Francis originally planned to say nothing, after all, if the property rights were in Shire's hands and sold by him, he would get nothing.
But Shire added:
"Although we have found a buyer, we haven't signed the contract. If Mr. Francis can sell it at a higher price, we are willing to take a commission of one-tenth of the final price!"
Francis was stunned. At the current price, one-tenth would mean 60,000 francs. No one would refuse such wealth.
Dejoka looked at Shire in shock. The reason he said "already found a buyer" was to avoid any confrontation with his father and quickly escape from here. But Shire proactively discussed the commission with Francis.
However, when Dejoka calmed down and thought about it, he felt that Shire was right. Business shouldn't involve personal feelings. His father didn't see him positively because he was too emotional.
Shire had his plans. The tank's property rights should be sold quickly. After all, this invention was merely adding a few steel plates to a tractor. It wouldn't be difficult for French military enterprises to replicate or bypass the property rights, and neither he nor the Bernard family had the strength to protect them. Over time, it might become worthless.
The property rights of the tank could only be meaningful in the hands of someone capable of protecting them.
Francis couldn't refuse the commission. Although he was unwilling, he still took Dejoka and Shire to meet Grevy and Arman.
Grevy stood up politely, shook hands with Dejoka and Shire, and saluted Shire: "I have long heard of your great name, Mr. Shire. This is a perfect invention, no one would have expected a tractor to have such a stunning impact on the battlefield!"
Arman, lounging on the sofa, did not move. He tilted his face and scrutinized Dejoka and Shire, with a slight frown that hinted at some disdain.
Shire didn't mind. He had heard that traditional nobility disdained associating with lowly commoners. Now, it seemed at least a portion of the nobility was indeed like that. And that Grevy, who likely was only making a surface gesture, actually had the same mind as Arman.
"You have competitors, gentlemen!" Francis said, "I just got the news. In the morning, as we were registering the property rights in Paris, someone already made an offer!"
Francis naturally positioned himself as the seller, using the term "we" in his wording.
Perhaps to add more authenticity to the news, Francis added, "The owner of the Little Daily, Bonnet!"
"Oh?" Grevy was somewhat shocked. "Can we know his offer?"
Francis turned his gaze to Dejoka.
Before Dejoka could speak, Shire answered softly, "He offered 500,000 francs!"
Dejoka looked at Shire in surprise. Shire's innocent expression made Dejoka doubt himself… Did Bonnet really say 500,000? Why do I remember it was 100,000? Did I remember it wrong?
Arman let out a light laugh. He sat up straight, saying proudly, "This means we won, gentlemen. We offer 600,000!"
He had just been suspicious that the old fox Francis was colluding with his son and grandson to raise the price, but now he found out he was overthinking.
However, Shire added, "Only for the domestic property rights!"
"What do you mean?" Arman asked in confusion.
"The Paris Convention, Arman!" Grevy explained on his behalf, "They can still apply for property rights in other countries!"
Arman was taken aback, spreading his hands and asking, "Then…"
Meaning what will the final offer be?
Shire looked blankly at Francis, "Mr. Francis, how should we calculate the foreign property rights?"
Francis responded with an "um" and became excited. Starting at 500,000, adding at least a few hundred thousand more. That means his commission would increase by thousands!
"I am not sure either, gentlemen!" Francis said, "For Britain, can we count it as 300,000?"
"No, Mr. Francis!" Grevy protested, "Britain doesn't need to produce tanks. Their troops fight in France, and they use French tanks!"
Francis seized the opportunity, "Then can we calculate Russia, which has combat needs, as 300,000 francs?"
Grevy immediately realized he had fallen into Francis's trap. This adds up to 800,000 francs!
The negotiation then entered a white-hot phase:
"Russia may not need tanks. They have far more troops than we do!"
"No, no one wants large numbers of soldiers to die on the battlefield. Tanks can win and significantly reduce casualties. Besides, even if Britain doesn't need to produce tanks, they certainly don't want to fall behind in military equipment. Therefore, the property rights are not worthless!"
"But why should we buy foreign property rights that have nothing to do with us?"
"You don't have to buy them, but this means the foreign property rights still belong to us. This means we can register a British company to produce tanks in France. Do you still think it has nothing to do with you?"
…
Negotiations were Francis's forte. Dejoka and Shire simply withdrew from this "battle." Each took a small plate from the buffet on one side of the living room and picked out their favorite food.
Dejoka selected a piece of beef pizza, while Shire chose a piece of cream cake.
It was already past lunchtime. Both had been busy until now without eating, and were starving.
While savouring his pizza, Dejoka watched the nobles quarrel in the reception area with great interest. He sneaked close to Shire and whispered:
"You lied, Shire!"
Shire nodded:
"You lied too, father!"
Dejoka laughed and praised:
"Well done! Look at them..."
…
After rounds of bargaining, the tank property rights finally settled at 1.10 million francs, but Francis attached a condition: cooperation with the Francis Tractor Factory in the production of tanks.
This was obviously self-serving, sacrificing Shire's interests to win the production cooperation for himself.
Grevy and Arman had no objections. They needed a mature and ready tractor factory to produce the tanks and the Francis Tractor Factory was the largest and most advanced in France. More importantly, it was the manufacturer that invented the tank and helped the military win the Davaz battle.
Obviously, having the Francis Tractor Factory produce tanks would be more acceptable to the military.
Thus, both parties quickly agreed to give the production cooperation rights to the tractor factory.
Dejoka couldn't believe this was real: 1.10 million francs, with 99,000 francs left after deducting Francis's commission!
They made 99,000 francs in just a few days, without any risk!
The issues of old military industry replication and suppression were now Grevy, Arman, and Francis's to face and worry about!