African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 62: Chapter 58 Conspiracy

Zanzibar Sultanate.

Since the establishment of the East African colonies, they have been relatively harmonious with the Zanzibar Sultanate.

The East African colonies have expanded into the western inland areas of East Africa, although this has affected the traditional trade routes of Arab merchants, they are not interested in indigenous slaves and ivory.

Each time they clear newly occupied lands, the East African colonies bring the natives, ivory, and other commodities to Dar es Salaam port for trade with merchants from various countries.

Unlike the Arab caravans that had to deal with the inland tribes of the Bantu people in the past, the East African colonies would directly shake things up, with a large number of natives falling into colonial hands during each expansion.

Naturally, the East African colonies wouldn’t keep these people, directly lowering the price of slaves so that Arab merchants only needed to wait at the port for the colonies to deliver to them.

Moreover, the East African colonies only required Arab merchants to exchange with food and other goods.

However, the actions of the East African colonies still made some people unhappy, notably the progressive forces of the Zanzibar Sultanate led by Bagash Bin Said, the brother of Zanzibar Sultan Magid Bin Said.

This issue traces back to the current Zanzibar Sultan Magid Bin Said.

Zanzibar Sultan Magid Bin Said was the sixth son of former Omani King Said bin Sultan.

Said bin Sultan was a formidable figure who once brought the Omani Empire to prosperity, and Zanzibar was conquered under his leadership.

After his death, Magid Bin Said competed with his third brother, Suvini Bin Said, for the throne. However, Suvini Bin Said was more skilled and claimed the Omani throne.

Magid then proclaimed himself Sultan of Zanzibar, causing Zanzibar to split from the Omani Empire and become an independent country.

During his reign, Magid Bin Said consolidated his power through the controversial Indian Ocean slave trade, thereby accumulating wealth for the country.

During his rule, Bagash Bin Said (also a son of Said bin Sultan) attempted an unfruitful coup and was exiled to Mumbai for two years.

The issue arose from Bagash Bin Said’s opposition to the slave trade; he advocated abolitionism and showed interest in Western science and technology, seeking to promote the development of Zanzibar Sultanate through infrastructure (which is historically accurate).

The East African colonies were eager to package and ship off the natives, a large-scale selling, which to Bagash Bin Said seemed to be assisting the evildoers.

...

Dar es Salaam port, residence of Bagash Bin Said.

”Everyone, we can no longer sit idly by, or Zanzibar will have no future!”

Bagash Bin Said shouted angrily with red eyes.

”Magid Bin Said is now old and confused, along with the German East African colonies aiding the evildoers; initially, Magid Bin Said’s slave trade is a backward move in history. Now, all the world powers have abolished the slave system; if we cannot abolish the slave trade, how can Zanzibar integrate into the civilized world? Untouched, we will surely be eliminated by time.”

The people sitting below were confidants of Bagash Bin Said, who had witnessed the powerful strength of Western civilization after industrialization and were considered relatively enlightened individuals in the Arab world (perhaps connected to the British behind the Omani Empire).

”That’s right, Prince, but I’m afraid relying on our strength alone makes it difficult to deal with the German armament of the East African colonies,” said a Zanzibar Sultanate officer.

”If we don’t take action, who will carry the banner for Zanzibar’s future? So, no matter how difficult the road is, we must face it bravely. Relying on Magid is impossible; he now only knows enjoyment, indulging in doping without restraint,” said Bagash Bin Said.

”But, Your Highness, if we cannot persuade His Majesty the Sultan to stand with us, then the power we can mobilize will be too limited!” another young officer said.

”What’s the matter! We represent the civilized side, His Majesty the Sultan’s fortune from the slave trade is inherently detestable, as long as we cry out, we can surely awaken the vast populace of Zanzibar to overthrow the slave trade together,” a young man in a business suit said.

”Are you brainless? Such naive thinking intending to reform Zanzibar, political struggle is not child’s play,” a military officer scolded.

”I see some people are timid, fearing for their lives, unwilling to dedicate themselves to the great cause of Zanzibar!”

”Kid, do you even know what you’re talking about? I was a senior who followed His Highness in opposing the Sultan in the early years, unlike you, pampered young master, wetting your pants when things happen.”

”What! Resorting to personal attacks when you’re at a loss?”

...

Both sides started arguing like this.

Bagash Bin Said, his face livid, watched his subordinates bickering, then slammed his hand down on the table, making a ”bang” sound that instantly quieted everyone.

Bagash Bin Said said sternly, ”Enough, yelling all day, what kind of image does this present? Do you think this is acceptable behavior?”

”Solving problems depends not on arguing but on ability and method. Instead of complaining and blaming each other, why not think of ways, brainstorm to seek solutions together?”

Silence fell over the crowd...

Seeing the speechless crowd, Bagash Bin Said spoke earnestly, ”Do you think I don’t know the dangers within this? But we have no way back; failure is not to be feared even if temporary, just like when we were forced to flee to India back then, aren’t we making a comeback now?”

Bagash Bin Said continued, ”To abolish the slave trade, we must be prepared in two ways: one is to cut off Magid’s supply, which is the route and source the East African colonies provide, and the second is to overthrow Magid’s rule. Only then can we truly bring Zanzibar into modern society. This time we cannot run away disgracefully like last time.”

”Now we already have considerable military forces in our hands, which is our capital; as long as we can swiftly deal with Magid and his followers, we can control the regime of the Zanzibar Sultanate.”

”Regarding the East African colonies, I’ve gathered intelligence from Portuguese and British merchants; apart from two thousand retired Prussian soldiers (actually just over a thousand), the rest are farmers summoned from East Asia.”

”Once we achieve control over Zanzibar, we can organize a professional military force of over four thousand and temporarily enlist a portion of the populace to confront the colonists’ farmers. Four thousand against two thousand, the advantage is on our side.”

After hearing Bagash Bin Said’s plan, an officer said, ”Your Highness, what about His Majesty the Sultan? If we succeed, will we have to...” He gestured like holding a pistol to his forehead, ”bang,” a gesture of execution.

Bagash Bin Said shook his head, ”That’s barbaric. European monarchs often attack each other due to political struggles, but no one ever persecutes the defeated. Even ambitious figures like Napoleon were merely exiled by the European monarchs.”

The officer named Abdullah said, ”Your Highness, we can be soft-hearted! If Sultan Magid makes a comeback...”

Bagash Bin Said said, ”Enough, I’ve made my decision; there’s no room for negotiation. We’ll exile him to another country, perhaps Ossa Sultanate with which he has good relations, anyway he is old and can’t come back to interfere. After all, he doesn’t have the British backing us.”

...

Thus, a conspiracy targeting the East African colonies and Zanzibar Sultan Magid Bin Said took shape.

If the East African colony officials knew their plan, they would absolutely complain, ”What were they thinking? The slave trade wasn’t initiated by us; we just made some extra money, and yet we’re being targeted!”

It really is an unwarranted disaster; it was originally their domestic affair, and they dragged outsiders into it. Moreover, how dare they call the East African colonies wicked? Still aiding the evil-doers!

It doesn’t make logical sense either! Even in the future, East African colony officials won’t understand these Arabs’ thought processes.