Chapter 862: Candidates for in-depth Central Africa
The episode in Paris did not affect Libreville. After surviving the dual threats of malaria and cholera, Jérôme Patterson could finally continue his expedition to central Africa.
After screening the expedition teams in and around Libreville one by one, retired British Captain Grandy’s information appeared (Grundy’s information was bought by Jerome Patterson from some second-rate dealers in Libreville).
On Jerome Patterson's desk.
According to the information, Captain Grandy was once a member of Livingstone's adventure team, and he followed Livingstone to explore deep into Africa. Victoria Falls was discovered by their team.
However, due to some reasons, the Livingstone Expedition was disbanded in April of this year, and Captain Grandy also left the expedition and formed an expedition of their own to explore.
From the re-establishment of the expedition in May to now, Captain Grandi's team has entered Africa many times and returned safely.
After reading Captain Grandy's information, Jerome Patterson was immediately convinced that this was the person he was looking for.
However, Jerome Patterson did not dare to find Captain Grandi immediately because Captain Grandi's identity was too sensitive.
Grandy is not only an adventurer, but also a retired captain.
His identity as a British captain made Jerome Patterson somewhat suspicious that Grandi might be a vanguard sent by Britain to explore the road.
After all, the British government's first step in colonization was to retire captains and missionaries as pioneers.
After all the routes are figured out, the second step will begin.
The British Kingdom will issue orders to domestic capital, allowing them to use the power of money to control capital in areas that have been explored, including but not limited to supporting local indigenous people, provoking conflicts between two tribal kingdoms, etc., through a series of means to allow people to explore areas within
The indigenous people are burdened with heavy foreign debts that they cannot afford in their lifetime.
When the colonized people find that their foreign debts cannot be repaid, they will choose to beg them to appropriately relax the period. At this time, the colonial country can take the final step.
They will decisively tear off their pretense and refuse to forgive, and order push and pull orders to pay off their debts as soon as possible, otherwise they will choose to invade their country.
After reaching this step, even if the invaded country is able to repay all loans, Britain will not listen to any of their explanations. The British army will carry out physical invasion and attack the country controlled by their capital as quickly as possible.
After defeating their army, complete the annexation of them.
Therefore, Jerome Patterson is still afraid of Captain Grandy.
Adhering to the cautious concept of not being afraid of ten thousand, just being afraid of the unexpected,
Jérôme Patterson had given an order to Rastignac two weeks ago, asking him to secretly investigate whether retired Captain Grandy had any special relationship with the British government.
Now that two weeks have passed, it is time for Rastignac to investigate clearly.
Just as Jerome Patterson was thinking, Rastignac appeared in front of Jerome Patterson.
"Your Majesty the Governor!" Rastignac said to Jerome Patterson in a solemn tone.
"You're back!" Looking at Rastignac's return, Jérôme Patterson's face showed a kind smile. He quickly asked Rastignac: "The matter of Grandy is under investigation.
How about it?"
"After two weeks of investigation by my subordinates, I found that retired Captain Grandi has no relationship with the British government!" Rastignac said to Jerome Patterson in a calm tone,
"Then why did he choose to set up an expedition?" Jerome Patterson then asked.
"The reason why Grandi set up the expedition was just based on his interest in unknown things! The British government never gave him any instructions!" Rastignac then replied to Jérôme Bonaparte.
"So, we can recruit him to be our guide deep into the interior!" Jerome Patterson asked Rastignac again.
"There is no problem with this!" Rastignac nodded and said to Jerome Patterson, and then added: "However, we'd better sign an employment agreement with Grandi! In this case, even if he
There is no chance to regret even if you want to.
And I suggest adding our people to Grandy’s adventure team for protection reasons to prevent them from being used to spy on Grandy in disguise!”
After listening to Rastignac's suggestion, Jérôme Patterson lightly patted the table and said: "Okay! Just do it! You should immediately send someone to find Captain Grandy and tell him what's good for you.
The Governor's Palace of Burwell is willing to support Captain Grandy and his team in exploring the African territory and spreading abolitionist ideas!
I hope Captain Grandi will not let down the Governor’s Palace in Libreville!”
"Understood!" Rastignac replied briefly.
Immediately afterwards, under the orders of Jérôme Patterson, Rastignac went to Pelosti, a stronghold south of Libreville.
It is located closest to the entrance of the Congo River and has a total population of about 2,000 people.
Most of the people living here are slave traders from European countries and the Arab region, and only a few scientific expedition and adventure teams are stationed here.
Rastignac, who arrived by steam express, had just gotten off the boat and spent a 5-franc tip to ask the locals where they lived on the Grandi.
The locals who received the tip enthusiastically took Rastignac to a house made of wood, pointed to the house and said to Rastignac, "Sir, Captain Grandy is inside!"
"Thank you!" Rastignac immediately expressed his gratitude to the locals, and then went straight to the door of the wooden house and knocked on the door.
At this time, Captain Grandi in the room was discussing the next route with his companions. Rastignac's knock on the door interrupted their communication.
Captain Grandy and his compatriots looked at each other in shock when they heard the noise outside. None of them knew who the person outside was.
Captain Grandy quickly signaled his companions with his eyes. The companion nodded and tiptoed to the shotgun, picked up the shotgun and pointed it at the door, and then made a gesture to Grandy.
In this neglected area, all kinds of bloody things happen every day.
Naturally, a shotgun is something that every adventure team must prepare. Maybe one day the adventure team will use it.
After making preparations, Captain Grandy shouted outside the room: "Who are you?"
Rastignac outside the room responded to Captain Grandi in a calm tone, "Mr. Grandi, my name is Rastignac!"
"Rastignac? I don't know you! Leave quickly! Don't disturb me!" Captain Grandy issued an order to expel Rastignac.
Rastignac said to Captain Grandi unhurriedly: "Mr. Grandi! I was ordered to invite you to Libreville! If you don't go, I will be very troubled!"
"By order? Whose order?" Captain Grandi asked again.
"A big man you can't afford to mess with!" Rastignac responded to Captain Grandi in a nonchalant manner, "As long as you come with me, you will understand everything!"
"What if I say no!" Captain Grandi responded to Rastignac.
After Rastignac was silent for a moment, he said to Captain Grandi in an unquestionable tone: "Mr. Grandi! If you reject me, then next time I will not come alone.
Instead, lead a company or even a battalion over!
But at that time, I’m afraid you will come with us obediently!”
After listening to Rastignac's words, Captain Grandi immediately realized that the other party was probably someone from the Governor's Palace in Libreville.
Because only the Governor's Palace in Libreville can make wild claims about leading a battalion of troops.
The companions around him also realized that the other party might be a visitor from the Governor's Palace in Libreville, and they all asked Grandi what to do with their eyes.
After Captain Grandy pondered for a while, he stretched out his hand to signal the companion who was holding the gun to put down the gun, and then signaled the other companion to go over and open the door.
The two companions obeyed Captain Grandi's order. One placed the shotgun held flat by his legs, and the other trotted to the door and opened the door for Rastignac.
"Thank you!" After Rastignac expressed his gratitude to the person who opened the door for him, he turned his gaze to Captain Grandi with a beard and said: "Mr. Grandi, we finally meet!"
Captain Grandi looked at Rastignac carefully and asked doubtfully: "Sir, have we met before?"
"We have not officially met before!" Rastignac responded to Captain Grandi.
"Then what do you want from me?" Captain Grandy asked Rastignac again.
"Our governor wants to contribute to your team's exploration of Africa!" Rastignac said to Captain Grandi with a smile.
"Thank you very much, Governor Libreville, for your support!" Captain Grandi said to Rastignac in an unassuming voice, "However, we don't need support yet!"
As an adventurer, Captain Grandi did not want to be restricted by the Governor's Palace. Having served in the British Army for a period of time, he knew exactly what the purpose of the Governor's Palace in Libreville was.
It is false to support the exploration of Africans, but it is true to want to use their knowledge to expand territory.
"Mr. Grandi, do you want to refuse our invitation?!
"Rastignac's expression immediately turned cold.
"That's right!" Captain Grandi said bluntly to Rastignac, "I just want to explore quietly, and I don't want to carry a mission to explore! I hope you can forgive me!"
"Mr. Grandi, we will not let you shoulder the task! How do you explore, just follow the previous route! We will never interfere!" Rastignac tried to persuade Captain Grandi.
"No need to say it!" Captain Grandi responded coldly: "I will not agree to this!"
"Then Mr. Grandi, please think about it again! After all, you are not alone!"