Chapter 281 Labor Export
Of course, this is purely Ernst's personal opinion. From his perspective as a human being in two lives, what he cannot empathize with the most are the various so-called "organizations" in his previous life, or the "minority" who shout the loudest slogans. Most ordinary people are silent. In fact, when ordinary people become a "dumb" group, they will choose the "minority" according to their own preferences. In the end, the unified values will become fragmented and the social order will collapse.
Maintaining social order and stability is also the foundation of East Africa's assimilation policy. Once ordinary people have solved their food, clothing, housing and transportation problems, they will naturally integrate into the East African group. Everyone is busy with life and has no time to think too much. This is the best state for the ruling Hechingen royal family.
Otherwise, according to conventional colonial methods, the East African Kingdom should have exploited the indigenous people to the extreme to support the immigrant groups and followed the path of Britain and France.
…
"Starting from this year, make it clear to the Sultanate of Zanzibar and ask Said to reduce the amount of slave trade. It would be best if the 'slave trade' becomes history within five years." Ernst said to his father on the phone.
Constantine was a little surprised. "Well, this may be difficult to handle! The slave trade is an important industry of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. If we ask them to give it up, I'm afraid..."
Ernst said, "The slave trade is becoming increasingly difficult. Britain and France have been cracking down on the traditional slave trade. The slave trade in Zanzibar is now in its twilight years. Just yesterday, two slave ships in Zanzibar were seized by the British. So we don't let them continue to do it. It's for their own good. Otherwise, if the British really find an excuse for war, should we help them or not?"
The Sultanate of Zanzibar is a de facto vassal state in East Africa, and Ernst does not want any other forces to interfere here. It is very close to Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo, so it cannot be lost.
"The British are not to be feared, Ernst. Our kingdom is now the largest in Africa. We are not afraid of the British in this area." As a proud German nobleman, Constantine believed that his son overestimated the British.
"Father, I'm not afraid of the British, but there is no need to conflict with the British now. The British can waste their national strength. We in East Africa are not yet strong enough to do that. If we conflict with the British now, one thing is certain, it will slow down the development of East Africa. The blockade of maritime trade alone will be very uncomfortable for us." Ernst explained.
"Well, that's true, but will the British turn against us just for Zanzibar?"
"Nothing is absolute. We in East Africa have gained so many benefits that it is bound to cause dissatisfaction from Britain and other colonial countries in the future. It's just that it hasn't erupted yet. Once the European economy suffers a setback, they will surely flock out and resolve internal conflicts through expansion around the world, and Africa is a good piece of fat meat." Ernst said.
Constantine thought about it carefully and found that it was true. The size of East Africa is on the same level as the Netherlands and Portugal in Europe, which is not daunting. However, he occupies so much land. If the news were to be exposed, he might really get into trouble.
In fact, East Africa could not hide the truth for much longer. The third war of conquest launched by East Africa was about to hit the British colonies in three directions. Sooner or later, the British would discover that a monster had appeared in Africa.
"In that case, what do you think?" Constantine asked.
"Starting from this year and for the next ten years, the most important thing we in East Africa should do is to develop the military industry first and realize independent production of weapons to ensure that East Africa's seven million square kilometers of land can deal with enemies from multiple directions at the same time. After the Franco-Prussian War, I transferred the Berlin arsenal to East Africa, as well as the Austrian artillery factory. Rifles and artillery were the first two things to establish production lines in East Africa." Ernst said.
"Well, that's as it should be."
"In addition to this, we need to digest the land annexed this time and last time within ten years, especially the Matabele Plateau in the south, which has the highest priority. There are large amounts of iron and coal there, which are the most important resources for industrial development."
Constantine asked doubtfully, "Are you sure? How come I don't know about this?"
Ernst naturally learned this from his past life memories, but he certainly couldn't say that: "This was the initial investigation I sent someone to do. The details haven't been verified yet, but since there is a possibility, we must make every possible preparation."
"Forget it, let's get off topic. Let's continue talking about the Sultanate of Zanzibar!" Constantine said, "If we push them too hard on the slave trade, will it have a negative effect? What if they turn to the British?"
"We need to make it clear to them that it was Britain and France that banned slavery, not East Africa. We are just giving them a friendly reminder. If the Said government is very resistant to this matter, we will not interfere forcefully. But if they insist on their own way and really give the British a handle, you can tell them that we in East Africa will first eliminate the Sultanate of Zanzibar. After all, Zanzibar Island is related to the security of the East African coast."
Constantine laughed and said, "Hahaha, I thought you had a change of heart. I didn't expect you to have this idea. You are really smart. However, the slave issue is not just Zanzibar's own problem. It is also related to East Africa. We are the supplier."
"It's true that we are a supplier, but the slave trade tactics of the Zanzibar Sultanate are too low. It's time to move with the times. We have our own immigration ships in East Africa, but the environment is not much better than that of the slave ships. If the people of Zanzibar want to continue doing the slave business, no, the labor business, they must also upgrade their industry," said Ernst.
After all this detour, the idea is not to abolish the slave trade in Zanzibar, but to adopt a more covert method.
"Let the Said government change the identity of slave traders into labor export companies, and at the same time improve the living environment of slave ships, so that these slaves can at least look a little more human before they arrive in the Middle East. This can be considered a gray area." Ernst said.
"This is really unnecessary. If the British really want to attack us in East Africa, they can just find any excuse."
"I'm just giving you a warning. If the British refuse to budge, then there's nothing we can do. We've already made the compromise in advance. If the British are really unreasonable, then we'll destroy all of Britain's colonies in Africa," Ernst said gloomily.
Ernst does not want to conflict with the British at the moment, but if the British really cause trouble for East Africa, East Africa will not be a lamb to be slaughtered.
"Well, very good. This is the spirit that our Hohenzollern family should have. Peace needs to be backed by force, and fear can only lead to peace by ceding land." Constantine said with relief.
(End of this chapter)
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