Empire Rising: Spain

Heading north along the Congo River, by the tributary known as the Ubangi River, there lies a hilly and plain area not covered by tropical rainforest.

This is already the northernmost part of the Congo Basin, and also the northernmost edge of the tropical rainforest. Further north beyond here leaves the Congo River Basin, and due to the distance from the tropical rainforest, it is more suitable for development than the southern Congo Basin.

Through the railway connection between Guinea and the Congo Territory, Spain occupied the largest plains and plateau areas along the Ubangi River. However, due to insufficient numbers, there is still a large amount of land controlled by the indigenous tribes, the most significant being the Baka tribe.

After determining the plan for revenge against the indigenous people, Manuel Massias y Caduza ordered the army in the Congo Territory to start assembling.

Although the Colonial Defense Corps was only 2300 strong, attacking a single indigenous tribe was not a problem.

Although indigenous tribes have larger populations, able to form armies of thousands or tens of thousands, these so-called armies are helpless against the regular Spanish troops. To the Spanish Army, indigenous armies wielding cold weapons are just moving targets.

”This should be the largest Baka tribe.” On a hill a few kilometers away from the Baka tribe, Manuel’s adjutant reported while looking at the map.

Manuel nodded and calmly asked, ”How many people does this tribe have?”

”Based on the information we obtained from those explorers, the Baka tribe has at least over one hundred thousand people,” the adjutant replied. ”There are also many small villages around that rely on the Baka tribe, possibly bringing the total population close to 200,000.”

Manuel nodded with an indifferent expression and ordered, ”Begin the operation! It’s time to make these indigenous people understand who the real master of this land is.”

”Proceed!” With the signal officer delivering Manuel’s orders to each company, the Spanish army began to operate mightily.

Although most of the soldiers in Manuel’s Colonial Defense Corps were indigenous, they came from Southern Morocco and had no connections with the indigenous people of the Congo Territory.

This was also the reason Manuel decisively commenced the revenge operation with just one Colonial Defense Corps in his hand. Under the premise that the Corps completely obeyed his commands, these indigenous people posed little threat to the Congo Territory.

Led by Spanish officers, the soldiers composed of Moroccans marched mightily down the hillside. Their target was a few kilometers away at the Baka people’s gathering place, a large tribe named Bangui.

Since the Moroccans were all white, this army looked more like a regular European army and was not significantly related to the colonial armies established by various powers.

As they drew closer to the Baka tribe, the over 2000-strong European army caught the attention of the indigenous Baka tribe.

Several indigenous soldiers quickly ran inside the tribe, seemingly to deliver a warning. One indigenous person who appeared to be the leader did not choose to run towards the tribe but instead gradually approached the Spanish army, babbling indiscernibly.

Manuel paced forward; he couldn’t understand what the indigenous person in front of him was saying. Seeing Manuel frown, the colonial officer responsible for translation hastily translated, ”General, he is asking about the purpose of our visit.”

”Purpose?” Manuel sneered, glaring disdainfully at the indigenous person, and said coldly, ”Tell him, a few days ago, our plantation was raided, and we have enough reason to suspect that the raid was initiated by the Baka people.

If the Baka people cannot provide sufficient evidence to prove they were not involved, we will use armed means for retaliation.

Have him notify their leaders. I will give them 2 hours. Either they tell us which tribe planned the raid, or they’ll be waiting for our army’s attack.”

Once the colonial officer conveyed Manuel’s words exactly to the indigenous person, he fled back into the tribe in a panic.

Simultaneously, Manuel also issued orders for the army to block several entrances and exits of the tribe.

Despite requiring the indigenous people to make a decision within two hours, it was clear Manuel wasn’t going to wait that long.

As soldiers blocked several main entrances and exits to the tribe, Manuel issued further orders to first clear out the indigenous villages near the Bangui tribe.

Due to the surrounding tropical rainforest, villages around the Bangui tribe are relatively concentrated, and they are mostly medium to large-sized villages with large populations.

Even the smaller villages have populations of several hundred, while larger villages have populations of up to a thousand or even several thousand.

These people are all good labor, and Manuel does not intend to let them go. Regardless of what decision the Baka people make in the end, Manuel will clear out the surrounding indigenous villages and transport these indigenous people back to Spain’s colonial outposts to serve as labor.

According to Spain’s past colonial practices, the most valuable among the indigenous population are the adult male natives. These male natives are excellent labor force, whether as miners or slaves in plantations, they hold immense economic value.