Chapter 130: 128: Three Gifts (Please subscribe, please vote)
19 Lombard Street, second floor, in the study.
By the window, next to the gorgeous sunset, Roy and Miller sat facing each other.
The dazzling golden light sprinkled on them, as if covering them with a layer of glorious coat.
Two cups of tea were placed on the table in the middle, still steaming, along with a delicate dessert.
After Mira finished all this, she bowed slightly and retreated.
When there were only two of them left, Baron Miller finally couldn't suppress his emotions anymore and began to talk incessantly about his experiences in this trip.
It should be said that he had written many things in his letters, but now that he was telling them orally, it felt different.
With his vivid description, Luo Yi felt as if he was there, following his footsteps and experiencing thrilling moments again and again.
The magnificent Santa Cruz Palace, the throne room, the center of imperial power, the cabinet ministers with their own seats, and the old man who sat high on the throne, yet appeared very easygoing...
All of this had a vague outline in Luo Yi's mind.
It was only at this time that Roy realized how much Miller had done for this "surprise".
For example, he directly used his power to change the distribution content of an issue of the "Imperial Politics News" in Oakland City, so that Roy did not see the specific news.
In fact, the city of Auckland has now become a pilot, and has been published in a series of articles in the "Empire Reality News", which are definitely the front-page headlines and attract attention.
This puts a lot of pressure on Miller.
If he fails to accomplish this task or fails to do it well, he will not be able to report to the emperor!
But Miller is obviously not afraid. In fact, he has more confidence in this model than Roy.
It is worth mentioning that the current policy promoted by the Empire is different from the "win-win model" that Luo Yi talked about.
To be precise, the word "win-win" seems to elevate the individual to the same level as the empire, which is very disrespectful.
So, the name was changed to 'joint venture model'!
The Empire will still hold a 51% stake and have absolute controlling rights, but will not participate in the construction and construction of specific projects, nor in their subsequent maintenance and upkeep.
Even if the railway was not managed well, the empire had the right to take back ownership of the railway and nationalize it.
However, that requires extremely stringent conditions to be met, and the situation must be bad enough to trigger the hidden clauses.
As long as the empire ensures the integrity and smooth operation of the railway, it doesn't really care who has the management power.
Moreover, Empire clearly stated that it would not pay any money, not even a penny, but it still held more than half of the shares. This clause seemed a bit unreasonable.
However, the empire provided an interest-free loan of up to 100,000 gold sterling, which was used exclusively for the construction of the railway.
Moreover, this loan can be repaid in installments after the railway is opened to traffic, depending on the annual operating conditions and profit.
This condition is quite relaxed.
However, the empire's loan was not given in one go, but each time a section of railway was built, it would be inspected and accepted by the Executive Office.
Only after confirmation and signature will the second batch of interest-free loans be received.
The whole process is divided into five parts, each time costing 20,000 gold tyres. This was specially designed by the cabinet because they were afraid that the cabinet would just take the money but not do anything.
At the same time, the empire will also resolve the issue of land expropriation along the way.
Don’t think this is nothing. Without the endorsement of the empire, these lands would not be so easy to obtain.
Of course, building a railway is not an easy task. It cannot be done by just a few people. It requires special design and planning, and a large number of professional talents.
Even in the later stages, when the magic train is running, there still needs to be someone to direct it, arrange it, and maintain the tracks regularly.
Therefore, the Empire will send real engineers and technicians to provide on-site guidance and solve various problems.
It is because of these people that the railways built can be considered qualified railways.
It can be said that the Empire was actually very sincere and almost helped solve the most difficult problems.
Gintyre, land, talent...
I helped with almost all the key points of construction, and the follow-up was just trivial matters like recruiting, construction, and management.
Of course, one hundred thousand gold tyres is not enough, and the rest has to be made up by the local government office, or individuals can be allowed to invest and subsidize.
At this point, Miller stopped talking nonsense. He reached out and took out a parchment scroll from his arms and placed it in front of Roy.
Luo Yi took it, but didn't open it to look at it. Instead, he asked, "What is this?"
"Shares! Of the remaining 49%, I can only give you 19% at most. Just give me 20,000 gold teers."
I will ensure that you are the second largest shareholder besides Empire, and have absolute management and operating rights.
As for the rest, my Executive Office only holds 10%, also contributing 20,000 gold tyres.
In the end, only 20% of the shares will be left. I will divide it into ten parts, each with 2%, and then invite all the big businessmen in Auckland to join.
I'll let them bid, and the highest bidder wins!"
After a pause, Miller asked, "Do you think they will support me if I do this?"
Luo Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will let them show their support!"
"It's not always possible to establish a relationship with the railway, or even the empire. It's like having an extra talisman.
I believe they will flock to it.”
"In that case, I'll ask for your help in this matter. I believe you will give me a surprise."
Luo Yi finally opened the parchment and looked carefully at the words and seal on it. 19% of the shares, only 20,000 gold teels, was definitely a profit.
Moreover, railways will definitely be the main means of transportation for a long time.
It's not just people, it also includes various materials and bulk commodities. Just charging a small amount of shipping fee can also bring in a lot of income.
Luo Yi: "So, this is the benefit you just told me?"
"Of course... there's more!"
Miller deliberately prolonged the ending of the word, took out a second parchment scroll and handed it to Luo Yi.
"I think this is what you want too."
Luo Yi took it and opened it. Even though he was mentally prepared, he still widened his eyes.
“This, this is…”
"Yes, this is the order from the Imperial Military. In fact, even without me, the Imperial Military would still purchase it given the reputation of the Magic Hammer Forging Machine.
I simply brought the process forward a bit, and then, since they wanted a larger quantity, 100 units worth 100,000 gold tees, I gave them a discounted price of 98,000."
"How was it? Didn't it make you suffer?"
"Also, I can clearly tell you that the size of the empire is beyond your imagination, and the military's demands are actually quite exaggerated.
This is the first order, and if there is demand later, there will definitely be a long-term and substantial order."
The thought that popped up in Luo Yi's mind was that if this happened, my Lightninger Magic Machinery Factory would have to expand again.
We are really on the right track, and the development is as fast as flying!
"Are you satisfied with this one?"
"Satisfied, of course I'm satisfied!"
Luo Yi suddenly felt that this "investment" was not all about input without output.
Miller was really grateful to him and really got a lot of benefits for him.
But just when he thought that the matter would end there, Miller took out another parchment scroll and handed it to Roy.
"besides?"
"Of course!"
"Miller, you're making me feel a little embarrassed."
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s because you were willing to help me and even took out such a precious secret medicine that helped me overcome the difficulties.
For this reason alone, no matter how much benefit is given, it is not too much."
Having said this, Miller directly spread out the parchment scroll in his hand, and on it was actually a license and an authorization.
The objects of authorization are meditation potions and soul-calming spices.
"This is?"
"I came here specifically for this. Since the secret medicine has been given to the Empire, it will definitely be mass-produced.
However, the empire is so large and the demands are so great that it is not easy to satisfy them.
So, I asked for this permit.”
Miller looked at Luo Yi and said seriously, "With this license, you can legally produce, sell, and trade.
I believe that even adults will be eager to try it.”
"In this way, it can be regarded as making up for your loss."
It must be said that Roy was very shocked. The 'gifts' Baron Miller sent were really a lot and very heavy.
The three parchment scrolls were spread out in his palms, and what Luo Yi saw was a huge amount of gold flowing into his arms.
He shook it firmly and asked with a clear mind, "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"
"I want you to support me, to support me with all your strength. For this railway construction, I want not only high-quality engineering, but also sufficient speed."
"As long as the road can be opened to traffic in the shortest possible time, that will be my greatest achievement. My future depends on this opportunity."
"Loy, help me!"
"Sure, sure."
Luo Yi thought about it and came up with an idea. He asked, "What do you think the name of our railway company should be?"
"Auckland Railways, how about that?"
"Isn't that a bit too stingy? We can't let people think that we are confined to a small corner, right?"
"So, what's the good name?"
"What do you think of the Northern Railway Company? We should at least be ambitious and take over the entire North."
"Hahahaha, I like it. I'll listen to you then!"
PS: Sorry, I was pulled out to work and just came back. I made the changes in a hurry and posted it. It’s my fault!
The second update is still being revised, it will be ready soon!
My bad, I will correct it in the second update!
(End of this chapter)
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