He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 72



Only Krnovel

Episode 72 – Hitlercon

“I didn’t know Mr. Hitler was so interested in naval warfare. Do you really think that aircraft will be the center of future naval warfare?”

“To be precise, I would say aircraft carriers and aircraft. The importance of aircraft carriers will soon be proven.”

Nimitz and I had a heated discussion about the Navy.

A circular formation centered on the aircraft carrier.

That was also one of the innovations led by Nimitz.

‘It was after the attack on Pearl Harbor that the US Navy actually changed its strategy to focus on aircraft carriers.’

I don’t know what will happen in this day and age.

There is a high possibility that the Japanese military will advance into China by some means.

‘Then we have no choice but to clash with the United States.’

The United States viewed China as one of its core interests.

I guess I’ll have to keep paying attention to this part too.

The banquet continued for another thirty minutes or so.

“It’s a shame that Mr. Hitler is leaving so soon. And our party members too…”

Politicians from the People’s Party and other parties, including Stresemann.

There are even entrepreneurs with familiar names there.

I said goodbye with some light chatter.

By the way, it’s a banquet.

‘Isn’t it the same as escorting me?’

Officially, the Chicago was not an escort ship, but was being carried back to the United States as a convoy.

Hitler goes to America on Captain Nimitz’s ship.

This is also a funny situation in its own way.

After the banquet was over, I came down to the guest room.

“So, what did that guy Hess give you?”

“Let’s check it out now. I hope it’s not a bomb.”

“Father, don’t say anything ominous.”

A small wooden box.

When I opened the top, the contents were revealed.

“This is Guo. It’s a pistol.”

“Yeah. I didn’t know you’d give me something like this as a gift.”

A familiar form.

It was a Luger pistol that I often saw in the trenches a few years ago.

There were magazines filled with live ammunition next to the pistol. But there was something else that caught my eye.

A pattern engraved on the handle.

“Is this a swastika?”

The famous Nazi crucifix.

Was this also a symbol used by the Thule Society?

When I took the gun in my hand, I felt the cold metal.

A heavy, solid feel.

“I guess I’ll have to erase the swastika later.”

“Why? That, that doesn’t seem that strange. Isn’t that something that is often used in church?”

“Personally, I don’t really like it.”

The Hess and Thule Association, and the H Club.

The blind worship directed at me frankly felt repulsive.

They originally felt like the Hitlers of history. They were people who hated democracy and Jews.

‘But I can use it as my tool, right?’

A hammer drives a nail.

You can use the saw as if you were cutting wood.

A fanatic like Rudolf Hess would probably be more prone to change his ways.

‘Is this also a type of gaslighting?’

If you think about it, the same thing happened to Hitler in the original history.

The National Socialist Party had no proper program.

[National Socialism is the will of the Führer!]

Pro-labor in front of workers.

He gained popularity by acting pro-capitalist in front of the capitalists.

‘I guess I can use the same method.’

For democracy and republic.

Using the same means for the opposite ends of Hitler.

It’s kind of ironic.

Richter sighed as he was lost in thought.

“Finally, the hellish trip to Germany is finally over. What are you going to do when you get back to America?”

“I have to do what I have been doing.”

Expand your business and gain influence in politics.

In addition to that…

“This trip made me realize what I need: a bridge between the United States and other countries.”

“Bridge?”

“Rather than calling it a bridge, I guess you could say it connects blood vessels.”

Bridges can be broken at any time, but blood vessels are different.

You can’t cut off a blood vessel unless you’re prepared to die.

“We are creating blood vessels through which capital and culture flow. The Hitler Company acts as a kind of pump.”

I have to take it step by step.

“Let’s start by connecting with Germany.”

＊＊＊

March 4, 1921.

President-elect Warren Harding and President Wilson rode together in the car.

On the way to the inauguration ceremony, the two did not have much conversation other than greetings.

“The United States of America is now back to normal!”

Warren Harding’s inauguration speech was delivered in a heated atmosphere.

The first inauguration to use radio.

Millions of people sat in front of their Tesla radios and listened to the President’s voice.

The economic depression that had continued until the mid-1920s gradually subsided, and prices quickly stabilized.

Amid this excitement, the red scare that sought to root out communists also gradually subsided.

The popcorn campaign started in California and spread nationwide, becoming a staple snack in movie theaters everywhere.

“Have you ever tried that corn cheese? I heard Hitler made it himself. It tastes really good.”

“I think it would go well with beer. The Germans know that stuff. If it weren’t for that damn Prohibition, I wouldn’t be drinking it in secret like this.”

Some of the food recipes introduced on the radio spread through restaurants and homes.

“I heard you got shot when you went to Germany recently?”

“That guy got shot?”

The news that Hitler had been attacked by anarchists briefly revived the subsiding Red Scare.

Many people went to see the Chicago ship enter port.

Not only reporters and stockbrokers, but also ordinary people waited with interest for the next event.

‘Where is Hitler’s next destination?’

Even months after Hitler returned to America, people’s expectations remained high.

＊＊＊

“In fact, this is enough marketing performance, but I think it needs to be improved further.”

Bernays said with a confident expression.

I flipped through the reports in front of me.

‘This is really great.’

Even in American history, it was Bernays who made bacon and eggs an American breakfast.

The number of restaurants featuring corn cheese on their menus grew to tens of thousands in just a few months.

Corn demand is also pumping up.

“You can make more money if you promote it as a home-cooked meal. What if people eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?”

Bernays said in a very excited tone.

“The status of Hitler Company will also rise accordingly. I heard that some restaurants are already calling their corn cheese menu ‘Hitler Corn’.”

“Hitlercon?”

This is ridiculous.

What a weird combination that is.

“Of course, if you promote it as home cooking, you can make it like that.”

I said, fiddling with my cigarette. After working with Bernays for several months, we naturally became close.

“But corn cheese isn’t healthy enough to eat every day. In the first place, it’s not good to have a lot of cheese in it.”

Even just the basic calories seem incredibly high.

I wonder if Bernays, who made bacon and eggs for breakfast, doesn’t care.

“Let’s just promote it as a menu item that is occasionally served at restaurants. Also, it’s not good if corn consumption increases too much.”

If all farmers rush to grow only corn, prices will plummet.

Then the distribution network I worked so hard to build will be in shambles.

“There are many things you can sell besides corn. Potatoes, for example.”

“Potato ramen…”

“French fries. Aren’t they already a trendy food?”

This might not be so good for your health either. Why are delicious things always bad for your health?

“It seems like it would be difficult to make a profit on something like French fries. They probably already have a solid distribution network.”

Bernays scratched his head.

“Or do you have something in mind in advance?”

“Richter found that Idaho produces potatoes only nine months of the year.”

In this era, the concept of frozen potatoes did not exist.

If you just freeze and then thaw the potatoes, they will become soggy and tasteless.

‘That’s why the problem is worse in the summer.’

As the weather gets hotter, potatoes spoil more easily, and the quality of potatoes distributed across the country varies depending on the distance.

“What if we could turn that around completely?”

“It would be a lot of money. But there is an easy way…”

“I have it.”

I said with a smile.

I already know the solution.

The method used by Ray Krug, the man who built McDonald’s into a massive franchise empire.

“If you fry the potatoes and then quickly freeze them, the moisture content will be the same when they are thawed as before freezing.”

Even in the 21st century, American French fries are exported around the world in this way.

“Quick freezing… I don’t know how you know, but is there a place where that’s possible?”

“The carrier is already researching it. Results will be available within a few months.”

Willis Carrier.

There is no one better suited to build a deep freezer than him.

Since Carrier came to me, I have invested a huge amount of money in his company.

He also owns a significant percentage of the company’s shares.

If we succeed, we will both benefit greatly.

“Mr. Hitler has everything planned out.”

Bernays muttered with a look of disbelief.

“Did you plan on investing in Carrier like this from the beginning?”

“Maybe so.”

I smiled and laid back on the sofa.

Most people take food companies for granted.

Starbucks

McDonald’s

coke

Nestle

Kraft Heinz

Domino’s Pizza, etc.

‘All of these companies consistently make huge profits.’

Even in a recession, ketchup, chocolate, and cookies are still needed.

French fries account for a quarter of all vegetable consumption among 21st century Americans.

Could there be a more surefire source of income than this?

‘Even if the Great Depression comes, we can endure it a little more easily.’

By doing this, he also wins the hearts of the farmers.

Increasing potato consumption could win over farmers not only in the Corn Belt but also in Idaho and California.

“Anyway, let’s put the potato project on hold for a bit. Something bigger will be coming soon.”

“If it’s bigger…”

“We have a guest coming from the Czech Republic.”

Ferdinand Porsche.

He will be arriving in America soon.

‘What can you do with a Porsche?’

America is the home of Ford-style mass production.

It’s the perfect place to build cars.

If successful, it could become a blood vessel connecting the United States and Germany.

Germany is also a country of cars.

‘But you shouldn’t approach it just any way.’

If you jump into business without any plan, the entire Hitler Company will be shaken.

Let’s take a look at history.

America is now in the golden age of Ford automobiles.

A way to counter Ford…

‘It’s not like there isn’t anything at all.’

＊＊＊

“Is this New York?”

Porsche muttered as he disembarked with his crew. The gigantic Statue of Liberty.

Cars fill the streets.

It was as if blood was constantly moving through my veins.

“There are so many cars.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

As they were standing there blankly, a man approached them.

“Hey, Mr. Ferdinand Porsche? My name is Ernst Richter, and I’m here to greet you. Welcome to New York.”

“Oh, yes. I saw you last time in Germany.”

Porsche asked, pointing down the street.

“Are there usually this many cars?”

“Right now, it’s a little bit less. During rush hour, it’s hell. You’ll see it soon.”

The two sat in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce, where they had been waiting together.

The rest of the comrades headed to the hotel arranged by Hitler Company.

Porsche looked around the interior of the car without realizing it.

“Mr. Schicklgruber is also waiting for you at the Hitler Kerr Company office.”

“I see. You’re even in the office with me. I guess you’re really close to Hitler.”

“Yes, you could say that.”

Porsche felt puzzled by Richter’s hesitant response.

Rocketman.

How my heart fluttered the moment I first saw it.

While his son was enthusiastic about the comics themselves, it was the cars featured in them that captivated Porsche.

Designs so beautiful that they feel like a glimpse into the future.

‘I don’t know how you came up with that.’

So what kind of person is Sicklgruber? An artist? A dreamer?

I couldn’t even guess how old he was.

Rocket and Rocketman, Area 51.

Even among the media, the identity of Sicklgruber was a subject of curiosity.

A fellow artist Hitler met during his time in Vienna, Coco Chanel, and even Richter sitting next to a Porsche.

As the popularity of comics grew, so did the mysteries.

“Yes, we have arrived. Please go up to the top floor.”

The Porsche got out of the car and went straight into the building.

Fruit baskets can be seen everywhere.

‘Do you live regularly?’

That wasn’t all.

Children ran around the first floor hall laughing.

“The first floor was originally used for parties, weddings, and welcome ceremonies, but when there is no work, it is also used as a temporary kindergarten for employees.”

Richter gestured inward and said.

“Most of the computer workers are women, and it’s hard for them to take care of children.”

“I see. I thought people usually quit their jobs when they get married.”

Porsche watched the children playing for a moment before going up the stairs.

As expected, Hitler was a unique person.

From radio to rockets, advanced inventive research labs, and publishing.

How can I do all this by myself?

Finally reaching the top floor, he knocked cautiously on the office door.

[For Adolf Hitler, by Popularist]

Underneath the nameplate was a picture of Mickey Mouse holding corn.

“Come in.”

The lights were off inside the office, so it was dark.

“You’ve finally arrived, Dr. Porsche. We’ve been waiting for you for weeks.”

“It took some time because there were a lot of things to organize.”

“Then can I assume that you have made up your mind?”

The lighting was dim and Hitler’s face was not clearly visible.

The only thing clearly visible is the mustache.

Porsche swallowed without realizing it.

“First, we need to discuss the approximate scale of investment… but for now, my colleagues and I are positive. Starting a factory in the United States would be a big challenge. The contract terms proposed by Mr. Hitler were also very generous.”

He asked.

“Have you decided to join Mr. Sicklgruber? Where is he by any chance…?”

“You are looking ahead now.”

“…”

Porsche looked around the room, but all he saw was Hitler.

“I don’t quite understand what you are talking about.”

“Dr. Porsche.”

The table light came on, revealing Hitler’s face clearly.

He smiled playfully.

“I am Cyclegruber.”

===＊＊＊===

Author’s Note

Q: What is the history of the swastika?

A: The swastika was used in various Eurasian cultures even before the Nazis used it as their symbol. Its origins date back to nearly ten thousand years ago, and it can be found in various religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

The word swastika means ‘good luck’ in Sanskrit.

The German word ‘Hakenkreuz’ is a combination of the words ‘hook’ (Haken) and ‘cross’ (Kreuz). It was used as a symbol not only in Germany but also in many countries, including Finland, during the 20th century, but after the Nazis and World War II, it became taboo in the West.

Hitler stated in his autobiography, Mein Kampf, that he personally invented the Nazi symbol of a swastika in the center of a white circle against a red background.

This color combination and letter size ratio made the swastika easily recognizable everywhere. After Hitler came to power in 1935, the swastika became the official German flag.

(Source – Swastika, English Wikipedia)