Nikola Tesla seemed to be trying to negotiate, wanting to take an advantageous position.
"What problem?"
"Actually, I'm currently carrying out a project in the United States. That J.P. Morgan is investing in and supporting me."
"J.P. Morgan? Could it be the one..."
In an instant, a name popped up in Hans' mind.
Hans looked at Tesla and said directly,
"Are you referring to the Wardenclyffe Tower?"
The Wardenclyffe Tower.
This was a global experimental wireless communication facility that Nikola Tesla built with the funding from J.P. Morgan.
Tesla was attempting to realize a global wireless system and wireless power transmission technology through the Wardenclyffe Tower.
However, the Wardenclyffe Tower ultimately became Nikola Tesla's "dark history".
This was because the results that didn't match the expectations made J.P. Morgan cut off the funding without hesitation.
Tesla, who was already deeply troubled by financial difficulties, finally gave up on the construction of the Wardenclyffe Tower, leaving behind a huge amount of debt.
What made him even more devastated was that this project that he had poured his heart and soul into actually failed just because of "money". This dealt a great blow to him, and he even suffered from neurasthenia.
"Actually, Tesla's experiences of being frustrated due to money are not just one or two times."
And it is by no means a misnomer that Nikola Tesla is known as the "tragic genius".
His patented inventions, which were developed ahead of others, were taken away from him again and again, and he couldn't retrieve them, simply because he couldn't afford the litigation costs. He spent almost his entire life under financial pressure.
Of course, Tesla's unrestrained spending on research and invention was also one of the reasons.
In many ways, his life was completely opposite to that of his rival, Thomas Edison.
But in any case, it's not acceptable to just give up on Tesla.
Hans stared at Tesla and said,
"However, as far as I know, the Wardenclyffe Tower project has already been hindered due to a lack of funds, right?"
"!"
"And, as far as I know, J.P. Morgan has also refused your request for additional investment, Mr. Tesla."
"What, what? No, that's not right. How do you know all this?!"
"I'm not omniscient. I just happen to know the things I know."
Hans said this and continued,
"Mr. Tesla, I'm sorry to be blunt, but there's no hope for the Wardenclyffe Tower."
"But...."
"And you understand this point, Mr. Tesla. That's why you traveled all the way to Germany to find me, isn't it?"
"..."
"I know very well what the Wardenclyffe Tower means to you, Mr. Tesla. You must feel very unwilling. Just because of 'money', you have to face the dilemma of giving up on this large-scale project that you've put so much effort into just one year after its launch."
"Sigh.... You're right, Baron."
In the end, Tesla let out a sigh and acknowledged Hans' words.
He looked dejected and slowly said,
"Not only is there a shortage of project budget, but that damned Marconi successfully completed the transatlantic radio communication experiment, further squeezing my foothold. Moreover, my financial situation is not optimistic."
"To make matters worse, J.P. Morgan is unwilling to make additional investments."
"A while ago, an economic panic broke out in the United States due to the disputes among the railway companies."
" You mean the 'Panic of 1901' in 1901, right?"
That was a panic triggered by the struggle for control of the Northern Pacific Railway between E.H. Harriman of the Union Pacific Railroad and J.P. Morgan, the owner of the Northern Pacific Railway.
"Just then, I received the letter you sent, Baron, and I fell into deep thought. Instead of continuing to be trapped by the pressure of funds and investors and clinging to the Wardenclyffe Tower, it would be better to come to Germany and start anew."
So he crossed the ocean and came to Germany.
"However, I can't terminate the project on my own initiative. If I do that, J.P. Morgan will surely sue me for fraud!"
For that J.P. Morgan, it was indeed something he could do.
"But even if you do nothing, Mr. Morgan will soon cut off the funding to you and try to recover the investment. By then, what you'll be left with, Mr. Tesla, is probably just an abandoned and rusty steel tower, along with a huge amount of debt."
"This, this kind of...."
Just like in the original history.
"However, Mr. Tesla, there's no need to worry."
"Baron?"
As long as he was around, things would definitely not turn out like that.
"I will solve this problem for you."
"Is this for real?"
Hans smiled and nodded.
Well, let's start with signing the contract.
....
A few weeks later.
A group of suspicious-looking people appeared at the location of the Wardenclyffe Tower in Shoreham, Long Island, the United States.
"The target is that steel tower over there."
A man who seemed to be the leader pointed at the Wardenclyffe Tower and said, and several people who seemed to be his subordinates nodded in response one after another.
"However, Captain, do we really have to wear these ridiculous clothes?"
"This is an order from above. It is said that this is the standard clothing of a notorious extremist organization active in the United States."
"Just this?"
The subordinate glanced speechlessly at the "camouflage clothes" that had already been prepared and shook his head.
No matter how one looked at it, those Yankees didn't seem like normal people.
"It's time."
At the leader's command, the team members picked up their rifles, handguns, and German-made TNT explosives.
They approached the Wardenclyffe Tower cautiously.
When they got close to the tower, they saw several workers gathered together for the construction of the tower.
"Remember, don't harm the civilians."
The leader turned back and admonished everyone at the last moment.
"Also, speaking German is prohibited."
Bang——!
Immediately, a gunshot pierced the silent air.
"Ah?!"
"What, what's going on?!"
"Everyone, don't move!"
The sudden gunshot threw the workers into a panic, and the armed leader and team members rushed into the construction site with their guns raised.
They were all wearing white conical hoods.
"We are the Ku Klux Klan! From now on, we will purify that Tower of the Devil!"
A few days later.
A shocking piece of news caused a sensation across the United States: The notorious white supremacist organization, the Ku Klux Klan, in their strange attire of wearing white conical hoods, used explosives to destroy the Wardenclyffe Tower.
According to the report, Tesla, the owner of the Wardenclyffe Tower, was severely hit, gave up the project, and then went to Germany for recuperation.