African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 633 - 311: Step by Step Strategy
"Hmph, these East Africans are really despicable! Look at this gun, the oil on it is new, the rifling is not worn out, it’s clearly unused new goods, and they are willing to give it to those country bumpkins the ’White Bandits’."
Young Pillotolius cursed angrily after seeing the sample firearms sent by Blanca, while the rest were intercepted by Blanca for expanding the troops’ use.
"Mr. President, the East African border forces use the Mauser rifle, whereas this is clearly a Volend gun used by the Austria-Hungary forces. But considering the relationship between East Africa and Austria-Hungary, it’s not too difficult for East Africa to acquire such rifles. However, they are evidently concerned about directly intervening in our conflict with the Orange people, so they haven’t blatantly provided the Orange people with their national weapons," analyzed Pillotolius’s aide.
"This apparent caution is good for us, indicating that East Africans still have a fear of the British, otherwise the battlefield now would probably be dominated by East Africa’s standardized weapons. Although weapons from East Africa are slightly inferior in craftsmanship compared to those from the German region, their logistics, cost, components, and so on are much easier to handle compared to importing from Europe."
"Furthermore, East Africa chooses to use Austrian weapons to support the Orange people, which adds an additional process, involving East Africa as a middleman, then crossing the ocean, transshipping at ports on land, and finally delivering inland via rail. This process consumes a significant amount of time, so supply issues are bound to arise. As long as we fight quickly and well enough, the Orange people’s logistics system will certainly encounter problems."
However, Pillotolius was not the slightest bit happy; what does it mean by fighting quickly and well enough? The overall performance of the Transvaal Rebel Army certainly doesn’t meet that standard now.
He interrupted, "What is the overall situation on the frontline? How effective is our army’s controlled area radiance?"
"To the north of Bloemfontein, Brandford, northeast Berlin, directly east Sangnaspos, the banks of the Kafu River to the south, as well as Soté Pool to the northwest, and Bosland directly to the west have all been seized, effectively ensuring our control over Bloemfontein and strategic security. Now, the major danger near Bloemfontein no longer exists," reported Mitelek, the Rebel Army commander, to young Pillotolius.
This result greatly satisfied the leading figures of Transvaal present, meaning that a three hundred-plus kilometer safe zone had been established around Bloemfontein. Putting military significance aside, the mere assurance of personal safety is enough to bring joy. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
"Besides securing Bloemfontein, we’ve newly occupied cities and military forts like Bultfontein, Petersburg, and Redesburg, further compressing the Orange people’s living space, while significantly expanding the Transvaal people’s living space..."
"Ahem, General Mitelek, refrain from saying things that are not conducive to unity," interrupted Pillotolius.
Even though this was indeed what the Transvaal people were doing, revealing such truths would not reflect well. Just like defining the Orange Free Resistance Army as "White Bandits," it was crucial not to overly delineate between the Orange people and the Transvaal people, as that would be unfavorable in courting those Orange forces adopting a wait-and-see or neutral stance.
Moreover, personally, Pillotolius bore no prejudice against the Orange people and even wished for both groups to be like blood brothers due to his father, Old Pillotolius, who was regarded as a hero by the Boers. Both the establishment of Transvaal and the Orange Free State involved his father’s participation, arguably even playing a pivotal role.
Unfortunately, now that Pillotolius has found himself in this position, he feels somewhat helpless. With the British Supreme Emperor above and a host of Transvaal’s old ministers below, both parties are pushing him to lead the division between Transvaal and the Orange people. The only thing Pillotolius can do is delay this trend as much as possible.
For instance, Mitelek is not interested in uniting with the Orange people but rather in achieving victory in war, which would bolster his personal reputation and expand his power within the military.
"With guidance from British advisor Charles, we’ve adopted a strategy of securing every step, resulting in the acquisition of a vast base through a three-month offensive. The ’White Bandits’ can no longer pose a significant threat, and the scales of war are naturally tipping in our favor."
Following the president’s instructions, Mitelek replaced the term "Orange Free Resistance Army" with "White Bandits," even though they referred essentially to the same entity.
"Mm, you’re doing very well. Now we just need to gradually compress the ’White Bandits’ living space. The most crucial task is to sever their connection with the East Africans. Only then can this war be truly considered over," said Pillotolius.
However, his words rendered Mitelek silent. Gradually expanding Transvaal’s occupied territory is relatively achievable, but cutting off contact between East Africa and the Orange people is a tall order indeed.
Therefore, Mitelek chose to candidly bring up this difficult issue with the government officials: "Trying to cut off the link between East Africa and the ’White Bandits’ is extremely difficult. I’m not trying to boost others’ ambitions, but who among you has a solution to the fact that the Orange Free State is encircled on three sides by East Africa?"
East Africa loomed like a giant mountain over everyone present. If it weren’t for the British Cape Town colony backing them, they might have already considered relocating south, similar to how the Boers moved north in the face of the British threat back then.
Now, the Transvaal people have no choice; reconciliation with East Africa is out of the question—it’s mutual—so they can only choose to serve the British.
And this choice is indeed the best option for the Transvaal people. At least now, they have returned to the center of political power, albeit witnessing the proverbial cuckoo occupying the magpie’s nest.
Thus, when it comes to interests, there are no so-called Boers, only Transvaal and Orange people. As for the grand cause of restoration...
Some may still hold on to the original purpose, but more old foxes know that such a goal is almost impossible to achieve, unless Eastern Africa suddenly disintegrates—a highly unlikely scenario. Even if Eastern Africa disintegrates, local forces left behind would fill the void, leaving no opportunity for the Transvaal people.
Of course, there is a possibility, which is British intervention. However, most people no longer have confidence in the British-East African dispute in southern Africa.
The British global influence and structure can easily suppress East Africa, but in the localized African context, the British face a predicament similar to what they encountered with America in North America.
The entire African British colonies are insufficient to unsettle the foundations of East Africa. Clearly, supporting powerful entities like Egypt or the Abyssinian Empire offers potential as these forces boast sufficient populations and share borders with East Africa.
However, it’s evident Britain can’t pursue this course of action. Currently controlling the Suez Canal and the shorelines of the Red Sea, Britain can’t afford self-inflicted troubles.
While the existence of East Africa may have disrupted Britain’s strategic planning in Africa, it hasn’t threatened Britain’s core interests—a significant point being the Mand Strait and Cape Town, both still under British grasp. Hence, colonizing Africa isn’t of paramount importance to Britain.
Britain remains the top colonial empire worldwide, governing most of the prime colonial territories. Undoubtedly, more colonies are advantageous, but missing out on them isn’t a substantial loss.
The primary British antagonism towards East Africa stems from its vast territory—since terrain likewise equates to potential. Yet, no one believes East Africa’s potential could rival that of America; East Africa resembles an enlarged version of Brazil instead.
