After the Franco-Prussian War, German Chancellor Bismarck marveled at France's rapid recovery of its national strength, and once regretted that he had not "sucked all the blood out of France."

At this time, the whole world discovered the importance of overseas colonies. Not only Germany, but Russia has been expanding to the Far East and Turkey; the Austro-Hungarian Empire's goal is the Balkans; in addition, the rest of the old European empires, such as Portugal and Spain, are emerging.

Capitalist countries such as Italy are eager to try and get their own share of the last piece of cake in the world, Africa.

After the Berlin Conference, France formulated the "2S Plan" from Senegal to Somalia via Sudan (Mali, Niger).

Germany formulated the "Teutonic Africa Plan" from Cameroon to Southwest Africa and then to Tanganyika, and combined with the Transvaal and Orange.

Even Portugal hopes to connect Portuguese West Africa (Angola) and Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique).

The British "Two C Plan" is mixed in this large group of "plans" and is not very conspicuous.

In fact, among all the above-mentioned "plans", Britain's "Two C Plan" has the highest degree of completion, and is now only one step away from the success of the plan.

However, it seems very difficult for the UK to complete the "Two C Plan", because part of the UK's "Two C Plan" and Germany's "Teutonic Africa Plan" are highly overlapping, and both plans involve

Congo Free State. If Britain wants to complete the "Two C Plan", it must annex the Congo Free State or Tanganyika. If Germany wants to complete the "Teutonic Africa Plan", it must also annex the Congo Free State. That's why Rock didn't mention the Congo Free State.

Germany is the biggest obstacle for Britain to complete the "Two C Plan".

The Congo Free State was established by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1884. Belgium, with a land area of ​​only 30,000 square kilometers, annexed the Congo Free State with an area of ​​2 million square kilometers. Moreover, the Congo Free State was still Belgium.

Private property of King Leopold II.

Leopold II implemented brutal rule in the Congo Free State. When Leopold II established the Congo Free State in 1884, there were almost 25 million Africans in the Congo Free State. Now, almost 20 years later, it is estimated that only

Fifteen million people, a total of 10 million people, disappeared without a trace.

Although Belgium is weak in national power, it is not something that the UK can fight whenever it wants. Belgium is France’s younger brother and part of the civilized world. During the Berlin Conference, the UK personally recognized Belgium’s legal rights in the Congo Free State. Now the UK is coveting it.

However, we can't break our promises, and the British, who have always prided themselves on being gentlemen, can't do this kind of thing, otherwise the "national structure" of the entire British country will collapse.

The main reason is that it is too embarrassing. Britain has nearly 30 million square kilometers of colonies overseas. Belgium’s colony is just the Congo Free State, which is the private property of the king. If Britain takes action against Belgium, then Britain will become synonymous with greed and shamelessness.

"So, it is almost impossible to complete the two-c plan and connect Cape and Cairo in a line by relying on the power of the national level. My idea is, can we use another way to accomplish this goal?" Roque said.

Joseph Chamberlain's imagination was even more "arrogant". The death of Cecil Rhodes had almost declared the failure of the "Two C Plan". In this short time, no one mentioned the "Two C Plan". As the Colonial Secretary,

Joseph Chamberlain was also extremely frustrated.

Joseph Chamberlain never expected that there were still people in Johannesburg who had not forgotten the "Two C Plan" and that there were still people who wanted to work hard for it.

"Tell me, what kind of method?" Joseph Chamberlain still didn't quite believe in Rock's ability, but thinking of Rock's achievements, Joseph Chamberlain was full of expectations.

"My idea is to launch a proxy war in the Congo Free State, use the Zulus in the Congo Free State to rebel against Leopold II, and drive the Belgians out of the Congo Free State. When the Belgians have no way to survive,

, we will come forward to coordinate and replace the Belgian rule of the Congo Free State at a relatively small cost." Roque means to find an agent in the Congo Free State. This method is common in the 21st century, but in

early twentieth century

What is an agent?

Colonization at this time was all done by the country rolling up its arms and sleeves. Even if a colonial war broke out between countries, there was no precedent of using agents to fight. The British were good at mixing sand to create conflicts. That was after the Second World War.

It was a choice that was beyond its capabilities after the British national power weakened. Now that the British Empire is at its peak, it can just grab whatever it likes. Is it necessary to find an agent?

But it is really useful. Just like the Congo Free State, Leopold II was fierce when facing the Zulus, but he was as docile as a little sheep when facing the British. The British could not find an excuse to attack Belgium.

At this time, an agent is the best choice.

"Proxy war is interesting." Joseph Chamberlain didn't even know what a proxy war was.

"When Mr. Cecil Rhodes was alive, he had been working hard for the facts of the 'Two C Plan'. In Nyasaland, Mr. Cecil Rhodes had already made some useful attempts to use the Portuguese

The resistance of the Yao people in northern East Africa against the Portuguese was, on the one hand, to find an outlet for Nyasaland, and on the other hand, they were making attempts in this regard. Unfortunately, no one could understand Mr. Cecil Rhodes’s

It’s a huge plan. After I had a long talk with Mr. Cecil Rhodes, Mr. Cecil Rhodes hoped that I could continue his plan.” Only then did Rock say the necessity of controlling Nyasaland.

.

Of course it is not controlled by the British government, but by Rock.

"What step have you taken now?" Joseph Chamberlain has not yet been completely convinced by Rock. The plan is a good one. Joseph Chamberlain is still skeptical about Rock's ability to execute it.

“When Mr. Cecil Rhodes was alive, his support for the Yao people was mainly focused on weapons and ammunition. After I took over the work in this area, I went to Portuguese East Africa and Nyasaland to conduct on-the-spot inspections, combined with Portuguese East Africa

In view of the strength of the Yao people, while continuing to support weapons and ammunition, I plan to send Zulu people who participated in the Boer War to conduct professional military training for the Yao people, and even directly send military commanders to Portuguese East Africa. After the Boer War, many

The Zulu people who participated in the war have now returned home. If these people stay at home and herd sheep, they will be wasted. They are sent to Portuguese East Africa and they can be put to good use." Roque's execution ability is definitely no problem, even better than that of Cecil.

Rhodes was more thoughtful.

In modern warfare, the role of weapons is critical, and the human factor is even more important.

The Boer War is a clear example. The weapons used by the British Expeditionary Force in the Boer War were more advanced than those used by the Boer Allied Forces. However, in the early stages of the war, the British Expeditionary Force suffered a complete defeat on the frontal battlefield. This fully proves the power of human beings.

importance.

Cecil Rhodes' previous support to the Yao people was limited to weapons and ammunition, and he did not send professionals to guide the Yao people, so it was normal that the Yao people could not defeat the Portuguese.

Rock has many advantages that Cecil Rhodes does not have. For example, in the use of Zulu people, Cecil Rhodes is a fanatical colonialist and a "white supremacist".

There were basically no Zulus, and the Zulus were just slaves to Cecil Rhodes.

Rock is different. The British used a large number of Zulus in the Boer War, and these Zulus have now become Rock's weight.

White people must be very conspicuous among the Yao people, so Cecil Rhodes could not send people to guide the Yao people. If this was known to the Portuguese, it would cause international disputes.

Roque did not have this problem. The people Roque sent to guide the Yao people were all Zulu. Even if the Portuguese found out, as long as the Portuguese had no evidence, Roque would not be afraid.

"Very good, Sir Locke, you really impressed me." Joseph Chamberlain finally affirmed Locke's value. This was not easy. It also meant that Joseph Chamberlain personally agreed with Locke's control of Nyasaland.

Again, for the United Kingdom, land is really not important. The United Kingdom has 30 million square kilometers of overseas territory. Joseph Chamberlain did not even notice the small Nyasara, even if it was a big country.

, the British government did not pay attention to the entire South Africa, otherwise the British government would not allow South Africa to have autonomy four years later.

It’s not just South Africa that is autonomous. Even Canada, which covers an area of ​​9.9 million square kilometers, and Australia, which covers an area of ​​7.69 million square kilometers, can be abandoned by the British government. What else can’t be abandoned?

In other words, what was there that Joseph Chamberlain couldn't give up?

If Rock's plan can be implemented smoothly, the "Two C Plan" can be successfully completed, and a line from Cape to Cairo can be formed. This will be Joseph Chamberlain's political achievement.

"This is Mr. Cecil Rhodes's plan, I'm just implementing it." Rock said very modestly.

"Hahahaha, no matter how good the plan is, it still needs excellent execution." Joseph Chamberlain was very happy, and Roque was humble, which meant that he was not averse to sharing the credit. This was a very sensible baron.

Early the next morning, Joseph Chamberlain continued his inspection. This time Joseph Chamberlain wanted to inspect the resettlement of the Boers rather than the reconstruction of Johannesburg, so Rock chose Scarlett's farm for Joseph Chamberlain.

Scarlett's farm previously did not welcome anyone to enter. Even the workers transporting construction materials were not allowed to enter the farm. Those workers unloaded the construction materials outside Scarlett's farm.

Then the women carried the building materials on their shoulders and carried them to the village in the center of the farm.

A village that needs to house more than 5,000 people covers a large area. These women are all pregnant women. If they are left to their own devices, they may not have enough housing by the time winter comes.

But these Boer women stubbornly refuse any help from men.

Perhaps many of them want to use heavy physical labor to force the fetus in their belly to automatically abort, so that they can be relieved.

Although this is considered a choice, Roque cannot let this happen. The medical level in this era is not good. Once there is an accident, adults and children cannot be saved. Ziwei Town Hospital is doing its best to meet the needs of pregnant women.

, but there were not enough doctors in Ziwei Town Hospital, and there was only one female doctor, Kay Mallory. In the end, many Chinese nurses were forced to rush to the shelves, and their skills improved rapidly.

For Scarlett's farm, Rock also gave him as much help as he could. It didn't matter that the Boer women didn't want help from men. Rock hired many Boer aunts from Ziwei Town and Johannesburg. These Boer aunts were taller and stronger than men.

Not much different.

When Joseph Chamberlain came to the farm, he saw a bustling scene, except that all the workers were women, not a single man.

Joseph Chamberlain's face was extremely ugly.

"Your Excellency, the homeless Boer women are housed here," Rock didn't know how to explain to Joseph Chamberlain. This was simply a shame.

No, not at all!

"Why is this happening?" Joseph Chamberlain was really angry. The little goodwill that Rock had accumulated just last night had disappeared.

"They were refugees in the concentration camp. They got pregnant unexpectedly during the concentration camp and could not return to the Boers. A Boer refugee in Cape Town bought this farm and took them in. These building materials were donated by the residents of Ziwei Town.

The funds needed for the future construction of the farm will be raised by the Johannesburg Municipal Government." Rock tried his best to downplay the color of the expeditionary force, but Joseph Chamberlain could still hear it.

After all, he was the Colonial Secretary, so even if he had no personal experience, he must have heard about this matter.

Therefore, even if Rock's explanation was not detailed, Joseph Chamberlain felt that his face was burning.

this

What a disgrace to the British Empire!

"The biggest problem now is insufficient funds. As you know, Mr. Minister, the compensation is only so small. Let alone rebuilding the farm. Without external help, they may not be able to survive next year. After all, prices in Johannesburg are also rising." Rock.

It was as if the scene just now hadn't happened, and the introduction continued as if nothing had happened.

"They really need help," Joseph Chamberlain also immediately entered the state.

So the next thing was very simple. After returning to Johannesburg, in front of Mayor Philip Matilda, Joseph Chamberlain promised to allocate relief to Johannesburg, and specifically pointed out that there was an allocation for Ziwei Public School.

Disbursement is in progress.

As for loans, if Johannesburg needs it, the Department of Colonial Affairs can also help. Orange has prepared to use the railway revenue in Orange as collateral to obtain a loan from the Imperial Bank, estimated to reach tens of millions of pounds. If the railway revenue cannot be repaid, it will

Deducted from future fiscal budgets.

This is a good thing. Philip Matilda responded immediately and said that Johannesburg can also use the railway revenue in Johannesburg as collateral to apply for a loan from the Imperial Bank. If Johannesburg's railway revenue cannot repay the loan in the future, it can also use Johannesburg's financial budget.

deduct.

Isn't it just railway income? Philippe Matilda doesn't care at all, it's only a few dollars!

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like