African Nationhood

Chapter 164 Unexpected Negotiation (Please subscribe!!!)

On March 1885, 3, the Berlin Conference, which attracted worldwide attention, ended at the end of February.

This meeting achieved great results, and the European powers could finally carve up the African continent.

This meeting reached 5 major proposals:
  1. Try your best to eliminate the spread of Christianity in Africa;
  2. End slavery and slave trade in Africa;

3. Prohibit the sale of arms to indigenous Africans;
  4. All countries agree with Germany’s principle of effective occupation;

5. When any signatory country occupies a certain stronghold on the African coast, it should immediately notify other signatory countries in writing to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

The reason why this meeting was related to religion was because Europeans at that time believed that a country should respect its citizens and protect their integrity. This is a civilized country.

However, the religious country’s requirements for its citizens are too strict, which is a double restriction on the minds and bodies of the citizens;

Europeans believe that a country is composed of 50% men and 50% women. If a country treats 50% of its citizens as slaves, it must be a barbaric country;

On the other hand, this kind of rejection of religion also encourages racial discrimination.

Many Europeans believe that since these religious countries regard themselves as slaves, it shows that the human race is inherently inferior;
  Therefore, the Qing Dynasty, which also practiced polygamy at that time, was regarded as a barbarian by Europeans.

This is also the theoretical basis for white people to discriminate against other races.

……

These are not the most important things. The main thing is that the spheres of influence in Uganda and Kenya advocated by the British have not been recognized due to the obstruction of Germany, France and other countries.

Therefore, in order to gain effective recognition in these two areas as soon as possible, Britain decided to dispatch armies to the above-mentioned two areas to carry out colonial rule.

Other European countries have begun to dispatch troops to Africa to prepare for a big fight. The African continent has finally ushered in a destined catastrophe, which has nothing to do with Shi Jintang.

After he returned to Southwest Africa at the end of January this year, he received a confidential letter from Whitehall in London.

Shi Jintang was requested not to disclose the patent application for "smokeless gunpowder" for the time being, and the specific content would be discussed in secret after meeting.

Shi Jintang will naturally comply with this request. After all, he is still under the leadership of the British.

Since the British want to keep the secret of smokeless gunpowder, it means that he can benefit from negotiations again, which is good news for him.

But the guests from London had not arrived for a long time, which made him a little anxious.

The colonization work in the Matabeleland area was in full swing. He wanted to go and have a look, but he couldn't leave.

He had no choice but to stay in Anhai Town and took Ye Rong to play for a while, which was regarded as fulfilling the promise he made to her before.

During this time, the intimacy between the two has greatly increased, and they have cuddled, hugged, and kissed.

But Shi Jintang still hasn't taken the last step. He plans to wait until the two get married.

Ye Rong was very grateful to Mr. Shi for what he did, and her mood became better and better. She was cheerful all day long, making her best friend Cai Ya envious.

After waiting for a while, a visitor from London finally arrived. This person was none other than Sir Bannerman.

Seeing the arrival of this old friend, Shi Jintang became even more convinced that his request should be met.

Walvis Bay, the residence of Shi Jintang.

After Sir Bannerman came to Walvis Bay for a visit, he said something incomprehensible to Shi Jintang, "You are really special!"

"Oh, how do you say this?"

Sir Bannerman held the red wine glass, swaying it and bringing it to his nose to feel the fruity aroma of this red wine brewed in Southwest Africa.

In the end, he gave up tasting the glass of red wine, “Your life is as boring as this glass of red wine.

I'm a little confused about your purpose. When you came to me to submit the smokeless gunpowder formula, you acted arrogant and vulgar, which made me think you would be a violent and rude colonist.

But after a few years, I found that you managed the colonies under your command in an orderly manner, and the civilians under your management could live in peace and quiet.     It does not fit the image you presented in front of me at all.

But after I learned about your brutal treatment of the indigenous people, I felt like I understood you a little bit.

But after coming here, I found that the place where you live is extremely ordinary. You neither pursue a luxurious life nor have groups of wives and concubines like other colonists.

What you do here is not like a ruler at all, but more like an ordinary European official.

Don’t you think your contrast is huge? "

After listening to Sir Bannerman's words, Shi Jintang was a little moved. Sometimes he was confused about what he was pursuing. Is it the adulation and admiration of everyone?

The boundless power to control thousands of living beings and the exhilarating excitement of embracing each other?

It seems so, but not quite.

There is also the passion in his heart. He has been influenced by Chinese civilization, and he has always had the "dream of a great chivalrous man" in his bones.

This is also the unchanging creed deep in the heart of every Chinese person.

He had already made this vow when he woke up from his illness.

Now he finally has the ability to earn a place for the suffering Chinese descendants.

"You don't know much about us Chinese. We have been indoctrinated with a belief since we were young: 'The poor can only take care of themselves, and the prosperous can help the world.'

It means: A person's ability comes in different sizes. If you have a small ability, you only need to take care of the safety of yourself and your family. If you have a big ability, you can take care of more people. "

After listening to Shi Jintang’s explanation, Sir Bannerman was even more confused, “Can you understand what you mean is: ‘With greater ability comes greater responsibility’?”

"Snapped"

Shi Jintang snapped his fingers, "Yes, Sir, your understanding is correct!"

After speaking, Shi Jintang raised the red wine glass in his hand to Bannerman and took a sip.

Alas, the taste of this wine is really bad. No wonder Bannerman doesn't want to drink it.

Seeing the bitter expression on Shi Jintang's face, Sir Bannerman became even happier.

He chuckled and continued to ask: "You say that the greater your ability, the greater your responsibility, but you treat the indigenous people cruelly. This is a self-contradiction."

Shi Jintang shook his head noncommittally, "This is different. We are outsiders here. In order to compete for survival resources, we must be stricter with the indigenous people.

Otherwise, if they wake up and resist us, it will be a disaster.

Americans do the same thing, we just follow the same example, so you shouldn't blame me. "

After hearing this, Sir Bannerman chuckled. His current status is really not suitable for commenting on Americans.

"By the way, aren't you going to Ireland to take office? Why are you here?"

After listening to Shi Jintang's question, Sir Bannerman showed an embarrassed smile.

"This matter was originally not my turn, but the War Secretary suffered a heart attack and was unable to get out of bed. Prime Minister Gladstone called me urgently and asked me to come and negotiate with you."

Hearing the news, Shi Jintang smiled even happier.

"Okay then, let's start formal negotiations. My old friend, what good news have you brought me?"

　Please subscribe, vote monthly, recommend votes, and collect.

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)