novelSusiti Chapter 308 An Olive Branch from the New World
Chapter 308 An Olive Branch from the New World
Chapter 308 An Olive Branch from the New World
The U.S. Embassy in London is located in Grosvenor Square.
Unlike the surrounding European embassies, which are decorated with elaborate sculptures and full of classical atmosphere, this building has simple and strong lines, and exudes a pragmatic style.
There are no unnecessary columns, and no ostentatious gilded decorations.
Only solid bricks and stones, and large, bright glass windows.
Thomas Bayard, the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, was a tall, sharp-looking middle-aged man. He came from a prominent political family in Delaware, but he did not have the innate formality of European aristocracy. Instead, he was more like a shrewd businessman who had been navigating the business world for many years.
He had no interest in the intricate web of grudges and feuds among European royalty.
In his view, those were all outdated, boring games from the old era.
Therefore, when the Greek Crown Prince's request for a visit was delivered to his desk through his secretary, he instinctively wanted to refuse.
He didn't have time to listen to a minor king's crown prince complaining about being bullied by some major power again.
But his self-confidence lingered for a moment in the footnotes of the request letter.
—"I hope to have an informal discussion with the Ambassador about business cooperation in the fields of future urban electrification and new energy."
Electrification.
New energy sources.
These two words, like two precise keys, successfully unlocked the door of interest for this envoy representing a newly industrialized nation.
He thought for a moment and said to his secretary, "Schedule it for tomorrow afternoon. I'll give him fifteen minutes."
The next afternoon, in the embassy's reception room.
Constantine arrived here on time, alone, with only Alexandros by his side.
Ambassador Thomas Bayard sized up the young crown prince before him.
He was taller and more handsome than he had imagined, and his well-tailored casual clothes, which replaced the royal formal attire, made him look more like a young scholar from Cambridge University.
There were no small talk, no formalities.
After a brief handshake, Ambassador Bayard got straight to the point: "Your Highness, you only have fifteen minutes. I'd like to hear what exactly this new energy source you're talking about is."
Constantine smiled.
He did not complain about the British financial repression, nor did he ask for any political support from the United States.
He was simply presenting the U.S. ambassador with a vision of future business from the perspective of a business investor.
"Mr. Ambassador, as you know, my country, Greece, is in a very delicate geographical position. To its east lies the Ottoman Empire, with hundreds of millions of people but virtually no industrial base. To its north lie the equally backward Balkan states, which are extremely eager for industrial products."
"This is a huge, untapped market."
"But the old world's rules are limiting the market's potential," Constantine said calmly, picking up his coffee. "And the new rules should be written by those of us who are looking to the future."
Ambassador Bayard did not speak, but simply made a "please continue" gesture.
He saw in this young crown prince a quality unlike any he had ever encountered among the old European nobles.
It was a kind of fervor and confidence in technology, business, and the future landscape that belonged to the New World.
Constantine did not reveal all his cards.
He casually threw out a bait that no top capitalist could refuse.
"In my laboratory, there is a genius. A true genius who has been overlooked."
Constantine spoke slowly, but every word was full of power.
"He found a way to transmit electricity that was more efficient, more stable, and cheaper than Mr. Edison's direct current."
"Imagine, Mr. Ambassador, if there were a company that mastered this technology called alternating current."
It will allow electricity to be transmitted to farther places at a lower cost. It will light up the nights in every city across Europe and power the machines in every factory.
"This company will have the power to define the next era."
Alternating current.
This word made Ambassador Bayard's eyes light up.
As the U.S. ambassador to the UK, he was certainly aware of the escalating "War of the Currents" between Edison General Electric and Westinghouse Electric.
The transmission loss of direct current is its biggest weakness.
If what the Greek crown prince said is true, and if he truly possesses a more advanced alternating current technology—
That is indeed a huge deal, one that could change the world order.
"Your Highness, your ideas are very—grand." Ambassador Bayard carefully chose his words. "So, what is the purpose of your visit to me today?"
"I want to see someone," Constantine stated his goal directly, "Mr. J.P. Morgan."
Ambassador Bayard's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
"You want to see Mr. Morgan?" He leaned back on the sofa, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "That's difficult. His time is measured in minutes, and he's never had a good impression of European royalty."
Constantine didn't speak, he just looked at him quietly.
A brief silence fell over the reception room.
The flames in the fireplace crackled softly.
"but----"
Ambassador Bayard then changed the subject.
"I heard that Mr. Morgan will be playing cards at a private club in town next week. He'll be with a bunch of friends who are interested in new things."
A knowing, businessman-like smile appeared on his face.
"Perhaps I can arrange a 'chance' encounter for you."
Constantine stood up and extended his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. I believe our future cooperation will be very pleasant."
The objective has been achieved.
Constantine bid farewell to the ambassador and turned to leave the embassy.
The London sun shone through the clouds and fell on him.
He knew that the door to Wall Street, to that new financial heart of the world, had been opened a crack for him.
In his hand, he held the key that was enough to kick open the door completely.