African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 68: Chapter 64: One-Day Politics

The colonial government prepared 1,500 military personnel to march towards Zanzibar under the command of Arman.

...

Dar es Salaam.

Magid Bin Said and his relatives were brought out of the dungeon by colonial soldiers and reinstated to the throne of Zanzibar.

Although the legitimate government of Zanzibar regained power, Magid Bin Said and his palace ministers were confined to the palace, unable to step outside.

The Zanzibar army was disbanded, all officers were detained, while soldiers were sent home on leave, and weapons were confiscated.

Only female servants were allowed to remain in the palace, responsible for the daily lives of the Sultan and ministers, while male servants were expelled to prevent Zanzibar from using them for any schemes.

Felix arranged for Hans Zhang and his men to guard these people, while he maintained order in Dar es Salaam, and Bazir returned to his post to welcome the immigrants arriving at the port today.

As for Bagash Bin Said and his aides, they were thrown into Zanzibar’s dungeon like dead dogs. Magid Bin Said, deeply resentful of Bagash Bin Said’s betrayal, strongly demanded the colonial army execute Bagash Bin Said.

However, Bagash Bin Said was now crucial evidence for the East African colony and could not be executed lightly.

Magid Bin Said compromised by demanding that Bagash Bin Said be given the worst cell and food, ensuring he did not have a good time.

Although Magid Bin Said only spent one day in the dungeon, Bagash Bin Said did not have time to torment him; after all, he was his own elder brother, and Bagash Bin Said needed Magid Bin Said’s name to control Zanzibar. So, until Bagash Bin Said finished managing state affairs, Magid Bin Said lived quite comfortably in the dungeon.

Plus, the East African colony arrived too suddenly, Bagash Bin Said lost too quickly, and Magid Bin Said was released in less than a day.

The entire coup occurred within one day, and Zanzibar Sultanate was the first national regime defeated by the East African colony. Thus, it was recorded in the East African government’s annals as ”One Day Politics,” or ”Zanzibar One Day Politics.”

Bagash Bin Said’s government also became one of the shortest-lived governments in history, existing for just eleven hours from Bagash Bin Said’s declaration as the ruler of Zanzibar to the East African colonial government capturing the Zanzibar palace.

The East African colony’s losses amounted only to one immigrant fleet being forced to delay, with the military losing one dead, two seriously injured, and six lightly injured.

The reason for these losses was the colonial army’s lack of heavy weapons, relying only on soldiers equipped with rifles and a few grenades to attack the numerically superior Zanzibar army.

As a nation that gained independence from the Oman Empire, the Zanzibar Sultanate was actually a rare maritime military power in the Indian Ocean region.

Although most of Zanzibar’s territory lay along the East African coast, its main body was actually the island of Zanzibar at sea.

The population and economic scale on Zanzibar Island accounted for over seventy percent of the Zanzibar Sultanate, with only Dar es Salaam and Mombasa on the mainland having significant populations primarily engaging in the slave and ivory economy.

The Zanzibar navy did not participate in this battle, consisting of a few old wooden European-style warships inherited from the Oman Empire era.

The majority of the seafaring Arab ships engaged in maritime trade were armed merchant vessels not under Zanzibar Sultanate’s control. Zanzibar’s regional prestige was largely due to its strategic geographical location on land and on Zanzibar Island.

These Arab ships needed to dock in Zanzibar for rest and resupply with provisions and fresh water, so the Zanzibar navy was far less formidable than it seemed.

Moreover, in recent years the Zanzibar Sultan had shifted the political focus to the mainland, even relocating the palace from Zanzibar Island to Dar es Salaam, preventing the navy from going ashore. This situation allowed Bagash Bin Said to control the Zanzibar regime with only Dar es Salaam’s garrison.

As for the Zanzibar Sultanate’s capital now falling into the hands of the East African colony, it was still a result of the Zanzibaris’ habitual thinking.

Before the establishment of the East African colony, there were no formidable opponents in the East African interior. The Zanzibar Sultanate could defeat the Eastern Bantu tribes, still in a primitive state, by itself.

This lack of land-based opponents led the wise early Zanzibar Sultan Magid Bin Said to actively expand along the East African coast and eventually moved the capital to Dar es Salaam.

Now, with the Germans’ arrival, the aged Zanzibar Sultan and ministers had not shifted their mindset. Coupled with the fact that the East African colony had always approached Zanzibar with an attitude of equal dialogue, further encouraging the prosperity of the Zanzibar slave trade, the Zanzibar leadership continued a life of luxury and indulgence.

...

The third day.

The swift Arman led the main force and rushed to Dar es Salaam.

On the way, Arman received the good news sent by Felix, but since they were already halfway, Arman and the army could not turn back and continued to advance towards Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, Felix’s courier continued west to deliver the message to the colonial government.

”Felix, well done, this battle truly impressed me!” Arman said to Felix.

”Hahaha, this was nothing, who would have thought Zanzibar’s army was so useless. I originally thought the armed Zanzibar people would at least be stronger than the indigenous inland tribes, but they turned out to be so inept.” Felix said smugly.

”What about the casualties in the troops?” Arman inquired.

”One soldier sacrificed, two are being treated and are now out of danger, and the rest have nearly recovered.” Felix said, somewhat subdued.

This was mainly because Zanzibar’s combat capability was so universally low, giving Felix the illusion that casualties could have been avoided entirely.

”Well, in warfare, sacrifices are inevitable, especially when confronting a much stronger and numerically superior enemy.” Arman comforted him.

”Don’t let individual statistics affect your overall judgment. Reducing losses to the minimum is, of course, good, but don’t hesitate due to minor setbacks. Only soldiers willing to face setbacks and responsibilities are truly qualified.” Arman reminded him in time to prevent Felix from falling into a cognitive pitfall.

”I was thinking too perfectly, Lord Arman. Nothing in this world is ever perfect!” Felix remarked.

”That’s the spirit. Arrange a proper burial for the fallen soldier; we need to look forward.”

...

Arman’s arrival resolved the manpower shortage in Dar es Salaam, placing the Zanzibar Sultanate completely under the temporary jurisdiction of the East African colony.

After receiving the intelligence, the colonial government sent the news of victory to Europe, requesting Ernst’s position and solution on the Zanzibar issue.

Due to transportation and distance issues, Ernst received the information ten days later.