Chapter 135: Long Lost Brothers
The negotiation went smoothly. Steed only glanced at the sketch and the caption, and immediately gave two options with a happy face:
"One million francs to buy industrial property rights, or choose to cooperate, and I will give you 50% of the profits!"
Dejoka was shocked by such generous conditions. He did not expect that this inconspicuous thing was worth 1 million francs. You know, the industrial property rights of the tank were only sold for 990,000. It was actually more valuable than the big tank!
Seeing Djoka in a daze, Steed added: "This is the initial offer, Mr. Djoka, if you are not satisfied, we can discuss it further!"
Djoka was a little dizzy. Was this just the initial offer?
Bonnet standing next to him was also puzzled. This was not the right way to talk about business. Steed was an old hand in this area. Why did he reveal his trump card today? It was for this inconspicuous little thing...
How could Bonnet know that Steed did this not only because he saw the value of the "grenade", but also because he hoped to establish a relationship with Charles through this line.
He kept repeating in his mind over and over again: "Choose cooperation, please, it can create much more wealth than selling property rights!"
If it were up to Dejoka himself, he would choose to sell the industrial property rights without hesitation.
But he knew that Xiaer's goal was to form an alliance with Steed, so he nodded and replied: "No, Mr. Steed, we don't need to discuss the price, because I choose to cooperate in production!"
"Great!" Steed laughed out loud. He even hugged Djoka excitedly. "What a wise choice, Mr. Djoka! If there is a chance, I would be happy to invite you and Charles to visit my arsenal. You can even participate in the management of the arsenal. We are partners, right? We are partners!"
As he spoke, Steed patted Djoka on the shoulder affectionately, as if Djoka was his long-lost brother whom he finally found!
…
This result was exactly what Charles had hoped for.
Charles had considered forming an alliance a long time ago. His power alone was too weak, and he could not build up his own power in the army due to restrictions of rules and regulations. Forming an alliance was the only way out.
He reviewed the capitalists he knew in his mind:
The right wing certainly can't do that. They oppose industrialization, which goes against their own ideas of invention and creation. Eventually, they will lead to conflict due to inconsistent development directions.
Steel monopoly and the Windel family? They don't seem to be on the same level!
Brest Shipyard? With Britain as an ally on the ocean, France doesn't have much demand for warships and there is almost no crisis!
The only ones left were Schneider, who made artillery, and Saint-Étienne, who made small arms.
Schneider is stronger and originally had great potential. Charles could make some progress on tank guns, and it is not impossible for him to help Schneider develop detachable weapons in the future.
However, before Charles could make a move, Schneider suddenly became his competitor!
That leaves only Steed of Saint-Etienne.
Then Charles suddenly realized that this was like opening up a treasure trove for him, with many light weapons waiting in line for him to invent.
The technical threshold for these light weapons is not high, and Charles can produce them himself.
But since gunpowder is involved, it would be very troublesome to make them all from scratch, so it is obviously a good choice to entrust the Saint-Etienne Arsenal to produce them.
It just so happens that Steed's St. Etienne Arsenal is in trouble again, so this is it!
Just stimulate it with a small invention, and it will immediately come around like a fly... uh, should be like a bee, definitely a bee, like a bee!
Therefore, when Djokovic sent a message saying that he had chosen to cooperate with Saint-Etienne, Charles was not surprised at all. Everything developed as he hoped.
…
The sky gradually darkens and the lights come on.
Normally at this time, the people in the command center should be busy organizing various documents and intelligence under the lights, and they may even work all night long. After all, the battlefield does not wait for anyone.
But now the war on the front line has reached a stalemate and nothing major has happened, so only a few staff officers are left on duty, and the others are disbanded to rest.
Charles was about to go back to the dormitory but was stopped by Lieutenant Colonel Fernando.
"Hey, Lieutenant, don't you want to take a rest?" asked Lieutenant Colonel Fernando.
Ciel looked at the open dormitory door, confused, wasn't he about to go to rest?
Lieutenant Colonel Fernan smiled and invited him: "Come on, it's time to relax!"
When Charles arrived at the destination, he realized that what Lieutenant Colonel Fernan meant by "relaxing" was the officers' club. He was quite disappointed. Can this be called "relaxing"?
The lights in the club were dim and the air was filled with smoke. The piano on the stage occasionally played the newly popular jazz music. Lieutenant Colonel Fernan ordered a small glass of green absinthe for each of them, spread his hands generously, and said, "Order as much as you want. It's my treat tonight!"
Charles knew that this would take courage. Absinthe was expensive and not easily available, and its sale was banned in many countries because of its hallucinogenic claims.
Although France has not banned its sale, its production is subject to many restrictions and its availability on the market has become increasingly limited. Its price also remains high. It is said that only wealthy people can afford to stock up on a whole bottle.
(Note: France banned the sale of absinthe in 1915)
Charles thought that Lieutenant Colonel Fernand must have known that he couldn't drink much, so he was so generous.
This was the first time that Charles tried drinking alcohol. Looking at the green liquid in the glass, he naturally imagined it to be a slightly sweet drink. He took a small sip without any psychological preparation and was suddenly choked and couldn't help coughing.
Several officers could be heard laughing nearby, as if they were wondering where the rookie came from.
There was a sweet-looking female bartender behind the bar. She wielded the cocktail shaker skillfully. She looked at Charles with interest, then turned her gaze to Lieutenant Colonel Fernando: "Lieutenant Colonel, your new orderly?"
"Who? Him?" Lieutenant Colonel Fernan realized that the orderly the maid was referring to was Charles, and hurriedly shook his head to explain: "No, no, you misunderstood, Lucia, I am his orderly!"
The bartender named Lucia laughed cooperatively. She thought Lieutenant Colonel Fernando was joking.
Lieutenant Colonel Fernan leaned close to Charles' ear and said, "You'll get used to it, Lieutenant. It's a good choice to relax here after a tiring day. This will allow you to have a good sleep!"
As he said this, he raised his glass and nodded to Xia Eryang: "You're welcome. This is what I should do!"
Charles finally calmed down after panting heavily. He thought that Lieutenant Colonel Fernand might have forgotten two points:
First, Charles is not yet an adult and is not suitable for drinking.
Second, Charles has one day off every two days, so what Lieutenant Colonel Fernan said, "Come here to relax after a tiring day" does not exist.
If necessary, Charles could sleep at home all day!
(End of this chapter)
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