Chapter 503: You Have Such High-Speed Machinery Entering Britain, Remember My Principles
After the British MPs left, the Lightning Coal Company's R&D department instantly ceased its busy charade. The "technicians" began chatting or enjoying tea.
These thirty-odd people were all dispatched by the French Intelligence Bureau. They had memorized a vast number of technical terms beforehand, purely for show.
The remaining workers were temporarily recruited locally. They mostly wiped down machines and moved documents, needing only to appear busy.
Days later, Member of Parliament Mordaunt emerged from the workshops of London's Andrew Chemical Company, shaking his head and muttering:
'They don't even wear shoe covers; the machinery here certainly isn't precise enough...'
The company manager, with a fawning expression, escorted him outside and cautiously inquired:
"Baron, you see, our company's Retort equipment will be operational by the end of the year. We hope you will allow us to undertake the portion of gas production."
Mordaunt suddenly recalled his previous visit to Lightning Company, and his tone immediately grew indifferent as he said:
"Forgive my bluntness, but your company can't even align particle sizes, let alone require your workers to grasp fundamental logic and form a closed loop. I don't believe you are suitable for such a high-precision, cutting-edge project."
Mordaunt lifted his head, a smug smile on his face:
"These are all necessities for a successful company. I suggest you study them thoroughly."
As he boarded his carriage, he glanced at Andrew Chemical Company's weathered gate and couldn't help but shake his head.
During this period, Mordaunt had inspected all companies interested in participating in the Gas Streetlights project. He ultimately found Lightning Coal to be the most outstanding and had already decided to entrust them with the undertaking.
He even felt that even without Lightning Company's 10,000 Pound Sterling gratuity, the Gas Streetlights project should still be handed over to them.
Subsequently, the British Parliament held two consecutive discussions regarding the Gas Streetlights project, and Mordaunt and his faction consistently championed Lightning Coal Company to oversee the entire undertaking.
However, there were always differing factions within Parliament. After some MPs proposed alternative plans, Mordaunt slammed Lightning Company's promotional materials onto their tables.
After that, the voices of opposition vanished — judging from those exquisite brochures, Lightning Company was at least a decade ahead of its competitors!
On August 3rd, the London City Hall signed a contract with the obscure Lightning Coal Company, entrusting the latter with overall responsibility for London's Gas Streetlights construction. The project had a one-year duration and a total value of 260,000 Pound Sterling.
Indeed, Joseph, to ensure he defeated all competitors, specifically instructed Steller to lower the bid to 260,000.
In any case, he never intended to actually carry out the project; he wouldn't care even if the price dropped to 200,000. But for other companies, this price left no room for profit.
Three days after the contract was signed. In a club in the southern suburbs of Paris, over a dozen London factory owners and company managers gathered in a spacious concert hall, discussing in hushed tones:
"I thought it was just our company. I didn't expect him to gather everyone here?"
"What does that fellow want? To humiliate us?"
"Perhaps it's because Lightning Company stole our business and wants to win our understanding."
"Shush—he's here."
The concert hall doors swung open, and Steller entered, a beaming smile on his face. He greeted everyone individually before stepping onto the stage and announcing loudly: <samp>Άν9ø=SSË</samp>
"Gentlemen, I believe you've all heard that our Lightning Coal Company has just been awarded the contract for London's Gas Streetlights project."
Someone retorted coldly, "You didn't just call us here to gloat, did you?"
"Oh, you misunderstand," Steller said, waving a hand with a sincere expression. "Our company intends to develop further in London, and that requires interacting with all of you."
The dozen-plus people seated there stared at him in silence — they were all companies that had previously competed for the Gas Streetlights project, and having their business snatched away naturally left them ill-tempered.
Steller continued, "Therefore, I wish to share the profits with you all, ensuring everyone benefits."
Hearing him say this, everyone was rather surprised.
"How do you propose to do that?"
"Subcontracting," Steller announced with a smile. "You see, for such a massive project, there are many aspects our company isn't particularly adept at, such as manufacturing gas pipes, excavation and backfilling, and even the Gas Lamp casings require us to purchase new machinery to produce."
"So I'd like to parcel out these tasks to you all. Oh, please rest assured, the pricing won't put you at a disadvantage."
"This way, everyone gets a share of the profits, and I hope you'll all support Lightning Coal Company more in the future."
Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed, not expecting the cake that had been snatched away to return. They immediately vied with each other, saying:
"Mr. Steller, our company can produce Gas Lamp casings. According to the plan, London needs 20,000 streetlights installed. Could you perhaps entrust us with these..."
"Our Soya-Riverhill Company has the finest excavation artisans and can handle the pipe-laying work at a very low cost."
"If you need gas pipes manufactured, our company can assist. You must have heard of our products..."
"And us..."
Steller made a calming gesture, smiling faintly:
"Alright, alright, Lightning Coal is very sincere and will subcontract to as many of you as possible."
He immediately confirmed subcontracting intentions with several companies, then returned to the stage, clearing his throat before speaking:
"However, as you all should know, this project involves an enormous sum, and the City Hall's initial payment might not be remitted for some time. Therefore, the subcontracted work will temporarily require you to advance funds."
The crowd exchanged glances, all indicating their acceptance.
While no company was eager to advance funds, it wasn't unprecedented. Moreover, the Gas Streetlights project was so substantial that missing out due to an unwillingness to advance funds would result in enormous losses.
Over the following week, Lightning Coal signed subcontracting agreements with numerous British companies, accepting almost every offer, from road excavation to coal storage construction, from manufacturing Retort casings to Gas Streetlight shades.
At this point, if any company were to review the contracts in Steller's safe, they would discover that over half the workload of the Gas Streetlights project had been subcontracted out, yet the critical interconnections of all stages remained firmly in Lightning Coal's grasp.
Joseph's goal was not merely to stall the London Gas Lamp project, but also to tie up all British companies capable of undertaking it, preventing London City Hall from cutting its losses and investing in a new setup if they realized something was amiss.
...
India.
Mysore.
Inside the grand hall of Seringapatam Palace, Tipu Sultan eyed Sir Seeley, the British negotiator, with a cold gaze, then suddenly glanced at the Prime Minister of Hyderabad and said:
"We can cede Vijayanagara, but it must be allocated to Hyderabad."
Vijayanagara was Mysore's northernmost city, already occupied by British forces half a year ago, and certainly beyond recovery. However, following Marquis Lafayette's instructions, he intended to use this as leverage to win over the Maratha and Hyderabad, two British client states.
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