Building a Conglomerate in Another World

On the morning of July 15, 1887, the world woke to a shocking revelation: the Japanese Empire had officially declared war on the Chinese Empire. The news spread like wildfire across nations, dominating headlines in every major city. For Matthew Hesh, the timing of the conflict couldn't have been worse—or more consequential.

The clamor of the factory floor seemed louder that day, as if the workers of Hesh Industries felt the weight of the geopolitical tremors. In his office, Matthew sat with Robert Anders, staring at a freshly delivered telegram from the Department of State.

"'Japanese forces have launched an offensive along the Liaodong Peninsula,'" Robert read aloud, his voice steady despite the gravity of the words. "'Reports suggest significant naval and ground operations are underway. The Chinese Empire has declared full mobilization in response.'"

Matthew leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "So it's begun," he said quietly. "The storm we were warned about."

Robert nodded. "And it's going to change everything. The Department of War will be knocking on our door before the day is out." Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire

Before Matthew could respond, the telephone on his desk buzzed. He picked up the receiver.

"Hesh speaking."

"This is Secretary Mitchell from the Department of War," a sharp voice replied. "Mr. Hesh, I assume you've heard the news."

"I have, Secretary Mitchell," Matthew said evenly. "What can I do for you?"

"You know as well as I do that this war will escalate quickly. The Republic needs to be prepared, and we'll need your company's capabilities to make that happen. Are you available for a briefing this afternoon?"

Matthew exchanged a glance with Robert before answering. "I'll be there."

"Good. We'll discuss the details then." The line went dead.

Matthew set the receiver down and exhaled. "Robert, clear my afternoon. And get Grayson and Carter up to speed—I'll need their input on whatever comes out of this meeting."

Robert jotted a note in his pad. "On it. Anything else?"

"Yes," Matthew said, standing and moving toward the window. "Start preparing a briefing on our current production capabilities, especially for naval and coastal defense systems. If this war reaches the Pacific, we'll need to be ready."

By the time Matthew arrived at the Department of War, the building was abuzz with activity. Uniformed officers and government officials moved with urgency, their faces set in grim determination. Matthew was escorted to a large conference room, where Secretary Mitchell and several military leaders awaited him.

"Mr. Hesh," Mitchell greeted, motioning for him to take a seat. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Matthew nodded. "I understand the urgency. What's the situation?"

Mitchell leaned forward, his expression serious. "The Japanese declaration of war has caught everyone off guard. Their naval forces are already engaging Chinese ships in the Yellow Sea, and there are reports of ground invasions near Port Arthur. Intelligence suggests this is just the beginning."

A general to Mitchell's left spoke up. "The Republic isn't directly involved—yet. But we can't afford to be caught unprepared. If this conflict spills over into the Pacific or affects our allies, we'll need to act swiftly."

Mitchell turned his attention back to Matthew. "That's where you come in. We need to accelerate production on key systems—naval artillery, reconnaissance planes, and defensive fortifications for our Pacific territories."

Matthew nodded, his mind already racing through the logistics. "We can scale up production, but I'll need additional resources and manpower. Some of our current projects may need to be reprioritized."

Mitchell waved a hand. "Consider it done. Whatever you need, you'll have it. Just get us what we need before it's too late."

As Matthew returned to his office that evening, the weight of the meeting pressed heavily on his shoulders. The war in East Asia was no longer a distant concern—it was a reality that could shape the future of the world. And Hesh Industries was now at the center of it all.

Robert was waiting for him, a stack of papers in hand. "How'd it go?" he asked.

"They want everything," Matthew replied, sinking into his chair. "Naval artillery, reconnaissance planes, defensive systems—it's all hands on deck."

Robert whistled low. "That's a tall order. Do we even have the capacity?"

"We will," Matthew said firmly. "But we'll need to move fast. Get Grayson and Carter in here tomorrow morning. I'll need their input to finalize the production schedules."

Robert hesitated before speaking. "And what about the foreign delegations? You know they're going to come knocking again. Especially now."

Matthew rubbed his temples. "I know. And that's a problem for another day. Right now, my focus is on the Republic. If this war spreads, we'll need to ensure our own defenses are solid before we even think about anything else."

In the days that followed, the war dominated every conversation, every newspaper headline, every radio broadcast. Reports of battles along the Yellow Sea and skirmishes in Manchuria filled the airwaves, painting a grim picture of the conflict's intensity.

At Hesh Industries, the factory floor operated at a breakneck pace. Workers pulled double shifts to meet the sudden surge in demand, their efforts fueled by a mix of patriotism and the stark realization that the world was changing before their eyes.

Matthew spent long hours in his office, pouring over blueprints and production schedules. He worked closely with his engineers to ensure every detail was accounted for, every challenge anticipated.

But as the days turned into weeks, the questions lingered in the back of his mind. How long could he maintain this balancing act? How far could Hesh Industries stretch before the weight of its responsibilities became too much?

And most importantly, what kind of world would emerge from the ashes of this war?

For now, there were no answers—only the relentless march of time and the unyielding demands of a world on the brink.

***

Meanwhile, in the White House, Japanese delegations from the embassy visited the president of the United States.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Theodore asked.

"Something that would make you help us in the war, Mr. President."