Chapter 293: A Turn of Events
"I didn't mean that, but if Mr. Carnegie insists on thinking that way, I can't help it." Sheffield put his hands on the table and said calmly, "Any business must have some sincerity. If we negotiate like this, I believe there will be no results. Negotiations are about mutual respect, not for me to come here just to listen to big talk."
"This is not an attitude of active negotiation!" Carnegie said calmly, "Pittsburgh is the headquarters of Carnegie Steel Company. I am the master here. On the contrary, William, you have a bad temper."
Carnegie spoke calmly, reminding that this was not New York, nor Arlington or New Orleans. He was the master here, so he should have a strong attitude, and it was not excessive to ask a question in return.
"I believe that Mr. Carnegie didn't mean that!" Rockefeller Jr. said, "At William's age, he is more concerned about efficiency. The cooperation between Standard Oil and United Oil was not smooth at the beginning. And I also believe that what he said just now was not a threat at all. I have seen this kind of sincerity many times."
"I just said it casually. In fact, I think that with my own wealth, it is no problem for a woman to grow up safely." Carnegie also took a step back and said, "It would be good if other companies could take care of her, but it doesn't matter if they don't."
"Well, of course you have the ability. After all, it's only been a few years since the strike was suppressed." Sheffield snorted and said sarcastically, "You are the boss in our country who is best at using the power of the union. You also use the power of the union to force other factories to raise wages. In the process, you wait until other factories can no longer maintain their operations, then take over, and finally turn against you and force the workers to either reduce their wages or lay off employees. Few people can withstand this combination of punches."
The last strike eventually turned into a conflict because this combination of measures went wrong.
"No one can force me to buy or sell!" Sheffield calmly stretched out his finger and shook it. "The Texas Legion still has six regiments left, and there are retired armed personnel. The Overseas United Company has four overseas bases, namely Kuwait, Cuba, Liberia and Panama. The number of armed personnel of the Overseas United Company exceeds 10,000. I am very friendly by not threatening others. I will not accept threats in return. And Mr. Carnegie, your attack just now is just a scam in my eyes. I hate this kind of blackmail."
Carnegie's attack just now was defined as a scam in Sheffield's eyes. Carnegie was simply trying to intimidate him by taking advantage of the loopholes in his words, hoping to gain the upper hand in words. Unfortunately, the slave owner didn't buy it.
"William, you seemed a little too impulsive just now." Rockefeller Jr. and Sheffield complained helplessly after leaving Carnegie headquarters, "This is not like your usual self. Why is this happening?"
"Being rejected by Carnegie is better than me being unable to compete with the Morgan Alliance in terms of financial resources. This is just a step." Sheffield tilted his head and put on a poker face. "There is actually no problem with a 1.5 times premium, but if you, me and Morgan Jr. are played around like this, it's no longer a matter of money. I won't do such a thing as spending money and still being embarrassed. At worst, I can hide in the South and not come here. I can still be the king and dominate half of the United States. Anyway, you have much more prestige than me among the Yankee community. In this negotiation, I only appear as an ally, which should not affect your personality. You can negotiate as you want."
Sheffield now wants to be a troublemaker. In fact, just as he said, even if the merger and acquisition really fails, it will not affect the United Company at all. What the United Company lacks now is not the opportunity to make money, but real funds. If it does not invest the borrowed money in mergers and acquisitions, it can still make money in other industries.
Since they are all about making money, the only difference is the way they make money. What does it matter? Just make money!
"Leave the rest of the negotiations to me!" Rockefeller Jr. also knew that this was a way for Sheffield to give him a way out. If he really couldn't compete with Morgan and his son financially, it would be more pleasant to explain the reason for the breakdown of the negotiations.
Thinking about it this way, Rockefeller Jr. felt that his brother-in-law, no, his partner, was a little too great. He simply sacrificed his personal interests to preserve the reputation of the two companies.
Today's series of changes may bring about a series of reactions, but the unpleasant parting of Sheffield and Carnegie will indeed leave a way out for Standard Oil and United. Even if they can't beat them, they can just join them. The two companies can completely give up their dominance in the steel industry, and even sell their own steel companies to Morgan, as long as the Morgan Alliance can afford it.
Of the three large companies involved in the acquisition, Sheffield was the least concerned. He cared the most about Morgan and his sons, and the second most about Rockefeller Jr. Sheffield was completely in the position of just going for it if it succeeded, and failure would not affect him at all.
Everyone has their own affairs. Sheffield did not appear in the subsequent negotiations. The negotiations became a contest between Rockefeller Jr. and Morgan Jr., the two most powerful forces in the United States.
Sheffield was naturally not idle either. He had his own things to do. Looking at the man in front of him who looked strange at first glance and then still a stranger, he frowned uncertainly and asked, "Did Edith ask you to come? How did you find this place? What do you want from me?"
"Boss William, I didn't expect you to be my age!" When the visitor saw Sheffield, his eyes lit up as if he had seen his idol. He quickly introduced himself, "My name is Fisher, and I'm from Chicago. People say you are the king of emerging industries. I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
"That's just a false reputation!" Sheffield waved his hand and asked with a scrutinizing look, "Do you know Edith Rockefeller?"
"Ah? I don't know her very well. I've never met the lady, I've only written letters to her!" Fisher was stunned for a moment before he spoke.
"Why are you writing to a woman for no reason?" Sheffield continued to ask indirectly, having completely forgotten the other party's purpose of coming. Although Edith Rockefeller was not a peerless beauty, and was even a little unaware, always thinking that she was, the fact that they were husband and wife was there after all. As a man, good things should always be hidden. In Sheffield's opinion, this guy might be even older than himself. What if he copied his path and carried the same burden on his shoulders? How could that be tolerated?
"I heard that the lady is your good friend, so I wrote to her!" Fisher spoke again, finally putting Sheffield at ease, and said incessantly, "Nowadays, businessmen are competing in old fields. Only you, the boss, boldly intervened in emerging industries. You protected the Tesla team under tremendous pressure and built the automotive industry, allowing it to flourish. It's admirable!"
Please continue, don't stop! Sheffield's face was full of enjoyment. Could it be that after entering the legendary American century, he, a slave owner, also had something called fans?
Although Sheffield never said anything to the media, he could not help but have his boss praised by his newspaper. In addition, he did make some moves in emerging industries. Under such praise, he was naturally more popular than some old men. Although there was the New Orleans incident, it was not a black issue. The current citizens of the United States have little sympathy for the black community.
Fisher was a believer who was bewitched by the newspaper. He believed that his idea might be realized in the king of this emerging industry, so he mustered up the courage to write a letter, which led to today's meeting.
"It seems I might hear some different news!" Sheffield pretended to be reserved and lowered his posture. Although both of them were laying off employees, Jack Ma spoke very tactfully. Alibaba's layoffs meant that it would send out a thousand talents every year. These are things that are worth learning.
"Mr. William, a washing machine can be powered by electricity!" Fisher said modestly. "In fact, the application of electricity is not limited to lighting. Many tasks in our lives can be solved by electricity. I have a design drawing. The idea may not be mature enough, but I really want to get your advice. I think only you can discover the value in it."
Washing machines have actually been around for a long time. Twenty years ago, steam washing machines appeared, and steam power began to replace human labor. After hundreds of years of development and improvement, modern steam washing machines have made incomparable improvements compared to the early days, but the principle is the same. The functions of modern steam washing machines include steam washing and steam drying, and they use an intelligent water circulation system.
After the steam washing machine, hydraulic washing machines and internal combustion engine washing machines also appeared one after another. These washing machines certainly have their own characteristics. At present, there are no electric washing machines on the market. But then again, this should be the ancestor of white household appliances, right?
Sheffield looked at Fisher's design and compared it with the structure of future washing machines in his mind, but did not point out the differences. Instead, he said, "First of all, electric washing machines are definitely the most promising washing machines, with more prospects than any other power washing machines."
Fisher's eyes lit up when he heard this. He felt that it was a good decision for him to come to Pittsburgh from Chicago. Just as he was about to continue, the report from outside pushed the door open, interrupting the conversation between the two insiders, and shouted to Sheffield, "Boss, Mr. John is back!"
"You won't believe it when I tell you, I won!" Before the people arrived, Rockefeller Jr.'s uncontrollable voice of pride could be heard, "I won against Morgan Jr., you won't believe it when I tell you, who is this?"
(End of this chapter)
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