Building a Conglomerate in Another World

The war in East Asia dragged on into the first year, with no end in sight. The Chinese counteroffensive had pushed the Japanese forces off the mainland, but skirmishes continued along the coastal waters and in contested islands. Both nations were heavily dependent on supplies from the Great Republic of Amerathia to sustain their war efforts, and Hesh Industries stood at the center of the conflict.

In the sprawling Hesh Industries headquarters in Sylvania, Matthew Hesh reviewed the latest quarterly financial report in his office. The numbers were staggering. Revenue from weapon sales to Japan and China had doubled in the past year, and a new buyer had entered the picture: Korea.

"Matthew," Robert Anders said as he entered the office with another stack of papers. "You’re going to want to see this."

Matthew looked up from the report. "What is it, Robert?"

Robert placed the documents on the desk. "It’s the contract from the Korean delegation. They’ve placed an initial order for rifles, mortars, and light armored vehicles. They’re preparing for the possibility of getting dragged into the conflict."

Matthew nodded, flipping through the pages. "Smart move on their part. If this war spills into the Korean Peninsula, they’ll need to be ready. And if it doesn’t, they’ll still have a modernized arsenal."

Robert smirked. "And we’ll have another client in the region. Everyone wins."

"Except the people fighting the war," Matthew said, his tone grim. "This isn’t just business, Robert. It’s a blood-soaked balancing act. Every weapon we sell keeps the conflict alive." Enjoy new adventures at NovelBin.Côm

Robert hesitated. "Do you think we’re doing the right thing? Selling to both sides, and now to Korea?"

Matthew leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Right or wrong doesn’t matter in this business. What matters is maintaining balance. If one side gains too much power, the entire region collapses. We’re keeping that from happening."

Robert sighed but nodded. "I’ll finalize the Korean contract."

"Good," Matthew said. "And make sure the delivery is discreet. We don’t need anyone knowing how far our reach extends."

In Seoul, the Korean government was abuzz with activity. Ministers and military leaders debated the best way to prepare for the potential spread of the war. Ambassador Han Min-Jae, who had negotiated the deal with Hesh Industries, returned from Amerathia with news of the shipment.

"Our first delivery will arrive within the month," Han reported to the cabinet. "Modern rifles, mortars, and light armored vehicles. This will put us on par with the Chinese and Japanese militaries." @@novelbin@@

The Minister of Defense nodded. "It’s a significant investment, but it’s necessary. We can’t afford to be caught unprepared."

Across the peninsula, Korean factories ramped up production to support the integration of the new equipment. Hesh engineers and trainers, flown in under the guise of civilian consultants, worked closely with the Korean military to ensure a smooth transition.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the war had devolved into a brutal stalemate. The Chinese navy, bolstered by coastal defenses and advanced targeting systems, repelled repeated Japanese attempts to retake key ports. Japanese submarines, armed with Hesh torpedoes, harassed Chinese shipping lanes, disrupting supply chains.

In the skies, reconnaissance planes and bombers from both nations clashed in deadly dogfights. Hesh Industries had supplied advanced targeting systems to both sides, making every engagement a high-tech game of cat and mouse.

On the ground, the situation was equally grim. In northern China, Chinese forces used Hesh armored vehicles to launch a devastating assault on Japanese supply depots. In retaliation, Japanese artillery, equipped with precision-guided munitions, leveled entire villages suspected of harboring Chinese troops.

Back at Hesh Industries, the factory floors operated around the clock. Workers assembled rifles, mortars, and vehicles at an unprecedented pace. The clanging of metal and the hum of machinery echoed through the massive facility, a testament to the company’s role as the lifeblood of the war economy.

In a high-level meeting, Matthew and his top executives discussed the future.

"Our production capacity is maxed out," said Henry Grayson, head of manufacturing. "We’re meeting current demand, but if the Koreans place another large order, we’ll need to expand."

Matthew nodded. "Then expand. Acquire more facilities if necessary. We can’t afford delays."

"And what about logistics?" asked Sarah Klein, head of operations. "We’ve already had issues with transporting shipments discreetly. If the wrong parties find out—"

"Then we deal with it," Matthew interrupted. "Use decoy shipments, staggered routes, whatever it takes. Our clients expect results, not excuses."

In Washington, President Clay watched the developments closely. His administration’s decision to allow Hesh Industries to supply all sides of the conflict had drawn quiet criticism from some corners, but the economic benefits were undeniable. The war had boosted Amerathia’s economy, creating jobs and filling government coffers with tax revenue.

Gardner entered the Oval Office with a report. "Mr. President, the latest figures are in. Tax revenue from Hesh Industries has surpassed projections."

Clay smirked. "As I said, Gardner, this war is the best thing that’s happened to us. Let the rest of the world tear itself apart. We’ll be stronger for it."

"But what happens when the war ends?" Gardner asked. "When the dust settles, won’t they turn their attention to us?"

Clay waved him off. "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, we keep playing the game."

As the war dragged on, the human toll became impossible to ignore. Villages were razed, cities reduced to rubble, and countless lives lost. Refugees flooded into neighboring regions, their stories painting a grim picture of the conflict’s devastation.

In his private moments, even Matthew couldn’t ignore the cost. Sitting in his office late one night, he stared at a photograph of his factory workers, their faces proud but weary.

"How much longer can we keep this up?" he muttered to himself.

Robert entered, holding a fresh batch of reports. "The Korean shipment arrived safely," he said. "They’re already integrating the equipment."

Matthew nodded but didn’t look up. "Good. Let’s hope they don’t need to use it."

For now, the war showed no signs of ending. And as long as it continued, Hesh Industries would remain at the center of it all, profiting from a conflict that seemed destined to consume the region.