CHAPTER 413: CHAPTER 90 NON-AGGRESSION PACT

Cape Town has to wait for news from London, but East Africa will not stand still waiting for the British to make a move. Currently, the East African Army has completed all work, and the next step is to wrap up and secure the victory.

Ernst: "We must first stabilize the Orange Free State and prevent them from having unrealistic ideas. After this war, except for Cape Town, the Orange Free State is currently the strongest in all of South Africa. We need to send negotiators to the Orange Free State to first finalize the borders, while expressing our goodwill to them."

"Your Highness, the situation in Griqualand is a bit complicated; how should we express ourselves on this matter?"

Ernst: "Emphasize the low value of Griqualand. For the British, we must save face for them, but it’s impossible for us to withdraw from Griqualand. We can order Merk to strengthen the military presence opposite Kimberley by placing at least a brigade across the Fall River, holding a small exercise, firing a few shots to put pressure on Cape Town and force them to compromise voluntarily."

"Your Highness, won’t this provoke future British targeting?"

Ernst: "It doesn’t matter; the British can’t do much to us. We won’t focus on expansion for now, slowly digesting the current gains. Once the dust settles, we can talk about other things."

Rather than calling Ernst forbearing, it’s more that East Africa has had its fill this time. Being too greedy might cause a collapse. Between South Africa and East Africa lies Zimbabwe, and the long supply line is a heavy burden for the East African Kingdom. However, the good news is that the telegraph line from Zimbabwe is being extended here. Once the telegraph line reaches South Africa, communication and command won’t be as awkward as they are now.

...

Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.

When the Allied Transvaal Republic was attacked by East Africa, the Orange Free State government originally intended to send troops to help. However, the astonishing achievements of East Africa forced the Orange Free State government to reconsider.

The Transvaal Republic was defeated too quickly. Primarily, the Transvaal Republic didn’t cause significant losses to the East African Army. So, after assessing their own strength, the Orange Free State government concluded that they couldn’t contend with the East African Kingdom.

Nevertheless, the Orange Free State conducted an emergency mobilization, preparing to respond to any potential invasion by the East African Kingdom. Fortunately, after occupying Warm Castle, the East African Army didn’t choose to move south but began building strongholds along the Fite River. It seems they don’t intend to attack. Subsequently, Sivert, on behalf of Ernst, visited the Orange Free State to eliminate hostility between the two countries, or rather, the Orange Free State’s vigilance towards East Africa.

Sivert: "President Brand, hello, I am Sivert, the special envoy from the East African Kingdom, here to discuss issues related to the safety of our two countries with yours."

Brand questioned, "Hello, Mr. Sivert, I wonder what your East African Kingdom means by stirring the situation in South Africa this time?"

Sivert straightforwardly said, "Nothing else, just for the interests and strategic security of the East African Kingdom."

"Security? The military strength of East Africa has already been demonstrated in the South African region. Is there a more threatening existence than you?" said Brand.

Sivert said, "Of course, while we don’t see South Africa’s other forces, including the Orange Free State, as a threat, no country in the world can ignore the presence of the British."

Indeed, you Germans and the British are not anything good, Brand cursed in his heart.

"Your East African Kingdom is so far from the British, are you still uneasy about them? If there’s any reason to guard against the British, it should be us in the Orange Free State who are most worried."

The Orange Free State is the country right next to the Cape Town colony. Originally, after the Bloemfontein Agreement, the British had recognized the independence of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic. But with the development of mineral resources in Kimberley, the British started coveting the Orange Free State again.

The British hadn’t settled down yet, and now the Germans had come from the north; for the Orange Free State, it was really too difficult.

"It’s not the same. We don’t think highly of the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State in stopping the British expansion in South Africa. After all, just the Zulu Kingdom alone has already caused the Transvaal Republic a headache. What’s worse is that the Transvaal Republic even supports indigenous forces to rebel within our East African Kingdom, which crosses the line. No country would tolerate such provocation."

Damn little Pillotolius! Brand cursed in his heart. It was all that guy’s fault. However, as an ally, Brand still had to speak well of the Transvaal Republic: "Mr. Sivert, little Pillotolius is just a fool relying on his father’s protection, his actual ability is negative, his actions should be discussed separately from the Transvaal Republic."

"Okay, there’s no need to talk to us about this matter. The Transvaal Republic can no longer be restored. The victor takes all is already a set conclusion. Now, the Transvaal Republic is our East African Kingdom’s spoils of war and naturally can’t be handed over," Sivert said.

Brand: "Then what exactly is your purpose in coming to the Orange Free State?"

Sivert said: "The East African Kingdom’s stance is simple, which is to sign a non-aggression pact between the two countries. The kingdom is actually not very interested in the Orange Free State. We also need a buffer state as a buffer zone between the East African Kingdom and the Cape Town colony. Of course, the premise is that you do not turn to Cape Town, then we will definitely not stand idly by."

"Haha, is your country always this domineering?" Brand laughed angrily.

Sivert: "If I say no, you certainly won’t believe it either. But our East African Kingdom always values commitments and never easily breaks promises."

Brand said, "But how can you guarantee that the East African Kingdom has no ambition towards the Orange Free State?"

"Hahaha, Mr. President, you’re being overly suspicious! Our East African Kingdom says it’s not interested in the Orange Free State, and it truly isn’t. I’ll even give you a number so you know if I’m lying. This time our East African Kingdom has deployed nearly sixty thousand troops, and that’s without organizing indigenous cannon fodder," Sivert said.

War maniacs!

"Since your East African Kingdom has deployed so many troops and occupied so many places, to say you’re not interested in the Orange Free State seems contradictory?"

"Mr. President, I believe these days, quite a few former Transvaal Republic citizens have fled into your country, isn’t that true?"

"I am certainly aware of this matter."

"Then you say we’re driving these people from their original land, would they not resent East Africa?"

"This..."

"The answer is yes. If it were you, would you put these people in a country that might be hostile to you?"

"Of course not."

"Exactly. These people entering the Orange Free State indeed strengthen your forces, and they are a firm force against East Africa. Why do you think East Africa would do this?"

"This..."

Brand couldn’t answer. At this point, Sivert said, "By driving the Boers into the Orange Free State, it essentially strengthens your forces, and frankly speaking, there’s nothing in the Orange Free State worth the East African Kingdom’s coveting. To put it more bluntly, our army is fully capable of wiping out the Transvaal Republic and then wiping out yours. The main force of East Africa is still in Pretoria and doesn’t intend to move, and the kingdom’s troops along the Fite River alone are enough to deal with you."

After Sivert reasoned thoroughly, Brand also understood the situation. It’s not that the East African Kingdom fears defeat in the Orange Free State, but that they simply don’t care about it. The power disparity is too great.

"All right, Mr. Sivert, what does your country require us to do?"

Sivert: "As I mentioned earlier, sign an agreement to guarantee the independence and autonomy of the Orange Free State. Neither side should lean towards the East African Kingdom or the Cape Town colony. Besides that, East Africa has no other demands."

This allowed Brand to sigh in relief, as these were good terms that did not harm the interests of the Orange Free State. Thus, the two sides East Austria signed a ’Non-Aggression Pact’ for thirty years.