Chapter 453 I don't mind being a bravo
In Antwerp's Grand Place, the Scheldt River sparkles with waves, and ships come and go on the river. The heavy sound of ship whistles penetrates the mist in the morning light and reaches several small tables on the riverside.
At one of the tables sat Albert I, Browning and Boyata.
They were waiting for Charles to discuss military-industrial cooperation.
The people around had been cleared out, of course not by force, but Albert I had booked a seat nearby.
"This is much cheaper than a hotel." Albert I said self-deprecatingly: "I am a poor guy now, and I just want to save money."
"Your Majesty is thinking about the country." Boyata complimented: "This is a good place with beautiful scenery."
In fact, he didn't pay much attention to the scenery.
After hesitating for a while, he asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, can I know the profit distribution of the cooperation with Charles..."
Before coming, Boyata had discussed this with Browning. Since Albert I was able to block FN's gun production license, the profit distribution was not something they could decide.
"I've learned about it." Albert I raised his coffee cup towards the two of them. "Charles and Saint-Étienne share the profits 50-50. If the ratio is lower than this, I believe Charles will not agree. He would rather let Saint-Étienne come to Belgium to produce this machine gun. Don't you agree?"
Albert I then added: "This is to your advantage, gentlemen. If the Saint-Etienne Arsenal is allowed to enter Belgium, it will not be a matter of light machine guns, but rifles and pistols may also be threatened."
Boyata and Browning looked at each other.
Although what Albert I said was true, the profits were split 50-50…
"Your Majesty," Browning bravely objected, "We need to do a lot of things. For example, the bullets used by the 'Saint-Etienne 2' machine gun are different from ours, which needs to be improved. In addition, there are production lines, workers, and so on. Charles does not need to do anything, but can share the same profits as us..."
"He has the patent for 'Saint-Étienne 2'." Albert I interrupted Browning, his voice gradually becoming colder.
Then he put down his coffee cup and raised his head towards the statue not far away: "Do you know its story?"
Without waiting for the two to answer, Albert I asked himself:
"His name is Brabo."
"The legend goes that there was a giant who demanded a high toll from passing ship captains, and that the young warrior Brabo cut off the giant's hand and threw it into the Scheldt."
"Since then, the Scheldt River has resumed its free flow."
(The picture above is the Brabo statue in Antwerp's Grand Place. The statue was surprisingly difficult to pass the review, probably because it has no clothes on. I will have to see it tomorrow.)
Albert I leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming coldly.
"Gentlemen, my idea is very simple, which is to deliver enough 'Saint-Etienne 2' machine guns to the soldiers on the front line in the shortest possible time."
"If anyone tries to get in the way and charge a high 'toll', I don't mind being a bramble."
Boyata and Browning looked at each other and saw fear in each other's eyes.
Boyata also took his hands off the table and glanced at the sword at Albert I's waist, as if he was worried that Albert I would suddenly attack.
At this time, the sound of a car engine came closer and closer. Albert I turned his eyes and smiled instantly: "He's here."
As he stood up to greet him, Albert I did not forget to ask, "Do you agree with my proposal?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Albert I nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, I believe this conversation will be a pleasant one."
Boyata's face was gloomy and he didn't understand why Albert I, who had always been kind and friendly to the people, had become so "dictatorial and tyrannical".
Browning seemed to see through Boyata's thoughts. As he stood up, he whispered, "It's because of the war, sir. Extreme measures taken to achieve victory."
Boyata nodded in agreement, and it was not too extreme. At least he left FN a way out.
…
The first words Charles heard after he sat down surprised him.
"We hope to cooperate with you, Mr. Charles." Boyata said sincerely: "If you are willing to authorize us to produce the 'Saint Etienne 2' machine gun, we are willing to share the profits with you 50-50."
This is different from the cooperation between Shire and Steed, although the profits are also split 50-50.
Steed obtained Charles's first-hand design, and the machine gun was named "Saint-Etienne 2".
The Saint-Etienne Arsenal has reaped many benefits beyond profits, such as advertising and innovation, which will make the world trust the Saint-Etienne Arsenal more.
This is often more important for military-industrial enterprises because it is the basis for forming a brand effect. No matter what "Saint-Etienne" produces in the future, it can be sold at a good price.
But FN is willing to split the profits 50-50 with Charles in order to obtain "authorized production", which seems a bit too much.
Looking at Albert I who was sitting next to him, Charles seemed to understand that this was most likely the result of Albert I's mediation.
Ciel smiled slightly, smart move.
On the one hand, Charles can be used as a "catfish" to stimulate the Belgian military industry, so that the military industrial enterprises in a monopoly state will not dare to raise prices arbitrarily during the emergency of the war.
On the other hand, it can highly bind Charles' interests with Belgium.
If one day in the future Charles is unable to defend Belgium, it will lose a large amount of income.
"'Authorized production' is fine." Charles nodded. He glanced at Browning who was sitting next to Boyata and said, "But you want to convert the 'Saint-Etienne 2' to the 7.92MM ammunition of the Mauser rifle, which may be a problem."
Albert I was more nervous than the others. He asked quickly: "What's the problem?"
"First of all, the patent." Charles said, "After you improve the 'Saint-Etienne 2', will the patent belong to you or to me?"
"That's not a problem." Albert I readily agreed: "We can also purchase the improved patent."
Charles hesitated for a moment and said, "How about this? You can own the patent for the improved parts. Otherwise, you won't think about how to improve them, which is not conducive to the development of 'Saint-Etienne 2'."
"That's great." Boyata and Browning looked delighted.
This means that they can participate in the subsequent research and development of "Saint-Etienne 2". Otherwise, whether they can make improvements or not will require Charles' consent, and after consent, they will have to pay patent fees.
"But," Charles added, "Similarly, if FN's guns are made, we should also have patents for the improvements. What do you think?"
"Of course!" Boyata and Browning nodded repeatedly.
This is fair, this is called cooperation and mutual interaction.
What they didn't know was that this fell right into Charles' trap.
What Charles was interested in was the shotgun designed by Browning!
(End of this chapter)
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