African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 67: Chapter 63 Conquering Zanzibar Palace

After a hasty battle.

The Zanzibar army had lost its combat effectiveness, and within the palace, the East African colonial troops captured hundreds. Other Zanzibar soldiers scattered throughout Dar es Salaam and could not resist further.

Felix entered the Zanzibar banquet hall with his troops, meeting the ministers of Zanzibar head-on.

...

Three minutes before.

”Your Excellency, Ministers, something terrible has happened! The Germans have invaded, General Abdullah has already been captured alive, and now the Germans are arresting people everywhere.” A maid rushed into the hall in a panic.

”What? How is that possible! How many of them are there, and how could they invade so quickly? Are the kingdom’s forces complete idiots? They couldn’t even hold out for ten minutes!” Bagash Bin Said’s expression changed drastically.

According to Bagash Bin Said’s own plan, he was supposed to gather the national forces, then eliminate the Germans in Tanga, finally cutting off communications between the East African colonies and the sea, forcing the Germans to surrender.

Since it was the first day of the coup, Bagash Bin Said planned to recruit the army from within Zanzibar the next day, which was already fast, considering he knew the East African colony was over a hundred li from Zanzibar’s nearest Mlandizi (First Town). By Zanzibar army’s marching speed, it would take at least two days to arrive.

Moreover, East African colonies wanting to dispatch troops would require time for personnel driven away from Dar es Salaam port to deliver intelligence and gather the troops.

Bagash Bin Said originally estimated that East Africa’s Germans would take at least three and a half days to deploy. Yet, after driving away Bazir and others at noon, the East African colonial troops attacked at night. Did they fly here?

As for the two hundred-plus German soldiers outside Dar es Salaam, he couldn’t fathom how Felix could be so bold.

”Your Excellency, I don’t know how many there are either. It’s chaos outside, but our forces must have been defeated.” The maid replied in panic.

”How is this possible...” Bagash Bin Said became dazed, collapsing powerlessly into his seat, plunged into deep doubt.

Not alarmed but elated, the ministers, especially the Minister of Finance Ali, suppressed his inner joy, signaling to the ministers around him.

The others understood and slowly approached Bagash Bin Said.

”Capture this traitor!” Ali shouted.

A dozen ministers rushed forward, using their heavy bodies to hold Bagash Bin Said firmly in his chair.

”What are you doing? Are you rebelling? I am the ruler of Zanzibar!” Awakened by Ali’s shout, Bagash Bin Said became alert, but before he could react, the massive bodies pinned him down, immobilizing him entirely.

”Humph, the treacherous minister still dares to speak arrogantly. I’ve tolerated you for long enough!” Ali said disdainfully.

”Indeed, Bagash Bin Said, ever since you launched the coup, I knew you would meet a bad end.” The Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

”We were just waiting for the opportunity. Do you really think you are as wise and brave as His Majesty Sultan Magid Bin Said? It’s because I didn’t see through you sooner that His Majesty suffered such a calamity...”

One minister after another berated Bagash Bin Said until he was utterly discredited, nothing like the morning’s submissive demeanor.

...

”Your troops have finally arrived. We’ve been waiting in dire anticipation! May I ask who you are?” Ali pretended to be excited, grabbing Felix’s hand as if about to shed tears.

Felix was stunned by the sight of this ”meatball” in front of him! Displeased, he withdrew his hand, saying, ”Just call me Felix. Also, I’m your enemy, why would you look forward to an enemy invading your country!”

Zanzibar Sultanate Minister Ali quickly said, ”Mr. Felix, it’s a misunderstanding! Under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Magid Bin Said, our Zanzibar Sultanate has cherished the friendship with your country. Both Sultan Magid and we regarded the people your country sent here as relatives, as friends!”

”Your country’s development of East African lands, our Zanzibar Sultanate, even if not exhaustive, has aided wherever possible, didn’t we even provide Tanga to your country? That’s such a great friendship!” Ali flattered, feigning tears to wipe non-existent tears from his eyes.

Felix felt awkward with Ali’s exaggerated performance and words, never having faced such a scene as a rough Prussian.

Bazir noticed Felix’s embarrassment and promptly stepped forward, saying to Zanzibar Sultanate Minister of Finance Ali: ”Minister Ali, do you remember me? I’m Bazir, from the East African Colony Dar es Salaam Port Liaison Office.”

”Mr. Bazir, of course, I remember you. We met in the palace back then when Mr. Arman led the team. Speaking of, Mr. Bazir, how is Mr. Arman?” Ali said warmly.

”Mr. Arman is well, thanks for your concern, Minister Ali. But Minister, your country should explain today’s events first!” Bazir said angrily.

”Mr. Bazir, surely you know more about today’s events. This is not the fault of our Zanzibar Sultanate! It’s all because of this scoundrel Bagash Bin Said. He imprisoned His Majesty Sultan Magid Bin Said, colluding with the army to control us, thus causing trouble for your country.” Ali explained.

”His Majesty Sultan Magid Bin Said and we are both supporters of your country.”

Bazir interrupted: ”Enough, you can’t wash away your responsibility because of Bagash Bin Said’s actions. You have caused serious losses to us. As for the resolution and compensation, you’ll have to await directives from above!”

With that, Bazir turned and whispered a few words in Felix’s ear.

Felix nodded and said to the ministers of Zanzibar Sultanate: ”Alright, we don’t need any explanations. After all, I’m just a minor officer and can’t speak for the colonial government. Please await further news! In the meantime, I must trouble you to stay in the palace until my superiors come to resolve this matter.”

The royal ministers of Zanzibar Sultanate wanted to argue further, but Felix and his group turned away to take charge of Dar es Salaam city’s security.

...

East African Colony, First Town.

The colonial government received the intelligence sent back by Bazir earlier, and several high-ranking officials were discussing countermeasures.

Von der Leyen, dispatched director from the Heixinggen Consortium to the East African Colony.

Arman, currently the nominal highest military commander of the East African Colony.

Sivert, a Chinese graduate from Heixinggen Military Academy, originally named Ma Youcai, now head of the Heixinggen Military Academy Staff in East African Colony.

...

A dozen people sat around a long table, analyzing this intelligence.

”It seems this new leader of the Zanzibar Sultanate has grievances against our East African Colony,” Von der Leyen said.

Arman said, ”We cannot allow this new leader of the Zanzibar Sultanate to remain. We should send troops to help Magid Bin Said restore normalcy to Zanzibar.”

”Yes, that’s right, or else this arrogant Bagash Bin Said will seriously hinder the migration and subsequent development of the East African Colony. As for sending troops, you military people should draft a plan.” Von der Leyen said.

”It’s not necessary to be complicated. We can quickly gather troops from First Town, Second Town, and surrounding villages. A force of one to two thousand should be sufficient to deal with the Zanzibar Sultanate,” Sivert said.

Von der Leyen said, ”As far as I know, the Zanzibar army numbers a few thousand too. Would one or two thousand troops be too few?”

Arman said, ”The standing army of Zanzibar is just a few thousand. As the capital, Dar es Salaam could allocate at most three thousand people, and their weapons are outdated. A thousand would be enough to handle them. Even if Zanzibar summoned some strong locals, they would just be a disorderly crowd without proper military training.”

”Alright, let’s start voting. Those in favor of sending troops, please raise your hand,” Von der Leyen said.

After voting, no one opposed, and it passed unanimously. The colonial government decided to dispatch Arman, leading fifteen hundred soldiers, along with over two hundred troops near Dar es Salaam port to subdue Bagash Bin Said of Zanzibar.