Cooperation

"This phone is indeed good, but how confident are you that it can seize market share from giants like Nokia?"

While Chen Mu's phone was indeed impressive, Xiao Mu Phone was still too young, at best a dark horse, and simply couldn't compete with established mobile phone companies.

Therefore, Tony was still not very optimistic.

In his mind, he was more inclined towards his own plan: entering the energy industry, which was a sector full of infinite business opportunities!

"Phones are just small potatoes."

Tony was clear about this and continued, "Besides, not everyone can afford a phone like this."

Even Nokia's most expensive phones could sell for eight or nine thousand. This phone, which looked even more "advanced," would cost at least that much, right?

At that price, how many people in the world could afford it?

"That's Xiao Mu Phone's biggest advantage."

Chen Mu smiled and asked Tony, "Do you know what the biggest advantage of manufacturing in China is?"

"Let me think, it seems to be cheap labor and low costs, right?"

Tony thought for a moment and easily recalled the advantages of Chinese manufacturing, as the "world's factory."

"Exactly, it's the cost. The cost of Xiao Mu Phone is actually only around 500 yuan, note that this is in RMB."

Five hundred yuan, converted to US dollars, is less than a hundred dollars!

This meant that everyone could afford this phone!

"Really?"

If that were the case, then this was indeed a very profitable project!

Tony was somewhat surprised and, at this moment, was also taken aback by China's cost control. It was genuinely astonishing.

The main reason was actually the technology. Because of the system, Chen Mu's investment in technology was basically zero cost, which allowed him to control costs to this extent.

"With a cost of a hundred US dollars, plus all sorts of taxes and labor fees, even if all costs are added up, it shouldn't exceed a hundred US dollars. Even selling it for two hundred, no, three hundred US dollars, would be a huge profit!"

At this moment, Tony realized that phones might indeed become a massive profit industry.

Especially with China's production capacity and its cost control.

"So, we need a large amount of upfront investment for production. Additionally, we hope to get Jarvis's program to be installed on the phones when they are manufactured."

Of course, the Jarvis intelligent system on the phone was actually very streamlined, with only basic processing capabilities. It wasn't even as good as the intelligent programs on many phones from his previous life. It could only make calls, send text messages, and play music. However, for people of this era, it was simply a groundbreaking black technology!

"This, of course, is not a problem."

Tony thought for a moment and nodded. He was very confident in his own Jarvis system and didn't believe that simply installing a backup of Jarvis in their factory would allow them to steal the technology. Putting Jarvis on their side would actually bring him many benefits. The biggest use would be to allow Jarvis to monitor the factory for any dishonest behavior, so he readily agreed.

"The initial investment is one billion US dollars. I hope to establish more factories in China to speed up production."

Tony made this decision after only a brief thought. One billion US dollars was already a very large sum!

Tony's investment was very risky.

"That's great!"

One billion US dollars was, of course, an unimaginable fortune for Chen Mu. He could use this money to do many more things!

"Of course, with such a large investment, I also have conditions. Stark, you need to hold a ninety percent stake in Xiao Mu Technology!"

"Impossible. I can give you shares in Xiao Mu Phone, but ninety percent is too much. I'll give you seventy percent at most."

Actually, the exact percentage of shares in Xiao Mu Phone didn't matter much to Chen Mu, as phones weren't his main product.

"Deal."

Chen Mu hadn't expected Tony to agree so readily, as he thought there would be further bargaining. Clearly, Tony's initial thought was even less than seventy percent.

For Tony, it didn't matter how many shares he had in Xiao Mu Phone as long as he held a controlling stake with more than 50% ownership.

As for any other products Xiao Mu Technology might develop in the future? Tony didn't care about them at all. Or rather, the arrogant Tony believed that Chen Mu's ability to produce Xiao Mu Phone was purely by luck.

Tony simply didn't believe that Chen Mu could come up with any other products that would impress him.

"Come, Brother Chen Mu, let's have a drink!"

In a good mood, Tony took out a bottle of vintage red wine from the nearby wine cabinet and enthusiastically poured a glass for Chen Mu. This was the first time he hadn't looked down on Chen Mu slightly. After all, in his eyes at this moment, Chen Mu was undoubtedly a walking money tree.

"The cooperation has been settled. Then, there's a personal matter. I don't know if I should bring it up."

Chen Mu took the wine glass and asked Tony.

"Speak."

Tony gestured with his wine glass.

"Mr. Tony should know that we originally produced toys and also obtained the production license for the appearance of all your company's weapons. I wonder if we could see the Iron Man armor?"

Chen Mu looked at Tony and stated his purpose.

"I'm planning to produce some life-sized wearable Iron Man toys. I wonder if I could see the actual Iron Man suit."

"Toys? Of course, no problem."

Tony didn't refuse. This was not a big deal for him; it was just letting people see it, so what was the problem?

After all, it's just a toy. Could Chen Mu's small factory really produce a real Iron Man armor?

They're only fit to produce toys!

As for licensing the design of the toys?

Is that really useful?

If factories in China wanted to produce them, they could just do it. Stark wouldn't be able to reach them to stop them. Besides, it would be a form of advertising for him. He'd be happy about it, so why would he refuse?

"That's great! And, I'm actually a fan of yours. Just imagine, flying through the sky wearing the armor, it's so enviable!"

Of course, Chen Mu was just saying that, but he still put on an admiring expression.

"Ha, of course, no problem. It's not a problem even if you wear it!"

Glancing at Chen Mu's build, which wasn't much different from his own, Tony said as much.

Letting him try it on was naturally not a problem. The armor was controlled by Jarvis. Was he really afraid Chen Mu would run off with it?

Letting him try it on was just to let him have his fun. His range of movement wouldn't even exceed this building!

"Really?"

Chen Mu was overjoyed upon hearing this!

"Of course, come with me."

Tony nodded and said to Chen Mu, then walked towards the room next door, which was Tony's laboratory and also where the armor was stored.

Chen Mu quickly followed. Tony was willing to let him try on the armor, which made him incredibly excited. This time, it wasn't an act!

"Ms. Xu Jia, please come with me. Let's discuss the specific cooperation matters."

Xu Jia wanted to follow and take a look, but Little Pepper stopped her. With no other choice, she could only follow Little Pepper towards the office.