African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 570: Chapter 248 Edo Espionage

The Japanese diplomat was carried out horizontally after being taken in vertically, and was then sent to the hospital. At this moment, Kade still didn’t realize the trouble he was in, as he couldn’t imagine how insane the Japanese, who usually bowed and scraped before him, could be.

”Damn Germans! Did they hit someone? Why was Kazuhiro Tsuruta carried out?”

”The Germans must have laid hands on Tsuruta. He’s usually very healthy, and only encountered misfortune at the East Africa embassy. There’s certainly something fishy here.”

”We must seek justice for Kazuhiro Tsuruta. We can’t just let this go.”

”Bastards, this is bullying! Damn Germans...”

Outside the East Africa embassy in Edo, the Japanese populace indulged in limitless theories of persecution, convinced that East Africa must have bullied Ichiro Kuroda.

This was understandable since the news of East Africa ”occupying” the Senkaku Islands had long been published in Edo’s newspapers, which was undoubtedly a severe blow to the ”self-esteem” of the Japanese populace.

Of course, while there were indignant Japanese, there were also those who watched coldly, particularly some farmers from the countryside trying to earn a living in Edo. Compared to those city folks who didn’t have to worry about filling their stomachs, issues of national significance were irrelevant, and some even took schadenfreude in the situation.

In any case, the mindset of the Japanese outside the East Africa embassy varied, though there were quite a few extremists, given how extreme Japanese national education was at the time.

In the crowd, a few hat-wearing individuals carefully observed the mood of the Edo populace. Hidden among them, they could pass off as Japanese, though standing side by side, it was easy to notice how much taller they were.

”It seems we were right. The populace of this country is too extreme, so it’s best for us to act in advance.”

”There are too many people and too many eyes here, let’s meet at the usual place tonight.”

Night.

A few people, after observing the surroundings of the embassy and confirming no one was keeping watch, entered the East Africa embassy, the same young men from the daytime.

”Knock, knock, knock...”

”Who is it?”

The sound of knocking awoke Kade, making him alert. In his pajamas, he tiptoed to the drawer, opened it, and pulled out a handgun, keeping it behind him.

He remembered that the embassy had long been locked, so someone suddenly knocking was clearly no friendly visitor. Though there were other staff members, they were either asleep or off duty.

”Ambassador Kade, it’s one of our own.”

Upon hearing German, Kade relaxed slightly, though it was clear this wasn’t one of his embassy staff.

”Who are you?”

”I am from the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau.”

Kade opened the door, having heard of the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau, though not knowing what exactly the department did. Since it was related to defense, he assumed it was a military department.

Had Kade been part of the military system himself, he would never have thought the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau could be linked to the Defense Army, or he might have been quite displeased with this department flaunting the Defense Army’s name.

The East Africa National Defense Security Bureau belonged to the secretive front, naturally keeping its operations out of the public eye. Additionally, it was a relatively new establishment, so not widely known.

Kade happened to know of its existence mainly because he once saw its office and casually inquired about it, but no one knew its function.

Misled by the word ”defense” into associating it with military intelligence, the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau did conduct military espionage, but its functions were far broader and more extensive.

The British, bogged down in Afghanistan, owed much to the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau’s instigation. The Afghans too were resilient, with guerillas maxed out in strength, embarrassing the British amid Afghanistan’s mountains.

This had not been publicized, and while the British couldn’t eliminate Afghan local armed forces, it was still considered an erstwhile colonial territory. The British kept this news tightly contained, while the Russians, delightedly, backed the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau, further fueling the Afghans against the British.

The British wanted to suppress the news, but next-door Russians couldn’t be deceived. Having suffered setbacks from the Ottoman Empire, the Russians thought it better to share the joy and stress the British since the Ottomans were backed by the British.

Of course, the prerequisite was East Africa’s solid groundwork in Afghanistan, giving the Afghans a stage to perform and value, which in turn drew Russian investment. Otherwise, akin to the Afghan puppets, no amount of investment would have yielded returns.

The East Africa National Defense Security Bureau’s operations in Japan were much simpler than in Afghanistan, as foreign intelligence work required distinguishing appearances. While East Africa couldn’t rival South America’s ethnic diversity, they had a variety of faces.

Just as Japan mapped out the Far East’s topography and cultural geography in the previous life, the East Africa National Defense Security Bureau conducted similar activities in Japan.

Engaging with the Japanese government required Western faces, and the Japanese could hardly discern which European country they came from. East Africa wove any narrative they wished, especially about small nations like Black Mountain, which had no dealings with Japan. Even the Black Mountain Merchant Association in Japan was entirely composed of East Africans.

East Africa’s understanding of Japan was comprehensive, ranking as top-tier performance among various countries.

As for the German territories home to East Africa, there was no need to invest too many resources. Ernst could handle most German and Austro-Hungarian intelligence himself, thanks to nobility links. East Africa primarily acquired commercial intelligence in the German regions, as the Heixinggen consortium’s development depended heavily on assistance from the German territories.

After checking credentials, Kade’s suspicion reduced significantly.

”I wonder why your National Defense Security Bureau is visiting late at night without my consent. Isn’t that excessive?”

”Ambassador Kade, you’re overthinking. Although we’re from different departments, mutual support abroad is necessary. We came to warn you that Japanese public sentiment is very unfriendly towards East Africa. You should make plans accordingly and enhance your armed forces.”

”Hmm! Are you implying the Japanese might dare to provoke us at our doorstep?”

”That’s uncertain. The Japanese once stormed the British Embassy. This conflict between East Africa and Japan could be more intense than the last, especially since it involves land...”

”They wouldn’t dare, would they?”

”One can never be sure. Their government might not dare, but civil forces often are bolder. The Japanese could even float a scapegoat to clean their record completely.”

”What you said, I’ll consider it, but I need to communicate with home first.”

”Understood.”

The National Defense Security Bureau was just a sibling department and had no jurisdiction over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, merely offering Kade a heads-up. If trouble arose, it wouldn’t be the Bureau’s responsibility.