African Entrepreneurship Record

This time Schwar’s luck finally came into play. Less than an hour and a half after Schwar led his men into the jungle, a Portuguese unit arrived at the scene.

Portuguese commander Howell frowned as he looked at the coast ”despoiled” by the East Africans, with footprints covering the narrow stretch of beach.

”How many people did you see come ashore?” he turned his head and asked those behind him.

”Report, Lieutenant, we didn’t dare get too close to observe them, so we’re not sure about the East Africans’ landing numbers. However, they have several warships anchored offshore, so there must be quite a few,” replied the squad leader Moderais nervously, having discovered signs of the East Africans.

Howell asked impatiently, ”Didn’t you hide and observe carefully? The dense forest nearby should have been a great hiding spot!”

Swallowing hard, Moderais replied nervously, ”We only wanted to report the news to you as quickly as possible because time is of the essence. If we arrived quickly enough, we might have been able to stop the East Africans at the coast, but unfortunately, we were a step too late.”

Of course, Moderais wouldn’t admit that he was terrified then. Running away was the first option to avoid capture by the East Africans.

Seeing his subordinate trembling, Howell cursed, ”Useless!”

Moderais accepted the criticism ”seriously,” but for Moderais, his own life was undoubtedly the top priority.

As for sacrificing for the country, one must have a concept of the Portuguese Kingdom in the first place. It’s hard to feel a sense of belonging to the Portuguese forces that even delay regular salaries.

Moreover, the Portuguese army resembles mercenaries, working for money. It’s hard to boost combat power without funds, even if the Portuguese army isn’t weak now. They just lack a ”little bit” of startup capital.

Furthermore, like East Africa, the Portuguese also have ”homeland protection” motives. At the war’s outset, Portugal was the aggressor, but now, they have become the invaded party.

However, East Africa’s ”invasion” did not stir the Portuguese soldiers’ patriotism. Firstly, the money wasn’t in place. Of course, the salary amount isn’t the main issue. The disparities are; while one spills blood on the front lines, the officers indulge in luxury without setting an example. Why?

Junior officers have the most influence on soldiers. They directly affect them but are the most likely to shatter any illusions.

Most Portuguese junior officers are crooked, leading Portuguese soldiers to despise their commanders and identify with being ”cannon fodder,” so their inclination on the battlefield is to preserve their lives, avoiding getting killed by the incompetent commanders living in luxury.

Additionally, since Portugal and Britain were the aggressors at the war’s start, Portuguese soldiers have viewed themselves as the ”invaders” from the beginning, maintaining this psychological disadvantage until now.

Of course, bullying the ”weak” can be enjoyable, but the Portuguese found a tough opponent in East Africa, who didn’t even consider the Portuguese part of the Allied combat force due to their passivity.

The ordinary army collapses at a touch, and even the elite can’t withstand East Africa’s firepower superiority and artillery strikes. The equipment disadvantage is particularly pronounced in the Portuguese army.

Lastly, Mozambique is essentially a Portuguese colony, with the main residents being natives, which is significantly different from the Portuguese homeland.

At home, people have families, and the conduct of most European armies barely resembles the barbaric tendency, so there’s some fighting spirit to repel invasions. However, Mozambique as a colony can’t awaken the soldiers’ consciousness.

In the eyes of low-ranking soldiers like Moderais, they came to Mozambique to protect the interests of ”nobles, large plantation owners, capitalists, and mine owners.”

Compared to these interests, preserving life takes precedence, and numerous negative factors affect the Portuguese army’s combat effectiveness.

This includes inadequate training, irregular schedules, frequently delayed wages, corporal punishment, and vices like excessive drinking, gambling, and more.

Therefore, the Portuguese should be most thankful to the Spaniards. If they weren’t ”useless,” Portugal might have already fallen.

Watching the indifferent Moderais, Howell was infuriated, with fat shaking on his body.

But now was not the time to assign blame. Solving the pressing problem of the East Africans was more urgent for him, though looking westward at the vast primal forest posed a dilemma for Howell.

”How large is this forest?” Howell asked.

”It’s about seven or eight kilometers long from north to south and two kilometers wide from east to west,” the adjutant said.

After pondering the adjutant’s response, Howell said, ”So, if it’s not too big, we might still be able to pursue the enemy based on the traces in the forest.”

Schwar’s unit didn’t conceal their direction, leaving a ”path” in the forest. Of course, this path was merely compressed branches and fallen leaves, distinctly different from the surroundings, making it easy to distinguish.

Nevertheless, the adjutant cautiously suggested to Howell, ”Forests are hazardous terrains with numerous covers, perfect for ambushes, so you must be careful.”

The adjutant’s words reminded Howell that being ambushed by the enemy was indeed possible. Although the forest wasn’t large, it could still serve as a battlefield; even an entire division could hide within.

This thought sent a shiver down Howell’s spine. He asked, ”So what should we do now?”

The adjutant helplessly said to his ineffectual superior, ”First, send people to search. If there’s anything unusual, fire a warning shot immediately. Also, report the situation to the brigade. It’s not a time to fear blame, as greater enemy-caused losses would doom us.”

Hearing this, Howell became dispirited as well. In any case, the enemies landed through his defense area, and he couldn’t shirk this responsibility now.

”Isn’t there any way to undo this?” he pleaded with the adjutant.

”Of course there is.”

Feeling like he grasped a lifeline, Howell hurriedly asked, ”What way!”

”We must destroy this East African army.”

Howell said, ”That’s your plan?”

The adjutant nodded and said, ”What else? The East Africans have entered our rear, and their numbers should be small to have landed so quickly. I also observed the coastline and saw no large vehicle tracks, indicating they didn’t bring heavy weapons or livestock. This unit seems primarily infantry, with few boat traces on the beach, making a large enemy force unlikely; it’s probably around a regiment.”

Hearing the professional analysis, Howell found it very reasonable. If so, this East African unit is similar to his own. Knowing this, what is there to fear?

”Great, since we clearly know East Africa’s strength, have the scouts blaze the trail. We’ll pursue from behind, tracking them.”

Both sides likely only have a regiment-sized force, so Howell wasn’t afraid. Anyway, the charge wasn’t him, and it could be his chance to turn defeat into victory and promotion.

After all, fighting on home ground should have some advantages. If they couldn’t hold back the East Africans, other Portuguese or British ”big brother” units could provide rapid support.