In 1851, in order to show unprecedented prosperity and power, Britain held its first Universal Exposition in Hyde Park, London.

The first Universal Exposition was personally organized by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, and in order to showcase Britain's wealth and technological achievements, the British built a huge glass house like a greenhouse in Hyde Park, and named the house "Crystal Palace" as the site of the World Exposition.

Since then, France and Austria-Hungary have also hosted separate international expositions.

In 1876, the centenary of the United States, Grant announced in 1873 that the first United States Exposition would be held in Philadelphia as part of the centennial celebrations.

After the Civil War, the United States developed rapidly, and the current coal, steel, and oil production in the United States has gradually surpassed that of Britain and France, and its economic strength has begun to move towards the first place in the world.

"The issuance of stocks and medals for the Independent Centennial Committee did not go well, and John Bigelow asked Washington for assistance some time ago, and actually proposed that the state governments of the United States subscribe for stocks and medals to raise funds for the Independent Centennial Committee, so I thought, if Philadelphia has no money, then why not put this exhibition in New York? If Washington agrees to put the exhibition room in New York, then the New York City government doesn't want Washington to pay a penny, and it won't make any apportionments, and we can afford it independently, but if it doesn't put it in New York, hum, I don't want to pay for it. Arthur was gnawing on chicken feet, and the bitten bones "clicked", and with a hideous expression, he looked resolute.

As early as 1867, after the success of the Paris World's Fair, General Norton of the American Pavilion and Campbell, a university professor, jointly wrote a letter to the then mayor of Philadelphia, suggesting that the World's Fair be held in Philadelphia as a centennial celebration.

Philadelphia really wanted to do this, but the Philadelphia city government did not have the money, as the former capital of the United States, to hold such an event, Washington's consent was required, so it was not until 1871 that Congress finally passed the bill to hold the 1876 Philadelphia World's Fair, and established the "American Independence Centennial Exhibition Committee" to be responsible for the preparation.

At the same time, however, the congressional bill clearly states that the U.S. government is not responsible for the costs incurred in such matters.

To put it simply, the Philadelphia city government has no money, and Washington has no money.

In order to raise the funds needed for the exhibition, about two years ago, the Financing Department of the Independent Centennial Exhibition Committee began issuing bonds with a total value of up to $10 million, at $10 each, which lasted for three months and finally received $2.5 million.

With the money, the Independent Centennial Committee was finally able to start the plan, but unexpectedly, the $2.5 million was not even two years now, and the money was spent, and the Independent Centennial Committee was once again at a loss, and finally had to turn to the Washington government for help.

Well, if you follow the normal procedure, it won't cost much to hold a World Expo, after all, the national pavilions of each country are built by each country, and the state pavilions of each state are built by the states, and Philadelphia only needs to build a main pavilion, and a main pavilion at this time will definitely not cost 2.5 million US dollars.

As for how much it costs to build a house, this can refer to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, which was built at the same time, and the Hongda building with a four-story auditorium and 122 boxes only cost more than 170,000 points.

Even if ten metropolitan opera houses are built, it will only be 1.7 million, and I really don't know how the money of the Independent Centennial Exhibition Committee is spent.

In fact, it is very easy to understand, there is a big moth like Tweed in New York, and Philadelphia is not much better, the United States in these years is the standard "corrupt officials are everywhere, and there are many dirty officials like dogs", not to mention 2.5 million US dollars, even if it is 25 million, it is made by the strength of the Independent Centennial Exhibition Committee, and it will not take two years to give you the essence of tossing.

In fact, Philadelphia is very close to New York, the straight-line distance is less than 100 kilometers, Philadelphia and New York are two neighboring metropolises, Philadelphia is the former capital of the United States, with strong industrial strength, and the total industrial output value accounts for about 30% of the United States; And New York is the financial center of the United States, and the wealth of the whole country is gathered in New York, so the relationship between these two cities is not very good, and they are standard competitors, some time ago New York Mayor Tweed was dismissed, and Phillies gloated, calling New York the "crime capital" of the United States, and New Yorkers will certainly not let go of the opportunity to laugh at Philadelphians, and the Independent Centennial Exhibition Committee is the laughing stock of New Yorkers laughing at Philadelphians.

"Of course, if we can win over the Centennial Exhibition, it will be very beneficial to reshape the image of New York, and of course, if we want to host the Centennial Exhibition, then we have to prepare a lot of money." Li Mu of course agreed to hold the Centennial Exhibition of Independence in New York, which is also very beneficial to the Junma Group.

What is certain is that if New York hosts this independent centennial exhibition, then the ZAMA Group can take as much as the booth in the main exhibition hall, and if it is held in Philadelphia, then the ZAMA Group will not be able to eat, and the ZAMA Group has now been labeled as New York, which is not popular in Philadelphia.

Tweed's case hurt the credibility of the New York City government, and since Arthur took office, he has been trying to reverse the image of the New York City government in the public mind, and the city government has even taken over the entire page of Time magazine to advertise the new image of the city government.

The effect is not ideal, although the dust of the Tweed case has settled, but the aftermath has not subsided, the current New York, there are still many officials left over from the Tweed period continue to stay, as long as these officials still work in the New York City government, it is not easy for the New York City government to change its image.

The Centennial of Independence is a good opportunity for New York to show that the Centennial of Independence is an efficient and progressive way for the New York City government, and if it can be successfully held, it may change the image of the New York City government.

The development of the Junma Group has become famous in the United States, but in Europe and Asia, the Junma Group has little influence, and Li Mu urgently needs a platform, and the Junma Group is promoted to the whole society.

After all, the U.S. market is still limited, and the Junma Group's electric lights, telephones and other products are borderless, these products in the current market even have no competitors, if the independence of the centennial exhibition can be successfully held, then the reputation of the Junma Group will be on a higher level.

"Don't worry about money, the New York City government has money, and the customs can also help, but it's really not okay and you tycoons, and in return, I can give you the best booth and the most exposure." Arthur doesn't worry about money, and for New York, money is the least thing to think about.

The New York City Government is indeed rich, as the financial center of the United States, New York City is developing rapidly, and there are millions of dollars invested in public facilities every year.

"And what about Philadelphia and Washington?" Li Mu didn't know Grant's attitude, it was Grant's decision to put the Independence Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, and now he wants Grant to break his promise, and I don't know what Grant will think.

As for Philadelphia, it is certain that if New York expresses its intention to host the Centennial Exhibition of Independence, it will inevitably provoke a strong backlash from Philadelphians, which is tantamount to a slap in the face and questioning the ability of Philadelphia people to organize large-scale events, and Phillies will certainly not rest on their laurels.

"Philadelphians? Who cares about him! Arthur was domineering, which meant deliberately provoking trouble: "Mainly on Washington's side, it is not easy to get Mr. President to change his mind, so all of us must mobilize all the forces at our disposal to snatch the Centennial of Independence from the hands of the people of Philadelphia." ”

Arthur knew the energy of Li Mu's group, such as Li Mu, such as Rockefeller, such as J· P. Morgan, who all have their own spokesmen in Washington, would have at least eighty percent certainty that Arthur would snatch the Centennial of Independence from Philadelphia if he could get Wall Street tycoons to join the lobbyists.

"So what are you waiting for?" Li Mu also can't wait, it's rare to have something that can make Li Mu interested, and Li Mu will go all out.

"Then tomorrow, tomorrow we will have a meeting at Castle Clinton to discuss how to snatch the Centennial Exhibition of Independence from the hands of the Phillies in Philadelphia." Arthur also can't wait, for Arthur, if he can successfully hold the Centennial Exhibition of Independence during his tenure as mayor of New York, it will be a strong stroke in Arthur's mayoral career.

After eating, Li Mu and Arthur took their leave and returned to Governor's Island.

Gloria was waiting for Li Mu in the living room, Li Mu cheered up, said hello to Gloria, turned around and wanted to go upstairs.

"Reem, wait a minute." Gloria stopped Li Mu.

Li Mu had a headache, but he couldn't ignore it, so he smiled and sat down opposite Gloria.

"I don't know how to say it, but can I keep those bodyguards from following me, I don't want to be too special." Gloria was a bit reserved.

After joining the work, Gloria learned how huge the strength of the Junma Group was, and because of this, Gloria felt that the distance between her and Li Mu was out of reach.

In order to protect Gloria's safety, Li Mu arranged a total of more than a dozen bodyguards to enter Time Magazine, these bodyguards are men and women, although their identities are also reporters, but they only have the task of protecting Gloria.

Even if Gloria is sluggish, she can feel that something is wrong, what an obvious thing, although the United States does not ban guns, but no one carries a gun with him at all times, after Gloria went to work at Time Magazine, there were suddenly many powerful people with guns at any time, and their every move was to show their identity, which made Gloria feel very uncomfortable.

"Will is already on the train and will arrive in New York tomorrow, and this question will be decided when Will returns." Li Mu didn't mean to perfunctory Gloria, waiting for Will to come back to deal with it was the best way.