"Carl, have you read the Times today? See the news about Scrooge MacDonald? What do you think of this enumeration of our 'old friend'? Engels handed a newspaper to his old friend Karl Marx.

"Ah, is that Scrooge, the one who is the best at selling the rope that hangs the capitalists?" Thinking of the young man who seriously discussed with himself the fundamental contradictions of the capitalist system and the trend of development, Karl Marx laughed, "That is really a class-conscious, very interesting typical capitalist." What's the matter, Friedrich, what's the new trick this guy is playing? ”

"Well, observing the activities of this class-conscious and conscientious capitalist, I feel that my understanding of society has gone one step further. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better specimen in this world than a hypocrite like Scrooge MacDonald. Engels also laughed, and at the same time handed the newspaper to Marx, "Well, listen to your question, you must not have seen today's newspaper, let me show you." ”

Marx took the newspaper and read it carefully. In a moment his shoulders began to shrug and laughter came out of his mouth, at first only softly, eating, then louder and louder, and at last Marx threw away the newspaper in his hand and raised his head and laughed. Engels also laughed with him. The loud laughter of the two men passed through the glass-enclosed window, and shook the glass so loudly that the frightened pigeons parked outside immediately spread their wings and flew up into the foggy London sky.

"What are you laughing at? Anything to be happy about? As soon as the door rang, Yanni, who had gone out to buy vegetables, walked in with a basket of vegetables. Apparently outside the door she had already heard the laughter of her husband and Engels.

"We're watching a guy put on a great show." Engels explained, "Yanni, is there anything delicious today?" ”

"There's Irish stew today." Yanni replied with a smile. This dish is Engels' favorite dish, and in contrast to the situation in history when he was often too poor to open the pot, in this time and space, because in addition to Engels' funding, Scrooge would occasionally fund Marx's research and work (of course, Scrooge made it clear that the money was given to the European bourgeoisie, that is, Scrooge's economic opponents, to make trouble. It was he who sold the rope that was used to hang the European capitalists. As for whether the rope will be around Scrooge's neck in the future, Scrooge said in his letter to Marx: "Until capitalism in Europe completely collapses, I feel that I and my money are safe in the United States. I don't think the American proletariat will be able to overthrow capitalism, at least until Jehovah or Satan thinks I should leave this world. As for the future, allow me to quote a famous quote from the great Sun King, 'After my death, the flood will be great.'" So the living conditions in Marx's family were much better. Occasionally, when friends come to the house, Yanni can also go buy something delicious.

"Ah, Yanni, thank you so much." Engels said to Yanni with a smile. Then he turned to Marx: "Karl, have you finished reading the news?" Seriously, today's Tertius (the protagonist in Molière's play "The Hypocrite", in the Western society at that time, it was said that a person was Tertiuf, and we now say that a person is Yue Buqun, which means the same. And taught me a lot of things. You see, we previously thought that the reason why he took the initiative to put the sea. Lo. The problem is only revealed because the patent is about to expire, and as soon as the patent expires, the problem will immediately be revealed in the competition, and it cannot be hidden. So he did it just to stop the loss in time. But now it seems that this guy's shamelessness, as well as his deception, far exceeded our expectations. ”

"Yes, facing the sea. Lo. Because of the prospect that his true face will inevitably be exposed, you look at him, not only through this series of operations to preserve his image as a 'saint', but even to keep his own sea of cash cows. Lo. Cause. Although the sea. Lo. Because it is destined to change from a daily medicine that everyone can buy, to a 'secondary prescription drug' that can only be used in hospitals, but considering the dependence of doctors in the world on it, this thing will definitely continue to make money for him. Marx added, "It's as cunning as a fox." ”

"Isn't it? Well, that's not all. Engels said, "Look at his drug inspection system. Isn't this a technical threshold used to exclude competitors? Well, that guy said it himself in his correspondence with us. Well, now except for his MacDonald Chemical and Pharmaceutical Company, in the United States, there is absolutely no other pharmaceutical company with such technical capabilities, even in the world, there are not too many manufacturers with such technical capabilities, so that in the name of serving patients, this guy will directly eliminate those small factories. Well, then his monopoly was even more consolidated. This is a very good, very typical case of capital moving from the free market to a monopoly. ”

"There's another thing worth noting." Marx said that the two men became more and more serious when discussing these delicate issues.

"What are you talking about?" Engels asked.

"The so-called 'independent non-profit institution.'" Marx said, "This is a clever trick of the bourgeoisie." This is not the first time Scrooge MacDonald has used this tactic. In the United States, a few years ago, he used the so-called non-profit organization of the 'Associated Press' to complete the integration of public opinion, and this time he wants to use this trick to complete the construction of technical barriers and obtain a complete monopoly for himself. You see, a thing that was originally a crisis, but that Tertius was able to use this incident to not only protect his image and immediate economic interests, but even strengthen his monopoly position in the market. Orgon (the head of the house who was deceived by Taltius in The Hypocrite) was fortunate to meet Taltius instead of Scrooge MacDonald, otherwise he wouldn't have a hair left. Maybe even ...... High, really high! ”

"Maybe you were sold by that guy while helping him count the money, even counting it again, and thanking that guy for his kindness." Engels said sarcastically. As for the statement that "if you are sold, you have to help others count the money", of course, it also comes from the correspondence with Scrooge.

"In general, this is a typical case of the evolution from liberal capitalism to monopoly capitalism, and it deserves to be studied carefully." Marx said.

"Mr. Marx, Mr. Engels, it is time for dinner. It's time for you to rest and get ready for lunch. Marx's maid, Helen, walked in and said to them.

Helen is Yanni's maid and accompanies Yanni to Marx's family. Although she is just a maid, in reality, she is the core of the family. Marx's power was used in scholarship and revolution, and Yanni, who was born as an aristocratic lady, was actually average in her ability to run a family. The whole family is basically running by Helen. Perhaps because of this, the maid achieved a central position in the family, and the whole family, including Marx, was subject to her arrangement.

"Ah, we'll be right here." Marx answered first, and then said to Engels: "Friedrich, let's go to dinner first." After eating, I will study ......"

……

While Marx and Engels were seriously analysing Scrooge's methods, Scrooge was also receiving an old friend of his in the duck burger.

"Gardner, long time no see." Scrooge said to Gardner very enthusiastically. The playboy who was a partner with him in the business back then has now entered the political arena and has become a senator from Ohio, relying on Scrooge's financial support and has a lot of influence in Congress.

"That's because you're busy making money all day long." Gardner responded with a grin, "You have handled this recent turmoil so beautifully!" Do you know what I came to you this time for? ”

"Come on, Gardner, don't play pantomime with me." Scrooge smiled, "I'm too lazy to use my brain anymore." ”

"I'm here for that 'standard drug test' of yours. It's a good idea, and a lot of people in Congress are interested in it. We all want to see it implemented. Senator Gardner replied, "We're going to have a committee to coordinate this." ”

Scrooge understood what Gardner meant. If he can serve as the chairman of this committee, it will be very helpful to increase his political influence. As the initiator and funder of this plan, Scrooge will naturally have a lot of influence on the selection of the chairman of the committee.

"Gardner, I think you're the best person to chair this committee. I need your help in this matter. Scrooge replied bluntly, "There's one more thing, and I hope to use your influence. ”

"What's the matter?" Gardner was very happy that Scrooge had something to ask him for help, and the more this "help", the tighter he and Scrooge were bound, and the more support he could get from Scrooge. In the current era, without the support of big conglomerates, there is no political future to speak of. Especially a big boss like Scrooge, who has a good reputation, is rich, and still controls the support of the media, which is something that countless people can't ask God for.

"I hope that my standards will be raised to federal law as far as possible." Scrooge said.