Chapter 68 Meeting the Father of the Automobile
December 26, 1900, the first day after the Christmas holiday.
The time to return to Australia is getting closer and closer, and the entire diplomatic delegation is beginning to rush to pack their luggage for the return trip.
The crews of the fleet are also taking stock of supplies and piling up inventories for consumption at sea.
At such a busy moment, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew and Minister of Industry Pierre went to Ladenburg to meet with Karl Benz, who Arthur specifically asked to win over and make friends with him.
Although the two ministers did not know much about Karl Benz and the company to which he belonged. But because it was Arthur's personal order, the two of them also attached great importance to it and did not look down upon Benz in the slightest.
In a small restaurant in Ladenburg, the two ministers successfully met Karl Benz, the "father of the automobile."
At this time, Benz was already fifty-six years old, but he was still struggling on the front line of research and development in the automotive industry.
Perhaps because of the sudden invitation, Benz's clothes were covered with dust and had a few conspicuous oil stains. He looked no different from the lower-class civilians.
"Sir, who are you?" The person who informed Benz was the mayor of Ladenburg, which naturally made Benz think that the two ministers were high-ranking German officials.
"Are you Mr. Carl Friedrich Benz? The boss of Mercedes-Benz Rheinland Automobile Co., Ltd.?" Minister Andrew asked patiently.
The two senior officials who were born in the British political arena would not dislike the slovenly looking Mr. Benz. After all, he was the talent that Arthur personally asked to attract.
"I am, sir. Is there something wrong?" Benz nodded and asked curiously.
Although Benz and his car had made quite a splash at the previous Munich Fair, this was only for the business world.
In front of some officials with high profile, Benz is just an ordinary person with a slight reputation.
"Introduce yourself, Mr. Benz. I am Andrew King Porter, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Australia. This is Pierre Silvio Berlusconi, the Minister of Industry of the Principality of Australia." Minister Andrew smiled He smiled and introduced to Benz.
"Minister of Australia?..." Benz was very surprised at first, and then fell into silence.
He really didn't expect that the ministers of the two countries would come to him in person, even though it was only a small country like Australia.
After all, the treaty between Germany and Australia had just been signed, and a lot of discussion broke out in Germany.
"The two ministers came to me, what's the matter? Is it Australia that wants to order our cars?" Benz really couldn't imagine why the two Australian ministers came to him in person. In addition to producing cars, Benz felt that he There is no other ability.
"No, sir. Just yesterday, our Duke asked His Majesty the Kaiser to purchase automobile production technology from Germany. With the permission of His Majesty the Kaiser, His Majesty the Duke selected you and the Mercedes-Benz Rheinland that you own. Automobile Co., Ltd." Minister Andrew explained with a smile and shook his head.
"His Royal Highness the Duke's request? With His Majesty the Emperor's permission? His Highness the Duke chose me?" Upon hearing Minister Andrew's explanation, Benz fell into a state of confusion and surprise. If it weren't for the momentum that the two ministers had brought with them after serving as officials for many years and the many armed guards behind them, Benz would really have doubted the authenticity of the two ministers' identities.
"So the purpose of the two ministers is to acquire Mercedes-Benz?" After about a minute of silence, Benz finally allowed himself to believe what he was seeing and asked aloud.
"Of course, Mr. Benz. His Royal Highness the Duke has specifically ordered that he hopes to acquire all the factories, research laboratories and other properties owned by the Mercedes-Benz Company and Mr. Benz. As for all workers, if they are willing to go to Australia, we can pay for all relocation and resettlement costs, and Arrange a place of residence and a household registration for every worker family." Minister Andrew nodded and said with a smile.
Since it is necessary to acquire, it is natural to acquire Benz's automobile company as well as all the research laboratories and factories.
Mercedes-Benz is simply a company that manufactures cars and does not have the ability to develop new products.
Benz nodded and did not express any dissatisfaction or resistance to the acquisition, but asked: "If the company is acquired by you, will all factories and research laboratories be relocated to Australia? Including all equipment and workers?" "
Currently Yes, Mr. Benz. But please rest assured that we will not force all workers to go to Australia. For those who are willing to go to Australia, we will be responsible for the relocation costs and placement. And for those who want to stay in Germany, we will At the same time as settling the period's salary, we will pay an additional three months' salary to express our apology." Industry Minister Pierre took over the conversation and replied.
Benz continued to nod and said: "Okay, Mr. Ministers. Since you can choose Mercedes-Benz, you must be well prepared. I am not opposed to selling Mercedes-Benz, but I hope that if you can acquire Mercedes-Benz The company must also treat all its workers well."
Although Karl Benz established his own machinery factory, research laboratory and automobile company, he was not a pure businessman.
Compared with making money, Benz prefers that the cars he developed can be accepted and welcomed by more people.
Compared with being an entrepreneur, Benz enjoys spending time in research laboratories and automobile production lines.
Being able to work hard on the research and production of automotive technology that you like is the best recognition and respect for a technician.
"Of course, Mr. Benz. We would also like to invite you to continue as the head of R&D and production of Mercedes-Benz. For this reason, we can retain ten percent of your shares in Mercedes-Benz. His Highness the Duke would like us to convey a message to you. , His Highness said: He is very optimistic about the future prospects and market of automobiles, and believes that under the leadership of Mr. Benz, Mercedes-Benz can become the leader in automobile production. For this reason, His Highness the Duke is willing to purchase Mercedes-Benz every year. Allocate at least one million pounds of research and development funds to Mercedes-Benz and use all its own resources to support the research and production of Mercedes-Benz. I hope that Mr. Benz can join His Royal Highness the Duke to witness the development and rise of Mercedes-Benz in the automotive industry. This is also Witness the development of the automobile as a new means of transportation,” Minister Andrew said with a smile.
For a technician, what impresses him is not private interests, but free research and sufficient research funds.
Arthur also believes that compared with the funds to acquire Mercedes-Benz, the research funds invested in Mercedes-Benz every year are what Benz really cares about.
If Benz didn't care about his company being acquired before, he now slightly agrees with it.
After hearing what Minister Andrew conveyed on his behalf, Benz nodded and said to the two ministers: "Okay, dear ministers. What you conveyed completely moved me. I agree to sell the Mercedes-Benz Company and Continue to be the person in charge of the company. Please also convey to His Highness the Duke on my behalf that I promise to let His Highness see a future where Mercedes-Benz and cars will rise together." Second update, asking for support
. In the next chapter, I will return to Australia and continue to start a life of farming and development. Please support me, brothers.
(End of chapter)