I am a master in India

Chapter 327 Thoughts
As the election drew closer, Ron was no longer stationed in Mirzabul and returned to Varanasi.

Adiya's campaign is in full swing, with posters featuring his image everywhere.

A large group of people rode in trucks, shuttling back and forth on the bumpy streets, with slogans and leaflets flying everywhere.

Tsk, Indian elections are pretty much the same, all the same old thing.

The core issue is personality cult; there's no other approach.

When Ron found his second uncle, he was sitting in his office selecting photos with several of his men.

"You've come at the perfect time, Ron. Help me see which photo is the most suitable?"

"What?" Ron walked over, puzzled.

"Pick one." He spread the photo in his hand on the table.

"This is... a toilet?" Ron asked, his face full of surprise.

"Exactly, which photo shows a toilet that's more suitable for Varanasi?"

"Uh, this kind." He pointed casually.

"Okay, that's it!"

"Second Uncle, what are you doing? Are you preparing to build public toilets in Varanasi?"

Recently, in order to garner votes, candidates have pulled out all the stops and come up with all sorts of tricks.

If Adiya is prepared to use public toilets as a political achievement, then Ron wouldn't be surprised.

"This was a task assigned by the city hall, and it's all finished now. I can go and hand it in anytime." Adiya gathered the photos on the table.

"Huh? Not an election?"

"Elections can be manipulated, so don't worry about that, but toilets are a matter of our livelihood."

"How to say?"

“The city hall allocated a sum of money specifically to solve the toilet problem in downtown Varanasi. But I found a shortcut that can complete the task in an instant.”

“So.” Ron looked at the photo in his hand, somewhat hesitant.

"Yes, these are the photos. I had them taken from other places—simple and efficient!"

"Second Uncle, you mean, just take the photos and hand them in?"

“Isn’t that a brilliant idea? I can also offer a variety of different styles,” Adiya said smugly.

Ron put his hand to his forehead, a wry smile on his face. His second uncle was truly a genius.

He's the one who turned one dam into four, and he's also the one who fabricated toilets out of thin air using photos.

There weren't many toilets on the streets of Varanasi, yet he pocketed all the money and successfully completed his mission.

Besides six, Ron didn't know what else to say.

"Forget about the toilets for now, help me analyze whether there's any potential in Varanasi's restaurant and hotel industry."

"hotel?"

“That’s right. I’ll be setting up a construction company soon, targeting government infrastructure projects. Of course, we’ll also be involved in the civilian market. That 30-hectare plot of land in the southern suburbs is a perfect opportunity to utilize it.”

Ron had planned to open a factory in Varanasi, but had to give up halfway through due to various problems.

The land is still there, but it's been abandoned. Now that he has a cement factory and a construction team, his mind is starting to wander again.

"Ron, what kind of hotels and restaurants are you planning to build?"

“It needs to be affordable, but the location needs to be large enough. Varanasi has a population of over a million, which can support this part of the market.”

“No, hotels and restaurants have no future in Varanasi,” Adiya shook his head.

"why?"

"You come with me."

Adiya led him out of the office and onto the street.

Varanasi is the largest city in the east, densely populated, with poor sanitation and streets often piled with garbage.

The air was thick with acrid smog, hardly any better than the slums of Mumbai.

The two of them went out into the street, and Adiya pointed to both sides, "Look!"

The streets were dirty, and the messy billboards stretched outwards haphazardly without any order.

There were vendors selling cement, and others promoting a brand of Ayurvedic medicine founded by a yoga master.

However, the most common advertisements are for educational institutions, such as "DPS International School", "St. Margaret's College", and "St. Public School".

"Have you found a problem?" Adiya asked.

"Training courses are very popular in Varanasi."

"Yes, but the ultimate purpose of people's education is to get out of here. Every product on this street, in its own way, offers a promise of escaping somewhere in this country."

They want somewhere better—a new home, a moderate lifestyle, and educational opportunities for their children. Varanasi is terrible; there's no chance.

Ron understood what Adiya meant: the city lacked appeal and was likely to experience a gradual loss of population.

Even roadside billboards are trying to tell passersby that they can seize the opportunity to work in other places.

"Second Uncle, I still think the hotel business is viable."

"Huh?" Adiya was confused. Why wouldn't this kid listen to advice?

"There may not be any noteworthy industries here, but don't forget Varanasi's unique characteristics."

"Holy City?"

“You guessed it,” Ron smiled. “During festivals, huge numbers of Hindus flock here from all over the country. All the hotels and temples are fully booked, and there’s a complete shortage.”

What happens after the holiday?

“There are too many Hindu festivals, so there’s no need to worry too much about visitor numbers. Most importantly, look over there again,” Ron pointed into the distance.

Following his gaze, Adiya spotted foreigners, groups of three or five. They were mingling in the bustling crowds, scattered throughout the city.

"Are you trying to target them with attracting customers?"

“Isn’t that great? I’m going to build a luxurious five-star hotel.”

"Five-star?" Adiya's eyes widened.

How did things get even worse? They were just talking about budget hotels. "I'm planning to go high-end, catering specifically to foreigners and wealthy locals. The location is perfect, on the upper reaches of the Ganges, the ideal bathing spot for the rich."

Varanasi is also a tourist city, attracting a constant stream of overseas visitors. They use US dollars, which are much more valuable than rupees.

When wealthy people come here on holidays, they always make sure to occupy the best spots on the Ganges.

That piece of land in the southern suburbs, being close to the water, has the advantage of being the first to benefit.

Furthermore, Varanasi's city center has yet to have a single five-star hotel, which is a disgrace!
There is a five-star mountain resort hotel more than ten kilometers away, but it's too far.

Once Ron builds this five-star hotel, it will be the most dazzling star in the East.

No matter what, business won't be bad.

"You've got quite an appetite lately!" Adiya exclaimed.

“If we’re going to do it, we’ll do it the best. Varanasi must become our own territory.”

"This must cost a lot of money, right?"

"I will hire internationally renowned designers to create the plans for 300 to 500 million rupees, and I will also hire professionals to supervise the construction. The construction will be handled by our own people, which will also help them develop their construction skills."

"Should we wait until after the election to decide? I'm worried that things might change."

“No,” Ron shook his head. “Like you said, elections can be manipulated.”

"Okay, you see for yourself. I will work harder to build ties with the BJP."

"Second Uncle, the BJP might become more powerful than the Socialist Party and the People's Socialist Party in the future. It won't hurt to join them sooner."

“I know,” Adiya nodded.

Of the three parties, he undoubtedly leans towards the BJP. The other two are, respectively, a lower caste party and a Dalit party.

As a Brahmin, he naturally refused.

"By the way, after we win the election, I will arrange for you to join the state government and participate in the coalition government."

"What?" Adiya was stunned.

"With so many ministerial positions, I should at least try to get one," Ron chuckled.

"They agreed?"

"Yes."

"What did you offer in exchange for their promise?"

"vote."

This is the real weapon, the trump card, before the election.

"In short, Second Uncle, you should study the infrastructure situation in the state more, especially in the east. You might need it later."

Engineering projects, construction teams, cement—it's all part of the road service.

Ron's business gradually expanded upstream and downstream, which is a unique characteristic of India.

Those giants and families all gradually rose to prominence in this way.

Uttar Pradesh is a large state with many business opportunities, and Ron has some ideas that he hasn't had time to implement yet.

Just as he was planning to go to Sombadra to inspect the coal mine, someone from Lucknow suddenly arrived.

It was Yadav's younger brother, Satya.

“Mr. Suer.” He adopted a very humble and polite posture.

“To be honest, I was quite surprised.” Ron greeted him at the manor.

"That's all a misunderstanding. We used to work together very well, didn't we?"

“I agree, but your brother is sometimes too forceful, he’s like a bandit.”

"Uh, my brother asked me to apologize on his behalf. He's been under a lot of pressure lately, and his reaction was a bit overreacted."

"So what's the purpose of your visit today? Just to apologize?"

"My brother said that you will be in charge of things in the east from now on. This includes the mines in Songba, which will also belong to you. As long as you give him some more support, it would be best if you could make a statement in the newspaper."

“Satya, what you promise me is within my grasp.”

If it were in the past, Ron might have actually been tempted.

Now, after two months of intensive propaganda, a considerable number of people in Pufancha District have sided with him.

Controlling the entire east is only a matter of time; Yadav doesn't need to go to such lengths.

“Mr. Sur, there are so many political parties in Uttar Pradesh, but very few are capable of competing for the position of Chief Minister.”

"Of course, that's why we're sitting here."

“You should offer some real support. In the political arena, there are never permanent enemies.”

“Wow, Satya, you’ve improved.” Ron raised an eyebrow.

"So what do you think?" He looked over, slightly nervous.

"You're also running in the local elections this year, right?"

Satya was taken aback, but nodded nonetheless.

Ron snapped his fingers behind him, and soon Anil came over carrying a black travel bag.

"Here's four million rupees, for you."

"What?" Satya was somewhat shocked.

"Compared to your bandit brother, you're more like a politician. Gentle and intelligent."

Satya looked at the travel bag in front of her and couldn't help but swallow.

"I can even be more blunt: if you were the leader of the Socialist Party today, I would support you wholeheartedly without hesitation. Twenty million rupees, or even forty million rupees, would not be a problem."

“This…” Satya’s eyes flickered with fear.

He dared not think too much, fearing that the demons in his heart might seize the opportunity to break free.

"Remember, this money is for you."

Ron patted him on the shoulder and got up to see him off.

(End of this chapter)