Chapter 238 Three "Knives"
"We need to build the iron chain bridge quickly during the dry season. We need to build at least five iron chain bridges on this section of the river to ensure smooth traffic."
"An iron bridge connects the north and south banks, and the army can directly enter the south from the bridge. Fortunately, East Africa is mainly composed of light infantry, so the requirements for bridges are not high."
"Transportation is nothing more than connecting two places. These cable bridges will also play the most important role as hubs in the region for some time to come."
Two engineers were standing on the north bank of the Zambezi River and chatting, and the overall framework of a bridge had already appeared before them. All they had to do was lay wooden planks on the iron cables.
The Zambezi River, formerly the dividing line between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the fourth largest river in Africa, with a total length of 2,660 kilometers and a basin area of 1.35 million square kilometers. Its water volume in Africa is second only to the Congo River and the Niger River.
The biggest feature of the Zambia River is that it is steep, with many canyons, rapids and dangerous shoals. It is also prone to flooding in Mozambique downstream.
Therefore, if you want to cross this natural barrier, you must build a bridge. However, the Zambezi River is too far away from the economically developed areas of East Africa. In the territory of the East African Kingdom, except for the eastern territory, where a preliminary road system has been established after years of repair, other areas can be said to be blank.
Therefore, it is too unrealistic to transport construction materials from the rear, so it is more time-saving and labor-saving to use a cable bridge.
"When the bridge over this river is completed, several provinces in the southwest will be completely stable."
As the saying goes, food and fodder must be sent before troops move out. East Africa is now planning to build roads in Zambia.
There is a saying that goes, there are no roads in the world, but when more people walk on it, it becomes a road.
Indigenous Africans actually have their own roads, but they were made by walking barefoot. East Africa simply expanded the roads on this basis.
Unlike the Tanganyika region in East Africa, there are some indigenous kingdoms in the southwest region, so transportation is not zero, especially in the north. The former Kazembe Kingdom has the best transportation conditions.
Some people often misunderstand and regard the speed of road construction in East Africa as incredible. In fact, there is no need to do so. Road construction in East Africa is completely different from highway construction in later generations.
Except for the eastern central province and those cities in the east, which have used hardened roads, other areas are still dirt roads. What can we say about these muddy roads? Some sections have not even been touched, and they are directly used.
It’s just that when building roads in East Africa, drainage measures are strengthened, and this engineering effort actually accounts for the largest amount of effort.
While planning to build roads, the East African government also plans to build a telegraph line from Mbeya in South Salzburg Province to Lusaka, the capital of South Frontier Province, so that the central government can directly contact the southwestern region.
East Africa has not yet completely digested Zambia, but is already eager to enter Zimbabwe and other regions.
This is also the reason why a bridge was built across the Zambezi River in a hurry. At the same time, East Africa was actively expanding its military, intending to expand its army to about 200,000.
The role of the army is very important now. The territory of East Africa is too large, and more troops are needed to consolidate the territory. At the same time, East Africa plans to develop a slave economy in recent years, and the army is also needed to suppress slaves.
River and lake forces will be greatly strengthened as a key support target, and the Zambia river basin, with its crisscrossing water systems, is a good place for them to exert their strength.
…
Rome, Italy.
In a remote courtyard, more than a hundred people appeared that day.
"Pastor, where did you find this yard? Although it can accommodate many people, the conditions are too simple!"
"Well, it's good to have a house to live in. And don't forget the purpose of our coming here. Of course, it's more convenient to gather together. Otherwise, once things change, it will be difficult to command. And this place happens to be far away in the suburbs, so the Italians won't notice it."
"Well, to be honest, I'm not surprised to go abroad. What's most difficult for me is to go abroad unarmed. If a soldier loses his gun, is he still a soldier?"
"Mr. Bryce, stop complaining. As the elite of the empire, you should continue to maintain your military integrity. Sending us to Italy further illustrates the importance of this operation. If it succeeds, we will be heroes of the empire when we return." The pastor taught.
As "devout believers" from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they naturally had to be accompanied by a real pastor, so as not to be easily exposed. If these Austrian soldiers disguised as believers were allowed to act alone, it would definitely be a disaster.
“Boom boom boom…”
At this time, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" The pastor opened the door to check.
"Sir, would you like an Italian pizza?"
"What flavor?"
“It tastes like pineapple.”
“It was delicious but I prefer the pasta with tomato sauce.”
The code matches.
"Major General Karl is the person in charge of this operation. He should have passed Ostia and is heading to Rome. Two days later, the heads of each district must come to this address in advance for a meeting at 3 pm."
As he spoke, the messenger handed a piece of paper to the pastor. The pastor looked at the location on it and said, "I know, but are we really unarmed this time?"
"You don't need to worry about the weapons. The Empire will naturally solve this problem. Just be prepared and receive them when the time comes."
This is one of the military bases stationed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Papal States. This time, the Austro-Hungarian Empire sent a total of more than 4,700 soldiers, most of whom were from the empire's elite troops, including two guards under the royal family.
In addition, Franz also followed Ernst's advice and sent a diplomatic team to Rome, but the number of people in the diplomatic team exceeded the quota, and many people entered the Papal States as diplomats.
At the same time, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was also deploying troops within its territory. In order to avoid attracting too much attention to this military action, it used the banner of a change of defense.
But if you pay a little attention, you will find that the equipment of the troops defending Italy has been significantly upgraded.
…
In June, the Spanish cabinet decided to find a suitable successor to the Spanish throne.
Prince Leopold of the Hohenzollern family, a distant relative of King William I of Prussia, seemed to have a chance to become a candidate for the Spanish royal family, but unfortunately the news leaked at the end of June 1870.
French Foreign Minister, Duke of Gramont, immediately put pressure on Prussia to abandon its support for Leopold, and at the same time asked Prussia to guarantee that it would never interfere with the Spanish throne. William I declined.
Now East Africa is sharpening its sword in Zambia, while the Austro-Hungarian Empire is secretly gathering forces on the southern front, and Prussia has been planning to change the situation on the European continent since more than a decade ago.
The strength of the Prussian army has been increasing, and now the contradictions between Prussia and France have begun to emerge. Everyone is waiting for the opportunity, or waiting for Prussia's next decision. Prussia will become the protagonist of the event. If Prussia and France go to war, East Africa and the Austro-Hungarian Empire will also attack their respective targets.
(End of this chapter)
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