Serget's Freezer
The title of plenipotentiary minister granted authority over territorial negotiations sounded imposing and powerful, but in truth it was a poisoned chalice.
After the Crimean War, Russia had learned the hard way that it desperately needed to expand its railway network, and it poured every resource into railroad construction. Yet a nation that had already squandered vast sums on war could hardly afford such an undertaking. The war had drained so much national strength that any renewed conflict with Britain would make defending Alaska impossible. How could Russia, which had not even properly developed Siberia, hope to protect a territory across the ocean?
The problem was that if Russia knew this, Britain almost certainly knew it too. Inside Russia, the prevailing opinion was to sell Alaska as quickly as possible and use the proceeds to fund the railways. It was none other than the Tsar’s brother, Grand Duke Konstantin, who actively pushed the policy, and the Tsar approved it.
Thus, at a meeting attended by Alexander II, Grand Duke Konstantin, Foreign Minister Gorchakov, and Finance Minister Reutern, Stoeckl received the special order to sell Alaska and was appointed plenipotentiary minister. The very composition of the attendees made the stakes clear. If Stoeckl failed to deliver results, his career would end that very day.
He was not from a distinguished noble family; he had followed his father into the diplomatic service and risen through talent and achievement. Success here would bring an honorable decoration, but failure might consign every past accomplishment to the rubbish bin. Still, he was not without confidence. He knew exactly whom to target to sell Alaska to the United States.
“How about 5.5 million dollars?”
“5.5 million? Out of the question. My government will not consider anything below 7.3 million.”
“Good heavens… even so, 7.3 million is rather steep. Could we not shave it down a little?”
The floor price set by his government was an absolute minimum of 5 million dollars. Yet Stoeckl understood Secretary Seward’s ambitions perfectly. In reality, Russia was the one with its back against the wall. Britain was expanding its influence in Northeast Asia at a frenzied pace in partnership with the United States, and Russia lacked the strength to check it. If Russia stood idle, Britain would devour the entire region, rendering Alaska even more indefensible and worthless. The wisest course was to sell Alaska quickly and build a solid barrier in Northeast Asia.
Even under these circumstances, Stoeckl managed to stoke Seward’s ambitions and push the price above 7 million dollars. Or so it seemed.
“Minister, the negotiations may take longer than expected.”
“…Pardon?”
“Congress is in an uproar over fiscal austerity. There is already enormous spending required for China and Japan, and many are questioning why we should add Alaska on top of that.”
“I had thought your country would welcome the chance to greatly expand its territory without firing a single cannon, but Congress’s judgment is unexpected.”
Without congressional approval, even a cabinet secretary could not freely spend such a colossal sum. This was a problem. Though he showed no outward sign, Stoeckl realized the congressional objections were not mere nitpicking, which only made the situation more vexing. America was indeed planning major ventures in China and Japan alongside Britain; it was only natural that public opinion would resist pouring money into Alaska as well.
Nevertheless, Seward appeared calm, as though he still had a card to play.
“There is no helping it. In that case, we shall have to bring in private capital.”
“Do you have a suitable partner in mind?”
“Of course. You are familiar with the name Serget Cotton, I presume?”
Of course he was. It was the company led by that young Dixie from the South whose name never left the gossip columns. The rumors that it was raking in gold suggested it could serve as a decent source of funds.
“But would Serget Cotton truly assist in purchasing Alaska? It seems rather unrelated.”
“I will persuade him. I have a certain rapport with Serget.”
Stoeckl maintained his composure to the end, acting as though he were merely the one granting the land. James Serget… As the plenipotentiary in America, Stoeckl knew him well, though he was not yet famous back home. Still, building such a company before the age of thirty marked him as a young man of extraordinary talent. Yet the elderly men who dominated high society invariably thought the same thing when they looked at such youths: Even so, he lacks experience. Surely someone with my years and connections can bend him to my will.
Stoeckl was no exception. Seward had clearly entertained the same notion when he suggested approaching Serget.
“Then we should meet him. I am curious to see what sort of young man he is.”
If the fellow could be swayed with words, maintaining the connection would do no harm. His curiosity was genuine—at least until now.
* * *
Wherever the story had come from, when I was young the purchase of Alaska was widely regarded as a foolish blunder by Russia. But what kind of fool would sell such a vast territory without a second thought? Both France’s sale of Louisiana and Russia’s sale of Alaska were, in the grand scheme, not cases of stupidity but of necessity. The sellers had no choice, and the United States simply seized the opportunity.
The Alaska Purchase was an event even those uninterested in history had heard of, so I had sensed that the moment had finally arrived. Yet something felt off. In the original timeline, this deal had gone through without me. Why had it now reached the point where the Secretary himself had brought the minister to persuade me?
Because, as Seward said, Congress had slammed its wallet shut, and rivals within his own party were determined to obstruct his path to greater power. In other words, without me the entire transaction could collapse. So I had pushed back hard, and though Seward remained composed, I noticed Stoeckl’s expression tighten ever so slightly. The moment lasted less than three seconds, but I had been watching Stoeckl’s reaction while pretending to speak with Seward, so I caught it.
“Alaska… Alaska…”
Only someone with twenty-first-century knowledge could fully grasp why Russia had been forced to sell that land. Seward did not. He understood that Russia wished to sell because of Britain, but he did not know the deeper desperation beneath the surface. That meant I could drive the price down further if I played my cards right—lower the price, yet extract enormous concessions.
“Seven million dollars… To be honest, Minister, I cannot even begin to consider it.”
I slowly shook my head even at Seward’s offer of special rights.
“Serget Cotton is certainly profitable, but that only means healthy cash flow, not mountains of cash sitting idle in the vault. My own expansion costs are astronomical. Pouring such a sum into an unproven block of ice? I would have no defense against charges of breach of fiduciary duty.”
“Look here, no one is asking you to shoulder the entire burden. The government will issue bonds; we simply ask you to absorb a portion.”
Seward waved his hands urgently, glancing at Stoeckl.
“And I have already persuaded Minister Stoeckl to adjust the price. His Imperial Majesty the Tsar is willing to consider 7.2 million dollars.”
7.2 million dollars. That had likely been the original purchase price. With my current financial strength, I could scrape together the cash in two years without bank assistance. Serget Cotton’s profits were climbing at an absurd rate even I found startling. But what good would it do to advertise how much money I had? The trick was to act poor, act strained, act overburdened—only then could one squeeze out a little more.
“Even purchasing bonds would tie up my capital. This is a gamble I would have to stake my entire fortune on.”
I took a bite of my hot dog and pointed toward the field. The game between the Apocalypse Riders from Texas and my own Guano Paladins—destined to become an embarrassing chapter in my history—was in full swing.
“Let us watch the game for now. There is still time to refine the terms during the festival.”
“…Very well. We shall remain until the tournament ends. Let us continue our discussion.”
Thus the VIP box at Serget Stadium transformed into a secret negotiating chamber for expanding the territory of the United States. On the field, Texas riders kicked up dust as they stole bases, while cheers erupted from the stands. Using the noise as background music, I cradled my wine glass and casually broached the subject.
“Minister, have you heard the recent news from the Qing Dynasty?”
“The Qing?”
“Yes. My British partners are quite excited. Having monopolized the cotton textile market, they are now planning to use Hong Kong as a base to dominate Northeast Asian sea lanes. With their flag already planted in Japan, the plan seems entirely feasible.”
As expected, Stoeckl’s eyebrows twitched. Britain, Russia’s archenemy. Russia’s hasty decision to sell Alaska was clearly tied to British expansion. I had probed, and the reaction confirmed it.
“There are also reports of suspicious movements near Canada. British naval forces are being reinforced in Vancouver… If they turn their eyes even slightly northward, what becomes of Alaska?”
A treasure one cannot defend is not a treasure but a curse. In the event of war, Russia would not merely fail to profit; it would hand the territory over on a silver platter, leaving Britain at its back. Stoeckl’s mind was surely painting vivid pictures of British warships bombarding Alaskan ports.
The first day’s negotiations concluded with my firm refusal to fund the purchase under the current terms. The next day, as the sun rose over the stadium, the traditional powerhouse New York Knickerbockers faced the rising Brooklyn Atlantics. The stands were even hotter than yesterday, yet the air at the negotiating table had grown cold. When I made it clear I had no intention of spending money on worthless frozen land, Stoeckl finally revealed his true anxiety.
“Very well, Chairman Serget. And Secretary Seward.”
Stoeckl spoke with a resolute expression, as though he had made a grave decision.
“We will seriously reconsider the price. However, there is a condition. Payment must not be delayed. The cash must arrive immediately and without fail.”
“That… is difficult to guarantee, given the congressional ratification process…”
When Seward hesitated, Stoeckl made an extraordinary offer.
“If you can guarantee payment without any delay, we can lower the price to 6.2 million dollars. That is a full one million dollars off.”
6.2 million dollars. After hours of haggling, my target figure had finally appeared. I cheered inwardly but outwardly continued to look troubled as I sliced my steak. Agreeing too quickly would reveal how long I had been waiting for this.
Just then the afternoon game began, and I saw Will, the cleanup hitter for the Bloody Iron Fists, step up to the plate.
“Will! Put some power into it! Hit a big one!”
“So… Chairman Serget, your answer…?”
“6.2 million is certainly an attractive price, but it remains a vast sum. That cannot be denied.”
Clang!
Will’s bat swung powerfully, and the ball sailed in a clean arc over the fence.
“Home run! Will of the Bloody Iron Fists! A three-run homer!”
The stands erupted into a frenzy, drowning out our voices. I set down my fork and leaned slightly toward Seward and Stoeckl.
“Very well. If my employee can hit a home run so cleanly, I suppose I can do the same. Provided you grant me solid rights in exchange for that sum, I will consider it.”
I wrote out the proposal I had already prepared, as though the idea had just occurred to me.
“First, shipping and logistics. Grant Serget Shipping exclusive operating rights over major ports in southern Alaska and priority for government cargo transport. We need a foothold in the North Pacific.”
“That is hardly a burden. The government would welcome the infrastructure.”
Seward nodded readily.
“Second, fuel and energy. Priority rights for coal exploration and mining. And…”
I was not investing because I knew what lay beneath Alaska. I was simply adding conditions based on the vague promises Seward had made while trying to persuade me.
“This is merely a precautionary clause. Should oil or similar resources be discovered, as you suggested, I would like priority leasing and purchase rights. Whether the rumors are true or not, it is worth a lottery ticket.”
Stoeckl smiled faintly. Oil in that frozen land? He clearly thought it the fancy of a dreamer. Since petroleum had not yet reached twentieth-century levels of strategic importance, no one objected.
“Third, furs and fisheries. This is for immediate cash flow. Serget will monopolize auctions, transport, and financial settlement. We have no interest in extraction rights themselves, so other companies may be granted access.”
“That was already planned. You need not worry.”
“Lastly, communications. Grant rights to install telegraph lines. It is an excellent clause for defending the project on grounds of national interest.”
The Alaska Purchase would be framed as an investment in Pacific telegraph networks and safe sea lanes, with Serget Cotton portrayed as a patriotic company participating in a national project.
Seward seemed to agree with the overall framework yet looked slightly troubled as he rubbed his forehead.
“However… to proceed without additional congressional budget approval, we must issue public bonds. Can you truly absorb them?”
“Yes. I believe it can be managed.”
Seward had no choice but to bring in private capital if he wished to avoid accusations of wasting tax money. That was the only way I could legally extract concessions, so it suited me perfectly.
“If the government issues ‘Alaska Purchase Bonds,’ I will purchase the majority of the issue and immediately monetize them. The government need only receive the funds and pay Russia.”
Seward could claim the achievement without being criticized for squandering national funds, while Serget Cotton would appear not as a company extorting the government but as a patriotic enterprise financing a national project and legitimately securing business rights.
“…Excellent. A perfect solution that satisfies everyone.”
As the intense negotiations drew to a close, the long-awaited final matchup appeared on the scoreboard.
[FINAL MATCH]
Abyss Black Dragons versus Bloody Iron Fists.
Even with the handicap of two white employees, it had come down to an internal match. Contrary to concerns, the crowd cheered rather than jeered at the prospect of two Southern teams facing each other. The overwhelming performances over the past three days had won them over, and the handicaps had allowed the New York teams to put up a respectable fight before losing.
And amid that joyful cheering, the three of us finalized our agreement.
“Very well. 6.2 million dollars. Let us sign under these terms.”
Seward firmly grasped the hand Stoeckl extended.
“I will coordinate with the Treasury to issue the bonds immediately. I will also draw up a formal contract with you, Serget, so rest assured.”
“Thank you. I will complete the procedures to purchase the bonds at any time.”
The land deed, the cash, and future monopoly rights—three desires bound together amid the roar of the baseball stadium, sealing the deal of the century.
“Now that the troublesome talk is finished…”
I cleared the empty wine bottle and rose from my seat.
“Let us enjoy tomorrow’s final without worry and celebrate today’s agreement.”
Just then the players advancing to the final bowed to the stands, and an unprecedented roar shook the air. Seward chuckled at the coincidental timing.
“The crowd seems delighted that Alaska is joining the Union.”
“Indeed.”
Russia could sell its burdensome Alaska and use the money for modernization, while Seward moved one step closer to the presidency. Both men were surely flooded with dopamine. From any angle, the contract made me look like the greatest fool for cheerfully paying six million dollars.
Therefore, I would mobilize every resource—Serget Cotton, SS, SM, and Standard Oil—to scrape every last benefit from Alaska and lick it clean. I had invested; it was only fair that I earn some money as well.
Who knew? Perhaps that worthless frozen wasteland truly held abundant resources after all.