Chapter 453: I Don't Mind Playing the Role of Brabo
In the Grand Square of Antwerp, the shimmering waters of the Scheldt River rippled gently as ships sailed back and forth. The heavy sound of steamboat whistles pierced through the morning mist and reached the small tables near the riverbank.
At one of these tables sat Albert I, Browning, and Boyata, waiting for Charles to discuss the matter of military industrial cooperation.
The surrounding area had been cleared, but not through force. Albert I had reserved all nearby seating.
"This is much cheaper than a hotel," Albert I said self-deprecatingly. "I'm a poor man now, only thinking about saving money."
"Your Majesty is thinking of the country," Boyata complimented him. "This is a great place, the view is beautiful."
Though Boyata didn't seem to care much about the view, he hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Your Majesty, may I know how the profits will be shared in the collaboration with Charles?"
Before coming, Boyata had already discussed this with Browning. Since Albert I had the power to secure the FN company's firearms production license, the profit distribution would not be something they could decide.
"I've looked into it," Albert I said casually, raising his coffee cup to them both. "Charles's collaboration with Saint-Étienne is a 50-50 split. If it's less than that, I believe Charles will refuse. He would rather let Saint-Étienne set up production in Belgium for the machine guns. Don't you think so?"
Albert I added, "This works in your favor, gentlemen. If Saint-Étienne establishes its factory in Belgium, it's not just about light machine guns; rifles and pistols could be at risk as well."
Boyata and Browning exchanged glances.
While Albert I was speaking the truth, a 50-50 profit split...
"Your Majesty," Browning said, building up some courage, "there are many things we need to address. For example, the ammunition used by the Saint-Étienne 2 is different from ours, so we would need to make adjustments. And there's the production line, the workers, etc., while Charles won't need to do anything but still take half the profit..."
"He holds the patent for the Saint-Étienne 2," Albert I interrupted, his tone growing colder.
He put his coffee cup down and motioned toward a nearby statue with his chin. "Do you know its story?"
Before either could answer, Albert I answered his own question:
"It's called Brabo."
"There's a legend of a giant who collected high tolls from passing ships' captains. A young warrior named Brabo chopped off the giant's hand and threw it into the Scheldt River."
"From then on, the Scheldt River became free and unobstructed."
With that, Albert I leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with a cold light.
"Gentlemen, my plan is simple: to get as many Saint-Étienne 2 machine guns as possible to the front lines in the shortest amount of time."
"And if anyone tries to stand in the way, collecting high 'tolls,' I don't mind playing the role of Brabo."
Boyata and Browning exchanged a look, both seeing fear in each other's eyes.
Boyata even withdrew his hand from the table, glancing at the sword at Albert I's waist, seemingly concerned that the king might suddenly act.
Just then, the sound of an approaching car engine grew louder. Albert I's gaze shifted, and his face instantly broke into a smile.
"He's here."
As he stood to greet Charles, Albert I still managed to ask, "Do you agree with my proposal?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Albert I nodded in satisfaction. "Good, I believe this conversation will go very well."
Boyata's expression was uncertain. He couldn't quite understand why the usually kind and approachable Albert I had suddenly become so "autocratic."
Browning seemed to have read Boyata's thoughts. As he rose from his seat, he quietly said, "It's because of the war, sir. Extreme measures taken for victory."
Boyata muttered an "Mm," agreeing with him. It wasn't too extreme, after all. At least Albert I had left FN some room to maneuver.
After Charles took his seat, the first thing he heard surprised him.
"We would like to cooperate with you, Mr. Charles," Boyata said earnestly. "If you grant us the license to produce the Saint-Étienne 2 machine gun, we are willing to split the profits with you 50-50."
This was different from Charles's collaboration with Steed. Though the profit share was also 50-50, Steed had received the first-hand design from Charles, and the machine gun was named Saint-Étienne 2.
Saint-Étienne's factory not only earned profits but also enjoyed numerous other benefits, like advertising and innovation, which would help build trust in the Saint-Étienne brand.
For arms companies, this was crucial because it created a brand effect. In the future, anything produced by Saint-Étienne would sell for a good price.
But now FN was willing to accept a 50-50 profit split with Charles for the "license to produce"—this seemed a bit much.
Charles glanced at Albert I sitting beside him and seemed to understand. This was likely the result of Albert I's mediation.
Charles smiled faintly. Clever move.
On one hand, it could use Charles as a "catfish" to stimulate the Belgian arms industry, preventing monopolized companies from arbitrarily raising prices during the war.
On the other hand, it would bind Charles's interests closely to Belgium.
In the future, if Charles ever lost Belgium, he would suffer a huge loss of income.
"'Authorized production' is fine," Charles nodded. He glanced at Browning, who was sitting next to Boyata, and said, "But if you want to modify the Saint-Étienne 2 to use the Mauser rifle's 7.92mm ammunition, there might be some issues."
Albert I looked more anxious than the others. He quickly asked, "What issues?"
"First, the patent," Charles said. "If you modify the Saint-Étienne 2, who owns the patent for the modification? Is it yours or mine?"
"This isn't an issue," Albert I responded readily. "We can purchase the patent for the modifications."
Charles hesitated for a moment, then said, "How about this: You can own the patent for the modifications. Otherwise, you wouldn't be considering how to improve it, and that wouldn't benefit the Saint-Étienne 2's development."
"That's great," Boyata and Browning said, their faces lighting up.
This meant they could be involved in the future development of the Saint-Étienne 2. Otherwise, they would need Charles's approval to make improvements and would have to pay patent fees.
"However," Charles continued, "the same applies if FN's guns are involved. We should also own the patent for any modifications made to them. What do you think?"
"Of course!" Boyata and Browning nodded enthusiastically.
This was fair; this was real cooperation—a mutual exchange.
What they didn't know was that they had just walked right into Charles's trap.
Charles's real interest lay in Browning's shotgun design!
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