Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World



March 5th, 893.

Poul Nielsen stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, peering down at the empire that he and Jonathan had painstakingly built over the course of a decade. The sprawling city and factories, workings going to and fro, and the electric trams gliding along the streets below painted a picture of industrial prosperity and modern marvels. 

Lost in thought, Poul was momentarily taken aback when the telephone mounted on his table rang, breaking the silence of his reverie. 

"Must be another client or a factory manager huh?" Poul guessed as he turned around and approached the table. He lifted the receiver and held it to his ear.

"Hello?" he ventured tentatively.

A crackling hiss filled the line, and then a voice emerged. "Mr. Nielsen, this is Morgan." 

"Ah, Morgan!" Poul exclaimed, a genuine smile crossing his lips now. "It's been a while since I last heard your voice. How can I help you?"

"I apologize for the abruptness, Mr. Nielsen, if you were in the middle of your work…" 

"No need, I was just looking out of the window," Poul chuckled. "So what do you need from me?" 

"I have something to announce to you, Mr. Nielsen. Mr. Russell is out of the electrical industry, which means the Axelsen and Nielsen Electric Manufacturing and Distribution Company would now have a complete monopoly over the United States electric industry, that is if you complete the purchase of…I haven't told you the price right?" 

Poul leaned closer to the telephone, his curiosity piqued. "You're right; you haven't mentioned the price yet, Morgan. I'm eager to hear the details."

Morgan cleared his throat before continuing.

"The purchase price for the Russell Illuminating Company is five million dollars, Mr. Nielsen."

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After hearing the price, Poul couldn't help but chuckle.

"Five million?" 

"Yes, five million. Why? Is the price too high?" Morgan asked.

"No, I find it cheaper. I was expecting an enormous sum but five million is like, you are giving it to me for free," Poul mused. 

Morgan couldn't help but chuckle on the other end of the line, sharing in Poul's amusement. 

"Well, Mr. Nielsen, I suppose you could say I'm feeling rather generous today. But make no mistake, this acquisition will undoubtedly cement our dominance in the electrical industry."

Poul nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with plans for the future. "Generosity or not, this is a remarkable opportunity, and I appreciate your efforts in securing it for us. Please, prepare the necessary paperwork, and I will ensure the funds are ready for the transfer. We will move forward with the purchase of the Russell Illuminating Company."

Morgan's voice conveyed a sense of satisfaction as he replied, "Thank you, Mr. Nielsen. I'll start the process immediately."

"Oh, Mr. Morgan, before you hang up the phone, I have something that I wish you to convey to the President and your friends at the senate." 

"Interesting," Morgan mused. "What is it? I'm all ears." 

Poul carried the telephone and walked over to the ceiling-to-floor window. He peered once again at the metropolis he and Jonathan created. 

"Morgan, It has almost been three weeks since I last spoke with the President of the United States. I am thinking, is the United States soft?" 

"Soft? What are you talking about, Mr. Nielsen?" Morgan asked confusedly. 

"You see, I get the bureaucracy but when did the Western powers start caring about the laws of the third-rate country? Like, my venture in the Middle East could potentially make the United States have possession of the largest oil reserves in the world and they are preventing me? Are they right in the head? Since when did we care about that? Looking back, the United States has a history of dealing with uncivilized nations. If they don't give us what they want, they'll get it by force." 

Morgan, on the other end of the line, listened intently as Poul vented his frustration and shared his thoughts on the situation. After a brief pause, Morgan replied. 

"I understand your emotions, Mr. Nielsen, I truly do."

"Like, Jonathan and I have been bringing miracles and riches into this country, and we are getting this treatment? This is unfair, this is not the United States that I learned in history. Tell the president, Mr. Morgan, that if Congress didn't drop the congressional hearing, I swear I will end my ties with the government. I don't care what will happen to me. 

Morgan maintained a composed tone as he responded to Poul's impassioned words. "I'll see what I can do, Mr. Nielsen. But let me ask you this. Should the president drop the congressional hearing for your private military company? What will you do?" 

"What will I do?" Poul repeated. "First off, I'm going to teach Saudi Arabia what it means to defy the United States. They have been harassing my workers in Dammam, blaming it on the militia even though they have connections from it." 

"By teaching, you mean?" Morgan asked.

"I'm declaring war, Mr. Morgan," Poul revealed. "I have enough militia here in the United States that can take over an entire country. I just need the government to sanction it, and we'll do the heavy lifting. This is how infuriated I am, Mr. Morgan." 

"But Saudi Arabia made deals with the United Kingdom, I don't think they'll stand by should you resort to that action, Mr. Nielsen," Morgan voiced his concern. 

"The United Kingdom won't do such a thing, especially not in the United States. We have defeated them in the War of 812, and we will defeat them again. The United States will not be dictated to by a faraway kingdom, and I'll ensure that" Poul declared. 

"I'll relay that to the president, Mr. Nielsen," Morgan said. "Hearing you made me wake up. This is not the United States that I know. Perhaps you can knock some sense to them, Mr. Nielsen. Do you have anything you would want me to do?" 

"That will be all, Mr. Morgan, thank you," Poul said. 

Morgan nodded, even though Poul couldn't see the gesture through the telephone. 

"Very well, Mr. Nielsen."

With that, they bid each other farewell, leaving Poul to continue gazing out of the window as he put the receiver back on its hook. 

"Amelia!" Poul called and Amelia entered his office promptly.

"What can I do for you, Poul?" Amelia asked politely. 

"I want you to write a letter to Captain Richard in the Middle East. Tell him he is no longer on the defensive, I want him on the offensive. Flush every militia out of Saudi Arabia if he has to."