I Became a Tycoon During World War I - 392

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Chapter 392: Dramatic Advantage


The news about the "Paris Gun" spread quickly, leaving even the Germans bewildered.

This was no fabrication; the Germans were indeed implementing the "Paris Gun" project, and it had even entered the production phase.

Yet they were utterly confused: how could such a top-secret plan, known to only a few within Germany, have become a topic of public chatter throughout France?

Who had leaked the information? This had to be investigated thoroughly!

Charles, however, was uninterested in these investigations. What caught his attention was the market's response to the news.

Large insurance companies barely managed to stay afloat, adopting strategies like raising premiums to mitigate risk. The higher the risk, the higher the premiums. For example, Duris Insurance Company doubled its premiums while making its claim conditions exceptionally strict, giving people the impression they were being swindled.

Smaller insurance companies, on the other hand, were desperate to exit the scene. No one knew when the Germans might complete such a weapon.

What if it was ready tomorrow? If the Germans destroyed an area with a single blast, years of work would be reduced to nothing—not only wasted but also potentially plunging these companies into insurmountable debt, which they might never repay in their lifetime!

It was during this chaos that Djoka made his move. He swiftly acquired three small insurance companies and merged them to form the "Bernard Insurance Company."

The name "Bernard" was used instead of "Charles" to avoid tying the brigadier general too closely to capitalist ventures, even though everyone knew the real story.

Then...

A dramatic turn of events unfolded. Despite the "Bernard Insurance Company" charging premiums as high or even higher than its competitors, people flocked to invest their money in it.

Even as its competitor Duris Insurance Company slashed premiums repeatedly, it failed to win back customers.

This phenomenon puzzled even Djoka. He had his assistant investigate the unusual occurrence, and the answer he received was:

"They believe Charles is a conscientious capitalist, a man of his word, so they don’t worry about claim payouts."

Djoka simply nodded. Credibility was critical for insurance companies, and in this regard, Charles was unmatched.

"They think it’s only right to entrust their money to Charles's company because he saved Paris and countless lives."

Djoka was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t considered this angle.

Upon reflection, however, it made sense. Charles had indeed saved Paris, and even France itself. In this light, letting Charles profit seemed entirely justified—better than letting other capitalists who contributed nothing take the money.

"Some also believe Charles will use the profits to help those in need or to aid the war effort, so they are willing to pay the premiums."

Djoka felt a deep sense of gratification. This was the goodwill Charles had painstakingly accumulated.

"Most people, however, think this: by paying high premiums to Charles's company, if he wants to avoid payouts, he will be motivated to invent something or lead the French army to defeat the Germans’ 'Paris Gun.' So, they believe the expense is worthwhile. Some have even inquired if there’s insurance available for storming Berlin—they would gladly invest all their savings!"

Djoka rolled his eyes. That wasn’t insurance—that was gambling!

When Charles heard this, he was equally astonished. Over the past year, his dealings with capitalists had gradually conditioned him to think primarily in terms of "profit."

Now, he realized that business strategies depended on the audience: with capitalists, you talk about profit; with citizens, you evoke sentiment.

Everything Charles had done in the past—charity work, inventions, even the reputation he had built on the battlefield—was now bearing fruit.

The "Bernard Insurance Company" was amassing wealth at a rate of millions of francs daily, growing at an accelerating pace. Within a few days, it had surpassed two million francs in daily premiums.

Most importantly, Charles knew the Germans' "Paris Gun" posed no real threat to Paris. This meant that the money was essentially risk-free.

It was madness!

Back when Charles painstakingly invented the tank and risked his life commanding troops to defend Davaus, selling the patent had only earned him 990,000 francs. Now, doing absolutely nothing for a single day could net him millions.

No wonder modern America had allowed its industrial sector to become hollowed out by finance. With money this easy to make in finance, who would bother with manufacturing?

...

At the gates of the police training base, beside two rifle-bearing guards, stood Fessenden, wearing a worn trench coat and pacing anxiously.

Fessenden had been waiting there for three days but hadn’t seen Charles emerge. His white mutton chops, unkempt and tangled, and the dust-covered glasses on his nose revealed his frustration.

As a scientist, Fessenden held over 500 patents, including those for wireless radio.

However, his lack of interpersonal skills and shrewdness meant his wealth never matched his achievements.

Fessenden had worked as Edison’s assistant for four years, but Edison dismissed him due to financial troubles.

Later, he joined the U.S. Weather Bureau, a decent job with an annual salary of $3,000 that allowed him to retain ownership of his inventions. Unfortunately, the bureau’s director tried to claim half of his patents, forcing Fessenden to resign.

He subsequently worked for the National Electric Signaling Company (NESCO), which also attempted to seize his patents. Once again, he was dismissed.

This time, Fessenden sued the company for breach of contract, but the firm used its financial clout to drag out the case.

Destitute and furious, Fessenden cursed: "Is there not a single good capitalist in the world?"

Suddenly, a name came to mind: "Charles!"

People called him a "conscientious capitalist." He had invented numerous devices and reportedly encouraged his workers to innovate, allowing them to retain the rights to their inventions.

Still, Fessenden hesitated. Charles seemed more interested in military equipment, and he doubted his own inventions would be of any use to him.

Then, Fessenden recalled his echo-detection device for locating icebergs, which might indeed interest Charles.

Determined, Fessenden purchased a ship ticket and traveled across the ocean to France.

Upon arriving at Charles’s residence, he realized it wouldn’t be so simple. Charles wasn’t someone anyone could just meet, especially a foreigner who could easily be mistaken for a spy.

Fessenden knew he couldn’t keep waiting. Gritting his teeth, he resolved to take a risk.

Adjusting his coat, Fessenden strode boldly toward the base’s gate and confidently told the guards, "I wish to see Charles. I have critical intelligence about the Germans that I must report to him personally!"