If William Sheffield were to call for the remediation of heavy metal pollution in the Mississippi River, it's estimated that the capitalists from the northern industrial zone upstream would explode. After all, they all claim that without their hard work, many people would have nothing to eat.
Just like thirty years ago, the plantation owners in the South used to say that if they didn't treat black people kindly, like family, these black folks would be nothing and would only live like savages in the woods.
For many Americans, social life is increasingly polarized, with those benefiting the most from economic expansion occupying the upper echelons of society. Workers live in harsh urban slums, working day and night, but earning meager incomes, barely making ends meet.
"Yang Kilao had a significant advantage after the war. Sometimes I think about transitioning, but I have no idea where to start. It would be great if your grandfather were still alive," Anna Belle sighed. "Things in Brazil are also chaotic. If you graduate, where do you plan to develop?"
"Grandmother, I'm only sixteen. Are you not afraid I'll squander the family's funds?" William Sheffield was somewhat surprised. Expecting a sixteen-year-old to achieve success seemed quite audacious.
"If our family didn't have audacity, would we have dared to participate in the Civil War? Would we have...?" Anna Belle paused when she got to this point, biting her lip and whispering, "Would we have dared to kill that bastard Lincoln after the war?"
"This?" William Sheffield was taken aback and involuntarily swallowed before saying, "That's quite a significant matter."
"It was a collaboration with Yang Kilao. He offended not just us," Anna Belle raised an eyebrow, her words carrying a deeper meaning. "At that time, many people wanted to kill him, not necessarily enemies, but we plantation owners were optimistic about the outcome."
Shifting the conversation, Anna Belle said casually, "I dislike Yang Kilao, but everything comes down to self-interest. Since you're about to graduate, your grandmother hopes you'll succeed through me. Don't be afraid of failure; everything is gained through risk."
"When will I graduate?" William Sheffield was somewhat puzzled by these ambiguous words.
"Sooner is better, preferably before you graduate from college," Anna Belle's attitude was straightforward. She clearly didn't want the heir to continue wasting time in college.
Anna Belle understood the importance of a college education, especially for the common folk. But for her family, it wasn't as crucial. The heir's excellent performance at university, despite the many billions in wealth, couldn't hide his academic success.
So, instead of wasting more time in college, it was better to save some time and become familiar with the family's business.
Throughout the journey, Anna Belle kept asking all sorts of questions, considering the heir's knowledge of various matters. William Sheffield's answers satisfied her, and she finally asked casually, "What's your take on black autonomy, like the black mayor in Texas? It's essentially a form of covert segregation, but it's quite effective, at least for the next few decades."
"It is a form of covert segregation, indeed, and a highly effective one for the foreseeable future," William Sheffield replied slowly. "Was this your grandfather's proposal? I believe there were many opponents back then."
This is nothing but a historical occurrence in South Africa, transplanted by his so-called grandfather to the time of the Civil War. In reality, the preparations were underway even before the Civil War officially began. The actual implementation took place after the war, with the primary goal being to expose the hypocrisy of Yang Kilao, who claimed to be liberating black slaves.
After all, the practical operation under the banner of liberating black slaves was to forcibly take African Americans from the Southern plantation economy and turn them into laborers. For the Southern plantation economy, black people were an essential part of their wealth. The plantation owner's wealth was directly tied to the number of black laborers they had. While the moral high ground of the Civil War was claimed by the North, William Sheffield's actions allowed the Sheffield family to avoid devastating consequences after the war.
In this era, it was highly useful. You see, it's still a long way from having a black mayor like today's times. In the future, the United States will be dealing with civil rights for black people, and with the Soviet Union on the rise, they'll continually exploit black people for their own agenda. The United States doesn't care how African countries criticize them. If their biggest enemy keeps doing it, they must pay attention.
Never mind how cunningly and maliciously this tactic was learned from South Africa. The fact remains that the first black mayor did appear in Texas.
"Your grandfather was always composed, and according to him, as long as there's time, you can turn adversity into success. It's a pity; he was just defeated by luck," Anna Belle muttered to herself with tears in her eyes. "He was just one bullet away. Sometimes I wonder if it's karma. Maybe it was my fault for poisoning your uncle with lead back then."
This statement, clearly hinting at a family secret, piqued William Sheffield's curiosity. But Anna Belle didn't say more and instead changed the topic. "If your grandfather were alive, he'd probably laugh at me. He never believed in God, you know."
"I understand," William Sheffield nodded. It was evident from the estate's traces that this predecessor's nationality should be the same as his. The fact that he imported Chinese rural dogs to the estate was a clear indicator. Chinese people, they definitely wouldn't believe in God; it's all nonsense.
"I'm getting old. I can't be like your grandfather, who always said that as long as there's time, you can turn defeat into victory. Your father is lingering in Paris, just a playboy. As long as he doesn't starve, it's fine. Isabella is a girl, so whether she can avenge the North and South War and make Yang Kilao bow down depends on you. After you finish your studies, you can do whatever you want, and your grandmother will support you. We have traditions in the family. Plan ahead, write down your ideas for me to see, and then go back to finish your university degree," Anna Belle said.
William Sheffield scratched his head and looked at his grandmother. Is this the beginning? Are women without their husbands really this formidable? Where did his grandfather find such a gem? He said in a weak voice, "I deeply admire the love between you and Grandfather. I really want to hear your story."
"He was just a young farmer back then, coming to my family's market to buy labor. He even haggled, unlike other young men. He spoke a lot of nonsense but had some good points when you think about it," Anna Belle said with a nostalgic smile. Time passed quickly, and the carriage had returned to the Sheffield estate.
"Mother, can William at his age really develop a business?" Isabella asked with some concern. "He's still quite young."
"Your father was around the same age when he inherited the family business," Anna Belle glanced at her daughter and said, "There's nothing he can't do. For commoners, one failure in entrepreneurship can be disastrous, but people like us can start over many times. As long as you seize one opportunity, money can recover its peak. Those plantation owners in Brazil don't understand this; they cling to their plantations. Did you send a telegram?"
"I did send it, but Brazil is different from the homeland. It will take some time for the plantation owners there to receive the message. Even after the telegram reaches Brazil, it still needs to be delivered to them through transportation means," Isabella nodded and hesitated for a moment before adding, "There are visitors from the North coming here, all for the sake of oil."