The next to speak was Scott Russel, "Thomas, why did you have to drop our names? Anyway, Lord Daniel, I am here today because of the new project me and Isambard are working on. Ship production is a business engaged in by a lot of merchants, however, I am positive that the one we have invented is a league on its own. The truth is, we're almost done with it and it will be called, the Great Eastern. It is an iron sailing steamship which will have the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers that can travel 15,000 kilometers without refuelling. Anyway, the problem is that we want to have sole rights on our creation. We refuse to be coerced to share it with other nobles who has already partnered with other ship building companies. If you let us use your name as a business partner, I don't know if there is still a need to swear allegiance because obviously, our ship will always sail with your name and will also sink with yours if it ever comes to that."

Charlton could not help but smile at Scott. Amongst all of them, he was the most straightforward. He did not carry with him any awe for his status, and he was unafraid to express his own opinion. "Indeed, you are correct on that note. Everyone here will be tying their ship with me, and I hope all of you keep that in mind."

"Don't worry Lord Daniel, all of us came here with that already in mind. We chose you because of who and what you are. You are the only noble who would do this for us and in return, fine, all of us here swear allegiance. Anyway, I brought Isambard here with me because he is the great engineer who worked with me on this project. He will also need your protection in a sense that he becomes your person. I mean a person working for you. Ugh, Isambard, you explain."

Isambard can only shake his head. "Lord Daniel, please forgive Scott about his tactlessness." His friend has always been that way since they were younger.

Charlton chuckled, "No, it's alright. I, myself, am only a student now, and I am flattered that all of you here put this much faith in me." 

Isambard smiled and nodded his head. "Then, milord, I am an engineer who invents. To be honest, unlike everyone here, I have nothing to offer but my profession. In this case, what I need is your sponsorship and perhaps someday your recommendation. I hope that you would consider."

Charlton thought it over, Isambard may not have much but he trusts his instinct. This man is bound for great things. If he can engineer a ship like what Scott said, then he can do more. Thus, he nodded his head. "Then, do wait until next year."

Isambard grinned, "Then milord, I would be of your service."

Ben Ringer cleared his throat to go next. "Well, in comparison to them, I am perhaps the least spectacular. Lord Daniel, again, I am Ben Ringer. I came from Lombart and would wish to enter the market here in Windsor by importing automobiles. It is not my personal invention but by my cousin's husband. Karl Benz. The reason I am here is because I am aware that importation is not an easy business to enter. I plan to stay here in Windsor for good, but that of course would depend on how my business will go. I wish to suggest profit sharing in my case. I can't make further promises because I'm not even sure if I would be staying here for a long time."

"What does this automobile do?" Charlton wondered. He mentioned it earlier but he has no idea what he was talking about. Anyway, one thing he noticed is that most of Edward's group were innovators. Really, the first people to invent stuff and enter the market.

"Well, it's a motor car, also known as 'motorwagen' in our place. I mean it's like a carriage without a need for a horse to pull it to run. It runs with electric ignition, it has differential gears and water cooling. Really, it's hard to explain. But once I get to import one, I will show it to you. Oh, rather, I will give you one."

Charlton's eyes widened. Okay, a carriage without horses? Deym. "Once you give me one, I will pay for it. I don't want you to make a loss without even making profit first."

Ben's eyes mooned, "then I won't be shy."

Howard Pew smiled, "For me, I have been sent here by my parents to explore market viability. I have seen the potential and would like to engage in business here. My reasons are the same as Ben's. I am an outsider wishing to enter the market and in return, I can only offer profit sharing. However, if everything turns out well and I settle in this kingdom, then you can trust my continued support in whatever cause you may have one day."

Charlton nodded his head. Salt importation was big business but for a time now, more people have been engaging in it. Perhaps his main business would be on fish wholesale dealership and fish production. Anyway, it's not dangerous to sign his name in his company and it was a profitable business.

The last person to speak was Lucas Fenerty, "Lord Daniel, as you know, I am the owner of the times. Perhaps out of all of us here, I need your help the most. My business has always been apolitical. We only ever publish about what's happening and tell interesting news. However, as our publishing has grown, and more people read our newspaper, a lot of letters have arrived demanding that we publish certain articles which I have read were verging political. In the future, I would wish for freedom to express opinions, but right now I don't want to engage with the broiling political dispute. Thus, I wish to seek your help."

Charlton swallowed. "What if I ask you to publish something political for me in the future? Won't that be against your will?"

"As long as you can promise to protect me and my family now, then I am willing. However, when it comes to that point, please let me send my family abroad first. All I want is their safety."

Charlton nodded his head. Unlike his imagination where he gets a lot of money instantly, he realized that these people were mostly start-ups. However, this was actually better. This way, signing his name with them would not bring trouble to him because it would just look like him investing by folly. 

"Alright then, I have heard your concerns and I am inclined to accept your proposal. I hope that this would be the start of our good and long-term partnership."

With that, they started discussing the profit sharing and Charlton's percentage share in their companies. Anyway, he just thought that they have potential, but never could he have imagined that these people would not just make waves but tsunamis in the business sector, and subsequently, in history.

--

TBC

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