35: Chapter 35 This thing is a generation ahead!
"Permanent authorization?"
Lin Tian crossed his legs and leaned back. "I recall only agreeing to exchange patents with the Mauser Company, using the production rights to my Smokeless Powder in exchange for your bolt-action rifle mechanism license."
"Mr. Baden, this is a commercial transaction between two companies; it shouldn't have anything to do with the national level, right?"
Baden set down his teacup, his expression very serious: "That's the logic, but Mr. Bruce is a smart man. Smokeless Powder represents the future direction of warfare; its value is immeasurable, and the top brass of every nation is watching it."
"To be honest, with your current strength, you simply cannot protect this patent!"
Lin Tian listened and nodded silently.
In truth, even without the system's reward, the French would have been able to create Smokeless Powder in another two years anyway.
With the rapid development of technology in future generations, when had the old European powers ever cared about patents?
They would certainly have just taken it to secretly build guns and cannons then.
The fact that the Germans were willing to specifically send a high-ranking noble to make this trip was already giving him plenty of face.
Compared to countries like Britain and France, this newly risen Iron and Blood Empire still played by the rules.
Lin Tian knew clearly in his heart that he never intended to rely on Smokeless Powder to make money; registering the patent was purely to obtain the production approval for the Mauser rifle, and to incidentally build up his reputation worldwide.
"Mr. Baden, I can authorize the technology to the German Empire for free."
Lin Tian changed the subject, "But I have one condition: you must purchase at least ten thousand rifles from my arsenal!"
"Is that the model 1882 lin rifle mentioned in the telegram?" Baden asked.
Lin Tian nodded: "The technology of this rifle is significantly more advanced than your current service 71-pattern rifle; you are definitely getting a great deal on this transaction!"
"Do you have any in stock? I must test the rifle myself!" Baden stood up.
"Please, follow me."
The two walked to an open space behind the manor.
Lin Tian instructed his men to set up a few wooden targets in the distance, then took out a brand-new model 1882 lin rifle and handed it to Baden.
Baden was an experienced expert; he took the rifle and skillfully pulled the bolt to test the feel.
Then he took the bullets Lin Tian handed him.
Looking at the shiny, pointed, copper-core bullet in his hand, Baden was full of confusion: "This isn't the 11 × 60 millimeter specification?"
"This is a 7.62 millimeter rimless cartridge, filled entirely with Smokeless Powder; its range and muzzle velocity are simply incomparable to black powder!"
Lin Tian explained, "Once Smokeless Powder appears, all previous black powder cartridges become a pile of scrap metal; they are completely obsolete!"
Baden, half-doubting, pressed the bullet into the magazine and operated the bolt to chamber it.
He raised the rifle and aimed at the wooden target three hundred meters away.
"Bang!"
A crisp sound rang out.
The bullseye three hundred meters away was instantly pierced, leaving behind a charred bullet hole.
"Good rifle!"
On Baden's usually stern face, shock flashed for the first time.
He had heard the Mauser Company mention before that this Chinese prodigy had created a modified version of the Mauser rifle.
He had assumed it would be at most similar to the current 1871 model, but who would have thought that this Model 1882 rifle's performance would be a full generation ahead, appearing almost like a product of the next century!
The 7.62 millimeter smokeless cartridge produced no smoke at all after firing, leaving the barrel clean, and its stability and lethality completely crushed black powder.
Just as Lin Tian said, the firearms of the old era had all become junk.
Baden fired two more shots in succession, hitting the target every time.
He stroked the barrel, unable to put it down, and turned to ask: "How much does this rifle cost?"
"Thirty dollars each!" Lin Tian quoted the price.
"At the current exchange rate, that's equivalent to one hundred and twenty marks; it's too expensive!" Baden shook his head repeatedly.
"Mr. Baden, this comes with the permanent patent authorization for Smokeless Powder!"
"One hundred marks! Not a penny more." Baden held firm on the price.
"Sigh, you are too ruthless; that converts to less than twenty-five dollars—I won't even be able to recover my costs!"
Lin Tian deliberately put on a pained expression, then sighed deeply, "Forget it! Who told me to always admire Kaiser Wilhelm I. I'll treat this loss-making deal as making a friend, a gift for the great German Empire!"
Upon hearing this, the usually stern-faced Baden finally smiled:
"Well said! Kaiser Wilhelm I is indeed worthy of the world's respect. Your generosity will surely win the friendship of the Empire!"
"We must celebrate properly!"
Lin Tian laughed, "I happen to have a bottle of 1850 Margaux wine hidden in my cellar!"
Baden's eyes lit up: "I would be delighted!"
Three days later.
Baden, representing the Mauser Company, officially signed the patent exchange contract with the Lin-Browning Arms Company.
The German Empire placed a massive order in one go, purchasing ten thousand model 1882 lin rifles.
In exchange, they successfully secured the permanent authorization for Smokeless Powder.
...
In closing this deal, Lin Tian actually didn't make much money.
The cost of the model 1882 lin rifle was plain to see, and it sold for only twenty-five dollars each.
Calculating the order of ten thousand, he made at most twenty thousand dollars.
But what he was after was not the petty immediate profit, but rather using this opportunity to knock open the door to the European arms market.
He knew clearly in his heart that with this advanced rifle, plus the German Empire as a ready-made live advertisement, there would definitely be a large number of countries unable to manufacture good guns coming to him voluntarily to hand over their money.
A few days later.
The front pages of major newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post all published an eye-catching advertisement.
"Do you want to be the number one sharpshooter in the entire USA? Do you want to take home a huge cash prize? On June 1st, come to Chicago to participate in the All-American Rifle Competition!"
"This competition is sponsored by the Lin-Browning Arms Company, owned by 'Miracle Boy' Bruce Lin, and organized by the National Rifle Association. As long as you are a citizen of the USA and believe your marksmanship is accurate, everyone is welcome to register!"
"The champion will not only receive a sharpshooter certificate issued by the association but can also take home a cash prize of fifty thousand dollars! Gain both fame and fortune—act now!"
At the bottom of the advertisement, the registration addresses and inquiry phone numbers for major cities were clearly printed.
Otto was a white worker in his forties.
This year, the national economy was in a slump, and his manager notified him directly to pack his bags and leave; he had been laid off.
Having worked hard at this run-down factory for sixteen years, suddenly losing his livelihood, Otto was completely stunned.
He had a wife at home, as well as several children in school, all relying on him to earn money to make ends meet.
Forced into a corner, he could only pretend to leave for work in the morning, while actually wandering around street newsstands, hoping to find a new job.
When he saw the shooting competition advertisement in the major newspapers, his mind instantly became active.
Don't look at him as just a laid-off worker now; back in the day, he was a genuine veteran who had fought in the Civil War, and his marksmanship was superb.
If it hadn't been for his terrible temper and offending his superior officer back then, he never would have retired to become a laborer.
Having left the military for exactly twenty years, he still had absolute confidence in his marksmanship.
As long as he could participate, the fifty-thousand-dollar prize would definitely be within his grasp.