African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1263: Chapter 272: Rumors

Kamui Prefecture.

The treaty between the East African and Siam governments gave the native inhabitants of the Kra Isthmus Territory a dilemma: to stay or to flee north with their families. It was a hard decision to make.

The De Lagong family was also troubled by this. The De Lagong family were mere tenants in Kamui Prefecture, working for the local plantation owner year-round to make a living.

”De Lagong, I wonder if the rumors are true. What should we do now? Should we flee north?” De Lagong’s wife asked.

The distance from Kamui Prefecture to Siam is not far; it’s only a few dozen miles to Wan Lun, which is the core region of the Tabi River Plain in Siam that East Africa did not claim.

Therefore, for Kamui Prefecture, Phang Nga Province, and several areas adjacent to Wan Lun Prefecture in Siam, it’s not difficult for the locals to flee into Siam’s territory.

With furrowed brows, De Lagong said, ”Let me think it over. Relocating is a major decision. We have no land, and our possessions are limited. Even if we escape to Wan Lun, survival would still be a huge challenge.”

Since Siam is a feudal monarchy, land naturally remains in the hands of the Siamese landlord class. Ordinary people like the De Lagong family mostly have no land of their own.

However, the situation was slightly better in some of Siam’s original southern prefectures. Considering Siam’s short conquest and development time here, land consolidation was somewhat weaker, and the number of self-cultivating farmers was still considerable, since there was a lot of available land to cultivate.

But as a tropical rainforest region, developing this area in the early 20th century was not easy; it required technology, human resources, organizational capability, and overcoming the harsh natural environment.

Not just Siam, but even a strong nation like East Africa lagged behind in developing tropical rainforest areas. Hence, most of the southern population of Siam concentrated in the already developed Tabi River Plain area.

His wife said, ”It’s only a 34-kilometer journey from here to Wan Lun, so we should escape! After all, the distance isn’t too far, and with our family of six, we don’t need to worry about encountering crises along the way. Besides, since we don’t own land in Kamui and just farm for the landlord, relocating doesn’t make much difference.”

”What’s crucial is that the East Africans are pretty ruthless. The risk of staying here is too high. Compared to losing our lives, it’s better to walk a little more. As for the livelihood issue, we’ll figure it out once we reach Wan Lun.”

Now, across the Kra Isthmus Territory, rumors about East Africa have spread widely. In the locals’ descriptions, East Africa is essentially a demon that ’kills whoever they see.’

That’s why De Lagong’s wife dared not gamble with their family’s lives; she preferred the family to escape first.

De Lagong said, ”I also want to flee! Unfortunately, you and I have no relatives in Wan Lun; otherwise, I wouldn’t be so hesitant. We’ve hardly been anywhere, the farthest being the town. It may only be a few dozen kilometers to Wan Lun, but if we want to settle down, that distance might only be the beginning. We might have to travel even further north.”

His wife said, ”At this point, let’s not worry so much. Many in the village want to go to Wan Lun. We can travel with those who also wish to leave the village, which prevents us from being bullied.”

Of course, De Lagong’s family was not the only one with thoughts of fleeing Kamui Prefecture. Now, the entire Kamui Prefecture is in a state of unrest, especially since several prominent families have already fled. Those who choose to stay are truly stubborn-headed.

As the couple discussed, a voice came from outside: ”Is De Lagong home?”

De Lagong responded, realizing, ”It’s Pani. It’s perfect timing; I can ask about his family’s plans.”

De Lagong then went outside the yard and said to Pani, ”Pani, is your family planning to go to Wan Lun?”

Pani replied with a worried expression, ”I don’t know, which is why I came to ask your thoughts. But some people in the village are already planning to band together to head to Wan Lun. De Lagong, what do you think?”

De Lagong said, ”Naturally, I also want to leave here as soon as possible. If the rumors are true, we can’t survive under East African rule, either being slaughtered or enslaved.”

Pani said, ”Yes! Everyone outside says the East Africans are incredibly brutal. They’ve carried out massacres in many regions and countries in the South Sea Region. If we stay here, we will probably face disaster.”

De Lagong asked, ”What does the village chief’s family say?”

Pani replied, ”The village chief is planning to flee as well. Previously, two other large households in the village had already moved to Bangkok. The village chief’s family is large, and they have many local industries, so they’ve delayed leaving until now.”

In De Lagong’s village, land was mainly concentrated in the hands of three families, with the village chief’s family being the most powerful. However, this also meant the village chief’s family had the most complex local relationships, so the other two families fled first.

De Lagong asked, ”So they are abandoning their land?”

Pani said, ”It’s a matter of making choices. Keeping the land means risking one’s life. Do you know about East Africa’s colonial methods? They say East Africa’s homeland lacks landlords as they nationalize land. In East Africa’s South Sea colonies, it’s even more extreme; they don’t leave anyone behind, and the land is managed uniformly by the East African Government.”

This is a form of ’land reform.’ The reason East Africa wasn’t targeted by other major powers is entirely because East African land was acquired through colonial means. Since it’s a colony, the nature is naturally different.

The East African Government’s actions are entirely generous at the expense of others, while the fate of the natives is not something Western countries care about. After all, the land of the British and French colonies was also obtained without recompense.

In another scenario, if East Africa was a country with a long history, and the East African government forcibly nationalized land within its domain, the situation would be entirely different.

Pani continued, ”Moreover, the three families in the village aren’t foolish. Unlike us who are penniless, they’re located near Wan Lun, so they can monitor the situation in Kamui at any time. If the East Africans are reasonable, they could always move back, since the land deeds are in their hands.”

It’s impossible for the upper echelons of families in the Kra Isthmus to willingly be at others’ mercy since their wealth, power, and status are all tied to the area.

However, Kamui is special, located at the border, so most families in the Kamui area aren’t as stubborn as those from other prefectures. Most decide to flee to Wan Lun to observe the situation.

If East Africa is not as rumored, everyone can completely coexist! After all, the British and French colonies didn’t go for total extermination but relied on local families and the upper class to consolidate their rule.

The native upper echelons of Kamui and the entire Kra Isthmus naturally have this thought; they won’t willingly sacrifice their interests for a mere treaty between the East African government and Bangkok.

If East Africa doesn’t use force, the outcome would naturally be happy for all, but if East Africa replicates the policies of East Kalimantan, the local forces will certainly retaliate.

In fact, many family forces in the southern regions of the Kra Isthmus Territory have already begun massive arms purchases and stockpiling, especially the native populace of Patani, who have long resisted the Siam government.

So how could such stubborn elements obediently withdraw from the Kra Isthmus Territory due to fear of East African threats?

In fact, before the East Africans have even arrived to take over the Kra Isthmus Territory, some local forces have already colluded, especially the Arabian Sect-influenced areas like the south and Patani.

East Africa’s attitude towards the locals is evident. Many of the rumors and legends currently circulating within the Kra Isthmus Territory about East Africa’s terrifying depiction originate from their Military Intelligence Bureau.

The Military Intelligence Bureau is also an intelligence agency of East Africa, mainly serving the military. Since the military will play the central role in controlling the Kra Isthmus Territory, this mission is executed by the Military Intelligence Bureau, not the National Defense Security Bureau, which often stirs up trouble overseas.