The Tyrant Billionaire

Chapter 322 - 322 Merit Jeeps

Today.

ABC Television aired the commercial.

It must be said that the commercial was very well made.

However, many people were curious about the meaning of the badges on the Jeep. Some called Willys Overland Motors to inquire, but even the company was puzzled.

They had no idea about the badges.

The next day, the Global Times published an advertisement with a large headline.

"The Military is Selling ’Merit Jeeps’."

"The military is selling a batch of retired Jeeps from the battlefield, each priced at $150 and available through a lottery system. A total of 46,000 vehicles are available, including over 1,200 brand new, unopened vehicles. Among the others, 70% are operational, while 30% are nonfunctional and come with sparse parts."

"Winning the bid for a Jeep is somewhat like a lottery; whether you get a scrap or a brand new Jeep, it all costs $150, purely depending on luck."

"When selling the Jeeps, the military is also launching a badge awarding campaign. Anyone who served in World War II and buys a Jeep will be awarded a badge. For every battle they participated in, regardless of size, they will receive an additional badge.

"The badges are made of brass, bright and eye catching, to be affixed to the side of the car’s front hood. Each badge costs $2. For those needing written proof of their badges, they can send a letter to the military logistics headquarters. Upon verification, the military will issue a stamped certificate.

"Each request for verification costs $10."

The cost to manufacture a Jeep is around $750, and the retail price from the company is $1,280 per vehicle. Now, this batch of Jeeps is being sold for just $150, immediately attracting much attention.

However, some expressed dissatisfaction.

"If you get a brand new one, it’s a steal. If it’s functional, that’s also pretty good. But if you get a scrap, isn’t that just a waste of $150?"

"I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to buy a scrap vehicle."

But some people underestimated the allure of one thing: the badges.

These are symbols of one’s achievements. How many people in the United States have been to war? Over ten million. The vast majority of them never received a medal. Now, buying a Jeep allows them to mount badges, with each badge representing a part of their history and a perfect source of bragging rights, which entices countless people.

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Just like in the commercial, driving a Jeep covered in badges and basking in the admiring and envious gazes of others is an exciting thought.

Buy it, you must buy it.

If you get a functional one, that’s lucky.

Even if it’s a scrap, it doesn’t matter.

I’ll spend my own money to restore it. I participated in more than thirty battles, big and small, and I want to cover the entire front hood with badges, to blind those on the street with envy.

A week later.

At eight military depots.

The branches were located in the southeastern, western, northern, and central United States.

Countless people drove over. They were all there to buy Jeeps, no doubt about it. The draw was held on site, and whether the vehicles were good or bad depended purely on luck.

This event was, of course, organized by Hardy Trading Company in collaboration with the military. The military logistics department had deployed a large number of personnel to participate.

At the Nevada Armory.

Hardy was present.

General Williams was also there.

Colonel Beach stood behind them, looking at the massive crowd, estimated at two or three thousand people.

Colonel Beach said, "I just made some calls to communicate with the other bases. The number of people participating in the auctions is also around one or two thousand at each location, and many of them aren’t just buying one vehicle. So, we should be able to sell them all today."

General Williams looked at Hardy and said with satisfaction, "I never expected you to come up with such a great idea."

"Attaching badges to the vehicle; this car is no longer just a car. I estimate that the vast majority of people here are after the badges."

"And that badge, a piece of brass sold for $2, a report for $10, I’m sure the revenue won’t be small. Hardy, you’re the best businessman I’ve ever seen."

Hardy smiled, "Thank you for the compliment. I still need to work hard; after all, we still have so much stockpiled in the warehouse. I need to figure out how to turn it all into money."

"Hahaha, I believe you can definitely do it." General Williams then turned to Colonel Beach and instructed:

"Beach, make sure you cooperate well with Hardy. Although this is nominally a military operation, when it comes to sales, you need to follow Hardy’s instructions."

"Yes, General, I will fully cooperate with Mr. Hardy," Colonel Beach promptly responded.

In recent days.

While Hardy was busy with the advertising campaign, Colonel Beach, having nothing to do, had been spending his days in the Las Vegas casinos, indulging in gambling and womanizing, unknowingly losing more than $50,000. When Colonel Beach came to his senses, he was shocked.

He had no choice but to find Hardy.

Hardy patted Colonel Beach on the shoulder, arranged to cover the loss, and then said, "Beach, if you want to be a successful person in the future, you need to learn to control your desires. Don’t let your desires lead you by the nose.

"Now, we’re working together on this business. You need to put in more effort. There are actually many opportunities to make money; it all depends on whether you can seize them. If we work well together, I’ll give you a commission after each successful deal. How does that sound?"

Colonel Beach immediately nodded in excitement.

"Rest assured, Mr. Hardy. You’ll have full control over this matter, and I’ll handle the coordination," said Colonel Beach.

He was originally sent by Major General Williams to assist Hardy, so the decision making power wasn’t in his hands. Hardy only used him where he was needed, and that’s why he promised benefits. For someone like Beach, a relationship based on interests is more solid than one based on sentiment.