Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 452 Carnegie's Redemption! (Bonus Chapter 1)

Carnegie's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He had to convince Morgan, he had to convince him of his innocence.

Andre Carnegie's voice was hoarse with excitement: "Mr. Morgan, I swear to God! I absolutely did not, not even for a second!"

Hiring thugs to rob and kill a delegation of French writers? Only a madman would do that!

He gasped for breath and continued to argue: "Yes, Mr. Lionel Sorel learned about the 'tin coin' from a small coal mining town under my control."

But this is just a matter of face, sir, merely a matter of face! It might get me a few scoldings in the newspapers, but it won't shake my foundation!
My tracks are laid on railroads all over the United States, and my business depends on your bank financing and your railroad company's orders.

To take such a risk over something as trivial as 'tin coins'? I'm not that foolish or narrow-minded! It's simply not worth it!

He practically shouted these words, filled with resentment at being wronged and anxiety to prove his innocence.

John Morgan leaned back in his large chair, scrutinizing Carnegie as if he were appraising a piece of collateral.

Carnegie's defense was not without merit.

Morgan himself believed that it was indeed unlikely that someone like Carnegie, who had built such a large business, would suddenly lose his mind for the sake of "tin coins".

This doesn't make business sense; the risks and rewards are completely disproportionate!

On the other hand, the French writers' group was attacked shortly after leaving Pittsburgh.

The "tin coins" in Lionel's possession were exchanged in the coal mining town controlled by Carnegie, who publicly mocked him when he left Pittsburgh.

This is too much of a coincidence; it's hard to let it go easily.

More importantly, Lionel was not only a French writer, but also a very important partner in Morgan's future "electric empire" plan.

The alias "Arthur Morgan" that Lionel used in Windbreak also made old Morgan feel valued and recognized.

He had to maintain this relationship! So, regardless of the truth, he needed Carnegie to give Lionel a satisfactory explanation.

John Morgan finally spoke: "I'll believe you for now. Perhaps those bandits just happened to overhear that the Frenchmen were carrying a lot of money, or perhaps there's someone else behind them. But—"

The 'Tin Coin' controversy ultimately started because of you. It tarnished America's reputation and brought trouble and danger to my friends, so..."

Andrew Carnegie's heart was in his throat as he nervously awaited what followed "so".

John Morgan's tone left no room for argument: "Therefore, you must set an example and pay the price—"

You must show Mr. Sorel that justice and order exist in America, and that offending a guest will be severely punished!
Do you get me? "

Andrew Carnegie felt a pang of pain; he knew the “price” would be no small matter.

But he knew all too well that if he didn't satisfy Morgan at this moment, the consequences would be devastating.

Morgan's control of financial capital was the lifeblood of his expansion, and the railroad companies he influenced were his biggest clients.

Once Morgan decides to switch his support to other steel mills, his empire will crumble.

He could not, and dared not, disobey this financial emperor of America at this time!

Andrew Carnegie steeled his resolve: "I understand! Mr. Morgan, please rest assured, and please also convey this to Mr. Sorel and the members of the French writers' group—"

I, Andrew Carnegie, will show sufficient sincerity and will ensure everyone's satisfaction!

Andrew Carnegie knew that any price was worth paying to appease John Morgan's anger and maintain his relationship with the Morgan Group.

John Morgan nodded slightly: "Very good, I look forward to your performance. You can figure out the specifics yourself. But I hope to see the results as soon as possible."

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Meanwhile, the French writers finally concluded their trip to San Francisco.

The legendary experiences of the train attack and Lionel's kidnapping by "Black Jazz" greatly enhanced their fame and public sympathy for their trip.

Lionel's outspoken speech resonated strongly with citizens and intellectuals, garnering widespread praise.

As a result, their speeches and meet-and-greets in San Francisco were packed to capacity, and ticket prices soared.

When the trip to San Francisco ended, everyone had a check for $2400 in their pocket, even more than in New York.

This time, they learned their lesson and did not carry the huge checks with them. Instead, they deposited all the money into Wells Fargo Bank immediately.

This bank has a very wide business presence in Europe, so it's not too late to exchange the money for francs and withdraw it when you get back to Paris.

The financial hole caused by the losses on the Panama Canal bonds has been completely filled, and there is even more to go, which has brought a sense of relief to everyone.

Their next stop is Los Angeles.

Los Angeles at that time was completely different from the megacity that would become in the future.

At present, it is just a small city mainly engaged in agriculture and port trade, with a population of just over 10,000.

Most of the area consists of farmland, orchards, and open wasteland, and the air is filled with the salty smell of the sea during this season.

The writers visited the bustling San Pedro Bay harbor.

Huge steamships were docked at the pier, their chimneys billowing thick smoke, as workers chanted as they loaded tons of cargo into their bottomless holds.

They saw barrels of kerosene, bundles of printed fabric and cotton cloth, bags of flour, processed timber, and all sorts of machinery. Of course, there were also large quantities of ginseng, stacked like small mountains in crates—this was originally a French business, but now almost all of it belonged to the Americans.

Émile Zola asked Los Angeles Mayor James Toberman, who was accompanying her, with curiosity, "Where are these ships going to take all this stuff?"

James Toberman pointed to the distant horizon: "Mainly destined for the Far East, gentlemen."

The destinations are usually Yokohama in Japan, Guangzhou Port in China, and Kolkata in India.

Of course, in terms of both quantity and value, the majority of these goods were still "eaten up" by the Chinese market.

Lionel watched all this silently; it was a torrent of change that was quietly transforming the face of that ancient land.

Émile Zola whispered to him, “The huge trade deficit means I can almost see money flowing out and the old economic system collapsing.”

That dynasty over there is probably sitting atop a volcano about to erupt!

Lionel shook his head and gave a simple summary: "We sat down too late."

Maupassant was not interested in economics, but he was filled with romantic fantasies about the enormous steamships and exotic destinations:
"Yokohama, Guangzhou, Kolkata... they sound like place names from One Thousand and One Nights."

I truly hope that one day, our books can be loaded onto such ships and transported to those places.

……

The trip to Los Angeles was very short; the French writers' delegation stayed for only one day before officially embarking on their journey to the south.

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The southbound train carried the French writers into a land completely different from what they had seen before.

Houston, Texas, was their first stop on their trip to the South.

The city here is not small, but it is more like a huge trading town, with bustling streets filled with cowboys, merchants and plantation owners.

The welcoming ceremony was still enthusiastic, but the writers' attention was soon drawn to the scene on the street.

They observed that when Black people walked on the street, if a white person approached them, they would immediately lower their heads, silently step aside, and wait for the white person to pass first.

Black people usually have their eyes downcast and rarely make eye contact with white people.

Inside the restaurant, they could see Black waiters, but there were no Black customers sitting inside eating.

Yusman frowned and asked the guide in a low voice, "Why are they doing this?"

The guide, a young local white man, replied matter-of-factly, “Oh, that’s the rule. Black people know their place.”

They couldn't be treated as equals with white people. Restaurants? They weren't allowed to enter through the main entrance, and even if they could buy food, they could only take it from a small window at the back.

Theaters and libraries—those are places they can't go! This is already quite good; in the past, they weren't even allowed on the streets unless they were being taken to the market!

……

In his speech in Houston, Zola spoke of the "universality of human dignity" in a somber tone.

Some audience members looked displeased, but most remained indifferent, as if it were none of their business, and gave enthusiastic applause as usual.

It didn't cause any stir in the media afterwards, far less than the reaction caused by Lionel's "Emperor of Tin Coins" and "Town Lord".

After leaving Houston, they arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Upon entering the city, a strong French atmosphere immediately envelops you.

French street signs, cast-iron balconies, narrow streets, and the smell of coffee in the air.

Maupassant looked around excitedly: "My God, this is practically a French overseas province!"

Local celebrities proudly showcased the "French heritage" of the area, and each writer was granted honorary citizenship of New Orleans and received a golden key.

At the banquet, they sampled "French-American" cuisine prepared by a French chef—rich in flavor, bold in the use of spices, and quite different from Parisian dishes.

The last stop on the southward journey was Charleston, South Carolina, an elegant and historic city.

This place was once a major center of slavery in the United States and the starting point of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Charleston’s white upper class received them with special pride, and even went out of their way to show these French writers the achievements of apartheid.

At the entrance of most public buildings in the city center, they can see a prominent sign that clearly states: "Whites Only".

Maupassant pointed to the sign: "Unbelievable! Almost a century has passed, and this is still in a country that claims to be free!"

Goncourt shook his head: "They just ended a war to liberate the slaves, didn't they?"

Lionel replied, “The war is over, but hatred, fear, and discrimination remain. We are legally free, but economically enslaved and socially isolated.”
—This kind of oppression might seem more 'civilized' to Americans!

On the train that left Charleston, Eric Morton hurried into the carriage with a stack of telegrams he had just received.

His voice was full of surprise and excitement: "Gentlemen! Some news has come from San Francisco, quite shocking news!"

(Third update, please vote with monthly tickets. The fourth update will be in the morning. I'm too sleepy now, I'm going to sleep first.)

(End of this chapter)