North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 17 Find some helpers

Standing next to the pedal sewing machine, A-Zu said loudly, "Gentlemen, as everyone knows, the current market price of a hand-crank sewing machine ranges from $75 to $110. Based on a 30% profit margin, we can make about $20 to $30 per sewing machine."

"Once our foot-operated sewing machine is launched, it will completely overturn the market for hand-cranked sewing machines."

"Just as steamships replaced wooden sailboats, pedal sewing machines will surely replace hand-crank sewing machines!"

"The patent for the pedal-operated sewing machine is exclusively owned by our Huamei Company. No one else is allowed to produce a pedal-operated sewing machine without our permission. Otherwise, we will sue them until they go bankrupt!"

"The market for pedal sewing machines is enormous! Not just in San Francisco, but throughout California, the entire United States, and even around the world!"

"It is conceivable that in the near future, we will sell thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of foot-operated sewing machines each year!"

"Foot-operated sewing machines are a little more expensive than hand-cranked ones. $120 isn't too much, right? We can make a little more profit, say $30 or $40 per machine. That's perfectly fine, right?"

“So, gentlemen, you can imagine that everyone here has the potential to become a millionaire in the near future!”

The businessmen who were invited were so excited by these words that they stared at the foot-operated sewing machines as if they were staring at a mountain of gold!
And I am about to make a fortune and own this mountain of gold and silver!

"But...!" A-Zu changed the subject: "Our Huamei Company has just been established, and we have no plans to directly produce foot-operated sewing machines. So... I will auction off the patent for the foot-operated sewing machine!"

"Auction?"

Several businessmen hurriedly and secretly calculated how much the patent for the pedal-operated sewing machine was worth. And how much wealth did they have to buy this crucial patent?
After some calculations, the businessmen present found dejectedly that their wealth seemed not to be enough!

Want to buy this patent? Hang on!

California used to be Spanish territory, and after Mexico gained independence, it belonged to Mexico for more than 20 years.

It was not until last year that America annexed this vast but uninhabited land.

It just so happened that last year, a large number of gold mines were discovered around San Francisco, attracting gold diggers and businessmen from all over the world to flock here.

How many wealthy people are willing to take the risk to go to such a remote and desolate place?
Apart from the gold diggers who have nothing, most of the others are adventurers with little wealth who are willing to risk everything to get rich!
"But...!" A-Zu changed his tone again: "Based on my understanding, all of you gentlemen are still in the early stages of your business and don't have much accumulated wealth. So... what we are auctioning today is the authorized production license!"

"Authorized production?"

This is a new word!

Not only the businessmen, but also Vivian, Vic and others were confused.

"Mr. Li, what is authorized production?"

A-Zu explained briefly, "You pay me a certain patent licensing fee, and Huamei Company will allow you to produce and sell foot-operated sewing machines for a certain period of time! Compared to auctioning off the complete patent, this method has a much lower barrier to entry."

After hearing what he said, how could everyone not understand?

"So, what kind of auction method will be used for this authorized production?"

A Zu replied, "Our Huamei Company is only auctioning three authorized production licenses, with a license term of three years. During the period, those who obtain the authorized production license can use our patents almost unrestricted, including cooperating with other people or other companies in production and sales, etc." "However, the authorized production license cannot be re-authorized! In other words, you cannot resell the production license we authorized you, or even sell it to more people. Otherwise, our authorization will be immediately invalidated, and we will sue you into bankruptcy! Do you understand?"

Can we cooperate with other companies in production? Then the output can be expanded rapidly!

The minds of the several businessmen present gradually became active, and they nodded thoughtfully.

"So, what's the starting price?" someone else asked.

A-Zu continued, "Our Huamei Company is in urgent need of a batch of foot-operated sewing machines! Therefore, the auction price is only accepted in cash and for foot-operated sewing machines that can be delivered within the next seven days! There are three spots available, and the highest bidder wins!"

At this point, A-Zu paused and said, "I'll give you one day to prepare. The auction will be held here promptly at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Each gentleman participating will be required to pay a deposit of $300. The winning bidder's cash must be delivered on the spot, and the foot-operated sewing machine must be delivered within seven days! Of course, you can all find partners to participate together. Do you understand?"

"What? Only one day? Time is so tight?"

A Zu smiled and said, "If you can't raise funds or find partners in one day, you won't be able to raise funds or find partners even if you give it another week!"

In fact, it was A-Zu who needed start-up capital more urgently and did not have much time to waste.

"Gentlemen, it's time to test your family background and connections!"

Upon hearing this, the businessmen present did not dare to delay for a moment and quickly went to raise funds and look for partners.

Anyone with a little bit of common sense and business acumen knows that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune, and it just depends on who can seize it in the end!
After the merchants left, Jason asked excitedly, "Lee, how much do you think our... license can sell for?"

A Zu shook his head. "To be honest, I know nothing about the business community in San Francisco. God knows how much it can sell for."

After thinking for a moment, A-Zu said to Vic, "Captain, you run a shipping company. There should be quite a few businessmen you know who would be interested in our foot-operated sewing machines, right?"

Vic was stunned, then nodded after a moment's hesitation. "Yes, I guess a lot of people would be interested in foot-operated sewing machines! It's such an obvious opportunity to make money, who would miss it?"

"Then please make another trip and invite them over, and we'll try to trick them again!"

Vic was puzzled: "Why do we have to do one thing twice?"

"Mr. Vick, you are still too upright and don't understand human nature!"

A-Zu shook his head and smiled. "Do you think that group of people who just left will start colluding with each other immediately after leaving here? If it were me, I would form a temporary alliance and deliberately lower the price, hoping to get the licensed production quota at the lowest price!"

"Huh?" Vic, Jason, and the others asked, "Can it still be done this way?"

"That's just human nature!" A-Zu continued, "So, it's essential to split a task into two parts! Including Mr. Jason, if you have any business friends, you can invite them over. Splitting a task into three parts is much safer!"

"Of course, to be on the safe side, we have to find a few helpers!"

Thanks: Youth Times’ monthly ticket support!
Thanks to: The Boy in Youth, When the Wind Rises and the Smoke Rises, Love to Eat Tender Beef, Book Friend 202110301106477369216, Book Friend 20241108010154310 and other book friends for their recommendation votes and support!


(End of this chapter)