Chapter 325
Chapter 325: Supporters of the Ndebele People
The establishment of the Zhuhai Trade Zone differed from the previous Zhuhai Special Economic Zone. While the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone aimed to attract investment from Macao, Portugal, and other regions, East Africa's objective was to access the Far East and South markets. Zhuhai was chosen because other desirable locations in the south were already occupied by Britain and France.
Ernst believed in the potential of Xiangshan County, even though it lacked coastal advantages. Xiangshan was strategically located, and despite its inland status, it offered access to trade routes connecting to the inland regions, making it valuable for commerce.
Ernst recognized that in this era of trade, competition for favorable coastal locations was intense. Ports like Guangzhou and Shanghai had already been claimed by other foreign powers, leaving limited options for newcomers like East Africa.
Comparing the situation to Germany in the previous era, which arrived late and chose Jiaozhou as its base, East Africa faced similar challenges. Germany had to build railways to connect to the inland areas, but before it could fully utilize them, Japan intervened.
In Matabele Plateau, Lobengula skillfully organized a rebel army of 50,000 soldiers and 100,000 servants. They disrupted East Africa's transportation bases, cutting off crucial material delivery channels.
Witt took charge of anti-rebellion forces in South Salzburg Province and led them down the Luangwa River. Simultaneously, he dispatched cavalry to inform border troops on the Matabele Plateau to cooperate in suppressing the rebellion from various directions.
Reports of the rebellion's progress reached Lobengula, who was pleased with the false information provided. Despite the exaggerated numbers, the effect he desired was achieved: morale boost and optimism.
Lobengula believed that firearms were the key to victory and had acquired significant quantities from arms smuggling with the assistance of the Boers. The Boers, viewing the Ndebele people as a useful pawn against East Africa, had traded firearms with them, utilizing retired British Army weapons.
Lobengula's confidence lay in the six thousand-strong firearms army he could now field, along with his remaining hundreds of thousands of troops. However, he underestimated the size and capabilities of the East African Kingdom's military forces.
The Boers had misled Lobengula into believing that the East African Kingdom was a small, white-dominated power similar to the Boers themselves. Lobengula was unaware that East Africa had a much larger immigrant population in Zambia than the Ndebele people in Zimbabwe.
The Ndebele uprising was influenced by the Boers' support, but Lobengula's misjudgment of the situation could have serious consequences. While he believed that cutting off East Africa's food supply would lead to surrender, he was unaware of the true extent of East Africa's resources and capabilities.
(end of this chapter)