Chapter 270: The Loyal and Patriotic Merchant of Venice
In Ernst's eyes, the Great Zimbabwe ruins are just a pile of stones with no technical content, just like the Egyptian pyramids. It is nonsense to discuss their cultural value.
Because these civilizations were in a state of complete extinction, ancient Egypt's own civilization was first destroyed by the Roman regime and later completely wiped out by the Arabs.
The Great Zimbabwe ruins have left no clues in the long river of history. Similar sites in the world include Machu Picchu in South America, but it can be confirmed that Machu Picchu is a masterpiece of Indians.
Whether Great Zimbabwe was a masterpiece of African indigenous people themselves was questioned by Europeans, because the surrounding indigenous people themselves had no skills inherited for these relics and did not even know their origins.
This led to the early Europeans so madly linking the Great Zimbabwe ruins to Solomon's Treasure. By the 21st century, there was no evidence to prove who built it, so it was classified as built by indigenous people based on the principle of proximity.
In fact, according to Ernst's thinking, it doesn't matter who built it. All the stone-built relics in the world are the product of great efforts and belong to the category of wonders. The ancient slave monarchs would definitely like to create wonders.
Because Ernst himself also likes wonders, but due to the limited conditions in East Africa, it has not been implemented. Ernst doesn't know if most boys like to play in the mud when they are young. He liked it very much when he was a child.
…
The Great Zimbabwe ruins, as a transit point, are a microcosm of the invasion of the Matabele Plateau in East Africa, and did not even have much interaction with the local indigenous people.
The army's advance was proceeding completely at its own pace. The destination of the southern army was the Limpopo River, not to conflict with the local indigenous people. However, if there were blind indigenous people blocking the way, that would be another matter.
A regiment of the Southern Army's vanguard had just wiped out an indigenous tribe that was seeking its own death. After the battle, the regiment's staff officer, Lind, pointed to the map and said, "The Limpopo River is on the southern edge of the Matabele Plateau. Crossing the Limpopo River and heading south, the Boers' sphere of influence is not far away. The task assigned is to control the Limpopo River line and block the possibility of the Boers moving north."
Looking at the map, the team leader Habul said in confusion: "Why does the Kingdom want to keep Mozambique? If you count Angola, East Africa is sandwiched between them. Especially Mozambique is embedded in Spain just like Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula."
Lind said: "This should be the kingdom's strategic consideration. Last year, the British clashed with the Portuguese in southern Mozambique and attempted to occupy the land in southern Mozambique, but failed. Therefore, the Portuguese are still of some use to the kingdom. If we cripple the Portuguese at this time, it is very likely that the British will take advantage of the situation. I also support this point. Mozambique is too long and narrow. If we attack from south to north, the front line is too long and it takes a long time. The British may take advantage of Mozambique from the south at the same time. In the future, if we have a firm foothold in the Matabele Plateau, we can coordinate from the west and monopolize Mozambique instead of sharing it equally with the British."
"These British guys are really greedy. They have so many colonies, but they don't even give some to others!" Habul said indignantly.
Lind just smiled slightly. People are greedy, and the same is true for East Africa. Otherwise, there would not be the Third War of Conquest. It can be imagined that these militarily occupied lands will be negative assets of the kingdom for a long time in the future. Apart from military expenditures, they will not be effectively developed.
The southwest (Zambia) has just entered the development stage, and other newly occupied areas will definitely take some time.
In Africa, land claims are basically equivalent to a piece of waste paper. Anyone can shout slogans. For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past, Britain, Portugal and France all claimed that it was their sphere of influence. In fact, the Belgians took advantage of it in the end because none of the three countries made actual investments in the region.
Effective occupation is the right way. For example, the Kingdom of Portugal was not even qualified to carry shoes for Britain, but in Mozambique, the British were powerless against the Portuguese colony. The basic condition for effective occupation is the existence of military force.
…
Italian region.
With the help of Venice's city fortifications, the Italians actually resisted the offensive of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In fact, this should be the norm in war.
Because the first two lines of defense were too frivolous, the Italians themselves felt that they were not reliable and did not fight with all their heart. As soon as the Austro-Hungarian Empire put in a little effort, the Italian army gave up.
This also led to most of the Italian troops on the Eastern Front being gathered on the Venice defense line. Currently, of the 250,000 troops of the Kingdom of Italy on the Eastern Front, 180,000 are concentrated in Venice and surrounding areas.
The army was concentrated, and many of them were defeated soldiers who had retreated from the first two lines of defense. One can imagine the public security in Venice.
"Mr. Leon, I wonder why you are here!" Raffaele Cadorna, the highest commander in the Italian command, asked Leon, the head of the delegation sent by the Venice Municipal Government.
"General Cadorna, on behalf of the Venice Municipal Government, I solemnly protest to you. Can you restrain your soldiers? They have caused many serious public security incidents in the city, and there are countless minor cases. They have aroused the indignation of the citizens of Venice!"
When Raffaele Cadorna heard the purpose of Leon's visit, he personally brought a chair to Leon and said, "Mr. Leon, please sit down and talk slowly. Go and make a cup of coffee for Mr. Leon." Raffaele Cadorna said to the adjutant.
After calming Leon down, Raffaele Cadorna said calmly, "Mr. Leon, I will order them to implement this matter. Strict control will be implemented throughout the city immediately. However, it is best for citizens not to go out on the streets, because the current military situation is complicated. Due to the hasty retreat in the past two days, many troops are in chaos. We are still in the process of reorganization, and we cannot effectively restrain the troops during this period."
Military control is actually a one-size-fits-all approach that forcibly separates the military and civilians. This is the only good solution Raffaele Cadorna can think of.
Raffaele Cadorna was also helpless. The frontline troops retreated too quickly, and many troops were in chaos. Because the army commander and division commander ran too fast, the lower-level troops followed suit, causing many platoon leaders to be unable to find their company commanders, and company commanders to be unable to find their battalion commanders...
This is also because the Kingdom of Italy was established too recently, and the temporary expansion of the army resulted in many officers being unqualified. Military generals and nobles from the annexed kingdoms also infiltrated the army of the Kingdom of Italy. Although the size of the army of the Kingdom of Italy is much larger than that of the Kingdom of Sardinia, its combat effectiveness and command capabilities have declined to a lower level.
"If that's the case, I wonder if it will affect the normal operation of the factory." Leon asked.
"Of course not. The enterprise can operate normally as usual, but it is best to manage the workers within the factory area."
"What about other business activities of enterprises? For example, food procurement, and other activities of citizens. They can't just starve to death at home and not go out!"
"This will be handed over to your city government. You can organize temporary armed forces to maintain the operation of the city. The distribution of drinking water and food for residents will also be managed by you for the time being. If this doesn't work..."
Just as Raffaele Cadorna was about to say that if the Venice City Government did not agree, then the military control could only be lifted, but the mixing of residents and the army for a period of time would still inevitably lead to some soldiers committing crimes, he was interrupted by Leon before he could finish his words.
"No problem, leave it to the Venice City Government! General Raffaele Cadorna, you are truly a brave, resourceful and responsible general."
"Ah! You agree!"
"Of course, it is understandable for the citizens to stay at home for the time being and leave it to us, the people's servants, to appease them. The citizens will understand. After all, this is all the fault of the damn Austro-Hungarian invaders." Leon said righteously.
"Thank you so much for your understanding!" said Raffaele Cadorna, who was unaware of the disaster he had caused.
The Venetian government was reasonable and willing to fully cooperate with the kingdom in resisting the Austro-Hungarian invaders. It was truly reliable.
Raffaele Cadorna had no idea that Leon was not only the deputy mayor of Venice City Hall, but also one of Venice's largest suppliers of salt products.
(End of this chapter)
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