The spring breeze of 1905 blew over Peres Castle, and the green grass was growing happily. Su Wen looked at everything in front of him and felt no stranger to it. Of course that is because Su Wen has now lived for 16 years. Looking at the luxuriously decorated castle, Su Wen feels a little unreal again.
Now he is the son of King Carol I of Romania, a man who has never been seen again in history, Edel Hohenzollern Sigmaringen, this is Su Wen's current full name. Because of the invitation of the Romanian nobles, Carol I, who was still a prince in Germany, came to Romania and became king.
"In this world, I have the rights and life that ordinary people can't believe, and I can rewrite and influence history. This kind of life is pretty good." Su Wen thought in his heart, and now he is quite satisfied with his life. After meeting his material needs, he now needs to meet his spiritual needs and can now play a realistic version of strategy games. This is Su Wen's idea. But first, Romania’s strength needs to be increased.
As a young country that only became independent in 1880, Romania exports agricultural products and primary minerals. The industry is also not large-scale, only a few small factories and workshops, basically do not need very good technology. The military industry can also manufacture light weapons (Manshali 1893 rifle, an improved version of 1877), and the output simply cannot meet the demand. As for the quite famous Romanian oil, I am sorry that it is still in Ploiesti, where there are several small oil fields and the technology is quite primitive.
Such a national foundation is pretty good in the Balkan group of newly born countries. One can imagine the degree of backwardness in the Balkans. Now we are Edel (Su Wen) who wants to gain some advantage in the first battle, it is quite unsightly. Now we need our Highness Edel to prepare for this.
"Generally speaking, Romania still has considerable potential for development." The young prince commented after learning the situation in Romania for three years. The most important thing is that the Romanian royal family is very rich. Although the government's finances are not very good, who makes this a monarchy? Now I first need to convince my father, Carol I, who is 66 years old, to take the money.
"Father, this is a report on large-scale exploitation of the Ploiesti oil field. According to this report, we need to purchase oil extraction equipment, a large oil refinery and an oil pipeline linking Constanta. The annual output can reach 1.5 million tons. The scale of crude oil requires an investment of about 3 million pounds."
After Edel finished speaking, he handed the carefully prepared report to his father, Carol I of the Kingdom of Romania. The white-haired but still majestic old king did not answer after reading it carefully, but instead looked at Viscount Adri, the court administrator next to him. The latter is responsible for the main daily work of the Romanian royal family, and therefore has a good understanding of royal funds.
The palace chief said, standing behind the old king. "At present, in addition to the maintenance of a few castles, we must reserve enough funds to have 5 million pounds, of which 200 are bonds. However, the king has 58 properties in China, and 43 properties abroad can be sold in China. Twelve sites can get 840,000 pounds, and 26 overseas sites can get 1.04 million pounds. There are also some shops. We can get about 1 million pounds of income from the government and industry every year, but the bulk of our property is land, of which... …"
Carol I waved his hand to Director Adri, needless to say, turned his head and asked the crown prince "how much do you need."
"I intend to give Standard Oil 600,000 pounds investment quota, I think they will be interested." Edel replied. He felt it necessary to explain. "The main reason is that Standard Oil now has the technology, which is very helpful for us to develop the oil field. Then go to Germany, 600,000 pounds, I believe they will also invest. We only need 1.8 million pounds, and the land is still ours and they cannot get it. Too high shares."
Carol nodded in satisfaction. "Let go and do it, I will let Adrie prepare the funds for you." "Thank you father, then I will prepare it." After Edel finished speaking, he walked out of the old king's room.
Now after getting his father's permission, Edel enthused to ask the guard to find Smith, the head of Standard Oil in Romania. The next day Smith brought his assistants to Peresh Castle and met Edel.
"Hello, respectable Prince Edel, I don't know what Standard Oil can do for you." Smith and his assistant asked after saluting Edel.
"Mr. Smith, you know about the Ploiesti oil field. We are not satisfied with the output there. We plan to exploit it on a large scale. Your company should be interested."
"Yes, we are very interested in this. I don't know how the crown prince is going to develop your country's oil?" Smith replied.
In the twentieth century, with the large-scale application of internal combustion engines, European demand for crude oil has also increased on a large scale, and oil prices have also increased slowly. Standard Oil had invested in Ploiesti as early as 1871, but because of the intervention of the Romanian government (Edel's influence) this scale was not large. Now Romania wants to develop itself, so the profit invested in it is also very considerable.
Edel told the guard to give Smith the contract. "You can take a look before you talk."
Smith took the document and saw that the development of the Ploiesti oil field was led by the Romanian royal family, with an investment of 1.8 million pounds and a mining license plus land accounting for 75%. Standard Oil invested 600,000 pounds and technology, accounting for 12.5%. In the mining equipment and oil refining facilities, the standard oil company is preferred for the same quality and price.
Looking at this contract, Smith felt that it was reasonable. You must know that in Europe, the United States does not have as much influence as Mexico.
Smith, who was satisfied, preached to the crown prince. "His Royal Highness, I will send this document to the company. From my personal opinion, I think there is no problem."
Edel replied. "I hope Mr. Smith can bring good news. You must know that Britain, France and the Netherlands will all be interested in this."
"His Royal Highness, I will send it back to the company as soon as possible, and Standard Oil has the best technology, I believe this is a wise decision." Smith obviously has full confidence in his company.
Smith went back and sent a telegram to his company. Edel asked the guards to invite the German ambassador, and he had full confidence in whether Germany would invest in the oilfield Edel. If it is not that I have insufficient funds, I will not let other countries invest at all. Both Standard Oil and Germany were carefully selected by Edel One had little influence in Europe before the First World War in the United States. Germany was laying the groundwork for future plans, and Romania needed industrial support too much.
Borges is the German ambassador to Romania. He is as serious, punctual and rigid as many people's images of Germany. But sometimes he knows how to work, otherwise he will not be a diplomatic ambassador.
"Is there anything wrong with your Royal Highness Edel?" Ambassador Borges asked about the crown prince who was invited to the palace by Edel.
"We plan to develop the Ploiesti oil field. I wonder if your country is interested."
"I don't know how your country intends to develop." Borges intends to say hello in advance.
"It's all written on it, Mr. Ambassador, take a look first." Edel asked him to pass the contract to Mr. Ambassador.
A total investment of 3 million pounds. The Romanian royal family contributed 1.8 million and land plus influence accounted for 75%, while Germany contributed 600,000 to get 12.5%. It seems to be a very good investment, and it only takes a few years to make it back. Ambassador Borges thought.
"There is no problem, and I believe our government will reply soon."
"Ambassador Borges has one more thing."
"His Royal Highness, please speak"
"I hope to visit Germany, mainly to buy some equipment and technology." This is good news for Germany, whose economy has just improved at this time.
PS is writing a book for the first time, hoping to satisfy everyone. The author is a handicapped party. The codeword is super slow, so it’s a bit difficult to update the amount, but as long as readers like it, the steamed bun will be over. Never be an eunuch. Steamed buns can be considered a fruit for themselves. As an old bookworm who has read books for 11 years, he can't find a book gradually. The last time I gritted my teeth and stomped my feet to write by myself, it can be regarded as stock speculation as a shareholder, real estate speculation as a landlord, picking up a girl and becoming a husband, reading as an author. Think of it as being locked up by yourself.