Chapter 805: Asking for a sky-high price, paying it back on the spot
"Count Hermann, you are asking for too much. Even if we sell our Portuguese government, we still cannot pay back this astronomical figure. Moreover, considering the economic level of Angola and Mozambique, to be honest, we have been operating completely in debt over the years. It's like a bottomless pit. The debt problem itself is difficult to solve. Do you think we will succumb to East Africa for these two places?" said the Portuguese representative with a flushed face.
Herman said shamelessly: "Of course not, Mr. Gers. We don't care how Portugal manages Angola and Mozambique. After all, East Africa is a peace-loving country. But this does not mean that we are easy to be bullied. The result of this war itself is the result of Portugal overestimating its own strength. You have not learned the lessons from the last war. The Portuguese government was the active planner of both wars. This fully shows that the South African War is your own fault."
"And don't rush to deny it. It is a reasonable request for you to compensate for the huge losses caused to our East Africa by the war. If you want to reconcile the accounts, the more you calculate, the more you will lose. After all, we have already helped you get rid of a large amount of compensation."
Herman's words were completely a case of putting the blame on someone else, but Gers, who was in the wrong, could not refute it at all. However, he felt more aggrieved and depressed. It was a fact that Portugal was defeated, but as for how to compensate, it would not be as high as asking for in East Africa.
So Gers responded: "Your land in the west of East Africa is just a bunch of rotten land, and it's not worth much at all. As for the so-called displacement of millions of people, everyone knows that those uncivilized blacks have no place to live, and you probably don't consider them as your own people, so the price East Africa is asking for is completely blackmail to our Kingdom of Portugal."
Herman retorted: "That's not right. Not to mention that the victims of the war are the East African civilians, but also, do the more than 300,000 black troops in Portugal not count as part of the Portuguese army just because they have dark skin?"
"There are no black people in our Portuguese army..." At this time, Gers tried to separate Portugal and the black people. Since the defeat, they were the part that would inevitably be abandoned by Portugal.
However, Hermann certainly did not agree to reduce the war crimes by this point: "Mr. Gers, didn't you say earlier that the weapons in the hands of these blacks were picked up by them from the jungles of Africa? The weapons of more than 300,000 people are all made in Portugal. You can't deny it. Moreover, as the area previously ruled by Portugal, these blacks are Portuguese. Since they raised their guns against the Kingdom of Hechingen with the weapons you provided, this account should not be counted on you!"
After a pause, Herman then asked sarcastically, "Are these blacks not wearing your Portuguese military uniforms? Or are they capable of mobilizing hundreds of millions of people themselves and learning how to produce standard Portuguese military weapons?"
"You...I...you..." Gers originally wanted to accuse Hermann of slandering him, but he thought that East Africa would definitely be able to produce sufficient evidence. After all, East Africa had more than 100,000 Portuguese prisoners.
From the very beginning, Guernsey was in a passive position. After all, Portugal was not in the right, the war was ugly, and the national strength was weak. It had no ability to compete with East Africa.
"Okay, Count Herman, I think the Portuguese issue should be put aside for now. After all, Portugal's economy cannot satisfy your greedy appetite. I still want to advise you that people should have bottom lines, and the same goes for countries. East Africa may not have such good teeth."
Salisbury helped Gers out of trouble at this time, and other countries around were watching the show, so Britain had to help Portugal on its own. As an ally, Britain was helping itself by helping Portugal on this occasion.
After all, East Africa really costs more than 80 million pounds, which is almost the same amount Britain spent on the entire South African War. If it were accepted, Britain's losses would be close to 200 million pounds, which is almost no different from France losing the Franco-Prussian War.
Of course, Salisbury also understood that the real purpose of the East African government represented by Count Hermann was definitely not this.
The British have played this trick many times, asking for a high price and paying back on the spot. However, Britain's previous enemies knew that they would suffer a great loss, so they had to swallow their anger.
Unexpectedly, the situation has changed and now Britain is also facing this problem. However, Britain is the world hegemon and will not be afraid of "blackmail" from East Africa!
Salisbury said: "Count Hermann, you East Africans did gain a temporary advantage in the war, but this is not the capital for your unreasonable demand. The British Empire is not serious at all. As for the so-called 60,000 prisoners, this is just your opinion. As we all know, there are many white people in India. Maybe it is difficult to distinguish. You can't put the blame on us just because of your casual remark."
At the first moment, Salisbury still had to deny the fact that a number of British soldiers were captured in East Africa. After all, the South African War was fought too badly and had too negative a impact on Britain's international image, especially it would set a bad example for other colonies.
He went on to say: "As for the so-called economic losses and other series of demands, they are also questionable. As we all know, the African continent is a barren land. The history of East Africa is only 20 to 30 years. Especially the development of southern East Africa is pitifully low. Therefore, 80 million pounds of war reparations is definitely unreasonable."
Count Hermann said: "Haha, our calculations are all reasonable, and the calculation of war reparations is actually mainly concentrated on prisoners and military expenditures. As for the number of British troops, I think we can still distinguish between Indians and British in this regard."
"Well, then you want to challenge the bottom line of the British Empire! Our country is indeed a little bit inferior in the army. After all, the military expenditure is not much, but the majesty of the Royal Navy is unchallengeable. If East Africa continues to be stubborn, I think East Africa will definitely regret its aggressiveness today!"
As Salisbury finished speaking, the atmosphere on the scene instantly became tense. Salisbury was not afraid of Hermann's blackmail at all. As for the safety of the captured British soldiers, compared with the interests of the British Empire, it was not worth mentioning at all.
At this time, the host, Earl Allental, had to step out and say, "Mr. Salisbury, don't get excited. There is nothing that cannot be discussed. Don't get emotional at this time. Everyone should take a step back to solve the problem."
"Humph!" Salisbury snorted coldly, "Although we are rich in Britain, we will not pay a penny to compensate the pigs in East Africa. If you have the strength, go to London to get it. I'm afraid you don't have the courage."
Hearing this, von der Leyen could no longer sit still, and he also said in a tough attitude: "In this case, our Kingdom of Hechingen will not compromise, and the war will continue until our losses are reasonably compensated. At that time, British Somaliland, Egypt and other regions bordering East Africa hope that you can also be so tough."
Seeing that the situation was getting a little out of control, Allenthal said hurriedly: "Both of you calm down. We don't want to escalate the situation. Today, both sides are affected by personal emotions. It is obviously not appropriate to continue the debate. So let's adjourn for the time being. We will reconvene after both sides calm down."
As he spoke, Count Ehrental signaled to von der Leyen and Hermann with his eyes, asking them to stop while they were ahead. East Africa had already gained some advantages today, so they should not create more trouble.
(End of this chapter)
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