Chapter fifteen:
In the house of my brother IV--- 1907
The talk
After the party had finished and the guests began to depart, I made my way to Gustav's main office. As I approached the door, I overheard him conversing with someone. Although I was angry, I remained composed enough to wait. I took a seat and listened carefully to the conversation.
"I just need seventy thousand pounds for the placer gold mine," Gustav said, his voice full of charisma. "I've shown you my business plan. You know I can repay the loan in five years."
The banker(?) began, "I don't doubt your numbers, Gustav. They're flawless. And you've always paid us back," the man responded, but there was a trace of hesitation. "But I'm concerned about the security of this one. It's in Afghanistan—of all places."
After a pause, the banker's tone grew more urgent. "It's a backwater country, ruled by warlords, as if it were the medieval ages."
"How would you even process the gold-rich ore?" the banker asked.
"There isn't a large enough water source in Ghanzi, let alone in the rest of Afghanistan. Your paper even says so," the banker stated, clearly skeptical.
"Let's take things one at a time," Gustav replied smoothly. "I have connections with the Khalif. The warlords will be no problem. For ten percent of the profits, I'll have the Afghan royal guard provide the security."
"And processing?" the banker pressed.
"We'll do it in the Raj's Baluchi region," Gustav answered confidently. "The British will welcome the extra business, and there are plenty of water sources there."
Gustav's voice became more animated. "I'm telling you, with the gold we'll extract from those mountains, we'll be minting solid bars. This can't fail."
After a moment, I heard the sound of a pen scratching paper. "Alright, it's a deal. Four point five-five percent interest over five years, with a minimum of three and a half percent yearly for four years under an early payment plan," the banker agreed.
"I'll come by next weekend at the usual time to discuss further," Gustav added.
After a moment, the door swung open, and the banker left the room. I entered and sat down in front of Gustav.
He spoke first, his voice light. "Why the long face, Adolf? Did someone make a scene at the party? What's going on? Talk to me."
I tried to keep my voice steady, though my anger was barely contained. "I know you've been lying to me. I just want to know why."
Gustav was silent for a moment. His face hardened, and his eyes grew serious. "What have I lied to you about, Adolf?"
I knew then and there, from his reaction, that it was true. He had used me. I spoke with force. "You used me for your political ends. You told a sob story about me and Father and placed me in the middle of the room to gain political clout." I somehow even raised my voice by the end.
"It's absolutely disgraceful."
To my surprise, Gustav immediately calmed down and agreed with me. "You're right, Adolf. What I did was disgusting, but I did it for an important reason. Even if I haven't told you yet, I have a dream."
"To do it, I need money, Adolf. I need as much as I can get, and as quickly as possible. I know you've already figured out my plan to ban alcohol abroad and sell it."
"I'm sorry for going against your morals, but I need to do this."
Before he could continue his monologue, I interrupted him. "I don't give a single shred of care about how you obtain money. You could be King Leopold of Belgium mixed with a blood diamond operator, and I still wouldn't care." I took a breath and continued. "I care about you using me for your own ends without permission. I would've allowed it, all I would've wanted was for you to ask me first."
He simply sat there for a moment, then sighed. "You're right. I should have asked you, Adolf. I messed up. I get it. I know you're angry, and rightfully so."
"Is there anything I can do to help you right now?"
Realizing this was my chance, I seized it. "I need your resources, Gustav. I need to go to the Congo for a few paintings. Could you help me launch an expedition?"
Gustav immediately responded, somewhat confused by my request. "Yes?"
"That's it?" I asked, confused. "Aren't you worried about the cost, the diseases, the animals, and the tribes?"
Gustav laughed, audibly amused by my concerns. He laughed for a long while. "Adolf, it's not the 18th or 19th century anymore. There's no 'cannibal tribes.' For disease, just sleep in a house next to the fireplace."
"As for the animals and costs, again, just stick to the railway. All that stuff is manageable now. I bet if you wanted to, you could just go there right now. Just pay for the boat and train ticket."
Realizing my folly, I simply muttered a long, "Oh." I had based my ideas about Africa on books—and those were based on the 18th and early 19th century.
Gustav continued, "Of course I'll help you. I'll even give you a few guards. I'm just surprised you managed to convince Mom to let you go."
Taking my silence as agreement, Gustav lectured me, "You can't just plan something like this without telling Mom. A trip like this could take two to three months! It would break her heart if you left without an explanation."
Knowing my brother owed me, I asked him to help explain it to Mom. With an exasperated sigh, he agreed. It was going to be a long dinner conversation tomorrow. Hopefully, Mom would understand.