Chapter 5: Shaping the Future
Susima reveled in the progress he had made during this period. The successful implementation of his plans for sugar, bio-plastics, bio-fuel, and other future products filled him with satisfaction. However, he prayed that the upcoming ventures, including small-scale movie production, would go just as smoothly.
His focus shifted towards the film industry, envisioning the seamless integration of technology and knowledge slaves to expedite the process. After conducting extensive research on glass, he saw an opportunity to utilize the available workforce efficiently. His plan was to form multiple teams, each led by a competent team leader, with group leaders reporting to a higher manager.
He designed a company model in his mind, envisioning departments, a board of directors, a CEO, and, ultimately, himself as the owner. Monitoring the company's financial health through account reviews became crucial for assessing employee performance. If individuals weren't contributing significantly, he planned to replace them with ambitious successors eager to assume leadership positions.
This strategy mirrored the corporate world's dynamics, fostering healthy competition within the company. Juniors would strive to surpass their superiors, creating an environment of continuous improvement. Susima emphasized rewarding hardworking individuals to ensure a motivated workforce.
Moreover, he planned to diversify his investments by establishing various companies, each managing different mills and factories. Acting as the major shareholder in each entity, he aimed to conceal his influence by assigning unique names to each company. This way, it would be challenging for outsiders to connect the businesses and realize they belonged to the same person.
Expanding his reach beyond the current city, Susima intended to explore other lucrative markets. He strategized purchasing valuable assets, such as shares in promising companies, to become their largest shareholder. To maintain a low profile, he would create subsidiaries, presenting alternative solutions to the public.
Susima was aware of the risks associated with monopolizing an entire market, drawing lessons from Microsoft's struggles in the modern era. The attempt to control both software and hardware faced backlash, leading to a change in strategy. However, he reasoned that the ancient times might not be as resistant to such control, allowing him to pursue his ambitious plans.
Despite being the Crown Prince and not lacking personal wealth, Susima recognized the importance of shaping the financial landscape for the future. His vision extended beyond immediate gains, aiming to secure a robust foundation for the coming years. Creating rival companies would motivate his workforce, stimulate research, and contribute to overall economic growth.
He acknowledged that, as an emperor in the future, money would not be a concern. However, Susima was determined to ensure a balanced relationship between the government and businesses. Instead of letting companies control the government, he envisioned a scenario where the government held sway over corporate entities.
With these grand plans in motion, Susima felt a sense of responsibility for the future of the empire. His actions were not merely for personal gain but aimed at creating a legacy that would benefit generations to come. The journey ahead was intricate, requiring careful maneuvering, and Susima was prepared to navigate the complexities of power, influence, and economic transformation in ancient India.
As Susima meticulously laid the groundwork for his grand plan, he found solace in the knowledge that he had crafted this strategy with the input of his knowledge slaves and insights from the future. Controlling the financial, military, and government sectors would grant him the ultimate decision-making power.
However, concerns about the competence of his future successors lingered in his mind. To address this, he had no intention of succumbing to mortality. The pursuit of knowledge, in his view, held the key to longevity. Fear of death was foreign to him, and he remained unwavering in his determination to secure Bharat's enduring glory.
Ancient traditions in India dictated that princes undergo testing in various cities to ascertain their eligibility. Susima planned to subject his successor to this rigorous examination. If deemed competent, the successor would ascend to the throne; otherwise, they would be disqualified from governing even a single city, let alone the entire empire.
Putting aside thoughts of the future, Susima, still in his youth, turned his attention to the vast uncharted territories of knowledge within Bharat. Fields like the periodic table, chemical reactions, and formulas awaited discovery, promising immense growth in the realm of chemistry. While Susima was aware of the periodic table, he chose not to disclose it, fearing the repercussions of unveiling such groundbreaking knowledge and potentially being labeled an alien in future generations.
With a limited time of one year and a few months before enrolling in Takshashila as a disciple of Acharya Chanakya, Susima delved into learning from various teachers. The highlight of his education would be the teachings of the renowned Chanakya. During this period, he initiated a special project within the castle – identifying and recruiting corrupted ministers or those with rebellious intentions. By turning them into loyal knowledge slaves, Susima gained a network of informants within the court, providing valuable insights into the inner workings of the government.
Susima, driven by a desire for control and foresight, uncovered a surprising revelation during his espionage efforts. Contrary to his expectations, the concept of plots seemed absent in this ancient world. While he had anticipated Greek hostility towards Bharat and scheming to undermine the empire, the absence of such plots left him feeling somewhat disappointed. As much as he aimed for stability, a part of him craved the intrigue and drama that plots would bring.
As Susima continued his journey towards enlightenment and strategic mastery, he found himself navigating a delicate balance between securing the future of Bharat and savoring the challenges and mysteries that lay ahead.