In theory, Mozambique was a Portuguese colony. According to the principles of the great powers in Africa determined by the Berlin Conference of 1885, the great powers, including China, were obliged to maintain Portuguese rule in Mozambique and Angola. In reality, however, the Portuguese Governor stationed in Mozambique had no such idea. He was dressed in a well-fitting military uniform, sitting in the living room of the China office in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.
The Governor did not hate the China office at all. There were air conditioners and electric fans. The hot summer was isolated outside the house, and the temperature inside was maintained at a comfortable level. In the whole of Maputo, only the area occupied by the China people with electricity could enjoy such treatment. The China people arrogantly maintained the high standard of living in their own area and did not say a word about the Portuguese Governor's Office, which was still lit with candles.
Europe generally believed that China was a member of a civilized society, so the Governor could understand China's practice of separating official organizations from non-official ones. Like the young man in front of him, with short hair and a fresh face after a bath, exuding the smell of papaya soap made in China. As a representative of a China wine company, the young man named Zhong Sheng was bound to be a dangerous existence.
Zhong Sheng had just returned from the Zulu Kingdom. He was sweating all the way on the train and almost got heat rashes. After a refreshing bath, he immediately began his task. First, he shook hands with the Portuguese Governor. After the two sat down again, Zhong Sheng asked, "Sir, do you know about the Transcontinental Railway?"
The term Transcontinental Railway was a little abrupt to the Portuguese Governor. The Governor frowned and shook his head. Zhong Sheng spread out a map of Africa and drew a longitudinal line from Cairo to Cape Town with his fingernail. Then he drew a horizontal line from Portuguese-controlled Angola to Mozambique.
The Portuguese Governor was stunned. Although he did not know what the China Transcontinental Railway was, looking at the two fingernail marks, the Governor also remembered the African Transcontinental Railway plan that Europe had ridiculed.
If he wanted to go from Cairo to Cape Town, he first had to get permission from the British who controlled Cairo and Cape Town. As for going from Angola to Mozambique, that would require the approval of the Portuguese government.
Looking at the map carefully, China actually only needed Britain to agree to the construction of the railway between Egypt and Southern Africa, and the Portuguese government only needed to agree to the construction of the railway between Mozambique and Angola. In the middle, the vast expanse of Africa was occupied by China.
"Then what do you mean?" The Governor would not ask the representative of a wine company why they were involved in the railway business. All the Portuguese in Mozambique knew that the private army of this China company was the first to be established. Because of the large number of Uncle Black's participation, this company's private army exceeded five thousand, and some even said that their private army exceeded ten thousand.
According to the descriptions of the white plantation owners, these black uncles fought under the command of whip-wielding officers. Just like the European troops, these black soldiers would drink a few glasses of Erguotou brewed by the liquor company before the battle. They wore khaki uniforms with short hair and red scarves around their necks. They held rifles in their hands and carried African-style machetes on their backs. When they were shooting at each other, their emotions surged, and they shouted loudly during the charge. Like a flash flood, like a herd of cattle, they rushed into the enemy's formation and began a massacre.
As long as such a group of troops was mentioned, the Governor could see that the plantation owners wanted to tremble. The Governor could understand. This was Africa, thousands of miles away from Portugal. There were thousands of fierce black uncles around them. How could the few white people feel safe?
"Of course, our company hopes that the Crossrail can start construction immediately, so that our company's security business can be carried out smoothly. So from the point of view of our interests, it is naturally best that Your Excellency can sign this agreement immediately. "Zhong Sheng replied with a logical expression.
The Governor looked at Zhong Sheng's serious expression, as if he was eating a tiger or a rabbit, and was immediately shocked. He quickly said, "We have approved your application for the construction of the railway, and we did not charge any extra fees after the construction."
"But we feel that the Portuguese side is not active enough." Zhong Sheng slowly explained his view.
"… What do you want us to do?" The Portuguese Governor already felt that things were really not right. He hurriedly tried to figure out the Chinese's purpose. Africa was not Europe. Although Europe also followed the law of the jungle, Europe's interests were intertwined, so there was a moral bottom line. They would not go too far in doing things. Africa did not have such a coercive force. The Portuguese could rely on the weapons in their hands to oppress and humiliate the local black uncles in this world of the jungle. A force stronger than the Portuguese could also use the weapons in their hands to bully the local Portuguese. Since there was no one to protect the black uncles, there would be no one to protect the Portuguese.
"First, you have to let us build the railway. Second, the Portuguese government, at least the Mozambican colony, cannot stand on the side of the British in the upcoming war launched by the British. "Zhong Sheng still said slowly.
"That won't do! I am just the Governor of Mozambique. I can't speak for the government. "The Governor hurriedly expressed his identity and attitude.
In the face of such an answer, Zhong Sheng did not show any surprise. He said, "If you are not willing, then forget it."
"If I can agree to the construction of the railway, I will immediately send a message to my government. As long as my government agrees, I will fully support it. "The Governor tried his best to express his attitude.
"Alright." Zhong Sheng nodded.
After the meeting, the Governor immediately rushed back to the Governor's Mansion and immediately sent a telegram to the Portuguese government. In the telegram, the Portuguese government was informed of China's threat and demands. "Ask the government to reply to the telegram as soon as possible!" The Governor said to the telegraph operator three times.
That night, the Governor was sleeping. Suddenly, he heard the sound of an explosion coming from outside. He was in a daze and did not know what was going on. Just then, someone rushed into his bedroom. "Lord Governor! Governor! The Chinese are attacking! "
"Ah?" The Governor was in a daze and did not know what was going on. He looked carefully and realized that it was his housekeeper.
The housekeeper's face was full of panic. He firmly grabbed the Governor's arms with both hands and shouted in an extremely frightened voice, "The Chinese are leading a large number of black people to attack! They suddenly attacked. We did not know what was going on and they fought to the door. Governor, what should we do? Please make up your mind quickly! "
They had just met during the day. Why were they fighting at night? The Governor listened to the explosion and gunshots. He did not understand what was going on. He was really trying his best to solve the problem. If the Portuguese government ordered him to do something that did not support the British, the Governor would resolutely carry it out. The Governor was even hoping that the Portuguese government would make a decision to cooperate with the Chinese.
At this moment, following a violent explosion close by, the angry roars of the black uncles could be heard from outside. The guards were nowhere to be seen. The door was kicked open and a few black uncles rushed in.
The Governor's wife was using a towel to cover her body in her pajamas. When the housekeeper rushed in, he did not knock on the door. The Governor's wife was frightened by the sudden change. After lighting the candle, she retreated back to her bed. At this moment, seeing the black uncles rushing in with weapons in their hands, the Governor's wife could not hold it in anymore. She screamed hysterically.
The black uncles were also frightened by the scream. They immediately raised their guns and took aim. The Governor saw the housekeeper jump to the corner of the room with shocking agility. He raised his head and tried his best to make a harmless expression and movement. The wife beside him hugged her pillow and screamed as if the end of the world had come. The Governor wanted to resist, but he had nothing on him except a pair of underwear. The black uncles not only had rifles in their hands, but they also had bayonets attached to them.
Seeing that no one resisted, the black uncles rushed forward with the butt of their guns. The Governor instinctively covered his head with his hands and shouted in his heart, "Don't hit my face!"
Ten minutes later, the Portuguese Governor of Mozambique was dragged out of the Governor's Mansion by the black uncles. At the door, the Governor saw Zhong Sheng. He was wearing the same khaki military uniform as the black uncles. He had a gun on his waist. Unlike the black uncles, Zhong Sheng did not carry a machete on his back.
"Your Excellency, we meet again." Under the illumination of a group of torches, Zhong Sheng walked forward and said slowly. At this moment, the sound of gunfire was loud in Maputo. From the sound, the settlement of the Portuguese was being fiercely besieged.
"Why did you do this? Is China going to declare war on Portugal? "The Governor mustered up his courage and shouted. But the black uncles had humiliated the Governor by taking off his underwear. When he shouted, the Governor could feel that his "Tai" was swaying. The awkwardness caused by this feeling made the Governor's face blush shyly under the illumination of the torches.
"Here's the thing. Our company received a request for help from other companies, hoping to be able to guarantee their interests in the tobacco industry. Of course, that tobacco company can solve the problem after it develops. But you also know that things like money can't wait. Time is tight, and the task is heavy. They spent money to ask us for help. Of course, we urgently deployed the company's armed forces. "
"What do you want?" The Governor shouted in shame.
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