler Factory and Taganrog Boiler Factory, have begun to see a large number of workers resign. If they lose their orders, workers will It’s all gone, even if you have money you can’t buy it.”

Li Jinshan swallowed and said: "Yes, we have visited these factories and the prospects are not optimistic. Mr. Qin, can you help us order one from there first?"

“One?” Qin Tao looked at Li Jinshan in surprise: “Is one enough?”

“Let’s try it first to see if they can produce it.”

“Okay, then I’ll make a trip. You transfer the full amount of two million to our account, and I can make a trip for you.”

“Mr. Qin, can we go with you? Let my subordinate Pu Douxuan go with you.”

Qin Tao glanced at Li Jinshan: "Of course not. If I want to place an order, I have to go through a lot of connections and bribe a lot of relevant people. If you follow me, you will become familiar with all my connections. From now on, you can ditch me and go directly to them to order the rest." What should I do with Sitai? I will not do this kind of thing like making wedding clothes for others."

 Qin Tao had already made his words clear, and Li Jinshan could only accept it.

"Okay, then we have to sign an agreement. If the boiler cannot be produced, you have to return the two million."

Qin Tao glanced at him again: "Humph, I don't like this kind of small business. If there is such an additional condition, then one must be added. In the future, if you continue to order boilers, you must go through our Mingzhou Group. "

"good."

For Dazhou Company, they are already in a dilemma. They can only find a way to order a new boiler, and they can only go through Qin Tao, because they have already asked about the price. The old man opened his mouth and asked for two yuan more than Qin Tao. One million is still high, but they have no way out and no connections, so they can only go to Qin Tao's side.

Qin Tao easily obtained two million. In this way, the funds for the purchase of the Kiev were in place, and Qin Tao did not spend any money!

 Three days later.

Qin Tao took the ship pick-up crew from Mingzhou and hired a group of former Lao Maozi crew members, and boarded the Kiev together.

The weapons that should be dismantled have been dismantled, and the secret parts that have not been dismantled have also been destroyed by blasting. This warship looks a bit shabby. Seeing it, it is easy to think of the Red Empire. Once powerful, now lonely, the fate of the ship is the fate of the country!

 “Make a fire!”

 The pick-up staff started the operation in an orderly manner.

“The No. 1 boiler was ignited successfully!”

“The No. 2 boiler was ignited successfully!”

 Six of the eight boilers are on fire!

If Li Jinshan knew about it, he would definitely beat his chest and regret it. Why are he hesitating? Take a photo of it!

Of course, if he had taken action, there would be a high probability that the Kiev would not be sold at auction, and Moscow would not sell it at a low price. Without Uskimenko’s activities, Moscow’s bosses would not have agreed.

 Buying the Kiev is equivalent to spending no money, just paying 400,000 as a bribe, which is trivial.

 After all, after you go back, take the boilers apart and paint them with new paint, one can be sold for two million, and five can be sold for 10 million!

 It’s a good money-making business.

Qin Tao was very satisfied with this leak detection. After burning the boiler for seven or eight hours, the huge ship finally began to sway away from the dock, and then embarked on the return journey.

This journey was definitely not peaceful. After leaving Murmansk and leaving the Barents Sea where the Northern Fleet was active, a Perry-class frigate came up and began escorting.

Occasionally, a helicopter would fly over. The camera would stick out from the side cabin of the helicopter, and the cannon would be pointed at the Kiev, taking wild shots.

The departure of this heavy-duty aircraft-carrying cruiser was even more sensational than when it was commissioned, so much so that major media around the world were paying close attention to it.

 East, capital, Huanglou.

"Lao Wu, your son-in-law has accomplished another big thing. He brought back the Kiev for two million dollars. Should we go through the formalities and take over this warship and transform it into an aircraft carrier?"

After listening to this suggestion, Wu Shengli shook his head: "Looking at your potential, the Kiev cannot be used at all. If it can be modified, why would Asan give up? Taozi has already said that he will tow the Varyag back in the future. ...Forget it, I won’t tell you anymore, it’s useless.”

"Varyag? Aren't Damao and Ermao still discussing that warship?"

"There is no result from the discussion. We will still have to sell scrap metal in the future."

“The French are really serious, just give us the Clemenceau for free. We don’t mind it being poisonous, but we actually want money!”

“By the way, Zhang Zhong from our Navy has already gone to the TV station to be a special guest. I don’t know how his ability to deceive people compares with Lao Wu’s son-in-law.”

 “You’ll know it just by looking at it?”

 On the TV, the special guest Zhang Zhong was talking.

"Theoretically, it is still possible to transform the Kiev-class heavy-duty aircraft carrier into an aircraft carrier. The key is the cost. If the modification costs too much, or there are problems with the original structure, then the gain will outweigh the loss. Might as well build from scratch.”

“So, after the Kiev returns to China, will it undergo similar modifications?”

"Of course that's impossible. We know that the Mingzhou Group that purchased the Kiev is a local enterprise and has nothing to do with our navy. They bought it back to renovate the aircraft carrier park. Moreover, so far, we are still close to As for the water defense strategy, our country does not need offensive weapons like aircraft carriers."

 (End of this chapter)