1885, I came to save Greece

Chapter 344 The Genius's Desire for Control

Henry Ford stood in the center of that huge factory, illuminated by the morning light, and felt his blood boiling.

The grand vision of an "industrial utopia" that Crown Prince Constantine painted for him swept over his entire being like the most violent storm.

A kingdom completely under his control!

An ideal testing ground, free from interference by any lay idiots!

His revolutionary "assembly line production" concept, which was ridiculed by his peers as "madman's theory," finally found fertile ground to grow freely!

This temptation was fatal to him.

It transcends money and honor, reaching the deepest desires of a genius creator.

For the next hour, Ford paced back and forth in the empty factory like a lion entering its territory for the first time, surveying every inch of its domain.

He stopped speaking and entered a highly focused, almost manic state.

Using the length of his oversized leather shoes, he measured the width and length of the factory building again and again, calculating how long a complete assembly line could be laid.

He stretched out his fingers and forcefully tapped on each load-bearing column and wall, feeling their texture and strength, and judging where heavy hoisting equipment could be suspended.

He kept muttering rapidly, in a voice only he could understand: "No—no—the stamping press must be placed on the east side, it's closest to the foundry, and that will shorten the transportation distance for the castings—"

9

"Here! Yes! This is the starting point of the final assembly line! The chassis starts here, then the engine, transmission, body—"

"The warehouse! The warehouse is too small! It needs to be expanded at least three times! I need a parts warehouse that can store ten thousand tires and five thousand engines!"

His mind had already begun rapidly planning the most detailed schemes for this brand-new industrial kingdom that existed only in his imagination.

The most detailed blueprint.

Constantine did not disturb him, but simply stood quietly to the side, watching this genius who was immersed in his own world.

However, as that initial, intense excitement slowly faded away, like the tide receding...

A deep-seated, almost obsessive, desire for absolute control, rooted in Henry Ford's very being, began to creep back into his heart like vines.

He recalled his experiences in the United States.

Each time, it begins with a beautiful blueprint.

Then, those investors who only knew how to look at financial statements started to criticize him.

"Henry, your design is too plain. We should add some brass embellishments to increase the price!"

"Henry, we must switch to cheaper steel. Your standards are too high, and this will seriously impact our profits!"

"Henry, are you crazy? Building cars for ordinary workers? They only have enough money to buy a horse!"

Arguments came one after another, and the meetings ended badly time and time again.

Ford could not tolerate, and would never accept, a second voice giving orders to him in his kingdom.

Even if that voice came from a king who had given him this kingdom.

"No—no way—the stamping press must be placed on the east side, as it's closest to the foundry and will shorten the transportation distance for the castings—"

9

"Here! Yes! This is the starting point of the final assembly line! The chassis starts here, then the engine, transmission, body—"

"The warehouse! The warehouse is too small! It needs to be expanded at least three times! I need a parts warehouse that can store ten thousand tires and five thousand engines!"

His mind had already begun rapidly planning the most detailed schemes for this brand-new industrial kingdom that existed only in his imagination.

The most detailed blueprint.

Constantine did not disturb him, but simply stood quietly to the side, watching this genius who was immersed in his own world.

However, as that initial, intense excitement slowly faded away, like the tide receding...

A deep-seated, obsessive desire for absolute control, rooted in Henry Ford's very being, began to creep back into his heart like vines.

He recalled his experiences in the United States.

Each time, it begins with a beautiful blueprint.

Then, those investors who only knew how to look at financial statements started to criticize him.

"Henry, your design is too plain. We should add some brass embellishments to increase the price!"

"Henry, we must switch to cheaper steel. Your standards are too high, and this will seriously impact our profits!"

"Henry, are you crazy? Building cars for ordinary workers? They only have enough money to buy a horse!"

Arguments came one after another, and the meetings ended badly time and time again.

Ford could not tolerate, and would never accept, a second voice giving orders to him in his kingdom.

Even if that voice came from a king who had given him this kingdom.

He looked up at Constantine not far away. The young crown prince was standing with his hands behind his back, looking with great interest at the complex steel beam structure on the factory roof. His profile, in the morning light, appeared calm and confident.

Ford was struggling internally.

This king has given me everything to realize my dreams, but will he—will he make me the true master of this kingdom?

The tour has ended.

In a makeshift, rudimentary office next to the factory, there were only three people: Constantine, Ford, and an accompanying person.

The arriving financial advisors to the royal family.

There was only one table and three chairs in the office.

Ford sat down in the chair, his dusty work clothes contrasting sharply with the pristine white wall behind him.

He did not drink the coffee that the servant brought him.

He crossed his arms and placed them on the table, leaning forward and looking directly at Constantine. The excitement and gratitude on his face had completely vanished. In their place was the cold, hard, and serious expression typical of businessmen in negotiations.

"Your Highness." Ford's voice was calm, but every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"I am very grateful for everything you have done for me. This factory and this opportunity are things I have always dreamed of."

He paused, his tone becoming uncompromising.

"But for me to stay and build a future for the automotive industry for Greece, and for you, I need two conditions."

Constantine picked up his coffee cup, gently blew on the steam, and said nothing, only gesturing with his eyes for him to continue.

Ford took a deep breath and held up one finger.

"First, I need absolute, uninterrupted control over this future car company, from technology research and development to production processes, personnel appointments and dismissals, and financial expenditures."