Rise of Australia

Chapter 68 Meeting the Father of the Car
December 1900, 12, the first day after the Christmas holidays.

The time to return to Australia is getting closer and closer, and the entire diplomatic mission has begun to rush to pack their luggage for the return journey.

The crew of the fleet are also counting supplies and stockpiling stocks for consumption at sea.

At such a busy time, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew and Minister of Industry Pierre went to Fort Luxembourg together to meet with Karl Benz, whom Arthur had specially instructed to win over and make friends with.

Although the two ministers don't know much about Karl Benz and the company he belongs to.But because Arthur personally ordered it, the two also attached great importance to it, and did not despise Benz in the slightest.

In a small restaurant in Fort **, the two ministers successfully met the "father of the automobile" Karl Benz.

At this time, Benz was already 56 years old, but he was still struggling in 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 there were a few conspicuous oil stains, making him look like a low-level commoner.

"Sir, who are you?" It was the mayor of Fortress who informed Benz, which made Benz naturally think that the two ministers were high-ranking German officials.

"Are you Mr. Karl Friedrich Benz? The boss of Mercedes-Benz Rheinland Motor Co., Ltd." Minister Andrew asked patiently.

The two senior officials who were born in the British political circle would not dislike Mr. Benz, who looked rather sloppy. After all, he was the talent Arthur personally ordered to win over.

"I am, sir. Is there something wrong?" Benz nodded and asked curiously.

While Benz and his car made quite a splash at the previous Munich fair, it was only for the business world.

In front of some officials with considerable background, Benz is just an ordinary person with a slight reputation.

"Introduce yourself, Mr. Benz. I am Andrew King Porter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Australia. This is Pierre Silvio Berlusconi, Minister of Industry of the Principality of Australia." Minister Andrew laughed He smiled and introduced to Benz.

"Minister of Australia?..." Benz was very surprised at first, and then fell silent.

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 agreement between Germany and Australia had just been signed, and there was a lot of discussion in Germany.

"The two ministers came to see me, what's the matter? Could it be that Australia wants to order our cars?" Benz really couldn't figure out why the two ministers of Australia would come to him in person. Besides producing cars, Benz felt that he There is no other skill.

"No, sir. Just yesterday, our Highness the Duke asked His Majesty the Kaiser to purchase automobile production technology from Germany. With His Majesty's permission, His Highness the Duke selected you, and the Mercedes-Benz Rhine that you own Automobile Co., Ltd.” Minister Andrew smiled and shook his head, explaining.

"His Royal Highness's request? With His Majesty's permission? His Royal Highness chose me?" Hearing Minister Andrew's explanation, Benz fell into a state of bewilderment and surprise.

If it weren't for the aura of the two ministers watching over the years and the many guards behind them with live ammunition, Benz would really doubt the authenticity of the identities of the two ministers.

"So the purpose of the two ministers is to acquire the Mercedes-Benz company?" After about a minute of silence, Benz forced himself to believe everything in front of him and asked aloud.

"Of course, Mr. Benz. His Royal Highness specifically ordered that he wish to acquire all the factories, research offices and other properties belonging to the Mercedes-Benz Company and Mr. Benz. As for all the workers, if they are willing to go to Australia, we can pay all the relocation and resettlement costs, and Arrange the place of residence and household registration for each worker family." Minister Andrew nodded and said with a smile.

Since it is going to be acquired, it is natural to acquire Benz's automobile company and all the research laboratories and factories together.

A pure Mercedes-Benz company is just 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 offices be relocated to Australia? Including all equipment and workers?"

"At present, yes, Mr. Benz. But please rest assured that we will not force all workers to go to Australia. Those who are willing to go to Australia, we will take care of the relocation costs and resettlement. And those who want to stay in Germany, we will At the same time as the salary of the settlement period, we will pay an additional three months of salary to express our apology." Pierre, Minister of Industry, took the squabble and replied.

Benz continued to nod, and said: "Well, Mr. Ministers. Since you can choose Mercedes-Benz, you must have come prepared. I have no objection to the sale of Mercedes-Benz, but I hope that if you can buy Mercedes-Benz The company should also treat all the workers in the company well.”

Although Karl Benz established his own machinery factory, research office and automobile company, he was not a pure businessman.

Compared with making money, what Benz prefers is that the car he researched can be accepted and welcomed by more people.

Compared with being an entrepreneur, Benz enjoyed his time in research laboratories and automobile production lines more.

It is the best recognition and respect for a technician to be able to work hard on the research and production of automobile technology that he likes.

"Of course, Mr. Benz. We also want to invite you to continue to be the head of research and development and production of Mercedes-Benz. For this reason, we can retain 100% of your shares in Mercedes-Benz. His Royal Highness wants us to convey something to you , His Royal Highness said: He is very optimistic about the future prospects and market of automobiles, and also believes that under the leadership of Mr. Benz, Mercedes-Benz can become a leader in automobile production. Allocate at least [-] million pounds of research and development funds to Mercedes-Benz, and use all your strength to support the research and production of Mercedes-Benz. I hope that Mr. Benz and His Royal Highness can witness the development and rise of Mercedes-Benz in the automotive industry with his own eyes. It is also a witness The development of the automobile, a new means of transportation." Minister Andrew said with a smile.

For a technician, what impresses him is not personal interests, but free research and sufficient research funds.

Arthur also believed that compared with the funds for the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz, the research funds invested in Mercedes-Benz every year were what Benz really cared about.

If Benz didn't care about his company being acquired before, then he agrees slightly now.

After hearing the words conveyed by Minister Andrew on his behalf, Benz nodded and said to the two ministers: "Okay, dear ministers. The words you conveyed have completely moved me. I agree to sell Mercedes-Benz and Continue to be the person in charge of the company. Please also convey it to His Royal Highness on my behalf, and I promise to let His Highness see a future where Mercedes-Benz and cars will rise together."

　Second update, please support.In the next chapter, I will return to Australia and continue to start farming and developing my life.Please support me, brothers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)