Building the First Industrial Empire in Another World Chapter 42: We’ll Talk About It

Hearing that, Laurent was shocked.

"Thirty million? Are you hearing yourself?"

"Yes," Ernest said calmly. "Twenty to thirty million, and can be higher. I an you are not the only one investing right, you can divide it among yourselves. And I want an exclusive clause where only the Helmarte Soap Works operate in the country for five years, which ans I want the permits and licenses of that company revoked. As the head of the rchant guild, for sure you can do that right? After all, you control comrce. That exclusivity clause would ensure that you will earn your money fast. And as for stakes, we can give you about twenty percent."

The room imdiately beca silent.

Actually, even Hollen looked at Ernest as if he had suddenly grown another head.

Twenty percent.

That was not a small number.

Not at all.

Because ownership represented future profit.

Future control.

Future wealth.

Then Hollen frowned.

"Wait."

He looked toward Ernest.

"You aren’t expecting to give up twenty percent of my shares, are you?"

"Of course not."

That answer ca imdiately.

Actually, Ernest had already calculated this before speaking.

The forge owner visibly relaxed slightly.

Then Ernest grabbed a blank parchnt from Laurent’s desk and began writing.

Current ownership:

Hollen: 65%

Ernest: 35%

Then he drew another column.

After investnt:

Hollen: 50%

Ernest: 30%

rchant Guild Consortium: 20%

Laurent narrowed his eyes.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

anwhile Hollen stared at the figures.

"Hold on."

The forge owner pointed toward the paper.

"You lose five percent."

"Yes."

"And I lose fifteen."

"Yes."

"And sohow you’re fine with that?"

Actually, Laurent wanted to hear the answer too.

Because from a negotiation standpoint, Ernest voluntarily giving up part of his own stake was unusual.

Very unusual.

Then Ernest leaned back.

"Hollen."

"What?"

"How much is sixty-five percent of a small company?"

The forge owner frowned.

"What kind of question is that?"

"A serious one."

Then Ernest tapped the paper.

"Right now, the Helmarte Soap Works is worth perhaps ten million riels."

Actually, that was a conservative estimate.

The factory alone represented a substantial asset.

Then there were inventories.

Distribution contracts.

Brand value.

Working capital.

Future earnings.

The real value was probably higher.

Then Ernest continued.

"Sixty-five percent of ten million is six and a half million."

Hollen nodded slowly.

"Okay."

"Now imagine we secure thirty million riels."

Actually, Laurent almost laughed hearing Ernest casually say thirty million as if it were pocket change.

The amount remained absurd.

Still.

He listened.

"Imagine we beco the largest hygiene manufacturer in the kingdom."

Then he looked directly at Hollen.

"Would you rather own sixty-five percent of ten million?"

"Or fifty percent of one hundred million?"

Silence.

Actually...

That was a powerful argunt.

Because it shifted the discussion completely.

Ownership percentage ant nothing without context.

Value mattered.

A smaller slice of a much larger pie could easily beco worth more.

Much more.

Then Ernest continued.

"The mistake many businessn make is becoming obsessed with ownership percentages. They protect their shares, they refuse dilution, they refuse outside capital, they refuse partnerships, and then they stay small forever."

"Where are you learning it?" Hollen asked.

"I’m just rambling based on observation," Ernest said and then continued.

"I don’t need a passive investor. I need a strategic investor."

That imdiately caught Laurent’s attention.

"Strategic?"

"Yes."

"Money is only part of what you’re bringing."

Then Ernest began counting.

"Trade connections, distribution networks, guild influence, political relationships."

If Laurent only brought money, twenty percent would be expensive.

But Laurent brought sothing far more valuable, speed.

"So, would that be possible, Guildmaster?"

The guildmaster’s eyes moved between Ernest and the figures written on the parchnt.

Twenty percent.

Thirty million riels.

Five-year exclusivity.

Nationwide expansion.

Factory construction.

New distribution networks.

Actually, what Ernest was proposing was no longer a business investnt.

It was industrial expansion on a national scale.

Several monts passed before Laurent finally spoke.

"I won’t lie."

His voice had beco more serious now.

"It’s attractive."

That imdiately caught Hollen’s attention.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Then Laurent continued.

"The Helmarte Soap Works is already profitable. However, thirty million riels is not a decision I can make alone."

"That’s understandable, given the stake here," Ernest said understandingly. "How much ti before we can expect a reply?"

"About two weeks," Laurent answered.

Ernest nodded.

That was acceptable. The Guildmaster was taking it seriously.

"As for Silver Brook."

That imdiately got both Ernest’s and Hollen’s attention.

The Guildmaster folded his hands.

"Officially, I cannot revoke licenses simply because you dislike a competitor."

"That’s unfortunate."

"Yes."

Then a faint smile appeared on Laurent’s face.

"However..."If we finalize this investnt agreent. If the Guild Consortium commits twenty to thirty million riels. If the Helmarte Soap Works becos a strategic industrial partner of the rchant Guild..."

Then his smile widened slightly.

"I am certain that our inspectors can take a much closer look at Silver Brook’s operations."

He understood what he ant.

"Let’s just say that if they fail to et guild standards, the consequences would be their own responsibility."

"That’s more like it," Ernest smiled and rose to his feet. "Okay, this should conclude our business."

Laurent stood as well.

"Then I shall contact you once I have spoken with the others."

"I’ll be waiting."

The three n shook hands.

Monts later, Ernest and Hollen exited the Guildmaster’s office.

The guards opened the doors behind them.

The receptionist nodded politely as they passed.

Several guild employees glanced curiously toward them.

Apparently, word had already spread that another important eting was taking place upstairs.

Neither man spoke while descending the stairs.

Nor while crossing the reception hall.

Nor while exiting the rchant Guild headquarters.

Only after they climbed into the carriage did Hollen finally break the silence.

For several monts, the forge owner simply stared at Ernest.

"Do you even understand what just happened in there?"

Ernest shrugged.

"We negotiated."

"No."

Hollen shook his head.

"You just asked the rchant Guild for thirty million riels."

"You wanted investnt right? That’s the investnt. Now, we can now return to our work peacefully without concerning ourselves with that Silver Brook," Ernest said.