African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 65: Chapter 61 Zanzibar’s New Dynasty and Elegant Rule

Meanwhile, Bagash Bin Said, who wielded great power, embarked on his first administrative experience.

He declared himself the First Regent of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, fully representing Sultan Magid Bin Said in managing national affairs.

”Slavery is an evil. Under the influence of wicked men, His Majesty Sultan Magid Bin Said implemented this outdated system detested by the civilized world in Zanzibar, which would inevitably hinder the Sultanate of Zanzibar from integrating into the civilized world and decelerate Zanzibar’s development...”

In short, according to Bagash Bin Said, implementing the slave system in the Sultanate of Zanzibar was regressive behavior, an unpardonable crime.

”Therefore, I hereby announce the abolition of the slave system in the Sultanate of Zanzibar effective immediately, and any act of slave trade within the Sultanate of Zanzibar is prohibited.”

No sooner had Bagash Bin Said finished speaking than the ministers of Zanzibar became anxious.

”Your Excellency, this must not happen! It would shake the very foundations of the Sultanate of Zanzibar.”

”Your Excellency, Zanzibar’s prosperity entirely depends on the slave trade. If the slave trade is prohibited, Zanzibar’s economy will suffer a severe blow.”

”Zanzibar is a poor, small country. If we abandon the slave trade, we are tying our own hands. The so-called civilized world is nothing but a daydream. I hope Your Excellency will prioritize national interests and not destroy our own Great Wall.”

...

The ministers all clamored to defend the slave system. As Zanzibar made its fortune through the slave trade, these ministers themselves were significant slave owners, benefiting considerably from slave trading.

Though Magid Bin Said was rather muddle-headed in his later years, he indeed brought wealth to everyone, if not for Bagash Bin Said pointing a gun at them.

These ministers would undoubtedly praise Sultan Magid Bin Said as wise and mighty, while regarding Bagash Bin Said as unworthy to scheme with.

The ministers thought: How did Zanzibar produce a traitor like you? You wish to be a dog for the British, but don’t drag us with you! Talking about the civilized world, why don’t you stay in India if you like it so much? Sultan Magid Bin Said should have directly executed this brainless fool back then and not let this idiot escape to Mumbai.

After two years in Mumbai, he goes on and on about the civilized world. Has he even looked at the mess in India? So-called Indians are nothing but slaves of the British. Changing places, he calls it a backward system, but why do the British insist on staying in India?

Of course, although the ministers were full of resentment, they dared not speak out because the dictator Bagash Bin Said now had a gun in his hand. Although Bagash Bin Said was a fool, the Zanzibar ministers didn’t want to test who had the harder head against a bullet.

”Alright, my decision is made, and there is no room for negotiation. You better not test my patience,” Bagash Bin Said threatened sternly.

Bagash Bin Said himself was reckless; otherwise, he would not have been exiled to India for directly opposing Magid Bin Said.

From his past failure, he learned that one must have authority in hand to speak firmly. How does one obtain that authority? Enlightened at the Mumbai Dragon Field, Bagash Bin Said realized one must have a gun to have power! So, upon returning this time, Bagash Bin Said actively allied with progressive officers who opposed the slave trade and placed his supporters in the military.

Additionally, Magid Bin Said in his later years was muddled due to medication, giving Bagash Bin Said the opportunity to seize power.

”Now, regarding the second matter, the Germans, who provided slaves to the Sultanate of Zanzibar, must be expelled from Zanzibar. From now on, Zanzibar will not welcome any slave traders.”

This time the ministers did not oppose; instead, some even felt secretly delighted. The power of the Germans in East Africa was best known to those ministers involved in the slave trade.

In the past, the Sultanate of Zanzibar would enter the East African interior for slave hunting, but those Black tribes were not easy to deal with. The Zanzibar slave hunting teams mainly incited tribal skirmishes through trade, then exchanged simple supplies for slaves from the victors.

However, ever since the establishment of the East African colonies, those Black tribes became paper tigers in front of the Germans, impressive but not useful. Any advanced method of sowing discord between tribes was unnecessary for the Germans, who simply took direct action.

Initially, when the Germans arrived, these ministers were worried, fearing they might interfere with their interests in East Africa.

But the Germans held no regard for Black people. To Ernst, land was the most precious asset in East Africa, so the East African colonies did not require natives, holding land over people.

However, handling these Black people was troublesome, so they directly sold them to the Sultanate of Zanzibar, which only needed to pay a symbolic return to acquire a large number of Black people.

In the Arab world, Black slaves were in high demand, with Arabs widely employing Black labor. Moreover, due to proximity, Arabs could acquire Black people at lower costs.

Previously, when Zanzibar hunted slaves itself, the cost was higher than that of the Sultanates in North Africa and Somalia. Northern countries could sell Black slaves to the Arabian Peninsula by simply crossing the narrow Red Sea and Aden Bay. Fortunately, these countries also had a high demand for Black slaves and an early developed market, resulting in a reduction in the number of Black people, allowing the late-established Sultanate of Zanzibar to capture part of the market.

Since East African colonies began delivering goods to their doorstep, the slave traders of the Sultanate of Zanzibar soared.

Not only was there an abundant supply, but it was also inexpensive. Over the past year, Zanzibar had stormed the slave markets in the Arab regions, leading a comfortable life.

In this respect, Ernst could be considered compassionate. If he followed the Arabs by directly castrating natives, he would not only obtain free labor but also resolve future worries...

Back to the point, the ministers knew the Germans had a strong military and the East African colonies were continuously recruiting people, likely stronger now than before.

Bagash Bin Said had returned only in recent months and was not very familiar with the Germans’ strength.

As long as he provoked the Germans, he would surely be crushed, allowing the ministers to then stand up, denounce Bagash Bin Said’s crimes, regain national power, and resume their normal activities.

While the ministers were lost in their visions, Bagash Bin Said was arranging personnel appointments.

”Abdullah is appointed as the commander-in-chief of the kingdom’s army to lead the expulsion of the Germans. Katiebu is appointed as a major general in the kingdom’s army to assist Abdullah...”

After placing his own people in key positions, Bagash Bin Said couldn’t wait to start implementing his plans.

...

Port of Dar es Salaam.

”Mr. Bazir, please leave!” said Zanzibar’s newly appointed Vice Admiral Katiebu arrogantly.

”Hmph, you will regret it,” Bazir said angrily.

”Ha, we shall see!” Katiebu mocked.

Bazir showed no expression and turned to start arranging the evacuation of personnel. Fortunately, the arriving ship at the port today was an ocean liner from the Heixinggen consortium. After consulting with the captain, the fleet carried immigrants from Austria-Hungary northward towards the port of Tanga, where there were East African colonial troops, without worry about any trouble from Zanzibar.

Bazir and over twenty armed men packed their supplies and left Dar es Salaam under the watchful eyes of the people of Zanzibar.

At this time, Felix’s troops were still on their way. Lacking horses, they were forced to travel on foot. The forty-mile journey wasn’t long, but to preserve strength, they would reach the port of Dar es Salaam before dark.