Chapter 255 Sharing the Costs
Charles provided a complete air combat system.
First, fighter planes equipped with machine guns were used to fight for air supremacy.
After gaining air superiority, reconnaissance aircraft can fly over the enemy's head without restraint. It can conveniently and quickly detect the enemy's real-time movements. A lot of intelligence cannot be obtained from the ground even at the cost of heavy casualties, but the reconnaissance aircraft can get everything by just making a circle in the air.
Then came the bombers.
After the reconnaissance aircraft obtains intelligence, the bomber can bomb wherever it wants. It can easily cross the enemy's defense lines and cause devastating blows to key targets behind enemy lines. This has formed another kind of "asymmetric warfare" during the trench warfare period and is enough to affect the enemy's morale.
The Germans also thought about this model, but their development direction was "airboat".
The German dream was shattered when Charles used a small rocket in Antwerp.
…
The first country to find Charles was Russia.
To be precise, it was not Russia that found Charles, but Russia found Charles through the French government, and the French government found Charles through Gallieni.
After Gallieni received a call, he called Charles over and asked with a frown, "They want to know how much you are willing to pay for the production license?"
"Authorized production?" Charles asked doubtfully, "I'm already producing for the military in France. I can produce as many as they want. Why do I need to..."
Then Charles paused: "Could it be Schneider? No, that's impossible, I won't agree to it! No matter how much money you spend!"
Charles thought that Schneider used parliament to force the government to make this ridiculous decision.
"No!" Gallieni shook his head. "It's not Schneider, it's Russia!"
Gallieni explained:
"Russia has this demand. They have inconvenient transportation. In winter, there is ice and snow everywhere, which makes transportation difficult. When spring comes, the ice and snow melt and the land becomes muddy."
"On the other hand, Russia's army is very large and its supply requirements are much greater than Germany's. The recent blockade of the Dardanelles has put even greater pressure on its supply."
"Therefore, they are in great need of equipment such as bombers that can cross the enemy's defense lines and effectively strike their rear transportation lines or key targets."
There was a reason Gallieni didn't tell.
After entering the war, Russia has been worried that the domestic people are under too much pressure, and they need to use bombers to bring more victories to boost morale.
But even if Gallieni didn't say it, Charles knew it.
Because in less than two years, the Russian people will be overwhelmed and will withdraw from this war early.
This actually doesn't matter to Charles. As long as they open a business and sell to anyone, it doesn't matter as long as they don't sell to a rival like Schneider.
But Charles hesitated, and looked perplexed:
"General, we know that the organization and management of the Russian army is very chaotic. Another meaning of authorizing production is that our secrets will be leaked."
"This means that our adversary Germany is likely to have similar bombers."
"Can the Allies afford such a price?"
Gallieni nodded slightly. He also had the same concerns. Charles hit the nail on the head.
What Gallieni didn't know was that Charles's words actually had other intentions.
There is actually no secret about the Caproni bomber. Aircraft of that era were very simple and could basically be copied just by taking a look at the layout, especially for the industrial powerhouse Germany.
What is important is always the engine technology.
Therefore, Germany did not need to go through a long process to obtain the blueprints from Russia. It was fully capable of copying them on its own, and there was no problem of leaking secrets to the enemy.
"Besides!" Charles continued, "this is also a great risk to my business. I may suffer huge losses as a result."
Gallieni nodded in agreement.
Once Russia leaks the bomber's drawings or secrets, Charles will no longer have a monopoly on the bomber, and potential customers may bypass Charles and copy it.
After thinking for a while, Gallieni said seriously: "I hope you understand, Colonel, this is not just a matter of money, it is also related to national security..."
"I understand." Charles continued, "Russia needs bombers to stabilize the Eastern Front, and the Allies also need Russia to hold back the Germans on the Eastern Front. Otherwise, all German forces will be pressed on the Western Front!"
It was precisely because Charles knew this that he had the confidence to bargain with the government.
As the saying goes, rare goods are valuable. What does the fate of the country have to do with me? The more anxious you are, the more relaxed I, a capitalist, should be.
"But General." Charles smiled and shook his head. "No capitalist would do such a stupid thing. If he did, he would probably go bankrupt soon because he would be asking for trouble."
Gallieni was speechless; what Charles said seemed to be the truth.
Charles pretended to think about it for a while before saying with difficulty: "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Gallieni asked with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
As a general, Gallieni would certainly have preferred to facilitate the deal for the sake of France's interests.
"Unless it can make up for my possible future losses." Charles offered a price: "The condition for authorized production is that Russia will pay a licensing fee of 70,000 francs for each bomber produced!"
"God!" Gallieni exclaimed. "That's impossible, Charles. That's even more than the purchase price. Russia might as well buy it directly from you!"
"Of course." Charles thought about this. "Russia could choose to do the same."
Gallieni immediately understood the crux of the problem: the Dardanelles had been blocked, and if Russia wanted to buy aircraft from Charles, it could only go from the Atlantic direction.
The bomber's huge fuselage will likely need to be disassembled and reassembled in Russia. This does not include the problem that Russian ports will freeze over in winter and cannot be transported.
Taking these transportation costs into account, buying directly from Charles may not be cost-effective.
Gallieni suddenly realized that Charles was calculating a business deal, and the price he offered seemed impossible for Russia to refuse.
Gallieni smiled softly. "You are very thoughtful, Colonel. But you seem to have not considered that Russia's economy is not well-off. They may be unable to afford it and have to refuse."
"I know." Charles answered slowly, "But, as allies, shouldn't France and Britain provide some economic assistance to Russia?"
Gallieni was stunned: "You mean..."
Gallieni understood before he had finished speaking.
France and Britain were supposed to share the cost as a way of supporting Russia in its war on the Eastern Front, but the money actually went into Charles' pocket.
What a cunning guy, that's what he was planning.
However, this method seems feasible. After all, before the Dardanelles was opened, Britain and France were no longer able to provide anything to Russia.
If we can share some of the cost of bombers, it would be considered as doing our part for our allies.
(End of this chapter)
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