LIFE OF BEING A CROWN PRINCE IN FRANCE

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Soon, Elvis left Birmingham with great satisfaction.

He effortlessly found out that the City Council was discussing the construction of gas street lamps, and the decision was likely to be finalized soon, with the total project amounting to 200,000 British Pounds.

He even saw street lamps erected in many places throughout the city; clearly, the Lightning Company was confident in securing the project and had already commenced work in advance.

What he did not know was that, two months earlier, Carolina had bribed some members of the city councils in Birmingham, Manchester, and other cities to propose the construction of gas street lamps in Congress.

Merely proposing a bill incurred no responsibility; it could even be touted as a “city development initiative”.

As for the possibility of the bill not passing, Carolina was indifferent—as long as the city councils gradually dragged their feet, making the matter known was enough.

And those street lamps were provided by the Lightning Company to the cities for free.

Erecting a few lamp posts hardly cost much, and even those expenses were fronted by the subcontracting companies below.

Later on, Elvis learned through his friend’s connections that the French ambassador to England had personally admitted that the construction of gas street lamps in Lille might be undertaken by the Lightning Company.

In his mind, a vision emerged of the Lightning Company’s project network sprawling across Britain, with business even reaching the European Continent, presenting an image of unrivaled prosperity.

Upon returning to London, he promptly followed his “Prospective Brother-in-law” to visit Mr. Godemid without hesitation and subscribed to 40,000 British Pounds of Lightning Company’s bonds.

Then, contrary to his promise of secrecy, he quickly shared the news with his cousin.

The latter, on his introduction, bought 30,000 Pounds worth of bonds and then gleefully spread the news to a few business partners…

Continuous influxes of large sums had become commonplace for Godemid.

In the past ten days, he had been signing subscription agreements and counting money, with nearly 600,000 British Pounds flowing into the Lightning Company’s accounts.

Of course, this money was temporarily stored in the Commerce Credit Bank, the sum surpassing twice the bank’s previous peak funds!

This made him reflect on the choice to stand with the Crown Prince of France as the most correct decision he had ever made.

At the same time.

At the Lightning Company’s “Partner Strategy Meeting”, Styler, following the Crown Prince’s “script”, described a bright future to the senior management of the subcontractor companies: “I’m sure you are all aware by now, our company is about to secure the agreement to install gas street lamps for seven cities, including Birmingham and Liverpool.

“And in distant Lille and Florence, we have also successfully defeated competitors and begun laying gas pipes!

“I believe everyone has calculated the magnitude of these projects!

“And you are all participants in these great undertakings.

“You shall create history alongside the Lightning Company!”

Dozens of directors and managers from the subcontractor companies stood up, clapping excitedly.

Styler continued: “Of course, given the scale of the projects, our initial investment is also substantial.

“Therefore, the company hopes that our closest partners can face the challenges with us and invest together before enjoying the substantial profits!

“The specific project arrangements are as follows…”

After he finished speaking, the people from the subcontractor companies looked at each other with concern—the initial investment was indeed considerable; for instance, just the copper pipes would cost over 150,000 Pounds, and the Lightning Company meant for them to front this cost.

A short, stout man loudly raised an objection: “Mr. Styler, although we would love to support the Lightning Company, we really can’t produce so much capital.”

Immediately, others chimed in: “Indeed, it requires at least 30,000 Pounds, which is too much.”

“We have only received one payment for work in the past year; it’s really difficult for us to continue fronting costs…”

Styler gestured for everyone to quieten down: “London’s gas street lamps will be ready by the end of the year, and as soon as the project payment is received, we will distribute it to everyone.

“Please hold on for another two or three months.

“As for financing, you could take out loans or issue bonds. The entire England now knows the prospects of our gas street lamp project are excellent. As participants, you will easily obtain financing.”

After the meeting, these companies immediately sought funds through various channels, heavily promoting the gas street lamp project once again.

On another front, the sales of domestic gas lamps were also becoming increasingly popular.

When Parisians heard that gas lamp prices would keep rising, they sparked a buying frenzy.

In the following month, London sold over 11,000 gas lamps.

It should be noted that 8 Pounds is no small sum for the average person. A tailor’s annual income is only 15 Pounds, while a noble’s private tutor making 30 Pounds a year is considered high income.

With a population of just over 800,000 in London, nearly everyone who could afford it had purchased a lamp!

Meanwhile, in cities like Birmingham and Manchester, news of the impending gas street lamps had spread, so domestic gas lamps quickly began to sell there as well.

However, these cities did not have the purchasing power of London, selling only about 300-500 lamps a month.

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