Chapter 99 I Understand Alternating Current
"I believe you know who Morgan is. After all, you worked in Edison's company. Morgan also invested in you a few years ago. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. I, a latecomer, don't need to teach Morgan how to do this. He invested in you and Edison. Whether it's you or Edison, he would invest in whoever can make a profit. However, he is a businessman, and he is not concerned about scientific interests. You lost to Marconi in the radio war, resulting in the radio patent being awarded to this Italian. This made Morgan very angry and he withdrew his funding for you, right?"
Sheffield described Tesla's life trajectory in the past few years without paying attention to others. "After Morgan, there are still other wealthy people who are very interested in your research results, but your latest sponsor, to be honest, cannot be compared with Morgan. For the United States, Mr. Tesla is indeed a genius, but there are geniuses like you in various industries, but there is only one banker as influential as Morgan."
"Although I think Morgan and Edison will eventually get into a dirty fight, and Edison will definitely be the one who gives in, it doesn't mean you are out of Morgan's sight. After Edison is dealt with, you will run into Morgan again sooner or later. As for your sponsor, he is no match for Morgan. As long as Morgan puts pressure on your sponsor to give in, your situation will be even worse."
"Did I say something too hateful about Morgan?" Sheffield suddenly stopped and looked Tesla in the eyes and asked.
The war over radio patents was indeed the main reason why Morgan stopped funding Tesla, but Sheffield believed that although Edison tried his best to use the first-mover advantage to make Tesla's research not be taken seriously, once it was proven that the benefits of alternating current far exceeded those of direct current, Morgan would turn around and forget the unpleasantness with Tesla and move forward hand in hand again.
"I have already obtained the patent for radio from Marconi, dear Mr. Tesla. I have observed you for a long time before coming to New York, although you may not know this. I have made relevant preparations, which is why I came to your door today." Sheffield said coldly, "Your research needs a sponsor. Once Morgan feels that the profit returns of alternating current are huge, he will use his connections to force your sponsor out. This is not a question of whether you are willing or not. For someone like Morgan, it is too easy to get the patent for alternating current from an electrical engineer."
"Master William means that you can help me keep the patents I have now and continue to fund my subsequent research." Tesla raised his head slightly and asked hesitantly, "My sponsor is also a banker with millions of dollars in assets..."
"Twenty years ago, Morgan and his allies fought against the Seligman Group and its foreign aid, the Rothschild family, and gained financial dominance. Among bankers, Morgan basically had no rivals except for a few bankers in Boston who were married to each other. It is too easy for Morgan to force someone to submit in the financial field. It is not a good thing that your sponsor is a banker!" Sheffield shrugged, "And millions of dollars? In Morgan's eyes, this is just pocket money! Even without Morgan's appearance, Edison's property is almost enough. General Electric, how do you deal with it?"
"Master William, what you mean is, are you capable enough to protect my patent? It won't be taken away by Morgan? But I have a question. You and Morgan are both businessmen and of course you focus on profits. What's the difference?" Tesla seemed uncomfortable with smiling, and his smile was a little inexplicable.
"Of course there is no essential difference, but I respect other people's achievements very much. If there is any difference, I have not harmed you yet, but Edison and his financial sponsor Morgan have harmed you once. In the United States, you should choose a strong partner to realize your dream. I am not bragging, but there are not many people who dare to support you under Morgan's pressure. These giants in the north have inextricable ties with Morgan. On the contrary, my family is in Texas, and my main connections are in the southern states, and I have no contact with Morgan." Sheffield hesitated and told the truth, "Besides, I have Marconi's authorization, and I have a lot of patents in the European electrical field, so I can cross-license with you. As long as you nod, I can support you to do anything you want."
In fact, Sheffield had no idea who was the first inventor of radio. If he remembered correctly, there seemed to be a Russian named Popov who also invented radio this year. If the other party also joined in, there would be a radio patent lawsuit. However, the federal court was hearing the radio patent during World War II and gave Marconi's patent to Tesla.
However, this move is more like refusing to pay a debt. The United States is obviously not as good as its own father, Britain, in this regard. Britain paid patent fees to the Krupp family according to the number of German casualties. Germany in World War I was a defeated country, just like Italy in World War II.
Tesla was silent for a long time. Actually, after Morgan withdrew his investment, although he found other sponsors, as Sheffield said, the victory in the current war did not bring any benefits, and he was still in a debt-ridden environment. Even the situation after the victory in the current war was worse than before the winner was decided.
Not only that, Tesla always saw the media mocking him in newspapers. As the winner of the electric current war, he was far from living a comfortable life as the loser.
Sheffield was keenly aware of this hesitation, and he added calmly, "The public opinion environment here is too unfriendly to you. In fact, the best place in the United States for you to relax and conduct research is never New York, but Texas. Texas is a gathering place for Eastern European immigrants, and you can find the feeling of home there."
"You can hear Slavic languages, see Orthodox churches, and you can blend in without any obstacles. Anyone can be your friend!" Sheffield said patiently, "Houston has a good climate. It is the largest city in Texas. If you want, changing the environment may help you better display your talents."
Sheffield is now trying to persuade people with both reason and emotion. He expressed his willingness to take risks, resist the pressure from Edison and Morgan behind him, and use the environment and humanities to make Tesla understand that the United States is not just New York.
"I may not be able to repay you for a long time!" Tesla pointed to the laboratory downstairs and said, "Even the laboratory repair after the fire still owes a lot of money."
"It's okay, I'll help you pay it back!" Sheffield glanced at him nonchalantly and said, "Great science requires continuous investment. I will never be like Morgan and withdraw my investment if I don't see any benefits."
What else? Tesla racked his brains, but he couldn't think of a reason to refuse. Finally, he nodded and said, "I'm willing to go to Texas!"
"This is a very wise decision! No one understands the value of alternating current better than me," Sheffield boasted, "and the value of you, a great electrical engineer." And you understand how much benefit this will bring.
(End of this chapter)
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