In 1907, the new record owner of the fastest transocean fleet Blue Ribbon Award, the British Canard Shipping Company's "Lusitania" mail ship, which only takes six days to cross the Atlantic Ocean, while the German Navy "Charlotte" training ship, mainly sailing power, took twenty-six days to arrive in New York, the United States from the Port of Cork in Ireland. In addition to the two days of staying in the Azores, they had twenty-four days to wander around the vast Atlantic Ocean. This was not only a tempering of the personal physical fitness and willpower of the naval cadets, but also a great test of navigation skills and team spirit. When the majestic and beautiful Statue of Liberty appeared in front of the bow, they could finally relax and enjoy a pleasant exotic journey.

Although New York did not have a towering imperial building at this time, the rows of buildings still showed the vigorous vitality of an international metropolis. The world economy, finance and trade center nominally belonged to London, but New York's prosperity was no longer inferior. The American economy it represents surpassed Britain, an old industrial empire, more than ten years ago, and became the unquestionable world number one!

Some people who come to New York envy its prosperity and glory, some admire its freedom, some have a long experience, and some want to try their luck. Before this, Xia Shu never set foot in America, Broadway, Wall Street, and Times Square. These resounding names were originally just pictures on the screen, but now they have the opportunity to see it with their own eyes, but they are very interested. The rise of the United States is due to its unique geographical location, rich natural resources, free and independent humanistic spirit, and the unsuccessful opportunities of the times, which are all factors that human power cannot replicate.

Many people want to borrow American financial capital, but those profit-oriented capitalists will not have any sympathy for others' national causes and are confined by isolationist tendencies. Most American capitalists are unwilling to compete for Europe like J.P. Morgan. They are more willing to expand their territory in the Great Western or the newly acquired Philippine colonies.

Many people envy the industrial assembly line of America, but they do not have ideas or willingness to copy them all. It depends on many factors such as operating costs, operating models, market environment and even social conditions. Capital, courage and skills are indispensable.

During this short trip to the United States, Natsuki focused on the element of "people", but the one he most hoped to visit was neither the famous big names like Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, nor the future stars such as MacArthur and Eisenhower, but the most controversial figure in history, Nikola Tesla shrouded in the halo of mystery.

From some people's perspective, Tesla was Leonardo da Vinci in the 20th century. His scientific inventions had an immeasurable impact and contribution to human society. He was a poet, philosopher, music connoisseur and linguist. He was also a great wise man. His understanding and understanding of the universe far exceeded the times. He invented Tesla transformers, alternating current motors, modern computer foundations, wireless communications, solar systems, radar devices, robots, dead lights, and lie detectors, and proposed the concept of electromagnetic radio frequency weapons. These inventions and discoveries surpassed several eras of science and technology at that time. After Tesla's death, the United States forced all his design drawings and experimental works to confiscate, and the US military's research on his papers has not stopped yet...

Although these magical descriptions and comments are difficult to prove in reality, at least it is certain that Tesla invented alternating current and made a key contribution to the hydropower plant project of the Nicaragua Falls. He obtained thousands of invention patents in his life, but did not make a fortune. Instead, he benefited many inventions free of charge. In the thirty years since its establishment, Nikola Tesla was selected nine times alone, and he gave all the eleven Nobel Prizes to be virtuous.

From the perspective of future people, Natsuki is full of curiosity and expectation for verifying how godly Tesla is. From the standpoint of Prince Joachim, he hopes that Tesla can take it for himself like John Holland, but before he met, he felt a vague feeling in his heart: no matter what price he offered, this person would not accept his employment.

In the 21st century, books and textbooks usually introduce Tesla to books and textbooks, but in New York in this era, Tesla was a household name, so much so that a taxi stopped by Xia Shu could directly send him to Tesla's laboratory in Waden Clift Tower, Long Island, New York. Legend has it that Tesla used this tower to conduct wireless transmission of electricity. The Tunguska explosion in Russia in 1908 was made by him to show the world its results. Around 1916, in order to repay workers' wages, Tesla had to demolish the tower and sell the materials. Because later generations were unable to copy such a transmission tower, it gradually became as mysterious as the Babylonian Tower of Heaven.

Stop in front of the real Waden Clift Tower, Xia Shu saw an iron tower with magnificent, vast, and shocking words. It is more than ten stories high and looks like a common water storage tower in arid areas. It has no extra base. The conical tower body is like the Eiffel Tower. It has a hemispherical dome with a diameter of about 20 meters. Tesla's research room is next to this tower, and is a red house with slender chimneys. Since there is no movement, no sound of machines, it looks like an abandoned factory.

After knocking on the white door of the red house twice in a row, Xia Shu finally heard footsteps coming from inside, and then the sound of pulling the iron door latch. The door that opened in the opposite creaked and opened a small gap, and a thin and pale middle-aged face poked out from it, saying in fluent American speaking:

"What can I do to help?"

Natsuki communicated with him in English: "My name is Joachim, I am from Germany, and I admire Dr. Tesla very much. This time I went through the United States and took the liberty to visit. May I ask..."

"I am." The middle-aged man with a middle-parted hair and wearing a black suit answered very calmly. He pulled the crack open a little, but it didn't open it completely, and the space just enough for Xia Shu to enter.

Like the studio of Frankenstein, the huge red house is filled with all kinds of strange machines, and spider-web-like pipelines are all over it, which is definitely a nightmare place for dense phobia patients.

Echoing the deserted atmosphere outside, there is only Tesla in this laboratory.

As if he had just woken up on a nap, the scientist was in a bad mood. He walked straight to a small compartment that looked like a tea room, poured a cup of slightly steaming water on Xia Shu, turned around and said, "Let's say a long story short, what questions do you want to ask, or discuss a certain topic?"

Xia Shu neither glanced around casually nor was in a hurry to ask questions. He guessed: "You seem to be in financial trouble."

Tesla placed the water cup on the table opposite the empty chair and said disapprovingly: "This is no longer a problem for me."

It is said that a fire in 1895 burned Tesla's laboratory at that time and a large amount of information inside, which was almost the effort of his first half of his life.

"My name is Joachim... von Prussia." Xia Shu told the other party his identity by telling him his full name.

Tesla was obviously not the kind of isolated scientific maniac. He looked at Natsuki again: "Oh, you are the Prince Joachim, who is known as a German genius, and your deeds are published in the newspaper."

“It’s right down.”

Xia Shu's confident but not frivolous tone is a realistic character of his current state, but the unconcealed display did not attract the other party's favor. Tesla was not only indifferent, but even a little mean: "So please allow me to ask again whether the noble prince came here. Do you plan to give some charity to the down-and-out scientists, or do you want to see what mechanical inventions are there for war?"

Xia Shu smiled bitterly: "Did the impression the Germans gave the world has become so much that they only relate to war?"

"A strong and ambitious country can easily become the source of war." Tesla's comments are objective and do not sound like it is expelled.

"It seems that you are also very knowledgeable about the laws of historical development." Xia Shu said.

Tesla said: "Not a study. History is like a spiral circle. The law of society is constantly improving, technology is constantly developing, the strong are competing for the strong, and the weak are seeking survival.

This should come from a philosopher rather than a scientist, Natsuki thought.

"Indeed, Germany's rise must be baptized by war, but only a few people who enjoy it after all. In my opinion, even if war is inevitable, we should choose the way of bleeding the least and suffering the least. The winner is erected and the loser accepts the facts. No matter which flag is erected on the top of glory, history will still move forward with inherent laws."

Tesla, who had a lip-beard, looked at Natsuki: "If this is the truth of His Highness, it will be a blessing for Germany, Europe and even the world."

The main purpose of visiting scientists is not to discuss political or philosophical topics. Xia Shu looked around and the cold machines seemed to be in a state of shutdown. He said: "I have always heard of wonderful lightning everywhere in the doctor's laboratory, and it seems that there is no honor today."

"I'm not a children's playground, and I'm just performing magic for innocent and childish children." Tesla's words seemed merciless. If it were someone else, even if it didn't slap the table, the eyes would be filled with anger. However, Xia Shu's young face showed a generous and kindness. Tesla might be a little surprised, so he immediately laughed at himself:

"Well, because I owe a large sum of money to the power company, they cut off the power source here, and the smart Dr. Tesla is at a loss for it."

Xia Shu smiled, and her faint smile did not mean sarcastic.

Tesla's attitude was obviously milder than at the beginning. He said: "I heard that Your Highness is an expert in rowing and torpedo boats, and I believe he has a superb talent in mechanical dynamics."

Natsuki replied in a modest manner: "This is due to the experience accumulated by his predecessors and the outstanding invention of scientists by scientists, the internal combustion engine and steam engine are like the difference between a horse and a cow. If no one invented an internal combustion engine, I could only drive the ox cart to run desperately."

Tesla expressed his recognition with silence.

"Actually, my trip was for long-distance training as a German naval cadet. Our training ship will stay in New York for a week. I heard that you are still in New York, and the first thing I do when I land on vacation is to visit me." Natsuki reiterated his intention, so that Tesla could know that he had an important position in his mind, but it was not indispensable to have to travel to the ocean to visit him. This is a common technique in commercial negotiations.

Then, Natsuki tried to invite Tesla to develop in Germany: "In a stable monarchy country, you can concentrate on scientific research without worrying about funding and public opinion."

Tesla thought about it seriously and replied: "Thank you for your kindness. I personally have no prejudice against Germany or Germans. But as a Serbian, I really don't want to see bloody disputes among European countries, especially Serbia, and especially Serbia gets involved in the war. I think the German ruling class can never give up its allies for a wild inventor, and give up the idea of ​​taking the steps of blood and fire to ascend to the throne of the world!"

The root of the Balkan crisis lies in the mutual struggle between the great powers for each other's interests, and the long-standing conflicts between different nations. The personal will cannot resolve this grudge that has accumulated for many years. Even after experiencing the baptism of two world wars, the Balkans are still one of the most unstable regions in the world. Tesla not only rejected the invitation, but also made it clear that since Germany regards the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a loyal ally, and the latter is hostile to Serbia, he is unwilling and will not establish a long-term friendly and cooperative relationship with the Germans.

Xia Shu had no way to refute it, and it was even more impossible to use lies to deceive this scientist who was well versed in the political situation. Fortunately, the other party was neither a politician nor a patriotic and angry young man. He had the second choice: "I once imagined that one day you could achieve a great project that benefits mankind in Europe, but the times were so cruel. But...if we wanted to design a machine that was absolutely non-military, could we get your help?"

Tesla hesitated for a moment: "It depends on what kind of machine it is."

Xia Shu paved the way: "The disputes between countries and nations are mostly about survival resources, just like Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, South America, Asia, and of course the coal and iron ore of Alsace and Lorraine. If one day people find out that there are endless minerals under their feet, the meaning of those disputes will be eclipsed!"

Tesla touched his stubborn chin: "What does your highness mean?"

Xia Shu raised her chest and said the literal simple but infinite meaning in a positive posture: "Ocean."

Tesla obviously opened his eyes wide and waited for Xia Shu's later words with a completely awake expression.

Xia Shu said: "The formation of the earth has been a billion years old. In this process, the land and the ocean did not sink and change... This is a topic that geographers argue, and our idea is that the minerals that can be excavated on land should also be under the seabed on the seabed under the sea, and the area of ​​the ocean is more than twice as large as that on land, and it should contain much more minerals than on land. We consider starting from the important energy and oil of modern industry, trying to establish a platform for oil mining at sea."

Tesla showed a smile. This was the first and only time that Xia Shu saw him after entering the door. Although it was fleeting, it had extraordinary significance.

"Designing this kind of mining platform should be the expertise of mechanical engineers!" Tesla said.

“Many people regard you as the greatest inventor of our time. In the field of mechanical engineering, your abilities and talents are equally inferior to anyone, and the Nicaragua Hydropower Station is the best proof.”

Tesla did not accept or reject such a compliment. He thought for a while and asked, "What do you mean by 'we'?"

"I, John Holland, and a few other whimsical guys," replied Natsuki.

"You mean Mr. Holland who invented the submarine? Oh, he is an Irish, Ireland is a poor island, unwilling to endure British rule... Well, it's normal for him to have these ideas."

While Tesla was talking to himself, Natsuki didn't say a word.

"Okay, trying new things is also an interesting challenge. Anyway, I can't do anything else now without electricity." Tesla said this as accepting Xia Shu's commission.

Xia Shu took out the check book at the right time and wrote five zero and 100,000 marks behind 1, which was equivalent to about 40,000 US dollars. This was a pretty considerable sum in this era, and this check could be cashed out by Deutsche Bank's branch in New York.

"This is a deposit." After that, Natsuki put the signed check on the desktop.

"Don't you ask me how much I offer?" Tesla asked expressionlessly.

"You are not a profit-oriented businessman." Natsuki smiled calmly and confidently, "I will give a fair price based on your design."

Tesla did not shake hands with Natsuki, he glanced at the check lying quietly on the table: "If it goes well, I will complete the design before you leave New York."

"Then I will respect the sound of the sound." Xia Shu stood up and prepared to leave. Seeing that Tesla still had no intention of shaking hands, he gave up this meaningless attempt. When he walked to the door, he suddenly turned around: "What makes me really regretful is that if Germany's diplomatic strategy is not so expanding, and your motherland is outside the Balkans, we should be able to carry out friendly cooperation in many aspects. For example, the interests and attainments of the Excellency of Marine Turbine in this regard are agreed by people, even if only a small part of the ideas become reality, it can bring revolutionary development to the ship's power!"
Chapter completed!