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

Chapter 36 Wages and Dignity

More than an hour later, the prototype of a sidecar was placed in front of the three people.

Although Guillaume was a little tired after being busy for more than an hour, he was still energetic and his eyes were shining. He paced around the tricycle, stopping from time to time to look at this and touch that, just like looking at a fine work of art.

"I think this idea is feasible, Master Charles!" Guillaume said excitedly, "It may play a great role in the military. They will be willing to buy it!"

"How can you be sure?" Djokovic asked.

"I was a soldier, Mr. Deyoka!" Guillaume, who was bending over to observe the welding joint of the chassis, stood up, lifted up his work clothes, and showed the obvious scar on his lower right abdomen in front of the two people: "This was left by a German bayonet. I participated in the Franco-German War. I know what war requires!"

At this point, a hint of anger flashed in Guillaume's eyes.

The soldiers who participated in the Franco-German War were also heroes. They fought bravely and desperately against the enemy on the battlefield.

However, just because the war was lost and brought shame to France, everyone put the blame and anger on them and made them sinners!

This is not fair!

Charles understood: "You can put down your burden now, Uncle Guillaume! We will not lose this battle. They will redefine the war you fought, and you!"

Guillaume looked at Charles as if he had been pricked by a needle, and asked doubtfully: "Will...will they? Will they..."

"They may not, but we will!" Charles' words were a little difficult to understand, and Guillaume did not understand.

Charles explained in a slightly childish voice: "If we lose the war, the capitalists will deliberately direct their anger towards you to divert the people's attention. But if we win the war, they will not be stingy in praising you and take all the credit for themselves, so that the people will not care how much money they have extorted!"

Guillaume was extremely shocked, especially the first half of the sentence: "The capitalists will deliberately direct their anger towards you."

Guillaume had never thought about this problem. He always thought it was just a misunderstanding of the old soldiers by the people.

Charles reminded me of this and I recalled that newspapers of all sizes were criticizing the army's corruption and incompetence, but they never mentioned that these corruption and incompetence were caused by capitalists!
"Damned capitalists!" Guillaume uttered through his teeth.

Guillaume gritted his teeth in hatred. He recalled the humiliation, abuse and accusations he had suffered over the past decades. He was overwhelmed with grief and even dared not to leave the factory and interact with others.

"In my opinion!" Charles continued, "Of course you are heroes. You have dedicated everything to France. You deserve respect, but some people just don't understand. If we win this war and you play an important role in this war, their attitude towards you will change!"

Guillaume nodded heavily.

You are right. If France washes away its previous shame, the army will be accepted by the people again, and the soldiers will be recognized by the people again. Those who have fought for France and are now making contributions are of course no exception!

"So!" Guillaume looked up at Charles: "We must work hard to help France win!"

"That's the way it should be!" Charles agreed.

Djokovic, who was watching all this silently, secretly praised that Charles knew how to give respect and recognition to others and bring them to the same front.

Some people would rather get these than higher wages if they can survive, because dignity cannot be bought with money, and this will make the motorcycle factory's production more stable and reliable!

"Won't you try it, Uncle Guillaume?" Charles raised his head towards the sidecar.

"Me, me?" Guillaume hesitated.

Shouldn't the first person to try it be the one who invented it? Guillaume didn't expect Charles to give him this honor!
"I don't know how to ride!" Charles explained with a smile.

With gratitude in his eyes, Guillaume got on the sidecar and stepped hard on the ignition lever. After two clicks, the sidecar started. Under his control, the sidecar slowly drove into the test field. At first, it was not fast. Guillaume drove it carefully and turned a few corners. It gradually accelerated and soon started to speed away, accompanied by Guillaume's cheers!
"Master Charles!" Guillaume shouted, "You really should try it, it's much more stable than a motorcycle!" This is not true. A sidecar is actually more difficult to control than a two-wheeled motorcycle. Guillaume said this because he made it himself.

"What's it called?" Djokovic asked.

"A sidecar!" Charles answered.

"It's a very appropriate name!" said Djokovic.

"Bian" means side, and it has three wheels, so it is called "sidecar".

Deyoka looked at the sidecar that was pulling up dust and asked worriedly, "I have a question, Charles! Aren't you worried that it has the same problem as the tank?"

Deyoka was talking about how industrial property rights would be copied and suppressed by French capitalists.

"No, at least there's no need to worry for now!" Charles replied.

"Why?" Djokovic looked at Charles in confusion.

In terms of industrial property rights, what is the difference between a sidecar and a tank?
"This is the only motorcycle factory in France at the moment, father!" replied Charles.

France originally had three motorcycle factories, namely Harley-Davidson, which was produced under license from the United States, Douglas, and Victory, which were produced under license from the United Kingdom.

The first two fell into the hands of the German army during the German offensive... Most of France's industrial areas are located in the north, which is rich in mineral resources and suitable for industrial production.

What Charles bought was the only remaining "Victory" motorcycle factory.

Djokovic raised his eyebrows:
"You mean, if they want to copy or bypass our industrial property, they have to have a motorcycle factory first!"

"Yes!" Charles nodded. "They need to build a production line and have skilled workers. The most important thing is that their motorcycles must be as good as Victory!"

The "Victory Card" can stand the test of the battlefield, of course only Charles knows this.

The most suitable equipment for the battlefield does not necessarily have to be advanced, but it must be "reliable and easy to maintain." That is a battlefield. Once a failure occurs and it is lost on the road, it will be difficult to repair, which may cause the lives of soldiers or signalmen to lose their lives.

"Victory" has these advantages, which capitalists cannot imitate even if they want to, unless they directly imitate "Victory", and they will face lawsuits from British companies.

In short, Charles' innovation this time is to tie British companies together to form a chain of interests, which will make French capitalists dare not act rashly.

Djoka sighed: "What a long-term plan, Charles, you must have thought of this a long time ago!"

Charles's young face showed a rare maturity: "I have to do this, father, otherwise we will go bankrupt!"

Djoka felt a little ashamed. For the first time, he hated his own incompetence. Otherwise, Charles wouldn't have to worry so much.

"This has nothing to do with you, father!" Charles seemed to see through Djoka's thoughts. He explained, "It was me who chose to stand against those capitalists. Otherwise, we could make enough money to last a lifetime just by selling our industrial properties to them!"

Djokovic nodded, Charles was telling the truth.

Soon Djokovic became worried again. This meant that Charles wanted not only money, but also... power? To break their monopoly?
Djoka looked at Charles, shock and worry flashed in his eyes. This is the core interest of the capitalists, and they will use any means to deal with Charles!

(End of this chapter)