Chapter 215

Chapter 215: Negotiation

Santos had miscalculated the situation and never expected that the Germans would launch an attack on the Kazenbe Kingdom so swiftly and daringly. He had even mistaken the operation in East Africa for one in the Portuguese colony due to a lack of information.

However, Santos' judgment wasn't entirely wrong. The Portuguese community in the Kazenbe Kingdom did not consider him one of their own. He had brought a group of outsiders who aimed to seize a significant portion of the territory, causing resentment among the established Portuguese in Kazenbe.

East Africa had sent emissaries to Kazenbe to demand the return of "criminals" and territory. The Portuguese Kazenbe Chamber of Commerce had indeed received this information but chose not to inform Santos and his group. They were taken aback by the efficiency and decisiveness of the East Africans. While Portuguese colonization usually involved avoiding conflicts with local forces, East Africa took a more direct and forceful approach.

The Portuguese approach to colonization had evolved over time. They initially cooperated with indigenous chiefs and engaged in the slave trade. Later, they turned these chief tribes and kingdoms into their vassal states, eventually establishing colonies like Mozambique and Angola. Portugal encouraged intermarriage between Portuguese and indigenous high-level officials to consolidate their control.

Unlike other colonists who considered the cost of colonization, East Africa had two million immigrants, giving them the confidence to conquer a significant portion of Africa. However, the Portuguese saw this as an uncivilized and aggressive approach.

In a negotiation between Yaris, the president of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Kazenbe, and Rawls, a representative of the East African army, Yaris expressed concern about East Africa's sudden attack on the Kazenbe Kingdom without prior notice. He questioned why such a direct and forceful approach had been taken.

Rawls, in a diplomatic response, explained that this was a matter between East Africa and the Kazenbe Kingdom. Yaris then asked if Rawls could represent the East African government, to which Rawls clarified that he could represent the army present but not the government.

Yaris continued to probe, asking about East Africa's plans for the Kazenbe Kingdom. Rawls stated that it was not his decision to make and suggested that Yaris could seek answers from government officials in Dar es Salaam.

Their conversation shifted to Santos, who was lying on the ground, seemingly insane. Yaris confirmed that Santos was indeed not part of their group and expressed concern about what had happened to him. Rawls explained that Santos had attacked them during the battle and had been captured alive but had since gone mad. Yaris denied any involvement of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Santos' actions.

The negotiation concluded with Yaris requesting information about when the East African army would leave the Kazenbe Kingdom. Rawls explained that they would only leave upon receiving orders from their superiors. Despite the tension, Yaris agreed to let Santos remain on the ground, as he had become insane and was of no use. He realized that the Germans were formidable adversaries and had their own agenda in the region.