Ding Dong!
Klein rode the bicycle Leppard had just finished around the lawn behind his house.
"Not bad, just as I expected. However, there's no need to make a separate bell. When a situation arises, it's difficult for the rider to free his hand. The bell can be combined with the handlebars. This is more convenient, simpler, and in line with the laws of development of things." Klein squeezed the brake with his right hand, slowing the bicycle down quickly and stopping it.
At the same time, he put the rattle in his left hand back to its original position.
Leppard pondered for a few seconds and said:
"Yes, that's exactly what we should do. I was simply imitating the sound of carriage bells and forgot that this is a brand new means of transportation."
At this point, he looked at Klein with a bit of confusion as he got out of the car skillfully and fixed the bracket:
"You give me the impression that you have ridden similar vehicles before and have done very well... I am sure that other bicycles on the market are seriously flawed and are significantly different from mine."
Let's learn about shared bikes... As a "clown", I should actually ride a unicycle... Klein silently complained and smiled slightly:
“It has nothing to do with experience, it’s all about balance and athleticism.
He immediately changed the subject: "But from what you just said, the cost is quite high, which is in conflict with the positioning of our product. You must come up with a plan as soon as possible to reduce the cost. You must know that nobles, wealthy people and other upper-class people will definitely not choose to ride their own bikes. This is not decent. The same is true for the middle class with an annual income of more than 300 pounds."
"Our target is the clerk, the postman, the so-called working class, that is, the class with an annual income of between 70 and 300 pounds."
"This is just a 'prototype', um, a term invented by Emperor Roselle. It's normal that the cost is high. If the subsequent factory production process goes smoothly, I think it won't be a problem to reduce the price to less than 6 pounds. If we can find a cheaper material to replace natural rubber, it would be even better. This is the most expensive part." Leppard answered thoughtfully.
Unfortunately, this world has not yet discovered oil... I don't know if there is... Can refined coal tar replace it and play a certain role in this regard? I don't understand it at all. I am neither a student of this field nor a generalist... Klein thought for a while and said:
"If the cost can be controlled below 4 pounds, we will be rich. As for cheap materials to replace natural rubber, you can look through Russell's manuscripts. Maybe he has some ideas in mind."
Leiphard hummed softly, and suddenly said:
"Speaking of this, I just remembered that there will be an exhibition commemorating Emperor Roselle next week. It will be held at the Kingdom Museum! Hosted by the Church of Steam and Machinery, it is said that there will be original manuscripts of Emperor Roselle's inventions and various relics."
Invention manuscripts and various relics? Klein's heart was pounding when he heard this, and he immediately asked:
"When exactly? I'm very interested."
"From next Tuesday to next Friday, every day from 9 am to 6 pm. Although Emperor Roselle was once an enemy of the kingdom, the charm of his legendary life will not be diminished in the slightest."
"I'll find time to go see the exhibition." Klein pulled out his bulging wallet and took out two 10-pound notes and two 5-pound notes. "This is the second installment of the payment. Use it to research how to reduce costs and make the most complete application at the Patent Office. If you don't have a lawyer you're familiar with, I can introduce one to you. The final 20 pounds will be given to you next week to find new investors and complete the factory production of the product. Of course, I'll also help you contact people who are interested."
He did not think of monopolizing the profits from bicycles. First, he lacked the money for large-scale production. Second, he believed that he did not have enough connections in the factory, promotion, and sales. Forcing himself to do it or hiring others to do it would be time-consuming and laborious and might not succeed, and might even result in losses. In this case, it would be better to introduce new investors with similar resources and channels and let professionals do professional things.
In addition, the more important point is that this way, he will have the opportunity to cash in a certain amount of shares in advance and accumulate some cash for the resources needed for his future promotion to "Faceless Man" to avoid encountering a situation where he has no money to buy.
And I never thought of becoming a bicycle tycoon. My identity is sensitive. Before becoming the "Faceless Man", I have to stay away from things that may become the focus of society... I will play the role of a "magician" instead of a "businessman" or a "factory owner"... Klein sighed in his heart.
"I know quite a few lawyers," Leppard muttered, and took over the second round of investment. "Why don't we go to the bank to apply for a loan? Once we get the patent, I'm sure there will be banks that will lend us money, such as Backlund Bank and Bavart Bank."
"We're not just bringing in investment, we're also bringing in channels, relationships, and capabilities. Do you understand?" Klein explained with a smile, then put on his hat and said, "Once you've applied for the patent, send me a letter. You know my address."
…………
In the Sonia Sea, there is an island with a dormant volcano.
Ships with masts erected and sails hoisted came into shore one after another, filling up the not-so-small pier.
The pirates' singing, roaring, laughing, cursing and cheering were endless, making this place seem like a sea of carnival.
"The Hanged Man" Alger Wilson stepped off the "Blue Avenger", climbed up a cliff not far away, and looked at everything quietly.
"Except for the four kings and seven generals, the other pirates only got the news of this event a week ago. Most of them can't make it in time. This is also to prevent surprise attacks from the navies of various countries and the strong men of major churches." Alger watched the pirates carrying out barrels of beer without paying attention.
He knew that the Kingdom of Loen already had epoch-making ironclad ships, but he was not worried about encountering them here, because only four months had passed, and the invincible fleet in the propaganda would need more ironclad ships, different types of ships to coordinate, and training for officers, sailors, and gunners. Without more than a year's work, it would be impossible to form a real combat force.
Just as Alger's thoughts were distracted, the pirates on the ships and docks suddenly cried out in fear. Some ran deep into the island, while others hurriedly steered their ships away from the docks, as if they were avoiding demons and plague.
In just a few minutes, the previously bustling scene was reduced to chaos and silence.
Alger turned his head and looked out to sea, and saw a ship painted entirely black. A huge white flag with a skull painted on it fluttered on its mast.
The skull was pitch black with faint blue flames burning in its eye sockets.
"The Black Death..." Alger whispered.
He understood why the pirates had been hiding before.
Wherever "Admiral Disease" Tracy goes, someone will get sick for no apparent reason!
The "Black Death" slowly approached the shore, and a figure wearing a white linen shirt and a dark red jacket appeared at the bow.
This is a very beautiful lady, and also a very heroic lady.
Her charming black curly hair was piled up high and wrapped with a white headscarf. Her legs were wearing fitted beige trousers. Her figure was slender yet graceful.
But what attracts people most about this lady is her long straight eyebrows and sharp, bright blue eyes.
As she looked around, her eyes occasionally lost focus, appearing hazy and extremely alluring.
A bard who was mixed up with the pirates came to the edge of the cliff at some point and said in a groaning tone:
“She’ll always be a girl.”
"She really brought the disease. Oh, I am sick. She is all I can think about."
Some of the pirates who had left gathered together again, looking at the "sick girl" Tracy with fascination.
Alger suppressed his disdain, glanced at the pirates, and sneered in his heart:
"What a bunch of guys with no future and no will. Just now they knew how to avoid it, but now they are seduced by beauty."
"Although the 'disease' girl is indeed very beautiful, she is not as beautiful as they show. Hmm... extraordinary ability in charm?"
As he was thinking, Vice Admiral of Disease Tracy left the Black Death and headed towards the dark palace deep in the island.
At this time, a huge sailing ship appeared on the sea level. Its flag was an eye surrounded by ten stars, an eye without eyelashes.
"'Admiral of the Stars' Cattleya..." Alger nodded slightly and muttered to himself.
Because the Black Death and other ships were already docked at the pier, the huge sailing ship did not approach the shore, but instead anchored around a sheltered cliff.
Then, the gloomy sky suddenly brightened, and a little bit of bright starlight fell, condensing into a long transparent bridge in the air, leading from the huge sailboat to the palace deep in the sky.
A lady climbed onto the long bridge and just walked in the air.
She was wearing a black classical robe with many symbols and magical signs painted on it, the most obvious of which was a mysterious eye without eyelashes.
The lady also has an astronomical globe, a short scepter and other items hanging around her waist, just like the powerful wizard active in the Fourth Epoch in folk legends.
Alger looked up for a while, then suddenly frowned slightly and said to himself in confusion:
"That planetarium feels very familiar to me..."
"It's like, it's like... the weird glass bottle I got before that I don't know what it's used for, the weird glass bottle that broke after Mr. Fool dragged me into the party..."
…………
In the northern suburbs of Queens, Audrey, along with her maids and her big golden retriever Susie, entered her own manor.
"Miss, the goods delivered from Enmat Port are just ahead." The butler in charge of the manor said respectfully.
"Okay." Audrey nodded slightly and said half-jokingly to the golden retriever beside her, "Susie, this is your gift."
As they were talking, they turned the corner and saw the so-called gifts.
It was a giant lizard dragon whose skin changed color depending on the light. It was three meters long, and even when it was lying down, its height was level with Audrey's knees.
Those were two huge beasts, big enough to scare children to tears!
"Woof?" Susie called out in confusion and astonishment. She turned her head to look at her owner and found that her expression was exactly the same as hers. Obviously, she did not expect the gift to be so exaggerated.