Super God-Level Top Student

As mentioned in my previous letter, the Qiao Ze Natural Science Award will always put fairness first. Therefore, while making a donation, your company must also write a public commitment in the name of the group, ensuring that there will be no interference with the evaluation work of the Natural Science Award because of this donation.

Otherwise, the exclusive purchasing rights to the XC180 type cement and XHRBx930 type rebar that we had granted to your company will be revoked. Lastly, please remember that the Qiao Ze Natural Science Foundation will not accept any more donations after its establishment, so there is only a single opportunity to contribute to the human scientific civilization. Miss it, and you will no longer be able to make a contribution in this field.

Your loyal and humble friend: Qiao Dou Dou."

After reading this letter, Michael Steer wanted to smash his computer again.

Extortion, this is blatant extortion.

Donations have to be made every year anyway, but openly donating to a world science award established by Huaxia... do they really think he's a fool?

Although Jacobs Group is a global construction contractor, its main business is in the United States. Donations made within the United States are tax deductible, but donating hundreds of millions of US dollars to Huaxia is purely a loss!

Not to mention having to write a public commitment letter...

If it weren't for the last mention of "exclusive purchasing rights to the XC180 type cement and XHRBx930 type rebar," Michael Steer would probably have actually smashed the computer.

But reality quickly brought him back to his senses.

Compared to the contracts already signed worth billions of US dollars and many more that are yet to be signed, these exclusive purchasing rights are indeed very important.

On second thought, it indicated that their prior efforts were effective; at least the other side had opened a window.

After taking a deep breath, Michael Steer turned to Frank Coffey and said: "Frank, tell me, after all this time, our scientists have been able to perfectly replicate that cement and rebar, right?"

The vice president across him looked at him with a helpless face and did not answer.

"I knew it, damn it, we're funding a bunch of idiots!"

Frank Coffey didn't respond, knowing that although he didn't deal much with material research, he was aware that besides what Huaxia people came up with, other research institutions were still at the lottery stage.

Only by constantly adjusting ratios and slowly testing can there possibly be results, and wanting quick outcomes is inherently impossible. But such matters always fear comparison.

"Alright, so we need to donate one hundred million US dollars to the Qiao Ze Natural Science Foundation to get this exclusive purchasing right, correct?"

"Hmm... I suggest a minimum donation of two hundred million US dollars," said Frank Coffey.

"Two hundred million? Have you gone mad, or have I?" Michael Steer said, frowning.

Frank Coffey didn't respond directly but began operating on the computer, and soon a statistical chart appeared on the office's big screen: "The top chart is an analysis of the group's material needs for the next twenty-four months based on current orders. The chart below is a statistical graph of the materials our competitors may need.

This letter only mentions exclusive purchasing rights, but I believe we are not the only ones who have received this letter, and this involves the issue of production capacity allocation. Judging from the behavior of this Huaxia AI in the past, it is very likely that the AI will limit production and allocate materials based on the amount of donations.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have crazily hinted at the end of the letter that there is only one chance for such an opportunity, and that there would be no more chances to donate after missing it. So in addition to the above orders, we also need to stock up enough materials for at least six months."

Michael Steer opened his mouth and then realized that the AI they needed to deal with was ultimately not the same as ChatGPT, and this intelligence named Qiao Dou Dou was shameless and unrestrained.

Upon being reminded, the president immediately realized that there was a huge trap in this letter.

"So one hundred million US dollars is just the starting point, and if our competitors donate more than two hundred million, they can get more quotas? Is that to say, they've set up a prisoner's dilemma for us?"

Frank Coffey nodded and said: "Yes, the most favorable situation for us would certainly be to sit down with the other competitors and come to an agreement, drawing up an amount for the donation that everyone can accept. But none of us can guarantee that after reaching a figure, everyone will actually transfer the same amount to the recipient's account at the end."

As soon as Frank Coffey's words fell, Michael Steer's cell phone on the desk rang.

Michael Steer looked at it and said, "Ha, Davis from AECOM."

Frank Coffey pursed his lips, watching the president directly press the call button and turn on the speakerphone.

"Michael, how have you been recently?"

"To be honest, not great. And as for why, I believe you know as well."

"Yes, we've been disgracefully outplayed by the Huaxia people, and of course Langley's incompetence is part of the reason."

"Alright, Davis, don't tell me you called just to complain. What's the matter?"

"Well... you should be aware, I believe you also received that letter, right?"

"Which one... well, indeed I did. You want to ask how much I plan to donate?"

"Haha, don't you think we should sit down with the other few and talk, discuss a figure?"

"And then sign a legally binding contract?"

"I get your point, but I could find someone of high enough integrity to vouch for us, someone like Ronald..."