Chapter 573: Charles Is Not a Lamb
Perhaps it was the urgency of war, or perhaps it was because the name "Charles" symbolized profit and wealth. Stokes took only two days to establish a laboratory dedicated to developing tank cannons. He decided to base the design on the French 75mm cannon, shortening the breech, and if possible, reducing its weight while improving its lifespan.
Matthew also prioritized the "Char B1" tank project.
With blueprints, engines, and a foundation for tank production, and using existing cannons, assembling the new tank was almost like putting together building blocks. Matthew estimated that a prototype could be produced and enter testing within a month or two.
Joseph was sent to the United States to expand operations.
With the help of the FN Company, Joseph was confident he could quickly establish a foothold in America.
But this was not the main focus.
Although FN cooperated with Steed Armory under Charles' leadership, the branch in America was not in Belgium.
Charles held absolute control over Belgium, leaving the FN headquarters with no capital to resist. They understood that compliance was their only option.
The American branch was different. By setting up a weapons factory in the United States, Joseph could even create a competitive relationship with it. On the surface, the branch was compelled by the headquarters' pressure to assist Joseph.
What truly made a difference was Charles’ connection with Colonel Johnson, head of the U.S. Army’s Tank Research Laboratory. Johnson had previously purchased the production license for the “Char A1” tank from Charles.
...
In Washington, D.C., along the banks of the Potomac River, lay the Tank Research Laboratory.
Though named a "laboratory," it resembled more of a military camp.
The gates were perpetually closed, with high walls and deep courtyards guarded by patrols and sentries. From within the walls came the occasional rumble of engines and the shouts of soldiers.
Inside, the area was filled with barbed wire, trenches, and anti-tank ditches, resembling a miniature battlefield.
Colonel Johnson was commanding America’s first tank regiment in a simulated assault on "enemy positions."
Frowning deeply, he clutched a folder, frequently comparing notes, and occasionally yelling at the lazy soldiers on the field, “Move your legs and keep up with the tanks, you bastards, or I’ll shove the tank exhaust pipes up your asses!”
A staff officer lowered his binoculars and reluctantly reported, “Colonel, we can’t get past the anti-tank ditches. I think purchasing a bridging vehicle from Charles is our only solution.”
Colonel Johnson shook his head gently. “You don’t understand, Ryan. There’s too much to buy.”
Almost everything needed to be purchased: armored reconnaissance vehicles, submachine guns, machine guns, and even helmets.
While the U.S. was wealthy, it lacked the urgency of war, and Congress wouldn’t approve such expenses. Securing the license to produce tanks from Charles had already been an uphill battle for the military.
What could be done?
Colonel Johnson looked at the soldiers mockingly treating war as a game and sank into despair.
The soldiers had no concept of war's brutality. A daily casualty report of 100,000 was just a number to them. They had no sense of its reality.
If these green recruits entered the battlefield like this, they’d be wetting their pants at the first shot!
At this moment, a communications officer handed Colonel Johnson a telegram. “Colonel, a message from France. Charles says he’s interested in establishing an arms factory in the U.S. Do we welcome this?”
Colonel Johnson, who had been staring gloomily at the training field, turned around abruptly. “What did you say?”
Without waiting for an answer, he took a few strides forward and snatched the telegram from the communications officer’s hand. After reading it twice to confirm its accuracy, he smiled broadly, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, “Fantastic! We’re saved!”
Colonel Johnson pumped his fist nervously and thrust his hips forward a few times, then suddenly pointed at the communications officer and ordered, “Reply immediately: You are very welcome. If you set up a factory in our country, the government and military are likely to offer the most favorable policies!”
The communications officer turned to leave, and Colonel Johnson immediately ordered the staff officer, “Get the car. We’re going to headquarters. General William will be thrilled!”
...
Charles received Johnson’s response three hours later: “I contacted my superiors. The military welcomes you setting up a factory in our country. We’ve secured a series of incentives, including subsidies for land purchases, priority recruitment of workers, and military legal support.”
The most enticing benefit was “military legal support,” implying military backing and a team of professional lawyers to safeguard the operations of Charles’ factory.
But Charles was still unsatisfied. He replied, “I still have concerns. As you know, the lack of war pressure in America means your procurement volume is limited.”
Charles knew how to negotiate.
This time, it took longer to get a reply. Not until the following day did he hear back.
Later, Charles learned that the military had negotiated with the federal tax authorities overnight to secure benefits for him:
“We can offer your company a three-year tax exemption. Additionally, we guarantee a minimum purchase quantity for every piece of equipment your company produces, with specific numbers to be discussed. Rest assured, General, we won’t let you go bankrupt!”
From the tone of the telegram, Colonel Johnson seemed more anxious than Charles.
Charles had anticipated this result.
Although deeply influenced by the Monroe Doctrine and adhering to a policy of neutrality, America had never been a country willing to lag behind.
At this time, America’s industrial capacity was unparalleled, even surpassing Britain, the so-called global leader. Yet its technology and military equipment lagged behind Europe’s.
(Note: This disparity was largely due to America’s lack of involvement in the war. Equipment and tactics evolved rapidly in combat, while America stagnated in peacetime.)
America sought to keep pace with the world, which was why it had purchased the production license for the “Char A1” tank.
However, as the war progressed, advanced equipment emerged one after another: grenades, mortars, light machine guns, fighter aircraft...
Purchasing production licenses for all these items was beyond even America’s financial capacity.
Now Charles proposed setting up a factory in America.
My God, this was practically a gift from above!
While workers produced these items, they would acquire technical skills and train a large pool of American talent. The process would also introduce new equipment, ideas, and even tactics.
(Note: Unlike other goods, military equipment often included soldier training in its use, leading to inevitable tactical dissemination.)
Even in the unlikely event that America one day confiscated these factories, there was little Charles could do.
This was why the military considered Charles a lamb sent for slaughter. How could they not welcome him?
What the American military didn’t know was that Charles was no lamb. He was here to fleece the flock!