In addition to weapons, Scrooge negotiated with the Prussians on the issue of radio broadcasting. In the Americas, radio broadcasting has shown considerable commercial potential. Nowadays, in the United States, radio broadcasting has begun to make a profit, although it is not much money, but the profit growth, especially advertising revenue, is growing quite fast. However, the Prussians did not value profit as much as the role of public opinion.

"Mr. MacDonald, as you know, the German nation has been divided for many years, and although we are one nation, there are great differences in religion, culture, and so on." Bismarck said, "So, there is a lot of work to be done to unite the scattered German states into one country, and in addition to economic and political problems, cultural unity is also very important, and we feel that radio broadcasting is a very good way to spread culture." Therefore, we would like to be able to work with you to establish a broadcasting network covering the entire German state. In addition, we would like to be able to produce generators, electric motors and electric lamps in Prussia in a joint venture with you. ”

It's quite a business. If such a big deal is reached, it will definitely bring more benefits to Scrooge. Only in this way, Scrooge had to consider the question of whether the economic interests of himself and the current Prussia and the future Germany were too closely tied.

In Scrooge's strategic vision, Prussia, or Germany, was used to "precursor to the king." Scrooge wanted to nurture them, fundamentally, so that one day they could smash all of Europe to the ground. Good for the capital of the United States, well, it is too patriotic to say this, and it is not exact. Well, let's be honest, to make room for Scrooge's business. Although the United States is large, it has also begun to have economic crises over the years, which shows that it is difficult to support the rapid development of the economy by relying on the domestic market of the United States alone. Historically, the best way to do this was to transfer the crisis to the colonies. However, the United States does not have a colony as large as Britain (the United States currently has only a semi-independent Hawaii). But Hawaii did not provide much economic help to the United States), and its naval power was far inferior to that of the British, and it was not easy to go out and grab colonies.

In this regard, the United States, or the big business group represented by Scrooge and Morgan behind the US government, is to stir up contradictions within Europe and create a war in Europe, and this war is better to include the whole of Europe, and it is better to be able to pull Britain into it, and let them fight to the death, and it is better for them to fight to the death, and it is better for them to fight for both sides, and the domestic industry will be destroyed cleanly, and then, well, the gap in the market will always exist. It always needs new productivity to fill. At that time, what will Europe, which has shed its blood, use to resist the economic power of the United States?

Supporting Germany and upsetting the balance of power in Europe is a decisive move towards achieving this goal. But this does not mean that the Germans, who were willing and destined to be used as guns, destined to be smashed to pieces, were too financially tied and tied too tightly, and that when they abandoned them in the future, the losses suffered would be too great. And a full-scale joint venture is just that. However, you can't just watch where the money is and not make it. Besides, it was still early to sacrifice Germany, and it was actually a good idea to earn him first, and then sell them at the right time.

"It's a great idea." "But I need to know the specifics so I can assess how much we can benefit from such a partnership." ”

Bismarck, and even His Royal Highness the Dauphin, were accustomed to Scrooge's money-seeking philistine face. Well, American outbreaks are like this, even if they are scientists, they are also this kind of virtue. Of course, Scrooge is not the only scientist who is greedy for money, and there are definitely many such guys among the Saxon Anglos.

Prime Minister Bismarck and the Dauphin were also familiar with another characteristic of Scrooge, which was his straightforwardness. Well, it's best to talk to this Yankee about things straightforwardly. Because, those Yankees are big bosses, well, even famous scientists like Scrooge, and talking to them about things is too roundabout to talk to them, and they often can't react at all. In addition, they are ignorant of the complicated issue of politeness, and they do not care. Well, they're often rude, and of course, if you're rude to them, they're probably not mindful because they don't even notice it. So in order to save trouble, when negotiating with the Americans, especially with Scrooge, well, it is better to look like a rough brute.

"We can agree that you use a portion of the technology as capital for your stake. Joint ventures will enjoy the same treatment as fully local companies. There will be no tax or other discrimination, however, we do not believe that you can have more than 49% of the share capital in the new joint venture and you cannot be the largest shareholder in the company. That is, you cannot have an absolute controlling stake. In addition, when you need to sell these shares, the German company has a right of first refusal. ”

Isn't this a remake of "market for technology"? Although he couldn't get an absolute controlling stake, Scrooge didn't intend to really get too deep here. So it's not unacceptable. And Scrooge knew that after the end of the Franco-Prussian War, stimulated by victory, coupled with the impact of the Second Industrial Revolution, there would be a very rapid explosion of the German economy, and then what? Well, the investment boom and speculative frenzy created the conditions for the arrival of the economic crisis, and at the same time, because European capital invested heavily in the construction of railroads in the United States, the railroad frenzy of the guide zhì will also sow the seeds of the crisis, and the combination of these two factors will explode like a bomb, bringing about another economic crisis that will sweep the world.

For ordinary small capital, or for those fools who are not vigilant about the arrival of a crisis, the economic crisis is of course a catastrophe, but for a shrewd predator like Scrooge, the crisis is actually a better opportunity. Knowing that the crisis would happen, and knowing why it would happen, Scrooge would of course sell some of his shares in the railroad to cash out when the economy was in a frenzy, and then wait for the collapse and bankruptcy of the railroad companies after the crisis, and then bring them back at a low price. Of course, the same is true for these companies in Germany, and it is definitely not difficult to sell them for cash out when the economy is in good shape before the crisis, as long as you don't force them to sell at the so-called highest point.

At that time, when the enterprises in Germany are cashed out, they can turn their heads in favor of France, provoke the revenge of the French (well, this is hardly necessary), and then provoke the Russians to dance around in the Balkans, which will definitely divert the attention of the British, and at that time, create an incident, let the United States declare war on Spain, and then use the new navy to beat Spain into a fool, and take this opportunity to provoke a global shipbuilding race. A big deal, and in the end it was a big war. This qiē makes people intoxicated when they think about it, and even makes people want to shout like Faust: "You are so beautiful, please pause!" "The only difference is probably that Scrooge doesn't have to worry that his soul will be taken to hell by Mephistopheles, because if there really is a so-called territory, then in hell, the Flame Throne should have been prepared for him a long time ago.

"Well, that's a good idea, but that stake restriction upsets me. Because it would put me at risk of meeting a foolish chairman and ending up with all my money. Since I've taken such a risk, I'm asking for some more compensation. "Scrooge is actually basically willing to accept such an arrangement, but who wouldn't want to fight for more benefits for himself?

"Mr. MacDonald, this request of yours is not reasonable." Bismarck shook his head and said, "Your joint venturers also have to take risks, so they and you should have equal rights." I guess that's the most basic business principle. ”

"But by not allowing me to have a controlling stake, you are taking unnecessary risks for me, and for my future joint ventures." Scrooge argued, "My ability to run a business is obvious to all. The companies under my direct leadership have never been unprofitable. The risk of this poor leadership is almost nil. But someone else's ...... Well, I'm not asking for a preference for me personally, but for a special offer for the joint venture in which I have a stake. In addition, many of my products do not have alternatives in Europe, so why should I have a joint venture if there are no special offers? Is it bad to sell products directly? For example, like generators and electric motors, although I believe in the ability of German scientists, they want to bypass my patents and produce something that is enough to compete with our current products, and that is not something that can be done in a year or two. And a year or two later, I dare say, we've definitely gone much further. One of the reasons why I am willing to join forces with German companies in these areas is because of our friendship. Second, it's because the money comes faster. This is an era of rapid development, the faster you have money, the faster you can increase investment, and make your career bigger. MacDonald's business doesn't have time to stay and run as fast as it can. In fact, how can this not be the case in Germany? What's more, these joint venture projects are so important to Germany, so why not have some appropriate policy tilts? It is true that I am asking for supranational treatment, but is it not appropriate to have a little supranational treatment in such a cooperation that is so important to the development of Germany? ”

After Scrooge finished speaking, he looked at Bismarck very impolitely, and made a posture that we would pull down if we couldn't get along.

"Ah," Bismarck laughed, "de jure there is no basis for supranational treatment. However, for key industries, it is not impossible to give certain preferential treatment in terms of taxation and other aspects, but this should be discussed slowly and carefully. For example, if you can get heroin to be produced in Germany, I can definitely give the joint venture a lot of tax incentives to the industry. ”