Building a Conglomerate in Another World

The bright morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the War Ministry's grand conference room. The walls were lined with military banners, and the polished oak table in the center reflected the stern faces of the generals seated around it. Matthew Hesh walked into the room, his shoes clicking softly on the marble floor, his posture straight but calm. This was a meeting he had been waiting for—a chance to hear firsthand how his creations had performed in the heat of battle.

General Nathaniel Warner stood to greet him, his imposing figure commanding the room. Around the table sat a collection of high-ranking officers, their crisp uniforms adorned with medals and insignias. Among them was General Henry Caldwell, known for his logistical expertise, and Brigadier General Samuel Grant, whose reputation as a tactician was well established.

"Mr. Hesh," Warner said, extending a firm hand. "Welcome. Your timing couldn't be better. We've just finished reviewing the battlefield reports."

Matthew shook Warner's hand, his face betraying a hint of eagerness. "General, it's a privilege to be here. I'm anxious to hear how the weapons and vehicles performed."

"Take a seat," Warner said, motioning to the chair directly across from him. "We have much to discuss."

Matthew settled into his chair, his leather briefcase resting by his side. The table was cluttered with maps, documents, and after-action reports, evidence of a military command deep in the throes of planning. Warner opened a folder in front of him and cleared his throat.

"The Hesh Model 85 Bolt-Action Rifle," Warner began, "has been nothing short of a game changer. Our soldiers reported unprecedented accuracy, and the increased range has allowed us to engage the enemy well before they can respond. Entire skirmishes have been decided before the Mexicans could even close the distance."

Brigadier General Grant leaned forward. "The precision has been extraordinary. One unit managed to hold a defensive position against three times their number. They credit the rifles for the decisive advantage."

Matthew nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That's excellent to hear. And the machine guns?"

Warner's expression grew even more serious. "Devastating. The Hesh Model 85 Automatic Guns have turned defensive positions into fortresses. Entire cavalry charges have been stopped dead in their tracks. It's like nothing we've ever seen."

General Caldwell, who had been flipping through a report, added, "The enemy is in complete disarray. They have no counter to the machine guns, and their antiquated muskets are proving useless against our firepower."

Matthew's satisfaction was tempered by curiosity. "And the vehicles? How have the automobiles been integrated?"

At this, the room fell silent for a moment. Warner exchanged a glance with Caldwell before speaking. "The automobiles are performing adequately—for transport," Warner said carefully. "They've replaced horse-drawn wagons for moving supplies, but..."

"But what?" Matthew asked, leaning forward slightly.

"But," Warner continued, "they're being used as little more than faster wagons. They're restricted to the speed of the marching infantry to maintain formation. While they're efficient, they haven't revolutionized the battlefield the way the weapons have."

Matthew frowned, his disappointment evident. "General, these vehicles weren't designed to crawl behind marching soldiers. They're capable of so much more." Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire

The generals shifted in their seats. Brigadier General Grant spoke up. "We've had difficulty adapting our tactics to incorporate the vehicles effectively. The logistics of fuel, maintenance, and terrain navigation have posed challenges."

Matthew leaned back, his fingers steepled as he considered their words. "Gentlemen, with all due respect, you're thinking too traditionally. These automobiles aren't just substitutes for wagons—they're tools that can redefine the way battles are fought."

The room grew quiet as Matthew stood, moving to a large map pinned to the far wall. He picked up a pointer and began to outline his ideas.

"Let's start with mobility," Matthew said. "Your infantry is limited by how far they can march in a day. With automobiles, you can transport troops to the front lines in hours, not days. Imagine reinforcing a vulnerable position before the enemy even knows it's under threat."

He tapped a point on the map, indicating a potential route. "Second, use the vehicles for reconnaissance. Equip lighter models with radios and light armaments. They can scout ahead, identify enemy positions, and relay information back to command in real-time."

"Radios? What's that?"

Matthew gulped…he had unintentionally slipped a technology that haven't been introduced in this era.

He quickly adjusted, maintaining his composure. "Forgive me, gentlemen," he said, leaning forward, "I meant wireless telegrams. A system where messages can be transmitted over long distances without the need for physical wires. Think of it as an evolution of your current telegraph system."

The room grew quiet as the generals processed his words. General Caldwell furrowed his brow, clearly intrigued. "Wireless telegrams? Are you suggesting a portable means of communication for the battlefield?"

Matthew nodded, seizing the opportunity to elaborate. "Precisely, General. Imagine this: your commanders in the field can communicate directly with headquarters or with other units, no matter the distance. Orders, reconnaissance reports, or calls for reinforcements could be sent in real-time. This would eliminate delays caused by messengers or fixed telegraph lines."

Warner leaned back in his chair, his interest piqued. "And how would this system work? Do you have such technology ready?"

Matthew chose his words carefully, knowing he was treading into uncharted territory for this era. "The foundation for wireless communication exists. With some development, I can design portable transmitters and receivers that can operate reliably on the battlefield. It won't be instantaneous to implement, but the potential benefits are immense."

Grant tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "If this works, it could change how we conduct warfare. But the question remains—how long would it take to produce such devices, and at what cost?"

Matthew spread his hands. "Development will take months, perhaps longer, but once the initial prototypes are perfected, mass production can begin. As for the cost, I assure you it will be an investment worth every florin. The ability to coordinate your forces with unparalleled speed and accuracy would more than make up for the expense."

Caldwell interjected, "We'd need to train officers and soldiers in its use as well. This would be a significant shift in how we operate."

"That's true," Matthew agreed. "But every major advancement requires adaptation. You've already seen what happens when superior technology meets outdated tactics. The enemy is left scrambling. Wireless telegrams would ensure that you're always one step ahead."

Warner exchanged a glance with Caldwell, then turned back to Matthew. "Your ideas are bold, Mr. Hesh. Bold, but not without merit. If you can provide us with a working prototype within a reasonable timeframe, we'll consider integrating this technology into our strategy."

Matthew smiled faintly, sensing he had regained their confidence. "I'll make it my top priority. In the meantime, I'd like to revisit the current use of automobiles."

Warner raised an eyebrow. "You're not letting that go, are you?"

"Not at all, General," Matthew replied with a hint of humor. "If you want to maximize their effectiveness, we need to think beyond transport. For instance, a convoy of armed vehicles could escort supply wagons or even flank enemy positions during an assault. They'd provide mobile firepower and protection in ways traditional methods cannot."

Caldwell leaned forward, nodding. "And with wireless communication, those vehicles could coordinate with infantry and artillery more efficiently."

"Exactly," Matthew said, his enthusiasm growing. "It's about integration. Your infantry, vehicles, and artillery working together as a cohesive unit. That's how you dominate the battlefield."

Warner rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You're proposing a significant shift in how we approach warfare. It won't be easy, but I see the potential."

Grant added, "It's clear your innovations have already given us the edge. If you can deliver on wireless telegrams and improve the implementation of vehicles, we might truly be unstoppable."

Matthew stood, extending his hand to Warner. "Then let me get to work. I'll provide you with designs, prototypes, and whatever else you need to bring these ideas to life."

Warner clasped his hand firmly. "We're counting on you, Hesh. The Republic's future might just depend on it."