Chapter 453 I Don't Mind Being a Bravo

Antwerp's Grand Square, the Scheldt River is sparkling, boats are coming and going on the river, and the sound of heavy ship whistles penetrates the fog in the morning light and reaches a few small tables on the riverside.

At one of the tables, Albert I, Browning and Boyata sat.

They were waiting for Ciel to discuss military-industrial cooperation.

The people around had been cleared out, not by violent eviction of course, but by Albert I who had reserved nearby seats.

"This is much cheaper than a hotel." Albert I said self-deprecatingly: "I am a poor man now and just want to save money."

"Your Majesty is thinking about the country." Boyata complimented: "This is a very good place with beautiful scenery."

In fact, he did not pay attention to the scenery.

After hesitating for a while, he asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, may I know the profit distribution of cooperation with Charles..."

Boyata had already discussed with Browning before coming. Since Albert I could obtain FN's gun production license, profit distribution was not something they could decide.

"I understand." Albert I raised his coffee cup to the two of them easily: "The cooperation between Charles and 'Saint-Etienne' is 50/50. If it is lower than this ratio, I believe that Charles will not Agreed, he would rather have Saint-Etienne stationed in Belgium to produce this machine gun, do you think so?”

Then Albert I added: "This will be beneficial to you, gentlemen. If the 'Saint-Etienne' arsenal is stationed in Belgium, it will not be a problem of light machine guns. Rifles and pistols may face threats."

Boyata and Browning looked at each other.

Although what Albert I said was true, the profits were divided 50-50...

"Your Majesty." Browning bravely objected: "We need to do a lot of things. For example, the bullets used in the 'Saint-Etienne 2' machine gun are different from our bullets, which need to be improved. In addition, there are production lines, workers, etc. Wait, and Charles doesn’t need to do anything, but he can get the same profit as us..."

"He has the patent for 'Saint Etienne 2'." Albert I interrupted Browning, his voice gradually getting colder.

Then he put down the 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."

"Legend has it that there was a giant who charged high tolls from passing captains. The young warrior Brabo chopped off the giant's hand and threw it into the Scheldt."

“Since then, the Scheldt has been free and flowing again.”

(The picture above shows the Brabo statue in the Main Square of Antwerp. The statue is actually very difficult to pass the review, probably because it is not wearing clothes. It will be seen again tomorrow.)

As he spoke, Albert I leaned back in his chair, with a cold glint in his eyes:

"Gentlemen, my idea is very simple, which is to smoothly deliver enough 'Saint-Etienne 2' machine guns to the frontline soldiers in the shortest possible time."

"If someone tries to stand in the middle and charge a very high 'toll,' I don't mind being a blab."

Boyata and Browning looked at each other and saw fear in the other's eyes.

Boyata also put his hand away on the table and glanced at the sword on Albert I's waist, as if he was worried that Albert I would suddenly take action.

At this time, the sound of the car motor came from far away. Albert I turned his eyes and his face was instantly filled with a smile: "He's here."

When he stood up to greet him, Albert I did not forget to ask: "Do you agree with the plan I mentioned?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Albert I nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, I believe this conversation will be pleasant."

Boyata's face was uncertain. He didn't understand why Albert I, who had always been kind and friendly to the people, became so "arbitrary".

Browning seemed to have read Boyata's thoughts. As he stood up, he whispered: "It's the war, sir. Extreme measures to win."

Boyata agreed with a "hmm", and it wasn't too extreme. At least he left FN a way to survive.

…

After Ciel took his seat, the first words he heard 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 profit with you 50/50."

This is different from the cooperation between Shire and Steed, although the profits are still divided 50-50.

What Steed obtained was Charles's first-hand design, and the machine gun was named "Saint-Etienne 2".

The Saint-Etienne Arsenal has received many dividends other than profits, such as advertising, innovation, etc., which will make the world trust the Saint-Etienne Arsenal more.

This is often more important for military industrial companies, because this is the basis for forming a brand effect. In the future, whatever "Saint-Etienne" produces can be sold at a good price.

However, FN Company is actually willing to share 50-50 with Shire in order to obtain "authorized production", which seems to be a bit much.

After glancing at Albert I who was sitting next to him, Charles seemed to understand that this was probably the result of Albert I's mediation.

Ciel smiled slightly, a smart move.

On the one hand, the "catfish" of Shire can be used to stimulate the Belgian military industry, so that the military industry companies in a monopoly state will not dare to raise prices at will during the emergency of the war.

On the other hand, it can highly bind Shire's interests to Belgium.

If one day in the future, Charles cannot defend Belgium, he will lose a lot of income.

"'Authorized production' is fine." Charles nodded, he glanced at Browning sitting next to Boyata, and said: "But you want to change the 'Saint Etienne 2' to the 7.92MM ammunition of the Mauser rifle, which may be a problem."

Albert I was more nervous than others, he hurriedly asked: "What's the problem?"

"First of all, the patent." Charles said: "After you improve the 'Saint Etienne 2', will the improved patent be yours or mine?"

"That's not a problem." Albert I agreed: "We can also buy the improved patent."

Charles hesitated for a while and said: "How about this, you can own the patent of the improved part, otherwise you won't consider how to improve it, which is not conducive to the development of the 'Saint Etienne 2'."

"That's great." Boyata and Browning were delighted.

This means that they can participate in the subsequent development of "Saint-Etienne 2". Otherwise, whether they can improve it or not still needs Charles' consent, and they have to pay patent fees after consent.

"However." Charles said: "Similarly, if FN's guns are improved, we should also have the patents after improvement, what do you think?"

"Of course!" Boyata and Browning nodded repeatedly.

This is fair, this is called cooperation and mutual exchanges.

What they don't know is that this has fallen into Charles' trap.

Charles is interested in the shotgun designed by Browning!