Big Data Cultivation

Second-hand equipment? He Runxian was taken aback, "Aren’t you asking for brand new ones?"

"I only said I need complete documentation," Feng Jun found it a bit baffling, "Doesn’t matter if they’re brand new, really... as long as they’re eighty percent new, that’s enough. For things like warships, a bit of exterior damage is fine, as long as they work properly."

He Runxian understood these matters well, "There’s quite a big difference in price between second-hand and first-hand goods."

"Then what can be done?" Feng Jun replied helplessly, "They have to pay first, and they don’t want to wait, this is the only way."

Actually, he didn’t mind second-hand munitions. For his usage plans, used ones might even be better than new ones, but he couldn’t say that openly before, so now he feigned disappointment.

"Since it’s second-hand, we should ask for more," He Runxian instinctively stood by Feng Jun’s side, "I’ll talk to them, any other requests you have?"

What exactly is the difference between second-hand and first-hand goods? Feng Jun wanted to ask that question, because the information is only known to insiders and can’t be found online, and he didn’t have any insights into it.

Ultimately, he refrained from asking—wouldn’t that just expose him? He cleared his throat, "You handle these matters, my request remains the same, no tricks... if anything goes wrong, bear the consequences, I won’t accept any explanations."

"Of course," He Runxian agreed, turning to contact the Pioneer Bank.

As someone from Frontier Star, he knew quite a lot about the tricks in the arms business—although he wasn’t involved in that field, being Hesheng’s number two, he mingled with a lot of high-level individuals, picking up this information like gossip.

So he informed the other party: Dispatching goods ahead of payment is impossible, but considering your urgency, munitions above eighty percent new can be second-hand as well.

He didn’t haggle for Feng Jun, just candidly stated, "Friendly reminder, the quantity of munitions should change, as the other party itself is a broker, they have a plan... I hope you don’t drag me into it."

The Pioneer Bank, eager for this transaction, already consulted industry insiders, who immediately understood upon hearing this. They stated: Under current conditions, second-hand equipment at eighty percent new should cost one-tenth to one-fifth of brand new equipment prices.

Is second-hand equipment really that cheap? Not exactly; it depends on the circumstances.

Brand new equipment supplied directly to the military is certainly not cheap. Those with connections wishing to organize an interstellar expedition might procure munitions at a price reduced by twenty percent after obtaining approval.

Any further reduction is impossible, as manufacturers must consider the military’s stance.

But selling military’s second-hand equipment depends on the situation, selling to an expedition team might be at thirty to forty percent of its original price—many expeditions purchase second-hand equipment.

Indeed, regions with greater autonomy facing conflicts among different forces might require second-hand military equipment, potentially selling at its original price—you simply have no other buying options.

As for Frontier Star regions, second-hand equipment cannot fetch good prices, frequent battles lead to quick equipment upgrades by the military, and local forces, even individuals, have official channels to procure munitions.

Still, even at lower prices, dropping to twenty percent or even ten percent is rare, especially for large combat ships, many are officially recorded and hardly sell easily.

But things are different now, with the Insect Race attacking aggressively, Human Race reinforcements flooding in, war raging everywhere, turning into chaos, and damaged equipment is too abundant, sometimes leaving no traces.

Many Insect Races can consume steel or other metals.

At this time, reporting equipment damage is convenient, leaving no trace. Selling warships at eighty percent new, then applying for new ships and equipment from superiors—name your price, and they’ll sell?

Prices ranging from ten to twenty percent even allow purchasing large warships.

This doesn’t imply the Federation’s military is utterly corrupt, but indicates the Federation’s military production capability is tremendously powerful. Manufacturers prefer damage reports, and... isn’t new always better than old?

Relevant experts understand this thoroughly, even saying that following this battle, new interstellar expedition fleets will emerge within the Federation over the next few years—interpret the subtleties here!

Yet, he also suggested, despite some engaging in this trade, gathering such equipment requires leaving adequate profit margin for counterparts, thus, swapping one new set for three old sets is a reasonable price.

Pioneer Bank sought opinions from others, confirmed the information largely matched, and promptly initiated procurement negotiations.

With proper funding, the next day, those entrusted by Pioneer Bank reported collecting one nearly complete set by scraping together two, but a third set was unattainable in the short term.

However, they came up with an alternative plan, so Pioneer Bank contacted He Runxian, saying they could provide three regiment-level flagships—brand new ones!

Frankly, they didn’t want to buy new regiment-level flagships, but at that level, selling main battleships isn’t easy, with practical difficulties aside, the military upholds honor.

Below regiment-level is insignificant, at regiment-level, some captains are willing to perish with their ships, even heavily damaged ships have crews striving to tow them back—the military collapses without this honor.

Thus, the biggest issue isn’t availability but sellers unwillingness!

The people Pioneer Bank entrusted failed to purchase any main battleships, having to thus settle for brand new ones.

Regiment-level flagships, being new, naturally cost a lot, and with only gaining two sets of second-hand equipment, they feared the other party’s dissatisfaction, so added a battleship for good measure.

Overall, the prices balanced out.

He Runxian knew some arms transaction details but did not grasp specifics; although the other party explained, he worried if Feng Jun would accept it and chose to relay it verbatim.

Upon hearing one set transformed into two along with an extra flagship, Feng Jun felt this change was worth it.

Of course, he couldn’t show satisfaction openly, just snorted coldly, "Fine, let’s go with this, everyone’s struggling, less is less... inform them I’ve agreed."

Feng Jun agreed, so naturally, He Runxian didn’t interfere—recently, frequent tireless communication left him feeling anxious. Given the choice, he’d avoid meddling in such affairs, but... what option does he have?

In truth, he had other concerns. Pioneer Bank also expressed their concern over why the munitions were cheap, suggesting to modify them prior for concealed use and ready self-destruction.

If any incident happens, Pioneer Bank can wash its hands off, but Hesheng might not—that’s not a threat, merely a candid warning for everyone’s sake.

He Runxian highly trusted Feng Jun’s capabilities, believing his organization’s shrewdness means they won’t make novice mistakes... modifying warship casually is straightforward, will anyone discern its origin after adding modifications and self-destruction?

However, he couldn’t discuss this matter openly with Feng Jun; in reality, Pioneer Bank didn’t explicitly address it, only subtly hinted Hesheng could bear the blame.

He Runxian was aware this was pressure, holding no malice but ensuring no problems arise; however, eventually, it’s still a looming threat.

He constantly reassured himself, that those stealing from Energy Stone Mines surely took care to erase evidence, yet pressure objectively persists, albeit not substantial.

Completing the transaction hardly eased his mood, confronted with chaotic times, what’s there to fuss over?

Two days later, an unfamiliar number informed him, saying "goods are ready" on a satellite within the Dumbbell Star System.

He Runxian picked up his device to contact Feng Jun, revealing: I can’t vouch for specific conditions or risk levels, only informed as such hence passing it along.

Feng Jun was nonchalant, "Okay, understood, did you relay necessary warnings to them?"

"Certainly warned, even if discreet, I’m sure they got it," He Runxian confidently replied, "I’m worried if they pull any tricks..."

"Let them try if they dare, let’s see how many lives they have to spare," Feng Jun dismissed, "Alright, I’m aware of the situation, when can it be ready?"

He Runxian cautiously replied, "Seems... it’s ready."

"Then I’m set," Feng Jun conclusively ended the communication.

Next moment, he appeared in the Dumbbell Star System, as he flew physically, he found the satellite and reached it, taking him almost a day.

He used half-hearted stealth techniques, generally no deterring factors; surveying the surroundings, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth: inevitably, they have moves.

This satellite orbits a planet, and within Dumbbell Star System, there’s only one habitable planet, this satellite revolves around the neighboring planet, leaving the goods placed discreetly.

However, Feng Jun sharply sensed issues: there’s quite a bit of surveillance here, likely all official, abundant artificial satellites, space monitors, and such.

The Human Race indeed suffered greatly at the hands of Insect Race, over-preparing defense measures.

But for Feng Jun, these defense measures... felt somewhat hostile.