Chapter 86: The Great Depression (5)

Ford rarely uses his own office, but today, he officially invited Huang Xuan to the office. After 2 hours, Huang Xuan proposed it himself.
Taking advantage of Ford's time to visit other workshops, Huang Xuan bought more than 20 drawings and two pencils for the remaining 30 cents and found a roof to spread it out. Into a complete design. Seeing the air flying in the air, as if it was a good negotiation, lined up on the drawing, and reproduced its content according to the information found by Lorraine.
Due to the strong adsorption of carbon, as long as the falling point of each carbon powder is controlled and arranged on the drawing according to the data requirements, a complete design drawing is completed. The principle is very similar to laser printing. More The energy consumption is still due to different planes.
For Lorraine, this kind of work consumes less than directly manipulating Huang Xuan's body, only the weight varies greatly, not to mention the efficiency issue.
Of course, more than 10 drawings are not even enough to show the engine structure, let alone for production, but if it is used for negotiation, it is enough.
Huang Xuan quickly rolled it up, raised his head, and walked to Ford's office.
At this time, not only Edsel, but also several executives in the company gathered here. In the late period of Old Ford, they spent a lot of money to buy Ford's stock, which turned Ford into a complete family business. Therefore, when Edsel is to make a decision, he only needs to consult his father. He must also ask his father.
Entering this 200-square-meter office, Huang Xuan did not speak, but spread the drawings on his hand on the round table in the middle. These are only descriptive drawings, which are far from those that can be used in production.
There were a total of 7 people present. After Huang Xuan sat down, everyone formed a circle and began to look at the drawings on the table. Everyone was very serious.
"Very good design." Kent, the Ford's development director, spread his hand to Edsel: "But we already have a similar design and we don't have to spend any money on it."
Huang Xuan pouted, the same design? With the same design, Ford will need to spend at least a year and a half. He leaned comfortably on the sofa, drinking coffee. Silently.
Edsel also said nothing about the condition of his factory. He knows better than anyone. Instead, other people have spoken and discussed. However, everyone knows that the real decision-maker is the old Ford. When it comes to the company's political direction, Henry has never decentralized his son.
"Did you design it?" Edsel asked half curiously.
"Of course." Huang Xuan looked at him with unabashed eyes.
At the beginning of the 20th century, it was quite common for a person to design an industrial product. Both Honda and Ford were born in this way. Just like in the second half of the 20th century, a programmer completed a piece of software.
Edsel expressed his admiration with his eyes. It is said that two people with similar thoughts are known to each other, and the collision of the same thoughts in different planes may use the same title. V8 may be the last legacy of Edsel's life.
Huang Xuan regretted this. But this clever and wealthy gentleman died in an accident. In the words of the guardian, this kind of death method is almost difficult to change. Because the energy of the plane buffer zone has too many ways to correct such deviations. If the energy fluctuates too much, it is also possible for the sky to fall.
Several people sitting opposite Huang Xuan whispered, and Ford's sales director Stephen asked Huang Xuan intimately: "Have you registered a patent? Such a perfect design can't be taken away."
Huang Xuan smiled and said: "As long as you are willing to pay, you can take this design, and then register any way."
This statement surprised everyone, and Kent frowned at Ford. For those gentlemen who have become accustomed to registering everything as a patent, Huang Xuan's way of doing things is too tempting-maybe it doesn't need to cost much, which is almost everyone's idea except Huang Xuan. Too.
In this regard, Huang Xuan also considered. But there is no way, not to mention his own identity problem, the speed of approval of the US Patent Office alone is enough to make him travel between the two planes more than ten times. In addition, he actually does not expect to be able to get from Ford. How much money did you get. This is 1931. It is a modern society. There are too many ways to make money. It is more profitable than selling patents. There are many more quicker ways.
Edsel was silent for a while, and said, "Mr. Xuan, maybe we need to discuss ..."
"Mr. Ford." Huang Xuan drank the coffee in the cup and stood up. "Of course you can discuss it, but I can only wait for you for 1 day. Tomorrow evening, I will go to New York."
"One day is impossible." The sales director was surprised: "We need to verify and also need to consider similar designs. Before reading your complete design information, we don't know how much changes need to be made to the production line. Similarly, We also cannot accurately judge the specific performance of your design. You know, this is after all a human design, and there is still a lot of work to be done ... "
"Okay," Huang Xuan said impatiently: "Tonight, I will stay at the nearby Elis Hotel until noon tomorrow. If you really want this drawing, just before noon tomorrow, Bring cash to trade with me, and by then you will naturally see all the details you want. If you are not interested, I will go to another company. You can bring a bodyguard, you can bring as many as you want, but I want to see It ’s cash, understand? "
Edsel was dissatisfied and said: "We can't so simply decide the design and production of a car ..."
"That's your problem." English learned from many days has finally come to great use. Huang Xuan bit his tongue and said: "If you want, just bring the money. I want $ 100,000, which is unimaginable. Isn't it? "The $ 100,000 in 1931, in terms of purchasing power. There are about 1 million US dollars today. Now President Hoover of the United States, the annual presidential salary is 75,000 yuan. It will be 18 years after the end of World War II, Truman will get 100,000 US dollars. For ordinary Americans, a monthly salary of $ 200 is already a rare high salary, which usually requires the consumption of a family of 10. As for the middle class-the favorite term of the Chinese in this new century-this is just a budding class, in some authoritative way, precisely because of the appearance of the Ford Model T. Only gave birth to the middle class, if you believe this statement. Then one of the symbols of the middle class is a T car. Or similar cars, now only need $ 260.
However, on the other hand, $ 100,000 is also a huge sum of money. Not to mention that it is equivalent to the hard work of hundreds of workers a year, as long as you think about the American economy in the Great Depression, you can understand that in a time when a sheep is only worth one dollar. How huge is $ 100,000.
Of course, in terms of speaking, the huge investment is relative to the poor. Ford's average annual profit is 30 million US dollars, and in the process of developing the A-type car, the entire production line was suspended for half a year. It also far exceeded 15 million US dollars. As for the direct funding for their own development of the V8, it is far more than 3 million US dollars.
Therefore, 100,000 dollars for Edsel. Still a very tempting number.
When Huang Xuan turned around and left the office, the room was suddenly quarreled. Stephen, the 10-year sales director agreed to buy Huang Xuan's design, as long as it can complete the 80 design requirements, it can cost money.
Kent immediately retorted: "How can we see from the drawings that it can meet the design requirements of 80."
Stephen was speechless immediately. After all, his profession is still not automobile manufacturing, and Bloom next to him also objected: "Without an appointment, taking out 100,000 cash is a hassle. And, gentlemen who believe in cash transactions, there are always too many quirks." Here The quirks mentioned are of course derogatory. He actually wanted to say the word "robber", but he still didn't say it.
Of course, in 1931, Americans' trust in banks had reached a freezing point. In two years, in 1933, a massive bank run would bankrupt countless dignitaries on Wall Street. However, this distrust of banks has not spread to gentlemen with huge assets because they need banks more than ordinary people. On the other hand, the claim for cash payment is also considered a concern of the poor.
Edsel listened quietly. He wanted to consult Old Ford at night, but before that, he needed to understand the views of both parties as much as possible.
However, from the heart, Edsel is more inclined to buy a set of design drawings. Even during the Great Depression, the sales of Type A cars were still good, but the advantages brought by technology will soon be lost, and the East The design of the people happens to be in line with Ford's production. Even without much modification, it should be possible to organize production. If the design itself is no problem, 100,000 US dollars is almost equivalent to giving away in vain.
As the discussion dwindled, Edsel put down the coffee in his hand and said seriously: "Bron, find a way to withdraw 100,000 cash. Now notify the bank that it must be available before 9 o'clock tomorrow."
"Okay ~ EbookFREE.me ~ Mr. Brown?"
"Yes." Brown is a rugged westerner with rough skin and eyes.
Edsel changed his posture and stroked the hat along the edge of the road: "Notify your people, be prepared at any time."
After Brown nodded in agreement, he named Kent again: "Find some professional designers, bring information, maybe we can see the gentleman's knowledge on the spot."
"Ok."
Edsel made two more orders, and finally relaxed, leaning back on the chair and saying, "I will think about it, and I will inform you of the result tomorrow morning."
Everyone on the scene knew that Edsel's so-called consultation was to ask his wife and dad for advice, but everyone was already accustomed to it, and only Bron expressed doubt again: "Mr. Ford, maybe those drawings were stolen from them? We may have a lawsuit because of this. "
"Who cares about him? We bought it for money." Stephen sneered.