Cambridge was silent tonight, and silence seemed to be the theme of today's meeting at 10 Downing Street as well.
Everyone recalled the utter chaos London had become after Lightning Coal Company went bankrupt, and cold sweat trickled down their backs.
Bolton-Watt was even larger than Lightning Coal Company; the damage it could inflict would inevitably be greater as well.
Grenville looked over Reid's report and suddenly widened his eyes.
It stated that Chatterham Shipyard's share price had already fallen by a third. As more and more customers canceled their ship orders, the decline was accelerating. At present, the shipyard had less than 30,000 Pounds in working capital.
Chatterham was even larger than Bolton-Watt. If anything happened to it too, forget the navy's new warships—even all of London might suffer an "earthquake."
He immediately looked at Reid. "What will it take to save this company?"
The latter gestured at the report. "As long as their 52-horsepower Steam Engine can be supplied normally, they can maintain basic operations. But it will take several months to resolve the technical issues.
"Ah, their biggest difficulty is that... they have to keep paying breach-of-contract penalties."
He hurriedly added, "But once their new high-power Steam Engine model enters production, they'll soon turn a profit again."
Earl Spencer frowned. "I heard they drastically reduced the power of the new Steam Engine?"
"That's true." Reid nodded. "But even if it can only reach 80 horsepower, it will still be the most powerful Steam Engine in the world. That will allow their company to swiftly monopolize the entire European market."
Grenville rubbed his brow. "In short, how much more money will need to be invested?"
"400,000 pounds, Prime Minister," Reid said. "That is, if Chatterham Shipyard can hold on. Otherwise, another 150,000 to 200,000 pounds may be needed