Chapter 497 He Must Know
After leaving the airport, Albert I praised Boyata and Browning, especially Browning.
He shook Browning's hand and said excitedly:
"Thank you very much, Mr. Browning."
"Without your new design, we may not be able to obtain the production rights of these equipment, which is very important to us."
"I will always remember your contribution to Belgium. If you have any requests..."
"That is what I should do, your majesty," Browning replied.
He really thought so. As an American, he did not "contribute to the country" to Belgium. He did this more for the benefit of FN company and for its own interests.
Albert I understood this, and he glanced at Boyata, as if suggesting that he should spend some time to retain this talent.
Boyata nodded in understanding.
Albert I did not need to explain this. Ever since Browning designed the first pistol, the M1900, for FN, the only thing he, the owner of the company, had to consider was how to make Browning inseparable from FN.
(The picture above shows the M1900 pistol designed by Browning in 1900. This pistol was used by An Jung-geun of Korea to assassinate Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi and Lenin)
Finally, Albert I told Browning: "I think we should prepare in advance, Mr. Browning. What I mean is that Charles may have many amazing new equipment in the future, and then we will still face this situation."
Browning nodded. "I understand, Your Majesty. I will design some new guns in advance."
Albert I reminded, “It’s a new gun that may interest Charles.”
"I see." Browning sighed, "This is indeed not easy."
…
Albert I got into the car contentedly. Not long after driving, he said to Colonel Eden with lingering fear: "Fortunately, we have Browning."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Colonel Eden replied, "I am a little surprised that in addition to Charles' military talent, he can actually compete with FN's chief gun designer in gun research and development, and seems to be on track to surpass Browning."
Albert I looked at Colonel Eden in disbelief. After a long while, he said, "God, you are surprised by this accident? Because Charles can compete with Browning?"
Colonel Eden was stunned: "Did I say something wrong?"
Albert I waved his hand in front of Colonel Eden and emphasized: "Shouldn't we be surprised that Browning can compete with Charles?"
Colonel Eden looked confused, he didn't think it made any difference.
Then he said "Oh": "Yes, Your Majesty, it's my fault."
My God, who is Charles? He is a genius inventor who invented a series of equipment including tanks, fighter jets, bombers, etc. He also has the "Saint-Etienne 2" in terms of firearms. Recently, I heard that there are secret trainings on new guns in his troops.
And he actually thought that Charles' talent in firearms was not as good as Browning's, and he naturally ranked him behind Browning.
"Of course." Colonel Eden hastened to emphasize: "Charles is also talented in firearms. No one can surpass him, not even Browning."
Albert I then let Colonel Eden go, leaned back, and said slowly:
"Think about Charles's expression when he got the design sketch, Colonel. He actually wasn't very interested. He exchanged it with us reluctantly."
“And part of it is friendship.”
"He considers us as friends, so it is difficult for him to refuse our request."
Colonel Eden nodded repeatedly: "Of course, Your Majesty. Charles is a very reliable friend. He is trustworthy and worth making friends with."
Albert I smiled and said nothing.
This is complete nonsense, Charles is not only a friend, he is also the savior of Belgium!
…
On the road in the other direction, in a car heading to the Ghent branch, Boyata and Browning were also discussing what had just happened.
"Thanks to your design." Boyata was relieved and asked, "How did you come up with this gun?"
"It was the 'Saint-Etienne II' that gave me the inspiration," Browning replied. "At the time, I was thinking, if the army needs to make the Maxim machine gun lighter and turn it into a light machine gun that can be operated by two people and maneuver quickly, then can it be further lightened until it can be operated by one person?"
Boyata nodded. "Then there was BAR. It was a good idea. It helped to change Charles' determination."
Browning frowned and made no answer.
Boyata noticed that Browning looked upset and asked in confusion, "What's the problem?"
Browning was silent for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "This is my masterpiece, Jonathan."
Jonathan was Boyata's nickname, and Boyata was usually called Browning John.
"I have high hopes for it, even that it will make all rifles obsolete."
"But it seems to be of little value in Charles' eyes."
“The way he looked at the sketch, his expression, the tone of his voice… it was like he was showing me mercy!”
Boyata nodded slightly: "I understand, John. But this is not easy. He is Charles! You should be proud of this..."
"No, you don't understand." Browning interrupted Boyata: "It's not just that, there's something else in his eyes."
Boyata sighed inwardly. This might be the first time that Browning was defeated and looked down upon by others. It was certainly difficult for him, who had always been at the top in this field, to accept this.
Browning murmured:
"It's incredible. He saw the flaws of BAR right away. All of them."
"He even knew it couldn't have a change of barrel. Was it because there was no handle on the barrel? Amazing insight!"
"No, no, his eyes are like, like..."
Suddenly Browning froze, then exclaimed: "He knows, Jonathan, he knows!"
"What does he know?" Boyata looked confused, and at the same time a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. This guy must not get into trouble at this time. If he has mental problems, everything will be over.
"He knows about this gun." Browning stared. "He had the same idea. I mean to develop a similar rifle."
Boyata was stunned for a moment. After he understood what Browning meant, he felt relieved. At least he was not crazy.
"Are you sure?" Boyata asked.
"Yes, I'm sure." Browning nodded heavily. "That must be the case. He knew the shortcomings of this gun with just one glance. It's not that he reacted quickly, but he also considered this kind of gun. He even..."
Then Browning opened his mouth wide: "God, he may know the way to solve these shortcomings, so he is disdainful, so he agreed so reluctantly, so..."
Browning recalled Charles's expression at the time, and became more certain in his heart. He immediately shouted excitedly to the driver in front: "Turn around, Stein, let's go back, back to the airport!"
After traveling through time, Carlo found himself in the Middle Ages, where he was a small conscripted soldier participating in the Hundred Years' War between England and France.
Faced with this chaotic era, Carlo walked on thin ice and acted cautiously, taking advantage of the ever-changing Middle Ages until he arrived in front of the crown:
"The throne of France may belong to me, Carlo!
(End of this chapter)
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