Chapter 584 The carrot dangled in front of the British (additional update for Zephiel)
"This gentleman is the founder of the 'Society of Friends of the Negroes.'" Talleyrand's expression was a little helpless, "You Just by hearing the name, you know what he does.
“He even set out for the United States, intending to lead the movement to liberate the black slaves there. Of course, he returned without success under the surveillance of the American militia and only wrote a book called "Miscellaneous Notes of the Negroes in the American South."
“I believe that there is no one better qualified to carry out the mission of Santo Domingo.”
…
The next day.
Joseph had breakfast in a relaxed mood and was ready to set off for Brittany.
Yesterday afternoon he summoned Brissot. It should be said that by sending this person to Santo Domingo, the success rate of things will be greatly improved.
As Talleyrand said, he was an extremely fanatical abolitionist. After hearing Joseph’s plan, he burst into tears with excitement and expressed his willingness to personally spend 30,000 francs. Support this great cause.
You know, he doesn't have a job now, and this money is basically his entire fortune.
At the same time, his thinking was clear and his reactions were extremely quick. He also made some additions to Joseph's plan on the spot. It seemed like he had thought about similar things before.
However, for the sake of safety, Joseph asked the Intelligence Bureau to dispatch two people to go to Santo Domingo with him.
As soon as Joseph's convoy arrived in Alencon, the Intelligence Bureau reported to him that Brissot and his party had boarded the ship and sailed into the Atlantic Ocean.
……
London.
As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared, several people in black uniforms and felt hats raised long flaming wooden sticks and stuck them into the glass cover at the top of the street lamp.
In less than ten minutes, dazzling white lights lit up around the London City Hall, illuminating the place like a ball scene.
The hundreds of people watching immediately cheered, "Oh, it's just the same as during the day, so amazing!"
"I really hope all of London can light up street lights like this. "
"Yes, it has been published in the newspapers. The gas street light project will be completed by the end of this year at most."
"God, that's great!"
Soon, the Mayor of London, Herbert, came to the front of the crowd and began to give a passionate speech under the illumination of the gas street lamp.
Behind him, Lightning Company Manager Styler frowned and whispered to the old nobleman beside him: "To be honest, Mr. Pierce, this is not the same as the original order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He Requesting to spend as little money as possible..."
"This is a necessary expenditure." Under the black top hat is the face of Viscount Carlona, Pierce is his current name, "You want to keep the donkey going. Moving forward, you have to let it see the carrot."
He pointed to the gas street lamps around the city hall: "And this is the carrot, and these are not all made by subcontracting companies. Well, we didn’t spend much money.”
Style was still dissatisfied: “We bought the equipment at the end of the pipe.”
“It’s only 50,000 francs. "Pierce" smiled, "It will soon help us earn millions of francs."
The Mayor of London was still speaking, and the crowd cheered from time to time, but they didn't know that Lightning Company. The retorts and other equipment in this huge distillation workshop are just a bunch of empty shells made of iron sheets.
What actually provides fuel for these 30 street lamps are the glassware and tubes located in the small room on the side of the workshop, purchased from the laboratory of the University of Paris. This set of experimental equipment is connected to gas street lamps from underground, and 30 street lamps is its gas supply limit. And unlike industrial gas production, these experimental equipment can only carry out carbonization of purified clean coal, and the cost is more than ten times higher than industrial preparation.
But it is enough to fool the people of London.
Looking from the outside, the distillation workshop is brightly lit and smoke is billowing from the chimneys. Everyone believes that they are constantly producing gas.
Style shrugged: "Actually, that's good, otherwise I don't know what reasons to make up to delay the construction period."
According to the original agreement signed, the London gas street lighting project was in a It should have been delivered months ago.
However, everyone from the Parliament to the London City Hall recognized this with pinched noses. Lightning Company has been in bad luck since the first day of construction, and the construction period has been postponed to December this year.
Of course, Lightning Company will also pay high liquidated damages for this - which will be deducted from the project payment after the project is completed.
However, the news that the first batch of street lights were successfully lit still caused great concern in London.
Major newspapers reported on it one after another, and even included an illustration of the bright lights in front of the city hall.
The gas street lamps are hotly discussed in the streets and alleys. The citizens treasure which street lamps will be repaired first and which street lamps will be repaired last.
Even London house prices began to rise accordingly.
In fact, most of this is the result of Carlona's hype. The newspaper reporter received the benefit and directly published the "release". At dances and salons, there will always be someone who takes the lead in bringing up the topic of gas street lamps.
Just as gas street lamps are getting more and more popular, Lightning Company suddenly released news that the development of gas lamps for individual households has been completed. After the street lamps start to ventilate, citizens can also apply for gas connection at home. pipeline.
As soon as Jim Hyman got home, before he could hang his coat on the hanger, his wife came over happily and thrust a piece of paper into his hand.
“Dear, this is such a good deal, take a look!”
“What is this?” Heyman looked down and realized it was an advertisement for Lightning Company. , couldn't help frowning and looking at his wife, "Did you buy a newspaper?"
"It's free." The woman said proudly. Paper in this era was not cheap, and no one ever sent out leaflets. Lightning Company is setting a precedent.
Haiman looked at the contents of the flyer in surprise. He saw that it first introduced the advantages of gas lights, and then mentioned that after the gas is connected to the home, it can not only light lights, but also cook and cook. Bath water, heating, it’s simply not that pleasant.
He immediately became interested: "This is so convenient, how much does it cost?"
The wife immediately turned over the flyer: "Look, here it is.
"Lightning Company said there is a promotion now. When you buy a gas lamp, you can connect the gas pipe to your home for free, and the gas stove can also be used in the future. ”
"Buy a gas lamp?" Heyman looked at the price list carefully, and his eyelids jumped suddenly - a gas lamp is 8 pounds!
His monthly salary is only 2 pounds 5 shillings.
This lamp requires the whole family to save for three and a half months without eating or drinking.
“No, no, it’s too expensive!”
The wife immediately complained loudly: “I heard from Mr. Brooke that it may cost 10 pounds to install gas pipes in the future. If we miss this opportunity, I may never have to use gas lamps again in my life!”
(End of this chapter)