Silence hung in the air.
Minister Hengelvüller was momentarily at a loss, coughing incessantly into his napkin.
He probably thought Karl was merely acting on youthful whim, wanting to meet the famous American inventor and businessman, Edison.
Instead, it had turned into a direct confrontation between the thief and the victim.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
The atmosphere was so tense, it felt like unless someone died, this matter wouldn’t be concluded.
“Uh…
well, so…
‘Karl & Otto Pictures’…
I see.”
Truly the battle-hardened Thomas Edison.
Even in such a perilous situation, he could quickly steady his nerves and think fast.
This Edison is quite interesting.
Minister Hengelvüller thought to himself that if he were in Edison’s place, facing a royal family member coming to demand justice, he’d probably be trembling already.
Stealing something with full confidence, only to discover the victim was a member of the royal family of an ancient empire across the Atlantic Ocean.
Just imagining such a scenario was enough to make one’s scalp tingle.
“My previous behavior was most discourteous.
I had assumed it was merely an ordinary independent production company from Europe.”
Edison quickly corrected his posture, apologizing to Karl with a demeanor that appeared quite sincere.
Then, shifting the topic, he began speaking in the tone of a businessman about future plans.
“Your Highness, the production company under your name possesses exceptional creativity, while I have an established distribution network and influence in America.
If we join forces, we can certainly earn far more money than we do now.
Didn’t I mention during the meal?
I am planning to eliminate potential domestic competitors in America and monopolize the market.
Why doesn’t Your Highness board the same ship with me?
The profit-sharing arrangements can all be discussed.”
Edison’s words were highly constructive. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
He invited Karl to join hands in conquering the American market, earnestly promising substantial profits and assuring that this royal Highness would not be shortchanged.
This proposition did sound appealing.
To be honest, were past infringements really that important?
Considering the enormous future gains, even shaking hands and making peace with the enemy before you seemed acceptable.
That was the way of a mature businessman.
Moreover, from a practical standpoint, Edison’s words weren’t entirely without merit.
Even if Karl angrily went crying to the Federal Supreme Court, what then?
In the early days of film, America’s legal system had not yet established a comprehensive copyright framework for movies.
At the end of the 19th century, film was still seen as a novel mechanical invention or a sideshow attraction.
Specific copyright clauses hadn’t fully taken shape.
Even if Karl appealed to the highest heavens, he might not get a clear ruling.
Furthermore, although Karl was royalty, in the end, it was just about a few measly film profits and some short films.
Would Emperor Franz Joseph I in distant Vienna really intervene and pressure the U.S.
government over such a trivial matter?
That would be far too self-important.
Within Austria, Karl might still throw his weight around a bit based on his status.
But once abroad, on the international stage where power talks, the weight of a single youth might be far less than that of a successful American millionaire.
Even if the Emperor, out of familial affection, did intervene, would this emerging American republic easily bow its head just because of an old European emperor saying, ‘Control your merchants’?
Even if contemporary America was still seen by some old European powers as an upstart, a third-rate nation, its national strength and potential were never weak.
Since its independence, this country, blessed with uniquely advantageous geographical conditions, immense industrial potential, and a vast domestic market, had been rising at an unprecedented speed.
No one dared to truly treat it as a soft target.
In fact, it might very well provoke an even stronger backlash from the other side, completely deadlocking the situation.
If the worst-case scenario occurred, the situation would spiral out of control, escalating from a commercial dispute into a diplomatic incident.
Fights between children are best resolved by the children themselves; once the adults (nations) behind them get involved, the situation could become irredeemable.
After all, it was just a mere merchant and a few films.
It most likely wouldn’t truly affect state relations.
The Federal Supreme Court might issue some kind of compromise ruling between Karl and Edison, seeking an outcome that allowed both sides to save face.
But regardless, Karl was, after all, royalty.
That was his biggest bargaining chip at this moment.
If not for that, Edison would probably have already snorted contemptuously in his face, or even flipped him the bird, telling this brat who didn’t know his place to get lost.
Because he was utterly confident that under the existing American legal and commercial environment, he would definitely win.
Edison had originally intended to swallow everything whole.
It was precisely because of Karl’s undeniable ‘Habsburg’ surname that he now changed his tune, proposing reconciliation and cooperation, for the so-called future partnership.
For Karl, this proposal wasn’t entirely without benefit either.
Wouldn’t it be a good thing to lay down roots in America early, using a local power like Edison?
Frankly, in the present and future world, there was no place easier to make money than America, on the eve of its economic explosion.
At this time, this country possessed almost limitless potential, resources, and a consumer market, surpassing any other.
Faced with such fertile ground, not inserting a straw to take a share would be truly foolish.
Money was practically replicating itself.
Why wouldn’t you go scoop it up?
Moreover, remotely managing American affairs from distant Austria was inherently difficult, like trying to whip a horse from too far away.
If he could bring someone like Edison—a man of immense influence and formidable ability in America, even seen by others as nearly ruthless—on board as a partner, the path ahead would undoubtedly be much smoother.
However—
“Negotiations have broken down, Mr.
Thomas Edison.”
Karl, smiling broadly, announced the end of the meal, effectively showing his guest the door.
Trying to play the ’empty glove’ trick, getting something for nothing, in front of a Habsburg royal?
Didn’t he know who he was dealing with?
Seems he took me for an easy-to-bully kid.
Unless you first prostrate yourself on the ground, begging for mercy, and cough up every cent you’ve swallowed over the years with interest…
don’t even think about it.