Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 273 I'd better just focus on being a writer!

On the morning of August 31, 1880, the sky over Paris was exceptionally clear and high, indicating that the hot summer was coming to an end.

The outskirts of San Antonio were already awakening from the dawn, with workshops, factories, and warehouses of all sizes bustling with activity.

A horse-drawn carriage rolled across the asphalt road and stopped in front of a factory with a sign that read "Peugeot Brothers Hardware Manufacturing Factory".

Lionel jumped off the carriage first, then reached out and helped Sophie down.

Sophie was dressed in a dark travel outfit that allowed her to move around easily, making her look capable and neat, yet still beautiful.

Almost simultaneously, another carriage arrived, and the notary, Mr. De La Roux, along with Pierre Curie and Henri Poincaré, alighted one after the other.

Lionel greeted him with a smile: "Good morning, I'm glad I'm not late."

De La Ruwak glanced at his pocket watch: "Of course not, Mr. Peugeot should already be waiting for us."

Sure enough, the factory gate was quickly opened, and a man in his early thirties, full of energy, strode out.

He extended his hand warmly: "Mr. De La Ruwak! Mr. Sorel! And ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Peugeot!"

He shook hands with everyone, saying, "I am Armand Peugeot! I am the general manager and chief engineer here!"

Armand Peugeot led the group through a noisy workshop, explaining with pride, "The Peugeot family has been focused on metalworking since my grandfather's time."

From the smallest coffee grinder to large agricultural implements, quality has always been our lifeline…

Soon, they arrived at a relatively quiet area behind the factory, where a brand-new bicycle was quietly parked in the center of the space.

Lionel's eyes were instantly drawn to it.

This bicycle is very close to the modern bicycle he remembers.

Classic diamond-patterned steel tube frame, identical front and rear wheels, pneumatic tires, leather-wrapped saddle...

Armand Peugeot's tone was full of pride: "This is the first prototype car built based on the drawings and samples provided by Mr. Curie and Mr. Poincaré!"
We improved the welding points, strengthened the frame structure, and especially this pneumatic tire…”

He crouched down and pressed his hand against the tire: "We tried various types of rubber before we finally solved the problems of sealing and strength...!"

Lionel couldn't wait for him to finish his introduction. He lifted his leg and straddled the seat, gently pushed off the ground with his right foot, found the pedals, and began to pedal.

He gripped the handlebars firmly and began circling the factory yard, turning and circling, his movements as fluid and natural as breathing.

After a few laps, he even tried riding a short distance with his hands off the handlebars, which startled Sophie, who gasped softly, but he quickly regained his balance with ease.

Armand Peugeot and the others were dumbfounded.

They've all seen high-wheeled bikes before; which beginner hasn't fallen and made a fool of themselves?
Even if riding a bicycle is relatively easy, it still takes some time to learn and master it, right?
But Lionel's movements were so skillful, as if he had been riding like this his whole life!

Lionel rode a few laps, and finally came to a beautiful stop in front of everyone with a graceful glide.

He exclaimed excitedly, "Fantastic! Pierre! Henri! Mr. Peugeot! This is what a bicycle should be!"

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In Mr. De La Rouvac’s office, Lionel, Sophie, Pierre Curie, and Henri Poincaré sat around a sofa.

Mr. De La Ruyak got straight to the point: "Gentlemen, Mr. Peugeot is very enthusiastic about cooperation, and I also believe in his abilities..."

Now, we need to discuss the specifics of production and sales.

Pierre Curie and Henri Poincaré were clearly not very interested in business operations; after offering some technical advice, they began to daydream.

De la Roche turned to Lionel: “Lionel, your opinion is of utmost importance.”

What should the initial investment be? Which market should we focus on first? Paris? Or the provinces?

Lionel pondered for a moment. Although he had a forward-thinking vision, he was not familiar with the market operations of the late 19th century.

He gathered his thoughts and said, "I think we can sign a production contract with Peugeot first, for the first batch of 100 to 200 vehicles, mainly in Paris..." At this moment, he noticed that Sophie, who had been sitting quietly beside him, pursed her lips slightly, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Lionel paused his statement and asked gently, "Sophie, you seem to have something on your mind? Just say it, there are no outsiders here."

Sophie looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed, but still said, "Lional, I think... perhaps we shouldn't just focus on France."

This statement caused both Lionel and De La Ruwak to pause slightly.

De La Ruvak showed interest: "Oh? Miss Deneuve, please tell me more."

Sophie was a little nervous, but quickly organized her thoughts: "For example, Britain—"

Londoners are even more enthusiastic about new mechanical products than Parisians.

Moreover, bicycles are quite common in the UK, so improved bicycles are more readily accepted there.

The key is their strong purchasing power; Orby's expensive products sell the best in London.

If we can open up the market in London, it means we could potentially extend our influence to the British colonies…

Lionel was deeply surprised: "Sophie, what happened to you...?"

Sophie smiled and said, "Leon, you forgot, I'm in the 'Corporations and Overseas Communications Office'!"

Almost all letters sent outside of France, as well as returned contracts, reports, and orders, passed through my hands.

I had to make copies of them, categorize and archive them, and send and distribute them... The more I saw them, the deeper the impression became.

De La Ruvak patted Lionel on the shoulder: "Lionel, you're really lucky. Before it was Ellie..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lionel interrupted her with a smile: "Let's hear what Sophie has to say—besides England, what else?"

Sophie glanced at Lionel, gave him a half-smile, and continued, "And America, that's full of energy!"

They flock to anything that touts 'efficiency.' America is vast and sparsely populated; new horse-drawn carriages always sell well, so bicycles should have a market too…”

Lionel and De La Ruwak were surprised to find that Sophie had such a detailed understanding of overseas markets, and they exchanged a surprised look.

But Sophie's insights didn't stop there: "There are also countries like Argentina and Brazil in South America, and Algeria in Africa..."

There are many European immigrants there, so French goods sell very well. And in the Far East, in Shanghai and Tianjin, "Orbi" has branches there…

Sophie talked on and on, analyzing almost every possible sales region for typewriters and bicycles.

She knows the development level, income and consumption level of each region like the back of her hand, down to the specific city, making her a living business map.

Silence fell over the office. Although Pierre Curie and Henri Poincaré were not business experts, they recognized the value of Sophie's information.

Pierre Curie couldn't help but ask, "Miss Deneuve, did you learn all this... through your work?"

Sophie raised her head slightly, with a hint of shyness and pride: "Yes, Mr. Pierre."

In my daily work, I see not only words, but also the flow of goods, funds, demand, and trends.

Therefore, I am at least more familiar with the market than the average person.

Lionel knew Sophie was smart—he had seen it when he analyzed the scammer's information for her.

But I never expected her to be so talented in this area.

He smiled slightly: "It seems I don't need to say anything more, Sophie. You can communicate with De La Ruvakdo about this."

I'd rather focus on being a writer!

(End of this chapter)