Eric was stunned.
"You... gave them the cars, but not the batteries?"
"That's right," Lu Chengwen said. "You might not know this, but people from Tianzhu can't be trusted. If you don't keep something up your sleeve, they won't pay the balance."
"What if they just refuse to pay?"
Lu Chengwen smiled. "Then they don't pay."
"Then you're out three hundred thousand cars! What the hell good are three hundred thousand batteries to you?! You only collected a thirty-percent down payment!"
Lu Chengwen smiled. "You do have a brain, just not much of one. You're only looking at this from the seller's perspective. You have to think about the buyer, too!"
"Huh?! What?!"
Lu Chengwen said, "This is a government purchase. A thirty-percent down payment is still a huge sum. They spent all that money and got three hundred thousand lumps of iron that generate no returns and take up space. Who could accept that outcome? Roger's political career would be over, wouldn't it?"
Eric pointed at Lu Chengwen. "You really are a sneaky bastard!"
Just then, the phone rang again.
Roger said, "Lu Chengwen! You must ship us the batteries right now, immediately!"
Lu Chengwen snapped, "Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?! No batteries! Not a single one! I don't want the money anymore, either. Keep the cars and play with them yourselves. If you're so capable, shove a few AA batteries in and see if that works. If you can get them moving, I'll give you credit."
"I... you... are you a crook?! We have a contract!"
"Read the contract carefully before you accuse me of screwing you over!"
"Stop playing dirty! There's no such clause in the contract!"
"Exactly! If the contract doesn't prohibit me from doing this, why can't I do it?!"
"Lu