Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World



After Poul's offer of a position to Carl Benz, he left his station and made his way back to his own.

Poul parked the automobile inside their tents and turned off its engines before stepping out from it. 

"Yow, Jonathan," Poul called. "I got some news for you."

"Really? Well make it quick as I have a date with Caroline," Jonathan said as he straightened his suit and tie. 

"I offered Carl Benz a position in our new enterprise, and he accepted. I think it'd be best if we have someone with expertise in automobiles." 

"Is that so?" Jonathan raised a brow. "Well, I can agree on that, perhaps we should invite Henry Ford as well. You know, having them two together would definitely make our automobile enterprise formidable, don't you think?" he glanced back at Poul who chuckled in response.

"That is for sure, after all, we are eliminating potential competition in the automobile market. Okay, that would be all, Jonathan. Enjoy your date with Caroline. Speaking of which, I also have a date, which means we have to leave everything behind to…" Poul paused as he shifted his gaze to the two engineers working in the tent. It was Timothy and Walter.

"You two, should someone come looking for us, tell them that they come back tomorrow as we are busy doing things. You know the usual," Poul said.

"But sir I also have a date," Timothy protested and continued. "Besides, Walter can handle things here on his own." 

"Heh?" Walter mused. "Leaving me here while you go out and have all the fun? Don't worry, I'll make sure everything runs smoothly here."

Poul nodded, satisfied with their response. "Don't worry Walter, I'll give you a pay raise once we get back to the United States. For now, I want you to look after this station and make sure everything is in order. We will return in two hours, so not that long a wait."

"Understood, sir," Walter said with a nod.

Poul and Jonathan left the tent and headed toward their respective meetup. Poul saw Sara in the Japanese section, admiring Japanese calligraphy being made by an old Japanese lady in a kimono. 

He approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. She jumped in surprise but then relaxed as she recognized his touch.

"Hey, what do you think?" she asked, pointing at the calligraphy.

"It looks nice, but you know what I like more than that?" he replied, whispering into her ear.

"What?" she giggled.

"You," he said, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

Sara blushed and playfully pushed him away. "Come on, Poul, we're in public."

"Alright, alright," Poul chuckled and watched together as the Japanese lady continued her calligraphy work. He marveled at the delicate strokes of the brush as the ink flowed smoothly on the paper, creating a beautiful design of Japanese characters.

The atmosphere around the Japanese section was serene and peaceful, with the sounds of traditional music played on a koto and the smell of incense filling the air. Poul and Sara walked around, admiring the intricate art pieces on display, from hand-painted fans to delicate porcelain vases.

As they strolled through the section, Poul noticed a group of people gathered around a small stage, where a woman in a kimono was performing a traditional dance. Her movements were graceful and precise, and her costume was adorned with intricate embroidery and patterns. 

"Now this is looking more like a world's fair," Poul commented. "You think we should buy some of their pots ?" he asked, gesturing towards the porcelain vases.

Sara smiled. "Sure, why not? We can bring them back as souvenirs."

They made their way toward the pottery section, admiring the various styles and designs of the vases on display. Poul was particularly drawn to a blue and white porcelain vase with a dragon motif.

"This one's nice," he said, pointing at the vase. "What do you think?"

Sara examined it closely. "It's beautiful." 

"Then we will take it," 

Poul said, and they purchased the vase before continuing their exploration of the fair. 

As they walked, they saw another section where a pavilion making traditional Indian textiles was set up. Poul and Sara approached it, curious about the colorful fabrics on display.

They were greeted by a friendly Indian man who welcomed them and explained the intricate process of creating the textiles. He showed them how the yarn was dyed in various colors, then spun and woven into beautiful patterns and designs.

The next stop was the Chinese section, where they were greeted by a lively atmosphere filled with the sounds of drums and cymbals. A group of Chinese acrobats was performing impressive feats of balance and strength, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.

Poul and Sara stood among the audience, clapping and cheering as the acrobats performed their stunts with precision and grace. They were amazed at the flexibility and agility of the performers, who seemed to defy the laws of gravity with their acrobatics.

Lastly was from Belgium, where countless displays of chocolates and pastries were presented in a grand pavilion. Poul and Sara's eyes widened as they took in the vast array of sweets on display, from delicate pralines to rich chocolate truffles.

"Belgium is great at making chocolates, maybe we can take some back home for our friends?" Sara suggested.

Poul nodded, already imagining the delight on their worker's faces as they savored the delicious treats. They walked towards the pavilion and were greeted by a friendly Belgian woman who explained the different varieties of chocolates and pastries on display.

They couldn't resist trying some of the samples, savoring the rich flavors and textures of the chocolate. Poul's favorite was a dark chocolate truffle with a hint of raspberry, while Sara preferred a milk chocolate praline filled with hazelnut cream.

After picking out a variety of chocolates and pastries to take back with them, Poul and Sara thanked the woman and continued their exploration of the fair. They wandered through more pavilions, each showcasing the unique culture and traditions of different countries.

As the day began to draw to a close, Poul and Sara realized they had seen most of the fair and decided to make their way back to their station. Just as they arrived there, Jonathan and Caroline came up to them.

"Hey, you two! How was the fair?" Jonathan asked.

"It was good," Poul remarked and continued. "We even bought a few souvenirs." 

"I see, well, there's not much to say from us," Jonathan said, placing an arm over Caroline's shoulders.

As they were having their conversation, a group of men approached their tent.

"Is this the Axelsen and Nielsen Company booth?" The man asked.

"Yes, it is…" 

As soon as his eyes landed on the man who inquired, it widened. Sara too had the same reaction. They recognized the man. 

"Prince Alexander?" 

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