Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

After the termination agreement meeting with James Russell, Amelia escorted him out of the building. When she returned five minutes later, Poul Nielsen, the CEO of the company, noticed the puzzled expression on her face.

"Mr. Nielsen, if I may ask, why did you agree to sell your patent to James Russell for one hundred thousand dollars? You know it's worth more than that," Amelia asked.

"Because Amelia, since our relationship with Mr. Russell is not good at the moment, I figured that it would be best to cut ties with him. He has the capability to ruin our business because we are associated with the direct current motor he is distributing. I don't want to take that chance and regret it knowing that I could have prevented it sooner," Poul explained. "I'm sure, Jonathan would come to the same conclusion as mine."

Amelia was taken aback by Poul's decision. "But, Mr. Nielsen, you are losing a lot of money once that royalty payment is gone."

Poul nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it is true that we are losing money from that agreement, but it's not like we depend on his royalties to run our operations. It's merely a one percent deduction to our total net worth, so it's not as significant as you might think. Also, it's not like the direct current motor he is selling is going to sell in high numbers all the time because most of the factory owners have bought it. Not to mention the fact that we have a superior motor that will be commercialized soon."

Amelia was impressed by Poul's insights. "It sounds to me that you have anticipated this, Mr. Nielsen."

"Well, I have been expecting that it would kind of happen when Mr. Russell decided to file a lawsuit against us," Poul said.

Amelia then asked, "Do you think Mr. Russell is going to stop now?"

Poul shook his head. "I don't think so. We are still competing for the best electric distribution system, so I doubt our rivalry is going to end anytime soon."

Amelia nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"What is our next move then, Mr. Nielsen?"

"Our next move I guess is to continue to do the work the same way we always do," Poul said simply.

"Very well then, Mr. Nielsen," Amelia said.

And then silence befell upon the two. The silence was suffocating to the point, Poul wanted to break the ice. But what kind of conversation topic should he bring up? How about their dispute with one another? Well, he can try that.

"Amelia, it's been like a month since you are avoiding me by not calling me by my first name. When are we going to settle our differences and move on?"

"Mr. Nielsen, I have no problem with you, to be honest. I'm just acting the way I am to you when I start working in this company," Amelia explained.

"Yeah I know that, but you might call me selfish for this but I kind of got accustomed to our casual relationship and I hope that we can keep it that way, despite the problems that we had just now."

Amelia smiled slightly. "I understand, Mr. Nielsen. And I have no problem with that either. We can continue our casual relationship as long as it doesn't interfere with our work."

Poul nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Amelia. I appreciate it."

"No problem, Poul," Amelia said.

Poul was relieved that they were able to make amends, but he can sense that Amelia is merely agreeing to his terms because she wanted him to stop. He was stupid back then, making her feel special by not letting any man approach her and saying sweet words that could have led her to believe that he was interested in her romantically. This was true at first but that was all infatuation, a feeling that had subsided in time. Now, he just wanted to be friends with Amelia, a professional working relationship that could be maintained without any personal attachment.

He also hoped that she wouldn't leave the company due to this, Amelia has been an integral part of the company, making it the way it is now. If they lose her, that would be a significant loss to the company.

Now that he is all realizing it, the more he is realizing his stupidity. If only he can turn back time, he would make sure that it won't lead to this.

But knowing that Amelia is a logical and professional person, Poul knew that she wouldn't let personal matters affect her work performance. He made a mental note to make it up to her somehow, maybe by offering her a promotion or a bonus. But for now, he needed to focus on the company's next move.

"Poul, we have a meeting scheduled with the electrical engineering team in an hour. Do you want me to prepare the documents?" Amelia asked, breaking Poul's train of thought.

"Yes, please do," Poul replied, grateful for the distraction. "Let's go over them together before the meeting."

Amelia nodded and went back to her desk to retrieve the documents for the electrical engineering team meeting. She returned to Poul's office ten minutes later. Handing him the document, Poul pored over it, perusing the contents.

As Poul analyzed the contents, his brows furrowed. "So, we are to discuss later in the meeting about substation huh? Very well."

***

An hour later, Poul and Amelia arrived in the meeting room on the third floor. The electrical engineering team, which is composed of James Russell's former electrical engineers, sat around a mahogany desk, facing Poul writing something on the chalkboard while Amelia handed over a copy of documents they'll discuss.

"So, about the substation, it is a critical component for our alternating current distribution system, it is what allows us to transmit electricity over a long distance and at the same time make it safe for our consumer to use it. Without it,  our system's efficiency would be compromised as we would need to generate and distribute electricity at much higher voltages to cover long distances, which is not safe for consumers. Moreover, the substation enables us to regulate voltage levels, which is crucial for ensuring that appliances and equipment operate safely and efficiently. Therefore, the substation is an essential component that we cannot afford to neglect." Poul further elaborated on the team.

"What is the optimum range for the substation away from the power plant? Should we start constructing one?"

"Great question," Poul responded. "The optimal distance of the substation from the power plant depends on a variety of factors, such as the voltage level, load demand, and transmission line length. As a rule of thumb, a substation should be located within 50 miles of the power plant to minimize transmission losses and ensure efficient power delivery. However, we can conduct a feasibility study to determine the most suitable location for the substation based on our specific requirements."

Amelia chimed in, "Regarding the construction, we already have a plan in place, and the necessary permits are underway. We'll need to procure the equipment and hire contractors for the construction, and we expect to begin the groundwork in the next few months."

Another engineer asked, "What about the safety measures we need to consider for the substation? Do we need any additional safety equipment or procedures?"

Poul replied, "Absolutely. Safety is a top priority, and we need to ensure that the substation is designed, constructed, and maintained to the highest safety standards. We'll need to incorporate safety equipment such as fences, warning signs, and grounding systems to prevent electrical hazards. Additionally, we'll conduct regular safety inspections and training for our personnel to maintain a safe working environment."

The engineers hummed in agreement. Until one of them raised a hand and asked a question.

"Uhm, Mr. Nielsen. About the substation, do we really need to build it? James Russell doesn't have a substation of his own, and I see that the construction of one of these facilities costs a lot of money."

Poul paused for a moment, considering the question. "While it's true that James Russell's direct current system doesn't require a substation, we're operating on an alternating current system, which is different. Without a substation, we won't be able to regulate the voltage levels, which could lead to fluctuations and inconsistencies in the power supply. This could result in power outages, equipment damage, and even safety hazards for consumers."

He added, "Moreover, as our system expands and we connect to more transmission lines, the need for a substation becomes even more critical. It's an investment in the long-term stability and efficiency of our electrical grid."

The engineer nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer. "Okay, that makes sense. Thank you for clarifying."

"Now, are there any further questions?"

Poul glanced over at the engineers but no one raised a hand, indicating that there were no more questions.

"Since there are no more questions, we can now conclude the meeting. Be sure to study the documents that we have handed to you."