African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 516: Chapter 194: Meddling in Other People’s Affairs

East Africa established a provincial government in Kundian and, with the assistance of the military, took control of various affairs in Kundian. With this, Kundian began to resemble a provincial capital, but such actions by East Africa drew the attention of the Dongwanlu Government.

It was an awkward situation. Although the overseas province of Lan Fang had been established, the Lan Fang Republic still existed. After all, East Africa had negotiated with the Dutch, but not with the Lan Fang Republic, so the Lan Fang Republic was completely unaware of the situation and felt inexplicably replaced, leading to panic within the Lan Fang Company.

Dongwanlu.

”Are you saying that those Germans want to occupy the nest directly?” Liu Asheng said angrily after hearing the report from his subordinates.

”Grand Director, that’s pretty much the case. Our people were directly disarmed by the Germans. At the time, I had no options as circumstances were against us, with guns pointed at our heads, so I had to make compromises before returning to report.”

Liu Asheng felt a bit better after hearing Liu Aman say this. After all, his subordinates were loyal, which was somewhat comforting. However, what Liu Asheng didn’t know was that Liu Aman mainly didn’t understand the origin of these Germans. If they were Dutch, Liu Aman might have surrendered the city directly. If Liu Asheng knew Liu Aman’s hidden thoughts, he would be furious.

Curious, Liu Asheng asked, ”How did those Germans manage to seize the city so easily? Didn’t you resist at all?”

”Grand Director, as you know, last time the Germans came, they left a small unit in Kundian. This time, they coordinated inside and out with the overseas Germans. We were caught completely off guard.”

”What about the Dutch in Kundian? Did they have no reaction?” Liu Asheng continued to ask.

As a puppet government, the Dutch had considerable influence within the Lan Fang Republic, as Liu Asheng was supported by them. Therefore, the Dutch also placed significant importance on Kundian, Lan Fang Republic’s largest city.

Upon Liu Asheng mentioning the Dutch, Liu Aman grew irritated and said gloomily, ”We were likely sold by the Dutch. I saw the Dutch officials in Kundian have friendly conversations with the Germans and eventually leave by ship. It’s clear they colluded.”

Liu Aman’s words made Liu Asheng very angry, ”How could they do this? I’ve been dedicated to carrying out their tasks over the years, only to be sold off!”

Looking at his cousin, Liu Aman smiled bitterly and said, ”In the eyes of the Dutch, we’re just dogs. If the master wants to sell the dog, do they need to ask the dog’s opinion?”

Liu Asheng felt awkward upon hearing his cousin say this. The words were too unpleasant. How were they dogs for the Dutch?

”Aman, I know outsiders don’t speak well of me over the years, but you need to understand! I work for the Dutch mainly to consider the family’s interests. Without them, how would the Liu Family gain control over the Lan Fang Company, and without control, you wouldn’t be the City Lord of Kundian.”

”Cousin, I understand, but the circumstances have changed! The Dutch seem very courteous to the Germans, probably for two reasons: either the Dutch fear the Germans or the Germans have offered them benefits. In any case, we can’t change the current fact that Germans are gaining ground in Lan Fang.”

This was indeed a concern for Liu Asheng. Previously, although the Dutch had ambitions for Lan Fang, he and the Dutch were in a cooperative relationship, and they at least had some rapport. Now, with the Germans arriving without consulting him and occupying Kundian, it somewhat disregarded him.

”In that case, I remember those Germans come from some East African kingdom, probably similar to a European country like the Dutch. So send someone to Kundian to visit the German officials and probe their intentions. If things can’t be changed, we should prioritize our Liu family’s position and interests in Lan Fang.” Liu Asheng instructed.

The Germans didn’t come to him, but he had to go to them to understand their intentions. If the Germans’ demands are like the Dutch, it’s straightforward. Being a ’dog’ for different masters is just a change of whom you serve.

Liu Asheng thought things through, but East Africa naturally knew of his intentions, which is exactly why they didn’t notify Liu Asheng’s family regime.

Ernst, who held Lan Fang Republic in high regard, directly treated it as East Africa’s overseas province, leaving no room for family forces like Liu Asheng’s to continue existing.

And Willt, who had just secured his position in Kundian, was unaware of the Dongwanlu Government’s plans or indifferent to them. Currently, he was focused on eliminating obstacles for East Africa’s complete control of the Lan Fang overseas province.

”Your Excellency Governor, we’ve thoroughly investigated Kundian city: there are thirteen brothels, over thirty opium dens, and more than forty other illegal organizations. If we were to restructure Kundian now, it wouldn’t be easy.”

Speaking of brothels, actually East Africa also has them, and they are legal. As for why Lan Fang Republic’s brothels are illegal, it naturally differs from East Africa.

The artists in East African brothels are non-citizens, with strict regulations, supervised by the East African government.

As for the Lan Fang Republic’s brothels, they are private enterprises with chaotic management. Since Lan Fang became East Africa’s overseas province, the Chinese artists in the brothels are naturally East African citizens. Ernst views all East African citizens equally and wouldn’t tolerate anything less.

Ernst was even more opposed to opium dens. Although he participated in such business himself, it was outsourced to Arab merchants, and restricted to selling only to foreigners passing through East Africa.

Willt sternly said, ”It appears the criminal forces in Kundian are quite significant. If we don’t take strong measures, we might not be able to handle them.”

Willt was one of the German orphans adopted by Prince Heixinggen and had received formal Heixinggen education since young, hence having strong principles. This background was precisely why Ernst dispatched him to Lan Fang as Governor.

”Your Excellency Governor, should we act against them now?”

Willt waved his hand, ”Now is not the right time. If we act too aggressively in Kundian, it could incite strong resistance in other regions of Lan Fang. We should wait until the local army arrives, then we can discuss the matter of restructuring after controlling Lan Fang through military force.”

Currently, East Africa only controls Kundian, while other areas are left in a laissez-faire state. So Willt doesn’t want intense reforms to cause unrest in other areas. It would be better to wait for the military to secure other regions before acting.

Willt continued, ”Continue to investigate. Focus mainly on the areas outside Kundian, identifying the forces within Lan Fang’s original province for the military’s subsequent operations.”

”Yes, Your Excellency Governor!”

The various forces in Lan Fang Republic never expected East Africa to act in such a way. After all, brothels and opium dens were considered normal for them, a sign of the times. Only East Africa was rather atypical. So when East African authorities investigated their industries, they were somewhat cooperative, thinking East Africa only wanted to collect taxes. Little did they know East Africa aimed to eliminate these black industries.

Of course, it’s not a complete ban. As long as they reform according to East African policies, they can reopen. As for legality, it’s up to East Africa. Official recognition makes it legal, like with geishas—East Africa just stipulates not using national citizens, but local natives from other countries on the island can be used, and Japanese workers in the Nanyang are also an option!