African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 194: Chapter 182 Negotiation

Before long, a Black warrior in flamboyant attire arrived at the scene. Compared to the surrounding indigenous people dressed in simple cloth and the modestly clothed East African soldiers, it was clear that this Black warrior held a significant position in the Yake Kingdom.

”I am a guard of His Majesty, Mwesili. His Majesty has agreed to meet you; please follow me.” The Black warrior said.

”Please.” Becker courteously made a hand gesture in response.

The Black court guard from the Yake Kingdom led Becker and the others in the direction of the Yake Kingdom’s capital.

After walking for an unknown duration, they saw a city, surrounded by slums of various sizes, with a magnificent palace towering in the middle.

The city environment was naturally appalling, with East Africans covering their noses and mouths as they traversed the muddy road mixed with unknown liquids.

This made the Yake Kingdom’s court guard feel very embarrassed; however, since these East Africans were specifically named guests of His Majesty Mwesili, he couldn’t react adversely.

As the group passed through the slum, they seemed to suddenly arrive in another world. The muddy path transformed into a paved stone road, and the palace seen earlier outside the city appeared, surrounded by a short wall that was previously obscured by the slum.

This was likely the royal city of the Yake Kingdom, revealing a rich Arabian architectural style with stone pillars and carvings that were not of indigenous origin, likely built by craftsmen from the Sultanate of Zanzibar that Mwesili had specially invited.

The Black guard led Becker and others through the city gates, where the gatekeepers holding firearms saluted him. Passing through the gate, the palace stood impressively before them.

”Gentlemen, as per His Majesty’s request, you cannot bring weapons into the palace; only by handing over your weapons for safekeeping can you enter; otherwise, you will have to rest here.” The guard said to Becker and others.

This posed a difficulty for the East Africans, who regarded their guns as their lifeblood, particularly in enemy territory, making it naturally impossible to hand them over.

At that moment, Becker called Merk over and said, ”Mr. Merk, as I am the facilitator of this matter, naturally I need to take full responsibility. I will take the slave translator myself to meet Mwesili while you lead the team to wait here. If anything arises, you will have to rely on yourselves.”

”Rest assured, Mr. Becker, if these natives fail to recognize the situation, I will make them understand that a lion’s tail is not to be touched.” Merk said.

”Hmm, then I shall proceed first, while you remain here. If you do not see me return soon, you must decide on your course of action yourselves.” Becker said, then proceeded with the translator following the guard into the Yake Kingdom’s royal palace.

Inside the grand hall.

”Are you the envoy from East Africa?” Mwesili, adorned with a golden crown and wearing a resplendent robe, reclined casually on a throne made of lion skin, with several indigenous maidservants fanning him with banana leaves.

”Indeed, I am an official from Mbeya in East Africa’s royal domain. I have come this time to discuss a business deal with His Majesty.” Becker addressed Mwesili.

”Hmph, you East Africans are bold, coming with so few people to discuss business with me! You have cut off my financial route!” Mwesili said foolishly, nearly causing Becker to lose his composure.

Becker thought to himself that, indeed, these natives are uncivilized barbarians who only understand the survival of the fittest. If East Africa were the weaker side, they would have likely already acted.

Nevertheless, Becker courteously said to Mwesili, ”Your Majesty, why do you speak such words? Our East Africa has always maintained good relations with your esteemed country, never having neglected you. Over the past year or so, our two countries have been in peaceful coexistence, jointly seeking development.”

Becker deliberately spoke falsely, which caused Mwesili on the throne to laugh angrily,

”Others may not know the details of East Africa, but I, Mwesili, the greatest believer in Allah on earth, do know?

Peaceful coexistence? How dare you East Africans say such a thing! When I left Tanganyika back then, that land belonged to our local people! You must know that I also grew up in Tanganyika, and you East Africans forcibly took our land.

Is this what you call peaceful coexistence? A large area like Tanganyika was forced by you to the vicinity of the Yake Kingdom.

Moreover, you monopolize the slave trade, causing my country’s fiscal revenue to decline year after year. If it weren’t for me, the great Mwesili King, the Yake Kingdom would have vanished long ago...”

Mwesili listed the crimes of East African colonies, becoming more agitated, for East Africa’s expansion had cost him the most.

Initially, with the slave trade, the Yake Kingdom in Central Africa could summon the wind and rain. Mwesili lived a life of extreme luxury through slave trade, but since East Africa disrupted the trade routes, he could only further exploit the local natives to maintain his extravagant lifestyle.

In fact, these were not enough to enrage Mwesili so much; in Africa, it was always about strength, with winners taking all.

But East Africa was excessively unscrupulous, the most unsettling for Mwesili was that the East African colonies continued the slave trade but forced him to exert effort, and even then did not offer compensation, essentially making him work for the East African colonies for free.

Becker calmly listened to Mwesili’s complaints, finally, Mwesili possibly spoke with a dry mouth and summoned for drinks to moisten his throat.

Seizing the opportunity, Becker said, ”Your Majesty, actually you misunderstand us East Africans; we also very much love peace.”

”Heh.” Mwesili looked at Becker’s performance like watching a monkey.

”Actually, most East Africans are peace-loving, like myself; I am definitely a messenger of peace, but there are bad people in East Africa!

I have come to your esteemed country this time to inform His Majesty that the bad people from East Africa have started to plot against the Yake Kingdom.”

”No more pretending! How many people do you East Africans plan to send to war with us?” Mwesili calmly said.

His words notwithstanding, Mwesili was already planning to flee, fully aware of the East Africans’ strength, which even the Arabs could not defeat, much less the East Africans.

”Your Majesty, why say such words? I have said we East Africans are peace-loving, just a few individuals are attempting to stir relations between our two countries, but naturally, East African supporters of justice will not sit idly by, hence my visit.” Becker said.

”What exactly do you East Africans want?”

”Your Majesty, upon entering the palace, I already mentioned that my visit is to discuss collaboration, which naturally benefits you and us East Africans.” Becker said.

”What kind of collaboration?” Although Mwesili knew East Africa was not well-intentioned, he still asked.