Hokage's Office
"Holy Lord Hokage, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Upon receiving the cooperation invitation from Uchiha Nan, the representatives of the industrial faction immediately accepted Konoha's offer and set off without delay.
After a long journey, we finally arrived at Konoha.
The industrialists have always suffered discrimination in the Land of Fire. The noble people treat them like dirt, using their power to suppress them and plunder their wealth.
But they were helpless; they could not obtain power, nor did they have the military strength to protect themselves, and their interests could not be protected by the Daimyo.
There's no way around it; the Daimyo values those important figures of noble blood even more!
In the past, Konoha, the most powerful military force in the Land of Fire, had always been a protective umbrella for important figures.
Under this double protection, the industrialists can only make money on their knees!
However Uchiha Nan suddenly emerged, taking up the banner of industry, establishing factories, respecting technology, and expanding capital—all political demands that the industrialists had always pursued.
The industrial faction had long wanted to fully integrate into Konoha and become a part of Konoha.
I am willing to offer my loyalty to the Lord Hokage!
Konoha possesses unparalleled military strength, which is its most powerful protective shield, a force even stronger than hereditary power, allowing the capital held by the industrial faction to multiply unchecked throughout the Ninja world.
Today, Konoha has finally extended an olive branch to the industrialists.
"No need for formalities. Konoha has a big business deal they'd like to discuss with you. Are you interested?"
"I couldn't ask for more, Lord Hokage!"
Uchiha Nan explained his plan in detail to the representatives of the industrial faction.
"Shall we invest in the Land of Rice Fields together? Let me think about it carefully. The Land of Rice Fields ' grain is indeed very tempting; the land is so fertile you could practically squeeze oil out of it. If we could control the Land of Rice Fields, we would have a lot of autonomy in the Land of Fire, and we could even influence grain prices."
The industrialist representative laughed, but didn't immediately agree to Uchiha Nan's cooperation. While it was an exceptionally lucrative investment, there were many obstacles to overcome, such as the ninja organizations and nobles of the Land of Rice Fields.
" Lord Hokage, we are very interested in this deal, but there are considerable obstacles to gaining control of the Land of Land of Rice Fields."
"Don't worry, the armed forces within the Land of Land of Rice Fields are nothing but a scathing threat in Konoha's eyes. Eliminating them is a piece of cake. What you need to solve are the follow-up funding, management, and other issues."
Konoha still needs your skin. Recently, Konoha's actions have aroused the hostility of some restless individuals. We hope you can cover for Konoha. I don't need to elaborate on the reasons; I'm sure you've heard some of the rumors."
After Uchiha Nan finished speaking, the industrialist representative's smile widened.
Although the industrialists were "frustrated" and were exploited by the powerful, they were still part of the interest group in the Land of Fire.
The industrialists had naturally heard about the actions of those important figures in the Land of Fire.
" Lord Hokage, we will do our best to help you resolve your concerns."
We can say a word or two to the Daimyo; the schemes of those treacherous villains will surely fail.
I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration!
"As you wish, Lord Hokage!"
The industrialists decisively betrayed the Daimyo and aligned themselves with Konoha.
We are loyal to the Daimyo in order to gain benefits. Since the Daimyo allows the powerful figures to exploit us, don't blame us for being ungrateful and stabbing you in the back.
Subsequently Konoha, Uchiha Nan produced a detailed plan: Konoha would provide manpower, technology, and funds, while the industrialists would assist Konoha in solving problems such as insufficient funds and a shortage of management personnel. Incidentally, they would also use this as a pretext to purchase land in the Land of Rice Fields.
"According to the plan, Konoha will send ninjas to form several secret units, wearing Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Amegakure Village. These Forehead Protector will then wreak havoc in the Land of Land of Rice Fields, wiping out any rebellious ninja forces and creating as much panic as possible within the Land of Rice Fields."
For some strange reasons, the Land of Rice Fields did not produce a powerful ninja organization, and the establishment of the Otogakure was entirely due to Orochimaru, a missing-nin from Konoha.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire is very concerned about the safety of the Land of Rice Fields, and protecting the Land of Rice Fields is, in a sense, also Konoha's mission.
Therefore, Konoha cannot use its own name this time, because Konoha is about to wreak havoc in the Land of Rice Fields Konoha!
The goal is to create panic and unrest, especially targeting the nobles of the Land of Rice Fields, making them flee as much as possible and selling off their land cheaply.
The industrialists should send people to take over these lands as soon as possible and then set up collective farms!
The industrialist representative, while reviewing the project plan and listening to Uchiha Nan's explanation, wore a greedy smile. He didn't care how many people would die in the Land of Rice Fields.
This is a great revolution!
Revolutions always involve death!
The more people die, the better!
" Konoha will establish a grain company, and your people will also create various kinds of companies. Konoha will invest in your companies."
Uchiha Nan had done so much; naturally, he wouldn't let these industrialists get the biggest share.
He planned to emulate Samsung by creating a large number of companies, then layering equity holdings within equity holdings, creating an extremely complex business conglomerate.
If all goes well, Konoha's grain company can acquire full control of this business group with a small number of shares, and become the de facto controller of the Land of Rice Fields in the near future.
The representatives of the industrial sector were stunned by this business model. Just how big of a monster would this business group grow into?
In the future, the people of Land of Rice Fields will probably never open this business group from birth to death!
That's terrifying!
The Lord Hokage truly is a man destined for great things!
The industrialist representative admired Uchiha Nan immensely and wished he could immediately recognize Uchiha Nan as his godfather.
Uchiha Nan smiled modestly, indicating that it was nothing special, and that he was just good at copying homework.
"You've come all the way to Konoha for more than just this one collaboration. Konoha needs to expand its old and new industries, which requires a lot of capital. I think you'll be very interested in these industries."
"I couldn't ask for more!"
Uchiha Nan then led the industrial representatives on a tour of the recently opened companies.
"This factory produces fertilizers. Plants need three special substances to grow, which I call nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Different ratios have different effects, which can accelerate plant growth, increase yield, and especially improve soil fertility. According to experiments, for example, wheat yields can be increased by more than double."
The industrialist representative couldn't hide his greedy grin. Was this fertilizer?
This is food! Food is life! Food is money!
Just thinking about the enormous market in the Land of Fire and the entire Ninja world made him tremble!
"Besides fertilizers, there's a new drug I call penicillin. Its effects include anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It can effectively inhibit scarlet fever, purulent pharyngitis, diphtheria, syphilis, gonorrhea, as well as various types of tuberculosis, sepsis, pneumonia, and typhoid fever."
The industrialists were speechless. This was a godsend. How could those poor people afford Medical Ninja? A simple cold could easily kill them. Large-scale production of penicillin would not only bring endless profits, but it would also be a great act of merit. The importance of public opinion goes without saying; even ninjas cannot ignore the will of the people.
Otherwise, Uchiha Nan would have already gone and killed those Daimyo.
In the Ninja world, the reputation of ninjas among most ordinary people is as foul as that of rats in a sewer.
Ninjas had very little say in the matter!
Ninjas who only carry out missions are not only silent, but they are also unaware of their own situation and are content with the status quo. Why should killing tools and executioners think so much? Ordinary people should fear themselves.
This version of the game is really outdated; it takes Uchiha Nan to slowly drag these backward and stubborn old-school ninjas towards the new version.
Konoha Power Grid
A tractor modified from an electric three-wheeled vehicle.
There was also the train that Uchiha Nan would have to spend a huge amount of money to promote in the future, which left the industrialists dazzled.
"Boom!"
Uchiha Nan led the representatives of the industrial faction to an experimental site, where Orochimaru was conducting intensive measurement experiments.
Orochimaru received Uchiha Nan's appointment, and Konoha's resources were at his disposal. He only needed to complete the train experiment as soon as possible, and he immediately gathered a large number of people.
This was the first time Uchiha Nan had entrusted such a significant project to Orochimaru. Orochimaru was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night and vowed to complete the task as quickly as possible.
To speed things up, Orochimaru disregarded the ordinary people usually used for construction and replaced them all with ninjas.
Orochimaru personally supervised the construction, leading the workers to work day and night to speed up the process and lay five kilometers of railway tracks near Konoha in a very short time for experimentation.
The train's deafening roar stunned the industrial representatives; the rows of carriages behind represented immense transport capacity.
Thanks to Konoha's continued efforts, the industrial system of the Land of Fire is thriving, with everything in full bloom and continuously increasing production capacity, leading to a significant shortage in the original transportation capacity.
Electric tricycles are indeed very good, light and convenient, but they are only suitable for short-distance transportation, at most within large cities and rural areas.
Only by using trains for transportation between cities and rural areas, between cities, and even between countries can the problem of insufficient transportation capacity in the Land of Fire be fundamentally solved.
"Electric tricycles are merely a stopgap measure; trains are the best means of transporting bulk goods."
Before long, this technology will be fully mature, and train tracks will be laid to every part of the Land of Fire, and even to the entire Ninja world.
Konoha is going to build the largest transportation network in history, connecting the entire Ninja world into one!
Uchiha Nan stood not far away, watching the train roaring, and spoke of his grand ambitions.
This can indeed be described as ambitious; the railway tracks would have to split mountains and cleave the earth. To achieve all this, a massive number of people, a massive amount of funds, and unparalleled power would be required!
Without a strong force to rely on, the compensation for the expropriation of land could bankrupt Konoha.
How could the wealthy landowners of the Land of Fire bear to sell the land they depend on for survival, passed down through generations, to build a so-called train?
This is utter heresy!
" Lord Hokage, are these industries open to collaboration with us?"
"Of course!"
Uchiha Nan nodded. In business, cooperation and mutual benefit are essential. Konoha had a strong start, but lacked staying power.
Funding, management personnel, and skilled workers are all weaknesses of Konoha. If it wants to fully expand its capital in the Land of Fire, it must cooperate with a group of people in the Land of Fire. The Industrial Faction is the best partner at present.
" Konoha will provide the technology, and you will provide the personnel, land, and capital. Let's build a joint venture factory."
" Konoha respects technology, and I think you will respect technology too, right?"
Uchiha Nan fixed his eyes on the industrialist representative and gave him a "friendly" smile.
"Of course, Lord Hokage!"
"What we value most is technology and innovation; without technology, we wouldn't have our current position."
The industrialist representative nodded obediently. Without exception, Konoha's new industries would generate enormous profits and prestige, enough to cause their assets to skyrocket. Konoha would naturally not give all of this to them for nothing.
Paying some price is reasonable.
" Lord Hokage, we hope to establish a patent protection organization in the Land of Fire. There are always some annoying people who think they're superior and have no respect for technology whatsoever."
The industrial faction wanted to go a step further and establish a patent protection organization within the Land of Fire, using Konoha's supreme military power to protect their interests.
The industrialists' research capabilities were not weak. In the original timeline, without Tobirama Senju, these industrialists were able to make the Land of Fire's technology develop and progress at an unbelievable speed, which can be described as very powerful.
But there are always some arrogant and self-important scoundrels who try to seize the new technologies that the industrialists have spent a lot of money researching.
It's wonderful that Konoha respects technique!
"That's a good idea; I'm very interested."
Uchiha Nan nodded. The patent protection organization was indeed beneficial to the interests of Konoha. If necessary, Konoha should have the Daimyo legislate in the Land of Fire to protect Konoha's interests. Since this group of industrialists took the initiative to propose it, let them handle it. Konoha can provide military support.
After everything was settled, Uchiha Nan personally arranged a meeting to introduce Konoha's high-ranking officials to the representatives of the industrial faction, allowing both sides to have in-depth exchanges and deepen their relationship.
The industrialist representatives, overjoyed, toasted Konoha's high-ranking officials one by one at the grand restaurant. Normally, they would have to make an appointment just to meet these important figures in Konoha Konoha, but this time, they were all there!
Uchiha Nan enjoyed his meal to the fullest, the only thing he was slightly dissatisfied with was that Toma Senju kept staring at him.
That damned Uchiha Nan!
Tsunade has been preparing bento boxes for Uchiha Nan these past few days. She only prepared one, and forgot to prepare one for Toma Senju as well.
Because Toma Senju really Tsunade when he got home that day!
Tsunade kept her word and really didn't prepare a bento for Toma Senju.
After learning the reason, Uchiha Nan immediately exclaimed that Tsunade was a really bad child!
Don't worry, Toma, I'll definitely teach her a lesson from now on!