Chapter 353 Next Stop
The Sultanate of Zanzibar became the sea coachman of the Western Indian Ocean, mainly due to the emerging commodity supply market of the Kingdom of East Africa. Not only that, East African immigrants would also rent ships from the Sultanate of Zanzibar, mainly targeting female immigrants from the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. As for German and Far Eastern immigrants, they were completed by the Hechingen Ocean Trading Company, and occasionally hired Dutch ships when there was insufficient capacity.
The Sultan of Zanzibar originally made his fortune through the slave trade, so he has extensive experience in transporting people. As long as the region has the same beliefs, it can be a source of goods. For example, there are Arab merchants in India (part), the Dutch East Indies, Central Asia, North Africa, and the Ottoman Empire.
Although the slave trade in the Sultanate of Zanzibar has declined rapidly in the past two years due to increasing risks, the Kingdom of East Africa can make the Sultanate of Zanzibar rich if it just shows a little bit of resources.
So much so that little Said often secretly complained about his father, asking why East Africa was not developed back then, giving the Germans a free ride. However, little Said could only think about it. Without sufficient population and scientific reserves, developing Africa would be a dead end, and the Sultanate of Zanzibar did not have these two things. One could not expect a million nigerians to develop Africa. The Arabs had been doing this for hundreds of years, but they only achieved some results in the coastal areas (Somalia).
The East African Kingdom's advanced concept of "hygiene" alone was ahead of its time. The establishment of the East African Kingdom was, to put it in an exaggerated way, a country "created by boiling water". The survival rate of East African immigrants in Africa increased several times simply by not drinking raw water.
Having said that, young Said was quite satisfied with the current situation. Although the East African Kingdom was a bit harsh on the Sultan of Zanzibar, interfering in this and that, it would share some benefits with the Sultanate of Zanzibar when there were any. At least it showed that it had no intention of abandoning the Sultanate. The East African troops stationed on Zanzibar Island even helped the Sultanate of Zanzibar suppress the rebellion of black slaves in the country. During Constantine's reign, young Said felt that he could rest easy.
…
For the sake of money, Samuel had to change his mind: "Okay! For the sake of lira (the currency of the Kingdom of Italy), this is the only way. However, Mr. Sapeto, can you ask them to give us some discounts? After all, the amount of food we will order next is not a small amount."
Sapeto said helplessly, "This may be difficult. The Sultanate of Zanzibar has always been a policy of small profits but quick turnover. However, I can try to help you. I just don't know if the Zanzibar grain merchant who cooperates with my company has the energy to supply so much grain."
Samuel had no choice. The finances of the Kingdom of Italy were on the brink of collapse at any time. The failure of the war resulted in the loss of nearly half of the territory and population, and the Kingdom of Italy also lost the collateral for borrowing from the British.
Fortunately, Italy borrowed enough, and the British were afraid that their investment would be wasted, so they (physically) persuaded Egypt to give Italy a springboard in Eritrea to attack the Abyssinian Empire.
The Egyptians were certainly reluctant, which is why they did not take the initiative to evacuate before the Italian army landed at the port of Assab. What if the Italians did not come?
However, the Egyptians were disappointed. Italy sent a division of troops as soon as it arrived. Although Italy was weak in Europe and had been severely weakened by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, its population was still larger than that of Egypt, and its industrial level was far ahead of Egypt, especially the Italian Navy. Even though the Adriatic Navy was almost wiped out (part of it was inherited by the Kingdom of Naples), the remaining naval strength was still above average in the world.
However, the Egyptian government did not react much. Apart from the pressure from the British, the main reason was that the Assab region was indeed of no importance to Egypt.
The entire Suez is within Egypt's territory, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is completely useless to Egypt. Moreover, there are two big powers, Britain and France, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Egypt is already very uncomfortable in Assab.
Egypt's occupation of Assab was originally out of the need to strike at the Ottoman Empire, its nominal suzerain. At the moment, Egypt and the Abyssinian Empire were in conflict, so Assab also had some strategic value. However, Italy was obviously also targeting the Abyssinian Empire, so it didn't matter if the Assab region was left to the Italians. If the Italians and the Abyssinian Empire fought, the dispute between Egypt and the Abyssinian Empire in the Sudan region might end with the Abyssinian Empire's surrender.
Samuel: "Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Sapeto! The kingdom will never forget your contribution."
Sapeto: "General, as an Italian, this is what I have to do."
…
Dar es Salaam city.
After three days of waiting, people from the East African Central Government finally arrived. Today, Li Ge and others can leave the immigration transition point and head to the First Town, the capital of the East African Kingdom.
Aryan: "Mr. Liger, do you think the First Town will be more prosperous, lively and spectacular than Dar es Salaam?"
You ask me! Are you out of your mind?
Li Ge said speechlessly: "Mr. Aryan, you are from East Africa, don't you know anything about your own country?"
Aryan: "Didn't I tell you before? Although I am a citizen of the East African Kingdom, this is my first time in East Africa."
Li Ge was helpless. Why would the East African Kingdom send such a person to the Far East as a diplomat? He didn't even know the situation in his own country. How could he ensure diplomatic contact between the East African Kingdom and the Far East?
However, Li Ge still guessed: "According to common sense, the capital of a country must be the most prosperous city with the most national spirit, so your capital should be more prosperous than Dar es Salaam!"
There is some truth in what Li Ge said, but when it comes to prosperity in the East African Kingdom, Dar es Salaam’s position as the number one city is unshakable, and the number one town can only be said to be the most developed city in East Africa.
Developed and prosperous are different. The First Town is developed because its infrastructure is first-class in East Africa. Even Dar es Salaam is far inferior to the First Town in this respect. At the same time, the First Town is far more advanced than Dar es Salaam in medical care, education, and construction. When Dar es Salaam was built, the East African government would consider the cost issue, but the First Town, as the capital, did not have such considerations. European cities are indispensable, and the First Town almost has corresponding existence. For example, one-third of Dar es Salaam has no running water, not to mention high-tech products such as electric lights.
The prosperity of Dar es Salaam lies in its excellent business environment, active economy and frequent foreign exchanges, while the First Town, as a political center, appears to be more stable. The urban area is not as active as Dar es Salaam, and is more serious and quiet. For example, Dar es Salaam is still bustling late at night, while in the First Town, most people are already asleep.
However, the difference between the First Town City and Dar es Salaam still requires personal experience to truly appreciate the different charms of the two cities.
Everyone in the carriage was imagining what the First Town would be like as the capital of East Africa, although they didn't even know that the First Town was only fifty kilometers away from Dar es Salaam.
(End of this chapter)
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