"So, you refused?"

Wardhouse still couldn't hold back and asked the question.

At this time, he was sitting in the carriage to New York Harbor with Lu Shi.

The return journey is about to begin.

In New York in mid-August, the hot weather seems to steam the hustle and bustle of the city in the air.

Around Times Square, the unfinished buildings are like a huge backdrop, making the activities on the square vivid and interesting, and the workers on the construction site are making all kinds of noise and garbage.

Luckily, you can feel the breeze near the pier, which brings a little coolness.

When Lu Shi lifted the curtains,

"Do you want to buy it?"

Wardhouse: ???

"What to buy?"

Lu Shi leaned aside, gave way to the window, and then pointed to the vendors passing by in the carriage,

They are selling cheap tourist souvenirs.

Wardhouse: "......"

"Can you leave him alone? I just asked you ...... Let's be honest, did you promise Mr. President to be his staff? ”

Lu Shi shook his head,

"Nope."

A very clear answer, no ambiguity.

Waldhouse was happy,

"I knew it! How nice it is to be in London~ We are a beacon of humanity in Great Britain. Freedom, democracy, ......"

"Poof!"

Lu Shi burst out laughing.

Wardhouse said dissatisfiedly, "What are you doing? I'm serious! ”

Lu Shi tried to hold back a smile and turned his face away,

"Yes, yes, yes! I know you're serious. Great Britain is the beacon of humanity. ”

Anyone can hear the perfunctory.

Waldhouse: "(ˉ▽ ̄~) cut~~"

Lu Shi wanted to laugh, and said in his heart that Britain and the United States are really conjugated father-son relations, and even propaganda offensives can inherit each other, and he can say that he is a "beacon of mankind" at every turn.

"In any case, I did reject Mr. President," he said. Speaking of which, how did you know he invited me? ”

Wardhouse muttered: "Because the Americans are cunning! ”

Lu Shi is puzzled,

"Why do you suddenly talk about people behind your back?"

Wardhouse sneered,

Roosevelt...... Hum...... After the interview with you, Roosevelt Jr. revealed to me that Roosevelt Sr. had invited you to be a staff member. I think he wants to play some provocative tricks, but the two of us are more affectionate than Jin......"

"Stop! Stop, stop! ”

Lu Shi stopped and complained about the other party: "Is this how 'love is stronger than gold'?" ”

Waldhouse smiled,

"In short, the two of us have a good relationship, and his provocation failed. Professor Lu, you are an old friend of our Great Britain~"

Lu Shi was speechless for a while.

"I knew the Yankees were uneasy and wanted to keep you in America," Wardhouse said. So it was with Eliot, and so was with Roosevelt. ”

After speaking, he lowered his voice,

"What did Roosevelt Jr. interview you for?"

Lu Shi said: "It's an interview~ "Crimson Newspaper" has already written it. ”

"Tsk......"

Waldhouse,

"Just that sycophantic article?"

He took out the "Crimson Newspaper" that he had with him and read it aloud:

“

We interviewed Professor Lu in a cramped tool storage room. The area here is not large, but with the communication with Professor Lu, it seems that he has taken our souls away from here and swam in the ocean of knowledge......

”

The flesh is so numb that I can't read anymore.

Whether it was Lu Shi or Wardhouse, they all got goosebumps.

Lu Shi is embarrassed,

"That...... It can't be considered a sycophant, right...... It's just an exaggeration. I've heard that today's Crimson is setting a sales record at Harvard University, is it true? ”

This is the most outrageous!

Wardhouse didn't even know how to complain, so he could only say, "That's it, how can Harvard become the top university in the world?" One by one, the students only know how to engage in a cult of personality, which is so stupid! ”

Lu Shi asked rhetorically: "Then how good is the University of London Alliance?" ”

"Ah......h

Wardhouse was silenced by a dry sentence.

“……”

“……”

“……”

An eerie silence hung between the two.

After a long time, Wardhouse opened the curtain of the carriage, looked at the weather outside, and said, "It's a good day." ”

Lu Shi sneered, and then said, "Mr. Roosevelt came to me and mentioned Standard Oil. ”

Wardhouse will,

"Trust?"

Lu Shi nodded solemnly,

"Yes, Mr. President seems to be concerned about that. He even asked Yu Blind to ask me to give me a way to restrain Rockefeller and Standard Oil. How do I understand this? I can only say a few words casually, and the right is just to deal with official business. ”

He laid out his three-step plan.

Waldhouse's eyes widened as he looked at Lu Shi,

Why is this called "asking questions for blindness"?

If Lu Shi is considered "blind", then the entire parliamentarians of the Palace of Westminster can gouge out their eyeballs!

Wardhouse said, "With the strategy you give, it's not too much for Rockefeller to hire someone to shoot you." ”

Lu Shi: "......"

"As for it?"

Wardhouse replied, "Not really." ”

Lu Chang let out a sigh,

"I'll just say it~"

Unexpectedly, Wardhouse said: "After the incident of former President McKinley, the risk of shooting is too high, and the feasibility of throwing it in a sack and tying it to a stone into the sea is even more feasible." So, let's go back to London with me, the United States is too dangerous~"

Lu Shi's face darkened,

It turns out that the other party is waiting for him here.

Wardhouse blinked,

"Well, no kidding. The three-step plan you mentioned is unpretentious, but it doesn't always work. If you want to deal with Standard Oil, you have to have a reason, right? ”

Lu Shi spread his hands and said: "Theodore Roosevelt is the president of the United States, and it is not easy to find a reason?" ”

Wardhouse raised an eyebrow,

"How?"

The corners of Lu Shi's mouth hooked an arc,

"You just have to look at it. Soon, monopoly lawsuits against Standard Oil will continue to grow. ”

Historically, Theodore did the same,

The so-called "blunt knife cuts meat".

Wardhouse groaned,

"Do you mean ......?"

Lu Shi chuckled,

"I don't have any 'meaning', I'm just stating the facts. You know, Standard Oil is now the largest company in the world, accounting for 6% of the market value of all listed stocks in the United States. It can't be justified if it doesn't get prosecuted. ”

Waldhouse fell into deep thought,

Long

"Definitely. Although the United States is economically inferior to Great Britain, 6% is still outrageous. ”

Lu Shi was speechless for a while, and said, "Sir, don't put gold on Daying's face." In terms of the size of the economy, the United States has caught up, and the stock market has also ...... Not...... By the way, it's a pity that I didn't speculate in two stocks in the United States this time. ”

Wardhouse touched his nose in embarrassment,

"Let's move on to the topic we just talked about. Even if they face a lawsuit, the Rockefellers can refuse to enforce it, right? ”

Lu Shi said: "That's not necessarily. If Standard Oil is judged to be a monopoly, then the company's stock price may be affected and shareholders' wealth may shrink. Who can watch their fortune shrink? What's more, the company's top management may face legal liability or even be sentenced. ”

When he said this, Lu Shi's tone was sinister.

Wardhouse fights a cold war,

Vaguely, he understood Lu Shi's thoughts,

"Hiss......"

He gasped.

Lu Shi chuckled and said, "Look, as long as the lawsuit reaches a certain number, Standard Oil will inevitably declare bankruptcy." ”

That's exactly what the Rockefeller brothers did.

The two were found guilty and fined for being the leaders of Standard Oil, as a result,

But their fines weren't really enforced, because Standard Oil had declared bankruptcy at the time and couldn't afford to pay the fines.

Therefore, the final endgame is that the Rockefellers retreated, kept their assets, and then used various financial operations to make a comeback, and became a giant again as a consortium, and the monopoly was better than that of Standard Oil.

On the contrary, the middle-class assets that invested money in the stock market were lost.

Well, very American,

No

It should be "well, very bright".

"When I was in contact with Mr. President, he always said things like 'the task of a generation,'" Wardhouse whispered. I don't know if he will be able to complete his task. ”

Lu Shi was curious,

"Sir, why are you still worried about the United States?"

Waldhouse shook his head,

"I'm not worried about the United States. I'm just thinking that if Mr. President succeeds, Britain might be able to follow suit. You know, tobacco, salt, bleaching...... In short, trusts are already on the horizon in many industries in London. ”

It turned out that he wanted to cross the river by touching the eagle sauce.

Lu Shi listened to it and felt that this world was too magical.

At this time, the carriage stopped.

The coachman's voice sounded: "Two gentlemen, it's here." ”

The two jumped out of the carriage and tipped the coachman to help carry the luggage onto the boat.

Lu Shi stretched and joked, "Sir, I'm going back to London soon." Before we leave, let's have another good meal. ”

As soon as it came to food, Wardhouse fell into a depression,

Compared to the United States, the United Kingdom is indeed a gastronomic desert.

Just as he was about to respond to Lu Shi's proposal, a white male man about sixty years old suddenly walked in the distance.

Although he is old, his body is tall and straight like an iron tower, his eyes are resolute and deep, shining with tenacity, indestructible, as if all difficulties are not difficulties, and people dare not look at them easily.

A word popped up in Lu Shi and Wardhouse's minds at the same time -

Steel.

"Professor Lu? Sir Wardhouse? ”

The man stretched out his right hand.

The two looked at each other,

Lu Shi shook hands with the other party and said, "May I ask who you are?" ”

The man introduced himself: "My name is Andrew Carnegie, and I am an old man living a retired life. ”

Andrew Carnegie, born in Scotland, is a Scottish-American industrialist, philanthropist, founder of Carnegie Steel Company, known as the "Iron King" and the "Father of American Philanthropy".

Lu Shi was surprised,

"What is Mr. Carnegie looking for us?"

Carnegie smiled and said, "You two, would you like to have lunch together?" ”

There is a meal, and Waldhouse naturally does not refuse,

When he looked at Lu,

"Lu, you decide."

Lu Shi pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "Then trouble Mr. Carnegie." ”

Carnegie smiled even more,

"It's a great honor for me to be able to appreciate both of you."

With that, he led the way in front, led Landing and Wardhouse along the harbor, and led them to a private yacht at a small boarding gate.

Miraculously, there were no service personnel on board,

There was a long table,

The table is piled with abundant food,

Staple food, vegetarian food, seafood, soup, dessert, drinks......

Everything but the kitchen sink.

Among them, the most eye-catching are all kinds of desserts, cakes, biscuits, puddings and other desserts are dazzling.

It can be seen that Carnegie was a connoisseur of desserts.

He said, "Pick it up, two." ”

Lu Shi chuckled,

"Mr. Carnegie, you don't have sleeping tea or anything like that, do you? Knocked me unconscious, then threw me in a sack, tied to a stone and thrown into the sea. ”

Carnegie was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "I have long heard that Professor Lu is a humorous person, and I am fortunate to meet him today, so I know that those rumors are not as good as reality." You're far more fun than rumored to be! ”

He picked up the black teapot, poured himself a cup, and took a sip.

"Look, no problem."

As he spoke, he pointed to the armchair next to him,

"Please, two."

Lu Shi and Wardhouse took their seats.

Carnegie was in good spirits, put on gloves for taking meals, tore a chicken leg for Lu Shi, and then said: "When it comes to eating, Britain is really bad." ”

Lu Shi smiled: "You are of Scottish descent, you must be impressed by this." ”

Carnegie shrugged,

"My dislike for British food really doesn't come from living in the ancient capital of Danfermline when I was younger. At that time, our family's life was very difficult, and some of them were good to eat, so how could we be picky in terms of taste? ”

It was because life was so difficult that Carnegie and his family came to New York Harbor on the east coast of the United States, and then to Pittsburgh.

And the beginning of his life as an immigrant was also the beginning of his experience of making money.

Lu Shi asked, "Where does that bad feeling come from?" ”

Carnegie ate a piece of cake and sucked his fingers,

"In 1865 I resigned and returned to England to study the Iron and Steel Institute in London. During that time, I realized how unpalatable the food in my hometown was, and I couldn't buy the dishes I wanted even if I had money. ”

Lu Shi laughed,

"But it was also at that time that you bought a patent for steel invented by the Gates brothers, and you bought a patent for the coke washing reduction method."

Carnegie looked shocked,

Indeed, in 1865, he co-founded the Carnegie Coleman United Steel Works in Pennsylvania.

But why would a Chinese be like a treasure?

His gaze became serious,

"No wonder...... It is no wonder that Professor Lu is so favored by Mr. President. ”

Lu Shi asked the other party: "Mr. Carnegie, it seems that you also have some influence in the White House." ”

Carnegie waved his hand and said, "'Influence'...... Professor Lu still spoke elegantly. Of course, it is normal for a capitalist like me to have influence in the White House. In some cases, I was even able to control the decisions of Mr. President. ”

The tone is frank,

The content of the statement is also open and honest.

Lu Shi said: "That's why I'm worried that you will sink me into the sea." ”

Carnegie was amused again,

"Professor Lu, stay in the United States! I can hire you as my advisor with a high salary. ”

As soon as the words fell, he was retorted by Waldhouse: "Mr. Carnegie, it is better for Professor Lu to stay in academia and education, otherwise it will be a loss for all mankind." ”

Carnegie looked down and thought about it,

"Well, that's right. Is Professor Lu interested in going to Pittsburgh? I have a school there. ”

He's talking about Carnegie Technical School,

In 1912, it was renamed Carnegie Mellon University.

Wardhouse's face darkened,

"You ......"

Carnegie was puzzled,

"What's wrong? Any questions, sir? ”

Waldhouse couldn't say it clearly, so he sulked and struck at the steak on the plate.

Lu Shi refused: "Mr. Carnegie, I have no intention of leaving London for the time being. Moreover, Carnegie Technical School is an engineering school, so it was not appropriate for me to go there. ”

As soon as these words came out, Wardhouse's expression immediately turned from cloudy to sunny,

The action of cutting the steak becomes gentle.

Carnegie sighed,

"I also expected that Professor Lu would not agree."

He changed the topic and said, "Professor Lu was joking with me just now, he should be able to guess my intention, right?" ”

Lu Shi nodded,

"I guess so."

Although Carnegie Steel is not as complete a monopoly as Standard Oil, it is not bad.

No one wants to see the industry they built up being torn apart.

Carnegie said, "So, does Professor Lu have a solution?" ”

Lu Shi was curious,

"Even if you ask me how to do it, you ...... Forehead ......"

For a moment, he couldn't find the right words.

Carnegie thought that Lu Shi did not recognize his strength, so he sat up straight and said solemnly: "Professor Lu, it is still the same sentence: It is normal for a capitalist like me to have influence in the White House. ”

(End of chapter)