Chapter 53 of 100
Chapter 53
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The deal for the ammonium nitrate explosive business was finally settled. Zhu Jishi stayed at Blenheim Palace for four days, bargaining with the Duke of Marlborough every day. In the end, the value of the ammonium nitrate explosive and its patent was set at 24,000 pounds, with the Duke of Marlborough contributing 16,000 pounds in cash. Both parties jointly established a company named "Jishi-Churchill Explosives," responsible for producing ammonium nitrate explosives, and grenades using ammonium nitrate explosives as the charge.
The current European economy was not doing well, and the overall situation was relatively stable, with large-scale wars not occurring for many years. Therefore, many gunpowder factories were struggling. The Duke of Marlborough suggested acquiring an existing gunpowder factory to produce ammonium nitrate explosives. Jishi immediately agreed and recommended Hans Schmidt and Will Heming to serve as the general manager and factory manager of "Jishi-Churchill Explosives," respectively. The chairman of the company would be the Duke of Marlborough, who also agreed. Both parties signed a preliminary agreement on June 11th. On June 12th, Zhu Jishi, along with the legal advisor of Jishi Holdings, Mr. Jones, and the Duke, left the magnificent Blenheim Palace in a carriage.
The carriage belonged to the Duke and was quite nice, spacious, and stable. The interior was luxuriously decorated, with cushions on the seats that were likely made of sponge, very soft. There was even a small wine cabinet inside, containing pastries and a bottle of wine, all for Zhu Jishi, the Duke, and Mr. Jones to enjoy on the journey. The distance from Blenheim Palace to Manchester was not short, and it would take more than half a day to arrive.
The scenery along the way was pleasant, with vast expanses of European countryside. After being in this era for several months, Zhu Jishi found that the British countryside was not much different from the future. However, their cities were quite dirty, chaotic, and poor, and the laborers living there looked as if they were suffering from hunger and cold. This was probably what was known as the "early stage of capitalism"?
If China were to follow the path of "reform and opening up" in the future, there would likely be many people suffering from hunger and cold... Even in this old imperialist country, which had practiced capitalism for two or three hundred years, the people did not have good lives. Could the laborers of the rising China expect higher wages and more benefits?
Sweatshops were sweatshops, but wasn't this how the future China had progressed? At that time, Chinese workers' wages were much lower than those of European and American workers. If China were to "reform and open up" at this time, the income of workers on both sides would probably be similar, struggling together in hunger and cold. Zhu Jishi put aside his thoughts and chatted about the scenery and the weather with the Duke and Mr. Jones throughout the journey.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Roman Villa in the outskirts of Manchester, where the butler, Henry, was already waiting.
Zhu Jishi jumped off the carriage, followed by the Duke and Mr. Jones. Mrs. Durand ran out to greet them, leaping into Zhu Jishi's arms like a doe. "Darling, you're back. Did the business negotiations go well?"
"Very well, our Jishi Holdings will soon have a new member." Zhu Jishi kissed her cheek and smiled. "Is dinner ready? Robert and Andrew are starving."
"It's ready. Swenson has prepared Chinese dishes." Mrs. Durand led Zhu Jishi into the house.
The Roman Villa cost Zhu Jishi 3,000 pounds, which he borrowed from the Barings Bank through Cosper William. Before the first dividend of Jishi Holdings, Zhu Jishi would not have much cash on hand. However, the 3,000 pounds was well worth it. The house was very beautiful, a three-story villa with elegant interiors and a large yard, complete with a full set of furniture.
"Jishi, this is a letter from the French Academy of Sciences. You have been elected as a foreign associate member of the French Academy of Sciences."
As soon as they entered the house, Mrs. Durand took two large envelopes from a table in the living room and handed them to him. "And this letter is from the French Foreign Minister, Marquis Guizot."
"Marquis Guizot? Sending me a letter?" Zhu Jishi was surprised, took the letter from Mrs. Durand, and opened it. He did not recognize the French text.
"What does it say?" He handed the letter to Mrs. Durand.
Mrs. Durand came from a petit-bourgeois family; her father ran a clothing store and was a famous tailor, even making uniforms for Napoleon! Therefore, Mrs. Durand and her sisters had received some home education and could read French.
"Marquis Guizot wants you to meet him in Paris by the end of September. His letter also mentions that the French government plans to send a large diplomatic delegation to China. If you want to write a letter to the Emperor of China, the French diplomatic delegation can act as your messenger."
"Write a letter to the Emperor of China?" Zhu Jishi was taken aback, thinking, "This is a good suggestion. Someone should write to Emperor Daoguang to inform him about the situation of the Western powers. I don't expect him to implement 'reform and opening up' after reading the letter, but it would be better than the Qing Dynasty being completely ignorant about the West."
At this moment, the Duke leaned in and whispered, "Jishi, Britain and France are in competition regarding China. You must be cautious about Marquis Guizot's request."
Zhu Jishi smiled faintly. "Of course. I am a baronet of the British Empire, not a baronet of France. Jishi Holdings' investments are all in England. However, I still think this is a good opportunity. I should use the French diplomatic delegation to deliver the letter to Emperor Daoguang. As for the content of the letter... I hope to discuss it with Prince Albert."
The Duke nodded and said after a moment, "Jishi, what do you plan to write in the letter?"
Zhu Jishi glanced at the Duke. "Robert, this great empire knows nothing about the outside world. I think I should first introduce the major powers to Emperor Daoguang. I hope my letter can reach him."
...
"Master, what important matter do you need me for?"
Bai Siwen stood respectfully in Zhu Jishi's study, wearing a large white apron. He had just been washing dishes in the kitchen. To be honest, this former gentleman was living a rather miserable life in a foreign land, working as a long-term servant in the Zhu household.
Zhu Jishi glanced at this traitor and said coolly, "Swenson, I plan to write a letter to Daoguang. What do you think?"
"Daoguang? Master, you mean the... Emperor!?" Bai Siwen drew a breath, thinking, "The way Master Zhu Jishi mentions the Emperor is so casual, without any respect. He must be a rebel against the Qing!"
"Master, what do you want to say to the Emperor?" Bai Siwen asked calmly. This was Britain, not the Qing Dynasty. Even if Zhu Jishi openly rebelled against the Qing, the Qing court would have no way to deal with him. Therefore, Bai Siwen, who had fled to Britain, decided to continue to remain hidden and bide his time.
Zhu Jishi smiled deeply and shook his head. "To be honest, I don't know what to say to Daoguang. Swenson, you know more about the Qing than I do. Do you think they want to open their eyes to the world?"
"Open their eyes to the world?" Bai Siwen looked surprised. What was there to see in the world? He had no choice but to follow Master Jardine to Britain. If the court could pardon him, he would never have come to see the world!
However, he could only keep this thought to himself. This was internal information of the Qing Dynasty, which should not be revealed to rebels. Bai Siwen nodded vigorously. "Yes! The court must want to know about the outside world. Master, why don't you write in detail about the situation of the Western powers in your letter?"
Zhu Jishi nodded and asked, "Then, what does Daoguang most want to know about the West?"
Bai Siwen scratched his head, thinking, "How can I guess what the Emperor wants to know? If I had that ability, I wouldn't be in this situation." But after a moment's thought, he said to Zhu Jishi, "What the Emperor most wants to know is definitely the military strength of the Western powers and their ambitions towards the Qing Dynasty..."
"Understood," Zhu Jishi paused and asked, "Swenson, do you know Daoguang's name?"
Bai Siwen was stunned, staring at Zhu Jishi in shock. "M-Master, what did you say?"
"Daoguang's name," Zhu Jishi said, "I need to know his name to write the letter."
Bai Siwen drew a breath, thinking, "This Master really doesn't know the rules. Writing to the Emperor, calling him by his name! That's a grave disrespect! Just this alone is enough to get one's head cut off!"
"Master, do you know what grave disrespect is?"
"I do!" Zhu Jishi looked at Bai Siwen coldly. "But I am not a subject of Daoguang, and Daoguang does not deserve my respect."
Bai Siwen thought, "No doubt, this Master is likely a rebel against the Qing. The Emperor of the Qing is his enemy, so he naturally does not respect his enemy!"
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