My America-Chapter 40 - : Britain’s Bullying

Compared to French patent authorizations, Sheffield was more eager to secure German patents. This wasn't to say that French inventions lacked value—after all, patents for film and tape were highly significant. However, what came to his mind more often were things like bikinis, miniskirts, perfume, and suitcases.

The French excelled in innovations related to fashion and lifestyle, but what Sheffield needed were patents for automobiles, refrigeration machines, phonographs, and even advancements in biochemistry. In 1895, Germany was undoubtedly the leader in these fields.

"I've heard that Wilhelm Conrad discovered a new type of ray, named the X-ray. This is yet another example of Europe being at the forefront of global civilization. Even from my farm, I can feel that Europe is truly the center of the world. The United States feels so far removed from such advancements—it's just too distant," Sheffield said sincerely. "In my opinion, the center of Europe has now shifted from Britain to Germany. The country leading the world's progress is undoubtedly Germany."

To be fair, on paper, Kaiser Wilhelm II's German Empire had formed an overwhelming advantage over France. If it weren't for the French girl accompanying him, Sheffield might have gone into full-blown Germanophilia, enthusiastically praising Germany without restraint. But with a French presence nearby, he managed to exercise some self-control.

If Germany had prepared more thoroughly before entering World War I instead of rushing into battle, it might not have been able to single-handedly defeat the Allies—but inflicting much heavier losses on them would have been relatively easy.

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Sheffield hoped to gain the support and assistance of German chemical companies. With their help, he could ensure victory over his competitors back home. However, Friedrich Bayer seemed unmoved and countered with a question: "The industrial scale of the United States is already so powerful—does it really need help from German companies?"

Clearly, Friedrich Bayer viewed these American upstarts as opportunists looking to take advantage.

"Honestly, that's true. Many factories in the U.S. can freely copy European technologies without consequence. Whether it's Germany, France, or Britain, there's little they can do about it. However, the Sheffield family entered the industrial field later than Northern companies. To catch up with our competitors, we must introduce the most advanced technology. Personally, I believe this would greatly benefit German companies as well." Sheffield stirred the coffee prepared by his host with a spoon, shaking his head slightly. "To be honest, this coffee is terrible. It's hard to find good coffee in Germany. Actually, I could send you some. Simply put, we can cooperate. I'll pay a mutually agreeable patent fee, which will benefit both Germany and the U.S."

Sheffield didn't intend for the U.S. to side with Germany in World War I. First, the difficulty of achieving this was immense. Second, even if it were possible, it shouldn't be done because the Allies were simply too powerful. Aligning with Germany would likely result in retaliation from the Allied Powers against the U.S.

However, on a personal level, Sheffield could certainly align himself with the losing side—this had nothing to do with the U.S. As for using French gold francs raised in Paris to pay German patent fees, who would know unless he said something? Thinking of this, Sheffield glanced at little Anne. Should he control this girl?

"In that case, it seems all of this is for the benefit of Bayer Company—and indeed, for many Germans," Friedrich Bayer chuckled, genuinely amused. "What kind of cooperation? Coffee beans?"

Friedrich Bayer never imagined that one day, a farmer would cross the Atlantic to come to the Ruhr region seeking collaboration. Were the two sides even on equal technological footing?

"The popular coffee comes from Central America, Jamaica, and the West Indies. It's known for its rich aroma, slight bitterness with a touch of sweetness, smooth texture, and a hint of acidity that sharpens the senses. In fact, coffee from Haiti, Cuba, and other Central American countries is excellent as well," Sheffield calmly explained, seemingly oblivious to the arrogance in the other man's tone. "Coffee beans aren't a necessity for people, and those small producing nations could easily be wiped out by Germany with a flick of a finger. However..."

"Not one of those small nations is under German control. That's quite awkward," Sheffield remarked as he stood up and pulled back the curtains blocking the sunlight. The sky outside was dim, typical of industrial areas in this era. He marveled, "How beautiful the land is under the sun—it's perfect for farming."

The U.S. agricultural sector was undeniably the best in the world, but in Sheffield's eyes, there was still untapped potential. While he had come to Europe for industrial expansion, he had never forgotten the foundation of his family's business: agriculture and livestock.

Agriculture could advance further by replacing livestock with machinery, cultivating more land with fewer people—a process that required industrial support. And when it came to machinery, Sheffield trusted the Germans. This wasn't just because Germany was already renowned in 1895 for its cutting-edge machinery and rigorous national spirit, but also because German prices were sure to be cheaper than the British.

Sheffield wanted to seize the opportunity to transform into a modern farmer. He'd rather deal with the Germans and pay patent fees than rely on the Yankees of the North—it was that simple.

"I've brought professional accountants and relevant personnel who can inject capital into Bayer Company. We're willing to invest at double the company's valuation in exchange for shares, but we can stipulate in the contract that the Sheffield Company will not interfere in any of Bayer Company's decisions. Consider this a gift from me to Mr. Bayer. In return, I hope Bayer Company will authorize the Sheffield Company to produce products based on Bayer's patented technologies in the U.S. For other chemical companies, the Sheffield Company can pay patent fees—the amount depending on how much Mr. Bayer can negotiate. The lower the patent fees for the Sheffield Company, the higher your commission will be."

"With this influx of funds, Bayer Company can invest heavily in fields of interest and become a representative of German enterprises. When the time is right, Bayer Company can repurchase its shares, and the Sheffield Company will not object," Sheffield elaborated at length. "In fact, I'd like to sign a broad-spectrum contract with Mr. Bayer and your peers to address our respective weaknesses."

"These terms seem overly generous," Friedrich Bayer admitted, finding it hard to believe. "What's the purpose of all this?"

"Britain's bullying!" Sheffield reminded him of the recent Venezuelan crisis, hoping to foster a sense of shared resentment.

(End of Chapter)