African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 72: Chapter 68 Alaska

Saint Petersburg.

Sergei gathered his associates and explained the situation to them.

”Look, this time, if we can persuade the Empire to sell the Alaska colony to the Heisingen Consortium, we will earn quite a sum. If we can help them lower the cost, we will gain even more. Here is the initial deposit of 20,000, and if we complete the task, we’ll get 100,000 Rubles. For every million less we negotiate, we can earn an extra 10,000.”

Sergei said, holding the 20,000 Rubles check previously sent by the Heisingen Consortium.

”Count, isn’t this Heisingen Consortium being too stingy? Such a vast piece of land, and they want to pay so little?” a minister remarked.

”What do you understand? That dreadful place Alaska, you should be aware, is a godforsaken land with no value. It would be a miracle if anyone else took it over! Only the peculiar interest of the Heisingen Consortium’s boss leads them to spend money on it.” Sergei explained.

”Count, isn’t the Empire currently negotiating with the Americans to buy the Alaska colony? The Americans could offer a higher price, couldn’t they?” someone asked.

Sergei replied harshly, ”Even if the Americans want to buy this land, it’s not out of willingness. If we hadn’t supported them during their independence, they wouldn’t even want to associate with us.”

”So, even if the Americans take over the Alaska colony out of obligation from the past relationship, what does that have to do with us? The Americans won’t pay us separately.”

”Now, if we persuade the Empire to sell the Alaska colony to the Heisingen Consortium, not only can the Empire offload the burden of Alaska, but we can also earn part of the fee. This is a win-win situation, so why not do it?”

...

Winter Palace.

Sergei and others are proposing to Tsar Alexandria II about selling Alaska.

Alexandria II looked curiously at Sergei and the others, saying, ”Count Sergei, the sale of Alaska has always been known to only a few people. How did the Heisingen Consortium come to know about this?”

”Your Majesty, it’s actually quite normal. After all, we have discussed this matter with several European royal families before, and behind the Heisingen Consortium is Prince Ernst of Prussia Heisingen. With his status, it’s not difficult to obtain this information.” Sergei replied calmly.

Alexandria II accepted this explanation, nodded, and said, ”Hmm, that does make sense.” He continued, ”What price do they intend to offer?”

”Five million Rubles.”

”What? Five million Rubles, did I hear that right? That’s absolutely impossible, pure wishful thinking.” Alexandria II exclaimed incredulously.

Seeing this, Sergei quickly explained.

”Your Majesty, don’t be hasty. In reality, the Heisingen Consortium does not intend to buy the entire Alaska colony, but rather the part north of the 56th parallel north. As for the land south of the 56th parallel, it remains part of the Empire.”

Hearing this, Alexandria II became interested. It’s known that Alaska is in the polar region, and only further south is more suitable for human habitation.

Previously, in order to develop Alaska, Russia attempted to migrate to the area, but the harsh climate made the north uninhabitable. Hence, most of these immigrants settled in the islands with marine climates and the relatively warmer southern lands.

Yet, the Heisingen Consortium forgoes the warm south and chooses the endless snowy plains of the north, which puzzled Alexandria II.

”Why are they giving up the territory south of the 56th parallel in Alaska and choosing the harsh climate of the north?” Alexandria II asked curiously.

”Your Majesty, it’s because the Heisingen Consortium is in a similar predicament to ours. There are two overly powerful potential adversaries on the North American continent: the British and the Americans.” Sergei explained.

”The Heisingen Consortium merely wants a place for the fur business, so they don’t particularly need the relatively warm south and instead choose the barren, harsh north. This helps avoid the greed of the British.”

It was the first time Alexandria II heard someone describe the British as greedy, and it made him quite pleased. After all, in the International Community, the Russians have always been criticized by the English, French, and Austrians for being greedy.

”You mean the Heisingen Consortium is using the Empire as a shield!”

”Your Majesty, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement from my perspective. There’s no question of who is using whom. Think about our initial purpose for colonizing Alaska and our current purpose for selling it?” Sergei questioned.

”The initial colonization of Alaska, of course, was for development and expansion in North America. Now selling it is because that land has become a burden, and besides, the British are eyeing it covetously.” Alexandria II stated.

”Exactly, Your Majesty. If we truly sell Alaska to the Americans, we will forever lose our foothold in America. But selling it to the Heisingen Consortium allows us to retain the more habitable areas of Alaska. In the future, when the Empire regains its strength, we can use South Alaska as a base to continue expanding southward. Concerning the British threat, once we sell most of Alaska, we can move the population within the controlled areas to the Empire-controlled South Alaska below the 56th parallel north. With enough population, even the British strength in North America will find it hard to swallow our South Alaska.”

Alexandria II agreed with this point, for the British have indeed imposed strict limitations on Russia. Since the Crimea war, Russia has temporarily been unable to contend with the British.

This gave rise to the idea of selling Alaska, the foothold in America. In fact, from a Russian perspective, harsh climates are insignificant; after all, Russia has swallowed vast swaths of harsh territories in Siberia.

”In short, Your Majesty, selling North Alaska to the Heisingen Consortium is all gain, no loss, even if the price is slightly lower. Compared to losing our foothold in America, earning slightly less now is negligible.”

Other benefitting ministers also echoed Sergei’s words, further swaying Alexandria II.

Because the wealth of North America is apparent to the Russians, especially with the rapid development of America in recent years, showcasing the fertility of the American land.

Had there not been a defeat in Crimea, despite annual losses, Russia would never forgo the chance to expand into North America.

Now, with someone willing to buy off the North Alaska region, it greatly alleviates Russian pressure in America.

The area south of the 56th parallel north in Alaska is in the southeastern corner of the Alaska colony, mainly consisting of islands and mountainous terrain, covering about 20,000 square kilometers, making it indeed easy for Russia to defend.

Moreover, this position is closer to the core areas of Canada and the United States. After all, the entire northern part of North America is covered with vast tundra and forests, with miles of uninhabited land, truly reflecting the northern part of North America.

Ernest thoughtfully left this place for the Russians, as it sits at the southernmost end of the Alaska colony and has the Alaska Current passing through, making it the best climate in Alaska. Additionally, this area lacks significant resources.

Compared to the gold-rich Juno from the previous world and some nearby oil fields not located in the southeastern corner of Alaska, Ernest would have gladly left the entire southeastern tail of Alaska to the Russians to let them have a run-in with Canada and the United States.