In the end, the motorcycle factory was sold for 350,000 francs.
During this period, Shire tried again and again to persuade Dejoka:
"Father, the war is still ongoing, and the outcome is uncertain. Shouldn't you reconsider?"
"We might not even be able to find enough workers; they have mostly fled!"
"Cars are already selling for 910 francs. Can we really expect to get a good price for motorcycles?"
...
Shire was telling the truth, but Dejoka, known for his soft heart, answered reluctantly:
"Shire, we should have a factory of our own, besides, Mr. Francis urgently needs the funds now, let's buy it!"
Although Francis superficially agreed, he mocked Dejoka in his heart: "Do you know why I sidelined you? With this attitude in business, you hand everything to the other party, you fool!"
Francis didn't realize that this was all an act for him. Shire precisely took advantage of his assumption that Dejoka would act emotionally to lower the price.
Dejoka was no longer the Dejoka he used to be!
At this moment, Dejoka seemed to have become the person Francis hoped for: seeking revenge on the Bernard family, especially Francis, with a heart full of hatred!
The reason for saying "seemed" was because Dejoka's starting point was to protect Shire. He didn't want Shire to repeat his life, or even worse!
After signing the contract and issuing the check, Shire still looked furious and resentful.
Francis, however, raised his eyebrows triumphantly at Shire, as if to say: "You're absolutely right, Shire! I totally agree with your views, but you are underage, and some things are beyond your control!"
The two walked downstairs in silence. Dejoka grabbed the crank to start the car, and Shire got in silently... At this time, Ford cars needed manual starting; electric starter cars would not be invented for another 5 years.
After driving a short distance, Dejoka and Shire finally exchanged smiles.
"Good cooperation!" Dejoka said: "You have a natural talent for acting!"
"You are not bad yourself!" Shire responded.
This time they got a good deal; the original price of the motorcycle factory was about 1 million francs, and Francis bought it for 500,000 francs, intending to sell it for 600,000, but they bargained it down to 350,000...
From Francis's perspective, he did not lose much. This was a timely cut-off of losses. What he truly needed was the machine gun factory, which was continuously supplying machine guns and bullets to the military. Losing 150,000 francs on the motorcycle factory seemed reasonable.
Francis didn't expect that the motorcycle factory would also shine brightly.
"Now, it's up to you!" Dejoka looked towards Shire while steering: "Do you have any plans? I mean for the motorcycle factory!"
"No plans needed!" Shire responded: "We just need to produce, and then wait!"
Dejoka was puzzled, it's that simple?
It's that simple!
During World War I, the military's communication equipment was extremely backward. Although there were telephones, they were costly and only affordable for wealthy families. Due to the special nature of military operations, they couldn't be widely used.
This made military communication rely on people and vehicles. Flexible and fast motorcycles became the first choice for communication soldiers. During World War I, just the British Army alone was equipped with 20,000.
The French Army had no upper limit; during World War I, they were equipped with only 30,000, but that was due to insufficient funds and production capacity, and the need for imports. Otherwise, for a military of six to seven million, 30,000 motorcycles were far from meeting their needs!
Faced with such a large market, with a motorcycle factory in hand, does Shire still need a plan?
Suddenly, Dejoka thought of something. He asked Shire: "Yesterday you mentioned the 'Holt 75' tractor. Aren't you worried that Francis might also be prepared?"
Shire understood what Dejoka meant.
Francis, being the earliest introducer of 'Holt' tractors in France, should be watching the development of the 'Holt' tractors.
If Francis knew about the 'Holt 75' and bought it early, Shire's plan might fail.
Shire calmly replied: "He knows, but he won't import it!"
Dejoka said "Hmm?" distractedly, causing the car to wobble.
"Pay attention to driving, Father!" Shire reminded him, then explained: "It's very easy to understand. All of Francis's equipment is for producing the 'Holt 60', and so are the technical workers. If he were to switch all the equipment and workers to produce the 'Holt 75', it would be more than Francis could handle, at least not currently!"
Dejoka suddenly understood.
The key point is that Francis's tractor factory has a monopoly in France, with the 'Holt 60' occupying 70% of the market share. No other domestic tractor factory could compete with it.
As long as Francis continued this way, he could maintain his leading advantage. There was certainly no need to upgrade the 'Holt 60' to the 'Holt 75'.
Especially during wartime, with tractors not selling well, there was even less motivation and funds to upgrade.
No one was buying tractors. It wasn't because the tractors weren't advanced enough, but because there was no demand under the threat of war. Upgrading tractors would be unnecessary and foolish!
Therefore, even though Francis was aware that 'Holt 75' was becoming popular in Britain, he wouldn't pay to import it. He might even block the news, making French farmers believe that the 'Holt 60' was still the best tractor in the world.
"You seem to think of everything!" Dejoka smiled: "I really don't know what's in that little head of yours. Why haven't I seen you this smart in your studies?"
"Because studying isn't like doing business!" Shire answered: "To me, it's a kind of torture!"
Dejoka's expression was somewhat helpless: "Whatever, studying is for the purpose of making money anyway..."
Before finishing his sentence, loud artillery sounds suddenly came from the direction of the Marne River, like thunder, one after another. A few stray shells whistled across the southern bank, exploding in fields not far from the small town, scaring the residents into running in all directions.
Dejoka also became nervous. Stepping on the gas to speed up, he cursed: "Damn it, our army is attacking the Germans! At this time!"
The car stopped at the front door, and Camille came up in a panic.
Dejoka practically dragged Shire out of the car, shouting to Camille while running: "Get back, go to the basement, go to the basement!"
The three hurried back to the house, opened the basement door, and went inside. As they closed the door, Dejoka was gasping for breath, but finally felt a bit relieved.
Artillery sounds continued outside, faintly accompanied by the sounds of fighting and guns.
Camille was trembling in fear but mustered the courage to softly comfort Shire: "It's okay, it will be okay!"
Dejoka turned on the electric light, which flickered to illuminate the cluttered basement, filled with the smell of mold and dust.
"Don't worry!" Dejoka comforted: "It's safe here!"
After a while, he added: "We need to have faith in the army. They will soon defeat the Germans and drive them away!"
Many people thought this way. General Gallieni had transferred the 6th Army Group from Paris; they were jointly attacking a German army unit with the 5th Army Group.
Two army groups fighting one German army group, wasn't victory inevitable?
However, war was not as simple as they thought, and it was not a game of numbers and troops!