In the end, the Americans did not scan the QR code to pay.
After all, no online payment platform would approve a sum that large. Besides, this was a transfer to a corporate account, so it had to go through a special bank transfer channel.
What Lu Zhou had not expected, however, was that the people across the Pacific Ocean would actually pay...
"The Americans really coughed up the money?" When Director Li told him about it, Lu Zhou was stunned for a moment.
But on reflection, it made sense. At this point, it was no longer a question of money.
Even if the White House had not already promised to pay for the rescue operation, there was no way it could actually make Hua Nation foot the bill.
Standing idly by while their own citizens were in trouble overseas, then making someone else pay to rescue them, would be more than merely embarrassing.
Director Li nodded and said, "The US Treasury Secretary did indeed meet with our embassy staff in Washington this morning and discuss the matter. However, they said 1.7 billion was far too high and were only willing to cover one billion dollars."
One billion dollars!
Lu Zhou felt his hand tremble slightly around his teacup.
He gave a light cough and forced himself to sound calm.
"...One billion is pretty good too."
Yet when Director Li heard that, he looked somewhat apologetic.
"We did try to negotiate on your behalf, but one billion dollars was the most the White House would accept... Will that be enough for you? If not, we can provide a subsidy."
This rescue operation had greatly enhanced Hua Nation's international image and national prestige. Those intangible benefits alone made it worth subsidizing.
Although Lu Zhou was the chief designer of the Lunar