Author's note: first time writing fanfiction. And correct me if i'm wrong on the details of the machines.
The Celestial year 1787 Post Bellum Archon, Fontaine City.
The city of Fontaine was abuzz with activities as people carried on with their usual lives. Merchants sold their products at the market, children played in the streets, while their mothers gossiped with one another about the latest news. Everyone enjoyed a rather simple life. Sure, the court of Fontaine usually churns out laws that don't make any sense, but people learned to live by it. Once in a while, the so-called "wrongdoers" got captured after violating some mundane law such as "no stumbling and falling to the pavement after 6 PM", the citizens must remain vigilant so as to not violate such laws. A rather simple life.
Ruben Rheine was a 12-year-old child from a farmer's family with 6 little sisters. They lived about an hour from Fontaine city. Ruben was a bright and curious child, he enjoyed reading books and was the only one in his family who can read aside from his father. Thus when a man shouted excitedly to the streets of Fontaine city about some new contraption, Ruben begged his father to go.
The boy has brown hair and cyan eyes.
The man pointed to a rather large tent, ones that are commonly seen in circuses', the tent was filled with people, all eager to see the latest technological marvel being showcased. The inventor, an old man, stood at the center of the tent, a proud smile on his face as he unveiled his creation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the world's first improved steam engine! The Watt engine!" he announced, pulling a large cloth off of the machine with a flourish.
There were gasps and murmurs of awe from the crowd as they took in the sight of the gleaming metal contraption. Watt gestured towards it, explaining how it worked and the various tasks it could perform.
As he spoke, Ruben and his family watched from the back of the tent, Ruben's eyes were filled with fascination, he had read about the steam engine before and this was his first time seeing an improved steam engine. His father, however, did not share that sentiment.
"Bah! Another metal piece of junk! Who would want to buy that thing? It has no use!" His father spat out.
"I'm sure someone appreciates it, dear" His mother smiled.
Ruben elected to not pay attention to the conversation his parents were having, instead he listened to the old inventor. He began to wonder if there might be a way to use the Steam engine to help his family's farm and make money. As far as he knew, he only saw the steam engine being used in mines and the textile industry.
As Ruben was deep in thought, he hadn't realized that his family was leaving.
"Kiddo! We're going home!" his father called out to his son. Which broke Ruben's line of thought and immediately realized his surroundings.
"Coming pa!"
The Celestial year 1791 PBA, Fontaine.
"If you want to leave, so be it! You're not welcome in MY house anymore! " Ruben's father shouted as he threw Ruben out of his house. "Don't come crying back to us when you're inevitably deep in debt!"
"That's enough, dear! He is still our child! " His mother came to his defense, as usual. Bless her, Ruben thought.
Ruben, 16 years old. Was kicked out of his parents' house after he suggested that he should find work in the city to make it big. His father argued that he should stay on the farm to help around and inherit the farm.
"Fine then! You'll see… I'll become rich! And I won't even share my money with you! " With that, Ruben ran away. With only 40.000 mora to his name.
The Celestial year 1794 PBA, Fontaine
"I can't believe it… '' Ruben muttered as he stared at the cheque.
" Congratulations on becoming a millionaire, sir! " The bank teller congratulates Ruben.
My first million, Ruben thought. He was ecstatic, happy, and experienced glory firsthand. Three years after he left his parent's house, he made one million mora. Through ups and downs, he had finally become a millionaire!
The first years were tough. He gambled his 40.000 mora's away to make his way in the textile business. He bought machines, and power looms, hired workers, and only made a measly 20 mora profit each month. Despite the production efficiency, he was still producing low-quality textiles. It didn't cost much, which made it popular with the lower class. Unfortunately, the lower class doesn't have that much money to buy more of his textile.
That misfortune didn't last long, however. He had imported dozens of cheap Inazuman silk and had it produced into cheap textiles. However, with the recent Sakoku decree being enforced in Inazuma, the price for Inazuman goods increased exponentially as the quantity of Inazuman goods dwindled away. Ruben took advantage and switched production to high-quality silk and sold Inazuman silk at a 200% markup and made big profits selling them to the elite class of Fontaine
Over the years, Ruben expanded his operations. He tapped into transport, trading, and mining. At the age of 21, he enrolled in the prestigious University of Fontaine and graduated at 25. All the while managing an ever-expanding company.
And finally, in 1802, created the Rhine Industrial Corporation as a parent company for his many endeavors. Ruben's wealth only grew from there.
The Celestial year 1807 PBA, Liyue Harbor.
"Here is the Land Contract for your review and consideration. Effective immediately, if all is in order... Ah! Wait a sec, wait a sec, I forgot to sign it... Gan... Yu... There. Right. Oh, sign here, here, and here too please."
Ruben signs the contract where Ganyu pointed.
"Wonderful! You are now the legal owner of this land. Rather, your company is." Ganyu said as she gave the signed land deed to Ruben. "If i may ask, what are you going to build there?" she asks.
"I plan on building a bank, actually," Ruben said as he laid back on the nice chair. He had gone a long way since his first million. And he was now 32 years old.
"A bank? I don't mean to offend, sir. But what do you intend to establish a bank here in Liyue?" She asks rather apprehensive.
"It is to finance my company's expansion in Liyue. As you know, Liyue is the wealthiest and most prosperous nation in all of teyvat. As such, i plan on establishing a regional headquarters here. There is much money to be made in Liyue, as they say," Ruben answered, "The same reason as that Snezhnayan-backed bank actually."
"Impressive! What is it that your company does? You're not a Liyue citizen, so i don't know much." Ganyu asks.
Ruben smiles before answering, "We do a lot of things! We sell clothing apparel, and textiles. We also sell Machines and other industrial machinery. We do mining operations, and transport. And also banking now i guess." he sips his tea. A nice tea, Ruben had to admit.
"I see…How did you accomplish all that in a short amount of time?"
"Short amount of time? Darling, i am 32 years old." Ruben Chuckles, "but, i guess i just looked at every business opportunity and took it. Even if i don't know if it will pay off or not. Kinda like gambling now that you think about it."
Ganyu's eyes widen, clearly taken aback, "Oh! I didn't intend to offend... I don't mean anything by it, Sir. I have just lived for such a long period of time that 32 years still seems a very small span to me." she apologizes.
"Don't worry, i know you're half qilin by your horns." Ruben chuckles, "that said, do you know of a way to enter Inazuma?"
"Enter Inazuma? Why do you want to go there?" Ganyu asks.
"I want to expand my business operations, you see. And all that's left is Inazuma, which is currently inaccessible due to the storms raging near the Inazuman islands and the Sakoku decree which… You know why."
"Well, i don't know much about getting to Inazuma. But we do have Inazuman nationals living in Liyue! They usually came here by hand-made rafts and drifted the sea before captain beidou and her fleet found them. You should ask them!" Ganyu enthusiastically replied for some reason.
"I see. Well, i must leave now. We shall meet soon enough, Miss Ganyu."
"Bye~~! Ruben!" She waves her hands as Ruben exits her office.
Ruben steps out of the secretary's office, and into the streets of Liyue harbor. A vibrant and cheerful city, Ruben thought. There's also much money to be made as many merchants and businessmen come here to expand their corporations and populate much of Liyue's commercial district. It's a shame that the so-called "honest merchant government" is afraid of change that they hadn't fully embraced industrialization yet. Though, now that he thought about it, only Fontaine and Snezhnaya had fully embraced industrialization. Still, Ruben can't agree with the Qixing's closed-minded policies.
Ruben Rhein now has an estimated net worth of 1.4 Billion Mora. Founded many companies that led the charge in industrialization. From the textile industry to the mass production of goods and trade, and railroads and trains, he has come a long way from being a simple farmer in his family's home. He was now an experienced businessman who wants more.
He wore a dark navy blue suit with a red tie and a black jacket where only his left arm was in. he also uses a cane to help him move, as unfortunately, some years ago he was attacked by treasure hoarders and they broke his bones on one of his legs.
He steps into the streets of Liyue harbor deep in thought.
Right then. He thought to himself, time to call headquarters and inform them the construction is a go. Oh, right. I'll also need to inform the board of investors about my next plans. And also inform Carmen about the bank… sigh.
Ruben paused his thoughts as his path was blocked by someone. He sighed annoyingly ready to tell off the person who blocked him, but only when he looked up that he saw who it is.
"Hello, Ruben," the person said rather menacingly, the passing bystanders looked at his blocker with hatred in their eyes.
"(Sighs), Tartaglia, 11th of the fatui Harbinger. What now?"
Author's note: Changed the first chapter a bit, just a bit. nothing major you can trust me.