Chapter 18: The Rise of the Two Merchants, Prince and Princess, in the World's Bookstores

  The excitement caused by the advent of wireless telegraphy in Europe far exceeded that of any previous invention, including the diesel engine. Everyone understood the military significance of such a machine, and with it, ships at sea were no longer isolated, for an invisible thread connected them to land.

  Just one week later, the British Patent Office granted Yang Feng the patent right, and at the same time came the first order from the British Navy. If everything went well, all Royal Navy warships would be equipped with wireless telegraph machines, and General Electric would become Britain's most important high-tech company overnight, transforming from a low-end light bulb factory.

  As for the naval test, there was no problem at all. The power of the engine on the warship was much greater than that of the household generator in Yang's villa. The wireless telegraph machine installed by Yang Feng himself on a royal ironclad ship sent the first telegram to London 250 kilometers away, and an era of wireless communication officially began.

  However, to the Royal Navy's dismay, Yang was adamant that they would not have exclusive rights to this technology for five years, no matter how high a price they were willing to pay.

  "I am a pacifist, I invented this technology not for the service of war, but to light a lamp of hope for those innocent people who are waiting for death in loneliness and helplessness after a maritime disaster." Boss Yang said with great righteousness, this set of words he has played very smoothly.

  Since he has said so, the British Navy naturally cannot make further demands. However, Yang Feng still agreed to one of their requests: within five years, they would not set up such a factory outside of Britain. Thus, General Electric began selling wireless telegraph machines to all countries that had approved Yang Feng's patent.

  At the same time, the long-awaited news finally arrived, and Li Ergouzi agreed to his plan by telegram, with Xue Fucheng in charge of specific negotiations. Of course, there was nothing much to talk about, as Yang Feng had discussed many details with Old Xue before. First, Xue Fucheng, as the Qing ambassador to Britain, signed a contract with the Swedish Yang shipyard to purchase warships. Then he would sign an agreement with Yang Feng himself for the donation of military supplies. However, Yang Feng also imposed restrictions on the delivery time, requiring that he could only deliver the promised goods to the Beiyang Navy after Armstrong Shipbuilding had delivered the ships to him.

  Xue Fu Cheng showed full understanding of this, after all, one hand gives money and the other hand gives goods is very reasonable. What he didn't know was that Yang Feng was mainly afraid of scaring Japan, and if something unexpected happened again, it would be bad.

  After signing all the contracts with Xue Fu Cheng, Yang Feng immediately signed a military vessel outsourcing contract with the Armstrong Shipyard. However, he also had a requirement that this warship must be claimed to be built for the Swedish Navy when going abroad. As for the Swedish Navy, it was up to Yang Feng to communicate. Now, with the mass production of diesel engines and hand tractors, Yang Feng's words carried some weight in Sweden as well.

  The Armstrong shipyard naturally didn't have much to say, a cruiser of this class cost several million pounds, such a big business, it was only natural that the customer's word was law.

  After all this hustle and bustle, it was already the end of 1890. With the arrival of winter, Yang Shen's patients began to increase exponentially, leaving him somewhat overwhelmed. Especially since these patients were all high-ranking officials, he couldn't very well turn them away at the door. After seeing ten patients in one day, a exhausted Yang Shen finally decided to open his own hospital.

  In fact, he already has a medical team by his side, including two British doctors who are occasionally summoned to help him diagnose patients. There is also a nursing team led by his young maid Catherine, consisting of five beautiful young girls. Now all that's needed is a small villa with a beautiful view, some advanced medical equipment, and a few luxurious patient rooms, decorated according to the highest standards of luxury hotel suites. Each room would have two nurses and a dedicated doctor. The nurses must be young and pretty, preferably including beauties from various countries, such as Russian supermodels, Spanish senoritas, and Chinese water town girls. When the time comes, patients can choose which nurse they want to care for them. As for the doctors, they must be old, with a clear heart and few desires.

  How much does this ward cost per day?

  What's the point of talking about money with those aristocrats? It's so vulgar, extremely vulgar. Just send the bill to their butler at the end of each year and that's it. As for how much is written on it, it's just a number after all. Truly refined and noble people wouldn't bother looking at the specifics.

  Moreover, this hospital is not a place where just anyone can enter. One must have the medical card given by Boss Yang to be allowed in. As for those with noble titles, they don't need any medical cards.

  As for the construction of the hospital, it was quite simple. First, they bought a small castle built on a hillside facing the sea from a declining noble family. Then, they renovated it thoroughly. As for how to renovate, Yang Feng specially invited a vampire to take charge and provide guidance. This guy was extremely familiar with the tastes of nobles. Even Ah Bai and Alice heard about it and came to offer their opinions. Although Ah Bai's intelligence was questionable, he had a keen eye for these things, and in the end, Yang Feng found that as long as he didn't like something, replacing it directly would always be correct.

  As for his cousin Alice, the suggestion was very constructive. The only thing that made Yang Feng not quite satisfied was that her style had a slightly German flavor. The decoration of this castle will not be completed until after Christmas, and then he will invite the fool to check it again with his eyes, and finally confirm that there is no problem, Yang Feng will be satisfied.

  Apart from decorating the castle, Yang Feng also expanded the road and built a small dock by the sea, opening up a small seawater swimming pool, fishing ground, and building a swimming pool in front of the castle, which was not completed until Chinese New Year.

  After the completion, he specially sent invitations to all his friends in the UK to celebrate the New Year and the opening of his hospital. A new spring party will be held in this castle, and the female nurses he has recruited recently will wear pink nurse uniforms designed by him as waitresses for the party. He also specially invited Xue Fucheng and Huang Zunxian, which can also increase their feelings with British high society.

  To be honest, because of the big braid on the back of their heads, Chinese diplomats abroad are always seen as outsiders in social gatherings. Add to that their outlandish and stiff attire, as well as the air they give off from being steeped in the slave mentality, and unless it's a special occasion, no noble would invite them to a party. The Japanese are much smarter about this - Yang Feng has met the Japanese ambassador to England multiple times at social gatherings, and these short people have completely Westernized their attire. Although it looks a bit like they're putting on airs, you can't help but say that this is the best way to blend in with Western society.

  "Can't you wear a Western-style suit?" Yang Feng looked at Xue Fu Cheng and Huang Zunxian, who had arrived ahead of time.

  "Nonsense! As an imperial envoy stationed abroad, if I don't wear the official uniform of the imperial court, what kind of dignity would I have?" Xue Fucheng said with a glare.

  "Sir, you need to understand that as an envoy, your most important task is not to embody the dignity of the imperial court, but to build a relationship with the British. We are not the masters of this world, they are. It's not shameful to show them courtesy at this time. When we become the masters, you can wear whatever you want and they will only be able to say that your taste is unique. But now, what you need is to gain their aesthetic recognition. Do you think they can look at your official uniform with pleasure? I don't even like it myself. Besides, this is not a diplomatic occasion, just a private cocktail party. Even if you change into casual clothes, it won't affect the dignity of the imperial court." Yang Feng advised sincerely.

  After hesitating for a moment, Xue Fu and Cheng still accepted his suggestion, took off their zombie costumes and put on the Western-style formal wear Yang Feng had prepared for them. However, there was no way to deal with their queues, so they just had to leave them as they were, anyway, it was passable.

  Soon the sky darkened, and the large red lanterns that Yang Feng had used to decorate were lit up one by one, enveloping the entire castle in a reddish glow, which looked quite festive. Yang Feng, dressed in a custom-made evening gown, stood at the door with Lin Luoke, welcoming the guests who arrived one after another. Even the British financial mogul, Lord Rothschild, had accepted the invitation and came in person, because up to now, Yang Feng's deposits in the Rothschild Bank had exceeded two million pounds, making him one of the most important clients.

  Two people were chatting casually in front of the door, when the fool's carriage stopped in front of the door and he got out with his cousin. However, the vampire did not follow him. Rothschild, who was talking to Yang Feng, suddenly took a deep breath and made a strange movement, which left Yang Feng stunned for a moment. What kind of identity is this fool? Can make the financial emperor lose his composure like this? But then the butler, who was responsible for receiving guests outside, took over the invitation card handed over by the fool, looked at it with an expression that almost made his eyes pop out, and then shouted: "His Royal Highness Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria Alice Helena Louise Beatrice of Hesse and Rhine has arrived."

  Mr. Yang almost fell off the stairs, although he knew that this idiot was not ordinary, but he had never thought that this guy was actually a British prince, the grandson of Queen Victoria, the eldest son of Edward VII, the brother of George V, and the late Prince Victor of the United Kingdom.

  His sister-in-law Alice was even more terrifying, the Grand Duchess of Hesse, the future Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia, later canonized as Saint Alexandra.

  "Oh, what a big fish!" Now this guy's mind is only left with this sentence.

  "Your Highnesses, it's truly unexpected to see you both here." It was still the words of Baron Rothschild that brought him back to his senses.