African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 575 - 253: World Powers

Naha City, north of Miyako Strait.

Naha was the political center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and has now become the administrative headquarters of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, serving as a maritime hub connecting the three key regions of Manila, Honshu, and Hawaii.

Thus, Naha City’s economy and commerce are fairly decent, though this is relative to the entire Ryukyu Archipelago; compared with other cities in the region, Naha City is quite inferior.

Recently, many ships have appeared in Naha City’s harbor, sailing south to Miyako Strait at intervals to plunder East African ships.

Early in the morning, a Japanese officer gave a speech to armed personnel dressed as fishermen.

"The empire must not be taken lightly. Remember, the moment you board those small boats, you are fighting for the empire, fighting for His Majesty the Emperor."

Japan currently does not want to completely offend East Africa, but cannot swallow its pride, unwilling to easily give up the opportunity to occupy the southern Ryukyu Islands, so it disguises its navy as fishermen to intercept East African ships.

These fervent Japanese "fishermen" are visibly excited, eager to immediately serve the empire and the Emperor. Despite the tumultuous waves and the larger East African ships, generally posing a risk of capsizing for smaller fishing boats on collision, dying at sea, under the influence of the ideology of loyalty to the monarch and patriotism, not a single person flinches.

These people fervently shouted: "Long live the empire! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"

The navy officer is very satisfied with his educational success. He waved his hand and commanded: "Set off!"

With clear skies over the Pacific, the Miyako Strait is particularly wide, and a large group of fishing boats sailing southward from Naha City look most impressive.

"The Japanese armed fishing boats are coming again!" An observant East African garrison member spotted the Japanese fishing boats through binoculars.

Watching the Japanese armed fishing boats swagger through the seas of the southern Ryukyu Islands, the East African guard presently has no effective countermeasures, primarily due to a lack of ships.

However, the Japanese do not dare approach the shore. East African coastal defenses have long been deployed, so relying on land, the East African troops are not afraid of these Japanese landing. If these Japanese abandon ship to come ashore, it would actually be beneficial.

But now everyone knows that the Japanese are just laying siege without attacking; after all, the southern Ryukyu Islands have limited size with low food production, so a prolonged siege will inevitably deplete the island’s food and supplies.

While the East African island garrison remains vigilant against Japanese maneuvers, the island’s laborers also discuss recent changes in daily life.

As previously mentioned, the southern Ryukyu Islands are sparsely populated, so much of the labor needed for construction on the islands was directly hired from the Far East.

Now that Japan has besieged the southern Ryukyu Islands, these laborers are stranded on the island along with the East African garrison.

"These little devils sure come precisely every day, right at meal times. Let’s hope they act quickly today so they don’t spoil my appetite."

The one speaking isn’t an East African soldier, but an East African laborer hired from the Far East named Liu Dazhuang, now helping build military camps on the southern Ryukyu Islands.

"Dazhuang, what are we eating today?"

"How would I know? Aren’t you quite familiar with Captain Wang? He surely knows what’s for today’s meal."

"Heh heh, my relationship with Wang is just a fleeting acquaintance due to being from the same hometown, the reality is far from it! We’re not even from the same prefecture."

"If you ask me, what’s for dinner, it’s just those few things: sweet potatoes, soybeans, and seafood. Now I kind of miss the vegetables and beef from before. These days, the little devils have blocked our supply ships, relying entirely on the island’s previous stock, the quality of meals has dropped significantly, and meals are being rationed," Luo Wen complained.

"Damn it, these little devils are truly detestable. Initially coming here as a laborer was so comfortable, but ever since they showed up, those good days are gone for good."

"This part doesn’t warrant much concern. I’ve heard from Wang that there is no need to fear Japan. East Africa is a Western country. The Japanese have initiated a ’Break Away from Asia and Enter Europe,’ aiming to be Westerners, because Westerners are inherently stronger than them, and East Africa is naturally Western, so its strength surely surpasses Japan."

"Asan, what position does Captain Wang hold in East Africa? And how can he be an official for foreigners? I heard he used to be a farmer from your place."

"I also asked this before. Now, in East Africa! Although it is a Western country, it doesn’t completely count as a Western country."

"Hmm, that’s confusing! So is East Africa really or not?"

"Heh heh, let me explain. According to Wang, East Africa was indeed established by Germans, who are also part of the Westerners. However, Westerners are merely a general concept and aren’t united."

"Dazhuang, aren’t Westerners united? I thought they’re all from the same place!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"I’ll explain in a way you can understand: for example, look at the Far East. There’s our Far East Empire, Korea, Ryukyu, Japan, a whole bunch of countries. Germans in the West are more or less similar, like the Russians, French, and British who flaunt their might in the Far East. They are all Western countries but not on friendly terms with one another."

"So are these Germans just as formidable as the British and French?"

"Certainly, Captain Wang told me that the Germans have established many nations, but the most renowned are three: Germany, Austria-Hungary, and our current employer, the East African Kingdom. These three countries are significantly influential, especially the first two, as top-tier global powers. While East Africa may not be quite at their level, it’s still substantial."

"Dazhuang, what is a top-tier global power?"

"Top-tier global powers are the strongest countries in the world, deciding the fate of the entire globe."

"Is our Far East Empire a global power then?"

"The Far East Empire’s size surely qualifies it as a global power, but its military might is severely lacking, so having the title doesn’t amount to much."

"Does the whole world listen to them? We’ve hardly even heard of Germany or Austria-Hungary, do they hold such prowess?"

"That’s because their influence isn’t here, but in Europe. Know Europe? Westerners are from there, and Germans and Austrians hold strong positions in Europe, thus also wielding global power because Europe is the continent with the strongest modern strength."

"But you said global powers determine the fate of the world?"

"Indeed! I haven’t denied that. You see, the British, French, and Russians all bully us, right? Wang said, our Far East Empire is much stronger than many countries, but still can’t compare to top-tier global powers, so whether or not you’re a global power mostly depends on might, possessing enough strength naturally earns you the standing."

"And East Africa?"

"East Africa might count too? Wang didn’t explicitly say, but mentioned its military strength ranks among the world’s top ten, though other aspects lag far behind."

"Strong military power is sufficient, if we had such strength, how could Westerners bully us!"

"Heh heh, this is also what Wang said. East Africa steadily rises to power on military strength. But we have a term in the East called ’impoverished strategy,’ only developing military might can lead to problems, and top-tier global powers are those who advance across all aspects to the highest level, including the economy, military strength, population, and many other conditions fused together to form global powers."