CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 279 LABOR EXPORT

Of course, this is purely Ernst’s personal opinion. From his perspective as someone who has lived two lives, what he cannot empathize with the most are the various so-called "organizations" or the loudest minorities of his past life. Most ordinary people are silent; in reality, when ordinary people become a "mute" group, they will choose these "minorities" according to their own preferences. Eventually, the unified values will fracture, and social order will collapse.

Maintaining social order and stability is also the foundation of East Africa’s assimilation policy. When ordinary people’s basic needs are met, they will naturally integrate into the East African community. Everyone is busy with life and has no time for overthinking, which is the best state for the ruling Heixinggen royal family.

Otherwise, according to conventional colonial methods, the East African Kingdom should severely exploit the natives to support the immigrant community, following the path of Britain and France.

...

"Starting this year, tell the Zanzibar Sultanate to make it clear to Said they should reduce their slave trade numbers. It’s best to make ’slave trade’ history within five years," Ernst said to his father over the phone.

Constantine was somewhat bewildered, "Uh, that might be difficult to manage! The slave trade is a crucial industry for the Zanzibar Sultanate. Asking them to give it up might be..."

Ernst replied, "Slave trade is already becoming increasingly difficult. Britain and France have been cracking down on the traditional slave trade. Zanzibar’s industry is already in its twilight. Just yesterday, two of Zanzibar’s slave ships were seized by the British, so stopping them from continuing is for their own good. Otherwise, if the British find a pretext for war, will we support them or not?"

The Zanzibar Sultanate acts as a de facto vassal state of East Africa, and Ernst does not wish for other powers to intervene in this region. It is too close to Dar es Salaam and Bajamojo to risk losing.

"The British are not frightening, Ernst. Our kingdom is now the largest in Africa, and in this region, we do not fear the British," said Constantine, a proud German noble who thought his son overestimated the British.

"Father, I’m not afraid of the British; it’s just that there’s no need to conflict with them now. Britain can afford to waste its national power; we in East Africa are not yet strong enough. If we clash with the British now, one thing is certain: it will slow East Africa’s development. Just having our maritime trade blocked would be unbearable for us," Ernst explained.

"Yes, you make sense, but would the British really turn against us over Zanzibar?"

"Nothing is absolute. We’ve gained so many benefits in East Africa, which will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the British and other colonial powers in the future. It just hasn’t erupted yet. However, once Europe’s economy suffers a setback, they will certainly flood out and use expansion to resolve internal conflicts, and Africa is a prime target," Ernst said.

Constantine thought it over carefully and realized that it was indeed so. In the European context, East Africa’s might is akin to that of the Netherlands or Portugal, not exactly intimidating. With so much land under their control, if this information were to leak, it could indeed invite trouble.

In reality, East Africa wouldn’t stay hidden for long. The third conquest war launched by East Africa is already reaching the British colonies on multiple fronts, and sooner or later, the British will realize a monster has appeared in Africa.

"With that being the case, what do you think?" Constantine asked.

"From this year onward for the next ten years, the most important thing for East Africa is to develop our military industry, achieve independent weapon production, and secure seven million square kilometers of our territory while being able to counter enemies from multiple directions. After the Prussia-France War, I will move the Berlin arms factory to East Africa, along with Austria’s artillery factory. The production lines for rifles and artillery will be established first in East Africa," Ernst said.

"Yes, that’s necessary."

"Besides this, we need to digest the lands annexed this time and the last, especially the Matebel Plateau in the south, which has the highest priority because it contains vast amounts of iron and coal, the most critical resources for industrial development."

Constantine was puzzled, "Are you sure? How come I didn’t know about this?"

Ernst, naturally knowing from memories of his past life but unable to say that, replied, "It was from a preliminary survey I commissioned at that time, though not yet verified. But since there’s a possibility, we should prepare thoroughly."

"Never mind, we’re going off-topic. Let’s return to the issue of the Zanzibar Sultanate!" Constantine said, "If we push too hard on the slave trade issue, would it have a negative effect? What if they defect to the British?"

"We need to make it clear to them that the ban on slavery comes from Britain and France, not East Africa. We are merely offering a friendly reminder. If young Said’s government is very resistant to this matter, we won’t forcefully intervene. However, if they stubbornly give the British an excuse, tell them East Africa will eliminate the Zanzibar Sultanate first, as Zanzibar Island is crucial for the safety of East Africa’s coastlines."

Constantine laughed heartily, "Hahaha, I thought you’d had a change of heart; didn’t expect this. You’re quite something. However, the slave issue is not just Zanzibar’s problem; it concerns East Africa too. We are the suppliers."

"We’re indeed the suppliers, but Zanzibar’s slave trade methods are too outdated and need modernization. East Africa has its own immigrant ships, which are not much better than slave ships. If the Zanzibarians wish to continue the slave trade—not as the slave trade but as the labor trade — they must upgrade their industry," Ernst said.

So, after all this, it’s not about canceling Zanzibar’s slave trade but adopting more covert methods.

"Let young Said’s government give slave traders new identities to become labor export companies and improve the living conditions of slave ships, at least so these slaves look somewhat human before reaching the Middle East, and thus skirt the issue," Ernst said.

"This might be a bit redundant. If the British really intend to act against East Africa, they can find any excuse,"

"I’m just taking precautions. If the British are truly unreasonable, there’s nothing we can do. We’ve already prepared to compromise. If the British refuse to relent, we’ll smash all of Britain’s colonies in Africa," Ernst said with a grim tone.

Currently, Ernst doesn’t want a conflict with the British, but if the British do trouble East Africa, East Africa is not a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

"Yes, excellent. This is the spirit our Hohenzollern family should embody. Peace requires military power as a backing; fear only leads to ceding land for peace," Constantine said with satisfaction.