African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1143: Chapter 152: Sarajevo Streets

In Sarajevo, one of the world’s most chaotic and dangerous cities, it’s only natural that East African intelligence agents are active. After all, Sarajevo is right next to the lower valley of the Neretva River, where East Africa holds significant influence. Merely to ensure the security of the lower Neretva Valley, East Africa has every reason to keep a close watch on Sarajevo’s every move.

”Today isn’t a good day; June 28th seems to be the day in history when the Ottomans defeated the Serbian and Bosnian allied forces in 1389,” East African agent Roglia said on the second floor of a small building.

His partner, Hulot, asked, ”Are you well-versed in the history of the Balkan Peninsula?”

Roglia’s lips twitched slightly as he said to his partner, ”I really don’t know what you’ve been doing these past few days; this bit of knowledge is already widespread. I bet you could pull any Serbian off Sarajevo’s streets, and they’d know this fact!”

”Plus, with Austria-Hungary conducting military exercises in Sarajevo at this time, this interpretation has already spread throughout the city.”

Hulot: ”I really wasn’t aware of this. Also, where did you get your sources?”

Roglia replied, ”Some small newspapers run by Serbians. Just wander a few more streets and alleys, and you’ll gather this kind of information. Back when I was in Japan, I got used to obtaining unexpected news this way. Young man, you still need to learn. Besides this method, you can also gather information through other means, such as Serbian gatherings, beer halls, street cafes, and other places prone to political discussion.”

Hulot felt he had learned something from Roglia’s experience. Hulot was more of a novice in the intelligence department, while Roglia was a veteran in the industry. Many East African intelligence agents honed their skills in Japan, which could be called the training ground for East African intelligence personnel.

Roglia continued, ”Intelligence gathering is a complex study. It’s not just about dealing with high society; sometimes, delving into the grassroots can yield unexpected results. Personally, I prefer getting first-hand information from merchants, as they have a natural advantage in this area.”

Merchants are a group that values ”intelligence” because doing business requires being well-informed. Moreover, they often interact with officials, so the information gathered from merchants is generally timely, accurate, and involves low risk.

Hulot was somewhat moved by Roglia’s guidance. He said, ”By the looks of it, Archduke Ferdinand’s visit to Sarajevo at this time isn’t good news.”

Roglia: ”Naturally, as the saying goes, ’A wise man keeps out of danger.’ This Archduke Ferdinand has obviously committed a grave mistake. With the Black Hand Organization so rampant in Sarajevo, if it were me, I would definitely fear someone secretly taking a shot.”

Hulot: ”But they’re just a bunch of jesters. Their technical level is too crude, like wild boars rushing down a hill, only knowing how to charge recklessly. If this were East Africa, they would’ve been caught by now.”

As a member of a powerful department, Hulot looked down upon the Black Hand Organization, the extremist nationalist group supported by Serbia.

The Black Hand Organization could be considered a somewhat familiar entity to the East African National Defense Security Bureau. After all, everyone operates in the shadowy parts of Sarajevo. However, compared to a well-organized and highly professional state machinery like the National Defense Security Bureau, the Black Hand Organization is more like an amateur troupe. Yet, this amateur troupe has caused significant trouble for one of the world’s strongest nations, Austria-Hungary.

Many extreme events in Sarajevo and throughout Bosnia have been linked to the Black Hand Organization.

Roglia said, ”Don’t underestimate this group of madmen. Although their methods are indeed crude, the Austria-Hungary side isn’t much better than them and might well give them an opportunity to stir up some serious trouble.”

Hearing this, Hulot further inquired, ”Veteran, have you received some exclusive information?”

Roglia didn’t directly answer but said, ”Next, we’ll just watch the show. As for your question, wait until the show is over, then you can review and reflect. Consider it part of your internship content.”

Hulot immediately wore a gloomy expression, feeling it was another assignment for him. For this rookie, Roglia was half a mentor, also his current partner and superior. His evaluations would certainly be recorded in Hulot’s file.

While the two East African agents were talking, Archduke Ferdinand and his motorcade had already entered the central district of Sarajevo.

This Archduke Ferdinand is considered a relative of East African Ferdinand, and historically was the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary. However, with Crown Prince Rudolph still alive, Ferdinand was out of the running for the throne.

Admittedly, relative to the inept son Rudolph, the nephew Ferdinand was instead highly valued by Emperor Franz.

As a member of the Habsburg Family, Archduke Ferdinand’s enthusiasm for politics far exceeded that of Rudolph. His visit to Sarajevo this time was also seen as a significant marker of his political involvement.

Of course, Ernst did not agree with this move by the historical Austria-Hungary Crown Prince Archduke Ferdinand.

Take Ernst himself, for example, he wouldn’t wander around unnecessarily, especially not to a place as dangerous within Austria-Hungary as Sarajevo.

Ernst had participated in military operations at the most perilous time, namely the South African War period to boost morale on the front lines. Even so, Ernst kept a significant distance from the front lines.

Moreover, the South African War as East Africa’s national war cannot be compared to flaunting in a chaotic small city like Sarajevo.

Possibly due to differences in mindset, their choices differ, but Ernst would never allow himself to be in such a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, Archduke Ferdinand was exuberantly conversing with his wife and Austria-Hungary’s military high command stationed in Sarajevo.

Archduke Ferdinand’s motorcade was not extravagant, but in the small city of Sarajevo, it was substantial. Austria-Hungary’s troops cleared the way at the front, and there was quite a crowd gathered by the roadside.

But amid the slack security of Austria-Hungary, no one noticed a few suspicious individuals in the crowd looking for an opportunity.

Since the task was to assassinate members of the Austria-Hungary royal family, it was only natural that the Black Hand Organization wouldn’t send just one person to the scene.

At this point, Ferdinand’s motorcade and security personnel were completely unaware of anything unusual. With Ferdinand’s hand extended out of the car window, he waved to the welcoming crowds organized by the Sarajevo city government.

This time, unlike in the past, Archduke Ferdinand didn’t sit in an open-top car because, due to East Africa’s influence, Austria-Hungary’s royal cars were mostly topped, so Archduke Ferdinand could only roll down the window to greet people.

Of course, he could also choose to open the sunroof, but that would require standing up, which, given the road conditions in Sarajevo, would not be a great experience, and the design of East African cars also added some difficulty for the Black Hand Organization’s assassins.

”Gallilov, it seems we must get the angle right as only one window can be shot through, and we must hurry to the front of the crowd!”

Gallilov nodded, saying, ”Leave it to me! There’s a curve up ahead where the vehicle will surely slow down, and there are fewer people.”

Gallilov then briskly jogged to the turning point ahead alone, while Ferdinand’s motorcade, keeping a slow speed to interact with Sarajevo’s citizens, allowed Gallilov to quickly reach the designated spot and get ready.

Soon the convoy arrived at the street corner, where due to the terrain, there weren’t many people, and Gallilov reached his hand into his jacket lining, with his forefinger already on the trigger.