Wickham was not in a good mood after Barnett's drunken affair, a form that lasted until the arrival of Bert Chelsea. Bert had good news for Wickham, that in three days there would be a big ball at Earl Crane's house, and he had already dragged his way to get two invitations to Earl Crane's house.

Of course, Bert didn't mean to take Wickham to the dance, as a textile merchant who had business with the Chelsea family would also be there.

"The ball at the Earl of Crown's house? Could it be the Krone family who likes to hold literary salons? At the mention of the Crown family, Wickham remembered the Countess of Crown, whom he called "the Rose of England". Although that woman looks average, her whole body is full of intellectual atmosphere, and she is a temperament-type beauty.

Bert nodded, and said to Wickham: "Because of her education in France, the Countess of Crane is also tainted with the flamboyant style of the French, and likes to hold literary salons that are more popular in Paris. However, her husband, the Earl of Crown, is a close friend of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and now serves in the Privy Council, so it is better for us to maintain a good relationship with the Crown family. ”

After listening to Bert's explanation, Wickham somewhat understood why the Countess of Crane was keen to hold a literary salon, and it was very likely that it was to use the platform of the literary salon to compile a network for her husband. In Western society, the power of the Madame's diplomatic corps should never be underestimated.

"Okay, let's talk about the textile factory." Wickham didn't want to talk about the Krone family anymore, he was more interested in the textile mill that was going to be acquired.

Sir Wood's business is mainly concentrated in the woolen textile industry in Lancashire, and the cotton textile factory under his name is a small investment of the Wood family when the cotton textile industry was booming a few years ago, so the scale is not large, and the total investment is about 80,000 pounds. And this factory is located on the banks of the River Thames outside London, which is very convenient for both the transportation of raw materials and the shipment. ”

Bert briefed Wickham about the other side's situation. In order to select a cotton mill suitable for Wickham's investment, he has spent a lot of energy these days sorting out the business partners of the Chelsea family, and then selected Sir Wood, a more suitable person.

"Mr. Bert Chelsea, I wonder how the equipment is in this factory?" The one who asked about it was Ruhr, who had been staying by Wickham's side and was equivalent to the role of secretary. As Ruhr was a textile worker in Hamptonshire before, he was familiar with the machinery and equipment of the textile mill and the operation of the factory.

Wickham was going to let Ruhr manage the day-to-day operations of the mill after the acquisition of the mill. Ruhr had already guessed a little about Wickham's idea, so he was very interested in buying the textile mill.

Bert smiled mysteriously and said to Wickham: "George, although the scale of that factory is a little smaller, the equipment inside is definitely the most advanced equipment in the whole of Europe at present!" There are fifty of the latest mule spinning machines and thirty power looms invented by the Rev. Edmund Cartwright, all powered by watt 20 hp steam engines, which are definitely more advanced than most textile factories in Manchester! ”

"What? You say that Sir Wood's cotton mill turned out to be a new type of factory powered by a steam engine? Wickham suddenly stood up in his chair and asked Bert with a twinkle in his eyes.

This is not a Vickerham fuss, because the steam engine factory is a rarity in mind. Although the first steam-powered mill was built and commissioned in 1785, the technology was not widely disseminated and water-powered mills remained the mainstream of the British textile industry. These days, Wickham has also inquired about textile mills for sale around London, but they are basically water-powered mills.

I didn't expect Bert to bring him such a big piece of good news this time, such a modern textile factory is hard to find. If the factory can be successfully purchased, Wickham will be able to save the cycle of upgrading the factory and put the factory into production sooner.

Bert didn't expect Wickham to be excited like this, so he said a little strangely: "George, although these equipment are advanced, the production cost is not necessarily low. First of all, the performance of the steam engine is not stable, and it basically needs to be overhauled once in a while, in which the loss of downtime and the cost of replacing parts are not a small expense. Secondly, the water used in the old hydrolooms was free, but the coal used for the steam engines had to be bought from Wales, and you have to take these factors into account. ”

Wickham waved his hand indifferently and said, "Compared to five or six times more productivity, those costs are almost negligible!" I can bet you that in less than twenty years, the whole of Britain will be full of factories with steam engines, believe it or not? ”

Bert pursed his lips and muttered, "I don't dare bet you, who doesn't know that your prophecy made by George Wickham will basically come true." If you weren't a pure Anglo-Saxon, there would have been times when I would have wondered if you were a gypsy who was good at taking pounces. ”

Hearing Bert's complaint, Wickham suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, it seems that he can't do something like prophecy in the future, otherwise others will definitely think of themselves as monsters.

Bert suddenly thought of something, and came over very gossipingly, and said, "Do you remember that Major Henry Sario we met in India?" People are really developed this time, not only did they jump two levels in a row to become colonel, but they also married Daisy Cornwallis, the most beloved granddaughter of the Marquis de Cornwallis's family, she is a real beauty! I heard that this guy Henry will bring his new wife to this ball this time. ”

Bert didn't know about the ambiguity between Wickham and Daisy Cornwallis, so he told Wickham about it as an ordinary gossip in high society.

Wickham felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, but he still said with an incomprehensible face: "What does this have to do with me? ”

Bert's mouth grew in disbelief and said in an exaggerated tone, "George, don't you know that Barnett guy has been secretly crushing on the current Madame Sario, right?" It's a pity, it's a pity, taking advantage of Barnett's trip to the Qing Kingdom, Daisy, the pink rose of the Cornwallis family, was ruined by Henry Sario's slug. Why don't we find a way to get Barnett out of his anger? ”

Since returning to London, Bert has been thinking about how to rebuild his reputation as a Chelsea young master in the London circle, and now he has found an opportunity. Although the Saario family is an aristocracy, it has long since declined, even if it is stomped on two feet, with the strength of the Chelsea family, it is not afraid of being troubled.

In this regard, Wickham definitely raised his hands and feet in agreement, and made trouble for Henry Sario, but he was happy to see it, and it was regarded as collecting some interest for the difficulties he suffered in India: "Nonsense, Barnett was drunk a few days ago because of this, we are good friends of Barnett, we don't give him anger, who will give him anger?" ”

Bert scratched his head and said in surprise, "Barnett is still drunk for this?" Why don't we find a few thugs in the East End and attack Henry Sario's carriage when the prom is over, and get this guy out and beat him up? ”

Wickham has an urge to cover his face, and the famous Chelsea young master in London has this kind of bad idea? It seems that you still have to go out yourself. After thinking about it, Wickham leaned into Bert's ear with a wicked smile on his face and whispered his plan.

After Wickham finished speaking, Bert gave him a thumbs up in surprise and said, "George, I feel that I have been a fool all these years, and your plan is too poisonous." I like it, though, hehe...... Don't worry, George, I'll get this done. ”

The two looked at each other in tacit understanding, and then let out a lewd laugh at the same time.

…………

The Earl's family, run by the Countess, was very well-connected in London, so the balls held by their family were attended by the nobles and nouveau riche of high society. This can be seen from the dense carriages parked outside the door of the Count of Krona's house.

Wickham stepped out of his carriage and saw Bert outside the Earl's Court, wearing a burgundy gown, which stood out among the men who were mainly black and blue.

When Bert saw Wickham, he walked over with his female companion: "George, why are you so slow today, I've been waiting here for a long time." By the way, let me introduce you, this is my female companion, Madame Clement. Baby, this is my good friend George Wickham, who currently works for the War Department. ”

Wickham only then noticed that the woman next to Bert was not the opera actress he had met at the Chelsea shipping company last time, and it seemed that Bert had a new woman next to him. Wickham muttered to himself in his heart, Bert, a damn playboy, changing a woman is faster than changing clothes, and let him live as an ascetic?

Wickham looked at Mrs. Clement, and saw that she was wearing a beige Greek dress, and a hairpin studded with pink diamonds in her hair, which matched her pink face. It can be seen that this is a smart woman who knows how to use her strengths.

"Hello, Mrs. Clement, I have to say that your beauty has overshadowed the young ladies at this evening's ball." Wickham politely complimented him, anyway, if he said two good words and wouldn't lose a piece of meat, why not.

Mrs. Clement, as if captivated by Wickham's handsome face, said with a coquettish smile, "You really like girls, Mr. Wickham." ”

Bert saw that his female companion was about to be taken away by Wickham, and quickly interjected: "George, you haven't answered me yet, you are twenty minutes late than the agreed time, which is really rare for a rigid guy like you." ”

Wickham was secretly amused by Bert's nervousness, but Mrs. Clement looked like a veteran of dewy love, and he was not interested in such a woman.

Since Bert wanted to change the subject, Wickham also cooperated: "I still have to finish dinner with my sister at home, and I won't eat well when I'm not there." ”

Alice, a little girl, had been at St. Margaret's Girls' School for two years, and she was also tainted with the bad habits of some aristocratic girls, rather than deliberately dieting for the sake of her slender waist, and sometimes using tight tights to shape her.

When he thought of this, Wickham was a little big, he understood the psychology of the little girl's pursuit of beauty, after all, she was fourteen years old, but if it was beauty at the cost of physical health, Wickham would definitely not agree. In order to make Alice eat obediently every day, Wickham tries to ensure that he eats at home every time to supervise the little girl to eat enough food.

Bert patted his head and was a little speechless: "George, are you an older brother or a faithful servant?" I haven't heard of a young lady who wants her brother's company to dine honestly! Bert actually has a few younger sisters, but the relationship is not close, and when they meet, they are polite and polite, which makes Bert particularly envious of the deep relationship between the brothers and sisters.

"Mr. Wickham, your relationship with your sister is very enviable." Mrs. Clement smiled coquettishly and leaned towards Wickham, a pair of murder weapons on his chest that were surging with the undulating chest, and Wickham almost had a nosebleed.

Wickham hurriedly distanced himself from Mrs. Clement, and said perfunctorily: "Well, there is only one sister in the family, who else can you spoil if you don't spoil her?" Alright, it's getting late, let's get in quickly. Wickham thought to himself that this young woman was too strong, and he didn't know how Bert could hook up with such a woman in a top.

Mrs. Clement, seeing that Wickham was not very interested in her, went inside with some interest, wanting to go to the ball to see if there were any better young men to hook up with.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Wickham deliberately slowed down a few steps and whispered to Bert: "That opera actress was kicked by you last time?" Your kid's tastes have changed recently, and he likes a wife? ”

Bert whispered back, "Madame Clement is a widow, not a wife. Everyone is just having fun, don't worry too much. I think she's more interested in you, or ...... tonight Don't worry, I won't be angry, if you introduce me and the young lady from Viscount Bernard's family to me. ”

Wickham glared at the guy and said coldly, "Before I kick your ass, disappear in front of me!" ”

Bert was glared at by Wickham, and suddenly remembered the time when he was beaten by Wickham, his body tightened, and he hurriedly stepped forward to chase Mrs. Clement.