Around the same time
Cairo , Shepheard’s Hotel
“How did it go?”
Omer urgently questioned his right-hand man.
“I sent the telex for the additional order and instructed the bank to confirm the transfer.”
“So the additional order was placed at the original price?”
“Yes, sir. Since we placed the order before receiving the goods, trade custom dictates that they won’t raise the price.”
“Good. Very good.”
Omer let out a sigh of relief.
“Sir, even if you fear that something will happen, aren’t you taking too much risk? Perhaps we should reduce the order volume while there’s still time…”
“Reduce it? We should be ordering even more. Do you think we’ll ever find fabric of this quality at 44 cents per yard again?”
Omer laughed while pointing at the fabric samples Nayara Corporation had sent by air.
“That’s not what I meant. No matter how good the quality is, it only becomes money once it’s sold. Ordering an additional three hundred thousand yards could drain our operating capital. At least wait until the first shipment is sold…”
“No. This is an opportunity sent by heaven. British and American-made fabric is about to disappear from the market. Prices will soar through the roof. When that happens, if we’re holding Nayara Corporation fabric, we could charge one dollar per yard and still sell every roll. We need to secure as much as possible.”
“American and British fabric disappearing? Political instability in this country is hardly new. Goods will start flowing again soon.”
The secretary expressed his concerns.
The bombing of the Jews neighbour was undoubtedly a major event, but incidents like that weren’t exactly uncommon in Middle East.
“Not a chance. The Americans are about to enter the war fully in support of Israel. They’ll tighten control over all imports and exports. Once that happens, the Egyptian merchants who have been smuggling western yarn to make fabric are finished.”
“!!!”
The secretary suddenly understood.
The smuggling trade that thrived throughout MENA would likely become impossible now.
The U.S.
and U.K.
Navy would never tolerate smuggling vessels.
Any cargo ship could be carrying supplies to Cairo now so inspections would become ruthless.
“So the whole region will be change in future”
“Exactly. A businessman can’t afford to overlook anything. You have to predict. Faster than everyone else.”
“I’ll remember that, sir.”
“To be honest, even this surprised me. Mr. Rohit looks like a young amateur, but he’s extraordinarily capable. And it looks like luck also follows him everywhere.”
“I won’t underestimate Mr. Rohit ever again,Sir”
“You’d better not. Whatever business he enters, we need to be involved somehow.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Whew. Now that everything’s handled, I suppose I can finally celebrate.”
For the first time in a long while, Omer took out a cigar.
It was something he only did when he was in an exceptionally good mood.
“Congratulations in advance on becoming even richer.”
His secretary lit the cigar and poured him a glass of champagne.
“Good. Keep an eye on those Street retailers. The fools who followed me and placed additional orders with Nayara Corporation are going to make fortunes.”
“I’ll make sure we collect a reasonable amount of tax from them.”
The secretary’s reply made Omer grin even wider.
At minimum, profits will double.
Possibly triple.
With Nayara Corporation fabric secured, dominating the MENA apparel market seemed inevitable.
If he were ten years younger, he would’ve spent the entire night dancing.
***
The Next Day
Dressed neatly, I headed toward the Great Eastern Hotel.
I’d stayed awake all night thinking.
The War boom felt like it was arriving.
With the broken Ceasefire.
But feelings were just feelings.
I needed confirmation.
“Alfred!”
“Welcome, Mr. Rohit.”
Alfred was already waiting outside his office.
This wasn’t the twenty-first century.
For politically sensitive issues like the truce, people like Alfred were far more reliable and faster than newspapers.
“Thank you for making time despite being busy.”
“Not at all. I wanted to meet you before returning home. I’m glad our schedules aligned.”
“So you’re returning to America. Congratulations.”
He seemed to be leaving rather suddenly.
Judging by his expression, it looked more like a promotion than a transfer.
“Thank you. But more importantly, your prediction turned out to be correct.”
“My prediction?”
I pretended to be surprised.
“You said the United States would eventually be forced into a full-scale war in Israel, and we will complete it ASAP.”
“I did.” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Well, yesterday a bomb exploded in the neighborhood of a very important and sensitive person’s holiday house. Hundreds of people, including children and women , were killed. America can no longer stand aside when that person is putting pressure, but before that we will probably sign a truce to be fully prepared.”
“So they’ve crossed the limit.”
Just as expected.
The news hadn’t reached Indian newspapers yet, but if Alfred said it, it was certain.
But who is that person who can put pressure on the US govt.
So that’s why the orders exploded!
That was the real reason behind the flood of additional orders.
With American military control tightening, export-driven textile businesses would suffer.
Military-related Corporation supporting U.S.
forces would thrive instead.
“A tragedy, but unavoidable. In any case, as you warned, the risk of full-scale war has become reality. Reconstruction inflation will soon become reality as well.”
That wasn’t even the most important part for me.
The Important thing for me now is to grow and Gaslight others to help me expand in other sectors, specially Construction.
“Did you submit your report to the U.S. government?”
“Of course. I submitted it a month ago. Instead of criticism, it now looks like I predicted the future. Washington is demanding that I return immediately.”
Alfred tapped my hand excitedly.
Once he returned to America, economists, politicians, and business leaders would be lining up to meet him.
“Congratulations. Then who will be handling the World Bank delegation?”
“My successor. But there’s more important news for you.”
“More important?”
“The upcoming World Bank delegation will also include an Indian loan officer from the U.S. Department of Commerce.”
“…I see.”
So that was how it is.
If the Department of Commerce was sending officials directly, it meant negotiations between India and America were advancing rapidly behind the scenes.
Which made sense.
America desperately needed allies now.
India needed foreign currency and wanted not to depend on anyone.
That Bastard of Anirban successfully gaslighted almost everyone.
So,naturally, working-level officials would coordinate details long before they were officially announced.
“Unfortunately, this is slightly disappointing for you. If only the World Bank delegation had come alone, you could’ve participated in the Hydroelectric Complex construction project.”
“It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”
Unfortunate?
Not really.
I had never intended to jump directly into a project as massive as the Hydroelectric complex.
Even with twenty-first century engineering knowledge, challenging a project of that scale without resources would be foolish.
At best, I might have secured design consulting work through the World Bank.
That would’ve earned money but wasted larger opportunities.
I needed another approach.
“Since things have changed, I can introduce you to people in the Department of Commerce instead.”
“I’m grateful, but I’m not sure that’s for me. World Bank officials are one thing. Politicians make me nervous.”
Getting too close to political power in this era was dangerous.
Since I could grow independently, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
That was one of the main reasons I focused on exports.
“Mr. Rohit, the man being dispatched by the Commerce Department is very special. He’s a remarkable businessman. He might invest heavily in you.”
Alfred genuinely wanted to help me.
Not only because I’d helped his career, but it seems like he’d developed personal affection for me.
“Political investment still feels risky. Instead, could you introduce me to Lenzing?”
The mention of a famous businessman tempted me.
But I quickly dismissed the thought.
No need to create variables.
I could become anything perfectly well by following my own plan.
“…Why Lenzing?”
“Because I’m a synthetic fiber merchant. And MMCF begin with the trees and that company has perfect supply chain of that grade of trees and expertise”
“So you’re targeting their supply chain”
“Exactly.”
“That’s certainly an interesting opportunity.”
Interesting?
No.
It was essential.
In the original timeline, Birla’s and Lenzing collaborated many times, but when Lenzing controlled the premium market i don’t know why Birla always falls short at this time of Marketing and selling even when the two companies’ products are very close.
Later even Birla’s entered the premium segment with their brands, the perception did not change.
The result?
Lenzing made fortunes producing MMCF products while Birla watched.
There was no reason to repeat that history.
If I controlled it, I’d prevent capital flight and become rich at the same time.
“If I can just meet the president of Lenzing, I can make my proposal.”
“If that’s what you want. Ah! I have an idea. Delhi is hosting a reception for the World Bank delegation. Lenzing will be attending as a representative company of Austria. I’ll put your name on the guest list.” The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I owe much of my success to you.”
“You should at least let me buy you a drink before you leave. I also need to repay that hundred thousand dollars.”
“Unfortunately, I won’t have time. Keep using the money as long as you need. Repay it when you’re comfortable. I’ll leave instructions for my successor.”
“Thank you.”
Alfred had become astonishingly generous toward me.
His departure was unfortunate.
But perhaps having a connection in America would prove even more valuable.
***
Several Days Later
Haldia
After handing responsibilities over to Abir, I went to Haldia with Raj before dawn.
Before even going to Delhi, well therevis a reason.
I carefully packed my invitation to the World Bank reception, as we will directly flew to the Delhi .
We went Haldia to inspect the site firsthand.
If I wanted to convince Lenzing, I needed to understand the terrain.
With my memories from the future, I should be able to identify the most efficient location for a Rayon processing plant.
“Wow. Haldia is much larger than Baranagar Honestly, I’m surprised.”
Raj’s eyes widened.
Apparently he’d expected a rural backwater.
“Most of East India”s imported crude oil passes through here.
It can’t be compared to Baranagar.”
“I see.”
Even in the mid-1950s, it already a lively city
But, a processing Plant is a classic Heavy industry.
Ports, storage facilities, processing plants—everything was required.
The definition of heavy industrial infrastructure.
So this is what early Haldia looked like.
I was surprised too.
A few shabby factories scattered across empty land.
Yet in the twenty-first century this place would become one of East India’s largest petrochemical complexes, generating over a hundred Billion in annual revenue.
“Excuse me, who owns these factories?”
“The facility across the road belongs to Burmah.”
“Huh? That abandoned factory?”
The building across the road didn’t look operational at all.
A giant X had been painted across the entrance.
“Yes. But they got taken over by ONGC, and ONGC is building another facility near Port, but the property is still owned by ONGC.”
“Thank you.”
The passerby answered kindly.
“Looks like we should head toward the harbor.”
“No, President Raj . Let’s inspect this factory first.”
As Raj turned toward the sea, I grabbed his arm.
“What? Why would we inspect an abandoned factory?”
“Precisely because it’s abandoned.”
My heart was pounding.
I can’t believe a place like this exists.
I’d planned to secure Lenzing’s investment and build a factory from scratch.
But if this worked out, I could skip most of that effort.
Repairing an old car was far easier than building a new one.
As long as the skeleton remained sound, renovation would be a hundred times faster.
“Wow. There are holes all through the pipelines.”
“There certainly are.”
The sight of rusted refinery pipes was shocking.
Yet my heart beat even faster.
Because not all the pipes were rusted.
FOR SALE
A sign stood at the entrance.
The factory was officially on the market.
I wanted to dance.
Jackpot.
Absolute jackpot.
They’re really selling it.
Goosebumps spread across my body.
The 1950s truly felt magical.
Viewed through twenty-first century eyes, money was scattered across the ground everywhere.
This abandoned factory felt like discovering the Eldorado.