Chapter 688 Negotiating Terms
Mag opened the door, only to find a portly middle-aged butler standing outside. A perplexed look appeared on his face as he asked, “Who are you?”
The man smiled, and replied, “I’m Master Cayrols’ butler, Hulton. I’m coming here on behalf of Master Cayrols to ask you whether you’ve made a decision to come to Rodu with us for His Majesty’s birthday banquet in 14 days.”
Mag nodded as a slightly apologetic expression appeared on his face, and he replied, “I see. Unfortunately, I haven’t discussed this issue with my daughter yet, so I’ll have to give Mr. Cayrols a response in a few days. Would you be able to relay that message to Mr. Cayrols for me?”
“Master Cayrols has said that if the Young Mistress would like to come to Rodu, she can also accompany us. We’ll be traveling to Rodu on the back of a flying magic beast, and the journey will only take a single day, so it won’t be difficult at all,” Hulton urged.
Mag nodded, and said, “I’ll be sure to take that into consideration. Please pa.s.s on my regards to Mr. Cayrols.”
Prior to sorting out the issues surrounding the steam engine, he couldn’t give Cayrols a definitive reply.
Otherwise, even if he didn’t blow his cover in Rodu but was forced to remain at the palace as a royal chef, that would completely throw Mag’s plans off track. As such, he had to recruit the city lord’s castle and the Buffett Family to his side first so there would be powerful allies on the outside to bail him out under such circ.u.mstances.
“Alright, I’ll be sure to relay the message. However, I must advise you that it’s a very rare opportunity to travel to Rodu and cook for the king. I hope you’ll consider this matter carefully.” Hulton didn’t press the issue any further as he nodded and departed.
“Risk and reward come hand in hand. Looks like I have no choice but to make the trip to Rodu.” Mag looked on at Hulton’s departing figure with a slightly grim expression.
After breakfast, Amy went to attend her lessons, while Anna remained in the kitchen with Mag to practice her cutting skills.
Mag was quite surprised and more than a little approving of the perseverance and resilience that Anna was displaying despite such a young age.
No master would dislike a hardworking disciple. While Anna was quite young, the determination and drive she displayed far outstripped those of an average person.
Following the conclusion of the lunch service, Mag was just about to close the restaurant until the dinner service when Scheer and Dicus appeared in front of his restaurant at the same time.
Scheer looked at the slightly surprised Mag with a smile on her face, and said, “Mr. Mag, I was wondering if you had time for a chat.”
Mag was indeed quite taken aback, but he quickly composed himself. After all, Scheer wouldn’t be Scheer if she went along with his plans without playing any tricks of her own. With that in mind, he nodded, and said, “It’s an honor for Young Mistress Scheer and Mr. Dicus to come and see me at the same time. Please come in and have a seat.”
Sally and Babla had taken Anna to the ice cream shop to give Yabemiya a hand, so there was no one else in the restaurant with him.
Mag brought out two gla.s.ses of water for Scheer and Dicus before also sitting down at the same table with them.
Scheer took a sip of water and looked at Mag with a smile as she said, “Please don’t misunderstand, Mr. Mag. I went to the city lord’s castle this morning to verify whether the city lord is willing to partic.i.p.ate in your plan. However, it appears that my concerns were completely unwarranted. The city lord was in full support of your plan, so he asked me to come to visit you with Mr. Dicus here for further discussions.”
“I understand, Young Mistress Scheer. This is quite an important decision, so it’s best to be cautious.” Mag nodded with a smile. He was already actually quite surprised that Scheer had decided to collaborate with him so quickly.
After all, the steam engine and the steam train were completely new inventions in this world, and had not been tested in the market at all. As such, there was no way to control risk, but the initial investment was very high.
Dicus placed a thick satchel onto the table, and looked at Mag with a smile as he said, “The city lord approves of your invention greatly, and we are willing to fully cooperate with you in your plans for production and promotion of the steam train.”
“Seeing as all three sides wish to partic.i.p.ate in this project, then let me get straight to the point.” Mag looked at the two of them with a serious expression, and said, “I can provide all of the technology involved with producing steam engines and steam trains, and I’ll continue my research and development in this area. In return, I would like 10% of all profits made in this business venture.”
Scheer contemplated momentarily before looking at Mag as she said, “I can see that you’re being very straightforward and transparent here, so I won’t waste any time, either. Buffett Banks can provide all of the money necessary to fund this project, but in return, we want exclusive rights to operation in the area of the steam train, as well as a share of no less than 60% of the profits made. The steam engine will be left out of this deal as I hope for that to be the product involved in a two-way collaboration with Mr. Mag and Buffett Banks. In that collaboration, you’ll be receiving 20% of all profits made.”
She really is an exceptional businesswoman, Mag praised internally, but his expression remained calm and collected. Only through intervention from an official party like the city lord’s castle could the steam train be promoted as quickly as possible. However, the promotion and development of the steam engine was a pure business venture, and even though Scheer was giving Mag an extra 10% share of the profits, she was also retaining complete autonomy in return.
“The city lord’s castle can accept anything no less than 30% of the profits made from the steam trains. In return, we’ll be asking the mechanical bureau to provide you with their unreserved a.s.sistance in this project. We’ll provide all of the manpower and skilled labor necessary, and be responsible for the promotion of the steam train. However, aside from a 30% share in the profits, the city lord’s castle also has one more condition: in the case of extraordinary circ.u.mstances, the city lord’s castle must temporarily a.s.sume complete authority over the railway tracks, and the other two parties must be in full support of this.” Dicus looked at the two of them, and continued, “As for the matters regarding the steam engine, I have no right to make a decision there. I have to report this matter to the city lord before I can provide a response.”
“In the case of extraordinary circ.u.mstances, the Buffett Family will stand by Chaos City unconditionally, and pledge our full support to the city lord’s castle.” Scheer nodded without any objections.
Mag also nodded in response. It was most likely the case that Michael had given Dicus a set of requirements, and as long as Scheer’s proposal fitted those requirements, the city lord’s castle would be willing to accept it. With that in mind, Mag smiled, and said, “In that case, I think we’ve reached a mutual understanding when it comes to the steam train. We can discuss the steam engine another day, but I think it’s safe to say that the discussion about the steam train is settled.”
Scheer nodded, and said, “I can sign the contract on behalf of Buffett Banks. As long as Mr. Mag and the city lord’s castle are satisfied with the conditions I proposed, we can draft the contract today. However, I suggest finding someone more professional to ascertain the more specific clauses on the contract.”
However, Dicus shook his head, and said, “Those are the conditions raised by the city lord’s castle, but I think it’s a good idea to consider this matter more carefully before the contract is confirmed. The city lord will also be signing the contract in person.”
Mag smiled, and said, “The city lord’s castle and Young Mistress Scheer are clearly more professional in this matter, so I’ll leave it to you guys to draft up the contracts. I won’t partic.i.p.ate in the business aspect of this operation, and I’ll only be responsible for providing the technology and skills in return for a share of the profits. If possible, I’d like to keep my partic.i.p.ation in this project confidential.”
He was providing the brains behind the project, so he had the right to make such demands.