Building the First Industrial Empire in Another World

Chapter 83: New Hygiene Products

The date was June 12th, 1512. Three years since his reincarnation as Ernest Teucher in this alternate medieval world. He had reached the age of fourteen, and his body had grown to one hundred and seventy centimeters.

The thin, overworked body he possessed when he first arrived in this world was long gone. Years of walking through construction sites, climbing factory stairs, inspecting workshops, and occasionally helping workers move materials had given him a surprisingly athletic build. His shoulders had broadened, his arms had become lean and defined, and the constant exposure to sunlight had tanned his skin considerably. If someone compared him to the sickly office worker from his previous life, they would never believe they were the same person.

More importantly, he no longer looked like a child.

At least, not entirely.

He still possessed the youthful features of a fourteen-year-old, but there was something in his eyes that made people hesitate. Years of managing factories, negotiating with merchants, and overseeing projects worth millions of riels had given him a calm confidence far beyond his age.

At this point, most people in Belfast no longer saw him as merely Hollen’s young business partner.

They saw him as Master Ernest Teucher.

The founder of Helmarte Machine Works.

The co-owner of Helmarte Soap Works.

The young man who had introduced steam power to the kingdom.

Ernest stood by the window of his office inside Helmarte Soap Works and looked over the factory grounds.

The place looked entirely different compared to three years ago.

Rows of warehouses lined one side of the property.

Additional production halls occupied another.

The engine house chimney continuously released smoke into the sky.

Wagons entered and exited through the main gates every few minutes.

Workers moved in every direction.

Clerks hurried between buildings carrying ledgers.

Warehouse supervisors shouted instructions.

The loading yard was stacked with thousands of wooden crates bearing the Helmarte Soap Works seal.

The entire complex had become a small industrial district.

A knock sounded behind him.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Hollen entered carrying several ledgers beneath one arm.

Despite turning older and acquiring a few strands of gray hair, the former forge owner still looked remarkably energetic.

Though perhaps that had something to do with becoming absurdly wealthy.

"You should see this."

Ernest turned.

"Another problem?"

The older man laughed.

"I think we’ve officially run out of problems."

He dropped the ledgers onto the desk.

"Read."

Ernest opened the first ledger.

Then the second.

Then the third.

A slow smile appeared.

The numbers were ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Annual revenue had surpassed all projections.

Domestic sales continued growing.

Northport’s export business had exploded.

The Eastgate branch had become the primary supplier for industrial customers.

Ravenford practically controlled the central region’s soap market.

Meanwhile, Helmarte itself remained the company’s largest production center.

The result was simple.

Money.

An absurd amount of money.

Hollen sat down heavily.

"Go ahead."

Ernest looked up.

"What?"

"Say it."

"What?"

The forge owner pointed toward the ledger.

"You have that smile."

Ernest laughed.

"I don’t have a smile."

"You absolutely do."

The young businessman looked back at the figures.

Then he finally spoke.

"We crossed it."

Hollen grinned.

"I know."

Two hundred million riels.

The estimated net worth of Helmarte Soap Works had officially exceeded two hundred million riels.

The number was almost incomprehensible.

Three years ago, Victor earned nine thousand riels per month.

Three years ago, Ernest considered eighteen thousand riels an unbelievable salary.

Three years ago, his family worried about buying books and eating meat.

Now?

The company they built was worth over two hundred million.

Factories.

Warehouses.

Distribution networks.

Shipping contracts.

Land.

Machinery.

Brand recognition.

Export agreements.

The value of it all had become staggering.

Perhaps the most surprising part was that the soap itself had become a national brand.

People throughout Belfast no longer asked for soap.

They asked for Helmarte soap.

Bathhouses stocked it.

Merchant ships carried it.

Inns purchased it by the crate.

Mining companies ordered it regularly.

Military garrisons had recently begun placing contracts.

Even neighboring kingdoms had started importing it through Northport.

However, he knew one day, the soap market will become saturated, and competitors, even though he is too far ahead, will appear in the future.

"For now, we have to add a new line of products to keep our company rising," Ernest said.

"New products?" Hollen repeated, sounding excited. "What product are you planning on introducing?"

"Well, it’s related to hygiene products. I have been making it in my estate. I call it shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and deodorant!"

Hollen tilted his head to the side. "That’s quite a long name for such a product? I’d understand immediately if it’s a steam engine since it’s two words but that’s four words!"

"That’s not it, you stupid. It’s four different product."

"Four?"

"Yes, four."

The forge owner pointed toward him accusingly. "You can’t just throw four new products at me in one sentence."

Ernest laughed.

"They’re all different."

"What in the world is a sham... sham..."

"Shampoo."

"Yes, that thing."

"It’s used to clean hair."

Hollen looked genuinely confused.

"People already wash their hair."

"With soap."

"And?"

Ernest sighed.

"And soap is terrible for hair if used regularly."

That immediately earned a skeptical look.

"You’ve become rich by selling soap and now you’re insulting soap?"

"I’m saying soap is good for skin, not everything else."

The older man looked unconvinced.

Ernest continued, "Shampoo removes dirt and oil from the hair without making it rough. Conditioner makes hair softer and easier to manage. Toothpaste cleans teeth and improves oral hygiene. Deodorant reduces body odor."

Silence.

The office suddenly became very quiet.

Hollen slowly leaned back in his chair.

"You spent your free time making these things?"

"I’ve been experimenting for months."

The forge owner pointed toward the window.

"We own four factories."

"I know."

"We’re building steam engines."

"I know."

"We’re worth over two hundred million riels."

"I know."

"And somehow you still had time to invent four more products?"

Ernest smiled.

"I don’t sleep much."

"That explains a lot."

Several moments passed.

Outside, another wagon left the loading yard while workers loaded fresh crates onto two others. The steady sound of the steam engine drifted through the open window.

Hollen looked at the busy factory grounds and then back at Ernest.

"You really think the soap market will become saturated one day?"

"Eventually."

The older man frowned.

"But we’re selling more every month."

"And one day someone will copy us."

The room became quiet again.

Because it was true.

Competitors had already begun producing their own soaps. Most were inferior products with inconsistent quality, but they existed.

Others would come.

More factories would be built.

More merchants would enter the market.

That was simply the nature of business.

Ernest folded his arms.

"We’re ahead by years, maybe decades in some areas. But no company stays on top by selling only one product forever."

Understanding slowly appeared on Hollen’s face.

"So before competitors catch up..."

"We expand."