Chapter 499 Doing business with the British, leaving the British with no business to do
Obviously, the British saw the sensational effect caused by the installation of gas street lights in Paris. In just four or five months, they quickly finalized an investment of more than 7 million and prepared to repeat it in London.
It is also enough to show how rich the British are. Given such a start, it is estimated that by now he will have begun to restore the glory of Eastern Rome.
He suddenly thought of a question, looked at Dupont and said: "Has the UK already mastered the gas distillation technology?"
"This..." Dupont lowered his head and recalled, "I haven't heard them mention this technology."
Joseph frowned: "Then they want to invest in gas street lights?"
Murdoch shrugged aside and said helplessly: "Your Highness, the shamelessness of the British in stealing technology is well known to everyone."
He gestured behind him: "There should be their industrial spies in the distillery now. As long as they have sufficient funds, they can build a gas distillation plant as soon as next summer."
He spoke fluent French and sounded like a "British guy". He was already an authentic Frenchman. Well, his assets and career are all in France now, and he was knighted in the Palace of Versailles not long ago, which means he has completely severed ties with Britain.
Joseph frowned again.
He knew that Britain and France sent a large number of industrial spies to each other. No matter where there was something new, the other side would soon copy it. Historically, France only took three to five years to "clone" a nationally important instrument such as the Spinning Jenny. Only due to issues such as the domestic business environment and raw materials, it has been unable to compete with the UK.
Moreover, Britain's scientific research capabilities are already very strong. After all, it is the leader of this era. Murdoch was actually trained by others. So as long as they are determined to do it, even if they don't steal the technology, there is a high probability that they can develop it in more than a year.
Joseph felt quite unhappy. I have spent so much energy and invested so much money on gas street lights, but Paris has not attracted much talent and investment, and London is about to jump in and grab the food!
I also invested 7.5 million in one go.
You British are rich, aren't you?
no! He clenched his fists secretly. There was no way the British could handle the gas street lamps so smoothly.
But how can we stop the British?
I'm afraid it's not that easy to catch industrial espionage. Are we going to assassinate the British technician responsible for copycat gas distillation...
He immediately rejected the idea. "Playing dirty" is always the worst option. The British can easily guess that France did it, which might lead to a diplomatic dispute.
But soon, a smirk appeared on his lips. Wouldn’t it be appropriate for the slutty operations of American arms companies in later generations to be used here?
The standard process is probably - first bid at a low price, get the military contract, squeeze out the competitors at once, and then start to use the monopoly position to increase prices while manufacturing.
Of course, his goal is not to increase prices, but to squeeze out his British competitors and then run away.
Thinking of this, Joseph pulled Dupont away from the others and asked: "Since you can find out about Britain's preparations to invest in gas street lamps, you must have some connections there, right?"
Dupont suddenly became nervous and waved his hand: "Your Highness, I heard about it from my business partners. It has nothing to do with the British government!"
Joseph smiled and patted his back: "I also have full trust in you. However, if I want to take over the business of installing gas lights in London, can you find someone to help me connect?"
Dupont's eyes widened in shock, and it took him a long time to say: "Your Highness, are you going to sell gas street lighting technology to the British?"
"Partly." Joseph nodded, "But given the special diplomatic relations between Britain and France, you know, they may be more repulsive to French companies." So, I need you to help me set up a company in the UK, or directly acquire a company. , and then made capital injections, and then came forward to contract the gas lighting project in London. "
"I can help with this, Your Highness. But I'm not sure whether we can reach a construction agreement with the London City Hall."
Joseph smiled and said: "Do you think 300,000 francs can impress the Mayor of London and the project leader?"
Dupont was shocked again. The Crown Prince was obviously very familiar with the routines in the business world, and he was also very decisive in his actions.
He thought for a while and hesitated: "Your Highness, this matter may also involve the British Parliament. After all, the investment is huge..."
"Then we will add another 300,000 francs to make friends with the relevant congressmen." Joseph said without hesitation, "and I will give you another 100,000 francs as hard work fee."
Dupont finally stopped refusing. It should be certain that the huge sum of 600,000 francs was used as bribes.
He immediately nodded and said: "Your Highness, I will try my best. As for the hard work fee, I am very honored to be able to serve you, so there is really no need for it."
Joseph said with a strong look: "You don't have to refuse. I will have someone give you the 700,000 yuan as soon as possible."
"Please go and invite Director Fouche." He turned to tell Eman, and then said to Dupont, "We need to discuss the details of this business again."
…
Peninsular India.
On the outskirts of Selingapadam, the administrative center of Mysore.
The Marquis of Wellesley looked gloomily at the Mysore position in the distance, turned his head and asked his staff: "Where are my heavy artillery now?"
"General, the ground in South Kannada is very muddy due to continuous heavy rains. The 12-pounder can only advance a few thousand feet per day. I'm afraid it will take another month to arrive."
Since Wellesley came to India, he has almost swept all the way, using the "head-to-head" tactic to solve the Mysore fortress group in South Kannada, and has pushed the front to Salingabatan.
As a result, he was promoted to brigadier general. Unexpectedly, his army encountered trouble in front of the city. Tipu Sultan always avoided a direct confrontation with him and delayed him until the rainy season through the tactics of frequent harassment.
"One month..." Wellesley scratched his shoulder vigorously, which had been bitten by mosquitoes as big as mung beans yesterday and itched terribly. "I wonder if the supplies at Cornwillis can last two months." ”
Yes, only by waiting for the heavy artillery to arrive can we suppress the cannons used for defense in Selingabatan, and it would take another month at the earliest to capture Selingabadan.
Before that, his army had to be repeatedly harassed by mosquitoes, malaria, dysentery, and sneak attacks by the Mysore people. He really doubted that the morale of the army would collapse before the logistics supplies were exhausted.
Ever since the rainy season entered, he and Cornwallis's logistical supplies had been almost interrupted. A large number of warships carrying supplies were anchored at the North Kannada port, but could not be brought in. But the Mysore people seemed to have been prepared for it. The city was very plentiful from ammunition to food, which was completely different from their previous behavior.
(End of chapter)