Today I walked my first steps of 'Honorable Self-Reliance.'
Suffering from the lack of entertainment during this time, I recreated future hits like; Battleship, Uno, Jenga and Monopoly. Originally these games were only supposed to be enjoyed by me and my family. But when my brother Eitel brought copies and played them with his friends, they were surprisingly well received. This gave me the idea of selling and mass-producing them to the masses.
Although the royal family is incredibly rich and influential right now. I know that in the future, whatever the result of the Great War may be. Democracy is an unstoppable wave, and that the current despotic monarchy is unsustainable. So in order to maintain the royal family's influence well into the 21st Century, I created a set of plans known as 'Operation: Chaebol.'
The first steps of this plan begins today, with the launch of two future world-famous brands; JvP Games and KFC (Kaiser's Fried Chicken).
JvP Games in the future will become the world's foremost gaming and entertainment brand. But for now its simply a company that makes board games and card games.
Meanwhile KFC is a brand that will one day be synonymous with the Kaiser himself, with Colonel Sanders' being superimposed with the image of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Unfortunately it was impossible to recreate the affordable and diverse menu's of future fast food restaurants due to the limitations of present-day supply chains. Thus KFC took its first steps with a modest menu of fried chicken, with the choice of biscuits and fries as sides.
Hehehehohoho... I can already smell the money.
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The first few weeks of the launch of my new company was in a word, disappointing. I didn't realize that during this time consumers in Germany were relatively conservative and averse to spending money on new things.
The good thing was that KFC had a decent performance, its cheap price and emphasis on quick service made it popular with the target audience. However the German palate prevented it from gaining the explosive growth I hoped for.
JvP Games' disappointing launch was quickly resolved when an advertisement containing me and my siblings playing Monopoly was released. Curiosity soon replaced consumers' skepticism and it sold in droves. The idea that a simple family can enjoy a royal past-time with a modest price resulted in a surge of sales.
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"Money money~"
"Reichsmark reichsmark~"
"Ching ching~"
"Joachim..."
While humming and drowning in money fantasies, my mother suddenly entered my room. Seeing me in my underwear while relaxing in pool made of money, she suddenly leaves my room with a look of disappointment and resignation.
Later, mother gave me a thorough 19th century 'scolding' using the feared 'education' rod. Despite my swollen ass, seeing the sales report of my company soon allowed me to regain my smile.
Despite profits currently being less than my monthly allowance, I was happy that I was making more money than I ever had in previous life. Besides this is simply the first step, the Hohenzollern global financial take over is just beginning. Hehehe...
When I was laughing like a crazy maniac while getting deep in my fantasies my sister takes a peek in my room and catches a glimpse of my madness. After running to my father shouting "Oppa is crazy!!" and tears in her eyes. This time my father, a daughtercon, gave me 'education' part 2.
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October 11, 1897 // Berlin Palace, Germany
Today is my 7th birthday, and before the festivities later in the day, I'm enjoying simple bonding with my siblings.
"I win."
"No fair brother Wilhelm!"
"Don't worry Oskar, you'll get better with age."
My eldest brother Wilhelm says with a smirk, meanwhile Oskar pouts at his remarks.
"Brothers, lets play something else!"
"Ok Sissy (Victoria), how about Jenga?"
"Yes! Jenga!"
While Oskar, Auwi (August) and Sissy prepare to play Jenga, my eldest brother Wilhelm suddenly asks me a question.
"Joachim its you birthday today, any wishes?"
"Umm... I do. But I don't know if father will approve."
I carefully answer my brother, but when I think of the chances of getting my wish to come true, I suddenly get contemplative.
"Why do you think so? I don't think father will disapprove of an earnest request from the youngest."
"I wish to meet Bismarck!"
"Kuhm. Really? That's your birthday wish? I think it should be fine, but isn't it too simple for your birthday?"
"Uhmm... brother, aren't father and Bismarck at odds? He's an old man now, I wish to meet him before he returns to the arms of the lord."
"Hmmm... they are at odds, but I don't think father is petty enough to decline such a request. And you can always meet him later, I don't think the Iron Chancellor will go before great-grandma Victoria."
'Wrong brother, Bismarck and Wilhelm II's feud is well-documented in the 21st century. And I need to be able to meet Bismarck as soon as possible because I know he dies next year, although I don't know the exact date.'
While lost in my thoughts about Bismarck, Sissy and my siblings finish preparing Jenga.
"Brothers let's play!"
"Ok Sissy."
"Sure!"