A debate is a place for exchanging opinions that must follow established rules and etiquette.
Especially for high officials representing nations, mutual respect under strict procedures is considered essential.
Being utterly defeated and then fleeing in disgrace is something that should not even be possible in such a setting.
And yet, these remarkable red revolutionaries managed to do exactly that without hesitation.
But since they overturned the table themselves, the consequences now belonged entirely to them.
Naturally, Fredericksburg, which Engels and the Southern delegation had abandoned without looking back, transformed into a celebration of capitalism's victory.
"Professor Marx! Please give a lecture in France as well!"
"Everyone, please maintain order. If he is to give lectures, Prussia should come first. I did not come all the way to America as an observer for nothing. Professor Marx, shall we arrange your schedule now?"
"Before returning to Europe, how about giving a lecture here in the United States? We will arrange everything. If you could also speak before Congress, it would greatly inspire both legislators and citizens."
Had he suddenly become a celebrity?
The United States watched cautiously, France courted him eagerly, and Prussia grew anxious.
With a single debate, Marx had silenced Engels and driven him to flee, leaving such a powerful impression that dignitaries from all over the world began to gather around him.
Reporters, in particular, were in a frenzy, sending telegrams nonstop or rushing toward nearby ports to return to Europe immediately.
Within days, news of this event would spread across both Europe and the American continent.
And naturally, the central figure was Marx.
The true intellectual of this era who defeated Engels.
A genius ahead of his time.
A visionary who foresaw the future even before the American war.
Any grand-sounding praise could be attached to his name.
Of course, the press in Canada and the British Empire made sure to emphasize that the decisive work that concluded the debate had been born from my own insight.
Additionally, stories spread about how Marx had been able to freely conduct research and teach at the university thanks to my generous support.
A remarkably harmonious outcome.
To be precise, Marx did not particularly favor the current form of capitalism.
In his view, it remained an incomplete system where capitalists exploited workers.
However, the communism he envisioned could only emerge after capitalism had fully matured.
Therefore, capitalism itself needed to develop further.
This belief was deeply rooted within him.
At the same time, he understood that openly expressing this was not always advantageous.
By concealing his true intentions, offering agreeable words, and contributing to progress, he could gain both recognition and financial reward.
There was no need to provoke opposition unnecessarily.
Such a compromise was possible largely because Marx appreciated wealth.
Given his already overwhelming influence, his power would only continue to grow.
Capitalist nations would use Marx as a symbol against communism, while Marx would use them to guide society toward his ideal path.
A mutually beneficial relationship.
"I cannot remain away from my university duties for too long, but I cannot refuse requests from presidents and prime ministers. I will first give a lecture in Washington, then return to Europe and visit other countries."
"When you return to Europe, you must visit Prussia first. We are not strangers, and I supported you during the debate. If you speak in Prussia, it will be easy to dismantle communist movements."
"I will visit, given our past connection."
"Professor, please come to France next. Paris houses the International. Your words would be invaluable."
Amid an atmosphere resembling a victory celebration, Marx ultimately arranged a lecture tour across America and Europe.
"What do you think?"
"It is a very satisfying sight."
Lincoln drank his wine with satisfaction.
"Regardless of what the South claims, once they fled, their defeat is certain. And if we return to Washington with Professor Marx, my third term is essentially secured."
"That is only natural. Congratulations in advance. I hope our relationship continues as it has."
"Of course. But now that the South has fled in such a manner, their collapse is only a matter of time, is it not? What is your opinion?"
"That would be ideal. But will it truly happen?"
From my perspective, communism in Europe and the South was effectively finished.
But that did not mean complete disappearance.
Even in later centuries, irrational beliefs persist.
Deep-rooted ideologies do not vanish overnight.
However, Engels would no longer be revered as a great thinker.
His ability to influence people would diminish significantly.
Within the South, divisions would likely emerge.
Some would attempt to remove Engels.
Others would defend him.
Power struggles would follow.
What was certain was that communism would no longer rise to dominate as before.
That alone was sufficient.
Lincoln, however, hoped for total collapse.
Perhaps too optimistic.
"If anything, the council may remove Engels through a vote."
If such a vote were possible.
But would Engels allow it?
I had already instructed that Bakunin be promised the position.
Whether that would happen soon or far in the future remained uncertain.
Provided Bakunin survived.
Engels, who had confidently entered the debate to restore his authority, returned to Richmond in disgrace.
Instead of restoring his prestige, he had abandoned the debate midway.
Yet upon returning, he revealed his true nature.
"Arrest them! These traitors!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Send him to the labor camp!"
"How dare you!"
To prevent collapse, he chose to act first.
Before impeachment could occur, he would eliminate his opponents.
Members of the council were arrested.
Accused of treason.
Previously, he had maintained order through rules.
Now, survival required abandoning all restraint.
If the council united, he would be removed.
But if they were imprisoned first, no vote could occur.
The price was clear.
Everything he had built would collapse.
Yet he had no choice.
Some supported him.
They feared the collapse of communism more than dictatorship.
Even Bakunin fled to the United States.
This was a disastrous move.
Instead of defending their ideology, they resorted to repression.
Marx had warned of this.
And now it was happening.
A revolution that claimed to liberate workers had become authoritarian.
And yet, many still supported Engels.
"Now the country is finally stabilizing."
"Those who oppose the Secretary deserve punishment."
"They should build more camps."
The so-called workers' paradise had become something else entirely.
Engels had achieved something unprecedented.
The first socialist state.
And now, the first one-party dictatorship.
He was, in a sense, truly the fastest man in the world.
***
Almost all citizens of the North had already decided whom they would support in the next presidential election.
At first, there had been many who criticized Abraham Lincoln as a man obsessed with power, but most of those voices disappeared after his continued speeches.
Then news spread across the entire country that Friedrich Engels had been completely crushed in the debate, and Lincoln's popularity soared to the sky.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party, which had insisted on opposing Lincoln's third term, became a public enemy.
"Boooo!"
"Democrats who slander Lincoln, get out!"
"Did you take money from the reds?"
"Anyone trying to remove Lincoln is defending the communists!"
Although there was still time before the election, it no longer mattered.
Everyone already knew who would win.
This election would become a historic landslide victory for the Republican Party, and the first third-term president in United States history would be born.
The Democratic candidate, who had suddenly become the scapegoat of defeat, cautiously acknowledged Lincoln's achievements but insisted that a third term should not be allowed, only to nearly become the target of violence.
For years, the Northern media and politicians had instilled hatred toward communism, so Lincoln was now seen as a crusader fighting to save the United States from the red threat.
Anyone who stood in his way was treated as a heretic obstructing a holy cause.
"It seems the era of our Republican Party will continue."
"Of course, of course. Hahaha!"
"We can reduce our connections with the Democrats now. Better to invest everything into the Republicans."
As long as anti-communism remained the dominant political theme, the Republican Party's strength would only continue.
If it went too far into excessive political suppression, backlash could occur, but unlike Andrew Johnson, Lincoln was someone who maintained balance.
Everyone was thinking about how to gain favor with the Republicans and preparing to open their wallets.
And as always, those who arrived first gained the advantage.
"Gentlemen, here are the projects we plan to invest in, along with the regions we are securing."
"Ah, this must be the proposal you mentioned earlier."
"Yes. As I said before, we are still a new company in the oil refining industry."
"But the industry itself is just beginning. All companies are new."
"Exactly. That is why imposing regulations too early would hinder industrial growth."
The politicians carefully reviewed the documents James handed them.
"There has been discussion about adopting anti-monopoly laws similar to those proposed in the British Empire. You must be concerned."
"Well… as a businessman, it is certainly troublesome."
"So you are asking us to prevent such laws in the United States?"
"Yes. This is not only for my benefit but for the nation's industrial competitiveness. Industries need strong capital early on to grow. Without that, development becomes impossible."
"That is reasonable. However, some worry that British capital is taking over the United States."
"I understand that concern. That is why, as shown here, all operations are led by capable American individuals. Wealth generated here will be reinvested locally."
Not mere figureheads, but real authority given to local leaders, creating jobs and supporting regional economies.
That was why the James Group was welcomed.
"Standard Oil and James Steel… they will employ large numbers as well?"
"Of course. Each steel plant will employ thousands, even tens of thousands. The same applies to oil."
"Impressive. Then the question is where these investments will go."
"Your districts will not be excluded. And I have also prepared small gifts to show my appreciation for your hard work. Please collect them on your way out."
"Haha, you shouldn't have!"
Creating jobs, gaining political favor, and providing generous incentives.
The deal was already sealed.
After the politicians left, Rockefeller and Carnegie entered.
"They have all gone."
"Good. You were not seen?"
"No."
"In most situations, money provides the answer. But that will only last about twenty years."
"After that, we will adapt. Even if companies are split, we can maintain control within the group."
Anti-monopoly laws were not a real threat.
They could be bypassed.
The real purpose was influence.
"Chairman, I have a question."
"Go on."
"With Engels weakened, will anti-communism remain strong until the next election?"
"Yes. But not because communism remains a threat."
James nodded.
"Even if communism is no longer dangerous, a nearby dictatorship claiming to represent it is the perfect political tool."
He continued.
"The South has become a one-party dictatorship. That alone ensures ideological conflict will continue."
Carnegie and Rockefeller understood.
"So the Republican era continues."
"Exactly."
Then James looked at them carefully.
"You will soon understand everything."
It was time.
Around the time Engels began to resemble the authoritarian rulers of later eras, I returned to Canada and received an unexpected guest.
"Your Majesty, thank you for granting me asylum."
"Someone who risks his life for freedom deserves protection. But why come here instead of the North?"
"…Canada felt safer."
Mikhail Bakunin stood before me, exhausted.
Once the second most powerful man in the South, now reduced to a refugee.
"You fled immediately after the debate. Why?"
"Because this was no longer just about Engels. The entire system was at risk."
A sharp assessment.
If Engels fell, communism itself might collapse.
So he chose survival.
"What do you want?"
"I wish to help… as long as my life is not at risk."
A wise answer.
"I will accept you."
Bakunin bowed deeply.
Communism had effectively ended.
But that did not mean stability.
If anything, the world would become more chaotic.
Because ideological states do not collapse easily.
And I knew that better than anyone.
After all, I had seen it before.