Chapter 71: Trip to the United States (7)

After he became rich, Contini was no longer stingy and was determined to increase his purchases from the United States: for example, the power plant construction was expanded from 1.4 million kilowatts to 2.4 million kilowatts, and he planned to start aluminum ingot and aluminum alloy production lines; for example, the petrochemical plant was expanded from 2 million tons per year to 3 million tons; for example, various electric locomotives were introduced; in addition, there were some high-tech products that were not yet practical in life, such as the introduction of air compressor technology...

In a round trip, more than 20 million US dollars were spent.

This made the major banks and giants very happy. These funds had to be allocated through the banking system. Doing so would not only increase their profit margins a little bit, but the funds directly withdrawn by the United Group from the United States would only be more than 80 million US dollars, further reducing the risk. Although it is unlikely that the stock market will fall by half, it is not a good thing to be exposed too much.

At this time, the US economy was in the middle of the Coolidge boom, and the US government welcomed Contini's visit to the US to spend his checkbook, especially his introduction of US technology and equipment to Italy was more likely to be seen as the spread of US industrial civilization. Therefore, some of Contini's extraordinary behaviors, such as the motorcade and the guards taking to the streets with live ammunition, were treated specially by the US authorities. Even if someone published a satirical news about Mussolini and fascism in the newspaper, it would be suppressed soon.

It's time to make money, what doctrines to talk about?

In addition, Contini naturally couldn't withdraw all the US$80 million. After consideration, he added more than US$20 million to the stock market, focusing on those large-cap stocks that have started to start but have not risen much. Small-cap stocks are not dared to be touched because they are too small. The current size of the United Group may cause a huge impact if it is not careful. In addition, corporate governance of small-cap stocks is also a big problem. What if the board of directors sees that the stock price is so good and issues a large number of shares? This will seriously impact the market supply system.

But large-cap stocks don't have so many problems. With tens of millions of dollars invested, it's easy for the market to absorb liquidity. Secondly, large companies have dispersed equity and standardized governance structures, so it's not easy to issue additional shares, and it's not difficult to withdraw at that time.

After a series of business negotiations, Contini can finally take a breath and accompany Ada. If he ignores the little girl again, if she goes back to Mussolini and cries, it will be troublesome. So Contini has been taking her to visit various places as much as possible recently, such as the steel mills in Pittsburgh, the automobile city in Detroit... Those assembly line productions have opened Ada's eyes.

"Brother Galai, do you want to make Italy like this?"

"Yes, do you think it's good?"

"It looks exciting, but Italy is so small and the United States is so big, can we do it?"

Contini smiled: "It doesn't have to be as big as the United States. Italy's population is only one-third of the United States, and the land area is even smaller. If we have a quarter of the strength of the United States, we will be very powerful!"

"Now we don't even have a quarter?"

"Let alone a quarter of the United States, we don't even have a quarter of Germany." Contini sighed, "For example, steel production, Italy is more than 1 million tons, Germany is more than 20 million tons... My mission is to narrow these gaps and narrow them a little more. Not many Italians like to do this thankless task. Italians like to brag easily, or do some opportunistic tricks, or take shortcuts... If they don't do it, I will do it."

"Brother Galai, you are so great..." Ada looked like I don't understand what you are saying, but I just feel that you are so awesome.

"Great?" Contini shook his head, "I'm only 21 years old... I'm called great at 21, how will I live in the future?"

Ada pouted: "You also know that you are only 21 years old? I see that you are busier than the 42-year-old boss of a big company... You have been in the United States for 2 months. Have you ever gone shopping? Have you sat down and had a cup of coffee to enjoy the night view calmly? Have you let go of all your work and happily visit scenic spots? You don't have endless introductions to listen to, endless people to meet, endless banquets to attend and other inexplicable hypocritical things... Yes, even if you are sightseeing, take me to the industrial area. This is the first time I found that someone actually likes to take girls to visit the industrial area."

"Are you angry?"

"No, this is your job, but I can't help at all... I feel so depressed."

"That's because you are still young."

"I'm not young anymore... I'm 14 years old." Ada straightened her chest hard to show that she is not young.

Not to mention Contini, even Monica laughed happily.

"Okay, okay... Ada has grown up... I'll take you to the Far East if I have the chance next year or the year after next."

"Japan? China?"

"Yes! And India... Let's take a look. We'll go through the Suez Canal and see the scenery of Egypt."

"Okay!" Ada said, "There's not so much business to discuss there, right?"

Contini smiled bitterly and shook his head: "What's there? Unless we go to invest, but I can't even take care of Italy, how can I take care of other places?"

When he said this, he automatically excluded Libya.

"Okay, I'll go with you..."

"But today we have to visit a professor..."

The professor that Contini mentioned is Robert Huggins Goddard, an American rocket pioneer. He proposed the idea of ​​rockets a few years ago, but was ridiculed by the academic community and the media. However, even so, Professor Goddard did not give up his ideals, but ran around to raise funds to put his theory into practice.

If there is a soulmate in the world, Contini is definitely one of them. He not only published the full text of Goddard's academic ideas in the Youth Daily, but also added a note himself. At the same time, he also provided Goddard with a lot of funding. Although it was only $100,000, for a scientist, this $100,000 can save time in many places and put his energy into more valuable places.

The professor is currently fiddling with his invention at Ward Farm in Massachusetts. It may take 6-12 months before a successful launch. Contini knows that this will be the world's first liquid rocket, and Germany's first experimental rocket will not be available for at least 15 years. So he wanted to take Goddard away as soon as possible. Once the rocket was successfully launched, Goddard's research would begin to attract attention, and it would be difficult to get him away at that time.

Professor Goddard waited in his farm early in the morning. He was usually unkempt, but today he changed into some formal clothes. He prepared tea, snacks, and coffee, hoping to give his big sponsor a good impression. Although he was a little stubborn, he was by no means a paranoid person who didn't know how to adapt and didn't care about the world. In the past two days, he saw reports about the "United Group" whirlwind in the newspaper, and also received news in advance that President Ciano would come to visit him.

Although he was fully prepared, Contini's first sentence still stunned him: "Professor, I sincerely invite you to serve as the chief researcher in the rocket field of the United Group Laboratory, with an annual salary of 30,000 US dollars, and at the same time guarantee that you will have sufficient time, energy and funds to pursue your hobbies..."

Now the salary of American university professors is relatively high, but generally only 6,000-8,000 US dollars, and only tenured professors may exceed 10,000 US dollars. 30,000 US dollars at least requires academic masters in the industry and Nobel Prize winners. Goddard can't reach this level at all. What's more attractive is that the other party also promised that there is no cap on funding. Others can laugh at this statement as bragging, but the domineering president said that this statement is really not bragging. Everyone has seen the scene of being willful with money, and the scene of "buy buy buy" in New York shopping malls has long been a sensation. After...

"This..."

"I almost forgot to say that I'm not just inviting you, your whole family can go to Italy... I will arrange for you to live in the group's expert building, and I will also equip you with a research team of at least 20 people. If you want to lead graduate students, I can apply for a teaching position at the University of Rome... You don't have to worry about visas, passports, and nationality. In Italy, many things are just a matter of my words. If my words don't work, there is this..." Contini pointed at Ada, "She is the daughter of the Prime Minister and is particularly interested in exploration and research!"

Ada understood and immediately said in a coquettish voice: "Professor, I have always heard Brother Galle talk about your deeds, and I have also read the science fiction introduction in the Youth Daily. Are rockets really that amazing?"

Monica gave a thumbs up behind her: After all, she is the daughter of the Prime Minister. There is no need to teach this routine. You can understand it at a glance.

Goddard couldn't stand this temptation and was shaken on the spot.

Contini added: "I know you have a son who just graduated from college and is a mechanical engineer. I think there is a place for him in the United Group. I think he must have heard of the United Motorcycle Fast and Furious series. He should like the working environment there... Besides, Italian girls are great too."

Even Goddard's wife was shaken.

"Okay, I'll go, but I still have a lot of information, instruments, and semi-finished products to sort out, and the house and farm also need to be dealt with..."

"The research stuff doesn't matter, I'll send someone to help you move it, I have a boat... As for the house and farm." Contini smiled, "Just sell it to me for $100,000."

The professor shook his head repeatedly: "How can it be worth $100,000? It can't even be sold for $50,000!"

"Then $100,000, and the extra will be considered as your resettlement fee in Italy..." Contini smiled and said to Monica, "Tomorrow, cooperate with the professor to complete the property rights and register it in Ada's name... After the professor and his family move out, arrange for American workers to transform this place into a small holiday villa, and plant all the flowers and plants on the farm. Ada can plant whatever she likes!"

Well, now Professor Goddard and his wife have learned the style of the rich.