On the morning of August 31, 1880, the sky over Paris was exceptionally clear and high, indicating that the hot summer was drawing to a close.
The Faubourg Saint-Antoine had already awakened from dawn, and workshops, factories, and warehouses of all sizes began to bustle with activity.
A hired carriage rolled over the asphalt road, stopping in front of a factory building that bore the sign "Peugeot Brothers Hardware Manufacturing."
Lionel was the first to alight from the carriage, then he extended his hand to help Sophie down.
Sophie was wearing a dark travel suit today, designed for ease of movement, appearing capable and neat, yet still graceful.
Almost immediately after, another carriage arrived, and Monsieur Delaroche, the notary, along with Pierre Curie and Henri Poincaré, successively disembarked.
Lionel smiled as he went to greet them:
"Good morning, I'm glad I'm not late."
Delaroche checked his pocket watch:
"Of course not. Monsieur Peugeot should already be waiting for us."
Indeed, the factory gate was soon opened, and a man in his early thirties, full of vigor, quickly walked out.
He enthusiastically extended his hand:
"Monsieur Delaroche! Monsieur Sorel! And ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Peugeot!"
He shook hands with everyone individually:
"I am Armand Peugeot! The general manager here, and also the chief engineer!"
Armand Peugeot led everyone through a noisy workshop, introducing things as they walked, his tone filled with pride:
"The Peugeot family, starting from my grandfather, has specialized in metalworking.
From the smallest coffee grinders to large agricultural implements, quality has always been our lifeline..."
Soon, they arrived at a relatively quiet area behind the factory building, where a brand-new bicycle stood silently in the center of the space.
Lionel's gaze was instantly drawn to it.
This bicycle was already very close to the modern bicycles in his memory.
A classic diamond-shaped steel tube frame, front and rear wheels of the same size, pneumatic tires, a leather-wrapped saddle...
Armand Peugeot's tone was full of accomplishment:
"This is the first prototype built according to the drawings and samples provided by Monsieur Curie and Monsieur Poincaré!
We improved the welding points and reinforced the frame structure, especially this pneumatic tire..."
He squatted down and pressed the tire with his hand:
"We tried various types of rubber to solve the problems of sealing and strength...!"
Lionel couldn't wait for him to finish his introduction; he lifted his leg over the saddle, lightly pushed off the ground with his right foot, found the pedals with both feet, and started pedaling.
He firmly gripped the handlebars and began to circle around the factory yard, turning corners, maneuvering, his movements as smooth and natural as breathing.
For a few laps, he even tried riding a short distance with his hands off the handlebars, causing Sophie to gasp softly, but he quickly regained balance with ease.
Armand Peugeot and the others were dumbfounded.
They had all seen high-wheelers, and hadn't every beginner fallen miserably and made a spectacle of themselves?
Even if bicycles were a bit easier, it would still take a while to learn to master them, wouldn't it?
Yet Lionel's movements before their eyes were so skilled, as if he had been riding like this his entire life!
Lionel rode a few laps, finally executing a graceful glide and stopping in front of everyone.
He exclaimed excitedly:
"This is fantastic! Pierre! Henri! Monsieur Peugeot! This is what a bicycle should be like!"
——————
Inside Monsieur Delaroche's office, Lionel, Sophie, Pierre Curie, and Henri Poincaré were seated around a sofa.
Monsieur Delaroche got straight to the point:
"Gentlemen, Monsieur Peugeot is very enthusiastic about the cooperation, and I also trust his capabilities...
Now, we need to discuss the specifics of production and sales."
Pierre Curie and Henri Poincaré clearly had little interest in business operations; after offering some technical suggestions, their minds began to wander.
Delaroche turned to Lionel:
"Lionel, your opinion is crucial.
How large should the initial investment be?
Which market should we target first? Paris? Or the provinces?"
Lionel pondered; although he had a progressive vision, he was not familiar with market operations in the late 19th century.
He organized his thoughts and said:
"I think we can first sign a production contract with Peugeot, for an initial batch of 100 to 200 units, mainly for Paris..."
At this point, he noticed Sophie, who had been sitting quietly beside him, gently pursing her lips, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.
Lionel paused his statement and gently asked:
"Sophie, do you seem to have some thoughts? Please speak freely, there are no outsiders here."
Sophie raised her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, but still said:
"Lionel, I think... perhaps we shouldn't only look at France domestically."
This statement made both Lionel and Delaroche pause slightly in surprise.
Delaroche showed an interested expression:
"Oh? Mademoiselle Deneuve, please elaborate."
Sophie was a bit nervous, but quickly organized her thoughts:
"For example, Britain—
The citizens of London's enthusiasm for new mechanical products even surpasses that of Parisians.
Moreover, bicycles are already relatively popular in Britain itself, and improved bicycles would be more easily accepted there.
The key is that their purchasing power is very strong; expensive products from 'Orby' sell the most in London.
If we can open up the market in London, it means we might be able to radiate to Britain's colonies..."
Lionel was greatly surprised:
"Sophie, how do you...?"
Sophie smiled slightly:
"Lion, have you forgotten, I work at the 'Colonial and Overseas Communications Office'!
Almost all letters sent outside of France, as well as contracts, reports, and orders sent back, pass through my hands.
I have to transcribe copies for them, categorize and file them, send and distribute them... The more I see, the deeper the impression."
Delaroche patted Lionel's shoulder:
"Lionel, you are truly fortunate, first there was Ally..."
Before he could finish, Lionel interrupted him with a smile:
"Let's hear Sophie continue—what about beyond Britain?"
Sophie glanced at Lionel, showing a half-smile, and continued:
"And there's America, it's full of vitality!
They highly value any product that boasts 'efficiency'.
America is vast and sparsely populated; new types of carriages have always sold well there, so bicycles should also have a market..."
Lionel and Delaroche had not expected Sophie's knowledge of overseas markets to be so specific, and they exchanged surprised glances.
But Sophie's insights didn't stop there:
"There are also places like Argentina and Brazil in South America, and Algeria in Africa...
There are many European immigrants there, and French goods sell very well.
And the Far East, Shanghai, Tianjin, 'Orby' has branches there..."
Sophie spoke volubly, analyzing almost all possible sales regions for typewriters and bicycles.
She knew the development level, public income, and consumption levels of each region like the back of her hand, detailing specific cities, truly a living business map.
Silence fell in the office; although Pierre Curie and Henri Poincaré were not familiar with business, they recognized the value of Sophie's information.
Pierre Curie couldn't help but ask:
"Mademoiselle Deneuve, all of this... did you learn it through your work?"
Sophie slightly lifted her head, with a hint of shyness and pride:
"Yes, Monsieur Pierre.
In my day-to-day work, I see not just words, but also the flow of goods, capital, demand, and trends.
Therefore, I am at least somewhat more familiar with the market than the average person."
Lionel knew Sophie was intelligent—he had seen it when she previously helped him analyze the fraudster's information.
But he hadn't expected her to be so talented in this area.
He smiled faintly:
"It seems I don't need to say much anymore. Sophie, you can communicate more with Delaroche on this matter. I'll just focus on being a writer!"
(End of Chapter)