African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 523: Chapter 201: Giving the UK Something to Do

As soon as Ernst’s mind turned a corner, he began to set traps for the victims, an area where East Africa had a natural advantage.

He picked up the phone on the table and dialed directly: ”Connect me to the National Defense Security Bureau, call the director of the National Defense Security Bureau... Yes, report to the palace immediately, I’ll be waiting for you in my office.”

Not long after, the director of the East African National Defense Security Bureau hurriedly arrived upon hearing the summons. For Gelo, a direct summoning by His Highness surely meant something significant was happening.

As a newly established department in existence for only a few years, the National Defense Security Bureau held little influence in East Africa and was an unknown organization.

Although it bore a national defense title, it had nothing to do with the military. The military had its own intelligence department primarily used to gather military-related intelligence, whereas the East African National Defense Security Bureau was a completely clandestine organization dealing with espionage activities against foreign countries.

Soon, a rather young officer arrived at the Qivite Palace, dressed in military uniform given the ”Defense Department” affiliation.

”Gelo, you’re here, have a seat first.”

”Yes, Headmaster!”

Gelo saluted and then sat down, saying solemnly: ”Headmaster, what are your orders this time? Just say the word!”

Ernst took a sip of tea and said, ”It’s nothing major, but I’m sure you’re aware of the recent British suppression of us.”

”Yes, Headmaster, following your instructions, our department has been focusing on intelligence work regarding Britain and the United States. So, I’ve personally overseen the progress of the British sanctions bill and the alliances forming around us to prevent missing any critical information.”

”Then you should know why I’ve called you here this time, right?”

”Is the Headmaster planning to retaliate against the British?”

”Not exactly, we don’t have the capability to directly confront Britain, which is why I’ve called you here. Some matters cannot be dealt with overtly.”

Gelo sat upright on the couch, pondering Ernst’s words: ”You mean to covertly cause trouble for the British so they’re too occupied to focus on East Africa?”

”Exactly, it seems you’ve understood my intention. I want the British to divert their attention away from East Africa. There are regions far more important to Britain than East Africa; the British are too idle.”

”So, this is the plan! What’s your approach, Headmaster, to intervene and achieve this? Should we activate agents in Britain?”

”No need, some pieces are not easily placed and should not be wasted in vain; they need to be used at critical moments. We may not even need them for years, this time we’ll mainly focus on public opinion. So, we’ll just use the outermost people. I need you to find some parliamentarians in Britain who care about regions other than East Africa, have them speak up, preferably starting with Afghanistan or South America, express some opinions, and give the British something to do to divert their government’s attention.”

”I’m afraid this won’t be enough to make Britain shift focus, a few parliamentarians alone can’t change the British government’s mind.”

”Hmm, you have a point, so I’ll have the newspaper follow up on your actions and generate some momentum. After you arrange the list of parliamentarians, send me a copy, and I’ll publish their statements through the media.”

Gelo thought, is it really that simple?

”Headmaster, this alone won’t achieve our goal, will it?”

Ernst nodded: ”Of course, this is just one aspect. What I’ll discuss next is the key point. Since I mentioned Afghanistan and South America earlier, naturally, these two regions are related.”

”Are you talking about the two wars, Headmaster?”

In 1879, two major wars involving the British occurred: the Second Anglo-Afghan War and the War of the Pacific, also known as the Guano War, the Saltpeter War.

”Yes, currently Britain’s attention is on these two wars, but Afghanistan is obviously more important to them, given their direct involvement. The Pacific War also has significant influence; much like last time when Britain incited Portugal to oppose us, this time they’re supporting Chile from behind.”

This shows that Britain has its strategic deployments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, but East Africa, being massive, is something the Portuguese can’t handle, preventing Britain’s success.

As for Afghanistan and South America, they are rather unfortunate. Initially, Britain’s military actions in Afghanistan were quite successful, but Ernst knew that soon the Afghan people would make Britain experience the feeling of being besieged everywhere. The strategy of occupying cities won’t work in Afghanistan.

In South America, three small countries fought fiercely over saltpeter, their armies even used bows and crossbows, reminiscent of the Paraguayan War, another attempt by Britain to strengthen control over South America.

”So, you need to make good use of these two wars and direct British attention to these regions. South America is currently in full conflict, but Afghanistan is currently calm, so I’ll allocate funds to stir up the Afghan situation for me.”

Ernst’s ultimate goal was still Afghanistan; as for the War of the Pacific, that was incidental, but it’s also good material, providing some amusement for British citizens.

With more news about two wars, naturally, there will be less news about East Africa, and the British government will also be influenced by public opinion, giving priority to the two wars.

”Headmaster, do you mean we should intervene in the Afghan war?”

Ernst shook his head: ”Not us, but Russia, Persia, or Afghanistan, definitely nothing to do with us, understand?”

”Yes, Headmaster, but considering we have no leverage in Afghanistan, this task isn’t going to be easy.”

”I know it won’t be easy, but money can solve many problems. Conveniently, we left behind plenty of weapons from the last war; let’s donate them to the Afghan people! Your department is responsible for delivering these weapons into British hands, but find a way to sever any ties with East Africa, avoid letting others catch us.”

”Understood, Your Highness. We can employ Arab merchants for this task. As for the weapons, we don’t need to send them all, we’ll choose some generic versions so the enemy can’t link them to the Germans, and finally blame it on countries surrounding Afghanistan.”

As Gelo spoke his thoughts, Ernst added: ”It is best for our people to carry out this task in Russian, definitely not in German. If you are going to do it, make sure to do it completely. Anyway, Russia plans to meddle in the war, thus making it reasonable to do so.”

”I understand, Headmaster. This operation is entirely staged by the Russians, not linked to any other nations, particularly not East Africa.”

”Exactly, and remember one last thing, find your own ways for transport; we cannot be involved. Think of a method through Zanzibar to avoid any detection that the weapons originated from East Africa.”

Even without Ernst’s intervention, the Afghan people would revolt against Britain in a few months, but Ernst wanted to advance this timeline somewhat. Once Afghanistan becomes chaotic, Britain can only focus on it, considering they’re real opponents are the British military, not surrogates like Portugal or Chile.

With this in mind, Ernst’s final instruction was: ”The sooner this task is completed, the better; of course, don’t rush. The primary goal is still to proceed steadily, and even if the mission fails, there must be absolutely no connection to East Africa.”