Chapter 110
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Apostle of Justice
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It was a sun-drenched morning in 1841.
James, having returned from an urgent business trip to America, felt a sense of peace settle over him as he took in the familiar London scenery.
No matter what, there was no place like home. After a long journey, everything here seemed dear to him.
Even the filthy water of the Thames, rumored to be a fatal blow to the skin with a single touch, looked lovely in his eyes.
He had already planned everything he would do during his stay in London.
This time, he would take at least three months off, doing nothing but resting at home and enjoying an elegant vacation.
Looking back, he had managed an unbelievably hectic schedule until now.
He had established a detective agency on Killian's behalf and built it into the top organization in Britain.
On top of that, he had capitalized on the American economic depression to acquire American coal and locomotive companies, as well as a massive British coal corporation, all several years ago.
Killian's prowess was almost prophetic, and James, as a businessman, had thoroughly enjoyed the work at the time.
When money was practically printing itself just by following orders, how could it not be enjoyable?
But how should he put it?
As he continued, he felt as if he were sinking into a swamp from which he could not escape.
Just when he felt he had accomplished something, Killian would throw something new at him, leaving no time to rest.
It was the same when Killian left for the Qing Dynasty.
He thought all he had to do was manage the business well and expand it in Killian's absence, but then came the sudden order to go to the New World and gather data on a potato blight.
At first, he wondered if his young master had finally lost his mind.
But the most absurd part was that this "potato blight" actually existed, and if it spread, it would deal a severe blow to the farmers.
It didn't stop there. Killian also ordered him to collaborate with Guinness in Ireland to build breweries in Canada and the United States.
And while he was at it, expand the detective agency to America as well.
America was a gold mine where the detective agency could make a fortune, or so he said.
Of course, as always, Killian didn't just throw out impossible tasks with a few words.
This time, too, he had provided the perfect person to handle the American front.
Allan Pinkerton, a man from Scotland.
Killian's eye for talent, recommending a man who was one of the most outstanding agents in the detective agency, proved to be correct.
By leveraging the British detective agency's vast funds and excellent organizational skills, the new agency in America would also grow into a massive organization dominating the country within five years.
In fact, America's security was far worse than Britain's, which gave armed private detectives the advantage of operating more freely.
In other words, it meant more money.
Our Young Master Killian was undoubtedly planning to rake in money in the United States once again to expand his kingdom.
Anyway, that was that. For now, he would relax comfortably in London and soothe his work-weary body.
He had more money than he knew what to do with, so a luxurious vacation plan surrounded by top-shelf whiskey, gourmet delicacies, and beautiful women in some secluded resort was…
"James, there's one more thing I need you to do."
"Oh…"
The devil's call, coming as soon as he returned to London, shattered his plans to pieces.
"My dear Young Master, I've only just returned from my business trip to America."
"Ah, don't worry. I'm not telling you to go back to the New World right away. A prominent congressman from the United States is visiting. All you have to do is approach him, pretend to be a benevolent sponsor, and support him wholeheartedly."
"A familiar task. That's my specialty. I suppose I'll have to unleash all my pent-up frustration on him."
Approach a politician, pretend to be a like-minded sponsor, shower him with money, and get a hold of some useful leverage.
It was a method Killian favored, and one James had been doing for so long that it was now as natural as breathing.
He didn't know who this poor sap from America was, but he was about to become a puppet dancing on the palm of that vicious young master.
"However, this target is a real big shot. You'll need to put in more effort than with any opponent before. And you have to genuinely help him achieve his goals."
"What? We're not just using him?"
"The fulfillment of his beliefs will also benefit me. So you need to make him trust you, but since he's been in politics for a long time, it won't be easy."
He wondered who on earth Killian wanted him to win over to elicit such a reaction, but upon hearing the target's name, he understood.
John Quincy Adams. A man who had reached the presidency of the United States and remained one of the most influential figures in the U.S. House of Representatives, staying active even after leaving office.
"So I just need to build a rapport with him and provide ample support? What persona should I adopt when I approach Congressman Adams this time?"
"That's the core of this plan. From this moment on, you are to become a conscientious businessman who has dedicated his life to the Black civil rights movement."
"Yes, yes. To the Black civil rights… what? Dedicated my life to what?"
"Slavery is a horrific barbarism that regresses human civilization and intellect, and it must be abolished! This is the absolute conviction you must now hold in your heart."
What in the world was this nonsense?
The statement was so far beyond his comprehension that his brain momentarily rejected it.
So, he was supposed to become a champion of human rights, fighting for the abolition of Black slavery in America?
"So now I have to change careers from a businessman to an abolitionist?"
"It can't be helped. To gain Congressman Adams's trust, you have to approach it from that angle. And it will bring me an incalculable amount of benefit for my plans."
"I never knew you felt so deeply for the unfortunate lives of Black people, Young Master. To think that the abolition of slavery would be so beneficial."
"No, not an emotional benefit, a tangible one. A garbage system like slavery can't last long anyway. If that's the case, I should pursue my own interests while also aligning with humanitarian values."
A smirk escaped his lips at Killian's usual demeanor, but this was, after all, his young master's true nature.
He had no idea what benefit abolishing slavery could possibly bring to a minister of the British Empire, but as always, he figured he would understand in time.
Besides, it wasn't as if he had the option to refuse. What difference would complaining make?
It would probably be better for his mental health to just go with the flow, enjoy the ride, and watch how Killian's intentions were fulfilled.
"Understood. From this moment on, I, James, will become a champion who has laid his life on the line for the rights of Black people."
"Good. But your opponent is Adams, so any clumsy acting will expose the lie immediately. I'll be training you one-on-one from now on to raise your human rights sensitivity, so learn well with the mindset of being reborn."
"Hoo… Understood."
"Good. Now, write this down."
I have a dream.
A dream that one day, the United States will come to accept the self-evident truth that all men are created equal.
As he transcribed the moving passage Killian dictated, a question suddenly occurred to him.
Which would come sooner: the day slavery was abolished in America, or the day his own vacation—the one that was always promised to come someday but never did—finally arrived?
'I, too, have a dream. A dream that one day, the Young Master will actually grant me a year-long vacation.'
Huh. Suddenly, he felt a wellspring of humanity and an enhanced sense of empathy rising from within.
He felt he could now genuinely sympathize with the poor souls being brutally exploited as slaves.
It was all thanks to the Young Master.
***
After about a week of my intensive crash course, James completed his transformation into a perfect guardian of human rights.
To be honest, there were moments when I was genuinely surprised.
When decrying the harsh working conditions of slaves, his acting was so flawless he could even squeeze out tears.
Well, well. As they say, even a dog at a schoolhouse learns to recite poetry after three years. Has his acting improved from frequent practice?
At this level, even Adams would have no choice but to believe that James was genuinely sincere about abolishing slavery.
Indeed, when I first introduced them, Adams had been skeptical, but with each fluent answer James gave, he seemed to be trusting us a little more.
"My… so you're saying you've achieved great success in business not only in the British Empire but also within the United States?"
"Yes. It was my judgment that the United States would not be broken by a mere economic downturn, which is why I boldly acquired companies engaged in coal mining and locomotive manufacturing at that time. I continued to invest aggressively, and now I am seeing the results."
"Indeed. While we may still be lacking economically compared to the British Empire, the United States is a country of immense potential. It would not fall from a single depression. The wise man earns money, and you are certainly deserving of such wealth. But why is a man who has earned so much money so passionate about the abolition of slavery?"
"Because it is the righteous path. Not all capitalists have sold their souls to money. On the contrary, I believe those who have amassed great wealth bear a corresponding responsibility to society. Why is it that I can accumulate more wealth and live more lavishly than the prominent nobles who inherited their family fortunes? It is because this society has moved beyond the barbaric ages of the past, allowing the twin flowers of capitalism and meritocracy to fully bloom."
"You mean to say that since you built great wealth thanks to the progress of society, you wish to contribute to its further advancement? That is a maxim that money-crazed businessmen should take to heart."
At a time when the concept of corporate social responsibility was still 150 years away, James's words would be dismissed as nonsense by most entrepreneurs.
But to politicians who sought sponsorship from those entrepreneurs and wished to command them as they pleased, could there be any words more appealing?
"I have visited the United States several times for business and have always been in awe of its vast potential. However, that was a story limited to the North. The situation changes when you go to the South. The horrors of slavery, which are no longer seen in the British Empire, felt to me like a great obstacle blocking the progress of the United States. And that, in turn, means my business's growth would also stagnate. From that point on, I began to study whether slavery was truly right and why it persisted in the United States. The conclusion I reached is that this relic of a bygone era must be eliminated."
"I concur. But there are still too many hurdles to overcome before that can happen. The complex interests are so entangled that it has become impossible to unravel them. As you may know, the South has no desire to abolish slavery, and even the court judges are heavily influenced by them."
"I am aware. That is why an absurd trial like the Amistad case occurred."
"…You know of that case? It was quite controversial domestically, but the verdict was delivered early this year, so it might have been difficult for someone from the British Empire to know about it… It seems your claim of being deeply interested in this issue was sincere."
The Amistad case involved a Spanish slave ship that was seized by the United States while sailing off the coast of Cuba and brought to trial.
At the time, the Black slaves being transported had revolted, killed the captain, and taken control of the ship. The Spanish government demanded that the United States government return the slaves, claiming they were Spanish property.
However, since those slaves had been illegally kidnapped by Portuguese slave traders, they should have legally been guaranteed their freedom. But the United States at the time could not ignore the public opinion of the South, which defended both Spain and slavery.
Even among the Supreme Court justices, many were from the South and supported slavery, so a decision to return the slaves to Spain was expected. However, thanks to Adams's vigorous defense and a legendary speech, the Supreme Court ultimately sided with the slaves.
Adams was immensely proud of this trial, and it was an achievement worthy of such pride.
And to be praised for it by people from across the Atlantic, in the British Empire, he couldn't help but feel elated.
I decided to chime in here and praise Adams to the fullest.
"I, too, respect Congressman Adams's decision to fight for the preservation of human values, even if it meant directly opposing the President."
"Ho ho, respect, you say. You flatter this old man too much, Minister."
"Not at all. Thanks to you, Congressman, the United States has been able to take a meaningful step forward in history."
Adams had said at the time that if it meant following the path of justice, he would even risk civil war, but he probably never imagined it would actually happen.
But contrary to his intentions, the fact remains that the trial caused a severe division of national opinion between the North and the South.
Right now, the U.S. Congress was still in the midst of a heated debate over the trial's outcome, with congressmen from the North and South divided.
"I never imagined I would hear such an enlightening story from across the Atlantic. As expected from a minister of a nation that abolished slavery early on, your insight is broad. Ho ho ho."
"On that note, James here is very eager to assist you, Congressman Adams. If it would be of help to you, I can also procure detailed records from my home country about the arguments made by the opposition during the abolition of slavery and how they were refuted."
The conflict surrounding slavery was bound to explode anyway, so it didn't really matter when it happened, right?
As the saying goes, it's better to get the beating over with sooner.
Of course, whether it was actually better to get hit first was something one could only know after the fact.