Two weeks later, Parsons' office in London, England. Looking at the letter sent from the British Admiralty, Charles Parsons couldn't help but smile bitterly. "If I don't reach the required speed of 30 knots, then I will have to pay £100,000?" Parsons muttered to himself. "To put it bluntly, if the power is not good, I will pay for these two destroyers? Those big guys in the Admiralty are really slippery. Parsons said to himself.

In the 1897 Royal Navy Parade, Parsons was in the limelight, and a destroyer equipped with a new power pack produced by Parsons ran the highest speed in the Royal Navy! In this moment, Parsons' vanity was greatly satisfied. It was as if he saw that a new era in the construction of ships was slowly beginning, and it was he and the steam turbines he produced that led this era!

But the idea is beautiful, the reality is cruel! When Parsons walked into the Admiralty with confidence, the bureaucrats of the Admiralty were still very cold about the genius of the engineering world. Although his steam turbines were a great success. But the Admiralty still had enough excuses: "Every warship of the Royal Navy is a precious treasure of the British Empire." We can't use something immature on a warship in large quantities, unless someone is willing to bear the cost of it for the Empire! ”

"But at the Royal Navy parade in 1897, the new steam turbines proved to be reliable and efficient. The Royal Navy should support technological innovation. I can swear that the new power pack is the best choice in terms of performance, stability and cost. Parsons said anxiously.

"Know the way. It is extremely irresponsible to install immature equipment on a new warship. If there is a serious accident because of this, it is a crime, so. Mr. Parsons, you should understand our struggles. The naval officer in charge of the reception politely declined.

After half a day of price adjustment, the Royal Admiralty finally replied that the British Navy could install steam turbines produced by Parsons on two more destroyers, but these two ships must reach a high speed of more than 30 knots, and if they can't, Parsons must compensate the Royal Navy of the British Empire 100,000 pounds! Faced with such harsh conditions, Parsons had no choice but to accept it. The reason is simple. If he can't test the strength of the power system in many tests, then he has no customers, and he and his company can only go bankrupt and liquidated.

But today. I don't know if it's if God suddenly opened his eyes, or if he finally came to work. Just after going to work, before he had time to drink a cup of coffee to lift his spirits, an Oriental man in a suit came to his office. He took out a document and motioned for Parsons to open it.

"Dear Mr. Charles Parsons. My name is Chen Jitong. On behalf of the Admiralty of the Republic of China, I have come to negotiate a business with you, and I know that you have been very bad lately, and your new power unit has encountered difficulties and doubts of one kind or another in the process of testing. It has to be said that some Royal Navy officials lack enough tolerance and confidence in a new invention. This is profoundly wrong. If you think this document is acceptable, I guess we can take a closer look at this big deal. Chen Jitong said with a smile.

With a snap, Parsons will be on the side of the file in his hand. The flushed cheeks told Chen Jitong that Parsons was very excited and excited at this time. The document brought him not only a market, an opportunity to make a lot of money, but also a recognition and respect. As an engineer, he needs not only money, but also respect and recognition from the industry!

As one of the world's leading naval powers, the decision of the Chinese Navy to order steam turbines from Parsons is undoubtedly an affirmation. The sixth strongest naval power in the world, the strongest navy in the Far East, made the Russian Navy hate the powerful existence of the Far East twice, and the powerful navy of Vittorio and Re (Baidu) Na (Baidu) Naval Design Institute actually ordered a new generation of power groups for capital ships from him. How does this not excite and pride him?

"Excuse me, why did your country choose the steam turbine produced by our company instead of the more mature and stable vertical steam engine? Far from being overwhelmed by the great joy, Parsons asked cautiously.

"Because your product is stronger and more promising, although the turbine you produce may have problems in one way or another, it represents the direction of the first opportunity. I think it's worth paying a price or taking a risk in the face of great opportunities. Our Huaxia Navy is willing to take such a risk, but I wonder if Your Excellency Lu Dao will dare to accept such a challenge? Chen Jitong said with a smile.

"Mr. Parsons, you have taken a closer look, before the Chinese Navy officially orders the steam turbines you produce, you first need to prove the reliability of this set of units, first you must conduct long-term full-power experiments on the ground, and then, you must provide two steam turbines with a shaft output of 8,000 horsepower at cost price to be installed on the merchant ships designated by Huaxia, and after sufficient testing, the Huaxia Navy will order in large quantities." Chen Jitong explained.

"This is naturally possible, we will definitely make the best power pack for your country!" Someone pays for their own experiments, where can such a good thing be found? Parsons naturally agreed. But the rest of the matter is a bit difficult for Parsons to decide.

"If the experiment is successful, your company needs to agree to two additional requirements, the first requirement is that our Huaxia Navy will take a stake in your company, of course, the controlling stake of your company will also be in your hands, our request is to share the technology and participate in the design and improvement of the steam turbine. The second requirement is that before 1905, if your company cannot take orders from other customers, we will purchase all the steam turbine units produced. Chen Jitong said.

"I have to say, sir, your request is too overbearing. My company is not for you, as for the second point, if you can guarantee that there are enough orders, we can consider accepting them. But for the first point, it is difficult for us to accept. Parsons said with some embarrassment.

"Dear Mr. Parsons, you must have heard the saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. We pay for all the risks and provide orders that will keep your company running at full capacity for at least 5 years. Can't you make some sacrifice because you have received such a great benefit? Chen Jitong said with some dissatisfaction.

"We cooperate with you because your company has a relatively complete system and a certain production capacity. The principle and structure of the steam turbine are actually not difficult, and there are people in China who have come up with similar designs, but we can't turn the product from a drawing into a reality. But it doesn't matter, if we can't realize it, it doesn't mean that other countries, such as Germany or Italy, if you can't satisfy us, then within a week, this drawing will appear on the table of some factory in Germany or Italy. With that, Chen Jitong handed another document to Parsons.

Playing a stick to give a date is the only way in the negotiation, it is absolutely not enough to rely on strong pressure alone, but if you just give benefits without threatening, the same is not good, Parsons is very confident in his invention, he believes that his skills are unique in this world, so he has confidence, which is also the biggest obstacle for Huaxia to invest in Parsons! The goal of monopolizing the world's steam turbine market was so tempting that Parsons rejected Beiyang's terms of investment and technology sharing.

And Chen Jitong's second document is a bombshell that destroys Parsons' self-confidence, in fact, it is nothing, but Xu Jie made a working diagram of a gas turbine and a simple structure diagram based on the knowledge of later generations, Xu Jie just wants to tell Parsons that his idea is not something unattainable, if Huaxia works with others, he can definitely make a product comparable to Parsons-style steam turbines.

Now, Parsons has only two options, either join forces with Huaxia and monopolize the marine steam turbine market for 10 years, or lose this order that can keep Parsons running at full capacity for 5 years and then cultivate a competitor! Choose which is more important!

"How many shares does Huaxia Republic plan to take?" The sharing of skills is the premise, and without this premise, there is no need to talk about it at all! The only thing that can be fought for is the equity share, Parsons said with a grim face.

"At least 3 percent." Chen Jitong smiled and stretched out three fingers and said. Parsons's shares in the company are not the only one, there are some other shareholders who are large or small, so even if it is 3% of the shares, Parsons will never agree, but the negotiations must be opened high, only in this way will not suffer losses.

"At most 15%, you should know that I don't have many shares in my hands, I want to ensure the status of the largest shareholder, we can cooperate, but we must not work for your country." Parsons refused.

"We can provide the company with a large enough market and new ideas and financial support, and we have to pay for it and pay for it. A 15% stake is absolutely not a no. Chen Jitong shook his head and said.

"Well, 25% can't be lower, we've given you enough benefits, we're official, if your steam turbine is advanced enough. You are facing a large market in the Far East. An untapped market. Chen Jitong continued.

"22% can't be higher, and if it's higher, we won't be able to control it. That's the bottom line. Parsons hesitated for a long time before he said categorically.

"That's it, I hope the two sides can cooperate on specific matters as soon as possible." Chen Ji said with satisfaction. Xu Jie's requirements have been well implemented, on the one hand, to provide enough steam turbines for the new warships in Beiyang, and at the same time to get involved in related research. As for the holding, it is absolutely impossible, and Xu Jie does not intend to hang himself on a Parsons-style steam turbine. After all, there will be Kost steam turbines and Bremen steam turbines!

Thank you for the monthly pass support of clj1017~~. (To be continued.) )