Building a Viking Empire with Modern Industry-Chapter 123: The Taco Tuesday Negotiation

A modest yet efficient feast was held within the confines of the "Titan Central Cafeteria".

Sitting at the head of the stainless steel table was Ragnar, and by his side was Gyda, looking as sharp as a freshly forged blade in her business-casual silk.

At the table near Gyda's position was Queen Eadburh, who had surprisingly adapted well to the corporate lifestyle.

The only other people present at the table were Vizier Al-Hakam and a variety of Andalusian scholars and merchants who traveled with his diplomatic mission. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

These men were allowed to dine at the table this night as a show of "Strategic Partnership" to the Caliphate.

Ragnar was quite pleased that Al-Andalus maintained significant scientific advancement in this timeline.

In contrast to the stagnant Franks, the Arabs understood algebra, which made discussing supply chain logistics much easier than dealing with a feudal lord who counted on his fingers.

Even though the Andalusians were Muslim, they were much more amicable in this world to the pragmatic Vikings than they were in their previous life's history books, largely because Ragnar didn't care who they prayed to as long as their gold was 24-karat.

For the rest of the medieval world, this open-mindedness was uncommon, to say the least.

Al-Hakam and the Merchants were dining on a variety of "Fusion Cuisine", which Ragnar had introduced into City Titan.

The Andalusians were far more culturally advanced than their northern counterparts due to their preservation of Greek and Roman texts.

Because of this, they were quite shocked that such a high level of culinary innovation was available in a frozen wasteland like Northumbria.

Seeing the satisfied expression on Al-Hakam's face as he bit into a flatbread folded around seasoned mutton and pickled cabbage, Ragnar could not prevent himself from asking about the man's opinion.

"So, Vizier... what do you think about the 'Portable Nutrition Delivery System'?"

After being asked such a question, Al-Hakam slowly chewed on the food, savoring the spice blend before washing it down with a glass of filtered water. Since Ragnar first established his water treatment plant, the incidence of dysentery had dropped by 90%.

It was apparent by the look on the Andalusian nobleman's face that he was not the only one who enjoyed the efficiency of eating with one hand. It was only after several moments had passed and Al-Hakam had time to wipe the sauce from his beard that he was able to answer Ragnar's question.

"Truly, it is... ingenious. I have not had such a practical meal in years. The structural integrity of the bread holds the meat perfectly. It is like... edible architecture!"

Growing up in a globalized world from his previous life, Ragnar was quite accustomed to convenience food.

He was a big fan of street tacos from a truck near his old construction site in Ohio; as such, his mouth salivated thinking about adding hot sauce.

Ragnar had once experimented with fermenting fish sauce to mimic umami, and while his Vikings loved it, the Saxons thought he was trying to poison them.

Thinking about such memories, Ragnar could not wait for the point where he acquired some coastal territory in the Mediterranean to build a great fleet that could sail across the world and acquire the chili peppers necessary to recreate actual hot sauce.

However, he was stuck in a landlocked trade war with the Franks for now, and unless he burned their fleet with Greek Fire, he would not be able to acquire such valuable commodities. Both of those options took time to prepare for.

Al-Hakam had his eyes on Gyda for quite some time now; after all, she was a terrifyingly competent woman who had negotiated the wool tariffs without blinking.

As such, he could not stop himself from praising her.

"Director, your Prime Minister is among the most formidable intellects I have ever encountered. You are a prudent man to have partnered with her."

Hearing herself be referred to as a "partner," Gyda smiled as she shifted her attention to the spreadsheet next to her plate. Ragnar chuckled at Al-Hakam's comment.

However, he did not intend to spoil Gyda's reputation as a ruthless negotiator, and as such, did not clarify that she was also his wife.

"Gyda is the architect of our fiscal policy and the mother of my successor; as you say, I am truly a prudent investor to have her on the Board."

Seeing as how Ragnar respected her professional title, Gyda decided to play the part of a dutiful CFO and made her stance clear.

"The Director is the only visionary I will ever follow; it is I who am grateful to be afforded the privilege to manage his assets."

Seeing the genuine respect on the exquisite young woman's face, Al-Hakam mistook them for a purely platonic business partnership and decided to shift the topic to something more important.

"Director, I do not intend to be rude, so forgive me if I am out of place, but I noticed a great deal of smoke rising from Sector 7. I have also noticed your men are all equipped in standardized plate armor. If you could humor my curiosity... just how much metal is produced in this city?"

With this question being raised, Ragnar chuckled once more, though this time it was a bit more noticeable. As such, Al-Hakam frowned before asking Ragnar.

"What is so funny?"

A proud, shark-like smile appeared on Ragnar's face as he began to correct the man.

"It is not iron in which my army is equipped with, Vizier... but Steel! My industrial sector produces a massive output of crucible steel every month; the exact tonnage would violate my Non-Disclosure Agreements. Let's just say that I have more steel than I know what to do with at the moment."

This was not an exaggeration in the slightest.

With the new coal mines in the Midlands and the Bessemer-Lite converters running 24/7, Ragnar was producing thousands of tons of steel every month.

Despite using the steel in his many construction projects.. which ranged from building railways, bridges, water pumps, etc., as well as its extensive use in his arms industry, which supplied not only his own "Iron Gear" forces but also the "Franchise Garrisons".

Hearing this information, Al-Hakam instantly became excited by the news.

Though he could not fathom how a barbarian in a frozen wasteland possessed the ability to create such a terrifying amount of high-carbon steel, clearly he could buy some of the raw materials for the Caliphate's armies.

As such, he began to ponder about the feasibility of such a deal.

"Is it possible for me to purchase some of your surplus? The Caliphate is always in need of... reliable materials."

A smirk spread across Ragnar's lips as he heard those words.

Not only could he produce arms for his own defense, but with this opportunity, he could supply the Andalusians who were fighting the Christian kingdoms of Spain.. distracting the Franks' allies.

If negotiated properly, he could increase the liquidity of his operation without putting his own trade secrets in danger.

After all, no matter what type of steel ingots he sold to the Arabs, they wouldn't have the Steam Press to shape them as efficiently as he did.

Thus Ragnar had no fear of trading raw materials to the south.

Seeing that Ragnar was talking about business at the dinner table, the other Andalusian merchants instantly became enlightened by the idea of purchasing some of this "Viking Steel" to be brought back to Cordoba for resale.

As such, Ragnar found himself bombarded with offers of gold, spices, and exotic texts.

However, before it could get too chaotic, Ragnar raised his hand, signaling the men to behave themselves.

"Gentlemen, please. We are enjoying Taco Tuesday. There will be plenty of time to discuss supply chain logistics in the upcoming days. Take this time to savor the tortillas, and think about what technologies you wish to trade me."

What Ragnar said was true; they had gotten ahead of themselves after the excitement they felt upon hearing that Ragnar had a vast surplus of crucible steel.

After all, it was a tough material to make in this era, usually reserved for legendary swords like Excalibur or Durandal.

If Ragnar truly possessed such a stockpile of the valuable material, they would be willing to go to great lengths to secure a trade agreement with the young Director.

As such, the remainder of the dinner was spent discussing less important matters and the ongoing events of the world.

"By the way," Al-Hakam mentioned casually, wiping salsa from his lip. "The Frankish fleet... my scouts say they carry a new banner. The Order of the Sacred Flame."

Ragnar paused, a taco halfway to his mouth. "The fanatics who burn books?"

"The very same," Al-Hakam nodded grimly. "They believe that anything not written in the Bible is heresy. Including Algebra."

Ragnar took a bite of his taco, chewing thoughtfully.

"Well," Ragnar said, swallowing. "Then I suppose we will have to teach them a lesson in physics. Specifically, the laws of combustion."

Al-Hakam smiled, raising his glass of water.

"To Physics," the Vizier toasted.

"To Physics," Ragnar agreed, clinking his glass against the Arab's.

For a region preparing for a massive invasion, City Titan was remarkably secure for the moment.

Thus, while the Franks sharpened their swords and prayed for a miracle, Ragnar entertained a host of Andalusian scholars and plotted the industrialization of warfare over a plate of fusion street food.