I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Purchasing the Automobile Company

"Buy a team?" Eric stared at Charles in disbelief, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Lieutenant, some things cannot be bought with money. If what you want is low-level talent, or workers, I believe you will get them soon enough. But what we need might be the top group of people in the world, and you don't even know where they are..."

Charles interrupted Eric's words: "Have you heard of Aston Martin cars?"

Eric shook his head, confused: "No, never heard of it. Is it very famous?"

"No!" Charles answered calmly. "It's a car company that was just established last year, a British automobile company."

"Then..." Eric shrugged, indicating, "So what?"

"Although it was only founded a year ago," Charles continued walking deeper into the factory, observing the busy workers as he spoke, "it is already able to produce sports cars and has participated in competitions, achieving good results."

"And then?" Eric was becoming more confused. What did this have to do with self-developing airplanes?

Charles stopped and turned to look at Eric, revealing the answer: "I heard they plan to sell all their machines and the technicians they've signed."

Eric suddenly understood. "So, you mean we're going to buy this car company?"

"And its technicians," Charles added. "All the capable technicians who have worked at the company!"

"But..." Eric was stunned and at a loss for words. "This is a car company that's about to go bankrupt, and it's only been around for a year..."

Charles quietly stared at Eric without speaking.

Eric suddenly remembered that his own aircraft manufacturing plant had been a company on the brink of collapse, but Charles had bought it, and now it was thriving.

"Alright!" Eric said awkwardly. "It might have potential, but they make cars. They probably know nothing about airplanes..."

"They don't need to know anything about airplanes, Uncle Eric!" Charles replied. "They just need to know how to produce engines. If they can develop a powerful sports car engine in one year, the level of their technology won't be inferior to anyone else’s. This is the team we need!"

Eric fell silent. After thinking for a while, he nodded and said, "This might be feasible, but the required funds might exceed what we imagine..."

"That's my problem!" Charles interrupted Eric's words. "I need you to bring a few people and negotiate with them, then buy the company and bring them here!"

"Alright!" Eric replied helplessly. "If you insist on doing this."

He still thought it was absurd—spending a huge sum to buy a sports car company and turn it into a team for aircraft development, especially when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. It seemed like a business that was throwing money into the water.

But Charles knew the reality was far from this.

Aston Martin was not just an ordinary automobile company. It had been bought by the British Sopwith Aircraft Company.

Then, through their efforts, the "Clerget" air-cooled radial piston engine was created, and the "Camel" fighter plane, based on this engine, successfully flew into the sky.

From that moment on, Britain began its domination of the German Air Force, and even the famed German ace pilot "Red Baron" was shot down by the "Camel" fighter.

Charles knew that airplanes, from their invention to now, had only existed for a little over a decade. Their engines were still in their infancy, and most of them were not even specialized engines.

If a team could develop a powerful sports car engine in a short time, their technological level would not be inferior to anyone else's.

Charles, of course, would not let this team slip through his fingers, nor would he allow the German Fokker fighter planes to once again crush all Allied aircraft from the moment they were created, as had happened in history.

...

For Eric, going on a business trip seemed simple. While others needed cars, trains, ships, and then reversed with trains and cars, it could take one or two weeks to reach the destination.

Eric only needed to bring an assistant, prepare some food, and fly a plane.

Before leaving, he waved at Charles. "I may arrive at the destination by tomorrow morning. Wait for my good news. I hope the price they offer won't shock you!"

Charles responded confidently with a wave. During this time, through the sale of tractors, airplanes, motorcycles, and other operations, he already had over six million francs in his account, more than enough to buy a nearly bankrupt automobile company.

As the plane entered the runway, Eric turned back and shouted to Charles, "You should reconsider, Lieutenant. I think this is unwise. Perhaps you should consult with Mr. Djoka first!"

Charles smiled in response.

He had already discussed it with Djoka, or rather, it wasn't a discussion; he had simply informed Djoka.

At that time, Djoka was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, The Meritorious Report. He bought a copy of every issue of La Meritorious Report and threw the old newspapers he had collected into the trash.

"If it's a lie, there's no need to keep it," he said.

Camille also agreed, but she didn’t understand why the newspaper about Charles still had to be bought at a high price on the black market.

When Djoka heard that Charles intended to acquire the Aston Martin automobile company, his expression was as shocked as Eric's. His gaze seemed to ask, "Has Charles gone mad? He actually wants to buy a sports car company and merge it with an aircraft factory!"

But Djoka didn’t oppose it. Not a word.

He just stared blankly for a moment, then said calmly, "Do as you say."

At this point, Charles was a little uncomfortable. "Don't you think this is an impulsive decision?"

Djoka continued staring at the newspaper and countered, "When have you ever been impulsive?"

Then, Djoka spread the newspaper in front of Charles. It was about the Battle of Antwerp, detailing how Charles had lured the German "Big Bertha" into range.

"Do you think someone who can come up with these ideas would impulsively buy a company? No, I don't think so!"

Then Djoka added, "Moreover, it's your money, Charles. You have the right to dispose of it. And in a month, you'll be an adult, and then you can open your own account!"

A month?
Charles didn’t feel any different between being a minor and an adult!
Then Charles thought of something: the parliament had promised not to send him directly to the front line because he was still underage.

So, if he became an adult, would that mean he might be sent to the battlefield?

Thinking of this, Charles decided that being underage was better!

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