Alfred? Bernhard? Nobel.

If at the beginning, Nobel was only curious and slightly surprised by these two guests, especially the Oriental, now he was shocked when he thoroughly figured out what they were coming from.

"The Citigroup company you represent is based in Shanghai, China?" Nobel asked incredulously, "You mean, you crossed the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, and then across the Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, to Stockholm to come to me, just to invest in my little steel company?" ”

"Mr. Nobel, we have reason to believe that the Buffos Iron and Steel Company, which your father left you, has a good reputation in Sweden and a good prospect." Lucas said quietly. He had memorized the information given to him by Libin, so he spoke with great confidence. "I have a carte blanche from Citigroup and an acceptance draft from Jardine Matheson Bank in the UK, which can be discounted in Stockholm at any time and exchanged for the Swedish krona you need."

"You just said that your condition is ......"

"We want to have a 60 percent stake in Brufs Steel. Based on your estimates, we are willing to pay a consideration of SEK 42,000 for this as an increase in share capital to be invested in Buffos Steel. Part of that money can be used for the expansion of the company itself, and part of it, can be used for some interesting research that you're doing. ”

"My ...... Study? Nobel's face once again showed an expression of disbelief, "Mr. Lucas, do you know what research I am doing?" ”

"We are convinced. You are not only a good industrialist. And a brilliant chemist. Your research on the improvement of explosives has an unusually broad market prospect. "Our condition is that these studies should be included in the framework of the Bugfus company, and the results of the research should become part of the company's property." ”

Nobel looked at Lucas, speechless in astonishment.

Buffos Iron & Steel Company. It was an inheritance left to him by his father, and the business was mediocre. As a mechanic and chemist, he studied in the United States and traveled throughout Europe, and in practice he gradually realized that there was a huge demand for explosives in various countries in terms of power and safety, so he made up his mind to make explosives more powerful and safer. In fact. One of his laboratories is in the flat-roofed building next to his home.

And now. A Prussian and a Chinese suddenly appeared in front of him from the far east, not only saying that they wanted to invest in their own steel company, but also pointed out their own research direction, which is also amazing, right?

But in any case, 42,000 kilograms, this is an irresistible amount of money! Not only can the plant be developed, but also its own research on explosives, which can also receive much-needed funding. Just shares......

"You seem to know, Mr. Lucas, that this factory is my father's inheritance to me, and emotionally it is difficult for me to relinquish ownership of it. So I don't know if we're still negotiating on shares? Nobel hesitated, but still said what he really thought.

Lucas discussed with Song Zhikuan in a low voice, nodded and said, "Mr. Nobel, we can fully understand your thoughts. So, let's rearrange the shares – 50 percent for each side, and Citigroup promises not to intervene in the company's operations, but only to make recommendations. But at the same time, the consideration we paid was reduced to 36,000 kilograms. ”

"Fair enough!" Nobel's heart fell to the ground, and he said happily, "I agree that all the research results of future explosives will be the common property of the company, but—"

He paused and said seriously, "I must tell you both that my research seems to have hit some kind of bottleneck. I've found a way to completely explode nitroglycerin with black powder, which is a very powerful liquid explosive that, unfortunately, is also very unstable and difficult to transport and store safely. I still haven't found a suitable filler to use as a stabilizer, and I've tried many things like charcoal powder, sawdust, etc., with unsatisfactory results. As a result, I'm not sure that my research will ultimately succeed, and the money invested in it may not yield a reasonable return. ”

"Mr. Nobel, I admire your frankness and honesty, but we are willing to share this risk with you."

Nobel was very moved by Lucas's statement. He stood up and stretched out his hand: "I want to say, I am very grateful for the generosity and generosity of the two of you, I think there is no problem with the cooperation between us!" ”

Lucas solemnly shook Nobel's hand: "So, deal?" ”

"Deal!"

"Great, I take this as a formal commitment." Lucas let go of his hand and opened the small box with a smile on his face, "As partners, we have brought something to see if it can help you in even a little bit of your research." ”

Song Zhikuan, who was on the side, was surprised to find that Lucas took out the two pieces of white Guanyin soil from the box.

"...... this?" Nobel's surprise is no less than that of Song Zhikuan. This Lucas actually said that he wanted to help his research, which is a little ...... Too arrogant, right?

"Diatomite," Lucas shrugged his shoulders as he handed the two completely dry pieces of Guanyin clay in his hand to Nobel, "porous diatomaceous earth." It is said that it is produced in many parts of Europe, and I have been entrusted to give you this sample. ”

Nobel didn't understand what he meant for a while, so he took it with a frown, took it in his hand and looked at it carefully, his eyes widened, and he shouted softly.

"Jesus Christ!"

Porous, fine and stable, this is the most haode nitroglycerol adsorbate.

*

*

Just when Nobel, the future "king of explosives", was ecstatic about the piece of diatomaceous earth in his hand, in distant Shanghai, the imperial court's will to reward the "Second Shanghai Victory" had also been issued.

Li Hongzhang took off the hat of "acting" and became the governor of Jiangsu. This capable man from the shogunate of the Zeng State Domain, in just a few months, from a Taoist to an inspector, from a governor to a governor, completed a beautiful triple jump.

In the Huaijun system, the heaviest reward is Gordon, who has just been assigned. Li Hongzhang used the example of the Xuan Army to realize the importance of Western-style military training to the troops, so he was interested in Gordon, not only expounding his military exploits, but also specially asking the imperial court for his foreign gun regiment to ask for a resounding name: Changsheng Army.

However, among the civil and military officials in the whole of Shanghai, the person with the highest rank is now Ding Shijie -- he was promoted from the general army to the commander and became the military attache of the first rank because of his merits for the general system of the former enemy of the Xuan Army. According to the official system of the imperial court, among the military attachés, only the Minister of the Guards is a product, and the Admiral is already the highest military position after the Minister of the Guards.

Wall and Daniel Zhang, who were promoted from adjutant generals to the general of the second rank, became the "general town" that could theoretically dominate one side. The other generals of the Xuan Army were also rewarded, especially Yixan was awarded the rank of deputy general, Ding Ruchang and Wu Jianying were awarded the rank of general of Sanpin, and Liu Xunzhi was awarded the title of Sanpin according to the rank of inspector for his merit in running the camp affairs.

Zhao Jingxian, who had to get out of the cage, was also warmly congratulated by the court, so that he would recuperate in Shanghai, and after he recovered, he would be appointed.

For Guan Zhuofan's reward, the court took great pains. With Li Hongzhang here, his official rank was not easy to press, so he added a "governor title". Although this is false, there is also a layer of benefits in it, which shows that Guan Zhuofan already has the "qualifications" to serve as governors.

And there was another extremely glamorous reward, which immediately caused a sensation in Shanghai, which he received in his capacity as an imperial guard--the dazzling eyes.

This flower feather is a peacock feather, and the so-called "eye" refers to the eye-shaped circle on the feather, and a circle is counted as a glance. The dignity of Hualing lies in its rarity - for example, Shi Lang, a famous general of the Kangxi Dynasty and the admiral of the Fujian Navy, resigned from the reward of Jinghaihou behind the platform, and begged to take this "Jinghaihou" in exchange for a double-eyed Hualing and almost couldn't, and later relied on Kangxi's special purpose to finally get his wish.

At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the award of flower feathers was limited to members of the royal family and clans. The commanders of the forward battalion and the guard battalion are eligible to wear the one-eyed feather, and they must also be from the three banners. In the Qianlong period, the imperial court issued a clear edict, and those with outstanding military merits could also wear it, but it was still very prudent when it was given to Hualing. From Qianlong to the end of the Qing Dynasty, there were only more than 20 people in total who were rewarded with dazzling eyes, which was regarded as a grace for eternity at that time.

Guan Zhuofan thought to himself, such a "favor", now my brother has also shared it. When he accepted everyone's congratulations in the government office, he behaved very calmly, claiming the grace of heaven, without the slightest ecstasy of insolence and gaffe, and everyone secretly praised it in their eyes: What a famous minister's demeanor!

However, when he returned to the backyard, his tail was exposed--in the end, is it the young man's heart, who suddenly won such a prize, how can he be unhappy? So in the west wing, Hu Qingqing was serving, helping him dress neatly, dragging the beautiful dazzling eyes behind his hat, facing the big glass mirror, looking forward to himself.

"This thing made by the Manchurians is really interesting." In the pretense of being reserved, there is a pride that cannot be suppressed.

"What Manchurians?" Hu Qingqing asked confusedly, "Aren't you a Manchurian?" ”

This sentence was like thunder, not only made him stammer, but also made him wake up from his intoxication!

*

(Three more will be served.) ）

*(To be continued......)