African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 804 - 108: The Plot Revealed
"Greetings, Count Roberts!"
Commander Lidun of the Western Military District warmly shook hands with the veteran British general who had once been renowned for his victories.
Facing this East African military leader, younger by more than a decade, Count Roberts would have certainly admired him under different circumstances. However, the bitter shadow of defeat lingered in Count Roberts' heart, hard to dispel.
With stiff facial muscles and a helpless expression, he said, "Congratulations, you won this time."
Although difficult to accept, the outcome of the war was indisputable; East Africa knew victory, and there's no need for further words between victors and vanquished.
Moreover, East Africa had openly and fairly defeated the Allies without resorting to cunning tactics, so Count Roberts' assessment of such an opponent amounted to just two words: "Formidable."
"Do not be disheartened, Count. Although we lost the war, the blame certainly doesn't rest on your shoulders. The British Army's performance in the South African war was outstanding, the only pity being the lack of sufficient preparation and inadequate subsequent support. This defeat is not a failure on the battlefield, and you have already fulfilled the responsibility history has entrusted to you."
Lidun comforted, noting that the British Army's achievements in the South African war were commendable. However, subsequent support from Britain and Portugal wasn't favorable, and the Allies were riddled with inconsistencies. To Lidun's view, Count Roberts extended his prior prestige by leading his forces against East Africa for a whole year. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
After all, East Africa was fighting on its home ground, and in every aspect did not fall short compared to the British Army. Yet, its numbers were three times greater, so Count Roberts wasn't considered a failure.
As for the Portuguese army, the Indian forces, and the hastily assembled Black auxiliary troops, Lidun believed they didn't contribute much to the South African war, and instead hindered Count Roberts and the British Army at crucial moments, negating the accomplishments.
Of course, Lidun's consolation did little for Count Roberts, who knew clearly the results of this war were due to his own early failures in command.
In the past, the British Army could completely reverse wars due to its weaponry and logistical advantages, but on the South African battlefield, Count Roberts faced entirely different circumstances than before.
These East African soldiers' uniforms were not luxurious, but their fighting power was extraordinary. Donned with gray steel helmets and full military attire, East African soldiers exhibited the strength of world-class armies.
The military dispatch had virtually no significant errors, indicating a complete East African command system, with soldiers demonstrating high morale, spirit, and diligent military building, applying various tactics seamlessly. Especially towards the end of the war, the East African army improved faster, responding to battlefield conditions with increasing ease, filling up final gaps.
All signs indicated that the East African Defense Army already embodied the characteristics of a world mighty force, or was itself one of the strongest armies globally.
What left the deepest impression on Count Roberts was the East African Army's use of various new weapons and a complete logistical supply system, which were crucial factors in East Africa's victory, in contrast to their own deficiencies.
Though East Africa held the home advantage, this away game was equally a British Army forte, having achieved remarkable feats on the European plains, in Constantinople, the Crimean Peninsula, Abyssinia Empire, India, Afghanistan, Persia, the Far East Empire…
Only at this South African edge, the British Army suffered a major defeat at the hands of the East African Defense Army, causing Count Roberts' perception of East Africa to transform dramatically. This was a powerful empire that entirely rose on the African continent!
Count Roberts said to Lidun, "General Lidun, your performance in the war left me a profound impression. I even feel that it's not a war in Africa, but akin to fighting world powers like Germany and France in Europe."
Lidun replied, "Count, you are overly modest. The power of the United Kingdom is indubitable. This time, you merely exerted a little strength. Should we engage in full-scale warfare, we would certainly be overwhelmed. As for nations on the European continent, they are monsters, beyond the current challenge for us East Africans. They boast mobilization potential in the tens to hundreds of millions; in comparison, we East Africans fall far short."
To date, East Africa has mobilized over four hundred thousand troops, with the South African battlefield alone numbering thirty-six thousand.
If extreme mobilization were carried out, exceeding a million would not be too daunting for East Africa, but maintaining basic production order and providing ample weaponry for such a force isn't easy, demarcating the gap between East Africa and other top powers.
Just like the United Kingdom, mobilizing a million troops (including colonies) would be effortless and would not greatly impact its domestic economy. During World War II, Germany practically stood against the world alone, persisting nearly six years, an almost unimaginable feat today.
In the 19th century, the notion of Germany waging simultaneous wars against various powers singlehandedly was purely speculative, even with Austria-Hungary in tow.
The closest comparison to East Africa might be Tsarist Russia, but Tsarist Russia boasted population two to three times larger, with territory twice the size of East Africa, having profound foundations. Nonetheless, mobilizing a million troops posed significant strain, reminiscent of many Tsarist soldiers in WWI lacking decent weaponry.
Though the East African Defense Army is far from Tsarist Russia's "poverty," the prerequisite is maintaining limited numbers, like now, where East African Defense Army forces during wartime haven't exceeded five hundred thousand, previously sustaining merely twenty to thirty thousand.
Thus, with the same military budget, fewer soldiers entail more distribution towards weaponry and logistics supply.
East Africa adopts this approach because of relatively few external enemies. North Africa, excluding the Ottoman Empire and Egypt, nearly has no contenders.
To the south, the British present some pressure on East Africa, but not significantly, whereas contiguous nations of Tsarist Russia aren't simple, with Germany and Austria-Hungary self-explanatory. Throughout history, Northern Europe clashed with Tsarist Russia frequently, with Sweden in its strong period completely suppressing Tsarist Russia; southward, the Ottoman Empire has been a sworn foe. Further south, Iran and Afghanistan are formidable.
In the east lies the Far East Empire; though presently subdued, Tsarist Russia harbors discomfort, as previous Western Regions war was won by the Far East Empire.
Thus, surveying around Tsarist Russia, the sole "bully-able" target is left to Japan, the small island nation, yet Japan's prowess remains under wraps—with the Russo-Japanese War's outbreak, Tsarist Russia should realize, this island's power isn't negated by just a Siberian railway.
After exchanging pleasantries, Lidun finally broached the main issue, "Count Roberts, in fact, your western main force hasn't yet been defeated. They continue resisting obstinately in the region centered around Saint George. We hope you might voluntarily assist us in persuading their surrender. Of course, orders from the Mozambique Governor's Mansion are equally important."
The Mozambique conflict isn't entirely concluded, with over fifty thousand troops remaining westward, predominated by the British Army. This force has fiercely battled the Western Military District from the war's onset to now. To annihilate them would require substantial sacrifices from East Africa. Therefore, gaining voluntary surrender under Count Roberts' and the Mozambique Governor's Mansion's names would be the optimal solution.
