Sitting on the soft sofa, Benno looked nervous. He straightened his back, stared at the ground in front of him, and said nothing.

"Mr. Benno, you are too nervous."

Seeing Benno like this, Maine couldn't help but speak out of curiosity.

"Don't worry, Mr. Fang Zheng is a very easy-going and friendly person."

"Is this an easy question to answer? You silly girl!"

Hearing what Maine said, Benno was furious. As Maine's nominal boss, he knew a little about Maine's situation. He also knew that she went to live in Fangzheng's castle. But at that time, Benno just thought that Maine was favored by the nobles - after all, it was easy for commoner children with powerful magic to be favored and adopted by the nobles, and Maine wanted to cure her illness, and this was the only way, so Benno didn't think it was strange.

But at that time, he just thought that the other party was an ordinary noble.

However, now, after arriving at this ancient castle, Benno understood that the one he was facing was definitely not an ordinary noble!

Such luxurious decorations and rooms...to be honest, it's possible that he would think this is a royal palace!

No, even the royal palace is probably not this luxurious!

"Tell me now, what is the identity of that gentleman named Fang Zheng? What is your relationship with him?"

After seeing that there was no one around, Benno hurriedly started to ask. As a businessman, it was extremely difficult to negotiate with the other party without knowing the other party's background. If he was not careful, he might be eaten up.

"Well... Mr. Fang Zheng and I? We are friends, I guess. Mr. Fang Zheng is a very capable person, but his identity... I'm not very clear about it yet."

You little fool!

If he hadn't worried that Fang Zheng might come over at any time, Benno would have rushed over and hit Maine on the head. This little girl always couldn't see the situation around her clearly. Didn't she understand the current situation? !

Besides, what is a friend? You are a daughter of a commoner, do you want to be friends with a noble?

Just then, the door of the reception room slowly opened, and Fang Zheng walked in.

Seeing Fang Zheng coming in, Benno also stood up hurriedly.

"It is a great honor to be invited to meet you despite your busy schedule. I am Benno, the president of the Chilbota Chamber of Commerce."

"Hello, my name is Fang Zheng."

Fang Zheng nodded to Benno and sat down. Soon, Ram and Rem also came forward quickly, prepared tea and snacks for the three of them, and then stepped back.

"I'm not good at being honest, so I'll just get straight to the point. Next, I'll talk to you about the conditions of the papermaking machine on behalf of Maine. I think Maine should have told you everything about the papermaking machine."

"Yes."

Benno nodded hastily.

"If what Miss Maine said is correct, then this cheap papermaking process and machine can indeed become a product that shakes up the market. But after all, we haven't seen the finished product so far, so I haven't made a decision yet."

“Understandable.”

Fang Zheng nodded. Originally, Benno thought that he would then step up his efforts to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the new papermaking process. However, what Banno did not expect was that after hearing what he said, Fang Zheng changed the subject.

"Then let's talk about how we can cooperate."

"Why?"

Hearing this, Benno was stunned.

“But we haven’t seen the finished product yet…”

"That's right."

Fang Zheng nodded.

"The finished product has not yet come out, but this does not prevent us from discussing the cooperation mode, right? If you need it, then it will be established. If you think it is not cost-effective, then it will not be established. It is very simple, isn't it? In this case, why should we waste extra time and wait until the finished product appears to discuss these things?"

"...Master Fang Zheng is very confident."

Benno quickly understood what Fang Zheng meant. To put it bluntly, if Maine failed, then there would be no cooperation, and naturally there would be no need to discuss anything. And if Maine succeeded, then we could talk about it again... Wait, generally speaking, shouldn't we talk about it after we have produced the finished product? Or are they so confident in their craftsmanship?

Hmm, no, this could be some kind of bluff... No, how could there be such a way of negotiating...

Banno was immediately confused. As a businessman, he was used to the other party bringing out the goods, and then the two sides would negotiate and discuss based on this. However, the other party had not yet brought out the finished product, which immediately put Banno in a dilemma. The other party was a noble, and Banno was just a businessman. In terms of social status, it was almost impossible for a businessman to refuse the noble's request. So what he had to do was to fight for his interests.

However, Fang Zheng now asked him to "give it to you as you wish".

This is the most troublesome.

"For now, we are not going to discuss the specific amount, just the way of cooperation."

Fortunately, Fang Zheng still let Benno go, which made the businessman feel relieved.

"What method?"

"I heard that you were planning to invest a sum of money and directly purchase the ownership of the papermaking machine?"

"Yes."

Hearing this, Benno's heart sank, but he still nodded. This was the suggestion he made when he discussed it with Maine before, but now it seems that Fang Zheng obviously has a different opinion.

As expected, Fang Zheng gave his own opinion.

"I don't think this method is very good. I think you should know what kind of impact it would have on the world if there really was such a cheap papermaking process and machine. So, how much do you think you can buy all this?"

"this……"

Benno instinctively wanted to say "I haven't seen the finished product yet, so I can't judge", but he quickly changed his mind and understood what Fang Zheng meant. You know, before this, the other party had clearly told him that this negotiation was based on the success of the finished product. If he used this as an excuse now, it would not hold at all!

"Sorry, I can't tell."

"Me too."

Fang Zheng nodded.

"To be honest, I don't know how much I should think about selling it for, so in order to protect the interests of both of us, I have a suggestion."

Having said that, Fang Zheng stretched out a finger.

"We can sign a magic contract - Maine Workshop can sign a contract with your Chamber of Commerce and give you three years of exclusive sales authorization. What do you think?"

"Three, three years?"

Benno was shocked to hear Fang Zheng's proposal.

So what we are talking about is a one-time payment?

"And what about three years later?"

"It depends on the situation after three years. If the paper sells well, you can renew the contract. If the craftsmanship does not meet your requirements, you don't have to renew the contract."

"What will happen if you don't renew the contract?"

"It's the same if we sell the ownership to another chamber of commerce."

“How can this be possible!”

Hearing this, Benno almost jumped up!

"Why not?"

Fang Zheng chuckled and leaned back on the sofa.

"I need to remind you, Mr. Benno. To be honest, I originally had a more convenient idea, which was to directly buy a chamber of commerce dedicated to manufacturing and selling the products of Maine Workshop. You should also understand that with my financial resources, this is not a problem. Moreover, your chamber of commerce is not the only one here. As long as I pay enough, I can buy a chamber of commerce with more stores and greater influence, rather than a newcomer like Chilbota who has just emerged. The reason why I am willing to talk to you is because you have a good relationship with Maine and the two sides have a basis for cooperation... Do you understand now?"

“…”

Hearing this, Benno stopped talking. Just as Fang Zheng said, he could definitely buy a guild for Maine to play with, since he had plenty of money. And this castle also proved that Fang Zheng was not talking nonsense. He had enough money to buy any guild in the city, even the largest one...

The Chilbota Chamber of Commerce has only recently emerged, and in terms of channels, sales capabilities and other aspects, it cannot compete with those old chambers of commerce.

It is for this reason that Benno hopes to cooperate with Main to take the Chamber of Commerce a step further through this new papermaking technology.

"But even so, three years is too long..."

"We have our considerations, Mr. Benno. To be honest, I doubt what you will do if you really obtain the ownership of papermaking technology."

"This... I don't understand what you mean."

Hearing Fang Zheng's words, Benno frowned.

"If the new papermaking process is really great, we will certainly promote it. This will also bring considerable profits to our chamber of commerce."

"Really?"

Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes and stared at Benno.

"What if you hide it in the snow?"

"This... How is it possible?"

Hearing this, Benno suddenly laughed bitterly.

"Master Fang Zheng, you must be joking. If we could really possess such craftsmanship, it would be priceless!"

"A thousand gold coins? Then ten thousand gold coins? How about a hundred thousand gold coins? What if someone gave you a hundred thousand gold coins and asked you not to continue promoting this papermaking process?"

"this……"

"Maybe this won't happen at the beginning, but when the traditional industries being eroded discover the problem, they may also do this, and even put pressure on you through the top management. At that time, can you still hold on?"

"this……"

Facing Fang Zheng's question, this time, Benno finally kept silent. Instead, Maine stared at Fang Zheng in surprise with her eyes wide open.

"Will this happen again, Mr. Fang Zheng?"

"Of course, you can't guess the bottom line of capitalists."

At this point, Fang Zheng snorted. What he said was not groundless, but based on actual cases. You know, on Earth, it used to cost several dollars to synthesize vitamin C, and the selling price was even more expensive. Then China invented a two-step method to produce vitamin C, which directly reduced the cost to a few cents. This scared European and American pharmaceutical companies crazy. They almost kowtowed to China and tried every means to buy the patent for the two-step method to synthesize vitamin C, and then... locked it up.

Some people may ask, why don’t they use the two-step production method and then sell it at the original price?

The reason is very simple. When the cost is reduced and the output is increased, the price will be reduced. Not to mention that the new method requires the replacement of equipment and training of personnel, all of which cost money. Without competition, who would be willing to change the status quo and spend more money?

Then, European and American pharmaceutical companies turned to the two-step method only after they had squeezed out every last drop of value from the traditional production method and were sure it was no longer profitable.

The same is true for patents. Modern people regard patents as treasures, but in fact they are just a piece of waste paper. Indeed, patents protect the rights of inventors to some extent, but it is not complete protection.

For example, if a small company invents a patent that is powerful enough to subvert the market, then the small company must be hoping to dominate the market.

So will the monopoly bosses of multinational corporations just sit there and watch?

Of course not.

They will pay directly for the acquisition.

Is $100 million enough? Is $1 billion enough? How about $10 billion?

Of course, small companies can also confidently say we don’t sell! This is our technology, we rely on it to open up the market!

Then what will those multinational corporations do?

It's very simple, it's infringement.

Wait, copyright infringement is against the law?

Yes, infringement is illegal, but you have to sue. And if someone sells in dozens of countries at the same time, you have to sue in dozens of countries.

If you want to sue, you need to hire a lawyer, and hiring a lawyer costs money.

Can a small company like yours compete with multinational corporations in financial resources?

Even if they don't say anything, the team of lawyers they hire can drag you down.

Even if they win the case, what will happen? The lawyers can just turn around and file a petition saying that the court has no jurisdiction and request a re-examination.

How many years will this take?

During the time that small companies waste, the infringing products of multinational companies have already swept across the five oceans and consolidated their own markets. Maybe even your small company's original market has been squeezed out.

If a small company can’t even get its act together, it’s naturally doomed to fail.

Once you go bankrupt, what will you use to hire a lawyer or sue someone?

Fang Zheng had seen this kind of thing a lot in the industry, including the original battle over game consoles. If no one objected to an invention that could change the world, such as the improvement of papermaking technology, that would be a miracle.

The same is true for the modern energy industry. Why can't clean energy be developed in Europe and the United States? The reason is very simple. Oil companies don't allow it. For solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, and electric vehicles, is it because Europe and the United States don't have the technical reserves? How is it possible?

But why not marketize?

The reason is very simple. Traditional energy companies are watching you. If you dare to let go, they will kill you.

Oil companies don't care about global warming, exhaust emissions, or the fate of humanity.

It only knows that if you do these things, it will be equivalent to eroding their interests, so they will kill you to maintain their monopoly position.

Talking about morality, the future and the development of civilization with capitalists? You are still asleep.

In the end, Benno ended the negotiation on the grounds that he needed to think about it. Fang Zheng's words also reminded him that this was indeed an opportunity for the Chilbota Chamber of Commerce, but also a huge risk and challenge...

"Okay, this is the current situation. It depends on his own choice next."

After Benno left, Fang Zheng looked at Maine.

"If he is still willing, then the cooperation will continue. However, when signing the magic contract, Maine, you need to change the way you do it."

"What method? Mr. Founder?"

At this moment, Maine was completely convinced by Fang Zheng.

"I remember you said that different trees can be used to make different kinds of paper?"

"Yes, there are many magical trees in this world. Some trees are basically not burned by fire. It would be great if they could be made into paper!"

"very good."

Fang Zheng nodded.

"In this case, you have to specify the model of the paper machine when signing the contract."

"……model?"

"That's right. Take the papermaking machine you're building now, for example. Let's say it's Unit-01. When signing the contract, you should specify that you will only sell the papermaking process and products related to Unit-01."

“Haha… why is that?”

Maine blinked and looked at Fang Zheng.

"It's simple, because you will improve the paper machine in the future, right? The improved process is also valuable, right? If you improve the process and manufacture the second machine, then you can't update the technology for free. Instead, you will require them to sign a new contract for the manufacture of the second machine, and so on... Do you understand?"

“…”

Hearing this, Maine was stunned. After a long while, she spoke.

"Mr. Fang Zheng..."

"Um?"

"You are so dark..."