The Shadow of Great Britain

272: 182 chapters On and Off Stage Are All Musicals (4K6)_2 272: 182 chapters On and Off Stage Are All Musicals (4K6)_2 Arthur heard Mendelssohn’s doubts, but just smirked, “You arrived late just now and stood far away, so you might not have heard clearly.

However, it’s no big deal.

I’ve already notified the theater staff to replace the piano.

Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon.”

As soon as Arthur finished speaking, he saw the theater’s curtain lifted by someone, and several staff members with flushed faces were delicately moving a heavy piano from backstage to the lobby.

As they moved the piano, they couldn’t help but curse, “Isn’t this wrong?

Wasn’t the piano usually not this heavy?”

“Is there something stuffed inside?”

“Damn it, this one feels almost twice as heavy as most pianos.”

Following behind the staff, with an embarrassed expression, was Wheatstone, who was nervously apologizing, “Sorry for the trouble, everyone.

This piano is a modified version from Wheatstone Musical Instruments, and it might be a bit heavier.”

When Arthur noticed Wheatstone had arrived, he quickly excused himself from Lionel and others, then briskly walked over and asked Wheatstone in a lowered voice, “Are you sure you brought the right piano?

Is this the same one I was using before that can connect to a phonograph to record songs?”

Wheatstone, sweating profusely, was clearly out of his depth unlike Arthur, and it was indeed his first time undertaking such a task.

“Arthur, is it really okay for us to do this?”

Arthur, after hearing this, just lit his pipe and exhaled a puff of smoke, “If you think it’s not right, you can directly give the sales profit to the pianists present at today’s recording after the record is released.

Besides, you should realize that all these people are top figures in Britain’s music circle; those old-school musicians are generally very conservative.

If we didn’t use these methods, you might never get a chance to record their albums in your lifetime.”

Wheatstone wanted to say more, but Arthur didn’t wait for him to speak and pulled out a document from the inner pocket of his tailcoat and threw it into his hands.

Wheatstone looked down and immediately felt dizzy with excitement.

The document merely contained a few ordinary words— “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Patent Authorization Document.”

“Oh!

My God!

No, Mr.

Hastings!

No, Arthur, my dear friend Arthur!

You have indeed solved my urgent need.”

Arthur watched Wheatstone’s excited nearly-wanting-to-hit-him expression and just shook his head, “Everyone has a price, but Mr.

Wheatstone, please try not to make your price appear too cheap.

You claim to be afraid of social interactions, but if you keep on like this, I’m going to start being afraid of you.”

While Wheatstone was grinning ear to ear trying to calm himself down, he said, “Yes, Arthur, you’re right.

I should behave more appropriately, but I’m just too happy about this.

How did you manage to take care of this within a week?”

“How I managed it?” Arthur patted the piano beside him, “Just like this, sorted it out with not so good methods.

So, do you still have any objections to making the records?”

“This…”

Wheatstone struggled for a while, but as Arthur placed his hand on the patent document, he suddenly shivered as if electrocuted, “No objections, I have absolutely no objections.

And I’ll also do as you said, timely paying them their profit share after the record is published.”

On hearing this, Arthur couldn’t help but smile.

He leaned on the piano with his arms crossed, “Mozesales, Mendelssohn, Potter, and the rest of Britain’s top pianists are all supposed to come for the sound check this afternoon and tonight.

How much do you think records from so many top experts are worth?”

“Uh…”

Wheatstone slightly furrowed his brows, pondering deeply.

Just as he was about to throw out a specific number, Arthur spoke again.

“This concert gathers so many celebrities and musicians, and causing a sensation is almost inevitable.

How much income would it bring to you to release a collection of their performances now?”

On hearing this, Wheatstone’s breath nearly stopped.

He could almost see God pulling open his pockets, stuffing them continuously with money.

Arthur spoke again, “And with so many people buying the record, they’ll have to buy a machine that can play it, right?

And currently in London, your workshop is the only one that can produce phonographs.

If others want to replicate, it just so happens you got the patent documents already…”

Listening to this, Wheatstone gasped for breath urgently, extending his hand to interrupt Arthur, “Arthur, you’re a close and dear friend of mine, just tell me what help you need.”

Arthur slightly grinned, saying, “It’s really nothing major.

I just think that while phonographs are fine for ordinary leisure, they’re hardly suitable for some more secretive special tasks.

Not only is the sound quality not great, but the size is too conspicuous as well.”

So, I have a rather preliminary idea, are you interested in joining?

By the way, out of our friendship, I can give you a slight hint.

It’s a project from a government organization that’s not very appropriate to mention by name.”

Wheatstone’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

A project from a government organization; just that statement alone held a fatal attraction for the businessman-born Wheatstone.