Make France Great Again-Chapter 871 - 862: Candidates for the Central Africa Expedition
The episode that occurred in Paris did not affect Libreville; having survived the dual threats of malaria and cholera, Jerome Patterson could finally continue choosing an exploration team to delve deeper into the central African region.
After filtering through the exploration teams in and around Libreville one by one, the details of British retired Captain Grandi (acquired by Jerome Patterson from some middlemen in Libreville) appeared on Jerome Patterson’s desk.
The document showed that Captain Grandi was once a member of the Livingstone expedition team, having ventured into Africa with Livingstone; they discovered Victoria Falls.
However, due to certain reasons, the Livingstone expedition dissolved this April, and Captain Grandi departed from the team, forming his own exploration team for further explorations.
Since the reformation of the exploration team in May until now, Captain Grandi’s team has made several ventures into Africa and returned safely each time.
After reading Captain Grandi’s information, Jerome Patterson could immediately conclude that this was the person he was looking for.
However, Jerome Patterson dared not summon Captain Grandi immediately because his identity was too sensitive.
Grandi was not only an adventurer but also a retired captain.
His identity as a British Captain inevitably led Jerome Patterson to suspect that Grandi could be part of a pioneering team sent by Britain to scout.
After all, the first step of British colonialism involves retired captains and missionaries serving as pioneering scouts.
Once all the routes are mapped out, the second step begins accordingly.
The Kingdom of Britain issues orders to domestic capital to use monetary power to exert control over explored areas, including but not limited to supporting local natives, instigating conflicts between tribal kingdoms, and, through a series of methods, saddling the natives within the exploration area with a lifetime of unrepayable debt.
When the colonized realize they cannot repay their debts, they will beg for leniency. At this point, the colonial country proceeds to the final step.
They will decisively unmask themselves by refusing to forgive and order the swift repayment, or else threaten to invade their country.
At this stage, even if the invaded country has the ability to repay all loans, Britain will not heed any explanations, and the British Army will swiftly physically invade the capital-controlled nation, demolish their army, and complete annexation.
Therefore, Jerome Patterson remains somewhat apprehensive about Captain Grandi.
Adhering to the cautious principle of better safe than sorry,
Jerome Patterson had already ordered Rastigne two weeks ago to secretly investigate whether retired Captain Grandi had any special connections with the British Government.
Now, two weeks have passed and Rastigne should have completed the investigation.
As Jerome Patterson pondered, Rastigne appeared before him.
"Governor!" Rastigne said solemnly to Jerome Patterson.
"You finally returned!" Seeing Rastigne’s return, Jerome Patterson showed a friendly smile and hurriedly asked Rastigne, "How did the investigation about Grandi go?"
"After two weeks of investigation, I found that retired Captain Grandi has no relations with the British Government!" Rastigne stated calmly to Jerome Patterson.
"Then why did he choose to form an exploration team?" Jerome Patterson continued to ask.
"Grandi formed the exploration team merely based on his interest in unknown things! The British Government never issued him any directives!" Rastigne responded to Jerome Patterson.
"So, we can recruit him to become our guide to penetrate inland!" Jerome Patterson asked Rastigne again.
"That’s not a problem!" Rastigne nodded to Jerome Patterson and then added, "However, we should sign an employment agreement with Grandi! This way, if he wants to back out, he will have no chance to do so."
Moreover, I suggest adding our personnel to Grandi’s adventure team under the pretext of protection, effectively monitoring Grandi!
After listening to Rastigne’s suggestion, Jerome Patterson gently patted the desk and said, "Great! Let’s do that! Now, immediately send someone to bring Captain Grandi over and tell him that the Governor’s Mansion of Libreville is willing to support Captain Grandi and his team in exploring Africa and spreading abolitionist ideas!
We hope Captain Grandi will not let the Governor’s Mansion of Libreville down!"
"Understood!" Rastigne briefly replied.
Next, Rastigne proceeded under Jerome Patterson’s orders to the southern outpost of Libreville—Pelosdi.
Located at the closest entry point to the Congo River, it had a population of around 2,000 people.
Most inhabitants here were slave traders from various European countries and the Arab region, with only a few research and adventure teams stationed here.
Upon disembarking from the steamship, Rastigne immediately spent a 5-franc tip to inquire about Captain Grandi’s residence from the locals.
The local person, who received a tip, enthusiastically led Rastigne to a house made of wood nearby, pointed at the house, and said to Rastigne, "Sir, Captain Grandi is inside!"
"Thank you!" Rastigne immediately expressed his gratitude to the local person, then walked straight to the wooden house door and knocked.
At that time, Captain Grandi inside the room was discussing the next route with his companion, and Rastigne’s knock interrupted their exchange.
Captain Grandi and his compatriot exchanged looks, both uncertain of who the person outside was.
Captain Grandi hurriedly used his eyes to signal his companion beside him, who nodded and stealthily walked over to the shotgun, picked it up aiming at the door, and gestured to Grandi.
In this lawless land, bloody events played out every day.
A shotgun was naturally a necessity for any adventure team, ready for whatever may come.
Having completed preparations, Captain Grandi shouted outside the room, "Who are you?"
Rastigne answered Captain Grandi in a calm tone, "Mr. Grandi, my name is Rastigne!"
"Rastigne? I don’t know you! Please leave! Do not disturb me!" Captain Grandi issued an order for Rastigne to leave.
Rastigne slowly replied to Captain Grandi, "Mr. Grandi, I am here by order to invite you to Libreville! If you do not go, I will be quite troubled!"
"Ordered? On whose order?" Captain Grandi questioned again.
"A person you can’t afford to provoke!" Rastigne responded vaguely to Captain Grandi, "If you come with me, you’ll understand everything!"
"What if I say no?" Captain Grandi responded to Rastigne.
Rastigne paused for a moment, then said to Captain Grandi in an indisputable tone, "Mr. Grandi, if you refuse, next time I will not come alone.
Instead, I will bring a squad, or even a battalion!
At that time, you will surely comply with us!"
After hearing Rastigne’s words, Captain Grandi immediately realized the person might be from the Governor’s Mansion of Libreville.
Only the Governor’s Mansion of Libreville could boast of leading a battalion over.
His companions around him also concluded that the visitor might be from the Governor’s Mansion of Libreville, and looked at Grandi for guidance.
Captain Grandi, thoughtful for a while, signaled the companion holding the gun to put it down, then motioned for another companion to open the door.
The companions complied with Captain Grandi’s orders; one placed the shotgun by his leg, while the other ran to the door to open it for Rastigne.
"Thank you!" Rastigne expressed gratitude to the person opening the door, then turned his gaze to the bearded Captain Grandi and said, "Mr. Grandi, we finally meet!"
Captain Grandi carefully examined Rastigne and asked in confusion, "Sir, have we met before?"
"We haven’t officially met before!" Rastigne replied to Captain Grandi.
"Then what brings you to me?" Captain Grandi asked Rastigne again.
"Our governor wants to help your team explore Africa!" Rastigne said with a smile to Captain Grandi.
"Thank you very much for the support of the Governor of Libreville!" Captain Grandi replied to Rastigne unflinchingly, "However, we do not need support right now!"
As an adventurer, Captain Grandi did not want to fall under the governor’s constraints; he, once served in the British Army, well understood the true intentions of the Governor’s Mansion of Libreville.
Supporting African exploration was false; using their knowledge to expand territories was the truth.
"Mr. Grandi, are you intending to reject our invitation?!!" Rastigne’s expression immediately turned cold.
"Indeed!" Captain Grandi responded straightforwardly to Rastigne, "I just want a peaceful exploration without carrying out tasks! I hope you can understand!"
"Mr. Grandi, we will not impose tasks on you! You should explore as you did before, following the previous route! We will not interfere!" Rastigne tried to persuade Captain Grandi.
"Don’t say any more!" Captain Grandi coldly replied, "I won’t agree to it!"
"Then Mr. Grandi, please reconsider! After all, you are not alone!"
