Boyle left a manor late at night very satisfied. He was very satisfied with the person he met. The person was indeed one of the people who could decide the Kingdom of Abyssinia.
The other party is Princess Zoditu, the daughter of former King Menelik II.
However, this is the illegitimate daughter of Menelik II, the daughter of his ex-wife, and does not have the right to inherit. As for the young king Ejasu, he is the son of Menelik II and Suika, the only daughter of Queen Taitu.
After watching Boyle leave in the carriage on the main building, Zoditu looked at Kamala beside him.
"Go tell Tafari that the British have promised to help us, and now we need him to prepare."
"As you command, my master."
As the illegitimate daughter of Menelik II and a member of the Solomon royal family, Zoditu was actually very ambitious. She had longed for the throne before, but her status as an illegitimate daughter meant that she had no right to inherit at all, unless Menelik
All the other descendants of Lik II were dead, otherwise she would have no hope at all.
The outbreak of the world war and the death of her highly respected father made Zoditu's ambition no longer restrained, so she contacted the ambitious dukes and governors in the kingdom, trying to use their power to overthrow her nephew's rule and let her
Put yourself on the throne that you think about day and night.
Among the dignitaries who came into contact, his cousin Tafari Makonnan, the governor of Harald Province, was the most tempted.
Speaking of which, the father of Governor Tafari was the cousin of Menelik II. He was also a powerful general of the royal family and had made great military exploits. He had defeated the rebel nobles many times, and Tafari Makonnan was his second son.
Faced with the suggestion from his subordinates, Ambassador Ricardo immediately replied. "No, we can't touch each other for the time being. I want to catch those moles hiding underground."
This is also the most suitable time. In order to seize Italy's East Africa, the British are absolutely willing to spend a lot of money to win over the kingdom. However, the king is deeply influenced by the Italians and will never agree. This is convenient for them, because he knows that for the British
For them, it would be a big gain for them to have an opposition force to contain the kingdom at this time.
You must know that due to the gradual modernization reforms of the Kingdom of Abyssinia, the taxes on its farmers have become heavier, which has caused farmers to become increasingly poor and need to borrow money to survive. At present, the interest rate on money lending in Abyssinia is 20-30%.
, which further bankrupted farmers. A large number of bankrupt farmers were sold into slavery, which gradually intensified domestic conflicts.
Of course he knew the risks, but he was willing to give it a try for the sake of the Kingdom of Tafari. Of course, he still had a trace of his own ambition in his heart.
"At this time?"
"You mean the British came to King Ejasu?"
"Very good, it seems that we have gained enough trust by supporting King Ejasu."
It can be said that Tafari Makonnan is one of the most powerful people in the kingdom currently.
"Duke Maconnan, my master's conversation with the British envoy went very smoothly. The British are willing to provide us with 200,000 pounds of funding, and are also willing to provide us with a batch of military supplies such as 8,000 guns and 20 cannons. In addition, the British also promised,
We can provide us with a group of reinforcements if necessary."
Then Tafari continued to ask a few more questions about discussing with the British, and then asked the princess's butler to go back to resume his duties.
"Duke, this is all caused by the war. The British want to fight the Italians, so that we can seek our own interests."
While Tafari, Zoditu, Boyle and others were making secret plans, on the other side of the city, Ricardo Lopez, the Italian ambassador to the Kingdom of Abyssinia, was also making secret plans.
Listen to the reports from your men.
At this time, he was at home, listening to Princess Zoditu's confidant butler telling him about the meeting with the British envoy.
However, it is a pity that this royal general died of illness in 1906. His eldest son inherited the Duke of Maconnan, and Tafari was awarded the title of Marquis by Menelik II. He was subsequently appointed as the nominal sub-governor of Salar.
Because at this time Tafari was studying with Crown Prince Ejasu.
Speaking of which, since Menelik II suffered a stroke, the king's power has been gradually weakened because the king has few directors. Although the Queen Mother Taitu maintains it, without a strong king who can take charge, the power will naturally be gradually distributed. After all,
The nobles of the Kingdom of Abyssinia are very traditional (the tradition of sharing power).
But although he did a good job, the situation in other Abyssinian provinces became increasingly serious, making the situation in the kingdom increasingly serious.
As for Tafari himself, it is fair to say that he did a very good job as governor of Sidamo and Harar provinces. He implemented reform practices, carried out extensive land registration to facilitate effective tax collection, implemented an official salary system, and prohibited self-funding.
Therefore, land annexation in rural areas can be restricted.
After listening to the British conditions, Tafari spoke silently.
As a slave country deeply influenced by Italy, Abyssinia has enough pro-Italian people, and as its capital Addis Ababa, there are even more. As its key observation point, Abyssinia
The King and the Queen Mother Toure are the focus of observation. Although they cannot know everything they eat, they can definitely know who they meet. As for Boyle, who has been disguised, he is the focus of attention immediately. As for Li
Ambassador Cardo is, of course, the highest person in charge of Italy in the country.
After looking at the housekeeper of Princess Zoditu in front of him, Tafari continued. "This is not just for our interests, it is for the interests of the kingdom."
The provinces of Sidamo and Harar that he governed successively were awarded the title of model province.
"Duke Maconnan is right, we did this for the benefit of the kingdom."
It was obvious that the princess's butler was just perfunctory.
After this man left, Tafari fell into deep thought.
After completing his studies, he served as the governor of Sidamo Province in the southwest. After the death of his brother in 1911, he inherited the dukedom and was appointed governor of Harar Province. In the same year, he established an alliance with the Guerra, another major ethnic group in the country.
His marriage to the Menglun family further enhanced his political status and influence.
"The British have invested a lot of money."
"Ambassador, will the British envoy disguised as a businessman have an accident?"
It was also his idea to ask the British for help, because without external help, it would be impossible for them to remove Aejasul from the throne of the king, because there was Italian support behind it.
As a royal family who wanted to make a difference, Tafari saw how he could accept the situation in the country with peace of mind, so a dark thought gradually took shape in his heart.
Of course he knew what he was doing. To put it bluntly, he was plotting to usurp the throne.
However, the current situation in the Kingdom of Abyssinia is not very optimistic. Although Italy, the suzerain country, provides financial resources for it, those who enjoy these are the nobles, and the ordinary people are more seriously exploited.
Princess Zoditu, who happened to be an illegitimate daughter, was ambitious, so why didn't he take advantage of this stupid and ambitious princess. As for what happens next, if the other party understands the situation and doesn't stop him from reforming, then it's okay. If he doesn't, it would be a surprise.
Can be generated at any time.
At this time, Tafari Makonnan had returned to Addis Ababa from Harar Province on the grounds of reporting to the king on the situation in Harar Province.
Italy's labor dispatch operations in recent years have attracted a large number of favored nobles to him. It is impossible for him, Princess Zoditu and several other ambitious nobles to accomplish the task of dethroning the king alone.
"Yes, Your Excellency Ambassador, but the king has rejected the other party's request to change the court and is willing to continue to be on our side."
Of course Ambassador Ricardo knew what his subordinates meant.
"This time is better. As long as we catch them before the battle breaks out, we can better integrate the power of Abyssinia. The lack of its power in East Africa will affect the overall situation. In addition, who has this secret envoy met?
, I must know.”
"According to your orders, Your Majesty the Ambassador, I will have someone check him out immediately. No matter how many times he has been to the toilet, I will find out."
Ambassador Ricardo did not think that what his subordinates said was empty talk. Because except for a few people, no one knew how strong Italy’s intelligence capabilities were in Abyssinia, especially in the capital Addis.
Berba, it can be said that even the king is inferior to Italy's intelligence capabilities.
