Reborn In 17th century India with Black Technology

Akhand Bharatiya Empire, Imperial Capital-Bengaluru

Pankaj has been in a very bad mood lately. A month ago, he was the director and manager of Shivaji Shipyard, one of the Big 5 shipyards in the nation, and now he is jobless. This situation arose due to a disagreement between him and the board of directors.

The largest shareholder of the company, the Molin family, holding nearly 35% of the shares, somehow convinced the rest of the board that he was not fit to be the manager and had him removed.

"Was funding research in a new direction and establishing the shipyard’s own research bureau such a mistake?" Pankaj was clearly upset. Although their shipyard was currently in top position, he knew it would not remain so without progress. To address this, he set up the Shivaji Research Bureau within the shipyard, focusing on new marine technologies.

Unfortunately, despite his explanations that this institute would help maintain the shipyard’s leading position with just 5% of the profits, the board of directors did not appreciate his efforts. They were too content with their current success and wary of any changes that might jeopardize their financial stability. As a result, Pankaj was dismissed from the shipyard.

Since this decision was unilateral from the board, even the government could not intervene.

"Sigh!"

Even though Pankaj had received multiple offers from different companies to take on roles as their directors, he was very unwilling. Going from being the director of one of the 5 largest shipyards to something much smaller made him very uncomfortable. Even when offered very attractive deals, such as nearly 30% of the company, Pankaj was not enthusiastic.

Pankaj currently had no financial worries, as he still held 3% of Shivaji Shipyard, and the income he received from it was substantial.

"Father, you have a letter," a little boy around the age of 10 handed over an exquisitely sealed letter and ran away.

Pankaj was taken aback when he saw that it was a letter from the royal family.

---

One week later, Pankaj excitedly met up with Bhaskaracharya and took the post as the director of Raya Chemicals. Vijay was informed of the news and immediately came over to meet Pankaj.

"Pankaj, the Empire has put a lot of effort into researching a method to mass-produce the 5 core chemicals of the chemical industry. You know that, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I do. My eldest son is participating in one of those research projects."

"Okay, good. I expect the research to be completed by the end of the year. By that time, I need you to set up the equipment needed in the company."

Vijay handed over a file, which Pankaj received with a serious expression on his face.

"The document contains 7 types of equipment required to mass-produce the chemicals: namely, lead chamber, distillation apparatus, reverberatory furnace, extraction equipment, soda ash kilns, reactors, and neutralizing tanks. I have written down all the functions and uses of these pieces of equipment.

By the time the mass production method is invented, I need you to install this equipment in the Raya Chemicals factory. The chemicals should be ready to be mass-produced by January."

"Do you understand?"

Pankaj nodded his head but his expression was hesitant. "Your Majesty, all the universities in the empire are currently busy with the mechanical and chemical projects you have assigned. Where can I find any scientists who are willing to research these pieces of equipment?"

Hearing the question, Vijay did not answer but looked at Bhaskaracharya and smiled.

"Mr. Pankaj, you don’t have to worry about this issue. The Raya Research Institute will fully cooperate with you to invent and manufacture this equipment."

"Whew!"

Although Pankaj did not know what sort of scientists were present in the newly established Raya Research Institute, he became more relaxed and confident since His Majesty clearly had confidence in the institute.

Having finished assigning the tasks, Vijay was about to leave but then remembered something. "Pankaj, you were the director of Shivaji Shipyard, weren’t you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." There was a hint of sadness on his face.

Vijay recognized the look. He was also aware of what happened not only at Shivaji Shipyard but at all major shipyards in the Empire, since the royal family owns, on average, 10% of shares in all the major shipyards of the nation. Hence, he knew that Pankaj was removed from Shivaji Shipyard.

However, even if Vijay felt that the idea of a Shivaji Research Institute was a good one, he remained silent, not wanting to go against the wishes of the other board members. He could have kept Pankaj in the company if he had used his influence, but he chose not to, as it would not be good for business and would blemish the reputation of the royal family.

Unless the changes made by any private company affect national security, he does not interfere, even if the company holds some shares of the royal family.

Looking at the depressed face, Vijay gave a stern order to Pankaj:

"We are at the end of August, so for January, we still have four months. During this time, you won’t have any actual work except to cooperate with the Raya Research Institute. In this time span of four months, I need you to become knowledgeable in the chemical industry.

Although I don’t expect you to reach the same level as the professors, I expect you to have enough knowledge to be on par with a university student."

"You were chosen because you are willing to try something new and because there aren’t any managers in the chemical field. As the most qualified manager on the market, you were selected. But don’t think that you can relax your learning just because you have secured this job. Let me tell you, by the time mass production starts, if you don’t have enough knowledge to be in this field, I’ll replace you."

Pankaj immediately stiffened with nervousness, sweat trickling down his forehead. Seeing the serious expression on His Majesty’s face, he knew that he was not lying.

Fortunately, he wasn’t too worried, as the moment he received the letter of Invitation that day, he had already decided to familiarize himself with the chemical industry.

"Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I will do as you order." His face was resolute.

---

Going back to the Simhasana Bhavana, Vijay had a guest waiting for him.

Looking at the man in white clothes and a white mask, who else could it be if not Kishore Balabadra, the Observer of the empire and the managing director of the Election, Nobility, and Examination Council (ENEC)?

Speaking of the ENEC, it was brought under the Imperial Committee after the reorganization, as opposed to being the separate entity it had been before the change.

Vijay did not make this change because he felt his power was challenged; no, he did it because he found out that even though the ENEC council had great autonomy and power, at the end of the day, when it came to purging, the ENEC department had to rely on his own intelligence channels to take action.

The alternative solution to solve the problem would have been to establish an intelligence department within the ENEC, but Vijay wasn’t foolish enough to give the powers of intelligence to an organization already wielding great power in terms of judiciary and execution.

Vijay was not willing to see a KGB rise up in Bharat; hence, he brought the ENEC Council directly under the Imperial Committee and gave it one of the seats on the board of directors, Naturally giving the department some powers to come into contact with all the departments within the Imperial committee.

Kishore Balabadra immediately got up and greeted Vijay as soon as he saw him enter the palace.

"Kishore, have you completed making the list?" Vijay asked as he reached for a cup of water while gesturing for Kishore to sit down. Vijay knew why Kishore had come to meet him today; it was to hold the nobility promotions ceremony that had been long delayed due to the war and the purge.

Seeing as how His Majesty brought up the matter himself, there was a hint of relief in Kishore’s eyes. He knew that the likelihood of the ceremony being held very soon was very high. "I have, Your Majesty. We only require your signature and a decision on a date to move forward." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Kishore immediately took out a large file, as thick as a few dictionaries, and passed it over to Vijay with both hands.

Vijay took the document and went through it roughly, only to see hundreds of names and profiles of people, their merits, and the rank they were about to receive.

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Kishore. I will talk with the priest and set up a good date for the ceremony. It is about time they get the promotion that they deserve."

Kishore left the palace with a satisfied expression on his face.

Back in the palace, Vijay did not waste any time. He promptly went to Priest Nirmal Acharya and enquired about an auspicious day to hold the nobility promotion ceremony.

Acharya took out the Panchangam, took out various long sticks that looked like dice, and started rolling them. Afterwards, he began to count numbers with his fingers and muttered various Sanskrit words as he tried to find the right day for the ceremony.

Acharya stopped chanting and asked Vijay to give his hand. Vijay did not hesitate and stretched out his right hand. Acharya took out a fruit from the basket kept in front of the idol, chanted mantras, touched it to the feet of the idol, and passed it on to Vijay.

"September 18th, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, is auspicious, Your Majesty."

Knowing the date, he called Ganesh to his office and instructed him to publish the news throughout the empire. At the same time, he sent the news directly to Kishore Balabadra, alerting him to be prepared early.

P.S. Notice the change in writing style? I feel it’s more optimised and has less bloat, I’m fully not there yet but I’ll get there soon enough.