Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

After the British Congressmen departed, the R&D department of Lightning Coal Company immediately ceased its bustle, as technicians began to chat or sip tea.

These 30 or so people had been sent by the French Intelligence Bureau, having memorized a plethora of technical jargon to impress onlookers.

The remaining workers were locally hired temps who usually cleaned machines and moved documents; they just had to look busy.

A few days later, Mr. Modant, with a shake of his head, emerged from the workshops of the Andrew Chemical Company in London, murmuring softly, "Not even wearing shoe covers, these machines can't possibly be precise enough..."

The company manager, with a face full of ingratiating smiles, saw him to the door, carefully inquiring, "Baron, our company's distillation equipment will be ready for use by the end of the year. We hope you'll allow us to take on the gas production project."

Modant suddenly thought of his visit to Lightning Company and said indifferently, "Your company can't even achieve consistent particle sizes, let alone require employees to understand underlying logic and form a closed loop. I don't think you're suitable for this project."

"What, particle sizes... what...?" the manager was utterly baffled.

Modant held his head high with a smug smile, "These are essentials for a successful company; I suggest you learn a thing or two."

Upon entering his carriage, he glanced at the mottled gate of Andrew Company and couldn't help but shake his head.

During this period, he had inspected every company interested in the gas streetlight project, and ultimately, only Lightning Coal stood out. He had decided to award them the contract.

He even felt that even without the 10,000 British Pounds Lightning offered, he would still choose them for the gas streetlight enterprise.

In the two subsequent discussions about the gas streetlight project in Congress, Modant and his faction strongly supported Lightning Coal to oversee the entire project.

However, there were always different forces within Congress. When some congressmen proposed other ideas, he threw Lightning's promotional materials onto their desks.

After that, their opposition faded away—as per the exquisite brochures, Lightning was at least a decade ahead of its competitors.

On August 3, London City Hall signed a contract with the hitherto unknown Lightning Coal Company for the construction of gas streetlights in London, with a project duration of 1 year and 2 months, for a total sum of 260,000 British Pounds.

Yes, Joseph had instructed Styler to push the bid down to 260,000 to ensure they outbid all competitors. Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

He had no real intention of proceeding with it; even a reduction to 200,000 wouldn't bother him. But at that price, it left no profit margin for other companies.

Three days after signing the contract, in a club in the Southern Suburb of Paris, over a dozen London factory owners and company managers gathered in a spacious music hall, whispering, "I thought it was just our company, who knew he had invited everyone?"

"What's he up to? To humiliate us?"

"Perhaps Lightning took our business and wants to make amends."

"Shh—here he comes."

The doors of the music hall opened, and Styler entered with a smile, greeting each person before he ascended to the stage, proclaiming loudly, "I believe you're all aware that our Lightning Coal has just taken on the London gas streetlight project."

A voice responded coldly, "You didn't invite us here just to boast, did you?"

"Oh, you misunderstand," Styler waved his hand, speaking earnestly, "Our company plans to expand in London, and we can't do that without dealing with everyone here."

The seated group stared in silence. They were all involved in the competition for the gas streetlight project and certainly not pleased about losing the business.

Styler continued, "So, I want to share the benefits with all of you, to ensure you make a profit too."

Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat surprised.

Someone asked, "What do you intend to do?"

"Subcontract," Styler said with a smile, "You see, with such a large project, there are many areas our company is not adept in—like making gas pipes, excavation and filling, we'd even need to buy new machinery to produce the casings for gas lamps.

"So, I'd like to hand over these tasks to you. Oh, rest assured, you won't be shortchanged on the price.

"This way we all share the benefits, and I hope you'll continue to support Lightning Coal in the future."

The group was overjoyed, not expecting the stolen business could come back their way. They eagerly offered, "Mr. Styler, our company can produce gas lamp casings. According to the plan, London needs 20,000 streetlamps, could you possibly..."

"Our Soyer-Rivage Company employs the finest excavators who could handle laying pipes at a very low cost."

"If you need gas pipes manufactured, our company can assist, you must have heard of our products..."

"And us..."

Styler gestured for calm, smiling, "Very well, Lightning Coal is quite sincere and will certainly subcontract as much as possible to all of you."

He immediately confirmed subcontracting intentions with several companies, then returned to the stage, clearing his throat, "However, everyone must be aware, this project involves a significant sum, and we don't know when the City Hall's down payment will come through, so for the time being, the subcontracted tasks will require an upfront investment from you."

Everyone exchanged looks, all agreeing they could accept.

Though no company relishes upfront payments, it had happened in the past. And with the gas streetlight project being so large, to miss out over reluctance to advance payment would mean a great loss.

In the following week, Lightning Coal signed subcontracting contracts with numerous British companies—everything from digging the streets to constructing coal depots, from producing gas retort shells to streetlamp covers; almost no one was turned away.

If any company were to peek into the contracts in Styler's safe at this point, they would find that over half of the gas streetlight project was already subcontracted out, yet all the links connecting the various parts remained in the hands of Lightning Coal.

Joseph wanted not only to delay the London gas streetlight project but also to encumber the capable British companies, preventing the London City Hall from realizing the sham, cutting their losses, and quickly directing funds to set up a new operation.

...

Mysore.

In the grand hall of Seringapatam's palace, Sultan Tipu watched silently as Sir Sidney, the British negotiator, then cast a glance towards the Chancellor of Hyderabad, before suddenly declaring, "Vijayanagara may secede from Mysore, but it must belong to Hyderabad."

Vijayanagara, already occupied by the British Army, was surely beyond reclaiming. Following Marquis de Lafayette's instructions, he sought to court the Maratha and Hyderabad, the British underlings.