Building a Conglomerate in Another World-Chapter 216: It has Begun

A day later.

The sun had barely risen over Washington when the War Cabinet convened in the White House. Maps of the Caribbean and the Pacific covered the massive table at the center of the room, while stacks of intelligence reports and logistics plans lay scattered across the desks. The scent of coffee and ink filled the air, the only sounds coming from the soft rustling of papers and the occasional muttering of officers poring over troop deployments.

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President Matthew Hesh took his seat at the head of the table, his face unreadable. The decision had been made. Amerathia was at war. Now, it was time to prepare.

"Status update," Matthew ordered, his voice calm but firm.

Admiral Jonathan Welles, the highest-ranking officer in the Amerathian Navy, straightened his posture and began. "Mr. President, we’ve placed our Atlantic Fleet on full war readiness. The First and Second Naval Divisions are already en route to Cuba. We estimate that within two weeks, our battleships will be in position to begin operations against the Spanish fleet."

General Nathaniel Harrington, commander of the Amerathian Army, followed. "We have 50,000 troops mobilizing in Florida, ready to embark once naval superiority is secured. Our men are equipped, trained, and prepared for a landing operation. Additional forces are being mustered across the country, bringing our total wartime strength to 120,000 within the next three months."

Matthew nodded but remained silent, his eyes scanning the maps in front of him.

Bradford, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, smirked. "This war will be over before the leaves start falling, Mr. President. We have the manpower, the industry, and the strategy. Cuba will fall within weeks. The Philippines soon after."

Matthew’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Bradford was already thinking beyond the war.

War Plans: The Amerathian Strategy

Secretary of War Thomas Sinclair tapped a document on the table. "Our strategy relies on securing naval superiority. Spain’s Caribbean fleet is outdated, but their positioning gives them an advantage. If we don’t act quickly, they’ll reinforce their defenses."

Welles leaned forward. "Our first move will be to block Havana and cut off Spanish supply lines. Once their fleet is neutralized, we proceed with the land invasion."

Matthew interjected, "And what about the Pacific?"

Welles cleared his throat. "The Pacific Squadron has been ordered to mobilize toward Manila Bay. The Philippines is Spain’s largest colony in Asia, and taking it will cripple their hold in the Pacific. We anticipate a decisive naval battle with their fleet stationed there."

Matthew studied the map, taking a deep breath. It was all happening so fast.

Bradford grinned. "Mr. President, I suggest we send a formal ultimatum to the Spanish governor in Cuba, demanding surrender. Once they refuse, we have justification for a full-scale assault."

Matthew ignored him. "How long before we can launch the first offensive?"

Harrington replied, "With the Navy securing the seas, the first troops can land within a month."

Matthew gave a single nod. "Then let’s get to work."

War required guns, ships, and supplies—and Hesh Corporation was at the center of it all.

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Within days of the declaration of war, Amerathian factories had shifted into overdrive. Ammunition production tripled, naval shipyards worked around the clock, and arms manufacturers produced thousands of new rifles, cannons, and artillery shells daily.

Hesh Corporation, already the largest industrial power in Amerathia, led the charge in wartime production. Matthew personally oversaw every aspect.

During a visit to one of his shipyards in Norfolk, he watched as thousands of workers scrambled to complete three brand-new battleships, their massive steel hulls towering over the docks. The air was thick with the sound of hammers striking metal, the hiss of steam-powered machinery, and the constant calls of foremen directing their crews.

A factory manager approached him. "Sir, we’re running at maximum capacity. We’ll have three new warships ready within two months, and another five following that."

"Good," Matthew replied. "Push the workers, but don’t break them. This war will be won with industry as much as with soldiers."

Even the railways were being transformed into military lifelines.

Freight trains carried stockpiles of ammunition, food rations, medical supplies, and artillery from northern factories to southern ports, where troop transports awaited to carry them to war.

cross Amerathia, young men flocked to recruitment centers, eager to enlist. War fever had gripped the nation.

Posters bearing the slogan "Remember the Resolute!" lined the streets, encouraging citizens to take up arms. Newspapers ran daily headlines showcasing the bravery of the first troops embarking for Cuba.

General Harrington stood before a crowd of fresh recruits in Florida, addressing them with unwavering confidence.

"Men, you are the first wave. The first to step onto the beaches of Cuba. The first to drive the Spanish from our hemisphere. You are the sword of Amerathia!"

Cheers erupted. They wanted war.

Matthew, watching from a distance, clenched his fists. They had no idea what war truly was.

The Spanish Response: Havana Prepares for War

Meanwhile, in Havana, Cuba, the Spanish governor prepared for the inevitable.

Despite Madrid’s reluctance to acknowledge Amerathia’s military strength, the officers stationed in Cuba knew what was coming. Amerathia had more men, more ships, more guns.

Spanish General Miguel Ruiz paced inside the governor’s palace, reading the latest intelligence reports. The Amerathians were coming.

"They outnumber us nearly three to one," one of his officers reported.

Ruiz clenched his jaw. "Then we make them bleed for every inch of land."

By the end of June, Amerathia’s naval forces had arrived off the coast of Cuba.

Massive warships, their guns loaded and ready, formed a blockade around Havana. The first shots of the war would soon be fired.

Matthew stood in the White House war room, listening as telegraph updates arrived from the fleet. The waiting was over.

Sinclair turned to him. "Sir, do we give the order?"

Matthew looked at the map of Cuba. Everything was in place.

He took a deep breath. This was it.

"Proceed."

Boom.

The first Amerathian shells slammed into Havana’s defenses.

The war had begun.