Chapter 8

I hired a group of chemists and ex-workers of tobacco factories who told me the process of making cigarettes, I also gave them the idea of filters as a way to reduce the harm caused by smoking by reducing harmful elements consumed by smokers and a formula to research that was one used in the modern 21st century. Thanks to the recapitulation of my past life memories I could remember a speech by a university student warning my high school class about the negative effects and harmful components of cigarettes, I gave the chemist the components used in the formula but I have not an idea of the quantities or other variables.

With everything done now, I will order Oliver and Rudolph on what they should do, in 3 months the first Sigmaringen Tabacco Co. factory at the latest.

January 17, 1888, Berlin, German Empire.

Oliver's point of view:

After leaving the mansion, Rudolph and I went to complete one of the new tasks assigned by Crown Prince Frederick, We went again to collect information but this time with much more enthusiasm, since with what we gather we will make business plans for a new company.

He turned around, and I saw Rudolph with a smile too big for his face. I let out a giggle and said:

"Rudolph, if you go out smiling like that, people in Berlin would think you're under the influence of opium," I said in a mocking tone.

Rudolph's smile immediately fades away and he replies:

"Let's stop joking Oliver, We already have our chance to climb up as Alexandrei, we need to focus on the task," says Rudolph with a serious voice and expression.

"Of course, I've thought of several ideas already. Do you remember New York, when we visited days ago?"

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with researching the tobacco market here in Berlin?" Rudolph replied with annoyance.

"Where I went to gather information before, many people were smoking cigars and cigarettes as if they were chimneys, I even tried once, but it wasn't for me, they told me something interesting. A millionaire in the tobacco business had offered a reward to whoever made a machine capable of optimizing the process of making cigarettes that until then was done manually," I said, taking a deep breath and then continuing:

"A man already did it, and he made a lot of money selling the patent of his machine to the Tobacco magnate. Maybe we should start from there, imitating the processes and reporting to the prince along with our analysis, it would save us a lot of time and money." I said.

Rudolph was surprised and asked:

"But will his Highness agree? If we imitate everything, what would Prince Frederick who always expresses his admiration for innovation and creativity think? He always talks about it with Alexandrei!" said Rudolph

That's when I stopped and looked into Rudolph's eyes:

"You and I know that it is impossible to make the entire process from scratch, plus the machinery and how to make it successful to earn merits with the prince in 3 months with the budget that he has given us," I said and continued:

"It is much better to imitate a successful company abroad and change it to the business and culture environment here in Berlin, The prince has told us that the cigarette he has in mind is different from the current ones, and he only needs information on the processes and how to handle the sales and distribution networks. It doesn't matter how we do it, didn't you pay attention when he told us to assemble a group of talented chemists and ex-workers from tobacco factories? Surely he already has the idea of following the example of successful companies and just expects us, as his servants, to fulfill our role with these tedious tasks," I finished my argument.

Rudolph instantly understood, after all, he is also one of the chosen elites from a large group of orphans, and his intelligence is no less than Oliver and Alexandrei's.

"But do you know the name of that company? Don't tell me we'll have to go back to New York to gather information" Rudolph asked worriedly

I take a pack of cigarettes out of my pocket and show it to Rudolph.

"Of course not, we have the name, and from what I see they also use collection cards to increase sales. I just need to dial an acquaintance in New York, and for a few dollars we will have the information without leaving Berlin" I said enthusiastically.

End of Oliver's point of view.

At the end of the 19th century, it could be said that all nations grew considerably economically as long as they were not at war, a European nation could perfectly be growing for years after industrialization.

The same goes for entrepreneurs, as long as the business is viable and with good management, it can make money... As the economy advances, more and more people can afford more things than they could not before.

Tobacco, alcohol, and gambling will always be high-profit industry. The vice is present both in times of economic boom and in times of crisis, having losses with these conditions is very difficult.

Rudolph's Point of View:

February 20, 1888, Berlin.

In an office located far from the center of Berlin, there is a man of smaller height than the average German, with brown hair and eyes. Rudolph is again reading the business plan approved by Prince Frederick.

'Maybe we should have changed this' Rudolph thought while concentrating on reading a report.

Suddenly, the office's door opens abruptly. I look up and say:

"Oliver, that door will be deducted from your salary if you break it down!" I said exasperated.

"Calm down Rudolph, I have good news, I have obtained permits from various arms manufacturers in Europe to include in our collection of cards, I have it all in a contract, I promised them that this would be free publicity," Oliver said proudly and continued.

"You should know that the company that makes the collection cards on cigarette packs in America has to pay certain percentages to the baseball teams they use on their cards. I've managed to get all of this for free! Even winning favors from these arms manufacturers." Oliver said feeling more pleased with his achievement.

"But are you sure? Although His Highness, the prince, gave us the idea to include images of weapons on the cards, I don't know... Wasn't it better to do the same and look for a renowned musician or sports star?" I said confused.

"Don't worry, as Prince Frederick explained, our main market will be Germany and the rest of Europe, Militarism predominates here, and it is an honorable job to be part of the army, cigarettes will be sold to this group," Oliver said.

I nodded still a little doubtful. These last few weeks, we rarely see Prince Frederick since he has spent more time in the academy than in the mansion.

We are already implementing phase 1 of the business plan, we rented offices and factories as far away as possible from the center of Berlin but relatively cheap in rent, with purchase options and a nearby railway station for the distribution of the products.

According to the plan, and in a few days we will advance to phase 2, we have obtained authorization to use the necessary machinery to supplant the manual work of making cigarettes. It was not easy, but seeing that we are a German company and the owner of the patent wanted to obtain the favor of the royal house of Germany (We used the name Hohenzollern), everything was easier.

Phase 2 consists of making exclusive contracts with department stores, the various government departments, and the military, and slowly forming a distribution network.

Phase 3 consists of aggressive brand advertising. We must hire personnel to operate the machinery, administrative personnel, and those who will be in charge of managing our distribution channels and expanding them.

The last one, which is phase 4, is to expand throughout Europe, factories strategically positioned to optimize the most of the budget, and we'll ask for a loan from the bank to expand aggressively.

I'm a little worried about the last phase, I still don't know what kind of cigarettes the prince has in mind, but there is already an existing market, it is difficult to occupy the entire market if there is already enough competition.

End of Rudolph's Point of View

A few days later...

Rudolph and Oliver visited the team of chemists in charge of researching the new cigarette formula, They were informed that they already had a prototype. The cigarette that they have "invented" innovation is the change of formula and the so-called filter.

Rudolph and Oliver now understand why his highness is so sure of this business success, Smoking a cigarette with a filter is another experience, the cigarette is not bitter, and it is pleasant, even refreshing. According to the principle, this cigarette also has the advantage of burning toxins that are used to cause deadly diseases (which it doesn't).

Both quickly went to the patent office and patented what would be the world's first cigarette filter. The chemists in charge of this invention were promised bonuses 3 months after patenting it because they did not have enough money to pay them, every single pound, shelling or penny was invested.

Crown Prince Frederick ordered both to gather doctors and victims of the cigarette toxin components to "warn" everyone about the harm caused by unfiltered cigarettes and publish it in the Berlin newspapers.

On February 23, 1888, the Hohen brand of cigarettes was officially launched on the market, the first in the world to use a filter.

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Note: What did you think of the chapter? I have tried to make it as "real" as possible, I would like the novel from beginning to end to be realistic but at the same time easier to read and not boring. Did you like the "POV" of the characters? Soon I will include more characters that have a little more background and are not subordinates of the protagonist.

• Important Data:

British pound:

1 Pound = 20 shillings

1 Shillings= 12 pennies

American dollar:

1 Dollar= 100 cents

The exchange ratio of:

1 pound= 5 dollars (I simplified the exchange ratio, 1=4.88 historical data)

*Why do I use pounds instead of dollars? It's for the ambiance but if you readers want I can use dollars.

*Why no use of Leu(Romanian currency), gold marks, or francs? Because it will make it more complicated. I use pound 'cause British pounds are accepted everywhere in the world