The morning sun of May 1610 painted Surat's beachfront in hues of gold, its waves lapping at the Vora Trading Company's restaurant, now a beacon of culinary triumph after its grand opening. Jai Vora, nine years old, walked beside his father, Anil, through the city's quieter lanes, their destination a merchant's haveli where Lord Vikram Singh, a noble with ties to Emperor Jahangir, awaited as a guest. The invitation, sparked by Vikram's awe at the restaurant's innovative dishes and Kofi's masterful weapons, held promise and peril. Jai's Emperor System, his secret AI-spirit guide, buzzed in his mind: "A Mughal noble wants to meet you? That's a power-up, Jai, but don't get dazzled. Keep those EIC-hating claws sheathed and play the merchant card."
Jai smirked, his modern instincts sharp. "System. I'm building Vora's empire my way—Surat first, then the world." His hatred for the East India Company, a fire from his past life as Vihaan Roy, burned silently, unspoken even to Anil, who harbored his own unvoiced suspicions about Jai's "Wings of Freedom" Connections.
The haveli loomed, its carved teak doors opening to a courtyard fragrant with jasmine and sandalwood. Lord Vikram Singh, resplendent in a silk kurta embroidered with gold thread, greeted them with a warrior's poise and a merchant's warmth. His eyes, sharp as a falcon's, locked on Jai, his voice rich with admiration. "Anil Vora, your son is a marvel. That restaurant—those dishes, the swords, the apartment sketches! I'm a man who speaks plainly: Jai, you must come to Agra. Meet the emperor. Your talents could make you a titan in the Mughal court."
Jai bowed, his Charm a polished gem, but his voice was firm yet gracious. "Lord Singh, your praise honors me, but my place is here, with Vora Trading Company. My dream is to raise our name to the stars—not as a courtier, but as a merchant who builds empires." Anil's eyes flickered with pride, his Wisdom sensing depths in his son he couldn't fully grasp.
Vikram leaned back, stroking his beard, a smile breaking through. "A merchant's heart, yet a king's vision! I like you, boy. If not the court, then let me be your friend, your ally. Your dreams—I want to back them." His sincerity was a spark, and Jai seized it, his modern mind spinning a new venture on the spot.
"Lord Singh, Surat's a port city, alive with travelers—traders, nobles, pilgrims. Yet where do the rich stay? They camp in tents or beg guest rooms. I propose the Grand Vora Hotel, seaside, next to our restaurant." Jai's hands traced an imaginary blueprint, his voice alive with fire. "An eight-story marvel, fifty rooms: thirty for common travelers and traders, simple but comfortable; fifteen for the wealthy, with silk linens and carved teak; five for nobility, opulent with sea views. A separate building for servants and staff, a stable for horses, and the restaurant's food at their doorstep. If it thrives, we'll build another, bigger."
Anil's breath caught, his surprise mingling with awe at Jai's audacity. Vikram's eyes sparkled like the sea under noon. "A hotel? A palace for travelers? Surat's never seen such a thing!" He clapped his hands, laughing. "I want in, Jai. Name your terms."
Jai's grin was a merchant's blade, honed by future knowledge. "A silent partnership, my lord. You invest—say, 1000 silver—and take 20% of the hotel's monthly profits. I handle the work: planning, building, running. You spread the word to nobles, governors, the elite. Vora Trading Company keeps control." The system pinged: "Silent partner? You're roping in a Mughal bigwig without giving up the reins! Quest progress: Establish Vora Trading Company, 60% complete."
Vikram didn't hesitate. "Done!" He summoned a servant, who brought a lacquered chest heavy with 1000 silver rupees, their clink a song of opportunity. "This hotel will be the talk of the empire," he said, clasping Jai's small hand. "And I'll sing its praises to every noble from here to Delhi." Anil, his heart swelling, shook Vikram's hand, his voice thick. "You honor us, my lord. Jai's vision—it's our future."
As they left the haveli, the sea breeze carried the weight of their triumph. Anil clapped Jai's shoulder, his eyes misty but But filled with Pride." "You've secured an ally who walks with kings, beta. This hotel… it's madness, but it's yours." Jai nodded, the system's voice crowing: "1000 silver and a noble's hype? You're stacking the deck, Jai."
Under Surat's starlit sky, Jai's empire grew—Vora Trading Company now a name whispered in awe, its roots deep and its branches reaching for the heavens.