Greece to roman road

In July 1884, because various countries could not reach a consensus on the disputes in the Congo River Basin, Bismarck called on all major countries to convene an international conference to resolve the current differences and conflicts among various countries in Africa.

After receiving the news, Constantine and Schmidt came to Paris, the French capital, and took a carriage to the Matignon House on Wahena Street in the 7th District of Paris.

As for Banning, he went to Berlin to participate in formal meetings as an observer of the Congolese Committee.

Matignon Palace is the seat of the Prime Minister of France.

The two came to the gate. Schmidt went to negotiate with the guards in front of the gate. After a while, a man who looked like a butler in a tuxedo walked out of the gate and invited Constantine and the two to enter the Prime Minister's Palace.

Constantine, led by his butler, came to the study of the Matignon Palace and saw French Prime Minister Jules Ferry waiting for him.

Jules, who was wearing a brown suit, had a thick beard on his forehead and both cheeks, maybe a beard, maybe a sideburn, which made him look a little weird.

The two of them sat at the reception table.

"Dear Prime Minister, I am here this time to reach a consensus with you on the issue of the Congo River Basin." Constantine got straight to the point and stated his purpose directly.

"Your Majesty the Duke, I think there is nothing to negotiate in the Congo River Basin. France has undisputed sovereignty over Equatorial Africa," Prime Minister Jules said arrogantly.

The Frenchman Brazzat led an adventure team to open up many colonial strongholds on the north bank of the Congo River, and had many disputes with Stanley's adventure team.

Even so, in the view of Prime Minister Jules, the Congo Committee, which was only privately supported and had weak financial resources, could not be a match for the Brazza Adventure Team backed by the powerful French government.

Sooner or later the whole Congo River will be a French colony.

“But Portugal claimed they had ownership of the Congo.”

"So what? The Portuguese will not be France's opponent." Jules was still unwilling to show weakness in front of Constantine.

"But they have British support behind them," Constantine Noyu said.

Jules was suffocated and didn't know how to answer the question.

The British are France's old rivals. There are many disputes between the two sides, but the French have always lost more than they won against the British, and they often suffered at the hands of the British.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I think that no matter what the status of Congo will be in the future, at least for now, we should unite to oppose the British and Portuguese claims. We can no longer let the British use their own strength to exert unscrupulous influence in Africa. ", Constantine said.

Hearing Constantine's request, Jules frowned, thinking about Constantine's suggestion.

"As long as you agree, the Congo Committee will be responsible for the management of the Congo River Basin. If one day in the future, the Congo Committee loses its financial resources and is no longer able to maintain the management of the Congo River Basin, then our commercial base and mandate treaty will take priority. France for sale to you,” said Constantine earnestly.

Prioritizing the sale of the rule of the Congo to France was not a trick on Constantine's part, but an act of sincerity.

To be honest, so far, the plan to acquire African colonies has cost a huge sum of 7 million francs. It is beyond the power of the royal family to rely solely on its own financial resources.

Developing overseas colonies in the barren land of Africa requires a large number of members in the adventure team, which requires a large amount of salary expenditures, logistical supplies, etc. These expenses add up to a large amount of expenditure. Such an expedition is far from one's financial resources. can be maintained.

In addition, what is even more disturbing is that if African colonies want to generate profits, they cannot simply obtain management rights.

Because of the waterfall area at the mouth of the Congo River, if you want to effectively develop and utilize the Congo River Basin, you must build long railway lines to communicate with the navigable river network and achieve water and land transport.

It is foreseeable that this is another huge expense, and so far, according to the information from the adventurers, the only commodities that can generate revenue from the Congo River are elephant ivory and wild rubber. As for mineral resources, Due to traffic conditions, there is no clear information in European countries.

Taking these conditions into account, even Constantine, who knew the extraordinary potential of Congo’s mineral resources in the future, did not dare to guarantee that after the Congo Committee successfully obtained the management rights of Congo, it would be able to persist until the cost was recovered. one day.

Jules was greatly moved when he heard the conditions offered by Constantine. Ever since he learned that the Congo Committee had become France's rival in colonial development on the Congo River, he had asked intelligence officers in detail about the details of the Congo Committee.

After careful analysis, he did not believe that the Congolese Committee could persist in the Congo River, which had a harsh environment and difficult transportation and communication.

Jules was tempted by Constantine's proposal.

If France can really accept its legacy after the Congo Committee is unable to maintain its management, it will naturally be a good thing to get the ready-made Congo Committee to develop a certain scale of Congo, even if it requires a large sum of money to purchase.

There are two benefits:

First, it avoided the sacrifice of a large number of French people. The development of colonies, especially colonies in tropical areas, has always been a dangerous and difficult act. In the early investment, not only money was spent, but also certain sacrifices were made.

Second, the Congo River is now a very sensitive area. Because it is located in the middle of Africa, all countries have their eyes fixed on it. Colonial powers like France want to take the Congo River area directly into their pockets in full view of the public. , is really a difficult thing.

When organizations such as the Congolese Committee gain management rights through private funding, even if the Congolese Committee establishes a firm foothold in central Africa in the future, countries will not worry about its expansion in Africa, but will instead be more willing to accept it.

After avoiding this sensitive period, you can then find an opportunity to take over the management power from him. In this way, there will be a buffer time.

Even if other countries have objections, the overall situation has been decided.

Even Constantine guessed that Jules might not have some dark thoughts: even if a miracle occurred in the Congo Committee and it really succeeded in persisting until the day when the colony became profitable, it would still be a piece of meat within easy reach for African powers like France.

It is just that it will be placed in the hands of the Congo Committee for the first time. When the right time comes, Constantine may not be able to be forced to cede the Congo River Basin.

Jules pondered for a moment, walking back and forth in the room, thinking about Constantine's conditions.

After having a cup of tea, he said apologetically: "Your Excellency, I want to discuss this matter with other people and will give you an answer later."

After that, he walked out of the room, leaving Constantine alone.

Sitting on the sofa, closing my eyes and relaxing, sighing in my heart.

If Greece hadn't been too weak, he wouldn't have had to work so hard.

About an hour later, Prime Minister Jules finally walked in.

"Your Majesty the Duke, the French government has agreed to your conditions. When the Congo Committee is unable to maintain its management capacity, France will have priority in obtaining the right to purchase." Jules said happily.

He believed that he had once again expanded France's territory, and exchanges with other members of the government confirmed his opinion.

Later, Constantine signed this agreement with the French government.