The Wolf of Los Angeles.

A black Range Rover stopped in front of an Indian company, and Ram, an Indian, got in and sat next to Abhishek.

The latter was dressed in a suit and wore gold-rimmed glasses, and looked very refined.

Ram asked him, "Have you made up your minds?"

Abhishek understood what he meant: "What happened in Britain was just normal business practice, with only the difference between success and failure. We urgently need independent manufacturing technology for satellites and launch vehicles, but there are only a handful of countries in the world, let alone companies, that can independently manufacture satellites and rockets. Even some of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council do not have the capability to launch them."

Ram knew who he was talking about: "Britain is no longer worthy of being one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. That position should belong to India."

Abhishek holds the traditional view of the Indian elite: "Without a veto, Britain's position would have been us long ago."

Ram completely agreed.

Abhishek returned to the previous topic: "It's not that we haven't tried other methods, but Surrey Satellite and SpaceX are heavily guarded and located in the heart of the UK and the US respectively. Instead of wasting time and money on those unconventional methods, why not invest that money in normal business transactions?"

He also possessed the inexplicable self-confidence typical of Indians: "Once we get the finished product, we can perform reverse engineering and master the technology, just like the Tejas, INSAS, and Vikrant."

Ram still had doubts: "The funding from above..."

“Money is not a problem,” Abhishek said with a smile. “Let’s get the goods first.”

Ram's doubts vanished, and he was immediately full of confidence: "Now Indian talent is emerging and is very popular in the United States. Many of our high-tech talents have entered the best technology companies in the United States and taken important positions."

Abhishek laughed heartily: "It is precisely because India has so many talented people that I was able to persuade the higher-ups to complete this project. Our large number of high-tech talents are the cornerstone of the success of reverse engineering."

The car then stopped in front of the Twin Cities Hotel, and the two got out and went inside.

As agreed, they went upstairs together and met Stephen outside the reception room of a presidential suite.

Through Stephen's introduction, I met Hawke.

After introducing himself to both parties, Stephen voluntarily left the meeting room.

Hawke put away the other man's business card. This Indian man, named Abhishek, was the Commercial Chairman of ISRO and also worked for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Knowing that the other party had limited time, Abhishek said, "Before I came to North America, I saw on the news that your satellite and rocket had been launched successfully one after another. It is said that your technology has caught up with the world's mainstream?"

All this hype was orchestrated by Hawke and Musk to generate buzz for the space exploration company's future IPO.

Hawke, with some speculation, frankly stated, "To put it simply, the communication satellites currently launched are technologically on par with mainstream products from Britain and France, and even more advanced than those from Russia."

Big Goose Electronics is relatively backward in technology, and it rips off Indians ruthlessly.

Indians are certainly no less impressive.

Abhishek disliked the Goose's shoddy workmanship and said, "I am here on behalf of ISRO. ISRO wants to cooperate with you to purchase your satellites and rockets."

“I run a commercial company, so of course I welcome big clients like you.” Hawke’s acting skills were no less than those of politicians, his face full of enthusiastic smiles: “Surrey Satellite Corporation is only responsible for technology and customization. If you want to buy satellites, you need to go to Los Angeles and talk to West Coast Environmental Technology Company.”

Hearing that the other party did not refuse, Abhishek continued, "Yes, regarding satellite technology, could you...?"

Hawke raised his hand to interrupt him: "The U.S. federal government has regulations that strictly prohibit the launch of carrier rockets outside of U.S. jurisdiction, making export absolutely impossible."

Abhishek was also aware of this, as launch vehicles were high on the U.S. trade control list.

After all, this thing can be modified into a medium- or long-range missile, or even a strategic missile.

He compromised: "I remember that the United States does not restrict the export of finished communications satellites, and ISRO wants a batch of satellites."

Hawke asked, "If I remember correctly, your company has satellite manufacturing capabilities."

These words made even Abhishek blush slightly. India's communication satellite technology was learned from Russia, so let's not dwell on that.

Those geese are such a scoundrel, they've been ripping off India for years, and India just doesn't have a good solution, so they can only turn around and rip off the geese instead.

This has led to a rather delicate relationship between the two sides.

Abhishek knew very well that the UAE was no good. While it seemed to be getting close to India, it was actually using India as leverage to control its southern neighbor.

He knew the other party could guess that the purpose of purchasing satellites was not just to launch them into space, so he smiled and said, "Every company's satellites have their own unique features. Although India has strong technical capabilities, there are aspects that it is not good at in terms of communication satellites. The satellites we purchase can make up for our shortcomings."

Hawke said, "Of course, Surrey's communications satellites are world-class."

Abhishek wanted to fish, so he threw out a big bait: "At least three billion dollars to build India's new era satellite communications network."

Hawke seemed quite interested: "How about this, you go to Los Angeles, and I'll have someone from a West Coast tech company connect you with them."

Abhishek was confident that the deal would go through.

There is no $3 billion; at most, a deposit will be given.

Once they get their hands on the satellite, given the sheer number of high-tech talents India has, they will definitely be able to reverse engineer it.

Hawke knew very well how Indians did business, and began to calculate the Indians' deposits.

It's impossible to get the full payment; the French rafts from my previous life are the best example.

Of course, we can't actually give them the satellites.

However, the responsibility for the breach of contract still lies with the Indians.

Both sides had their own ulterior motives, but Hawke knew them while Abhishek did not, so the conversation went particularly well, and both were quite satisfied with their first meeting.

Abhishek left the Twin Cities Hotel and immediately made a phone call back to China to assemble a professional negotiation team and head to Los Angeles to conduct business negotiations with a West Coast environmental technology company.

Hawke also made a phone call, asking Henderson, the head of West Coast Technology, to come to Wyoming for a meeting today.

On the way to the airport, Edward said, "The investigation results have come back. Abhishek's identity is not in question. He does work for ISRO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and he is one of the leaders of a faction with significant influence."

He glanced down at the message on his phone: "I called Andrei, and Andrei questioned Wenner, who also confirmed Abhishek's identity."

Hawke asked, "Are they on the same page?"

“No.” Edward had specifically asked: “The people on Wenner’s line are not from the same faction as Abhishek. Wenner and others advocated developing India’s aerospace program by any means necessary, while Abhishek’s faction was relatively moderate and mainly aimed to achieve their goals by introducing technology through normal commercial channels.”

He added, "Abshek's faction has a poor business reputation and has many trade disputes with the Russians."

Hawke could roughly guess what had happened; it was nothing more than both sides deceiving each other.

The Indian brother and the Russian leader should refrain from criticizing each other. The AI ​​Manhattan business jet departed Minneapolis and arrived in Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, in the afternoon.

This is a small city with a total population of no more than 10.

Henderson didn't leave the airport after arriving. He waited until Hawke's plane landed on the tarmac before boarding it.

Hawke recounted his first meeting with Abhishek.

Henderson said, "Do Indians have such a big appetite?"

Hawke took a sip of water and said, "The actual transaction amount is probably less than half. Indians are not trustworthy." He continued, "From what I understand, when Indians negotiate with foreign companies, whether it's importing technology or equipment, they like to pay a deposit first, and only pay the balance after the corresponding goods arrive in India."

“This kind of transaction is very common.” Henderson wasn’t stupid; he immediately realized the key point: “The Indians received the goods but refused to pay the balance?”

Hawke put down his water glass: "That's very likely, we have to be on guard."

Henderson considered for a moment and suggested, "Launch vehicles cannot be traded, so the Indians can only import satellites from us. Currently, those with superior communication satellite technology are mostly state-owned companies or institutions of major countries. Our products are irreplaceable, so we can set a higher price."

He tentatively asked, "Three times the price in North America?"

“No, this price is too low.” Since the product is irreplaceable and the other party is an Indian, Hawke will not be polite at all: “The price should be at least ten times higher, leaving enough room for negotiation. The deposit cannot be less than 50% of the transaction price.”

Henderson understood his boss's thoughts and automatically replied, "The deposit amount should be more than three times the price in North America?"

Hawke knew very well that this kind of deal wouldn't happen again, and said, "Since the Indians are in urgent need, we need a larger deposit."

Henderson thought that was the end of it and said, "I will adjust according to the specific circumstances of the negotiations."

“That’s not all.” Hawke was even more ruthless than the average businessman, especially when he was dealing with Indians: “First, we’ll build the satellite body. Other equipment, such as solar panels which are not technically difficult, can also be installed on it and then sent to the Indians.”

Henderson discovered that his boss was indeed more ruthless than him: "The Indians didn't pay the final payment, and they refused to install any of the key technical equipment and expensive components."

He still overestimated the Indians' creditworthiness: "What if they pay the balance?"

Hawke said directly, "We mustn't let anyone... no, we can't let anyone appear in India, they'll be detained by the Indians."

Not only could they be detained, but they could also be gang-raped.

At that time, West Coast and Surrey Satellite will definitely have to pay all the compensation.

This deal is not worth it.

Hawke corrected, "Let the Indians bring the satellite back for installation, and at the same time warn them that they must not disassemble any satellite components without our consent, otherwise we will not be responsible for any damage."

Henderson understood: "Instead of installing the core components, they installed a self-destruct device?"

“The Indians will definitely demolish it.” Hawke knew this without even thinking: “All the liability for breach of contract lies with the Indian side.”

Henderson, having fully grasped the skills and implications of this big deal, said, "Boss, I will definitely satisfy our friends in India."

Hawke nodded, changed the subject, and invited, "Interested in hunting? Come with me to Jeffrey City and try your hand at hunting?"

After a few polite words from the boss, Henderson, who had no intention of actually going, quickly declined, saying, "I'm currently in talks with the Farmers and Ranchers Association in Mexico about selling drones. It'll be finalized soon, so I have to head back now."

Hawke said, "Go ahead and get busy."

Henderson disembarked and returned to the other medium-sized business jet he had come on, and soon left Cheyenne.

Hawke then switched to an off-road vehicle and, escorted by a long convoy, arrived in Jeffrey City.

Instead of going to the small city center, he had the convoy bypass the city and go directly to Osmond Ranch.

Five years ago, Hawke redeemed the small ranch that the Osmonds had sold off after going bankrupt, and handed it over to a local agency to manage. During this time, he and Erica came to the ranch for a hunting vacation, where they encountered a group of gunmen from a mining company, resulting in a fierce gunfight.

Although no one was injured, the FBI had to step in to clean up the mess.

After that incident, Hawke began acquiring surrounding land, as one side was an Indian reservation and he could only develop in the other direction.

Over the years, Osmont Ranch has become the largest privately owned ranch in Wyoming.

In addition to traditional animal husbandry, there are vast forests, wastelands, hills, and lakes that can serve as hunting grounds for Hawke and Erica.

In sparsely populated areas like Wyoming, wildlife can easily proliferate and cause disasters.

Especially the wild boar, which is prolific and gluttonous, and acts like a local tyrant.

The convoy arrived at the ranch and stopped in front of a slightly dilapidated old wooden house.

Erica, dressed in riding attire, was standing at the door waiting for him.

Hawke got out of the car, hugged Erica, and asked, "Why are you staying here?"

Erica turned around, pointed to the obviously renovated house, and said, "This is where we fell in love."

Hawke said, "I remember."

Erica watched as the bodyguards carried the luggage into the house and said, "You rest for a while, then we'll go horseback riding, and go hunting tomorrow."

“I’ve been sitting most of the day,” Hawke said, stretching his arms and legs. “I need to get some exercise.”

Erica had already prepared hunting attire for him. After Hawke changed his clothes, she drove an off-road vehicle and took Hawke to the stables.

There are horses kept here; although they are not of rare breeds, they still look quite handsome.

Hawke chose a pure black horse, mounted it, and followed Erica into the racetrack.

Because the ranch is huge and they don't care about how much profit they make, the racecourse is built to be very large.

Hawke first trotted around to get used to the horse, and once he was almost ready, he spurred his horse and galloped up to catch up with Erica's chestnut horse.

The two rode their horses to the edge of the horse farm. Erica slowed down, raised her whip, pointed to the grassland in the distance, and said, "Wild boars are rampant here. After I came here yesterday, I drove around a group of them and drove them out in a huge, dark mass."

Hawke said, "We'll send them to the slaughterhouse tomorrow."

Erica was very interested: "I think there are hundreds of wild boars and more than 20 coyotes hiding in the ranch, but I haven't found any. I asked the ranch guards, and they said that grizzly bears are occasionally seen before winter." (End of Chapter)