industrial lord

Chapter 790 Letters from afar
As Frederick contemplated the future in the hot springs, the city of Budvis awoke at dawn in the depths of winter. A leaden sky hung low, and fine snow fell softly, covering the city that had been ravaged by war and was now struggling to rise from the ruins.

The ruins have all been cleared away, and the snow has given the newly built houses a clean, silvery coat.

Since the start of "Project Maria", the city has changed dramatically every month, with brand-new brick and stone buildings radiating vitality on both sides of the newly paved cement streets.

On the edge of the city, a plume of white steam rose as the first train of the day, fully loaded with goods, departed from the station.

Smoke began to rise from the chimneys in the city, and a faint smell of smoke filled the cold air.

Not far from the train station, the most imposing red-brick building in the area is gradually coming to life.

Behind the Holleček Brewery office building, tall chimneys were already billowing white smoke that blended into the sky.

The factory owner, Holleček, the mayor of Budvis and brewery manager, stepped into the office building, enveloped in a chilling aura.

Before he could even take off his thick felt hat, which was covered in glistening snowflakes, his anxious gaze swept quickly across the hallway and finally landed on his secretary, who was already waiting respectfully to his side.

"Was that batch of wine from yesterday sent to Carlsbad?" he began, the crisp air drawing long wisps of white smoke from his breath.

His voice carried a hint of tension, as if the fate of that batch of beer was inextricably linked to his personal life and even the very breath of the entire city.

The secretary, clearly familiar with the mayor's temperament, immediately bowed and replied in a steady and clear voice, "Please rest assured, Mr. Mayor."

"The batch of beer specially supplied to the Duke of Wessen was loaded onto trucks overnight and was all loaded before dawn."

"At 7:30 this morning, the train departed from the platform on time, bound for Carlsbad."

Hearing this definite answer, Holleček's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

He took off his hat, skillfully brushed off the soft snow, revealing a face etched with deep lines by time and toil, yet still sharp-eyed and as sharp as ever.

This brewery is no longer just his personal property; it is the heart and symbol of the city of Budvis's resurgence from the ashes.

The most crucial element was gaining the favor and approval of Archduke Frederick von Weisen.

Frederick and Maria's symbolic visit two years ago brought not only much-needed reconstruction funds, but also unreserved praise for local products, and most importantly, the railway that leads here.

Today, every bottle of Budvis beer bears the imposing double-headed eagle emblem of the Wesson family on its label.

That's why, even though his beer is priced significantly higher than similar products, it's still in high demand and short supply, with orders pouring in from all directions.

However, supreme glory also means heavier responsibilities and deeper dependence.

Holleček strode toward his warm, slightly cluttered office, his mind racing with calculations.

Last winter was exceptionally cold and the low temperatures persisted, leading to widespread crop failures across the country this year. Even the price of barley, the main ingredient in brewing beer, has skyrocketed, and the supply is tight.

On the contrary, rye, which is more cold-resistant, was less affected, and its price remained relatively stable.

This situation forced him to make a bold and risky attempt: to develop a new type of beer with rye as the main ingredient.

After repeated adjustments, the new beer finally reached his satisfaction.

This rye beer has a unique black color, quite different from traditional barley beer. It is clear, with a dry and refreshing taste, and a subtle, elusive spiciness in the finish, making it unique and memorable.

He was quite confident in the quality of the wine, but market acceptance, especially the attitude of Grand Duke Frederick, who was far away in Carlsbad and whose tastes were always unpredictable, weighed heavily on his mind like a boulder.

What if Grand Duke Wessen dislikes this unprecedented flavor...?

Just thinking about this possibility sent a chill down Holleček's spine, a chill that was more intense than the wind and snow outside, penetrating straight to his heart.

His brewery, and even the nascent and fragile economic recovery of Budvis, are inextricably linked to the glittering brand of "Grand Duke of Wessen's Special Supply," and cannot afford the slightest mishap.

Therefore, in this regular shipment to Carlsbad, he deliberately added dozens of cases of this newly brewed rye beer, carefully marking them as "special samples," feeling both apprehensive and hopeful, eager to receive a clear and positive signal from them.

As he stepped into the office, the flickering flames in the fireplace immediately dispelled the chill that enveloped him.

He habitually looked first at the pile of documents on the large oak table.

At the very top, a letter from Langnar City in the Duchy of Wesen immediately caught his attention.

The envelope was of excellent quality, sturdy and thick, with an intact sealing wax seal. The signature was a name he had vaguely heard of but had never met before—Hojenproz.

Rumors about this man circulated among the common people, and he was quite legendary. It was said that in his early years he was a notorious thief who struck fear into the hearts of everyone along the Rhine River, appearing and disappearing like the wind, and possessing unparalleled audacity.

Later, for reasons unknown, he was subdued by Grand Duke Frederick and reformed, embarking on the right path.

Today, he is not only a councilor in Langner, but also the owner of a well-known duck cannery and down jacket factory, a model of reforming his ways and becoming wealthy.

Holleček recalled that apart from buying a few down jackets, he had never had any interaction with him. Now, suddenly receiving a letter, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and instinctive wariness.

He carefully cut open the envelope with a knife and took out the letter inside.

Hojenproz's handwriting, as rumored, carries a rough and straightforward quality, but his wording is surprisingly polite and appropriate.

The letter began with polite greetings, praising the rapid reconstruction of Budvis City, as well as the excellent quality and widespread reputation of its beer.

Then, they got straight to the point.

Hojenproz mentioned that many anglers from the Duchy of Wessen Fishing Association have repeatedly stated that the area around Budvis City is dotted with waterways, ponds, and lakes, with clear water, making it an ideal place for developing waterfowl farming.

Now that the railway connecting Budvis City to the railway network of the Duchy of Wesen is fully operational, transportation has become extremely convenient, and thus he has a clear intention to cooperate.

He hopes to invest in Budevis City, raise ducks on a large scale, and establish a duck canning factory and a down jacket factory on the spot.

Holleček was quite moved after reading this part of the letter.

This is indeed a good idea that can make full use of local natural resources to develop industry, create more jobs, and further stimulate economic growth. It coincides with his plan that after the city's revitalization, citizens can drink beer freely and sell more beer themselves.

However, the seemingly casual and understated addition at the end of the letter truly and precisely hit the nail on the head regarding his biggest worry at the moment.

At the end, Hojenproz seems to casually mention that the weather is unusual and food supplies are tight in various places. He imagines that the supply of the fine barley that Mr. Holleczek needs to brew beer must also be quite difficult.

He happens to know some friends who have special connections that allow them to reliably import top-quality barley from warmer, less affected areas in the south. Perhaps the two sides can discuss this in detail in the future.

Holleček put down the letter, leaned back in his high-backed chair, asked his secretary to bring him a cup of warm tea, and then began to think seriously.

Outside the window, the fine snow continued to fall silently, and the deep, continuous rumble of the brewery boiler could be faintly heard, like the heartbeat of the city's revival.

Hojenproz's proposal was like a ray of strong sunlight, piercing through the heavy gloom that had accumulated in him due to the shortage of raw materials in recent days.

Cooperative duck farming, establishing processing plants, and introducing stable barley supply channels are merely the ostensible, mutually beneficial business expansions. The real, more tempting and strategically valuable bargaining chip for him at this moment is the implicit invitation—to join the merchant circle of the Duchy of Weisen.

The surrounding merchants all knew that a little-known merchant in the iron mine town to the north had made a fortune just by being a middleman, because two years ago his daughter ran off with a merchant from the Duchy of Weisen nicknamed "Prince".

Barley is in short supply, and Holleček has tried every means to purchase it from surrounding areas, but the gap remains large.

He had considered purchasing from more distant places, but he was unfamiliar with the area and didn't know where to buy the goods even though he had the money.

If we can get to know the merchants of the Duchy of Wesen through Hozenproz and expand our sources of information, we can not only ensure the supply of raw materials, but also further expand our trade routes.

Holleczek couldn't help but marvel at how this former thief, now a political and business figure, clearly possessed an exceptional understanding of negotiation and human nature, and had precisely seized upon his weaknesses from the very first move.

He stood up, walked to the window again, and gazed at the city skyline outside, covered in white snow but revealing a tenacious vitality.

Partnering with Hozenproz will undoubtedly bind Budvis City more closely to the rapidly developing economic train of the Duchy of Wesen, thereby gaining more resources, more stable security, and a broader market.

On the other hand, this also means that he will be more deeply involved in the complex network of interests within the Rhine Alliance, and will have to establish a subtle and complex relationship of interests with that legendary, complex-minded bandit turned businessman.

Risk and opportunity always go hand in hand.

Holleček took a deep breath of the cool, fresh air seeping in through the window cracks; the chill made him feel exceptionally clear-headed and calm.

He made a clear decision almost instantly.

This deal, from any perspective, deserves to be discussed in depth and with seriousness.

As for political matters, as early as two years ago, when the Duchy of Wesen began the "Maria Project" and the city of Budvis decided to join, the city had already chosen its side.

Holleček turned back to his desk, spread out a sheet of paper, picked up a dip pen, and prepared to write a reply to the councilor Hojenproz, who was far away in Langner, with warm but cautious wording and an open yet measured attitude.

This winter in Budvis may quietly bring about some profound changes because of this unexpected letter.

(End of this chapter)