He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 114



Only Krnovel

114: The President uses superpowers

New Jersey Standard

“Can you accept this report as true?”

“This is information we obtained directly. We have already gone through the verification process several times.”

Walter Teagle answered, lighting a cigar. Sitting across from him was Rockefeller Jr.

The Rockefeller family was the largest shareholder of Standard & Poor’s New Jersey.

“They’ve organized a caravan of psychics, astrologers, and even street magicians. They’re already passing through the central region.”

“…An expedition in search of oil. Anyone who sees it would think they’ve gone back to the Wild West.”

Hitler went in search of oil!

The story was quickly picked up by newspapers across the United States.

[Hitler steps forward to solve the oil shortage problem!]

[Millionaire’s Journey? Experts dismissed Hitler’s claim that he would find oil using dowsing rods and astrology as absurd…]

[As sales of dowsing rods surge, copper shortages occur in some areas…]

“This is the list of those included in the caravan.”

Rockefeller Jr. looked through the list that Teagle had given him.

“You think it makes sense to bring these lunatics to find oil?”

“It’s too early to be so certain. Didn’t he even find a miracle cure in mold?”

Tigle put down his cigar and said, The list wasn’t just filled with weirdos.

The first generation of explorers who once discovered oil, but are now treated as outdated.

Their reputation was difficult to ignore.

“I heard Hitler is already buying up small refineries. He wouldn’t make such investments if he wasn’t sure.”

“…Or maybe it’s some kind of bluff. Damn, I have no idea what he’s thinking.”

Rockefeller Jr. stared at the map with his mouth shut.

A miracle drug found in mold.

The effects of Compound H are so simple yet powerful that it’s hard to believe I didn’t know about it until now.

But the Rockefeller Foundation simply could not keep up with the Hitler Company’s pace of production.

Could Hitler have discovered similar techniques in oil exploration?

“Then let’s add more people. We need to find out at least one more piece of information before making a decision.”

He muttered.

The attacks using the KKK actually made Hitler a hero.

Coolidge, who had just taken power, was friendly to Hitler Company, and the tax investigation ended up having the opposite effect.

“We shouldn’t fall for that Hitler trick again. But if you really want to get into the oil industry…”

Rockefeller Jr. said, tapping the table.

“I can’t just sit back and watch. I have to choose between taking up arms or taking up a sword.”

＊＊＊

A week later

Indiana State

New Albany

“How much is the total value of all the land around here?”

“No, twenty farmers own it, and together they have about three hundred thousand dollars.”

“That’s a steal.”

I looked around with my cowboy hat pulled down low.

It’s hard to see clearly because of the sunlight.

I don’t know how the pioneers of the Western era got around on horses.

Even just a few minutes in the sun makes me dizzy.

“Then let’s offer about five hundred thousand dollars. I’m sure the farmers will agree to that right away. Let’s finish quickly and go rest.”

“Oh, five hundred thousand?”

Richter frowned.

“So, to be honest, you can easily live off of two hundred thousand. After all, it’s a wilderness where you can’t even farm.”

“Oil will come out here.”

“That one again, did you have a hunch?”

“Yes, we can check it out if we install a probe. If we pay a high price for it, other people will think there’s something there. Rumors will spread faster.”

Having said that, I put down my Y-dowsing rod. It’s not easy to walk around all day playing the fool.

We’ve gathered together all the weirdos you can find in America.

Magicians, astrologers and even psychics.

[American Oil Exploration Team]

The media watched our every move.

“All the areas we’ve found so far are genetic, right?”

“That’s why I don’t understand anymore. Alf, you didn’t even listen to what those people said.”

Richter whispered, pointing to the other explorers.

“Ah, what do you think the chances are of finding oil wherever you go? Ah, what’s the secret?”

“Would you believe me if I told you it was all thanks to the dowsing rod and astrology?”

“…”

I burst out laughing at Richter’s complex expression.

Well, I guess this kind of reaction is normal.

The same goes for other explorers.

As the genetic material they discovered increased, their reaction changed from shock to excitement.

It’s scary even for me, the person involved.

Explorers who had spent their entire lives searching for oil were desperate to somehow discover my secret.

“To be honest, I can’t say that all the lands I found were proper oil fields.”

“You, you can’t call it genetic? It’s all oil.”

“To be precise, most of it is shale gas.”

Natural gas and oil in shale formations, a sedimentary rock.

Oil and natural gas can be extracted from this shale.

‘But the profitability is extremely low.’

The unit cost of the process was extremely high, and with the current level of technology, it was nearly impossible.

Shale mining began in earnest in the 21st century.

‘But people of this era don’t know that.’

Most expect that oil will soon be available from shale.

The value of shale oil fields is also high.

Will the oil companies just sit by and watch this happen?

Simply put, a poisoned apple.

It looks delicious on the outside, but it’s full of poison on the inside.

“The Standard successor companies will do whatever it takes to stop us from going into the oil business. That’s exactly the situation I’m aiming for.”

“Are you going to hand over all these genes to them at a high price?”

Richter looked out into the wilderness and sighed.

“But, even if oil were as expensive as gold, would people still want to buy shale oil?”

“So, we found a few oil fields that produce regular crude oil. It would be hard to ignore this much. The problem is getting Standard to approach us first…”

After saying that, I became lost in thought.

First of all, proposing a takeover is not a good choice.

‘From Eul’s point of view, he can’t ask for a high price.’

Standard executives aren’t stupid either, so they’ll take their time reviewing it.

I have no choice but to look like I’m selling my genes.

“Should we try to bring forward the construction of the Compound H factory?”

“Hey, Compound H?”

“Yeah, since the Eisenhower article came out, the hospital has been flooded with patients.”

A soldier father and a sick son.

As this story gained popularity, the KKK conspiracy theory gained little traction.

Since then, the number of patients seeking Compound H has increased dramatically.

“I found a lot of oil fields, but they’re selling them for dirt cheap so they can build the Compound H factory as soon as possible.”

“Mo, this is a story that would make even strangers cry with emotion. Patients, you’re willing to give up immediate benefits to save lives.”

Richter chuckled.

“Still, I don’t think that’s enough to tempt Standard.”

“…if there were no competitors other than Standard, then that would have been the case.”

Having said that, I climbed onto the horse.

Hitler galloping through the American wilderness wearing a cowboy hat.

This is also an interesting sight.

“Richter, what do you think is the best situation for a seller?”

“Well, isn’t that a good situation for the seller? Isn’t the value of the item being sold going up? Then, they can sell it for a higher price.”

“Yes, and the more rare the item you’re selling, the more valuable it becomes. Standard isn’t the only one searching for oil right now.”

I was reminded of what Herbert Hoover said at the White House.

England, France, etc.

A situation where all Western countries are desperate to secure oil.

How about taking advantage of this atmosphere?

I said, pulling on the reins.

“Maybe I’ll get a call from somewhere else soon?”

＊＊＊

New York Harbor

As the huge cruise ship docked at the dock, passengers rushed off. Next to them, dock workers busily loaded and unloaded luggage.

A Rolls-Royce stopped in front of the dock.

“Welcome to America, sir. This way, please.”

“This damn port smells like rotten fish every time I come here. And work is so slow.”

Henry Deterding muttered as he got into the car.

“It’s because the number of communists has increased. I thought America was a little better, but it’s become this mess. This is because we accept Russian immigrants without any consideration.”

“The hotel has been prepared to be as comfortable as possible.”

“The important thing is not the hotel. Let’s get straight to the point. Have you looked into all the information I mentioned?”

“Yes, our research has shown that all the lands Hitler purchased have a high potential for shale or oil deposits.”

“You discovered so many genes in such a short period of time?”

Deterding frowned without realizing it.

The CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, a joint Dutch-British oil company.

Although the British government owned most of the shares, management control was in Deterding’s hands.

His colleagues and adversaries often called him “the Napoleon of oil.”

“and?”

“Hitler seems to want to sell these oil fields as soon as possible. To raise additional funds to build the Compound H plant…”

“But isn’t it strange that they are selling off so many oil fields? Most of them are shale.”

Deterding, who had said so, leaned back in his seat.

“There are rumors that the Hitler-sponsored Advanced Research Institute for Advanced Studies has developed a related mining device. There are also rumors that some places have already begun test mining…”

“They’re just rumors and stories. You can’t do business based on those two things right now.”

Deterding added, blowing smoke from his cigarette.

“The American branch has also become quite lax.”

“…I’m sorry, sir. I’ll let you know as soon as I have more information.”

“If you think about it, it’s definitely strange.”

Royal Dutch had been searching for oil in the Far East before merging with Shell.

Wasn’t it Deterding himself who developed the East India oil business?

‘Even back then, it took at least three years to find a single gene.’

Dozens of genes were discovered in just a few weeks.

This was no ordinary thing.

“Maybe we really have discovered a new technology.”

“If it’s a new technology, then it’s really astrology…”

“If astrologers and magicians could find oil, the oil on this planet would have been extracted long ago. That’s ridiculous.”

Deterding laughed at what he said.

“Isn’t this just a trick to hide the skills he possesses?”

“But… is such technology really possible?”

“…”

In the silence, only the faint sound of a car engine could be heard.

“Let’s wait and see what happens. Let’s contact Hitler as well. If we do well, we’ll have a chance to advance into the United States.”

Deterding said.

He has been competing with Rockefeller since Standard was one entity.

The situation is similar even now that the standard has been split.

Royal Dutch Shell and American oil companies fought a fierce battle for global markets.

Even without acquiring Hitler Oil, there are ways to hurt Standard.

“At least I can hit those Yankees with a bang.”

===＊＊＊===

Author’s Note

Q1: Did you think shale gas was mineable at the time?

A1: Yes, at that time, large shale oil deposits were discovered in Utah, Colorado, and Nevada in the United States. Experts predicted that within a year, oil extracted from these shale deposits would be competitive with oil obtained from conventional oil fields.

However, it was not until the 21st century that shale gas became commercially viable.

Q2: Who is Henry Deterding?

A2: Deterding is a Royal Dutch Shell executive who led Royal Dutch Petroleum before its merger with Shell.

Royal Dutch and Shell each held 60% and 40% of the subsidiaries’ shares, with Royal Dutch purchasing a quarter of Shell’s shares.

After the merger, Royal Dutch Shell grew into a rival to Standard Oil at the time. In 1910, Standard Oil made a $1 billion acquisition offer to Royal Dutch Shell, but it was rejected.

In 2022, Royal Dutch Shell changed its name to Shell.

(Source – The Fountain of Gold, Daniel Yergin)

Q3: Did people at that time believe in astrology?

A3: Astrology and the occult were quite popular in Western countries at the time. Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes, was also known to be fascinated by the occult, and Hitler even hired a personal astrologer to give him policy advice.

This trend was popular not only among the general public but also among high-ranking politicians and tycoons, and many astrologers were active for high fees.

Hitler’s library contained approximately 10,000 books, of which 7,000 were on the military, 1,500 on architecture and art, 1,000 on nutrition and diet, and a considerable number on astrology and spiritualism.

(Source – Hitler’s Secret Library, Timothy W. Ryback)