I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 643 High-tech Competition

The large-scale deployment of civilian steam paddle steamers has another great benefit, which is that it can greatly increase the installed capacity of marine steam engines.

The number of civilian ships is dozens of times greater than that of warships, which can promote the rapid improvement of steam engines more than simply installing steam engines on warships.

"Using the people to support the military" will always be the best model for promoting new technologies.

Moreover, the paddle steamer and the propeller drive used by the French Navy are completely different technical routes. There is no need to worry about other countries copying civilian ship technology to build warships. It is simply perfect.

While Joseph was busy planning the new shipyard, Watt was also planning financing with his company's controlling shareholder Bolton on the outskirts of Birmingham, England.

"You have to try to give up some of your obsessions." Bolton, who has long blond hair and melancholy eyes, carefully chose his words, fearing that he would upset his genius partner. "Those investors have set their sights on high-pressure steam engines, and sometimes we have to cater to them."

Watt waved his hands rhythmically and said, “Everyone knows that thing has no advantages except that it loves to explode!
"The new 27-horsepower steam engine will be put into production next month. That will be a truly great product."

Bolton sighed, "My friend, you know that the French high-pressure steam engine was able to achieve this power two years ago. I heard that their latest model can output more than 50 horsepower.

"As for the explosion, the factory doesn't care about it. At most, it will kill a few workers, and new workers can replace them immediately. What they care about is the profit brought by the higher power."

Watt lowered his head and muttered stubbornly: "It's just 50 horsepower, I can do it without high-voltage technology..."

As they were talking, they came to a luxurious light yellow villa.

Bolton whispered helplessly, "Please, at least mention the high-pressure steam engine to Sir Falconer later, otherwise the company's funding problem will really become a crisis."

Yes, in the past two years, under the fierce competition from its French counterparts, the sales of the Boulton-Watt Steam Engine Company have continued to shrink and its profits have hit the lowest level in more than a decade.

To make matters worse, the company was involved in the London Gas Street Lighting Project last year, becoming a subcontractor for distillation boilers and pressure instruments, and lost all its money.

This caused the company's cash flow problems, and Watt and Bolton had to introduce new shareholders in order to overcome the difficulties.

Sir Falconer warmly welcomed the two into the living room and quickly talked about investing in the shares. "Oh, let me be frank. My psychological expectation is to get 5% of the shares for 30 pounds."

Bolton frowned. "Sir Falconer, the company's assets are worth more than 20 pounds, and its annual income is more than 4 pounds. If you want to get a 30% stake, you may have to invest 7 pounds."

Falconer smiled and shook his head: “What I value is the company’s prospects.

“Last year Upper Hesse wanted to buy a steam engine for its automatic looms, worth £5, but they chose a French one—a new high-pressure steam engine.

"Excuse me, your company's technology is already outdated. After I buy shares, I'm afraid I'll have to continue investing in improving the technology. Well, this is a big risk."

Bolton said hurriedly: "In fact, we have already started research on high-pressure steam engines."

He touched Watt: "Yeah, James."

"Oh, yes, that damn high-pressure steam engine." Watt nodded reluctantly, "As long as it doesn't explode, everything will be fine..."

Bolton smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.

More than two hours later, Bolton and Watt left the villa in frustration. Falconer did not give in, and his offer was unacceptable to the two.

Bolton returned to his doorstep, suddenly gritted his teeth, and went back to Falconer's house.

"I know the significance of high-pressure steam engines very well," Bolton said seriously, "and the company will definitely speed up research and development in this area." Falconer shrugged: "But your chief technician seems to be only interested in standard-pressure steam engines."

Bolton took a deep breath and said, "Actually, I have a way to quickly acquire technology."

"Oh? Please tell me about it."

"John Sandel of the French United Steam Engine Company." Bolton said, "I know his uncle. If we can get him to join, we can immediately obtain high-pressure steam engine technology.

"We have a vast British market. As long as we create new products, we will be able to defeat the French in no time!"

Falconer raised his eyelids and nodded, "Okay, if there is a high-pressure steam engine, I can invest 7.5 pounds."

……

Freising, eastern province of Bavaria.

After attending the consultative meeting of the contracting parties to the Rhine-Seine Treaty, Count Rheinfels, who was on his way back, looked at the letter just sent from Vienna with a complicated expression.

It was a letter from His Majesty the Emperor announcing his death - Leopold II had died of smallpox three days ago.

Normally he should be sad about the death of the Emperor, but at this moment he felt relieved.

He had undoubtedly messed up the attempt to bring Britain into the Treaty of the Rhine and the Seine, and Austria's dire trade situation would continue.

The death of Leopold II at this time would greatly reduce the attention of Vienna to this matter.

The new emperor will be busy with his coronation and will most likely not ask about this matter.

A few days later, Count Rheinfels's carriage drove into Schönbrunn Palace. He got out of the carriage and immediately went to meet the new Emperor Francis II.

The funeral of Leopold II had ended, and the sad atmosphere in Schönbrunn Palace had faded a lot. Instead, servants were shuttling back and forth, busy arranging the furnishings needed for the coronation.

Count Rheinfels was a little surprised when he entered the Great Gallery Hall. He saw Francis II, wearing a plain light blue coat, talking to Baron Turgut, Kobutzl and other ministers.

Moreover, the Queen Mother and her cousin Baron Walter were also present.

He immediately stepped forward and gave Francis II a very standard chest-touching salute: "May God always bless you, Your Majesty."

Franz II looked up and saw that it was him. He immediately asked, "Count Rheinfels, you are back. How was the negotiation going?"

"This..." Count Rheinfels did not expect the new emperor to be so diligent, so he had to bite the bullet and said, "The vote failed. The French mobilized 5 troops and conducted a large-scale exercise in Karlsruhe. Under pressure, Hesse, Augsburg and other countries voted against it."

Baron Walter immediately screamed: "These shameless Frenchmen!"

Franz II signaled him to calm down, turned to Baron Turgut and said, "So, our country's finances will continue to be dragged down by trade?"

Because Leopold II died so suddenly, the young Francis II suddenly became emperor. He felt so overwhelmed that he didn't know where to start.

(End of this chapter)