Chapter 1: Weapons Research Fund

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  Xu Shaowen only then realized that no wonder the two foreigners were so excited when he suggested continuing to invest in Remington, they had taken a liking to his money. However, regardless of what was said, Browning and Garland were both renowned figures in the American military-industrial complex, and could have completely sought funding from the government or an American bank, no need to come all the way across the ocean to find him.

  "Mr. Browning, Mr. Garland, you've come all the way to China just to ask for funding? Can't you find anyone willing to invest in your own country?" Xu Shaowen asked with a hint of surprise.

  Galland and Browning exchanged a glance, both of them let out a sigh. Galland's face was filled with worry as he said: "Mr. Xu, you may not know this, but four months ago, several Chinese businessmen speculated on international arms deals, causing our American military industry to suffer significant losses. The US government also had to bear the burden of compensating for the difference in prices. Now in America, our military industry is the least trusted."

  "It's not just because of the speculation by Chinese businessmen last time, but more importantly, a large part of our US military industry's orders are for export, and almost all buyers pay in installments, which also makes us bear some trade risks." Browning continued to add to Grand's words. "Although I am the president of Browning Company, my company has undertaken many foreign trade orders, most of which were made by borrowing from banks, but so far not a single order has been settled."

  Xu Shaowen couldn't help but laugh to himself after hearing the two of them. Last time, he and Li Wanqi had made a fortune by speculating together, but in the end, they had shifted all their gains to China, causing America to suffer significant losses. However, on the surface, he maintained his calm demeanor, pretending to be deep in thought as he nodded slightly.

  "Ah, I see," Xu Shaowen said with a sympathetic expression. "However, from a business perspective, donating several million dollars is no problem for me, but... what benefits can I gain from it? Moreover, as the largest shareholder of Remington Company, there's no reason for me to fund you from a competitive standpoint."

  "In fact, we thought that any new-style weapon developed in the laboratory would have its patent rights jointly owned by our three companies, which is fair to everyone." Browning said immediately, apparently he had expected Xu Shaowen to say so.

  "Really?" Xu Shaowen turned to Woods beside him and asked, "How do you think, Mr. Woods?"

  "Hmph, he told me about this a long time ago," Wood sneered with a cold smile, "I think his idea is absurd. Three companies jointly establish a weapons research laboratory, and the patents for the developed weapons are jointly owned by the three companies? Ridiculous."

  He paused, deliberately glared at Bruning and Galland, then continued: "Mr. Bruning's idea is completely unrealistic. Firstly, the funding for this research laboratory requires Mr. Xu to bear it alone, which is unfair; secondly, if one of the three companies slacks off, using the laboratory's funds to maintain its own company without participating in the development of new weapons, then when the other two companies develop new weapons, won't they directly reap the benefits?"

  Xu Shaowen couldn't help but laugh, Wood was not pleased as a businessman, and it was soon apparent that this matter was impractical. He looked at Mr. Browning again and said, "Gentlemen, it's clear that your reasons can't move me."

  "But... but Mr. Xu, I believe we still have other ways of cooperation." Galland and Bruning couldn't help but gather around, they didn't want to come all the way here for nothing.

  Xu Shao thought for a moment, Browning and Garland respectively completed the design of M1 semi-automatic rifle and M1917 Browning machine gun in 1916 and 1917. These two high-performance weapons played an important role in both World War I and World War II. If he could introduce the designs of these two weapons first, use Remington to produce them, and then equip his own 75th Brigade with them, they would undoubtedly become the most elite troops in the Northern Expedition era.

  "There is a way, I suppose the reason Browning and Colt's are not supporting your design is because of financial difficulties. After some thought, Xu Shaowen slowly spoke up, 'I can allocate $1 million to establish a weapons research fund at Remington, Browning and Mr. Garand, you will each have access to $400,000 from this fund.'"

  Browning and Garland were both taken aback, their faces lighting up with excitement. Meanwhile, Wood and the other Remington shareholders looked on in disbelief, turning to Xu Shaowen, wondering if this Chinese nouveau riche didn't take dollars seriously?

  Xu Shaowen didn't wait for everyone to speak up, and continued: "However, Mr. Browning and Mr. Garand, if you use the fund's expenses to complete the new weapon's shooting, Remington Company must have the priority agency production rights of this new weapon for three years, and the patent should have a 50% share of patent dividends."

  "What about the priority production rights for three years?" Browning and Garland both looked uncomfortable. Garland asked, "What about our company, Browning, and Spring Hill Arsenal? Can't they produce it in these three years either?"

  "It can't be, the rights will be cancelled after three years and the production rights of the weapons will be returned to you." Xu Shaowen said with a calm expression, but couldn't help sneering in his heart. "Actually, three years is not a long time, and during this period, you are not without profit, Raymington Company sells out this batch of guns, there will be 50% patent royalties given to you, you don't have to bear any risk."

  The shareholders of Remington Company on the side immediately began discussing in a low voice, all feeling that Xu Shaowen's move was ruthless and feasible.

  Browning and Garland conferred for a moment, both looking hesitant. Browning said to Xu Shaowen: "Mr. Xu, isn't this too overbearing? Three years of exclusive production rights for a new weapon, what about our own company, won't we have nothing to do in these three years?"

  "The new gun needs to be verified, if the government and foreign customers do not recognize it, then this gun is doomed to be a failed product. We require three years of agency rights, which means passing on this risk to Remington Company. Moreover, Mr. Browning and Mr. Garland, you should remember that the research funding for firearms comes from Remington Company." Xu Shaowen smiled slightly, but his tone was filled with intimidation.

  Xu Shaowen gave the two big shots some time to think, and then continued to persuade them: "As for the three years when your company has nothing to do, if Remington's production line is not enough, we will prioritize entrusting the production of new guns to Browning and Chun Tian Binggongchang to share the production."

  It was clear that Xu Shao-wen's last sentence had a great impact, and Browning and Garland gathered together to discuss it again. For them, not every new weapon has a market, which is indeed risky. If the new gun performs well and sells well, Remington will definitely increase production to meet large orders, and relying on one or two factories alone will be far from enough. At that time, priority will be given to Browning and Springfield Armory, and the three companies can make money together.

  So to speak, the risk is borne by Remington, and the money is made by the three companies together. Sounds like a pretty good plan. Moreover, the most urgent problem now is to solve the funding for weapon research, and Remington Company is willing to pay one million dollars.

  "Mr. Xu, your proposal is very much in line with our intentions," Browning and Garland finally decided to compromise, as it was already difficult to find such a large investor who supported the arms industry. Browning continued, "As for the specific details, I will contact you after returning to the United States and consulting with the company."

  "Thanks to Mr. Xu's generous funding, your support for our US military-industrial complex will certainly be remembered by history." Galland also chimed in with a few words of courtesy.

  "After returning to the United States, you can directly communicate with Mr. Wood and I will directly give $1 million to Mr. Wood to preside over the establishment of this fund." Xu Shaowen nodded in satisfaction, his heart already filled with joy.

  Woods was moved, usually a million-dollar deal would take at least a month of negotiation, but Xu Shaowen agreed in less than an hour. This may be due to his trust, or perhaps it's the characteristic of Chinese nouveau riche. Anyway, this Chinese man still put the company's interests first.

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