Chapter 43: Money Moves Mountains

"Sorry about that, Folks… I guess you must be hungry." He said as he comfortably accommodated himself.

"Don't worry." Felipe just smiled as he looked around for all the black slaves, well dressed and organized, ready to service any of their needs.

All the slaves outnumbered them by any measure. Still, even if they were able to overpower the white guard that was on the outside with their own muskets, they would not be able to do anything against the number of people that were organized in the State, then even if they took over the State, they would not be able to go against the other states… all in all, the organization dn firepower of the white people in the USA gives a complete advantage to the unorganized, untrained and unarmed slaves.

That is why the world feared what happened in Haiti. The unkilled, unionized and unarmed slaves could push down all their masters from the god-given land they acquired through conquest.

"So, Mr. Governor, do you have any suggestion for us? I mean, your hospitality has been nothing but welcoming." Felipe said with a smile.

"Right to business, huh? Not wasting no time. I like that." The Governor said with a smile. "Well, as a matter of fact, I would like for the Crown Prince to invest in my own venture, you see… I have been eyeing a plantation in the South of South Carolina… I know you don't have the best looks on slavery, but I can assure you, if you lend me money to do so, I will treat all the slaves with dignity and gentleness."

Felipe looked at the Governor for a long time and felt pity for him.

Over the years, he found many people that made proposals to him, yet, they were all essential business ventures.

They all thought he was stupidly rich and that money came in quickly; he was the crown prince of such a massive kingdom. His influence on the Colombian Empire is well known; thanks to him, South America obtained the same kind of attention that North America got during the War of Independence and right after, which is enormous.

But in a way, it was all his own undoing; after he adorned the words, he spoke of it with such a magical tone that people would be interested in what was happening in a country where they don't know shit about it.

"Mr. Governor, I am afraid I am not in the disposition of using money; after all… as you might know, I have lost 2 factories."

"Oh yes, yes, yes, of course, but I have understanding that even then, you are producing a lot of cash flow into your business."

"Mr. Governor, even if I create a lot of cash flow, most of that cash disappears in the payment of a very costly high loan that I have to repay."

"…" The Governor looked at Harry with a second look; he wanted to say something counter-argue, be persistent and try to get what he wanted, yet, the huge statue of Felipe just sitting across him made him swallow his own words.

"Yes, indeed. Aside from my wishful thinking, I invited you here to make sure your Royal Majesty understands the commitment the USA has to your cause in your home country and, of course, to extend your influence across the South American Continent."

The USA has made alliances with the Colombian Empire, and even the recent deals with the Spanish Empire do not affect them, or that is what they were trying to show.

"That is funny; after all, the contract your country did with the Spanish Empire was the top of the Americans' unconditional support for my country," Felipe said as he smiled.

"Oh, yeah, that is indeed true… yet, your Majesty, we have not changed our support for you." The Governor explained with a smile.

Felipe thought of other things as the smell of good food opened his tasting palate.

"Mr. Governor, I am not sure that you understand what you are telling me; you are telling me that the USA does not have a single integrity in their word. That a contract you sign doesn't mean anything. This time might be good for me; it might be the opposite next time." Felipe said as he shook his head.

"Democracy is a good way to maintain a country accountable to the freedoms of people, yet, it makes the attitude of countries swing like the seasons of a year. One year they are pro-slavery, the other they are against slavery… it is tough for me to understand the attitude of South Carolina in a few years." Felipe explained calmly; he didn't want to be there anymore, yet he dreaded the carriage ride back to Charleston downtown.

The Governor coughed and re positioned himself in his own seat.

"Your majesty, I can assure you, the south of the United States will always main our values and believes."

"Yeah, I am aware of that; I can see that in the future where the sheer stubbornness of the South will be a problem. Yet, money is money would not you agree?" Felipe asked.

"Yes, yes. As long as your majesty facilitates and contributes to the economy of this great nation, we civil servants will facilitate the enrichment of people like you that focus on creating and helping the common folk." The Governor nodded.

Neither of them agrees with each other in their moral opinions or anything else, as a matter of fact. Still, they agree on one key thing: as long as the money flows, it doesn't matter what the other thinks.

Felipe liked it that way, expecting the cooperation to fuel his future textile industry. Criminally low wages will fuel the company to obtain market share. After the civil war, Felipe projects, having already sold all land and properties of Cotton in the USA and already have multiple plantations of Cotton in the projects he intends in the very west of the Colombian Kingdom, where rainfall water is constant and the ground hard to cultivate.

"We have an understanding… Mr. Governor, you can expect the subtle support of the control of the legislature of this great State, yet, I am indeed afraid, it is a time when I cannot spare money. But in the future, I intend to increase my investment." Felipe said the last part of his sentence in his mind. 'Just not in South Carolina.'

"Now, that is what I like to hear." The Governor quickly used the timing to change topics.

"Your majesty, do you like horses? Because I know a breeder not far from here. We are good friends."

"I love them, yet, I might remind you, I am thousands of miles away from home," Felipe said as he made clear he would not buy them. "I am more interested in watching the factory state. Though I would indeed not mind stopping by."

"It is settled then; I will send him a letter to facilitate a tour and his best horses for tomorrow." The Governor said he could not come up with a thing to discuss with the young prince whose only interest was making money.

Felipe Spent the night in the Governor's mansion. The bed was small for him, though he was already accustomed to sleeping in a way that made him comfortable.

The first thing in the morning was for him to go to the Cotton processing factory. It was not a factory but a barn that housed many slaves working with their hands very early in the morning.

They were primarily female, and the chattering was just present; Felipe didn't announce his visit, and no one was with him; in other words, he snuck out to watch.

The moment they saw him enter the barn, everyone quickly stood up. They were already a costume to it.

Felipe looked around as the sun's rays penetrated the barn's interior, highlighting the amount of dust and cotton fibre floating in the air; clearly not a working environment for anyone. Much fewer pregnant women, and he sees 3 of them.

"Excuse me. I am just here to watch." Felipe said as he took out a handkerchief and put it over his mouth and nose, ironically, made of Cotton.

Even though he said they were still up looking at him, whether it was because he was a new white person or they recognized him, they were still standing, not knowing what to do.

"I don't want to interrupt, please; I am here to observe. Continue working."

The slaves looked at each other, and slowly, they went back to work.

"You are an honourable guest, right?" Unlike most of them, he was male and had a way of carrying himself that screamed: submissive.

"Yes, I am indeed the current guest of the owner of this house." Felipe nodded; there was no reason not to do so.

"Then you must be the crown prince… your majesty, this is no place for a person of your stature; you must respectfully leave." He was terrified, almost as if he was doing something wrong.

"No need. I want to see it. Please, show what you do here. The quicker you show me, the faster I leave." Felipe said as he felt unbothered by all the gazes after they knew he was a prince, no matter from where, but the fact that he was a prince was enough of a thing for them to remember those moments for the rest of their lives.