章 28: Chapter 28 Offer

~~~ Imperial Prince Sharvil of Cebu ~~~

"So? What is the reason for bringing us here, nephew?" I inquired after seeing no one from my group wanted to talk about this.

It has been a minute since we finished our meal and it was great. The imperial cooks live up to their name of being the fineness cook in the nation. His court ladies already cleaned the entire table, only leaving us the utensils used in making the green tea.

"Huh? Why so straightforward, my dear uncle? Hehehe" he jokingly said "Hayts. Distribute the copies."

Radhesh and his 4 senior courtiers then started distributing us some documents containing some letters and drawings of what appeared to be ships, guns, something called a tank, a submarine, and other more that looks like bombs or something. Which was confirmed by my nephew.

"What you are seeing right now are new weaponries that I happened to stumble upon when doing my research with the help of my people." He calmly said while flipping the documents off his side "You can see their respective names, categories, designs, material needed, and how to make them. Included are further instructions about them, in detail."

This is crazy! These documents also contain information about the drawings and one word can describe them all, disastrous. These weapons and their information alone are enough to make other nations send someone to steal these documents. They are way more advanced compared to their current counterparts, especially this new thing called tanks.

As I read the information on this thing called tanks, I can already see its potential in turning the tide of battles. If those aeroplanes give us dominance over the skies and these newly designed ships and submarines give us power over the sea, then these tanks will surely give us dominance in the land.

Now I get it why, why my nephew invited us all here today. The 4 of us have the power to persuade, produce, and fund, the construction and its mass production. Being able to get hold of one of these drawings is already enough for a whole bloodline to stay affluent for the next 6-7 generations!

But what surprises me is how quiet the people at this table are. But it looks like it won't be long before they make a noise… someone is shaking already. I cannot deny the fact that I am also shaking in excitement right now, but I have to remain calm.

"Wonderful! A-a masterpiece on its own! Hahahaha!" Minister Ali Ahmadi shakingly said while still staring at the documents in his hands.

And like a spark, the other 3 started to make a noise. Demanding an explanation and further information about the production of these weapons. Even the Dowager herself lost her composure and started to demand some explanation about the capabilities of these weapons. Luna is in no good shape either, he is frantically shouting about how these guns alone can dominate the war, which is true. As details of the drawn guns explained that these guns are capable of outperforming the current firearms used by any other nation in the world.

I for once are not in good shape either. I wasn't able to remain calm and started demanding some answer about the mechanism and capabilities of these submarines and tanks.

"Ahem!" Radhesh voiced trying to get our attention

"Everyone, I beseech you all to please settle down for a moment." Radhesh calmly said to the raging 4 individuals "I know you all are excited and a bit confused about the things that are written in the papers you all are holding right now. We will be explaining all of these to you all a moment later after you have settled down."

Hearing Radhesh's words, all of us settle down but a hint of excitement and eagerness are all plastered on our faces.

And just like that, peace returns to the entire pavilion once again. Despite the commotion a while ago, my nephew was all calm and happily sipping his tea while acting like a kid watching a group of animals' rumbles. I mean, who can blame us for acting like that? Any sane individual will lose their cool after reading the whole content of the documents. The sheer power and possibility of those things being utilised on the battlefield excite any soldier.

I could not even contain my excitement when I started imagining the possibility of those guns and bombs being installed on those aeroplanes. Those aeroplanes will not just soar in the sky but will even belittle those who are on the ground.

As I take a look at Radhesh, he and the other 3 senior courtiers are just calmly standing behind my nephew.

"Great." My nephew finally speaks after keeping quiet for some time "I hope you all can fully calm down now. It would be a waste to explain to you all the things that are written on the papers in your hand while you all are intoxicated with excitement which is making you all act like an animal." He blatantly said while looking at us one by one.

"So, as I have said, what is in front of you all are drawings and information about new weapons that can further enhance our nation's capability in defending herself from local and overseas threats." He paused before continuing "Those things are the future of our nation. And I ask you all to be here for some help."

"Help? Help for what, sir? Are you in danger?" Bonifacio inquired

"Hahaha! No, sir, I am fine. What I mean is help in making these drawings materialize in real life." My nephew said while smiling towards us

"I know that I am young, but I am also brilliant. I have created these war weapons designs that could revolutionize the way we fight wars. Although some are not new in your eyes, I assure you all that these designs are much better compared to their current counterparts. However, I cannot bring them to life on my own. I need your help.

"I know that you are all experts in your respective fields. You have the perfect men who have the knowledge and the skills to make my designs a reality. Together, we can create weapons that will make our country stronger and safer.

"This is not just about me. This is about our country. We need to be prepared for any threat, both foreign and domestic. With your help, we can create a force that will deter any aggressor…"

There it is. My nephew's enchanting words. The same tactics he used in bringing me to his side. Even the entire senior members of our family and our respective partners were drawn to his side because of his words. This is the reason why no one questions his ability to stand toe-to-toe with an adult in governing and revolutionizing the household.

Heck! Even that damn Prime Minister Emilio Aguinaldo and the most brilliant doctor in the empire, Doctor José Protacio Rizal, were convinced and coaxed to his side. And just recently, the high-ranking members of the Imperial military are now slowly being drawn under his fold after the introduction of those aeroplanes. Even the temple was not spared under his ever-expanding networks of people.

My brother and I even joke once that if ever his son wanted to stage a coup to overthrow him, it won't take weeks for my brother to be captured by his son's own forces, which he acknowledged as possible. My sister-in-law even once said that she is confident enough to say that his son, despite how young he is, can lead the imperial household to survive for a few more generations.

"I know that you all are sceptical. You may all think that I am just a child with grandiose dreams. But I am not. I am a child with a vision. And I need your help to make that vision a reality." He then stands up while seriously staring at us before continuing "So, I ask you all, will you all help me? Will you all help us create a better future for our country? Our motherland?"

What shocks me is not the content of his speech, but what his eyes are saying. Unlike his usual jolly eyes, his current eyes are full of passion and visions, visions for the betterment of this country that even the Prime Minister nor my brother have at his level. I never thought I would say this but, his dreams are bottomless, even his eyes are screaming for conquests.

The entire table remains quiet for a few minutes after my nephew's short speech. But I am confident that he manages to sway them all already. How did I know it? Their expression and gestures. They are all fidgeting, not because they are nervous, they are fidgeting out of excitement, and I totally get them.

"How?" Dowager Melchora suddenly said "How can we help? And what will we get in return? A business is still a business, Sir."

"Hmm… Indeed. Well, you can help me in constructing some of the drawings that are there." My nephew said before categorizing the drawings by ships, weapons, submarines, tanks, artillery, and explosives "If I remember correctly, Madam. Your company specializes in making military weapons, am I right, uncle?"

"Mm-Hmm. Dowager Viscountess Melchora of Looc owns the Golden Lotus Armory. The biggest military grade weapon producer in the entire nation and abroad." I replied while nodding towards my nephew who is now back in drinking some tea "You need to get easy on that tea."

"I know, uncle." He plainly said before putting down his cup of tea "Since your company specializes in weaponry, I would like you to develop and mass produce these weapons exclusively for the use of the Imperial Army. These weapons should not be sold to other nations nor to the civilians, the transaction shall only be between your company and the government. But before we continue our discussion about the content of these documents, I would like to hear your assurance of cooperation first. Am I correct, Minister Ali Ahmadi?"

"Aye, Sir!" Minister Ali Ahmadi replied while hastily composing himself before standing up "Ahem! As per instruction from the Prime Minister and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. The government of Butuan would like to enter into an exclusive agreement with your respective companies, Dowager Melchora and Sir Andrés Bonifacio."

"So, my brother and the Prime Minister already know about this? Then, why did you act so surprised after seeing the whole document?" I inquired. My brother never said anything about this to me and I hated it when I am oblivious to something like this.

"Uhm… Yes, Sir. A few days ago, his imperial majesty the emperor called me personally about this whole meeting, but he never mentions the specific content of the documents. He only told me to listen and be crafty, I just fully understand what he meant after seeing the contents of the documents and the purpose of this meeting." He replied awkwardly.

"Tsk! I really need to talk to my brother after this." I said a bit annoyed on only knowing the whole purpose of the meeting now.

"Calm down, Uncle. Hehehehe" my nephew said why giggling "My papa is still recuperating. It would do him no good if you suddenly pounce at him."

"Oh! He will be recuperating much longer." I jokingly said which made my nephew smile and the others shakes their head.

"Ahem! Anyways, just like what Crown Prince Siagu have said, the partnership between your companies and the government will be exclusive. The government is requesting your assistance in producing these military weapons for the empire. We understand that you are both leaders in the field of manufacturing, and we believe that you have the expertise and resources to help us achieve our goals." Minister Ali Ahmadi said while looking at the two business heads.

Dowager Melchora and Sir Bonifacio remain quiet after listening to Minister Ali Ahmadi's words while looking at the documents in their hands, contemplating.

"I am not against the production of these weapons, Sir. But same as to what I have asked a while ago… What can we get out from this?" Dowager Melchora inquired as she focused her attention on Minister Ali, who is now looking at my nephew who just nods his head, signalling the minister to answer the inquiry.

"We are aware that this is a significant undertaking, but we believe that it is essential for the security of our empire. We are offering you a generous contract that will provide you with significant financial rewards. We are also offering you exclusive access to government contracts, which will give you a significant advantage over your competitors." Minister Ali Ahmadi confidently replied

"We understand that you may be hesitant to cooperate with the government in this venture, especially the uncertainty of the success in realizing these drawings. However, we believe that the benefits we are offering are too good to pass up, especially if we will be able to successfully materialize these drawings. But if you still do not want to cooperate with us, the fields are vast enough for us to lack any ship to tame." My nephew calmly said, which made me smile realizing how good he is in managing these kinds of affairs.

Minister Ali Ahmadi takes his sit while the 2 company heads are deeply contemplating the government and my nephew's offer. It is hard to decide on this one actually. The prospect of venturing into unsure technology is a huge risk for companies, whether they are big or not. One bad investment can ruin their hard work and might result in their collapse.

"If I were them, I will accept the offer." Luna quietly said as he smiles sinisterly while looking at the drawings of what is called 'IS Tank Family', submarines, warships, and artilleries.

A few minutes of silence rules the entire area. The two business owners were unable to give the answer to my nephew.

This is making me worry now. I know that the government and the military have the capacity to develop these war weapons and machineries on their own, but we are still tied down in developing those aeroplanes. Despite my nephew giving us detailed information about those aeroplanes, making them into reality is not that easy. It takes a lot of resources just to develop those 3 aeroplanes. That is why, involving these two biggest companies in this venture will be a huge help for us to continually expand our arsenal without harming the other industries of the country.

"Nephew, are you certain that these two will help us in this one?" I worriedly ask while he just calmly flips the documents in his hands.

"Hmmm… you don't have to worry, Uncle. They will agree to our offer." He calmly replied while smiling towards me "Look at their faces now…" I then take a look at the faces of Bonifacio and Dowager Melchora, and my nephew is right. The once faces coated with reserve and hesitation are now being replaced with excitement and vision. Just like how an eagle sees its prey after not being able to eat for almost a month.

"I assume you two already made your decision?" my nephew said while calmly looking at the two. His words caught the attention of the other two on the table, making them look at the two company heads.

"Yes, Sir." Bonifacio noddingly replied. "The Golden Lotus Armory and the Mineral Enterprises will happily cooperate with the government and the imperial family in bringing these plans into reality."

Hearing Bonifacio's answer, a smile forms on my and Minister Ali's faces finally seeing the possibility of bringing these drawings into reality. Luna on the other hand is clapping happily hearing Bonifacio's response while endorsing the drawing of the 'IS Tank Family' to Bonifacio and Dowager Melchora.

"Great! On behalf of my father, the emperor, and the government of Butuan. We thank you for accepting the offer." My nephew happily said "The Government of Butuan along with the Golden Lotus Armory and the Mineral Enterprises shall join together in building a new separate corporation that will be funded by the government and your companies. The corporation will be the sole private corporation that will be responsible for building the Empire's military arsenal and maintaining it, is this okay with the three of you?"

Hearing my nephew's statement, the three of them nod in agreement since this information is written on the second page of the document.

"Regarding the people who will manage this corporation on top, Sir?" Minister Ali said

"As written in there, the corporation shall be headed by retired military intelligent officers. No outsiders shall be allowed to hold any position in the corporation that can risk the possibility of information being leaked." My nephew said while looking at the three representatives of the government and their respective private companies. "Of course, the government will be paying for every purchase she makes."

"But we shall further discuss the content of the contract later. Let us just first talk about the contents of these documents. As you can see, the content of the document is categorised into different types. Tanks, submarines, warships, guns, artilleries, and ammunition and bombs."

The flipping sounds of papers echoes to the entire pavilion while all of us started to flip the documents. The contest started from simple designs that can be made in just a year or two into much more complicated ones that will take some time to make.

"Confused again, am I right?" my nephew mischievously said "Do not be excited in looking at those much powerful yet complicated designs everyone."

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Author's note:

Hi, everyone. I know this chapter's kind of rushed. Sorry for that. Hope you all like this chapter.