The Ominous Signs of 1857 (2)

One day, as the calendar of 1857 pushed past July, I arrived at Governor McRae’s office in response to his summons.

He wanted to officially commend me for the great victory in the recent baseball game and for my help in swiftly handling the Cedar Grove incident... and really, there was no reason to refuse.

Most of my plantations, including Cedar Grove, were already in the process of being converted into makeshift fortresses, or had already finished the work. On top of that, I had put the foremen—who called themselves the Sett Personal Guard—through rigorous training, and now they were secretly teaching the other slaves how to handle firearms.

Once this automated hunting system was fully established, every member of my plantation would be able to handle a weapon. Since the number of slaves was steadily increasing, I suspected that by the end of the year, I would have a force of nearly a thousand people capable of using guns.

By the time the war broke out, it wouldn't be strange to call me a full-fledged warlord.

“Hahaha, Sett. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes. Thanks to your concern, Governor, I am always doing well.”

“The planters were trembling in fear because of that incident, but thanks to you stepping in and acquiring the farm, the atmosphere has calmed down quickly. Even Senator Parer can’t stop singing your praises.”

“I simply did what had to be done. Once the horse racing tournament is successfully held next year, no one will remember the tragedy of Cedar Grove.”

Governor McRae laughed heartily and signaled his secretary to bring in a large frame.

“This is the resolution of appreciation that our state legislature will pass this time. It will be passed in the next session, so make sure to hang it somewhere visible, like your office or the entrance to your plantation.”

“I am honored. I will display it in the most prominent place on the plantation.”

What a stroke of luck. It felt absurd to receive a plaque of appreciation for an incident I had essentially orchestrated myself, but there was no reason to refuse when they were offering it.

It wasn’t just anything; it was a resolution formally proposed by the Governor and passed by the state legislature.

They were even going to advertise it in the newspapers? This would undoubtedly solidify our plantation’s standing even further.

However, common sense dictated that there was no such thing as a free lunch. They would surely use this as a pretext to ask for a favor, but was there anything I could do that would be helpful to the Governor?

As I waited, half-curious and half-tense, Governor McRae finally got to the point.

“The first Mississippi State Fair will be held in our state next year. Wouldn’t the event be a much greater success if the planters of Natchez cooperated actively?”

“You’re talking about the State Fair.”

The Mississippi State Fair was a time-honored event whose tradition continued even into the 21st century. How did I know? I had seen articles mentioning that one of the reasons patients exploded in numbers across the American South during the COVID-19 pandemic was because of the massive crowds that gathered there.

“If my cooperation can help make the event a success, I would be more than happy to assist.”

“I appreciate it. Then, I will send someone your way if something comes up, so I’m counting on you.”

“Just leave it to me.”

By 19th-century standards, a fair was an event attended by many socially prominent VIPs, making it the perfect place to build connections. If I could secure a position on the operations side, there would be no end to the tangible and intangible benefits I could extract; there was no reason to refuse.

Furthermore, I now had the business card of a planter whose appreciation resolution had been officially passed by the State of Mississippi. There were countless ways to convert this into practical gain. For instance, I could even take on an official title in the county militia. After all, there wouldn't be a patriot who cared more for this region than I did.

From stabilizing the Cedar Grove plantation to drafting lists of candidates for weapon permits and selecting the prospective secretaries who would learn to read—Leo, the right-hand man of James Sett and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the one recognized by everyone on the plantation, was facing a momentous occasion.

The plantation had undergone massive changes once again, but Leo’s authority had only grown, never diminished. He was no longer just a servant; ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he was the captain of the personal guard, permitted to carry weapons and always standing by his master’s side.

Of course, their cool-headed master didn’t entrust Leo with such heavy responsibilities simply because he was always nearby. He was trusted because he performed his duties with composure and delivered results, no matter the time or place.

He could proudly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠proclaim anywhere: he was James’s right-hand man and the most loyal subject on the plantation.

But for some reason, the confidence that usually surged through him while working was nowhere to be found right now.

“Ugh...”

“Hey, how long are you going to keep asking me to stay with you?”

“Just this once... please.”

The Love House, which his respected master had built for the people of the plantation. Countless couples had been born here, and people spared no effort to earn the right to use it. For the record, Leo was the only one among those granted the privilege of using it weekly who still didn’t have a partner.

“I’ve definitely prepared for it this time. Please, trust me.”

“No... it’s not like anything will change just because I trust you. And I told you, didn’t I? She’s interested in you, too! Just go and confess!”

Even while grumbling, James had gone out of his way to investigate how Sara felt about him. Knowing for a fact that she viewed him favorably seemed to boost his confidence, if only a little.

After what felt like an eternity, she opened the door and walked in. Leo swallowed hard and greeted her first.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Pardon? Hard work?”

Oh no. He had meant to speak naturally, like he did when they were just talking, but he had blurted out the greeting he used when they were working.

“Ah, no. That’s not it. My tongue slipped. Haha...”

“You seem less nervous than when we first met, though. I thought you were someone who never got nervous because you always handle your work so perfectly.”

“Ah... really? No, no. I’m a person who gets very nervous. Haha...”

No "really?" allowed. No short, one-sentence answers. No avoiding eye contact.

Thoroughly reviewing James’s lecture on the art of dating, Leo managed to continue the conversation while his chin trembled.

“So... Sara... how was the coffee?”

“I was curious, but it was incredibly bitter when I actually drank it. Honestly, I don’t know why people like it so much, but I find myself drinking it anyway. I suppose I’m able to drink things like this because you invited me, Leo. Thank you.”

“Ah, yes. That... haha... uh, I will invite you anytime. So... if it’s alright with you, could you be with me next week as well?”

Sara smiled softly and met his eyes. His heart began to pound like crazy. Was it going to burst?

“Are you going to ask the master to listen to our conversation again next time?”

“Ah... no! The master said he’s collected enough data now, so he doesn’t need to accompany us anymore. Probably...”

“Is that so? Then next week will effectively be our first proper date.”

She lifted her coffee cup and smiled with her eyes. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“You won’t be grateful. You’ll be disappointed!”

Ah, I’m ruined. You idiot. What kind of nonsense are you spouting?

Sara seemed to find his mistake funny, as she covered her mouth with her hand and burst into laughter. Then, she waved her hand and stood up, saying she would see him next time.

He thought he had blown it... but since he hadn’t been rejected, could he call it a success?

He collapsed onto the sofa, clutching his chest with his right hand to hold down the heart that was pounding so hard it was a miracle it hadn’t burst yet.

As Sara disappeared, James appeared, shaking his head as he approached.

“You really are something else. Hey, anyone can see she’s interested in you, so how long are you going to keep acting like a loser? I told you to confess!”

“A loser, sir? It was a very delicate and attentive conversation...”

“Sigh, what a mess. My situation, having to give dating advice to you guys when I have so much work to do, is truly legendary.”

“I am always filled with gratitude.”

It wasn’t just empty words; it was the truth. James seemed to know that, as he sighed and sat on the opposite sofa where Sara had been sitting, stretching out his legs.

“Since I’m already here, let’s get some work done. Didn’t you have letters from the North? Bring those out.”

“Are you going to look at them here instead of in the office?”

“What could be so important in them? Rockefeller is probably handling things well enough on his own.”

Just as the plantations in Mississippi were prospering day by day, the two companies the master had established in the North were sailing smoothly with the wind at their backs. Leo placed the pile of reports and letters from his bag onto the table and began to sort them one by one.

There were almost no classified documents that only James needed to see; most were materials that Leo could review first and report on. Among them, however, was a letter sent directly by Rockefeller.

“Master, here is a letter sent by the president of SS. Shall I open it first?”

“Sure. If it’s just a routine report like last month, just summarize it for me. I have a lot to plan for the horse racing tournament confirmed for next year.”

From what he heard, the members of the horse racing club James had joined aimed to hold the greatest tournament, comparable to the English Derby. He didn’t know what a Derby was, but since it was an event James had decided to lend a hand to, couldn’t it become a successful tournament that surpassed it? It was nonsense that would make anyone who knew horse racing gasp, but that was how much Leo trusted James.

Therefore, he had to be faithful to his duties to be of even the slightest help to his master.

Leo erased the existence of Sara, who had paralyzed his reason until just a moment ago, from his mind and tore open the envelope of the report sent by Rockefeller.

“Let’s see...”

The report written by Rockefeller was mostly filled with content about the ominous signs continuing to occur in the North. To summarize this complex content simply:

1. Crisis in the Railroad Industry: Profits for railroad companies that relied heavily on grain transport were plummeting. It wouldn’t be strange if the railroad stocks, currently at their peak, began to fall at any moment.

2. Risk of Chain Bank Insolvency: Numerous banks in the North had lent massive amounts of funds with these railroad company stocks and bonds as collateral. If railroad stocks began to plummet, there was a high possibility that financial firms would collapse in a chain reaction, and that shock could paralyze the entire Northern economy.

Therefore, I had to quickly liquidate stocks and bonds to secure cash and increase the proportion of investments in stable physical commodities like cotton.

Even Leo, who wasn’t very bright when it came to economics, could tell that something ominous was happening just by reading this.

“Master, I don’t think horse racing is the important thing right now. I think you need to see this immediately.”

“What is it? Is the business not going well?”

After seeing the summary Leo had prepared, Sett fell silent for a moment. Then—

Flip, flip, flip!

He frantically flipped through the report Rockefeller had sent and shouted urgently.

“Leo, contact them immediately and liquidate all the Northern railroad company stocks we hold.”

“All of them, sir?”

“Yes. Every single one. Don’t leave a single share.”

He didn’t know what it was, but seeing James so flustered, it had to be no ordinary matter. Leo jumped up from his seat and ran out at full speed.

The time of the panic had arrived, when financial firms in the North would trigger chain bankruptcies and over 5,000 companies would go bankrupt within a year.

+The Mississippi State Fair is a time-honored fair that has actually continued from 1858 to the present day, and the Panic of 1857 is one of the economic panics that had a tremendous impact not only on the American economy but also on its politics.