February 1610 bathed Surat in a gentle winter glow, the Tapti River shimmering like a ribbon of quicksilver as it kissed the sea. At the city's edge, where dunes met sparse scrubland and the beach stretched toward the horizon, Anil Vora finalized the purchase of a sprawling plot, its sands whispering of untapped promise. The deal, sealed with 180 silver from merchant loans and the sale of five acres of ancestral farmland, was a secret guarded tighter than a miser's purse. Jai, nine years old, had chosen this spot with a merchant's cunning and a time-traveler's foresight, his modern knowledge whispering that Surat's growth would surge toward the coast. The Emperor System, his secret AI-spirit guide, hummed with approval: "Beachfront property in 1610? You're playing 4D chess, Jai. This plot's your canvas—paint it bold."
Jai grinned, his eyes tracing the waves. "It's not just land, system. It's the heart of Vora Trading Company." His vision—a multi-shop complex of cloth, forges, food, and more—was taking root, but he insisted on one detail: elevate the foundation 10 feet to shield against tides. "Surat will grow, but the sea's fickle," he told Anil, his voice laced with a wisdom that belied his years. "We build high, we build smart."
Anil, his face weathered by trade and trust, agreed but hesitated. "Construction workers are costly, Jai. The guilds control them—prying eyes, loose tongues." Jai's eyes sparkled, his modern instincts kicking in. "No guilds, Papa. We hire workers directly—farmhands, laborers, men loyal to us. I'll oversee the work, sketch the plans. We keep it secret, Anil nodded, pride swelling despite his caution, and handed Jai the reins.
In their courtyard, under the shade of a neem tree, Jai unrolled a parchment sketch, its lines bold yet precise. The centerpiece: a three-story restaurant, a beacon of ambition. "This," Jai said, tapping the drawing, "is our first strike. A place for all—commoners, merchants, royalty." The first floor, open to all, sprawled with tables for 100-150, its open design welcoming weavers, dockhands, and travelers with aromas of new dishes unique to us. The second floor, more luxurious, seated 70-80 in cushioned splendor, its carved screens and silk drapes catering to merchants and the wealthy—but only for members. The third floor, a pinnacle of opulence, housed five private dining rooms, each with sea-view windows for 20-25 guests, reserved for royalty and the ultra-rich, accessible only by advance booking and exclusive membership.
Anil's brow furrowed, studying the sketch. "It's grand, beta, but why three floors? Why not one big hall?" Jai's Charm glowed, his voice a blend of boyish enthusiasm and merchant's logic. "Papa, it's about class—making people feel special. The first floor's for everyone, no barriers. The second's for the rich, a step above. The third's for nobles, the elite—exclusive, like a palace. We'll have memberships for Vora Trading Company. Silver membership gives access to the second floors of our restaurant, cloth shop, jewelry shop, accessories, even medicine stores—plus a 15% discount on all purchases. Gold membership unlocks the third floor and a 25% discount."
Anil leaned back, his Wisdom grappling with the idea. "Discounts? Memberships? Won't that cut our profits? The Banias give no such concessions." Jai's grin was a spark in the twilight. "That's the trick, Papa. Memberships make people feel elite—like they own a piece of us. The silver card says, 'You're above the crowd.' The gold card? 'You're royalty.' Discounts make them think they're saving, so they buy more, and only from us. Others will get memberships just to keep up, not to feel left out. We'll pack the shops, turn huge profits, and make them love us for it."
Anil's eyes widened, his mind alight with the brilliance of it. The boy's insight—modern, cunning, yet grounded in Surat's pulse—was staggering. "You've thought this through, haven't you?" he said, voice thick with awe. "It's like you see the world years ahead." Jai shrugged, hiding a smirk as the system pinged: "You're selling exclusivity like a 21st-century CEO, Jai! Quest progress: Establish Vora Trading Company, 25% complete. Keep those guilds in the dark."
Leela, eavesdropping from the doorway, stepped forward, her Wisdom shining. "Our boy's building more than shops, Anil-ji. He's building loyalty, a name." She ruffled Jai's hair, her smile warm. Anil clapped Jai's shoulder, his voice firm. "We start tomorrow. Workers, materials, your sketches—I'll handle the coin, you handle the vision. But stay sharp, beta. The guilds won't sleep forever."
As the neem's leaves rustled in the breeze, Jai's heart soared, the sea whispering of empires to come. The EIC's shadow loomed far off, but Vora Trading Company was rising, its roots deep in secrecy and ambition.