African Entrepreneurship Record

At this moment, it is the peak of colonialism, the United Kingdom had suffered losses in East Africa previously, and France met its Waterloo under Germany. Japan was the most fervent among the aggressors, hence by the end of the 19th century, overseas colonial activities intensified further.

After all, with less meat in the pot, everyone competed more aggressively. Meanwhile, in the Pacific area, there were still Great Powers like the United States, the Far East Empire, Spain, and another power with vast colonies in Asia, the Netherlands, so those countries wanting to stir up trouble in the Pacific were rather competent.

The Far East Empire and Spain have not yet been exposed, and things seem temporarily safe; the Netherlands’ colonial area, although quite large, is primarily tropical rainforest and currently shows little value.

However, Ernst knew that the Dutch East Indies colony possessed significant potential; after all, in the past life, the largest country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, emerged from here.

Today, East Africa’s Lan Fang overseas province is essentially the former western Kalimantan province of Indonesia, while the Northern Kalimantan Kingdom of Shelaruit has become a part of British colonial territory, with Dutch forces retreating to the east and south of Kalimantan Island.

Germany also attained gains in the Pacific region, mainly some islands beyond the reach of Spain, as well as German New Guinea.

Although German New Guinea appears large, even by the 21st century, the interior still hosts numerous primitive tribes, with a level of development even lower than Africa. Yet, this has been Germany’s greatest conquest in the Pacific in recent years.

At present, Germany’s colonies in the Pacific have less significance than East Africa, largely because Germany arrived too late and can only select the worst leftovers.

East Africa, to a certain extent, compensates for the colonial shortcomings of Germany and Austria. Besides the local East African market, East Africa’s overseas colonies are also open to German and Austrian merchants; of course, they have little to offer.

At most, they provide a few more footholds for merchants overseas from both countries; Lan Fang and Southern Ryukyu are not prosperous, rather indifferent in value.

In the Far East Empire, although East Africa holds significant influence, it is merely at the official level capable of some discourse. Germans traveling abroad naturally carry a flag, only counted as ”hometown factions,” which is drastically different from the relationship of the United Kingdom and the United States.

Although the United Kingdom and the United States share the same origin, disagreements outweigh cooperation, and wars have occurred directly between them, while East, Germany, and Austria maintain very good relations, which is very common in the German Region.

Except for the slightly poor relations between Habsburg and Switzerland, overall there are hardly any conflicts among German countries; any conflicts have mostly been annexed by Prussia.

The reason East, Germany, and Austria can get along harmoniously is mainly because they have no conflicting interests but rather complement each other strongly.

Germany and Austria have a watchful mutual support relationship on the European continent, considering the harsh geographical conditions of both countries, while East Africa occupies one-third of Africa, remaining an unavoidable Great Power, simultaneously compensating for the weak overseas influence of both countries.

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March 14, 1893.

Hawaii.

”Brother Rog, tomorrow is the day we overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii; a brand new Hawaii Republic is about to emerge in this world. For this reason, let’s raise a glass.”

Before the coup was about to start, Americans had already gathered together; even though there might be bloodshed tomorrow, they still held a banquet and drank themselves into a stupor.

After all, it’s merely the Kingdom of Hawaii; as long as the American soldiers unite, it can be extinguished with a wave, not worth the attention of the gentlemen present; they are all businessmen and hardly need to charge forward, so they just await the outcome.

”To victory!” Rog stated with a drunken expression, agreeing with Endress.

Rog wasn’t pretending to be drunk, after all, he had quite a bit to drink at the banquet; otherwise, being too aloof would easily arouse suspicion, even though East Africa intended to meddle with this coup.

But it didn’t mean Rog should abandon his current ”identity”; instead, to continue lurking in the United States, he must be seen as a ”victim” of this coup.

Ultimately, on Kauai, Rog was the largest landowner and enterprise owner; if Kauai faced troubles, Americans couldn’t help but suspect Rog.

Thus, to escape unscathed, the East African Government must also devise ways to protect Rog. If Rog’s identity is exposed, it wouldn’t bode well for East Africa, as the National Defense Security Bureau of East Africa remains a hidden unit, unsuitable for exposure in the international arena.

Primarily, Ernst feared other countries might emulate prematurely to develop intelligence departments, potentially diminishing East Africa’s advantage in information.

After half an hour, the banquet finally ended, and Rog staggered out of the venue, bidding farewell to several congenial ”friends.”

”Master!”

Rog’s ”butler” hurried forward, supporting the seemingly tottering Rog.

Rog rubbed his face, trying to sober up a bit, then said, ”First, get in the car.”

After the car had traveled for a while, Rog softly remarked to the ”butler,” ”Have someone quickly send the message back to Kauai. The Americans will act at eight in the morning tomorrow, so the message must be relayed back tonight.”

The ”butler” noted Rog’s words, and once he sent Rog back to the inn, he swiftly organized a crew to exploit the cover of darkness, dispatching a vessel already docked towards Kauai.

Although Kauai is part of the Hawaiian Islands, a sea distance over a hundred kilometers separates it from Oahu Island, so by the time the message reaches Elealeh, the American coup may have already begun.

Of course, there’s no need to worry too much; after the coup, the United States will only control Oahu Island, and the southern islands will certainly require time to be controlled, including Lahaina, the original political center of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

The population of Hawaii is primarily concentrated in the southern islands; Kauai and the adjacent hardly inhabited Nihao Island are somewhat distant from the main body of Hawaiian Islands, hence Kauai will surely be the last island attended to by the Americans.

Therefore, East Africa’s slightly delayed action won’t impact the overall situation, as by the time the Americans deal with the Hawaiian royal family and then the various islands, there will be ample time to finish deploying.

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Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean east of the Hawaiian Islands, three gunboats and two supply ships from the East African Navy’s Pacific Fleet were also rushing towards Hawaii.

”I wonder if we can make it in time for this action; we’ve already been delayed a day at sea,” said Pacific Fleet Commander Molhes.

Originally planned to arrive in Kauai a day early, the preparation of resources in the Huaihai Economic Zone caused a day’s delay, since Hawaii is situated deep in the ocean, without ample supplies, Molhes also felt uneasy.

”No need to worry, Commander; after all, the army has arrangements on Kauai. Even if there’s a conflict with the Americans, they surely can hold out for a while.”

Hel nodded and said, ”I have no doubt about the army’s combat capabilities; after all, we can face off against a powerful country like the United Kingdom. As long as the United States doesn’t deploy elite troops, they indeed cannot take Kauai, and the U.S. government isn’t likely to directly dispatch their local elite forces.”

Regarding the strength of the U.S. military, Hel had no certain idea, considering the United States hasn’t fought in years; however, it’s believed to be inferior to the United Kingdom, which, although performing poorly in the South African War, has tenfold more combat experience than America.

Especially during the South African War, the troops dispatched from India by the United Kingdom mostly participated in both the Afghan War and the war against Myanmar.

The United States’ most recent combat was the Civil War, which was an internal strife, making it impossible to discern the true depth of American strength, but one must not underestimate Americans.

After surpassing the United Kingdom in industry in 1890, the United States had become the world’s leading industrial power, and while the size of their military may be small, the quality of their weaponry and equipment was top-notch globally.