The Ploiesti oil field, which had been under construction for three years, was finally completed. Edel, accompanied by Standard Oil representative Smith and Mayor Karaturi, toured the newly finished refinery area.
As they walked past the imposing factory buildings, Edel turned to a beaming Smith and remarked, "When I first arrived here three years ago, this place was nothing but a barren plot. I remember seeing you, fervently directing the workers. It feels like it was just yesterday."
Smith, maintaining a serious demeanor in response to the prince's recollection, replied, "Your Highness, the completion of this project owes much to Mayor Latour. Last winter, we faced a severe manpower shortage that nearly halted our progress. It was the mayor who stepped in to rally additional workers and ensured we stayed on schedule."
Smith was well aware of the importance of maintaining good relations with local authorities for the survival and success of the factory.
He recalled the manpower issues from the previous winter, which were exacerbated by local troublemakers who frequently disrupted the construction site. These rogues, despite their small-time mischief, were initially dealt with lightly by Smith through minor payoffs, as the police couldn't arrest them due to insufficient evidence.
However, the situation escalated last winter when these hooligans, emboldened and greedy, demanded a large sum of money. After Smith refused, they intimidated the workers, threatening them to stop them from reporting to work. Smith had no choice but to seek Mayor Latour's assistance. The mayor responded decisively, arresting the troublemakers on charges of endangering public safety and sentencing them to five years of hard labor, inadvertently aiding the project's completion.
Edel was aware of these events and mused that such foolishness was common everywhere. He believed that harsh experiences such as hard labor could reform such individuals.
Standing amidst the refinery, Edel looked around and said, "This is the essence of industrial charm. It is industry alone that can elevate Romania."
Mayor Karaturi quickly agreed, "Your Highness is absolutely right. Prosperity for our people can only come through industrial development." His agreement triggered a chorus of affirmations from the gathered officials, all echoing the importance of industry for national progress.
Edel felt a mix of amusement and resignation at these responses. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to the predictable flattery from officials, understanding that such behavior was ingrained and mostly harmless as long as he remained discerning.
Turning to Smith, Edel inquired, "I heard that you will soon be transferred back to your headquarters in the United States?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I was informed just yesterday," Smith confirmed.
Edel then proposed, "Mr. Smith, considering your imminent return, have you ever thought about taking a leap to become the general manager of an oil company, rather than just a department manager at Standard Oil?"
Smith was visibly taken aback by the unexpected offer and the recognition of his potential, stuttering slightly as he responded, "This is quite sudden, Your Highness. I'm honored and will need some time to think it over."
Edel observed Smith's hesitation and added, "Consider the long path ahead at Standard Oil, where reaching a decision-making level might take a decade, not to mention the internal resistance you would face. A new company would not have these issues, and you could lead based on your own vision."
"May I take some time to consider your proposal, Your Highness?" Smith asked.
"Of course, I'll await your decision," Edel replied, understanding that further persuasion would be redundant for a man of Smith's intellect.
Edel was eager to find a new president for the Romanian oil company due to the previous president's incompetence, which had led to inefficiencies and internal strife. Smith, with his deep understanding of oil operations and firsthand experience in Romania, seemed an ideal candidate. Edel had hoped to secure Smith before he was transferred, hence the early offer.
Later that evening, Smith returned to his modest two-story, vine-covered home. Inside, his living space was sparsely furnished, but a large bookshelf filled with well-thumbed volumes indicated his scholarly habits. Pacing by the bookshelf, Smith weighed his options: the secure, progressive path at Standard Oil, or the immediate, influential role in Romania.
Torn between future security and immediate impact, Smith resorted to flipping a coin to help make his decision. "Heads, I return to the United States; tails, I stay in Romania," he murmured as he tossed the coin. It landed on tails, displaying the Romanian inscription. Taking this as a sign, Smith decided to stay.
The next morning, dressed sharply, Smith visited the royal residence. After informing the guard of his arrival, he was asked to wait. Edel, upon being notified, wrapped up his discussion on Bosnian affairs and instructed the guard to escort Smith to the living room.
Descending the stairs to greet his guest, Edel asked with a hopeful smile, "Mr. Smith, do you bring good news?"
Smith, removing his hat and bowing slightly, announced, "Your Highness, I am deeply honored by your confidence in my abilities. It would be my greatest privilege to serve as the president of the Romanian Petroleum Company."
One day later, Smith's resignation was approved, and he received congratulations from Rockefeller, who encouraged him to achieve even better results in his new company. Smith, still feeling elated, congratulated Rockefeller in return, fully aware that this was a strategic move for Romanian Petroleum to maintain a beneficial relationship with Standard Oil.
Even before officially starting his new role, Smith began strategizing for his new company, demonstrating his professionalism and justifying his reputation as a highly valued executive. In his negotiations with Crown Prince Edel, he managed to secure substantial rights for himself.
In Romanian Petroleum, the financial oversight was stringent, with the Crown Prince assigning a supervisor to monitor the finances and having the right to advise Smith on significant company decisions. Additionally, he would receive a two percent share of the company's profits, and shareholders were required to inform Smith about major decisions.
Upon reaching an agreement with Edel, Smith officially took office. At his first meeting with the company's management, he made his expectations clear: "From now on, you will follow my instructions. Reduce office expenses, and reassign the surplus staff to our foreign offices, particularly in Italy. The production department must focus on cost control. Our oil may not match the quality of Russian or Persian oil, so adjust the prices accordingly." With that, he ended the meeting.
Smith's assertive and decisive manner left a strong impression on many, instilling a mix of respect and fear. Those who dared to defy him soon regretted it, as Smith swiftly dealt with any insubordination.
In Genoa, Italy's largest port city, the automobile industry was booming, thanks to efforts by Edel. Passenger cars were becoming increasingly common, and Dongfeng trucks were a frequent sight. With demand came supply, and Romanian Petroleum had set up an office on the prestigious Garibaldi Avenue.
Inside the office, Nomi Treasurer, the person in charge, was briefing a newcomer from China about the sales performance in his region. "In my jurisdiction, thanks to the region's prosperity, we manage to sell 140,000 barrels of various refined oil products every month. We're outperforming Standard, which is quite an achievement here."
Nomi seemed quite proud of his accomplishments. After discussing the sales figures, he turned to the newcomer and asked, "So, tell me why you transferred here."
The newcomer, Noriel, dressed in a sharp suit and tie, was inwardly reluctant to work under someone with a reputation for being harsh. He had joined the company in March and was fluent in Italian, which made him a candidate for the transfer when the new president decided to reduce staff at headquarters.
Facing Nomi's inquiry, Noriel replied tactfully, "I've heard that Manager Nomi is the most capable in Italy. I hope to learn from you and find better opportunities for growth."
Nomi clapped his hands in approval, pleased by Noriel's ambitious attitude. "I like your enthusiasm and drive," he said, clearly satisfied with Noriel's response.
After the introductions, Nomi instructed his secretary, Bilvo, to show Noriel around the office. "This is our main working area," Bilvo explained, revealing that besides himself, the front desk, and Nomi, there was only one handyman usually in the office, with the rest of the team working externally.
"Is there somewhere I can stay?" Noriel inquired, having just arrived and spent a night in a local hotel.
Bilvo, a friendly Italian from the countryside near Bologna, offered, "The room I rent is available, and it's not expensive. Plus, it's only a 20-minute walk from here. The landlord's daughter is quite a sight too," he added with a grin.
"Sounds good, I'll move in today," Noriel responded.
As they retrieved Noriel's luggage from the hotel, Bilvo couldn't stop talking about the landlord's daughter, Romina, describing her enchanting smile and black hair. "Half the reason I stay there is to see her," he admitted.
Arriving at the building, they encountered Romina. Bilvo, suddenly serious, assured her, "I have zero tolerance for those who disrespect your privacy."
Upstairs, the landlord showed Noriel the room—simple, with essential furniture and a reasonable rent of 35 lire a month. Satisfied, Noriel paid the rent and settled in.
The following day at the office, Nomi tasked Noriel with familiarizing himself with their operations, expecting him to be fully prepared for assignments the next week.
Meanwhile, Smith's reorganization efforts were proving effective. Redundant staff were cut, the sales team strengthened, and production waste reduced. The company was on a path to healthy growth, much to Edel's satisfaction.