Chapter 818: Change of Tack

Chapter 819 Change of course

Little Pete leaned back on the back of the chair, turned on the shipbuilding plan, and asked, "How much does it cost?"

"600,000 pounds." Admiral Jervis had obviously made a budget a long time ago and immediately said, "This is used to develop new warships and the construction costs of the first 20 ships."

600,000 pounds is 15 million francs. This is already a relatively savings when no one points out the R&D route in advance.

After all, with the ready-made steam engine, it took tens of millions of francs to build the first batch of more than 20 "Mediterranean Light" class frigates.

Jevi quietly glanced at the Prime Minister's face that was darker than coals, and added:

"A large part of this is used to improve the steam engine. You know, our country's steam engines pursue stability, so standard pressure technology is used, which also requires high-pressure improvements to increase the power required by the warship."

Pete took a deep breath, paused for a few seconds, and finally nodded, "Okay, I will submit an appropriation bill to the Parliament."

As Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, he was well aware of the situation of the British Treasury.

With the huge profits of sucrose and the need to subsidize the sugar prices in the domestic market, the war against France has almost emptied the British finances.

600,000 pounds may not be much, oh, no, it will cost a lot of money to build later, and the total cost should exceed 1 million pounds, but it is still a considerable burden for the British treasury at this time.

But Pete Jr. is very clear that he must regain control of the Mediterranean, otherwise the UK's lost trade income will far exceed 1 million pounds.

More importantly, France must not monopolize the Mediterranean trade.

This is no longer just a trade issue, but will also enhance France's political influence on Mediterranean coastal countries. This is a situation that Britain, which pursues a continental balance policy, will absolutely not accept.

So, not to mention 1 million pounds, even 2 million or 3 million, he has to grit his teeth and take it out!

After the Naval War Minister left, the Duke of Portland said to the Prime Minister with concern: "Mr. Pitt, IMHO, such a large-scale shipbuilding plan will put huge pressure on our finances."

Xiaopi Titou just said calmly: "I will recommend to the parliament to impose personal income tax."

Individual tax can indeed bring huge income to the government, but it offends every British person. Therefore, although some people have long proposed the concept of personal income tax, they have not been approved for a long time.

At the moment, Pitt can only use this trump card, even if it will seriously affect his political future.

...

Birmingham.

In the office of Bolton-Watt Steam Engine Company, three of the company's largest shareholders are raising their glasses to celebrate.

"A big order of £150,000!" Bolton shook his head and shouted, "Thank God, thank our Navy!"

Falkner laughed happily: "With this money, the company can get out of the predicament immediately. Not only can we get out of the predicament, as long as the Navy continues to build new warships, we will become the richest people in Britain!"

He took out £60,000 to invest in the company more than half a year ago, holding 22% of the shares, but since then, the company has been losing money - French steam engines have almost monopolized the European market, and even British miners have smuggled I bought a lot through channels.

Fortunately, Watt developed a new 27-horsepower steam engine, which saved some low-end markets, but still failed to make ends meet.

And just yesterday, representatives of Chatham Royal Shipyard found them and asked to produce a steam engine with a power of more than 50 horsepower.

R&D plus order contract, total amount of up to 150,000 pounds!

You should know that their company's total assets are only 150,000 pounds.

The two looked at Wat, the company's chief technician, again: "Then, we have to look at our great inventor next!"

"In 5 months, this is certainly not a problem for Mr. Watt."

According to production requirements, their company must come up with a stable and available high-pressure steam engine by March next year.

Watt was stunned, but he didn't answer for a long time.

Bolt patted him with his left hand without a glass of wine and smiled, "Tell us quickly, you are confident."

"This..." Watt blocked his face with a wine glass and stammered, "I will do my best."

He has always advocated standard pressure steam engines and has almost no technical reserves for high-pressure machines. At this time, he is really unsure.

After the simple celebration, Falconer pulled Bolton downstairs and lowered his voice, "My old friend, if Mr. Watt fails to complete the research and development on time..."

Bolton immediately shook his head, "No, I believe him, he never disappointed me."

"This is the Navy's order," Falkner's voice became a little cold, "If he messed up, we're not just going bankrupt, we'll even go to jail!

"To be honest, I have never seen him work on high-pressure steam engines since I came to the company."

Bolton was also stunned.

He knew that Watt had no research on high-pressure technology, and if Falkner really made the point, it would not be a joke.

No mistakes, one song, one post, one content, one reading!

Falkner continued: "The Mr. Sandel you mentioned before is the senior technician of the French United Steam Engine Company..."

Bolton shook his head: "I tried to win him over, but he ignored me at all."

How could he know that although Sandel only had 3.5% of the shares of United Steam Engine Company, the company's product sales were too high. His annual stock dividends, plus patent licensing fees, made him much richer than Bolton.

But Bolton wanted to bribe a man who was richer than himself with money, and let him abandon his thriving industry and return to Britain to "suffer", which was simply a complete joke.

Falconer spread his five fingers and said in a deep voice: "Then offer more benefits until he is moved. At least you have to buy some high-pressure steam engine technology from him. You must go to France again to try."

Bolton nodded helplessly: "Okay, I'll go book a ticket now."

...

Brussels

In a small and exquisite villa in the south of the city, Talleyrand was telling the prince about the diplomatic achievements of his trip to Italy:

"In addition to Genoa's reaffirmation of its neutrality, Parma, Modena, Lucca, including the Two Sicilies, have all expressed their willingness to abandon their neutral status and strengthen trade and diplomatic ties with our country..."

Joseph was quite surprised to hear this.

It is normal for small countries such as Parma and Modena to be willing to side with France. After all, Napoleon's tens of thousands of troops swept across Melas, and they basically had no choice.

But the Two Sicilies is the largest country on the Italian peninsula. Although its king is of Spanish royal descent, he has always pursued a policy of getting close to Austria and maintaining a balance between other major powers.

This time, he actually changed his tune?