Chapter 15: Gotta Pay More

"However, I must also make it clear upfront that families who did not immigrate to Brazil at that time will have to pay a fee!" Sheffield shook his finger, giving a preemptive warning. "You might not be aware, but there's a strong anti-immigration sentiment in the country right now. Since you're Dixie folks, it's understandable that you'd try to find a way around it. But as for these Brazilian plantation owners, there might be some additional costs involved."

In simple terms, they gotta pay more! Although the Sheffield family has never been particularly loyal to the Union, always acting more like remnants of a bygone era, they've maintained a "live and let live" attitude, keeping things civil on the surface. As long as the family's interests aren't harmed, they've been cooperative with the federal government. After all, the Sheffield family is deeply tied to the Democratic Party, having weathered the storm of the Civil War alongside the Democrats, who were severely weakened by the conflict. The Democratic Party has never lost an election in Texas.

In this context, the lingering divide between the Yankees and the Dixie folks from the Civil War has become an invisible yet ever-present barrier. This barrier, however, has worked in Sheffield's favor, allowing him to dominate not just Texas but the entire South.

Now that the Sheffield family is willing to welcome back their old partners who had emigrated, and these partners want to bring even more people with them, the question arises: Can these Portuguese-speaking plantation owners truly align with the Sheffield family's interests?

This isn't a simple matter of nodding in agreement. Sheffield calmly asked, "Those families you mentioned—do they have enough assets to become our partners? Are they wealthy?"

"That's not an issue. Families on our level are naturally not among the destitute," Gale nodded. However, this statement caused a flicker of unease to cross Sheffield's face. It seemed this so-called partner didn't move in very wide circles, given his misunderstanding of the term "destitute."

"That's good!" Sheffield, hearing Gale's tone, knew this wasn't a major problem. He wasn't using the anti-immigration sentiment in the country to deceive the other party—there was no need for that. A little investigation would reveal the truth.

In recent years, the anti-immigration sentiment among the Union's citizens was real. It wasn't just about opposing Black or Asian immigrants; it applied to white immigrants as well. In 1895, the people of the Union were caught in a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, the media was hyping up the coming of the "American Century," with many citizens agitating for war and an end to isolationist policies.

On the other hand, the reality was that the Union couldn't handle many international issues. Decisions regarding Latin American countries had to take into account Europe's reactions, especially the sentiments of the British Empire, the world's dominant power. This led to cautious policies that were at odds with the proclaimed "American Century" being touted domestically.

This was similar to the later Republican citizens' desire to "destroy America and Russia." The Union's citizens desperately wanted their country to stand up to European imperialism. Yet, the reality was that even the Panama Canal issue had been a 20-year tug-of-war with France. Ordinary people wanted to teach Britain a lesson in a day, but seeing the federal government's cautious approach, they had nowhere to vent their frustration.

The Union's society was restless. If an ordinary American paid attention to politics, their mood would undoubtedly be sour. How could their country, which claimed to be so powerful, act so subserviently to European nations?

Sheffield didn't have much to say about the ordinary citizens' patriotic fervor. In fact, it was a good thing. If they weren't focused on Europe's old imperialist powers and instead turned their attention domestically, wouldn't they start scrutinizing families like his? Although his family had allies like Rockefeller and DuPont to share the spotlight.

It was better not to let the Union's citizens realize the extent of domestic monopolies. It was preferable for them to focus on how Europeans were bullying the Union.

Gale and his group coming to New Orleans was just the vanguard. Once they saw that returning wasn't so bad, it would trigger a wave of immigration—and this wave could be profitable. After all, one type of immigration was investment-based immigration.

What's wrong with making money from immigration? It's only natural. The Sheffield family even ran Texas' prisons, and they made a tidy profit from that too.

Finally, after who knows how many days of skipping class, Sheffield gave these plantation owners the full VIP treatment, sending them off on their ships.

"Actually, you don't necessarily have to sell off your assets. You could keep the land and have managers run it. It's always good to have a backup plan," Sheffield stood on the dock, bidding farewell to his close partners with genuine sincerity. He was entirely well-meaning—if you ignored the occasional pressure from the Union, being a plantation owner in Latin America was quite comfortable.

As he watched them board the ship, Sheffield finally let out a sigh of relief. He wondered if the old lady (his grandmother) was satisfied with his performance.

"The Democratic Party has always been a staunch supporter of expansionist policies, that's beyond doubt. And as you gentlemen know, the Sheffield family has steadfastly supported the Democratic Party through many difficult times," Annabelle said elegantly, filing her nails before blowing on them lightly. She nodded slightly and continued, "President Cleveland is a good man. He broke the Republican Party's long-standing dominance and brought more balance to the nation. If there's any flaw, it's that he's too much of a good man—almost unlike a traditional Democrat."

What is the Democratic Party? Building an agricultural empire requires vast amounts of land, so expansionist policies are a must, whether through purchase or war. This president has made achievements in many areas, but his adherence to isolationism and suppression of the Union's war rhetoric is quite unappealing.

The Democratic Party of today is not the famous "white liberal" group of later years. In fact, compared to the Democrats, the Republican Party is the more docile one. President Cleveland's steadfast isolationism has drawn attacks not just from the Republicans, who talk big without consequence, but also from within the Democratic Party itself.

"Any news from Washington lately?" Annabelle leaned forward slightly, inquiring.

"President Cleveland is indeed facing many issues, especially with the economy in poor shape," Anderson, who had just returned from Congress, replied after a moment's thought. "Many workers are unemployed, and the stock market is unstable. Factories in the Great Lakes region have shut down."

"Is the economy really that bad?" Annabelle looked at Anderson with some surprise, her tone as light as ever, not at all intimidated by his position in Congress. An economic depression? She hadn't felt it at all.

How could a family like yours possibly feel it? Anderson wanted to retort but patiently explained the current situation.

In a flash, Annabelle noted to herself that an economic depression was a good opportunity. Raising the prices of agricultural and livestock products would be a natural move. If people wanted to solve their food problems, they'd have to pay more.

(End of Chapter)