Chapter 9: Ignorant

March 1, 1888, Berlin.

A week has passed since the opening of the Hohen tobacco company. After publishing in several newspapers in Berlin, it quickly generated controversy among the public, but several "experts" also came out denying it and stating that tobacco is confirmed as a product that, in addition to relaxing us, is beneficial for our health.

After days of controversy, the only filtered cigarette that claimed to be safe for the consumer's health hit the market like German tanks at the beginning of WW2 after rounds of aggressive advertising in Berlin, demonstrations by tobacco victims, and gifts of cigarette packs to officials throughout Germany, the Hohen brand of cigarettes became popular with its clever trading cards.

As for these recent days, Frederick had to take a few days off from the Academy to personally oversee the company. This morning there were 2 attempts to sabotage the factory machinery, forcing Frederick to ask his uncle for help to mobilize some retired soldiers and protect the facilities.

Frederick is more concerned than ever about the lack of liquidity. He recently tried to request a loan from the German National Bank, and the Hamburg Bank, among others, but due to the loan terms and high interest rates, he feels that someone is behind all of this, a group of people trying to hinder his business.

'I was naive, tobacco has been a lucrative business for decades, Of course, there will be one or two very influential people in the tobacco business, I might be an influential person thanks to my last name but these people also have a lot of influence in the government.' lamented Frederick

'Due to the "accidents" that have happened in recent days, no newspaper wants to publish again about the campaign against unfiltered cigarettes. The only thing that keeps me going is the advertising with banners in public places and that more victims came to protest.' I thought while looking at the sales report.

More than 1,250,000 packs sold at 2 Shilling each pack of cigarettes have been sold immediately after emptying our inventory. It was a good decision to write to Carol I asking for funds for my business venture, I started with a capital of 105 thousand pounds (£11,182,045.49), and as we have a profit margin yield of 30%, with profits of 37,500 pounds, it is a very lucrative and even more so if I eliminate the competition and monopolize the sales of filtered cigarettes, but now with the cost of building more factories, I would barely have enough to sustain the expansion of the company. I have to clarify that now I am involved in a media war and I must leave some capital in case unforeseen events that might occur, such as the sabotage recently.

'I have written a letter to Carol I again, asking him to send someone trustworthy to help Oliver and Rudolph who can barely deal with the sales in Germany, I also told him what has been going on, I hope someone more experienced like my father can help me.' I thought with frustration and helplessness.

'In 1888, there were hardly any suspicions about the damage that tobacco causes to the human body, but that does not mean that there is no evidence, it just takes someone with enough weight to make it known to the world. I'm afraid that if it weren't for my position as a prince... No, if it weren't for being a member of the Hohenzollerns and studying in Berlin if I were still in Romania I would have already been murdered and those involved in the scandal pressured to stop protesting.' I thought with an expression of uncertainty and fear.

I jumped up from my chair and punched the desk, then sat back down leaning into my desk with my hands over my face and muttered,

"It is no longer an option to do nothing and try to reconcile, sooner or later situations like this would have appeared. For these small obstacles am I going to give up? Never! I am a Hohenzollern, the family that made history throughout the centuries, I know things beyond time I have prepared myself for this over the years. History has changed, even if I give up now there are no guarantees that I will not die from the flu, cancer, or a poorly treated tooth... What Is the meaning of living like this? I must face everything that comes from now on firmly, never let go of anyone that schemes against me, the fear I feel now will be my fuel to get out of the pit that I dug for myself." I finished muttering, already with a firmer expression.

The next day, in the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen mansion, I asked my grandfather for advice, he was formerly a minister for the Prussian government.

"Dear Frederick, it is excellent that you have launched successful startups at such a young age but the field you have chosen is different from the so-called innovations that are so popular today" Prince Karl Anton took another sip of coffee and continued

"The tobacco business, which only the nobles and powerful capitalists with connections can enter, is equal to the food and wine, among other businesses that have existed for decades. You have been ignorant and foolish in not knowing who your opponents were and how influential they were before you published the so-called cigarette filter in the newspapers you have not touched the interests of one or two individuals but the interests of several interconnected groups of interest deeply involved in politics and the army." Karl Anton said sternly.

"If you weren't a member of the royal family, you probably would have killed yourself with a shot in the back or drowned with a glass of water," Prince Karl said with obvious sarcasm.

I was a bit ashamed of my ignorance but kept staring at my grandfather.

Prince Karl sighed and continued:

"Since you know where you failed and you have the courage or the stupidity to move on, I guess I can't demoralize you. To fix the big problem at hand, there is a good opportunity and it all depends on how well we can take advantage of it."

"What chance? I'll do my best Grandpa" I answered quickly.

"Heh, now you call me Grandpa instead of Your Highness Prince Karl?" Karl Anton said with a chuckle.

But he didn't let Frederick speak and continued:

"The Crown Prince Friedrich is ill, you know? According to the doctors he has been seeing, everything points to a disease of the larynx" Karl Anton said slowly.

This made me freeze for what seemed like a few minutes, my brain thought of several different possibilities.

"Y-You mean to publish that the disease of the crown prince of the empire was caused by tobacco's toxins?" I said with disbelief in my voice.

"No, we won't do anything, there are suspicions that tobacco is the cause of various diseases, only these are ignored. The evidence is out there of victims protesting in various cities of the Empire." Said my grandfather and looking at me fixedly continued:

"Whether it's true or false, at this point it's irrelevant. With the testimony of the victims and a couple of analyses from doctors and scientists, a lie can be turned real."

I was surprised, what my grandfather was saying made sense. Although I am 100% sure that tobacco is harmful to health, and even with a lot of evidence, nobody will give importance. Maybe a few elites who find out through social circles will stop smoking it, but ordinary people in Germany or Europe? , even going to North America where there is greater freedom of expression, the result would be the same.

'Apparently, I got carried away by my memories of the 21st century, right now I am facing veterans of politics and business, there is not an ignorant group, these characters will do anything without remorse to remove obstacles that affect their interests.' I thought more calmly.

Crown Prince Frederick Aton von Hohenzollern, has experienced his first change in the way he sees the world, from now on he will take the reality of the 19th century more seriously.

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Note: Please let me know if you find the POVs odd or the way I'm writing the novel. The next chapters will be the last of our MC's slow-grown (2-3). I hope you have enjoyed the plot so far, these chapters were written by me a few days ago so I will apply your suggestions a couple of chapters later!