After Poul Nielsen gave a statement to the journalists of the biggest newspaper companies in the United States of Avalonia, it spread throughout the country like wildfire. Branding Wanderbilt as a greedy businessman who only cared for money and not the safety of the people.
Due to this, their company stock dropped to seventy percent as shareholders rushed to the New York Stock Exchange and sold their stocks in anticipation of the company's market crashing because of the accident.
The train accident was branded as the most tragic locomotive accident in the history of the United States. As a result, public opinion towards Wandebilt had risen from negative to hateful. Calling their business out.
The government of the United States didn't overlook the accident, sparking debate among Senators in Congress as one of them called for safer transportation of goods and people across the country. There's no denying the fact that railroads expanded rapidly throughout the United States. However, the increased traffic was accompanied by an increase in accidents not only on the locomotives but railroad personnel, especially brakemen, who have to stay atop the carriage to manually apply brakes on each car.
Train accidents have been a problem not only for the United States but for foreign countries as well. Due to a lack of an efficient and safe method of stopping a colossal train to a complete stop, resulting in derailment and collisions with trains. There was also a lack of signaling infrastructure in the United States, which prompted Axelsen & Nielsen Company to make one as they knew to themselves that brakes alone won't stop train accidents.
As the country began to hate Wanderbilt and his associates for his slow adoption of available safety measures for steam locomotives, Morgan took an initiative and decided to visit Wanderbilt's estate at 1 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City.
In the office, Morgan walked over to Wanderbilt's desk and sat across from him.
He saw Wanderbilt lifeless expression on his face as he mourned for the deaths of his two daughters whom he loved fondly.
"First of all, I want to express my sincerest condolences to you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. I apologize that I was unable to attend the funeral."
Wanderbilt sniffed and nodded in response. "Thank you. You know, I feel really terrible about what has happened to me and my family. But then again, how could I not? Ever since the accident, the newspaper headline is all about me, branded as a devil who has no sympathy for the people. They said that the accident could have been prevented if the train my daughters were riding in were fitted with an air brake system."
He said with tears streaming down his cheek. But he quickly wiped it off before continuing. "I know why you are here, Mister Morgan. So why don't you stop beating around the bush and tell me what it is."
As expected of Mr. Wanderbilt, he composed himself despite the situation he is going through. He was named as the brutal businessman in the United States of Avalonia for no reason. With his ruthless business practices, he devoured railway companies one after another by undercutting every single one of them, which stole all their customers, pushing out competitors as if he was only having them for breakfast. There was once a story about him when he was getting popular and richer where railroad companies would pay him two hundred thousand dollars to not compete with them on the same routes.
For them, it was cheaper to Pay Wanderbilt off than try to compete with his low prices. Naturally, every time Wandebilt got a huge payout like that, or used that by buying out competitors at a discounted rate, his own fleet of trains just got bigger, thereafter increasing his power and wealth.
To see such a ruthless man in front of him overwhelmed with grief was a surprise for Morgan. After hearing those words from his mouth, he decided to be honest with his intention to Wanderbilt.
"Mr. Wanderbilt, the world is still spinning around. The media is not getting off your back and public opinion toward you is hostile. We can change their perception of you by refuting their charges. For that, you'll have to make action."
"Which is what?" Wanderbilt asked.
"Adopt the air brake system and the signaling and interlocking systems of the Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company. Show them that you care for your passengers and that it won't happen again. With that, you'll regain the trust of the public, and then your stocks will return to normal. Make a statement to the press."
Wanderbilt scoffed softly at Morgan's suggestion. "Before you even came here, I already knew your intention. As expected, you'd suggest that. After all, you invested in the Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company. Signing a deal with them would mean more money flowing into your pocket."
"Mister Wanderbilt, you are one of the best businessmen I have ever known in my life. Your story of rags to riches, I heard everything about you. And with your reputation and your way of handling your business, I am certain that you'd adopt the air brake system and their signal system. It's the only option left for you to save your company. And I'm sure, your board of directors is suggesting the same thing too"
Wanderbilt locked his gaze with Morgan for a few seconds before finally sighing and nodding reluctantly. "Alright, you won. Let's do that."
Morgan smiled. "I will inform the owners that you'd be visiting soon. So when are you free?"
***
November 7th, 881 in the continental calendar. The fall color of the season brightened up Pittsburgh. The ethereal sunlight cast a shadow upon the buildings surrounding the company town of Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company as dusk started settling down.
Walter entered the office by pushing the door with his back. He was carrying a blueprint that was unrolled and set it down on Poul's desk.
"This is the detailed schematic of your direct current motors. I need you to sign them so we can proceed with the process of patenting. Also, I'm going to need you to sign the air brake, the locomotive draft gear, and your signaling and interlocking systems for us to patent it in another country. You know, you can't be too careful with pirates."
Poul chuckled softly as he grabbed his pen. "You are indeed correct. Seeing that it's common practice for inventors to steal stuff, it's best that we protect our intellectual property."
Poul signed the blueprints and after Walter received it, he bowed his head politely before leaving the office.
Moments later, the telephone rang. Poul stood up from his chair and picked up the phone mounted on the wall.
"What is it?" Poul asked.
"Sir Poul, sorry for bothering you during your work hours but you have a guest here. Mr. Wanderbilt."
Poul's eyes beamed as he recognized the name of the visitor.
"Let him in," said Poul as he hung up the phone immediately afterward. He paced back and forth, unable to contain his excitement. If Jonathan was here, they'd be jumping up and down from joy right now. But Jonathan is overseeing the construction of a new factory to be built adjacent to the current factory.
After a few minutes, the office doors opened and an old aged man dressed neatly entered the room. The man's three-piece gray suit. He brought an associate with him. Poul recognized it. It was Moses Corning.
"Good evening, gentleman. I've been expecting your arrival. Can I get you something to drink before we get started?" Poul offered.
"No, we intended to leave as soon as possible. We are here to grant you a contract," Moses Corning interceded firmly while shaking his head.
Poul looked puzzled, why are they in a hurry? But nevertheless, he nodded, accepting whatever decision Moses Corning had come for.
"Very well, take a seat, and let's discuss what you're offering." Poul beckoned them to take a seat.
Wanderbilt and Corning sat on the chairs opposite Poul's desk.
Poul twiddled his hands as he placed them on the desk, projecting his aura of confidence.
"I'm sure you have heard everything from Mr. Morgan about the purpose of our visit," Moses said.
"Yes I have heard it from him but I want to hear it in person," Poul said.
"So you are the one who gave a statement to the press. Explicitly saying that the accident won't happen if we adopted your system," Wanderbilt calmly said in a low voice.
"That's correct, Mr. Wanderbilt. Our system works. That's all the more reason why you should adopt it like everyone else."
"I don't know if it's confidence or just an arrogant young fellow whose head got big from his recent successes."
"It's true but I'm sure that you went through the same phase as me when your company started to receive great traction," Poul smiled, looking very smug.
Wanderbilt sighed. "Moses, please continue."
"So, Mr. Nielsen, as a result of the tragedy that happened in our express railway, the board of directors and Mr. Wanderbilt has come to a decision to adopt your air brakes and your signaling and interlocking systems. We would be happy to grant you the contract of retrofitting all our locomotives and overhauling the design of our tracks."
Poul's hand quivered lightly. "All…of them?" he stammered.
"Yes. We want it done in three years. Can you do that?"
"I mean I can but not within the given timeframe. I'm sure you are aware that you're not only our customers. We have pending orders from other railway companies."
"Then I suggest that you find a way. Because we are talking about a twenty-five million dollar contract here," Moses said.
"Twenty-five…million dollars?" Poul repeated slowly. This time, there wasn't any trace of conceit in his tone or demeanor. Instead, there was confusion mixed with shock.
He didn't expect that kind of amount, and he couldn't believe he had gone through such an event in order to achieve this. But somehow, in his mind Wanderbilt, pulling that kind of money for a desperate move of saving his company is understandable.
He is the richest man currently, possibly having more money than the U.S. Treasury itself. So twenty million dollars is like a drop in the ocean compared to his billions.
This is a huge opportunity for them. They have been trying to persuade Wanderbilt to get them to adopt their system with the help of Morgan and now it happened. There's no way he is going to lose this opportunity and he is sure Jonathan wouldn't hesitate.
"Fine. The Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company would like to take you on with your offer. We will retrofit your trains with air brakes and locomotive draft gears and overhaul your railway system design."
"Great! Let's sign and finish the contract," Mosen opened the folder that contains the file. Moses pointed to the place where Poul should sign.
Poul grabbed his pen and did exactly that. A few seconds later, Wanderbilt signed as well, sealing the deal.
The three gentlemen rose to their feet and exchanged hands.
"Thank you, the Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company would surely revamp your trains and rails."
And just like that, in seven years since their transmigration, the young industrialist duo landed their biggest contract.
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