Building a Conglomerate in Another World - Chapter 45 - Arrival at Siam

The journey to the Kingdom of Siam from Amsterdam took about 45 days. That’s a month and a half, a long voyage that was so inefficient that even in the middle of the trip, Matthew would get frustrated by it.

In his previous world, it would only take hours. Unfortunately, this was the fastest transportation to get to and fro in any part of the globe. Good thing for him, he didn’t let those days come to waste as he used that time to draw schematics of his future enterprises.

The thought of making an airplane in the near future is not far from reality. If he could make automobiles, he could make everything else. In total, he had drawn about 103 blueprints which he had stowed securely in a blueprint canister.

Seconds later, there was a knock on the door.

“Mr. Hesh, we have arrived at the port of Bangkok,” the steward’s voice came through the door.

Matthew placed the final touches on the notes he had been scribbling in his journal before closing it with a snap.

He stood, stretching briefly, and then moved to retrieve his travel case and the blueprint canister, securing it carefully in his luggage.

“Thank you,” Matthew called back. “I’ll be out shortly.”

He took a moment to adjust his attire, ensuring that his suit was impeccable. He smoothed the lapels of his coat, straightened his tie, and checked his reflection in the small mirror mounted above the dresser. His image was that of a confident entrepreneur, ready to take on the challenges of a foreign land.

When he stepped out onto the deck, the sight of Bangkok’s bustling port greeted him. It was like stepping into another world—a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells unlike anything he had experienced before. The vibrant chaos of the port unfolded before him, with workers hauling goods onto rickety carts, merchants shouting their wares in Siam.

The Chao Phraya River stretched out before him, its surface dotted with long-tail boats and barges ferrying goods and people. Towering golden spires from distant temples glinted in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the bustling modernity of the port.

First things first, he has to get to the Embassy of Amerathia. From there, he could establish his initial contacts, seek advice, and ideally, secure a reliable guide to navigate this unfamiliar territory.

A well-dressed man in a light linen suit approached him, his appearance standing out against the rough-edged laborers and merchants. His features were sharp, his expression confident but friendly.

“Mr. Hesh, I presume?” the man said, bowing slightly. “I am Niran, sent by the Amerathian Embassy to escort you. The ambassador is aware of your arrival and has arranged accommodations for your visit. I trust your voyage was tolerable?”

“Tolerable enough, thank you,” Matthew replied, meeting Niran’s gaze and extending his hand. “I appreciate the Embassy’s foresight in sending someone. Time is a valuable commodity, and I’d like to get started as soon as possible.”

“Of course,” Niran said, gesturing toward a waiting carriage. “Please, follow me. I’ll take you to the Embassy, where the ambassador is eager to meet you.”

s they made their way through the port, Matthew took in the surroundings. Monks in saffron robes walked in single file, beggars knelt with palms outstretched, and merchants haggled loudly with customers over bundles of rice, textiles, and spices.

The carriage ride to the Embassy offered a reprieve from the chaos. Niran provided Matthew a brief overview of the country.

“The king has recently invested in significant infrastructure projects,” Niran explained. “Railroads, bridges, and modern ports are all being built to connect Siam to the rest of the world. Entrepreneurs like yourself are viewed as crucial allies in this effort.”

“That’s promising,” Matthew said.

They arrived at the embassy. A uniformed guard opened the gate for their carriage, and Niran gestured for Matthew to step down.

“This way, Mr. Hesh,” Niran said, leading him up the marble steps toward the entrance.

Inside, a young attendant greeted them with a bow before guiding them to the ambassador’s office.

The ambassador, a tall man with silver hair and a dignified presence, rose from behind his desk as they entered. He extended a hand with a warm smile.

“Mr. Hesh, welcome to Siam. I’m Ambassador Rowland. We’ve been eagerly anticipating your arrival.”

Matthew shook the ambassador’s hand firmly. “Thank you, Ambassador. I’m grateful for the support your office has extended to facilitate my visit.”

“Please, have a seat,” Rowland said, gesturing to a pair of upholstered chairs near his desk. As Matthew sat, Niran took his place near the door, quietly observing.

“I understand you’re here to establish a rubber plantation,” Rowland began, folding his hands on the desk. “You couldn’t have chosen a better time. The Kingdom of Siam is in a unique position—rich in natural resources and eager to modernize. There’s tremendous potential here. Do you have a location in mind?”

“I do,” Matthew said. “I’d want a plantation to be in a region with a high density of rubber trees and optimal conditions for their growth. I believe the southern provinces of Siam, particularly near the Malay Peninsula, would be ideal. The humid, tropical environment there is perfect for cultivating rubber.”

Ambassador Rowland nodded, clearly impressed by Matthew’s preparation. “You’ve done your homework, Mr. Hesh. The southern provinces, especially Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, are indeed prime locations for rubber cultivation. Additionally, the proximity to shipping routes will be advantageous for exporting your product.”

“That’s good,” Matthew simply noted. “I’m willing to buy ten hectares of land to start. Once the operation proves successful, I’ll expand gradually.”

Ambassador Rowland leaned back in his chair, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s a wise approach. I can connect you with local officials and landowners in the southern provinces. They’re generally receptive to foreign investment, especially when it involves modernization and job creation.”

Matthew pulled out a leather-bound notebook from his case and jotted down notes. “What about the workforce? I’ll need laborers, preferably those familiar with rubber cultivation.”

“You won’t have a hard time finding laborers there with your criteria,” Rowland said.

“Good,” Matthew replied, his mind racing with logistical considerations. “I’ll also need access to transportation routes—roads, rivers, or railways to ensure the smooth movement of goods.”

Rowland gestured toward a map on the wall, highlighting the southern region. “The government has recently improved the infrastructure in these areas, including rail links to Bangkok and ports for shipping. It should meet your needs.”

Matthew nodded, satisfied with the information. “Then it seems everything is aligning well. I’d like to visit Surat Thani and assess the land firsthand.”

Rowland smiled. “Of course. I’ll arrange for transportation and ensure you’re introduced to the right people. You’ll find that the locals are warm and eager to work with entrepreneurs like yourself.”