I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France
Chapter 179: Price War

Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Price War

Paulina organized the documents, compiled them together, and then walked into the office, handing them to James who was signing papers.

"Sir!" Paulina said, "These are the decisions Shire made in the past two months. He first bought a motorcycle factory and soon developed a sidecar; then he bought a tractor factory, leading to the ’Mark I’; after that, he bought an aircraft manufacturing plant and a flying club..."

James stopped his actions, a serious look appeared on his face, and he interjected, "Which led to the invincible ’Machine Gun Aphro’ and the First Flying Squadron?"

"Yes!" Paulina continued, her tone slowing and voice lowering, "Now, he has sent people to Britain, intending to acquire Aston Martin Car Company."

"Car company?" James took the documents and flipped through them, finding the information on Martin Automobile Company, frowning slightly.

After considering for a while, James ordered, "Contact the British office immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" Paulina responded.

Then the price war began.

"Sir, Shire is offering 1.2 million francs!" Paulina reported from a few meters away after receiving a phone call.

Without thinking, James ordered, "1.4 million!"

"1.4 million!" Paulina conveyed the order.

James stood up and looked out the window. He was somewhat puzzled, why did Shire insist on this car company? Even at the cost of a price war with him!

Could it be that Shire didn’t know it was Schneider who was bidding? He should have given up long ago!

At this moment, Paulina called out again, "Shire has offered 1.7 million!"

"2 million!" James snorted coldly, this reckless man.

After conveying the latest offer, Paulina suddenly felt something was off. Hesitantly, she said to James, "Sir, Shire must have noticed something..."

Paulina’s reminder woke James up abruptly, and he quickly ordered, "Abort! Abort immediately!"

But it was too late, the offer of 2 million had already been sent to Martin Automobile Company, and there was no further response from Shire.

James raised an eyebrow, "It seems we’ve been duped."

"Not entirely." Paulina replied, "He originally intended to buy, and upon discovering our involvement, deliberately raised the price..."

Then Paulina’s face changed, "He might be buying something more important!"

James nodded slowly, he had just figured it out, Shire’s move was not to drain Schneider’s finances, which was insignificant to Schneider.

Shire was using this method to attract Schneider’s attention, causing them to focus on the car company.

Therefore, Shire must have other intentions.

Paulina’s face changed drastically, she exclaimed:

"Technicians, what he wants are the car company’s technicians!"

Paulina rushed to the phone and ordered, "Sign the Martin Company’s technicians, immediately!"

But James shook his head helplessly, "It’s too late, it’s hard for us to even find these people!"

Sure enough, the responses on the other end of the phone were all that the car company’s technicians could not be found.

(Note: In the era without cell phones or pagers, when technicians were out for a conference somewhere, it was very hard to pinpoint their exact location if the meeting site was changed secretly)

At 3:40 p.m., more than half an hour after the end of the price war, the news was confirmed.

With a helpless expression, Paulina reported to James, "Shire signed 29 technicians at a monthly salary of 200 francs, except for a few who were unwilling to work in France due to family reasons, the core technicians were all included."

James nodded and sat back on the sofa, smiling to himself, "Interesting, this little fellow seems to be using the same tactics against me as he does against his enemies!"

Paulina asked, "Sir, should we contact these technicians further..."

There was still a way, offering the technicians a higher salary, the penalty fees would be covered by Schneider, and they could still be poached.

But James shook his head, stopping Paulina from such a "violent" approach.

"Some of the technicians will know what’s going on, Paulina." James’ voice had a touch of melancholy, "They are highly skilled personnel and understand that Schneider is doing this to suppress Shire, not valuing them, whereas Shire values their abilities!"

Although unwilling, Paulina nodded in agreement.

There are always insightful individuals among the skilled personnel, they prefer to go to places where they can truly be utilized, which represents longer-term development and better opportunities to show their potential.

Although Schneider has money, signing them might only treat them as ornaments. One day, when Shire advances to the next stage, they would lose their value and be discarded.

Shire, on the other hand, is the one who can truly utilize them.

Therefore, even if money was thrown at the problem, ultimately, some technicians would still fall into Shire’s hands, possibly the most insightful and capable ones.

At this moment, James was only interested in one thing. He lit a cigar and said thoughtfully, "What is he planning to do?"

Paulina, standing beside him, answered, "I think it’s about planes, sir, he sent Eric to manage the aircraft manufacturing plant!"

"But ..." James coughed lightly in the smoke, "But, his ’Machine Gun Aphro’ is already invincible. No enemy can confront it, no one can compete with it!"

That was what James couldn’t figure out.

"Maybe!" Paulina replied, "He is competing with himself."

...

Both of them guessed wrong; Shire merely knew that a crisis would arise in the future, so he prepared in advance.

Engine technology requires technical accumulation, talent reserves, and time for research and development. When problems arise, it’s too late to scramble for solutions, by then the enemy and competitors will have left you far behind.

When Shire learned that Steed had successfully signed 29 technicians, he finally felt at ease.

With talents, everything else can be solved. Machines and equipment can be bought. Even if Schneider suppresses them, purchasing through Saint-Étienne would be no problem.

Major Fernan asked beside him, "The factory matter?"

"Yes!" Shire replied.

Major Fernan nodded, got closer, and whispered, "You’d better prepare, Major, otherwise, come wartime..."

"Understood, Major!" Shire nodded gratefully.

Major Fernan was right, a military command is different from other places. Private matters shouldn’t be brought in, especially in wartime, this is military discipline.

However, to be fair, what Shire was doing now wasn’t entirely a private matter: as the commander of the First Flying Squadron and a strategist, considering the future development of fighter planes and making efforts towards it, seemed like duty!

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