Empire Rise: Spain

Chapter 64: Wealth Sways The Heart

Looking at Gramme and his friend with shocked expressions on their faces, Cadillac Bruno smiled as if he had long anticipated this and countered, “What kind of way should I use to prove my identity?”

Cadillac Bruno knew that proactively explaining at this point would not dispel Gramme’s doubts.

The best way to make him believe was to let Gramme make a request himself, then prove his identity.

After all, Cadillac Bruno’s identity was not fake, and no matter which way he used to prove it, it would not change the final result.

“Please forgive me, this is simply too crazy for me. Do you have anything that can prove your identity?” Gramme asked.

“Of course.” Cadillac Bruno nodded, took out the check he had long prepared, and explained, “This is the latest check issued by the Royal United Bank of Spain. Currently, no one except Spanish nobles can obtain it, so it should be able to prove my identity, right?

As long as Mr. Gramme is willing to go to Spain to take up a post, this check is yours.”

Looking at the prominent Spanish Royal Family emblem and the amount of 5000 on the check, Gramme already had some trust in Cadillac Bruno.

Such checks could not be imitated by ordinary people, and those capable of imitating checks had no reason to deceive him into going to Spain.

Thinking of this, Gramme gradually let down his defenses toward Cadillac Bruno, but still asked with a hint of doubt, “Sir, why would His Majesty the King choose me? I am just an ordinary person, and His Majesty the King should not know me, right?”

“I am only responsible for conveying His Majesty’s orders.” Cadillac Bruno replied, “His Majesty is very optimistic about the development of the electricity industry, which is also the reason His Majesty invites you to join Spain.

As for why His Majesty knows your name, perhaps only God knows.”

“Mr. Gramme, as long as you agree to join the Royal Academy of Sciences, this check is yours, and His Majesty will also arrange a residence for you in Madrid and provide you with work.

Believe me, Spain is the most suitable place for you, and your research will receive better help in Spain.” Since he had already revealed his identity, the most important thing next was to invite Gramme to join Spain’s Royal Academy of Sciences.

To be honest, the conditions Carlo prepared for Gramme and other scientists were not low at all.

First of all, a king personally dispatching an envoy to invite them already gave full face to those scientists. Although the status of scientists had risen with the Industrial Revolution, it had not reached the highest levels of the state.

Scientists with business acumen could obtain large amounts of funds through the technology they researched and developed, thereby becoming capitalists or members of the upper class.

But most scientists still lived in poverty their entire lives, and the patents they researched and developed might also be seized by other capitalists.

In such a situation, let alone a monarch personally inviting them, even an invitation from a noble with status would be enough to move these scientists.

Moreover, the treatment offered by Carlo to these scientists was top-tier. A check for 5000 pesetas did not seem like much, but it was worth about 200 pounds sterling, equivalent to the total annual income of eight or nine skilled workers.

Although Gramme worked at an electrical equipment company, he was not in management or any important position; he was an ordinary electrical equipment consultant.

His income was considered middle-class in Paris, with a weekly salary of about 35 francs, annual income of 1825 francs, or 73 pounds.

This check was almost equal to Gramme’s total income for three years, and it was funds he could obtain unconditionally as long as Gramme agreed to join Spain.

Such conditions showed undeniable sincerity, and for Gramme, who needed to support his family, the attractiveness was sufficient.

Although he was already tempted, seeing his good friend’s envious look, Gramme still decided to help his friend.

“Sir, if I go to Spain, can I invite a few friends to go together? Rest assured, my friends also have excellent abilities in electricity; they can absolutely handle positions at the Spanish Electricity Company.” Gramme asked cautiously.

After all, the other party represented the King of Spain, and Gramme knew his question was somewhat presumptuous and might cause displeasure.

But after all, he had some good friends here, and his friends’ abilities were also good, so Gramme wanted to have a few familiar friends in Spain’s foreign land.

“Of course.” Cadillac Bruno nodded and said with a smile, “As long as they work in the electricity field, they can choose to join Spanish nationality.

The Spanish Electricity Company needs a large amount of talent. Please rest assured, your income at the Spanish Electricity Company will absolutely not be lower than now, and residences in Madrid will also be arranged for you.”

Gramme’s question was like heavenly music to Cadillac’s ears. Originally, Carlo had assigned an extra task to attract some ordinary talents. If he could pull in some extra talents while inviting Gramme, wouldn’t that perfectly complete the task His Majesty the King gave him?

Hearing that the other party agreed to his request, Gramme breathed a sigh of relief, and William also cast a grateful look at Gramme.

Although they were all consultants at the electrical equipment company, it was after all a small company that was quite stingy in terms of capital investment.

In particular, Paris’s recent instability had caused the company boss to delay salaries multiple times. If it weren’t for needing to support their families and having no other choices, they wouldn’t want to stay in such a company with no future.

Now that a better choice was available, of course they would make an effort to strive for more income for themselves.

“Mr. Gramme, I will stay in Paris for a few days. If you are ready, you can come to this address to find me, and I will arrange a train to Spain for you at any time.

Of course, the more friends you have working in electricity, the better—even if there are over a hundred, His Majesty would not mind.

I look forward to seeing you again in Madrid. Perhaps when we meet in Madrid, you will have become the chief consultant of the national electricity company.” Cadillac Bruno smiled and bid farewell, leaving Gramme some time to think and prepare.

After all, going to Spain was equivalent to immigrating again, and for Gramme, who had a family, he still needed to persuade his family.

Cadillac Bruno held full expectations for Gramme. If Gramme could really bring over a hundred electricity workers to Spain, His Majesty would surely be satisfied.

He could also rely on the merit of recruiting Gramme to become Carlo’s trusted aide, gradually gain Carlo’s heavy use, and enter Spain’s upper echelons.

First update, seeking support!