In the end, the Americans still didn't scan the code to pay.

After all, such a large amount is impossible for the online payment platform to give, not to mention the transfer to the public, which can only be transferred through the special transfer channel of the bank.

It's just that Lu Zhou still didn't expect that the other side of the Pacific Ocean would really give money......

"Did the Americans really pay for it?" When Director Li told Lu Zhou about this, Lu Zhou was very surprised for a while.

But after thinking about it carefully, it is no longer a matter of money or not money at this point.

Not to mention what has been promised, even if there is no promise that it will pay for this rescue operation, it is impossible for the White House to really let Huaguo pay for it.

It's not just a matter of shame for one's own citizens to be indifferent when something happens outside and let others spend money to save them.

Director Li nodded and said, "This morning, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury did summon our embassy staff in Washington and talked about it, but they said that the figure of 1.7 billion was too exaggerated and they were only willing to bear the $1 billion part. ”

$1 billion!

Lu Zhou felt his hand holding the teacup tremble a little.

Coughing lightly, he forced his composure.

“…… A billion is not bad. ”

However, after hearing his words, Director Li was a little reluctant.

"Although we have fought for you a little, $1 billion is already an acceptable bottom line on the White House side...... Do you have enough over there? If it's not enough, it's okay for us to give you some stickers. ”

This rescue operation has greatly improved China's international image and national prestige, even if you just look at these hidden values, it is worth paying money for.

Although Lu Zhou is the chief designer of the Lunar Orbit Construction Committee, Star Technology is his personal property after all. If Star Technology really spent so much money for this rescue operation, it would be reasonable for the central government to properly subsidize it.

After all, high-tech enterprises are the future of the country, and these excellent enterprises must not be allowed to lose money to engage in such things.

However, after hearing Director Li's concern, Lu Zhou shook his head.

"Where can you use so much, all the costs are counted, at most two or three hundred million is enough."

This time, it was Director Li's turn to be stunned.

"Only two or three hundred million? Then you quote $1.7 billion is ......"

Lu Zhou laughed embarrassedly.

"Uh, isn't that waiting for them to bargain?"

Director Li: "......"

With a budget cost of two or three hundred million, the offer of 1.7 billion is indeed excessive, not to mention that this is still humanitarian relief.

Actually, Lu Zhou's original intention was not to make this money, he was even ready to pay a fraction of the money on the American side, and then "reluctantly" accept it on his own side.

However, who would have thought that the White House would be so generous and wiped the odds on him, and the rest was called, which made Lu Zhou a little embarrassed.

After thinking for a while, Lu Zhou also felt that it was not good for him to do this, so he asked tentatively.

"Why don't I change my story?"

"Change your tune...... Not anymore. Your offer is really foolish, how can you bargain for 100 million units," couldn't help but complain about Lu Zhou, Director Li pondered for a while, and said, "That's ...... You say that the remaining $700 million will be borne by ourselves. ”

The remaining $700 million?

One billion is exceeded, where is there still 700 million?

Lu Zhou was slightly stunned at first, and then met Director Li's scheming smile, and immediately reflected.

Sighing, Lu Zhou couldn't help but sigh faintly.

"I thought I was shameless enough to do that...... I didn't expect you to be more awesome than me. ”

Director Li said with a straight face: "What's the...... Don't have hidden expenses anymore? And what "The Martian" documentary doesn't cost money? Of course, you don't have to pay. In short, when the media asked, our side will unify the caliber, and the entire rescue operation cost a total of 1.713 billion US dollars. The United States has borne 1 billion, and our side has subsidized 713 million ...... out of humanitarian principles."

Lu Zhou couldn't help but ask: "How did this 13 million come out." ”

Picking up the teacup and taking a sip, Director Li said without blushing and heartbeat.

"Just make up a decimal place, it looks like that."

Lu Zhou: "......"

……

Almost at the same time.

NASA Headquarters Building.

Ares Project Ground Command Center.

Standing next to the console, the expressionless president with his hands behind his back, staring straight at the flickering green dot on the big screen and the irregular curves that string it together.

Although he knew that the green dot was the glow that had flown to Mars to support them, his mood was not beautiful at all.

Twenty years have passed since the crash of the Columbia, and all seven astronauts have been killed.

To put it politically incorrect, but correct, he would rather double that number than trade the Soviets for the wreckage of the Columbiafor these people to survive...... And he was 10,000 sure that the president at the time must have thought the same as him.

Of course, this is only an assumption, and there is no possibility that the Soviets will get their hands on the wreckage.

And yet now......

But the situation is going in the worst direction.

After being silent for a long time, the president, who felt that his neck was a little stiff, tilted his head slightly, looked at Director Carson next to him and asked.

"How's it going? I'm referring to New Virginia. ”

"The colonists are still in a stable mood, and we've told them that the rescue ship is heading to Mars, and that they're going to make sure the re-entry capsule is well fueled," Carson said, sweating profusely......

The president nodded, signaling that Carson's words were sufficient.

After a pause, he spoke slowly.

"The second phase of the Ares plan has completely failed, and what we need now is a stop loss."

"The BFS spacecraft is equipped with our most advanced space communications equipment, and the suggestion from Boeing is that we had better find a way to crash the BFS spacecraft on its own...... If we don't want the Chinese to get it. ”

Not only communication equipment, but also environmental control and health protection systems, and even cosmic ray shielding materials in the cabin, these are the technologies that US space companies have continuously accumulated and improved in thousands of launch missions.

Although Huaguo may temporarily lead the world in propulsion means by virtue of the electric propulsion system designed by Professor Lu, Professor Lu is only one after all, and American aerospace companies still have unparalleled competitiveness in other fields.

Such a "crystallization" that embodies the core technology of North American aerospace enterprises, let alone being boarded by the Chinese, even if it is taken a look at by those people, it will be a huge loss for them.

Hearing the president's crazy plan, a cold sweat broke out on Director Carson's forehead.

That's billions of dollars!

Not to mention......

"But the high-power signal transmission equipment on board the BFS is the only way for us to get in touch with New Virginia, and if we crash the BFS spacecraft on our own initiative......"

"After Huaguo's Xiaguang arrives in orbit around Mars, the crash program will be launched...... Excuses, let's just say that the spacecraft is malfunctioning. After a pause, the president continued, "Anyway, compared to the safety of the colonists, no one will pay attention to an iron shell floating in the sky. ”

Director Carson said in a difficult tone, "But...... If the BFS ship is scrapped, New Virginia will be completely out of contact with our communication channels, and this could make rescue efforts more difficult. ”

"God will bless our heroes," interrupted Director Carson forcefully, and the president drew a cross on his chest, looked up at the large screen on the console, and said silently in a voice that only he could hear.

"If something happens to them, we will remember their sacrifice."