The Joseon Prince Went To America And Didn’t Return – 49



< To the East (3) >

After that breakup with William Durant I quickly made another appointment.

“Hello Your Highness. I am Hans Wave the Chief Secretary who will be guiding you today.”

The next company to try to contact Buick Motors was Ford Motor Company.

Even in the 21st century it is famous as one of the two pillars of the American automobile industry along with GM.

“You’re really late.”

However it took longer than expected to contact Ford.

This is because they remained silent for a while despite my continued inquiries.

“There are some internal circumstances… Please understand.”

A man named Hans gave me a quick apology and then led me inside the headquarters building.

While following him I was able to witness some rather unusual scenery.

“Do the authors also work here?”

There were quite a few black people working at Ford headquarters.

Not the odd jobs like janitors.

As an office worker.

“Yes that’s right. The Smith who just passed by is a cashier and the one standing next to him is John Malone who currently works in human resources.”

When I looked slightly surprised Hans made a face as if nothing had happened.

“Oh Mr. President you hire anyone regardless of race whether black or white. That means anyone with the ability can get a job at Ford.”

Although they are a small number it is said that there are several disabled people working at the factory.

It seemed like they were hiring anyone who was truly capable of doing the job.

Surprisingly it is said that wages are the same without any racial discrimination.

this.

I thought Ford was a racist because he hadn’t contacted me for a while.

‘They say that even in the East there are some people who can communicate.’

I need to change my thinking.

“We have arrived.”

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As I climbed to the top floor Henry Ford’s large office came into view.

Before Hans entered the office where Ford was he came up to me quietly and whispered something to me.

“The person next to the prince. Where are you from? May I ask where you are from?”

Also joining the visit was BOI President Giannini.

He wanted to see how I made Ford boil so badly that I brought him to Ford headquarters.

“Hmm my parents are pure Italians and I am an American of anchovy blood born in the great United States of America.”

Giannini who had a keen ear made a displeased expression and glared at me as if asking why I was asking such a question.

Then Hans let out a sigh of relief when he heard Giannini’s origins and gave us a tip.

“That’s fortunate. Our boss is actually a bit wary of Jews.”

I guess you think Jews are a bunch of filthy rich guys.

ah….

I’ll take back what I said earlier about not being racist.

Discrimination against Jews is also a type of racism.

But whatever.

It wasn’t that I was being despised so I took this advantage to heart and went into Henry Ford’s office.

“I am Henry Ford president of Ford Motors.”

As I entered the office Ford extended his right hand and asked me to shake his hand.

Say and do only what is absolutely necessary without any unnecessary details.

You shouldn’t judge people by their first impressions.

The appearance of the headquarters is like that and so is their recent behavior.

It seemed like an extreme efficiency trap.

“This is Kang-il Lee. As I introduced you before I came from the distant Korean Empire.”

“Amadeo Giannini. He’s also the head of the Bank of Italy built in the corner at the western end.”

Henry Ford glanced at me and Giannini and then led us to a comfortable seat.

“You’ve been waiting a long time for my contact right?”

Henry Ford looked embarrassed and quickly continued explaining why the meeting had been delayed.

“There are so many scammers these days that I couldn’t help but doubt whether he was really a prince.”

I nodded and showed understanding.

“Detroit is a city overflowing with money. It makes sense that the hustlers would flock here.”

“Yes. That’s why I thought the conman had tricked me again this time.”

Then all of a sudden Henry Ford lifted up Hans who was standing next to him.

“I kept refusing to meet the prince but Hans here brought me proof that this prince is the real prince.”

Henry Ford turned his head toward Hans.

When praising it seems like you are definitely lifting up the subordinate.

I too looked at Hans again and gave him a look of gratitude.

Then Hans bowed his head and showed humility.

“The prince’s identity was relatively easy to confirm. He is already as famous in California as the current governor.”

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“Hey. You don’t have to give it that much space.”

“No. I actually went over there and contacted everyone and they all knew this prince.”

Henry Ford nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. Everyone has been saying such good things about him so I really wanted to meet him and see what kind of person he is.”

As soon as he finished speaking Henry Ford bowed his head.

“I apologize for being late. I should have contacted you sooner.”

How dare you apologize so clearly.

The execution power alone is amazing.

I smiled quietly and accepted his apology.

Then Henry gestured to Hans.

Hans quickly set up coffee and technical cooperation documents on his desk.

Henry Ford asked me tapping his fingers on a stack of papers on his desk.

“Before we begin negotiations in earnest I would like to ask the prince one thing.”

“Tell me.”

“Your Majesty you said you wanted to make a technology agreement with us?”

“okay.”

“Then can you explain to me why our company should cooperate with you in technology? First please convince me here.”

* * *

A fastball that was full of body and no changeup came out of Henry Ford’s mouth.

He kept pressuring me as if he wanted to take the lead in the negotiations.

“Since he asked us for technical cooperation I guess this prince is also trying to make a car.”

yes.

“In contrast our company has established itself well in the industry.”

That’s true too.

“So let me ask you again: Why should we cooperate with this prince?”

I picked up the coffee cup in front of me with my right hand and smelled the coffee that was inside.

Good good.

‘Let’s slow down a little bit.’

Judging from the fact that they’ve been so excited from the beginning it looks like they’ve prepared for this place on purpose.

After taking a sip of coffee I placed the cup back on the table.

Henry continued to stare at me having a staring contest.

What are you doing?

His expression was as if he was asking why I wasn’t answering his question.

“If you beat around the bush it’ll just be a waste of time. Just get straight to the point.”

This method is the best against efficiency bugs.

“Is there really a reason? It’s probably because of money.”

“Hahaha it’s good that you’re so candid. Usually people in high positions don’t speak directly but rather beat around the bush like a lady.”

I folded my arms and bent my back slightly.

I sat as close to Henry as I could.

“Don’t you need money right now? I need technology. If we can each fill this gap it’ll be a win-win for both of us. I think we can be good partners.”

Didn’t Henry Ford initially partner with the Dodge brothers?

Because they lacked technical skills they received the engine from the Dodge brothers.

In return he gave them some of his Ford stock.

“I did some research on your company while you weren’t here. Your production plant is small compared to other companies.”

I too took out the bundle of papers from my briefcase and placed them on the table.

It was an external report containing information from Ford.

“Have you figured it out so far?”

I nodded and continued speaking.

“The automobile market is growing rapidly these days. If we are not careful with production we will be pushed back in the initial market share battle. If that happens….”

He dragged out his words and snapped his fingers.

“I’m going to get eaten by Durant soon.”

Henry Ford flinched at the name Durant.

“You have already contacted Representative Durant.”

“Because I was a shareholder in Buick.”

“You owned shares in Buick? How did you get them? Durant is on fire and is trying to buy back shares that are on the market.”

“There was a situation. I don’t think I need to explain this to you. Anyway I met him last time for the same reason as you. At that meeting Durant made me a proposal. He said that if I had any good technology or ideas I should sell them to him.”

“Heh heh.”

Henry Ford listened to me and leaned back on the sofa laughing.

That Durant guy was making that ‘he’s been messing with money again’ face.

“He was very persistent and hung on. It seemed like he wasn’t going to let go of the fish once he caught it.”

“Well he is a bit greedy.”

I gave Henry Ford a quizzical look.

“If you do this to me I think you would have made the same offer to me…”

Henry Ford did not want to hide this fact from me since it was already a rumor circulating in the market.

“Yes they made us an offer to take over.”

I squinted my eyes at this.

Because his expression was quite interesting.

“I see you’re having such concerns. It looks like you were offered a pretty high amount of money.”

Henry Ford looked slightly surprised.

So I quickly asked the following question:

“So will you accept my offer?”

“….”

Henry Ford looked at me with his mouth shut.

“You seem to be worried. The enemies are becoming more aggressive by the day but you are just standing still.”

Henry Ford looked at me with a slightly weary expression.

“Do Oriental royal courts teach mind reading? It’s as if you can read my mind in an instant.”

I did not answer his question but gave Henry Ford advice in a firm voice.

“Reject it.”

“yes?”

“Reject that offer.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You can fly higher. How can someone like that work under a fox? You will regret it later and start your own company again so just hold on a little longer.”

Ford was actually the first American to become a billionaire.

Just like this.

There’s no way I’d get under Durant.

I gently touched the coffee cup in front of me gently stirring up his hidden desire.

Then Henry Ford asked me a question as if he was testing me.

“I see that you are richer than I thought Your Majesty since you are giving me such advice. Would you be willing to invest in my company?”

I shrugged and answered.

“I have more gold than you think. I can invest fifty thousand dollars in your company right now. Let’s develop engine technology together for the next ten years.”

It didn’t stop there and other suggestions followed.

“I would also like to invest in your company. I can raise about $500000 within six months to a year.”

Henry Ford’s expression became quite serious.

As the concrete numbers started to flow they began to believe that what I had just said was not a joke but serious.

“You didn’t just want technical cooperation did you?”

“Yes. My investment philosophy is to buy as many shares of good companies as possible when they are cheap.”

If Ford grows I will make a lot of money.

Although they cannot be viewed on the same line because the conditions are different in the original history Ford’s early investors earned a return of 2500 times over 15 years and then resold the stock to Henry Ford.

“What do you think?”

At present Ford’s capital power was poor.

Initial startup capital was $30000.

Afterwards the company received an additional $150000 in initial investment and increased its capital.

In 1908 the Model T had to be mass-produced which meant expanding the factory.

‘It’s an offer Henry Ford couldn’t refuse.’

Moreover if you join hands with me wouldn’t you be able to run the company without handing over shares to Durant?

“Technical cooperation is OK for now. But other investment matters will take some time.”

“Okay.”

Henry Ford who pursued extreme efficiency needed time to think when negotiating big money as always.

Moreover since it could lead to a decrease in his stake he could not accept my proposal right away.

‘Time is on my side anyway.’

Last month and this month.

The Bank of England was raising interest rates and sweeping American gold back into the country.

The story goes that money is drying up in the American banking sector.

Moreover as the recession hits the financial world will tighten its lending even more so as time goes on Henry Ford will have no choice but to come to me.

“Okay I’ll be in New York so feel free to contact me anytime.”

* * *

I left Ford headquarters with Giannini.

He kept tilting his head looking back and forth between me and the top floor of Ford headquarters.

“You’ve been acting strangely since a while ago.”

“that is….”

Giannini dragged on and on then confessed what was on his mind.

“It’s strange because I see my X-like past in that guy too.”

“What was your past like? How?”

“I’m talking about the proposal you made earlier. Didn’t he postpone the decision saying he would think about it for a while?”

“That’s right.”

“I felt like I would regret not grabbing the prince’s hand right then and there. Just like I did.”

oh.

Is that what it felt like?

“If you were so worried about the author why didn’t you just say something right then and there?”

Giannini looked serious as if asking what he was talking about.

“No why me? I can’t be the only one who suffers from this. People naturally grow by regretting their mistakes.”

Does that mean it’s okay if it’s not me?

Or maybe it was because he asked about Giannini’s origins before entering the office?

‘It’s fortunate that one of the two stayed in that spot quietly.’

If Ford noticed and bit down my investment proposal right then and there I would be in trouble too.

Because I was planning to make the investment conditions much more stringent over time just like I did when issuing BOI preferred stocks.

“Let’s go back slowly.”

“yes.”

I chuckled and went back to the hotel with Giannini.

After that I prepared to leave Detroit.

Because the time has come to visit New York.

< East (3) > End