Chapter 376: The War Council
On the second day after Ernst arrived in First Town, there was nothing particularly special to do—mainly to preside over discussions about the upcoming war against the Boers. Attacking the Boers was imperative, for purely strategic reasons tied to East Africa.
If they didn't seize Boer lands now, in the future they wouldn't only face the Boers, but also the British. Besides, East Africa had no choice but to use force against the Boers, since there was nothing left to negotiate. The Boers might surrender to the British, but they would never surrender to East Africa—unless East Africa granted them huge privileges, which the East African government would never accept.
Inside the Swete Palace, Ernst met with the army's generals to discuss going to war against the Boers.
Ernst said, "This war differs from the past. Besides our enemy changing from Black Africans to white people, we have another pressing problem: the Transvaal Republic is too far from East Africa's current core territory. Last time the Ndebele rebelled, we could move troops from the Province of South Salzburg to suppress them. This time we won't have that advantage against the Boers.
"So, we must fight the Boers swiftly—like a thunderbolt. We have to knock out the Transvaal Republic's territory all in one go. We also might end up facing forces other than the Transvaal, such as the Orange Free State, the Zulu, and possibly even the British in Natal. Therefore, the Southern Route Army isn't up against just one foe; there are potential enemies too. If we get bogged down in even the slightest delay, the Zulu and the British will take advantage, and that is not what I want to see."
In reality, that's exactly how it is. If East Africa takes too long to deal with the Boers, the Zulu Kingdom and the British colony of Natal definitely will not pass up the chance to expand into Transvaal territory.
Pointing at a region to the lower right of Swaziland on the map, Swete said, "Your Highness, according to reports our intelligence officers sent back a few days ago, the Transvaal Republic's main force is still in the east, confronting the Zulu Kingdom. Although the Zulu Kingdom is small in territory and population, it's extremely warlike—almost everyone can fight. True, they've been defeated by the Boers before, but ever since the British arrived, their king Mpande has improved relations with the British and jointly kept the Boers in check."
Previously, the Zulu Kingdom's relations with the Boers weren't so bad on the surface. But in reality, the Zulus hated them bitterly. So once the British showed up, the Zulu quickly shifted its stance in favor of the British.
Swete continued, "Right now, the Boers have barely any troops south of the Limpopo River. That's our chance. By advancing on multiple fronts, sweeping away most of the Transvaal Republic shouldn't be too hard. The real difficulty will come later: on one side, the Boer main force will hurry back to defend; on the other, the Orange Free State—intimately tied to the Transvaal—certainly won't stand idly by. The Boers in British-controlled Natal will also respond, which will likely attract Britain's attention."
Besides the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State, there are other Boer regions such as New Griqualand, and in British-held Natal and West Griqualand, most residents are still Boers. Cape Town also has large numbers of Boers.
Ernst nodded. "So we must prepare to fight on multiple fronts. This war isn't just about the Boers. I don't see why the Zulu Kingdom needs to exist either. We can't afford to provoke Britain directly, but we needn't fear the British forces in South Africa. If they try to stop East Africa from expanding its territory, then drive them back!"
He practically gnashed his teeth as he spoke the last line. If Africa lacked the British, East Africa wouldn't have to tiptoe around and restrain its ambition. Even though East Africa is large enough in Africa not to fear any challengers, it still lives under Britain's shadow.
It's not that Ernst overestimates Britain—Britain really is that strong. At this point in history, for East Africa, Britain is what the United States was to the Far East in Ernst's past life. The pressure on the East African Kingdom is intense.
In fact, Britain is even tougher to handle than the United States of Ernst's past life, because in this era there's no such thing as "humanitarian concern." Outside of territories the other major powers control, Britain can do whatever it wants. Even acts like genocide won't cause anyone to criticize it.
Without relying on its own strength, East Africa cannot hope to survive in these times. The only other option would be clinging to Austria-Hungary and Germany. But unless absolutely necessary, East Africa would never do that—inviting such "saviors" can mean later difficulties. Franz and Wilhelm I are both extremely pragmatic, not fools like Peter III.
Ernst's words cast a slight shadow over the generals. Britain remains a mountain East Africa cannot bypass. If Ernst was only worried that a British blockade might halt East Africa's progress, the generals themselves simply feared Britain in purely military terms.
They are the world's hegemon, after all. While Europe's land-based powers may mock Britain's "lobster soldiers," outside of Europe, no one else has that right. Even the United States once wanted to test whether its "father" was still potent, only to have the White House burned.
Britain's record in these recent decades is indeed impressive. Its expedition to the Far East stands out. Apart from Europe and America, it has practically no challenger worldwide.
But Ernst promptly added, so as not to dampen morale, "Of course, we shouldn't worry too much about a possible British intervention. Here in Africa, East Africa's strength is among the very best. Britain isn't as formidable as people claim. Look at Afghanistan ten-plus years ago—Britain stumbled badly there, even with India as its rear base. Compared to India, Britain's Cape Colony is nothing."
His remarks reassured them somewhat. After a string of victories in Africa, East Africa's generals were no longer humble—some even a bit conceited—so invoking Britain as a possible opponent might temper them. If they encounter British forces, they'll be more cautious. It's both a sign of respect for their enemy and responsibility to themselves.
As for this Boer War, they have to fight it, even if the adversary is formidable—East Africa must give it a try. In Ernst's preliminary plan, East Africa should at least gain all the land north of the Vaal River, the Transvaal–Orange dividing line. That way, they secure most of the coal and iron needed for industrial development in South Africa, with the goldfields being a bonus in Ernst's eyes.
The Vaal River separates the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State. Crossing the Vaal leads to the Orange territory, whose most valuable mineral is diamonds. Diamonds certainly have high value, but East Africa has no shortage of them either.
Meanwhile, the Zulu Kingdom contains large coal deposits—that's the reason Ernst included the Zulus in these war plans.
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