Chapter 1123: 1029: Let's All Split the Government's Money

Chapter 1123: Chapter 1029: Let’s All Split the Government’s Money

All the British military and political officials present turned pale without exception.

The “Avenger” carries the hope of the Empire regaining control of the Mediterranean, and there can be no mistakes. As a result, it fell apart on its maiden voyage…

Admiral Jervis just left with a simple “Submit the report to me,” then turned to enter the cabin.

Sandler, representing the Bolton-Watt Company at the maiden voyage ceremony, was also extremely nervous at this time, fearing that components like the steam pressure gauge and safety valve set aside as “back doors” had problems prematurely.

Currently, Britain has only completed the construction of 17 light steam warships, so if an exposure happens now, the impact on the British Navy would be very limited.

At the same time, he himself might also be investigated by the British intelligence department.

He quickly pretended to be concerned about the warship, following several investigators from the Navy Department onto the “Avenger”.

Half an hour later, Sandler, with the smoke still not fully dissipated, entered the engine room of the “Avenger” and immediately saw the broken crankshaft of the steam engine and the twisted piston rod, a sight too tragic to endure.

He walked through the ankle-deep water, carefully confirming that all the “back door” components were still intact before finally breathing a sigh of relief.

During dinner, Sandler chatted with his partner Frank about the morning’s maiden voyage ceremony: “You should have seen Jervis and Middleton’s expressions; it was as if they’d eaten a piece of dog shit, haha.

“That’s right, I confirmed it’s not the steam engine’s fault. Oh, judging by the distance the drive gear shifted, the ship’s axle very likely broke…”

Frank’s fork reaching for the fried fish paused in mid-air, frowning: “Are you sure the axle broke?”

“Most likely.”

As a technician, Sandler didn’t know the French Security Bureau had tampered with the ship’s axle, but Frank, as an intelligence officer, knew some inside information.

It seems this trial failure might be because the work on the healing wood was a bit overdone.

“Don’t mention this to anyone else.” He hastily reminded Sandler, then sent a secret message to inform his superiors overnight.

The next day.

In a small bookstore on the northern outskirts of London, “manager” Porte Yer was dusting the bookshelves when a medium-built man in a black long coat walked in, put away his umbrella, and gestured to him: “Mr. Payne, I’ve heard you can get ‘The Religious Significance of Partial Differential Equations’ here.”

“Payne” was the name Porte Yer used in Britain.

Three months ago, he arrived in London as a liaison for the Security Bureau with the Irish independence movement. This bookstore was the “office” provided to him by the Irish.

Porte Yer signaled an old Scottish man nearby to mind the store, then led the man in black upstairs: “The book you want is over here.”

Once inside the room on the left of the second floor, after closing the door, he heard the man in black say: “Please contact Mr. Menard quickly. We need General Sikes to do us a favor.”

Porte Yer stood at attention: “Yes, Mr. Hart. Who is this General Sikes?”

“The British Navy Department’s logistics director, he has some connections with the Irish.”

Porte Yer instinctively asked: “What’s happened?”

“Hart” was the head of the Security Bureau in London; for him to personally issue an order meant it was no small matter.

“Hart” habitually approached the window, looking down through a gap in the curtains: “Well, you’ll find out sooner or later. There’s an issue with the axles we sold to the British, and it must be covered up…”

This batch of healing wood served as one of the “dual insurances” against British steam warships, best not to expose it too early.

Meanwhile, the business with British shipyards in Jamaica continued. Currently, the price of each piece of healing wood, although discounted to 3,000 British Pounds, still had substantial profit.

Moreover, maintaining supply to the British would prevent them from seeking healing wood elsewhere. According to the Crown Prince, other Caribbean islands also had this plant, just not as concentrated as in Jamaica.

After the superior finished speaking, Porte Yer nodded: “So, we only need to stop the Navy Department from investigating the cause of the accident?”

“Exactly.”

The newly recruited agent mused: “Perhaps we don’t need to ask the Irish for help. It would cost a lot of money and risks leaking information. You know, the Irish aren’t known for keeping secrets.”

“Oh? What do you suggest?”

“Are you aware of the British government’s ‘Government Investment Fund’?”

“Hart” nodded: “Yes, shamelessly plagiarized from our Industrial Development Fund.”

“This fund has over 4 million British Pounds and is currently planning investment directions. Everyone is eager for it, including the British Navy Department. If we…”

By the time Porte Yer finished, “Hart” was nodding continuously: “I think it’s worth a try. Your thinking is very flexible; if this matter is really accomplished, I’ll personally recommend your promotion.”

That afternoon, Frank went to Sir Hope’s office, the director of the Chat Han Shipyard.

“You can’t let the Navy Department investigate like this,” he said straightforwardly, “The investigation might last one or two months, and during this time, people will suspect our company’s steam engines caused the accident. This will severely impact the company’s stock price.

“And as the shipyard director and the designer of the ‘Avenger’, no matter which part is found faulty, you will bear the primary responsibility.”

“What can I do?” Hope said gloomily, “I have no way to influence the Navy Department’s decision.”

“No, you do.” Frank looked at him, “First, have someone quickly draft a large-scale steam paddle ship production plan, then use it to apply for investment from the ‘Government Investment Fund.’

“Huh? What good will that do?”

Frank waved his hand: “Increasing the number of steamships built can significantly reduce costs, including steam warships. This is how French shipyards do it.

“This can help the Navy Department save at least half their budget.

“And the more built, the more mature the technology becomes, reducing the likelihood of failures.

“But if the Navy Department publicizes that our new steam warship suffered a major accident on its first voyage, it will inevitably lead to the Government Investment Fund refusing to invest in the steam paddle ship project.

“At the very least, it will greatly reduce the investment amount.

“If the Navy Department wants cheap warships, they must stop this investigation.”

He leaned forward: “If this still doesn’t move the Navy Department, you can also tell Sir Middleton that the shipyard can use some of the fund’s investment to subsidize warship construction in certain ways—

“For example, the steam paddle ship project can procure high-grade wood, while warships procure ordinary wood, and then swap during production.”