African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 631: 309 Chapter Conscience

”Report, Captain. We’ve discovered the target at the northeast corner of Sote Pool salt marsh!”

”How many are they approximately? Did you alert them?”

”There are about fifty people, altogether five large wagons, and also five villagers from Florisbad Village led by the village chief’s youngest son, Di Kevin. Their guard is very lax, so our scouts should not have been detected and are still watching them.”

”Good, Wilson, you take your platoon and flank around the left of Sote Pool salt marsh to cut off their retreat. Rols, you take the second platoon and lay an ambush from the direction they came. I need you to arrive at the location within twenty minutes and then converge on their position.” Blanca began distributing combat tasks.

”Yes, Captain!” Wilson and Rols responded.

The two then led their respective teams in different directions, while the southwest direction being the Sote Pool salt marsh meant no need for extra defense, as it’s unlikely the enemy would flee there with such harsh conditions for survival.

”Valshano!” Blanca then called out.

Valshano responded, ”Here, sir, what are your orders?”

”You’re to lead the way now; a battle might break out. Are you afraid? You could stay here if you prefer, no need to force yourself.”

”Uh, sir, I’ll stay here. After all, I’m familiar with Di Kevin and some villagers, so it would be less awkward if both sides meet.” Valshano felt a bit guilty and realized any battle could mean danger, so he chose not to thrust himself forward recklessly where he could be accidentally hurt.

”Very well, Christine, you stay to look after Valshano and ensure his safety. In case of sudden changes, you should take him to Bloemfontein to report the situation!” Blanca still wanted someone to keep an eye on Valshano.

”Rest assured, Captain, I will absolutely ensure Mr. Valshano’s safety.”

”Alright, you two wait here for us.”

Blanca then led the remaining forces toward the Orange people’s transport convoy.

At this time, Di Kevin was chatting with members of the Orange Free Resistance Army, unaware danger was approaching.

”Romon, what are you transporting this time?”

”Same as usual, mainly food supplies, but this time there’s also this!” Romon mimed a gun gesture, feeling assured about Di Kevin. After all, they were allies, as Di Kevin had been facilitating transport near Florisbad Village for months.

Di Kevin understood, ”With these supplies, the frontlines can certainly deliver a harsh lesson to the Transvaal people.”

”Exactly, these are Austria-Hungary’s goods, newly drawn from the armory, unlike the old relics we usually have.”

”Did they not allocate some for you guys as well?”

”Sigh, even the frontline units haven’t fully equipped yet, let alone us in logistics. But soon enough, it’s just a matter of time.”

The Orange Free Resistance Army was more of a makeshift group, lagging behind the Transvaal Rebel Army in organization and coordination. The latter, guided by the British Army and often modeled after it, gained much tactical acumen, whereas the former remained more a guerilla and community militia alliance.

The East Africa Military Advisory Group could only offer advice to such guerillas or militias but was not involved in organizing comprehensive campaigns or strategies for the Orange people, who lacked unified leadership and banded together for survival.

Consequently, logistics concerns went largely unaddressed by the East Africa Group, which merely reminded the Orange people to remain cautious, although evidently, not all took this advice to heart, or even had the awareness to do so.

Romon, the convoy leader, epitomized this. Familiarity with the route over months fostered complacency among them.

Nevertheless, as semi-military personnel, Romon remained cautious, particularly while traversing Transvaal-controlled areas.

Sote Pool was unique, its harsh environs making it neglected by both Transvaal and Orange forces, rarely frequented even by nearby Florisbad villagers.

This complacency deepened Romon’s disregard, especially with Di Kevin, an ally, to forewarn of any threat.

Romon, however, over-relied on Di Kevin, not realizing he lacked formal training and maturity, which led him to overlook Valshano’s betrayal and that he had been followed.

As they conversed, Blanca’s forces quietly approached. When they suddenly appeared, Romon knew something was wrong.

”Not good, Captain, it’s the Transvaal!”

”Di Kevin, what’s going on?” Romon questioned.

”I don’t know! But we should find a way to retreat now, shouldn’t we?” Di Kevin protested innocently.

Romon, pressed for time, began organizing a retreat.

Blanca’s troops, having arrived on foot to maintain stealth, offered the convoy some time for maneuver.

Seeing the White Bandits attempting to flee, Blanca wouldn’t let them escape easily.

”Pursue them!”

Both sides exchanged fire, yet Romon’s plans soon crumbled.

The two platoons dispatched by Blanca had arrived, having taken time to flank around.

With Blanca’s reunited forces, Romon’s outnumbered men had no choice but to surrender under attack from two sides.

As victor, Blanca moved to the convoy, commanding, ”Uncover those tarps!”

The five large wagons revealed sacks of flour as Blanca punctured one with a knife, pulling out the blade dusted in pale yellow and white flour.

”Is this all?”

Romon refused to answer Blanca’s inquiry, instead bitterly asking, ”How did you find us?”

”Heh, rest assured, it wasn’t him, but rather a villager who happened upon it by accident.” As victor, Blanca felt no need to further trouble his defeated foes.

Yet Di Kevin felt equally indignant, gritting his teeth, ”Who in the village betrayed me? Can you, Sir, let me die knowing?”

Shaking his head, Blanca said, ”That’s beside the point now; you should consider the consequences of your actions. Remember, Florisbad’s village chief is your father, and you have two older brothers.”

Di Kevin, resolute, declared, ”My actions are my own, unrelated to my family.”

”Why?”

”Because we are free, proud Orange people!” Di Kevin declared righteously.

”Heh, I hope you keep that spirit, although I won’t trouble you much, you’re but an ordinary man.”

”Sir, may I know your name?”

”Blanca.”

”Mr. Blanca, you’re a conscientious Transvaal man.”

”Thank you for the compliment. Although we may err, sometimes situations leave no alternatives; you haven’t experienced the anguish of losing a home and family.”