Building a Conglomerate in Another World

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Hesh Industries' Washington office as Matthew Hesh sat at his desk, reviewing the latest production schedules. The hum of machinery outside and the rhythmic tapping of Robert Anders' typewriter served as a constant reminder of the relentless pace of their work. Matthew was deep in thought, considering the latest updates on reconnaissance system development, when the phone on his desk buzzed.

"Mr. Hesh," came the voice of his secretary, "the White House is on the line. They're requesting your presence this afternoon."

Matthew's brow furrowed. "Did they say why?"

"No specifics, sir. Just that it's a matter of national importance."

Matthew leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. After the recent war declaration by Japan against China, he had anticipated further involvement with the government. Still, an invitation from the president himself carried a weight that even he couldn't ignore.

"I'll be there," he replied.

By mid-afternoon, Matthew's car pulled up to the gates of the White House. The crisp uniforms of the guards and the grandeur of the building reminded him of the seriousness of the meeting ahead. A military aide escorted him through the familiar corridors and into a private conference room where President Theodore Clay awaited him.

"Mr. Hesh," the president greeted warmly, extending a hand. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Matthew shook his hand, his expression calm but curious. "It's an honor, Mr. President. What can I do for you?"

Clay gestured to a chair across from him. "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss."

As Matthew settled into his seat, Clay wasted no time. "You're aware of the recent developments in East Asia—the war between Japan and China."

Matthew nodded. "Of course. It's impossible to ignore. And I assume this meeting has something to do with that."

Clay leaned forward, his tone measured but firm. "It does. After extensive deliberation with my cabinet and military advisors, we've reached a critical decision. The Republic has decided to authorize the sale of weaponry and vehicles from Hesh Industries to the Japanese Empire."

Matthew's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's a significant shift, Mr. President. The Republic has maintained neutrality in this conflict, and this decision could jeopardize that stance. May I ask why?"

Clay folded his hands on the table, his expression serious. "Matthew, our neutrality is not as simple as refusing to engage. Japan has approached us not just as a nation at war but as an ally with shared interests in maintaining stability in the Pacific. Their victory would secure the balance of power in East Asia, ensuring that no single nation dominates the region unchecked."

Matthew's skepticism was evident. "That's a compelling argument, Mr. President, but it doesn't address the risks. Selling advanced weaponry could escalate the conflict or embolden Japan to expand its ambitions beyond China."

Clay nodded, his tone softening. "I understand your concerns, Matthew. Believe me, I do. But we've conducted a thorough analysis. Japan's success is vital to preventing larger conflicts in the future. Their request is specific—they need defensive systems, reconnaissance equipment, and vehicles that can support their operations without causing undue destruction. By controlling what we sell and how it's used, we can influence the outcome of the war and maintain some measure of oversight."

Matthew leaned back, crossing his arms. "And how do we ensure they won't misuse the technology or reverse-engineer it to create their own versions?"

The president's gaze didn't waver. "That's where you come in, Matthew. We've structured the deal with strict terms. All systems sold will include proprietary components that are nearly impossible to replicate. Additionally, the Japanese have agreed to periodic inspections by Republic officials to verify compliance."

Matthew considered this for a moment. "Even with those measures, the risks remain high. Why now? Why the urgency?"

Clay hesitated briefly, then spoke with calculated conviction. "The urgency stems from intelligence reports indicating that other powers in the region are preparing to intervene. If Japan doesn't receive the support it needs, we could see a prolonged war destabilizing the entire Pacific. That's a scenario we cannot afford."

The room fell silent as Matthew absorbed the president's explanation. While the reasoning seemed sound, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. Still, the weight of the decision and the apparent stakes left little room for further debate.

"I see," Matthew said finally. "This is not a decision I take lightly, but I understand the necessity. If this is what's required to protect the Republic's interests, then Hesh Industries will comply."

Clay's expression softened into a faint smile of relief. "Thank you, Matthew. Your cooperation is invaluable. This isn't just about the present conflict—it's about securing a future where the Republic can continue to lead by example."

Matthew nodded, though his mind remained uneasy. "I'll need full documentation on the terms of the agreement and any additional requirements. If we're going to do this, it must be executed with precision."

"Of course," Clay assured him. "The Department of War will handle the logistics, and you'll have all the support you need."

As the meeting concluded, Clay stood, extending a hand once more. "Thank you again, Matthew. I know this isn't easy, but your role in this is vital."

Matthew shook his hand, his expression steady. "I'll do my part, Mr. President. Let's hope this decision leads to the stability we're striving for."

Later that evening, back in his office, Matthew recounted the conversation to Robert Anders. Robert listened intently, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern.

"So the president wants us to arm Japan," Robert said, leaning back in his chair. "And you agreed."

Matthew nodded. "I did. The terms are strict, and the rationale makes sense on paper. But something about the urgency feels… off."

Robert frowned. "Do you think there's more to this than what they're telling you?"
Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

"I don't know," Matthew admitted. "But if there is, it's buried deep. For now, we focus on the task at hand. Start preparing production schedules for the systems they've requested. I want everything ready for review by the end of the week."

"Understood," Robert said, jotting down notes. "Let's hope this decision doesn't come back to haunt us."