Chapter 185: A Deal is Reached
"Cough, cough!" Becker said, "Our pro-war faction in East Africa is already preparing to take the Yeke Kingdom. However, in consideration of the friendship between our two nations, we want to offer Your Majesty two choices."
As soon as those words left his mouth, even Becker felt somewhat embarrassed. It was hardly typical diplomacy to start by saying you were going to wipe out someone else's country.
Sure enough, Msiri clenched his fists, his expression darkening as though it might start raining from his face, yet he forced himself to ask, "Oh? And what choices are you offering?"
"The first is to resist us to the bitter end, in which case our East African army will personally take action. At that point, not even chickens or dogs will be spared," Becker said, suddenly shifting his tone.
"Mr. Becker, I must say you've got some nerve. I don't know how powerful your East African military truly is, but you certainly talk a big game. Don't you realize how serious it is to provoke a monarch?" Msiri retorted.
"Right now, your handful of people isn't in East Africa; you're in my hands. You can't seriously think those few dozen rifles give you free rein here, do you?
I, Msiri, ruler of the Yeke Kingdom, rely on more than firearms. I rely on cunning. Of the many slave traders in days past, only I have achieved such success.
From the moment you stepped into this royal city, I've positioned warriors across the nation. Over a hundred guns now target your people, along with countless archers and spear-bearers. If you so much as make a wrong move, they'll riddle you with holes in no time," Msiri said smugly to Becker.
"Er… Your Majesty, why speak in such terms? We carry weapons primarily for protection against wild animals. After all, as you well know, Africa has more than its share of beasts," Becker said. "Besides, I'm here to discuss cooperation. You haven't heard the second option yet—how can you draw conclusions so hastily?"
"Fine, then speak. If it fails to satisfy me, well, you can't blame me for being ruthless!" Msiri said.
"The second plan is for Your Majesty to voluntarily lead your people and relinquish the Yeke Kingdom. In return, we East Africans will supply you with a batch of arms, enabling you to establish a new country elsewhere," Becker told Msiri.
Upon hearing Becker's words, Msiri focused first on the mention of arms. It was no secret that East Africa was greedy enough to want to annex the Yeke Kingdom—judging from the colony's track record, it was never satisfied.
"So your country intends to claim my entire kingdom for a pittance of firearms. Is that how you do business?" Msiri said.
Becker countered, "Your Majesty, we're not asking for the entire kingdom—we only want the land beneath your feet. As for your wealth and your subjects, you can take them all with you.
I believe you understand that with firearms in hand, you can easily rebuild a new kingdom in a promising location. There's no need for our two sides to fight to the death over this land, and you of all people should be well aware of how big an advantage firearms hold over traditional weapons."
Listening to Becker, Msiri realized that these East Africans truly meant to "snatch the prize without paying." They wanted to gobble up the Yeke Kingdom at no cost.
"There is nothing in this world that comes so easily. But how much will East Africa offer?" Msiri asked.
Becker held up five fingers.
"Five hundred guns? No, that's too few," Msiri said, shaking his head.
Becker replied awkwardly, "I meant fifty guns."
"Mr. Becker, you East Africans have no shame. The Yeke Kingdom covers a vast territory—it's worth more than fifty guns."
"Your Majesty, business is business. Of course, if you find the price unacceptable, you can propose a number," Becker suggested.
"At least a thousand guns, and matching ammunition. Keep in mind, we'd be giving up the entire Yeke Kingdom and heading elsewhere—without enough firearms, that's impossible," Msiri said.
"A thousand is too many. At most seventy guns. With those plus the musket force you already have, you could stride through all of Central Africa," said Becker.
"Mr. Becker, that calculation is flawed. The Yeke Kingdom has been developed for a long time, and I, Msiri, have ruled diligently here for many years. Let's not even mention the rest—just look at this palace. Its value far exceeds a mere seventy guns!" Msiri said.
"Yes, Your Majesty, but to us in East Africa, these palaces and cities are worthless—even a burden. Think about the structures left behind in East Africa by the people of Zanzibar; it cost us much effort just to tear them down," Becker responded.
Privately cursing such waste, Msiri said, "They may mean little to you, but these buildings cost the Yeke Kingdom massive sums of money, labor, and resources to construct. Furthermore, a thousand guns isn't an outrageous demand—try finding a cheaper deal anywhere in Africa! If you meet my requirement, I'll hand over the Yeke Kingdom without a fight. More than that, I'll leave my citizens behind for you as well."
"Ah! That won't do, Your Majesty. East Africa only needs the land. It would be best for your people to leave with you; after all, you'll need manpower when you set up your new state," Becker said hastily.
"What use do I have for these nobodies? I need only the kingdom's warriors and officials—traveling light will be enough. All these tribesmen are just a burden," Msiri replied.
Becker paused in thought, realizing Msiri was indeed immune to either threats or blandishments and utterly indifferent to the fate of his people. It seemed East Africa would need to offer genuine concessions. They only wanted the land, not the people, so they had to figure out a way to have Msiri drive out the inhabitants himself.
"Your Majesty, let's do this. East Africa will suffer a small loss here: we're willing to provide five hundred guns. But you must take your people with you. Bear in mind, five hundred guns can form a powerful army, more than enough for us to conquer the Yeke Kingdom ourselves. So if we're giving up five hundred guns, that's our upper limit. With them, you'll be able to rebuild another Yeke Kingdom with ease," Becker said.
"A thousand!" Msiri persisted.
"Enough, Your Majesty. I came to negotiate politely, not because we fear your forces. There's no point prolonging this if you won't meet us halfway. Five hundred guns is our final offer—not one more. Otherwise, I regret to say these talks will collapse," Becker said, a slight edge in his tone.
This clearly was East Africa's bottom line. Msiri was no fool, or he wouldn't have made the leap from slave trader to king. From the start, he had never planned to go toe-to-toe with East Africa—only to get as much as he could out of them.
After over thirty years under Msiri's rule, the Yeke Kingdom had reached the point of depleting even its most basic resources. Rebellions were constant, suppressed only by brute force. Msiri bore no real responsibility for his subjects; he merely raised taxes and purchased weapons, then killed any who opposed him. During his reign, the Yeke Kingdom had lost thirty percent of its population, prompting him to enlist Eastern Bantu immigrants into the army. He found the local tribes increasingly unmanageable and wanted to wash his hands of the whole region, settling elsewhere to start anew.
The mission from East Africa gave Msiri the perfect opportunity to extort firearms. As Becker said, with five hundred guns, he could roam Central Africa freely. The Yeke Kingdom already had a few hundred musket-equipped troops, currently down to about three hundred men after East Africa restricted their ammunition supply.
"Very well, Mr. Becker. I'll agree to this arrangement, though only reluctantly. But I expect all five hundred guns—no less," Msiri said.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. As long as, when we take over the Yeke Kingdom, there isn't a single local person left behind, we'll keep our word. Before that, we can only provide one hundred guns first. Once we verify the result, we'll hand over the rest at the border. Treat this as an employment contract of sorts—Your Majesty needn't worry. We might even find more ways to collaborate in the future," Becker replied.
After thinking for a moment, Msiri downed his drink in a single gulp. "Deal!" he declared.
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