Opening game, American Tycoon

Chapter 146 Greatness is nothing but scrap iron (first update, please subscribe)
Spring in London is rainy, and the continuous spring rain can even affect the mood of many people.

For the directors of the great shipping companies, at least, the mood is that of a London smog in winter, and of this rain in spring.

I haven't seen it well.

And this time, in the building of the great shipping company, the mood of these shipowner directors is even worse!
It was the worst, they were either smoking pipes or smoking cigars.Everyone remained silent, their moods were extremely simple and complicated.

Facing the shipowners of the great shipping companies, Buffett is talking to them in a high-spirited tone.

"Dear gentlemen, sometimes I have to admit that some businesses may be great, but as we all know, great businesses often lose money, such as the "Great Eastern", each of us is very clear, since It was bought from the berth by your company, and from completion to sea trial, it has never earned a pound for your company!"

Facing Buffett's unceremonious words, David Duncan, the chairman of the great shipping company, said it nonchalantly.

"For now, we can afford to lose money."

In fact, he is just a strong outsider, and everyone knows this very well. Although the other shipowners sitting here did not speak, they only have one thought in their hearts-sell the guy who is losing money!
Is the Great Eastern great?

Of course it is great, it is a giant with a displacement of nearly [-] tons, it is a floating city on the sea, it is the largest iron ship in the world, it is an industrial miracle of Britain, it is...even the reason why their company It is called the "Great Shipping Company" because of the greatness of the "Great Eastern".

But it must be a loser!

And it's the kind of money-losing goods that can drag everyone to death and go bankrupt.

Great miracle?
No matter how great it is, it's useless to lose money all day long!They are all investing in this iron ship with real money. Now not only can't earn a penny, but they have to fill in money all day long. How can they not have a headache.

It's not just a headache, it's just distressing.This ship is like a nightmare for them, and they don't know how many people have been dragged down.Just like his former owner, Russell, has been worn out.

Wearing them down is just a matter of time.Stop loss in time.

"Really? Mr. David, how long can you last? As we all know, because of the company's deficit, you can't even afford the cost of a direct flight to Australia, and now the French are building the Suez Canal. The "Great Orient" may be great, but But he couldn't take the Suez Canal, and the canal greatly reduced the voyage to Australia, so you changed to the American route, but what happened?"

Buffett threw the firm's investigation report on the table and sneered at David Duncan.

"Until now, your ship has the largest number of passengers, but only a thousand people. Every voyage of the Great Eastern has suffered heavy losses. Sir, just last month, how much loss did it bring to the company? Ten thousand pounds? Twenty thousand pounds? Or more? Can you afford such a loss?"

Turning his attention to other shipowners, Buffett said bluntly.

"A loss of more than one hundred thousand pounds a year. In the past two years, what has the great ship "Great Eastern" brought you in return? A loss of up to two hundred thousand pounds, gentlemen... "

Pointing to the "Great Shipping Company" plaque on the wall, Buffett sneered.

"The miraculous loss of the great ship! That's what he gave you in return! Well, I've only given you one chance, and now, you have a chance to decide whether to sell it, or go on with the great loss, Gentlemen, I probably..."

"Snap" opened the pocket watch, Buffett said.

"An hour! You know I'm busy!"

As soon as his words fell, the shipowners started talking one after another, and David Duncan couldn't sit still.

"Mr. Brino, even so, your quotation is simply buying scrap iron."

In fact, it's not that David Duncan is unwilling to sell the "Great Eastern". No matter how great a great ship is, it's useless if it can't make money!He was unwilling to sell, in the final analysis, because Buffett's asking price was really unacceptable to him.

Because the price is outrageously low!

It is basically bought at the price of scrap iron.How can they accept such a low price?

"Scrap iron?"

Buffett put away the smile on his face and said seriously.

"At least the scrap iron will not bring losses to the shipowners, but that pile of scrap iron will cost the shipowners a hundred thousand pounds each. Mr. Duncan, my friend, you can find anyone who is willing to bid to take over the "Great Eastern" "Is it? No!"

No one would buy the Great Eastern.

This is for sure, in London, no, the whole world knows that the "Great Eastern" is a loser, that loser!
After shaking his head vigorously, Buffett looked at the shipowners and said.

"No one will take over it, because...it's just a pile of scrap metal! Gentlemen, you all know this. Maybe after a month or two, maybe half a year, you who can't bear the loss will stop sailing, and then It will rust away day by day in the port, and it will eventually become a pile of scrap metal!"

Buffett raised his chin slightly, he was so proud of himself!
Although he doesn't know whether the company will lose money after buying the ship back, one thing is certain is that in front of these guys with eyes above the top, talking so arrogantly, that carefree, that comfortable, not to mention how cool it is !

Of course, this kind of comfort can be bought with money!

Of course, in fact, this is just a negotiation skill.Just like some relationships between men and women, it is pua who seizes each other's weaknesses or disadvantages and works hard, and then it will always get what it wants.

So what if they were elite capitalists in Britain?No, let's pua

Scrap!

It's just a pile of scrap metal.

This sentence was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. David and the others couldn't breathe. They frowned and smoked their cigars one after another. David Duncan said.

"I hope we can discuss the price again."

Finally, he decided to face reality, and the reality was that the "Great Eastern" was really an unsalable pile of scrap iron. He might be great, but it didn't earn a penny, so it was worthless.

"Discussion? I don't think there is any room for negotiation!"

When Buffett flatly refused, the ship owner Frank Baring said.

"Of course there is room for negotiation. If you can make a concession on the price, Barings Bank is willing to provide a 70% low-interest loan for your company to purchase the "Great Eastern."

As the chairman of Barings Bank, Frank Barings saw a business opportunity that belonged to him. To him, providing a loan in exchange for the other party’s concession on the price would be beneficial to him. After all, banks rely on loans to make profits. , and raising the selling price can also reduce his losses.

"Um……"

After a moment of silence, Buffett thought about it in his heart and said.

"I will add another 2 pounds, but in addition to selling the Great Eastern, you also include all the facilities of your company's dock warehouse in Liverpool!"

(End of this chapter)