Building a Conglomerate in Another World

North of Hanzhou – Boxer Encampment

Amber Hesh sat cross-legged on the cold, hard ground, her wrists still sore from the bindings that had been loosened just enough to allow her to eat. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and damp earth. Around her, the other hostages murmured in hushed voices, speculation running wild. The rebels had been on edge since the night before—moving supplies, reinforcing their perimeter, and sharpening their weapons. Something was happening, and she had no doubt it involved the message Zhou Liang had sent to Beijing.

A few moments later, a guard approached and barked an order in Mandarin. Amber didn't fully understand it, but she recognized the sharp motion of his hand. Get up.

She complied, stretching her legs as she rose. Two guards escorted her across the encampment toward the large command tent at the center. Inside, a table was set up with lanterns providing a dim glow. Seated at the head was Zhou Liang, his expression unreadable as he motioned for her to sit. A stack of papers rested in front of him.

He slid one across the table.

"Read it," he said.

Amber hesitated before picking up the document. The paper was rough, the ink slightly smudged, but the words were clear. It was a formal declaration—demands directed at the Western powers and the Qing government.

[To the Imperial Court of China and the Foreign Occupiers:

The Righteous and Harmonious Fists declare that the time has come for foreign influence to end. The humiliation of China at the hands of Western invaders must cease. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all foreign military advisors, the cessation of trade agreements forced upon our people, and the recognition of the Boxer Rebellion as the true will of the Chinese people.

Failure to comply will result in the execution of the following hostages, beginning with the Amerathian woman, Amber Hesh, wife of the President of Amerathia.

You have four days. Choose wisely.]

Amber's hands tightened around the paper as she finished reading. Four days.

She forced herself to remain composed as she met Zhou Liang's gaze. "This is a death sentence."

"For whom?" Zhou leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "That depends on how your husband and the other foreign powers respond."

"You know he won't back down," Amber said evenly. "None of them will. You're making a mistake."

Zhou studied her before letting out a slow exhale. "I expected you to say that." He motioned to one of his men, who handed her a second paper—a list of names.

She scanned the document, her heart sinking. It contained the names of all the hostages, separated into groups.

The first group had ten names, including her own.

The second had fifteen.

The third, twenty.

Amber understood immediately. The Boxers planned to execute them in waves, with her at the top of the list if the demands were not met.

She placed the paper down slowly. "You won't get what you want," she said.

Zhou smirked. "We'll see."

Beijing, The Amerathian Embassy

Ambassador William Thornton paced in his office, the heavy document clenched in his hands. Across from him sat James Walker, his security chief, arms crossed. The air was thick with tension.

"When did this arrive?" Thornton asked.

"Hours ago," Walker replied. "The Imperial Court received a copy as well, but we intercepted ours through British intelligence."

Thornton exhaled sharply. "And what are the other embassies saying?"

Walker handed him a sheet of notes. "The British are calling it an act of war. They've already mobilized forces in Hong Kong and are pressing the Imperial Court to act immediately. The French are on the fence but leaning toward military action. The Germans and Russians see this as an opportunity to pressure the Qing government into submission."

Thornton ran a hand through his hair. "And the Chinese?"

"They're divided. Some advisors want to crush the Boxers to maintain order, but others are reluctant. There are too many sympathizers within the bureaucracy."

Thornton cursed under his breath. "This is exactly what the Boxers want—to force hesitation while they dictate the terms." He glanced at the demand again, his eyes narrowing on Amber's name at the top.

Walker spoke, his voice low. "What do we tell Washington?"

Thornton set his jaw. "We tell them exactly what they already know—Amerathia doesn't negotiate with terrorists."

President Matthew Hesh sat at the head of the war room table, his expression like stone as the document lay in front of him. The room was filled with high-ranking officials—General Carter Hayes, Secretary of State Richard Alden, and his closest advisors.

Hayes was the first to speak. "Mr. President, we cannot comply with these demands."

"We won't," Matthew said, his voice cold.

Secretary Alden shifted uncomfortably. "Sir, we need to be prepared for the worst. The Boxers aren't bluffing. If they don't get what they want, they will follow through on these executions."

Matthew's fingers curled into fists. "Then we act before they have the chance."
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General Hayes nodded. "Our extraction team is already in position. We can move in under the cover of darkness and extract the hostages before the deadline."

Alden hesitated. "Sir, if this fails—"

Matthew cut him off. "It won't."

Silence filled the room.

Finally, Alden sighed. "The British have already started mobilizing forces in response to this. They're preparing for large-scale military intervention."

"Let them," Matthew said. "Amerathia will handle this our way."

Hayes leaned forward. "Then we give the order?"

Matthew nodded, his voice steady. "Tell the team to move. Tonight."

"Yes sir," General Carter Hayes confirmed, his voice resolute. He turned to the telegraph operator in the adjacent room. "Send the order. They move now."

Across the Pacific, deep inside a British-controlled outpost in Shandong, the encoded message was received. The Amerathian operatives, embedded with British and Japanese forces, wasted no time. Within minutes, Captain Daniel Foster, the team's commander, relayed the activation signal to his men.

"Listen up everyone, we are going in!"