He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 82



Only Krnovel

Episode 82 – No Country for Soldiers

June 1921

Adolf Hitler’s announcement of Compound H, the founding of an automobile company, was still a hot topic.

At parties and dinners, when conversations about Compound H came up, anyone who didn’t know about it was treated like a country bumpkin.

Chemistry and biology books written for the general public also sold like hotcakes.

“They say that when you use existing disinfectants on wounds, white blood cells die faster than bacteria. However, the compound H discovered this time only works on bacteria, not white blood cells…”

“You’re really knowledgeable! Have you ever worked there?”

“I just learned it from books. This is just basic common sense.”

Some newspapers even ran special articles on Adolf Hitler.

Unpredictable businessman.

There were also claims of scandals with famous Hollywood actresses, including Coco Chanel.

“I heard that Amelia Morgan also visited Hitler Company often.”

“Are you talking about the daughter of the Morgan family?”

“Yeah, I heard Hitler also went to Morgan’s mansion to hunt often. Isn’t there something going on between the two?”

As these rumors spread, Rocketman also became a trend, with new episodes hitting the US.

“Did you guys see the new episode that came out yesterday?”

“Yeah, I never thought that villain would be the protagonist’s father. Does that make sense?”

“…”

The new Rocketman episode.

Rocketman faces his greatest foe and is badly injured.

The shocking truth that comes to light later is that the evil villain Dark Lord reveals himself to be the protagonist’s father.

“I think the Dark Lord lied.

“I thought so too, but when I looked at volume 1 again, there was a hidden plot device. How on earth did they come up with this story…”

“Did the main character fall to his death in the end?”

The first comic book store in New York was packed with fans.

“Hey, so when the hell is the next volume coming out?!”

“There is no set schedule yet. If you leave your contact information, we will notify you when there is any news.”

“Our son is waiting too…”

As Rocketman and other comics gained popularity, cartoonists who worked for newspapers also entered the market one by one.

“I heard there’s a convention coming up in Detroit soon.”

“Detroit? Didn’t Hitler show off his new car there?”

“I heard they are giving priority to hiring discharged soldiers.”

The media responded positively to the announcement that veterans would be given priority for hiring.

“Those German soldiers are ten thousand times better than the government that threw us away like trash!”

In some states, there were even stories of groups of discharged soldiers heading to Detroit.

The Veteran’s Bureau, a new department created under the Harding administration, also worked busily in this atmosphere.

“That factory Hitler is building in Detroit. Won’t it employ at least tens of thousands of people?”

Director Charles Forbes said, tapping the desk.

He had just returned from a luxury trip under the pretext of looking for a hospital site.

All travel expenses are paid in taxes.

He made millions of dollars in profits by ripping off the VA’s business here and there.

“Yes, sir. It is estimated that the number will be at least 30,000, and including indirect employment, it will reach 90,000 to 100,000.”

“Nine to one hundred thousand. That’s a lot.”

Forbes muttered.

Hitler’s priority recruitment of discharged soldiers.

‘If you do it well, you can make a lot of money.’

President Harding gave him full authority over the Legion and its related affairs.

No matter how wealthy a person is, he cannot resist public power.

“Okay, how about we decide who gets hired?”

“Are you talking about the person who will be hired?”

“You’re asking Hitler to hire those who are having difficulty making ends meet among the discharged soldiers. Then wouldn’t it be difficult for them to refuse?”

Forbes nodded.

“Of course, we are the ones who decide on the list.”

“That means…”

The secretary looked around the room and then whispered softly.

“We can put people who pay us on the priority list for employment.”

“That’s it. You’ve become more perceptive.”

Forbes said with a laugh.

“And after you get a job, you can receive a certain percentage of your monthly salary as a donation to the Veterans Association. Those who refuse can just be removed from the list.”

“That’s a great idea, Director. But Hitler…”

The secretary added in a cautious tone.

“Isn’t he a dangerous man in many ways? He practically dominates the radio industry, and he also recently discovered Compound H.”

“How can you make money if you’re so scared? If anyone hears, they’ll think he’s the king of the United States. This is the Harding regime. The Warren Harding regime.”

Forbes continued:

“The Attorney General, the Bureau of Alien Property Control, and the Ohio gangs are making a fortune, and we’re just sitting back and doing nothing? I’m sure the President would agree to something for the soldiers. Who cares more about veterans than we do?”

“You need money to have welfare. That is a very valid point.”

“Now you understand what I’m saying. Then go and write up a plan. And make a request to send to Hitler.”

Forbes, who had said so, stretched out on his chair.

Is there anyone more gullible than Warren Harding?

Money was falling from the sky.

All he has to do is pick up the money.

“You have to earn it while you can.”

＊＊＊

“Well, Dr. Fleming says he needs the help of the United States Department of Agriculture.”

“Department of Agriculture?”

“The world’s largest still? I heard the fermenter is at the Department of Agriculture.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to contact them. Once the patent is approved, we’ll start mass production right away… There’s a lot to prepare.”

I put the Department of Agriculture on my to-do list.

Things just keep piling up these days.

I also have to draw Rocket Man to prepare for the convention.

“And then, the Veterans Association sent this request.”

“The Veterans Association sent a request?”

What’s going on over there?

Is this a hospital for PTSD patients?

I carefully read the documents Richter handed me.

[Director of the Veterans Association]

[Charles Forbes]

The official document you sent seems to be correct.

The content is…

What does this mean?

“You’re going to send me a list of recommended priorities for employment? This isn’t a recommendation; it’s effectively an order.”

“I thought you were asking me to hire new recruits from among the discharged soldiers, those who are having a hard time? Is there a problem?”

“If you just look at what’s written here, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

But it’s a different story if you think about the sender.

Charles Forbes.

Veterans Association.

One of the most corrupt government organizations in the United States today.

‘The Forbes director himself was later imprisoned on fraud charges.’

They must be embezzling millions of dollars from the VA right now.

A person like that wouldn’t have sent such an official document with good intentions.

“Alf, what are you saying? Are you saying there is some other intention?”

“What if you were paid to put your name on the list? No, you could even keep taking a percentage of your salary.”

If you put your mind to it, it’s definitely possible. There’s a position called Director of the Veterans Association.

I think you can just accept it as a donation.

“No matter what, it’s an organization run by the state… No, it could definitely happen.”

Richter shook his head.

“There’s nothing in America that money can’t solve. I guess I’ll have to look into it more.”

“Just buy some time while crushing it appropriately.”

This is a difficult situation.

It’s difficult to ignore an official document sent by a government organization.

However, I had no intention of simply giving my money to Forbes.

‘If I do something wrong, I could get involved in a scandal later.’

What should I do?

A situation that can neither be accepted nor ignored.

“I also have information I found out about Hoover last time. How about secretly leaking it to the press?”

Richter whispered in a small voice.

“The Forbes director is also someone Harding put in charge of. Don’t you think he’ll get rid of it on his own?”

“That’s not a bad idea. Let’s think about it some more.”

Corruption surrounding naval oil reserves.

I might blow it up.

These are problems that will explode soon anyway, even if I don’t explode them.

The most incompetent president in American history, Warren Harding.

Not only was he having an affair without his wife’s knowledge, but the corruption among his close associates was so severe that it was impossible to control them.

A literal puppet president.

I doubt Warren Harding would have gotten involved in such petty corruption.

“It might be a good idea to meet the president in person and talk to him. If the president notices, Forbes will probably back off.”

“You want to meet the president? You want to go to the White House? Even if you make an appointment right now, it’ll take weeks.”

“There is another way.”

“Another way? Tsu, give some money to your close associates?”

“No, did you know that Edison and Ford go car camping every year? There’s a good chance that President Harding will go with them this year.”

It was like that throughout history.

There was nothing that could change this.

“You can just sneak in there.”

“The President is going camping? He must be busy with work. How would he have time for that?”

“It would be different if there was a president who didn’t do anything.”

I shrugged as I said that. Edison’s car camping.

Will there ever be another opportunity as good as this?

There was also corruption material there to pressure President Harding.

“It’s definitely more convenient if you have a wide network of connections.”

＊＊＊

Edison was delighted to hear that I wanted to go camping.

“You want to go with me too? Didn’t you say you were busy when I asked you?”

“I suddenly have some free time. I’d like to go there sometime this year.”

“Well, I’m fine with it. I don’t think Henry would particularly refuse.”

“Then that’s good.”

Oh, I forgot about Henry Ford. You probably noticed that I was betting on Ford Motors stock.

‘It might be a little awkward.’

Well, I guess it wouldn’t be a problem if I noticed, but Ford was the one who tried to use me first.

“By the way, that car you’re making. How about making it electric?”

Edison spoke in an excited tone.

“Batteries seem much better than the smoky internal combustion engines. They’re also quieter.”

“It might be possible if battery efficiency improves…”

I slurred my words.

Didn’t you make a similar suggestion last time?

“It’s difficult to charge and doesn’t it emit toxic substances in the summer?”

“It’s not that toxic. It just smells a little.”

Edison grumbled and then smiled faintly.

“Oh, I forgot to mention it. We have a special guest coming this year.”

“You’re a special guest. I’m looking forward to it.”

“It’s going to be a fun camping trip.”

I nodded instead of answering.

It’s car camping with VIPs.

How could it not be fun?

＊＊＊

A week after meeting Edison.

I was busy preparing for the convention with Bernays, Gernsback, and Porsche.

From cars and comics to TRPGs.

All of this had to be properly coordinated.

As various plans piled up, the convention schedule was pushed back little by little.

“This is Dungeon & Warrior. It’s not that different from other board games, is it? I don’t know if it will sell as well as Capitalism.”

“Then let’s first check the reaction at the convention and then increase the quantity. We don’t need to print a lot for the first edition.”

As the busy days continue, a car camping trip has also been scheduled.

[Ford-Edison’s Car Camping! This year, Adolf Hitler and President Warren Harding are expected to attend…]

As I expected, President Warren Harding also announced his participation in the camp.

He became the first president to participate in the Ford-Edison Camping Tour.

As time passed, the day finally came to start camping.

A man greeted me with a bright expression.

“Welcome, Herr Hitler. How have you been?”

“Oh, yes.”

“I heard you’re starting a car company.”

Ford said with an innocent-looking smile.

“Let’s talk about the car until we get there. Please take care of me.”

“…”

What is your plan?

This could be a trick to find out my plans.

I snickered to myself as I climbed into the Ford.

‘It actually turned out well.’

If you look at Ford’s reaction, you can see what kind of strategy he has in mind.

“I am the one who needs to take good care of you.”

The Model T roared down the dirt road.

===＊＊＊===

Author’s Note

Q: Was the Veterans Association really that corrupt at the time?

A: The director of the Legion at the time was Charles Forbes, a man who had been punished for deserting from the army. Harding met him by chance in Hawaii, became friendly with him, and appointed him as director of the Legion.

He went on lavish trips around the country under the pretext of looking for hospital sites, and he also selected companies that outbid the lowest bidder by $50,000 for military hospital construction projects. In some cases, Forbes was accused of contracting with Navy contractors so he could pocket a third of the profits.

The same was true for hospital supplies. The VA bought a hundred years’ worth of detergent and wax at once, and resold the surplus at a low price.

We bought detergent that cost less than 4 cents a gallon for 98 cents a gallon, and we resold 80,000 new sheets that cost more than a dollar a piece for 26 cents a piece.

Journalist Bruce Bliven reported that “while freshly sold sheets were being shipped out on one side, freshly bought sheets were being piled up on the other side. More than 70,000 towels, which cost 19 cents, were being resold for 3.4 cents.”

Accordingly, in 1926, Forbes was imprisoned in Leavenworth Prison, Kansas, for fraud.

(Source – Wonderful America, Allen, FL)