African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 585: Chapter 263 Ceasefire Line

Blocking the Miyako Strait is not a difficult task for East Africa. The East African expeditionary fleet can achieve this. At that time, the Miyako Strait was not a very busy route, so every day, Japanese ships attempting to pass through the strait faced troubles. Thus, in the daily patrols of the East African navy, many managed to slip through, but those caught could only pay a hefty tax to East Africa; otherwise, their ships would be seized.

Under the protection and escort of the East African navy, the previously almost halted construction of the Southern Ryukyu Islands saw significant changes, especially on the northernmost Miyako Island. After resuming shipping with parts of the Far East continent, East Africa began expanding and repairing the island’s ports.

This time, it’s certain that the East African fleet cannot stay at sea indefinitely, especially the three ironclad ships, which must return to East Africa. However, gunboats and other specialized ships will remain in the Southern Ryukyu Islands for defense purposes.

”Now you, the Japanese war criminals, have had seventeen of your ships sunk by us. Among the survivors, most of the Japanese war criminals who surrendered have long lost their former arrogance. However, having been defeated by our East African navy, you can still feel proud enough.”

Under the scorching sun, the East African navy lectured the captured Japanese sailors. Not all Japanese ships were sunk by the East African navy, and many of the overboard survivors were promptly fished out by East Africa. These Japanese sailors served as evidence of the Japanese navy’s disguised fishing raids on ”East African merchant ships.”

The East African garrison and workers on Miyako Island watched with interest as the navy drilled the Japanese prisoners under the blazing sun.

”Though sentenced to death, they can escape dead, but not alive. From today, you will start building prisons. I believe you will feel proud of this new job, as you can personally participate in the passionate endeavor of constructing a prison to detain yourselves.”

The trainer’s words were undeniably harsh, making these Japanese build the prison to confine themselves. However, prisoners have no human rights, especially those attempting to attack East African forces; they are war criminals and even more unwelcome.

Of course, there are practical considerations for East Africa letting these war criminals build the prison. Naturally, there were prisons on Miyako Island before, but they did not meet East African standards. Plus, East Africa suddenly captured over a hundred prisoners, and the small jail left by the former Ryukyu Kingdom could not accommodate so many people.

Furthermore, the East African trainer’s remark ”though sentenced to death, they can escape dead, but not alive” also required consideration. If the Japanese government doesn’t care about their life or death, then they might truly end up in the netherworld, mainly depending on whether Japan is willing to offer a bargaining chip.

However, according to East Africa’s thinking, only big fish like Takahashi Morita might be ransomed, since his uncle is a high-ranking official in the Japanese government, and his family still holds some sway in Japanese politics.

Moreover, Morita’s actions are still quite revered in Japan. With some packaging, he can be turned into a ”hero of defending national interests” in public opinion. After all, fishing boats facing off against large warships is indeed a rather shocking feat.

Of course, the blockade of the Miyako Strait by East Africa was quickly reported back to the Japanese government by those ”affected” merchant ships and fishing vessels. In fact, Xiao Zezheng’Er had already communicated the arrival of the East African fleet to the Miyako Strait to the Japanese government. However, they didn’t expect East Africa to actually dare to blockade the strait.

As a result, the Japanese government quickly approached the East African embassy, questioning Ambassador Kade: ”Ambassador Kade, is your blocking of the Miyako Strait by East Africa an attempt to declare war on our Empire of Japan? The Miyako Strait is a natural maritime passage, a fishing ground managed by our coastal citizens for generations, and your country’s actions are too domineering!”

Kade: ”The news I received is not like that. We have conclusive evidence that your Japanese used active sailors disguised as fishermen to harass and plunder our East African merchant ships. We in East Africa are merely responding in kind. Your navy, masquerading under the guise of the navy, is doing pirate deeds, and now you come here to falsely accuse us. Even with our blockade of the Miyako Strait, it is still considered light. In my view, cutting off your eastern route would not be too severe a punishment!”

”Ambassador Kade, don’t slander. The Imperial Navy couldn’t possibly disguise as fishermen to attack merchant ships. As for any so-called evidence, it must be fabricated and non-existent by your side.”

”Hmph, we have both testimonial and material evidence. As for you not admitting it and wanting to renege, we naturally have no way to deal with a shameless country. But as long as you don’t publicly apologize or compensate East Africa for the losses suffered, then don’t expect our country to easily lift the blockade.”

Ambassador Kade now felt triumphant. He remembered clearly the previous embassy incident, and no one likes to be schemed against. Now that he could embarrass the Japanese government, he felt immensely satisfied, experiencing a sense of revenge.

The Japanese diplomat, however, said with a somber expression: ”Your country’s conditions are too harsh. We will never agree to it. Besides, the Senkaku Islands and Miyako Strait are integral to our interests. For your country, expending resources against us is very unwise. I guarantee that this is a bottomless pit for you. As long as three million Japanese citizens exist, they will never ignore the loss of territory.”

Kade: ”Tsk tsk tsk, don’t speak so sanctimoniously. Don’t think that we in East Africa don’t understand history. The entirety of the Ryukyu Islands has nothing to do with Japan. Even if it’s not an independent nation, it is still a vassal state of the Far East Empire. Japan paid tribute to the Far East Empire during the Han Dynasty. Hence, your so-called three million citizens might as well jump into the Pacific Ocean and return the land to the Far East Empire.”

Ambassador Kade’s argument was specious, but it held certain logic. Of course, the main aim was to mock Japan’s shamelessness.

Of course, East Africa is no less shameless, having seized land from Black people and enslaved them, making it a typical ruthless nation. However, East Africa’s shamelessness is visible and never denied, while Japan is coy, trying to maintain a facade.

The Japanese diplomat felt very annoyed upon hearing Kade’s mockery. But remembering the current imbalance of power, he could only suppress his anger and say, ”Then, Ambassador Kade, what exactly does your country want with these conditions?”

Kade: ”This matter is actually easy to negotiate. You previously sought to engage in a so-called Ryukyu Islands bifurcation with the Far East Empire. Now we East Africa have helped you implement this plan. Instead of wanting to renege, I think you shouldn’t cause further trouble. The two countries should use the Miyako Strait as the boundary, completely dividing the Ryukyu Islands.”

East Africa has no desire for the Northern Ryukyu Islands, so the bifurcation can be acceptable. And since Japan previously proposed to divide the Ryukyu Islands with the Far East, it suggests they can accept this plan.

Of course, Japan’s wolfish ambition is evident, but now East Africa doesn’t care much. Without decades of development, Japan is unlikely to easily start a war, so as long as both countries can temporarily come to an agreement, East Africa can gradually develop the Southern Ryukyu Islands. As for what happens in the future, it would merely be that the Miyako Strait becomes a temporary ceasefire line.