Chapter 58 Conspiracy
Sultanate of Zanzibar.
Since the establishment of the East African Colony, the East African Colony and the Sultanate of Zanzibar have gotten along relatively well.
The expansion of the East African colonies into the western interior of East Africa affected the traditional trade routes of Arab merchants, but the East African colonies were not interested in indigenous slaves and ivory.
After clearing the newly occupied land, the East African colonies would bring the natives, ivory, and other products to the port of Dar es Salaam to trade with merchants from various countries.
Unlike the past when Arab caravans had to deal with the Bantu tribes in the interior, the East African colonies were a matter of direct manipulation, with a large number of indigenous people falling into the hands of the colonies with each expansion.
The East African colonies naturally would not keep these people, so they simply lowered the price of slaves. Arab merchants only had to wait at the port for the East African colonies to deliver the goods to their doorsteps.
The East African colonies only needed Arab merchants to exchange food and other products.
However, the actions of the East African colonies still caused dissatisfaction among some people, including the progressive forces of the Sultanate of Zanzibar represented by Baghash bin Said, the younger brother of Sultan Majid bin Said of Zanzibar.
This story begins with the contemporary Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Said.
Sultan Majid bin Said of Zanzibar is the sixth son of former Omani King Said bin Sultan.
Said bin Sultan was a very powerful figure. He once brought the Omani Empire to prosperity, and Zanzibar was conquered by him.
After his death, Majid bin Said and his third brother Suwayni bin Said competed for the throne, but Suwayni bin Said was better and won the throne of Oman.
He then proclaimed himself the Sultan of Zanzibar, and Zanzibar split from the Omani Empire to become an independent country.
During his reign, Majid ibn Said used the controversial Indian Ocean slave trade to consolidate his power and increase the country's wealth.
During his reign, Barghash ibn Said (also Said ibn Sultan's son) attempted to usurp the throne and was exiled to Bombay for two years.
The problem was that Bargash bin Said opposed the slave trade, advocated abolitionism, was interested in Western science and technology, and wanted to promote the development of the Sultanate of Zanzibar through infrastructure (which is what he did historically).
The East African colonies were eager to pack up and send the natives away, so large-scale shipments were seen by Bargash bin Said as aiding and abetting the evil.
…
Barghash bin Said House, Dar es Salaam Port.
“Everyone, we can’t just sit there and wait for death, or there will be no future for Zanzibar!”
Bargash bin Said roared with red eyes.
"Majid bin Said is now old and confused, and the Germanic East African colonies are helping him. Majid bin Said's involvement in the slave trade was a step backward in history. Now the world's major powers have abolished slavery. If we cannot abolish the slave trade, how can Zanzibar integrate into the civilized world in the future? If we remain unchanged, we will inevitably be eliminated by the times."
Those sitting below were all close associates of Bargash bin Said. They had all witnessed the powerful strength of Western civilization after industrialization, and were considered relatively open-minded in the Arab world (probably related to the British behind the Omani Empire).
"You are right, Your Highness, but it may be difficult for us to deal with the German armed forces in the East African colonies relying on our strength," said an officer of the Sultanate of Zanzibar.
"If we don't do it, who else can take up the banner of Zanzibar's future! So no matter how difficult the road is, we must face it bravely. It is impossible to rely on Majid. Now he only knows how to enjoy himself and is addicted to stimulants." said Bargash bin Said.
"But, Your Highness, if we cannot convince His Majesty the Sultan to stand on our side, the power we can mobilize will be very limited!" said another young officer.
"What's the big deal? You should know that we represent the civilized side. His Majesty the Sultan relies on the slave trade to make money, which is in itself a matter that angers God and the people. As long as we raise our arms and call for action, we can definitely awaken the vast number of our compatriots in Zanzibar and ask them to overthrow the slave trade with us." said the young man in a suit.
"Are you brainless? You have such naive ideas and yet you want to change Zanzibar. Political struggle is not just a game." An officer shouted angrily.
"I think some people are too cowardly to sacrifice themselves for the great cause of Zanzibar. They are afraid of death!"
"Little brat, do you know what you are talking about? I am an old man who has been with His Highness against the Sultan in the early years. I am not a playboy like you who can only talk nonsense and wet his pants when something really happens."
"What? You're just starting to attack me when you can't even argue?"
…
The two sides started arguing.
Bargash bin Said looked at his men arguing with a grim face, raised his hand and slapped the table. With a loud "bang", everyone quieted down instantly.
Bargash bin Said said sternly: "Enough of this. You keep quarrelling all day long. What kind of behavior is this? Do you think this is appropriate?"
"Solving problems doesn't depend on talking, but on ability and methods. Instead of complaining and criticizing each other, why not think of ways and pool our wisdom to find solutions to the problems together?"
Everyone was silent...
Looking at the speechless crowd, Bargash bin Said said earnestly: "I know how dangerous this is, but we have no way to retreat. Failure is not terrible. Even if we fail, it is only temporary. Just like when we were forced to go into exile in India, aren't we making a comeback now?"
Bargash bin Said went on to say: "If we want to abolish the slave trade, we must be prepared for two things. The first is to cut off Majid's supply of slaves, that is, the routes and sources of slaves provided by the East African colonies to Majid. The second is to overthrow Majid's rule. Only in this way can we fundamentally bring Zanzibar into modern society. This time we cannot escape in a panic like last time."
"We now have a considerable army in our hands. This is our capital. As long as we can quickly deal with Majid and his followers, we will be able to seize power in the Sultanate of Zanzibar."
"I have learned about that East African colony. According to the information provided by Portuguese and British merchants, apart from two thousand retired Prussian soldiers (actually there are only more than one thousand), the rest are farmers recruited from East Asia."
"As long as we gain the right to speak in Zanzibar, we can gather a professional army of more than 4,000 people. At the same time, we can temporarily recruit some citizens to deal with the farmers in the East African colonies. 4,000 versus 2,000, the advantage is on our side."
After listening to Bargash bin Said's plan, an officer said: "Your Highness, what about His Majesty the Sultan? If we succeed, should we..." As he spoke, he made a pistol shape with his hand and pointed it at his forehead, "bang", the action of shooting.
Bargash bin Said shook his head: "That is the behavior of barbarians. The monarchs of European countries often attack each other because of political struggles, but no one will persecute the losers. Even an ambitious man like Napoleon, the monarchs of European countries only chose to exile him in the end!"
The officer named Abdullah said: "Your Highness, you must not be lenient! What if Majid Sultan makes a comeback..."
Bargash bin Said: "Okay, I have made up my mind. This is not open to discussion. We will exile him to other countries. I heard that he has a good relationship with the Sultanate of Osa. We will exile him there. Anyway, he is old and can't come back to cause trouble. After all, he doesn't have the British backing him like us."
…
Thus, a conspiracy against the East African colonies and the Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Said, took shape.
If officials in the East African colonies knew about their plan, they would definitely complain. What kind of train of thought is this? We didn't initiate the slave trade, but we are being targeted just for making some extra money!
This is really an unprovoked disaster. This is originally your own family affair, but you have to involve outsiders. And how dare you say that the East African colonies are the bad guys? And also aiding and abetting the evil!
It doesn't make sense logically! Until the future, officials in the East African colonies could not understand the thinking of these Arabs.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
