African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 383: Chapter 61 Business_2

So after many inquiries, he found the Chelos family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Chelos family is a high caste family in the area, so they possess considerable power. With Haiti’s rulers potentially being overthrown at any time, it’s better to collaborate with such a deeply rooted family.

High caste; Thomas was shocked when he heard about it. He previously thought this system was exclusive to Indians. He didn’t expect Haiti to have it too, but it doesn’t matter. Haiti, as a democratic republic, has had several emperors, so it’s basic operation.

The Chelos family is a high caste family of black and white mixed heritage, and the previous generation patriarch, old Chelos, was a meritorious retainer following the founding father in establishing the nation.

Old Chelos, unlike other meritorious retainers, wasn’t interested in Haiti’s leadership position. He only wanted to make money wholeheartedly, hence he survived through several Haitian presidents and emperors. Prior to President Reflar, all Haitian leaders were his former comrades. Old Chelos passed away in 1863, and currently, his eldest son, young Chelos, manages the family.

In the Chelos family’s manor, young Chelos welcomed Thomas.

”Hello, Patriarch Chelos! Upon my initial arrival at your esteemed place, I heard of your reputation, and I’ve been told that in Port-au-Prince, the Chelos family is an authoritative presence.”

Young Chelos: ”Sir, who might you be?”

Thomas: ”I am a businessman from France; you can call me Medina.”

Thomas himself speaks multiple languages, which is one reason he became the Commissioner of the East Africa Migration Agency.

France! Hearing the former sovereign country’s name heightened young Chelos’s vigilance, and he felt Thomas’s French was a bit odd. However, young Chelos didn’t show it: ”So it’s France. My great-grandmother was French, and I studied in France, so I am quite familiar with French. Which part of France are you from, and why does your accent seem peculiar? Also, what business do you have with the Chelos family?”

Thomas: ”So you can consider yourself half-French; that’s great. I am from the northeast of France, close to Belgium, so I have a bit of a Dutch accent.”

Young Chelos: ”Oh, that explains it.” Probably like a dialect, young Chelos’s great-grandmother came from southern France, and her spoken language slightly differed from the Parisian language he learned.

Thomas continued: ”I came this time hoping your family could accept a business deal.”

Young Chelos: ”What kind of business?”

Thomas: ”Slave trading!”

”Cough, cough, cough...” Young Chelos was shocked by Thomas’s words, but he quickly adjusted, ”That’s not possible, Mr. Medina. The international community has already abolished the slave trade. If Haiti participated in the slave trade, Haiti would have a tough time.”

Young Chelos even suspected it was a French conspiracy, possibly a bait trap for entrapment.

Thomas: ”Chelos, you needn’t worry. I am just a slave merchant, only pursuing the word profit. The Chelos family only needs to provide some conveniences for my fleet to land in Port-au-Prince, and the rest won’t involve your family much.”

Young Chelos probed: ”Thomas, you should be with the French government, right?”

Thomas, hearing that, wondered why he was linked with the French government, shaking his head: ”How could that be? You must have heard about the current state of France. The Republican Faction and Monarchist Faction are bickering intensely in parliament. They don’t have the energy for such things. We merchants wish for disorder in England and France, as it makes maritime business easier.”

Young Chelos nodded his head; that’s true. France is quite chaotic now, having no time to manage other countries. Besides, the slave trade seems to be a French act. He could completely feign ignorance. Given Haiti’s current state, lacking order, having slave traders using Haiti as a base makes sense.

However, if that’s the case, it’s time to demand a high price. Hence young Chelos said: ”If that’s the case, it’s fine. But Haitian lives are lives too. The Chelos family demands a headcount fee.”

What? A headcount fee! That price would be astronomical! Who would collaborate with you with such costs!

Thomas said: ”Charging by headcount is too excessive. We’re only doing a one-time deal, not considering the quantity issue; at most, we’ll pay annually.”

Young Chelos: ”Mr. Medina, as I said earlier, Haitian lives are lives too. Moreover, there aren’t many Haitians, charging by headcount seems appropriate. Our family can also provide slave capture services.”

So that’s how it is; it seems young Chelos thought he wanted to trade Haitians as slaves, and maybe he hadn’t explained clearly before.

Thomas: ”Chelos, you misunderstood; we don’t want Haitians.”

Young Chelos seemed puzzled: ”Not Haitians? Then how would you conduct the slave business! Can you possibly find black people elsewhere!”

Thomas: ”You guessed it. Our French colonies are in Africa, so the source is African.”

Young Chelos: ”Then what are you doing in Haiti? Haiti is dirt poor; surely there’s no money to buy black slaves!”

Thomas: ”Chelos, our market is in the United States, with Haiti as the transit point. That should clarify things for you!”

Young Chelos: ”Then what can Haiti offer you for slave trading? Directly taking them to the US would be more convenient!”