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

Chapter 89: I am proud of the money I owe to the bank!

Eric was not actually a pilot, he was a flying enthusiast. He was passionate about flying before the Wright brothers invented the technology and made many dangerous attempts that seemed inconceivable to later generations.

When the Wright brothers successfully invented the first airplane in 1903, Eric thought that a new world had opened up for him. He even opened his arms and cheered to the sky with tears in his eyes. He thanked God for finally giving him the opportunity to fly into the sky.

Two years later, he sold all his property and opened an aircraft manufacturing factory.

Eric naively thought that there must be many people who love flying like him. "Who doesn't want to be able to fly freely in the sky like a bird?" Eric said.

However, the safety of early airplanes was extremely low. People did want to fly in the air like birds, but if it came at the cost of their lives... forget it!

In three years, his manufacturing plant sold only six aircraft, and those aircraft were sold at almost no profit.

Like many entrepreneurs who are unwilling to give up their dreams, Eric soon fell into the bank's loan trap. After the interest compounded, he could no longer repay the bank's debt.

His wife couldn't stand this difficult life and left with their two children. All he could do was to take some "dangerous missions" from the military at the airport to get by.

When Eric heard that he was going to "blow up 'Big Bertha'", his first reaction was, what's the point of dying? If he could pay off his debts and leave some money for his wife and children, there would be nothing to regret!

"How much do you want to sell it for?" asked Charles.

"What?" Eric looked at Charles in disbelief. "You...you really want to buy it? You know what it is like! You didn't even see what it looks like?"

"Of course!" Charles answered simply, "We can sign the contract right now if you bring it!"

Eric frantically searched his body for a while and finally took out a crumpled document from his trouser pocket. It was obvious that he had tried to sell the aircraft manufacturing plant before, but failed.

Eric unfolded the contract with trembling hands and handed it to Charles carefully.

Charles took it and looked at it. It was 36 francs. This figure surprised him a little: "After paying off the bank loan, you only have francs left?"

"That's enough!" Eric replied.

Ten thousand francs was a huge sum of money for him, and he would give it all to his wife and children, as he had owed them too much over the years.

As for himself, he didn't think about it!
Ciel handed the contract back to Eric.

The expectation on Eric's face instantly turned into disappointment, but he still nodded in understanding: "No one would do such a stupid thing, I understand!"

"No, Uncle Eric!" Charles said calmly, "Redraft the contract and I'll give you 40 francs!"

Eric's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he heard. Even Fescher, who was standing next to him, thought he had heard it wrong. It could be bought for 36 francs, but he gave 40?
This is the dumbest capitalist!

This is 4 francs, an amount of money that an ordinary person cannot earn in a lifetime. Most people would have to work for more than a hundred years, but Charles, the capitalist, gave it to the pilot on a whim!

"This, is this true?" Eric stood up excitedly.

"Of course it is true!" said Charles; "but on one condition..."

Eric was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently, his expression seemed to say, I knew this wouldn't be a good thing.

Unexpectedly, Charles said, "You must come back alive, Uncle Eric. I'm waiting for you to manage my aircraft factory!"

Eric broke down instantly. He was so moved that he couldn't control himself. He stared at Charles blankly, thinking he was dreaming. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something but no words came out.

At the same time, he didn't understand. Wasn't it about buying his life? Wasn't it about flying a plane into Big Belsa?
Why was he able to come back alive and manage the aircraft manufacturing factory for Charles?

When Eric didn't answer, Charles asked again, "Don't you want to?"

"No, of course I do!" Eric replied.

Getting a ton of money and being able to own your own aircraft manufacturing plant, what could be more perfect than this?
however……

Eric asked doubtfully, "I, I can still... come back alive?"

"Of course!" Charles raised his eyebrows, and turned his head to look at Fisher: "Major, can you gather the pilots together? We need to make a battle plan!"

"Yes, sir!"

As soon as Fisher walked out the door, a signalman came in and reported: "Sir, the Congreve rocket you needed has been delivered!"

Ciel nodded: "Put the rocket in the warehouse and assign someone to keep it!"

"Yes, sir!"

Just as the signalman was about to go out, Charles added another order: "Pick out a batch of rockets in good condition!"

"Okay, sir!"

When Eric heard the term "Congreve Rocket", he seemed to know Charles' intention. He nodded slightly, believing that Charles was not trying to buy his life with money, although there was still danger.

"I don't know how to thank you, little guy!" Eric hesitated, "You are very generous. Just like others say, you are a capitalist with a conscience. But... I am not worth this money. I am just an alcoholic, so you don't need to do this..."

"No, Uncle Eric!" Charles interrupted him, saying firmly, "You are worth so much money, but you don't know it!"

Charles raised his chin towards the contract in his hand and said, "There should be a typewriter in Major Fisher's office. You can go and retype a contract. It won't take much time to sign a contract!"

Eric stared blankly at the contract in his hand. It suddenly occurred to him that if he died, would he not have to pay back the money he owed to the bank capitalists?
Isn't selling the aircraft manufacturing plant to pay off the debt just transferring the debt to Charles?
Thinking of this, Eric gently tore the contract into pieces and said to Charles who looked puzzled:
"No hurry, little one!"

"You trust me so much, of course I trust you too!"

"If I can come back alive, we will consider the sale. Otherwise, I believe you will take good care of my family!"

Charles was a little anxious. He did "believe in Eric", but Charles also really wanted an aircraft manufacturing plant. If Eric did not sign the contract and did not come back alive, the aircraft manufacturing plant would be taken away by the bank!

"Uncle Eric..." Ciel hoped he would change his mind.

But Eric's attitude was firm: "That's it, little guy! Now, tell me, what should I do?"

"Okay!" Charles was a little frustrated.

But Eric was very moved by this.

What a kind child! He was eager to give the money to me just to help me pay off my debts. He must not want to see me leave this world with worries and regrets.

No, little guy, leaving this world owing money to the bank capitalists is not a worry, it is the only thing I can be proud of!
(End of this chapter)