Chapter 675: Chapter 584: Scheme After Scheme (Requesting Double Monthly Tickets)

Hayman hesitated.

He’d worked hard to provide a better life for his family, and the gas light could significantly improve their quality of life.

He looked at his wife, “How much savings do we have left?”

“11 British Pounds,” the woman said with hope, “That’s enough.”

Hayman flashed a handsome smile, “Well, let’s buy a gas light.”

The most charming moments for a man are when he says “Let’s buy it.”

His wife happily tiptoed and planted a firm kiss on his face, then hesitated slightly, “Jim, you don’t think this could be a scam, do you?”

No wonder she was worried; scams were more common in this era than rain in London, making people habitually cautious.

“Don’t worry about that,” Hayman said, wrapping his arms around his wife with a smile, “The gas street lamps by the town hall are already in use, I’ve seen it myself. The mayor even gave a speech…”

Across the street in the Brooke household.

“I was right behind the mayor then, surrounded by reporters,” Mr. Stephen Brooke, as he placed a piece of steak in his mouth, told his father across the dinner table, “This is a project watched by all of London, even all of England; nothing could go wrong.”

The little boy on the left side of the table was intently folding a paper boat from Lightning Company’s flyers.

Brooke’s wife immediately added, “Dad, the paper says the distillery has been completed, which is the most difficult and expensive part of the project.”

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Old Brooke nodded, “8 Pounds isn’t too bad, if it’s as good as the ads say.”

He then looked at his son, a government official, “Something concerns me. Why would Lightning Company install the gas pipelines for free? They could easily charge 10 Pounds.”

Brooke smiled, “Because their project was delayed.”

“This unfortunate company, firstly, the chief engineer fled to the United States due to debts. Then they dug up a body at the construction site and got involved in a murder case.

“In May, their coal storage was set on fire by a mad woman…

“So, they couldn’t finish on time and now face hefty fines.

“To appease their shareholders who didn’t make any profit, the company had to find other ways, like selling gas lights, and they must sell a lot to make their financial statements look a bit more appealing.

“To get high sales volumes, they had to increase the discounts.”

His explanation obviously came from colleagues at the town hall, while the text was penned by Mesmer.

Mesmer and Carolina had considered all potential doubts to deceive the whole of London, patching up any loopholes one might find.

Even if Sherlock Holmes were alive in London at that time, he’d probably end up buying a gas light too.

In the managing director’s office of Lightning Company.

Styler handed the sales list to Carolina, somewhat disappointedly said, “We’ve sold only a little over 1600 lamps. We spent more than 4000 British Pounds on advertising alone, and after deducting the cost of the gas production equipment, we’ve only made about 200,000 French Francs.”

“Let’s raise the price then, starting tomorrow each lamp will be 8 Pounds 10 Shilling. Then spread the word that it will increase again next month.”

Carolina waved his hand with a relaxed air and said, “Moreover, our main way of making money has never been from selling a few gas lamps.”

Styler exclaimed, “Are there other ways to make money?”

“Exactly, Mr. General Manager. Unless there is an accident, Mesmer, oh, I mean Baron Kevin Watson, is currently making a ‘big deal’.”

A high-end party was being held in a classical mansion on Kensington Street.

All the attendees were either socialites or wealthy tycoons, and in a corner on the west side of the party, Baron Watson was already slightly tipsy.

At this moment, he did not resemble the nouveau riche image he had in Austria. His entire demeanor was steady and skillful, and his manners were elegantly appropriate. Even if he returned to Vienna with a beard and glasses, surely no one would recognize him.

“Baron Watson, why don’t you share some information with me?” A thirty-year-old man with handsome blue eyes pleaded beside him, “Even for the sake of my sister.”

When his sister was mentioned, Mesmer’s expression finally changed. Ah, he had spent a wonderful night with Miss Helen Elvis just last night.

“You know about it?”

“Yes, I know. Helen likes you, and I approve of your relationship. So, we are practically family now.”

“Alright, Sir Elvis.” Mesmer showed a resigned look. “But you absolutely must not tell anyone else.”

“Don’t worry, my lips are as sealed as a cork on a wine bottle.”

Mesmer set down his glass and glanced around cautiously, signaling for Elvis to come closer and he whispered, “Lightning Company will issue high-yield bonds through Commerce Credit Bank, with an interest rate as high as 35%.”

“Such high returns?!” Elvis exclaimed.

“Yes,” Mesmer said with a matter-of-fact expression. “You might not know, but due to Lightning Company’s outstanding performance in the Dun Lun gas streetlamp project, it will be awarded the gas streetlamp projects in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and other cities.

“Oh, and reliable sources say that even the gas streetlamps in Lille, France, will be built by them.”

“Really?” Elvis’s eyes widened. “So many cities are going to install gas streetlamps?!”

“Yes, our Prime Minister certainly does not want to be outdone by the French. Since Paris got its gas streetlamps early, we need to make more cities illuminate with gas streetlamps as well.”

“But concerning Lille…”

“Ha, as long as we appease the greedy officials, nothing is unexpected,” Mesmer said. “However, starting so many projects at once will require substantial financial support. And since Lightning Company does not want to share the projects with other companies, they can only choose to issue bonds.”

Elvis, recalling the recent booming sales of gas lamps in London, had no doubt about Lightning Company’s strength and nodded promptly. “I do have some money on hand; perhaps I could invest some…”

Mesmer waved his hand, “You can’t buy them yourself. With such high returns, they are available for internal purchase only.”

Elvis immediately became anxious. “You must help me, please.”

“Alright, since we are family,” Mesmer sighed. “I might have a chance to introduce you to Mr. Godemid.”

Commerce Credit Bank was indeed Godemid’s enterprise in the United Kingdom. Initially, Joseph had promised him some business benefits, which were now realized in the bond business of Lightning Company.

“Thank you so much!” Elvis was extremely grateful. “Helen is truly the luckiest in her life to have met you!”

Sir Elvis was by no means a foolish spender. On the contrary, as a sharp businessman, he had earned a considerably substantial fortune.

The next day, he hurried to Birmingham to learn more about the gas streetlamp project there.