I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

Chapter 17 Why should I sell the cash cow to you?

Bonnet was somewhat pleased with herself.

As the owner of the Little Daily, his advantage is that he is well-informed.

As soon as the tank appeared on the battlefield, he received the news, even a few minutes earlier than Gallieni.

Gallieni needed to go through several rounds to obtain military intelligence, while Bonnet obtained intelligence directly from the battlefield. He had an agreement with many middle and low-level officers in the army: whoever could provide valuable intelligence first would receive a high reward.

While the tanks were still charging the enemy on the battlefield, someone called the office of the Little Daily and described the situation in detail.

The article came out very quickly, adding some embellishments to the real information and adding pictures. After being reviewed and typed, it was printed urgently that night and appeared on the streets early the next morning. Other newspapers were still confused and didn't know what was going on. The Morning Post even still believed that France was going to lose the battle...

Bonnet smiled slightly. No wonder the Little Daily sells 100 million copies a day.

In France, a country with a population of less than 100 million, what does it mean to sell million copies of a newspaper every day?
Except for those who are illiterate and not used to reading newspapers, almost everyone holds the "Little Daily" in their hands!
Now, he used his spies to intercept Charles who was applying for industrial property rights at the first opportunity.

"Gentlemen!" Bonnet took off his coat and hat and handed them to Manuel along with his cane. "Sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Bonnet's secret to success is to be as polite as possible. He believes that this is the cheapest price to pay. It does not cost a lifetime to win respect, intelligence and business. Why not do it?
(Note: Centime is the French minor coin, one franc = 20 sous = 100 centimes)

He sat down in front of the two men, took out a cigar from his pocket and handed it to Dejoka, and asked politely: "Would you like one, Mr. Dejoka?"

"No!" Djokovic refused, with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Charles looked indifferent, as if he had guessed this situation.

Are you kidding? This is a tank, something that can change the outcome of a war. How could the capitalists not smell its value?
Charles just didn't expect it to come so soon. The intelligence channels of this guy in front of him might be more sensitive than those of the French Intelligence Agency.

Bonnet did not light the cigar himself. He raised his eyebrows and put it back in his arms. He did not want to appear arrogant, which would not be good for business talks.

"Relax, gentlemen!" Bonnet smiled friendly. "I'm just here to talk business. I want to buy, and you have the right not to sell. That's all!"

"Mr. Bonnet!" Dejoka did not let down his guard. He asked directly: "If you have a cash cow, would you sell it?"

This is a very insightful statement. The industrial property rights of the tanks are in Charles' hands, and the Bernard family owns a tractor factory. As long as the tractors are converted into tanks, they can sell them to the army and the country, making a huge profit. Why should they sell them to you?
If you want to buy it, how much money would you have to pay to afford this money tree?

Bonnet nodded slightly, as if he had thought about this problem a long time ago. Not fighting an unprepared battle was another way for him to succeed.

"Do you think it's that easy?" Bonnet asked back, appearing calm.

"What do you mean?" Dejoka narrowed his eyes, and the smell of gunpowder became stronger. He thought that Bonnet's words were threatening: "I want to remind you, Mr. Bonnet, if you want to use some tricks, you will have to face the Bernard family!"

Although the Bernard family is not one of the two hundred families, its tractor business has a certain reputation and influence in France, and it cannot be eliminated by any means.

"No, no, you misunderstood me!" Bonnet explained: "You should know the Maxim machine gun, right?"

Deyoka nodded blankly: "What does this have to do with us?" Bonnet continued: "Everyone knows that the Maxim machine gun is excellent, better than the machine guns we use now, but why doesn't the French army equip it?"

"Because that's not something invented by France..." Deyoka didn't think much about it.

Bonnet smiled meaningfully and asked, "Really?"

Then Deyoka understood that it was just an excuse used by the bank capitalists to deceive the people. The real reason was: the bank capitalists could not make money by introducing the Maxim machine gun.

Seeing that Djokovic had figured this out, Bonnett continued the topic:
"They control the military, Mr. Deyoka, of course they can decide what the military buys!"

"As long as they want, you may not be able to sell any of the tanks you produce!"

"After all, who would buy tanks except the military, right?"

Deyoka was stunned. Things seemed to be just as Bonnet said. After all, a machine gun factory needed government authorization, and the government was controlled by them.

But Djokovic still didn't believe it: "But tanks can help the army win and save the lives of countless soldiers..."

"They have plenty of ways!" Bonnet interrupted Deyoka. "That's the difference between the St. Etty machine gun and the Hotchkiss machine gun!"

Djoka's eyes were filled with confusion, but Charles nodded slightly in agreement.

Bonnet, who was good at observing people's expressions, noticed this and was a little surprised. It seemed no coincidence that this little guy could invent the tank. He seemed to know a lot about military affairs and equipment.

Bonnet explained: "The Hotchkiss was an excellent machine gun, but it was not something the bank capitalists had, so they copied it and just made some changes to make it the St. Etty machine gun!"

Djoka finally understood: "You mean, they will copy the tank and only make some simple changes?"

Bonnet didn't say yes or no, but just kept smiling. A smart businessman would not make things too clear, as this would offend others, but he clearly agreed.

Djokovic stood up angrily: "This is a shameful act of stealing. They can't do this. We will fight to the end..."

"What can you do with them?" Bonnet asked back, "Sue them? Litigation? That's what they're good at!"

Dejoka lost his confidence when he heard this. Suing two hundred families? The judges might all be their people, so it would be better to just give up!

He sat down angrily, thought for a while, and then asked in a muffled voice: "So, what difference will it make if I sell it to you? They can just 'copy' it!"

"Of course there is a difference!" Bonnet raised his head and leaned back easily, crossed his legs and said confidently: "I have the Little Journal. If they do this, I will immediately publish it in the newspaper. The next day, the whole of France will know about their ugly deeds! There is no need for lawyers. The French people can convict them!"

Then Bonnet put down his crossed legs, leaned forward and moved closer: "So, selling the industrial property rights to me is your best option, Mr. Deyoka!"

(End of this chapter)