When the Liu family started a new life, the colonial pioneer team led by Ryan discovered an indigenous tribe on the banks of the Kuando River.
The size of the tribe is not large. More than a dozen thatched houses with original spires have been burned. The entire tribe is empty. There are a few bones scattered in the open space next to the tribe. In the distance, there are a few hyenas, the most common species in the African grasslands.
furtive.
"Across the river is Southwest Africa. In the past few years, German slave-catching teams often crossed the border into Bechuanaland to plunder the population. This tribe was probably abandoned at that time -" Jackson was fairly clear about what happened during that time.
"It could also be a tribal vendetta -" Ryan did not settle old scores. The German slave-catching team would illegally enter Bechuanaland to plunder the population. The slave-catching teams in southern Africa were not idle either. The colonial development team led by Ryan...
Someone is from Southwest Africa.
"The area around here is deserted for hundreds of miles, and there is not a single person. If it was a tribal vendetta, then where were the victorious tribes?" Jackson was very dissatisfied with Ryan's deceptive attitude.
"Of course it was annexed by a more powerful tribe -" Ryan continued casually, not entangled in this issue: "Okay, Mr. Technician, let's get to work now. I think this is a very suitable place to set up a settlement. The land nearby
It’s pretty good. It’s very close to the water source. It’s on a higher ground and you don’t have to worry about the river flooding during the rainy season. If these houses were bulldozed, it would be enough to house hundreds of people.”
In fact, the natural environment in southern Africa is really good. Even Bechuanaland, which is famous for its desolation, the Kuando River Basin is full of water, grass, and fertile soil. In the past, the indigenous Africans had never had any awareness of farming, so large tracts were suitable for cultivation into fertile farmland.
The land is just idle and cannot produce any value.
Ryan's pioneering team has been staying in the Kwando River Basin during this period. As he learned more and more about the Kwando River Basin, Ryan was surprised to find that there were many connections with the people in Johannesburg, Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.
Compared with high-quality farms, the Kuanduo River Basin is not bad at all. The soil here has been nourished for thousands of years. Once cultivated, it requires almost no fertilizer to ensure high yields for more than ten years, or even decades.
In the Kuando River Basin, the greatest threat to new immigrants came not from wild animals, but from German Southwest Africa.
As Rock and Stoudemire have said before, many borders in Africa are as straight as measured with a ruler.
In addition to this straight boundary, the meandering boundaries on the map are generally the boundaries naturally formed by rivers.
This is the situation in Bechuanaland. The western border between Southwest Africa and Bechuanaland is all a straight dividing line. To the north, the border begins to twist and turn due to the Kuando River. The territory of Southwest Africa extends towards Bechuanaland.
450 kilometers stretch between Channa and Rhodesia, and the narrowest point of this narrow strip is only 30 kilometers.
Jackson is also worried about this issue: "This place is less than five kilometers away from the Kuando River. Even if it is very suitable for immigrants, I am afraid that no one will be willing to settle here because of the threat from Southwest Africa."
"Don't worry, Mr. Technician, the slave-catching teams in Southwest Africa can penetrate deep into our Bechuanaland, so you don't think we will retaliate?" Ryan was proud. Afrikaners never swallow their anger.
Because of the retaliation from Southern Africa, the narrow strip of land in the northeastern part of Southwest Africa has now become a no-man's land. This narrow strip of land is actually very large, covering more than 20,000 square kilometers. However, because of the wrong thoughts of the Governor of Southwest Africa, the area of this region has become no man's land.
All mature farms have been abandoned, and even German immigrants cannot survive in this area.
"It's boring to retaliate against each other, can't we just sit down and have a cup of tea?" Jackson objected to violence. He squatted down and rubbed the soil casually, then pulled a piece of weed and put it in his mouth to chew. It was easy.
Conclusion: "The conditions are indeed good, and a residential settlement can be established——"
After thinking for a while, Jackson added: "If the security problem can be solved."
Unexpectedly, Jackson's prediction came true. That afternoon, the German South West African Cavalry was discovered on the other side of the Kuando River.
In fact, the positioning of the army and bandits in this era was not clear. Many of the slave-catching teams in German South-West Africa were themselves the army of German South-West Africa.
Of course, southern Africa has no position to blame the Germans. In order to compete with Spain for maritime hegemony, the Queen of England also issued a "private license". As a result, the pirates became "royal pirates." Britain also relied on its large number of pirates to
Complete the primitive accumulation of capital, finally completely defeat the Invincible Fleet, and become the overlord of the modern oceans.
After Ryan learned the news, he immediately gathered the security team and rode to the Kuando River to look for the Southwest African Cavalry.
In fact, there were only a few people, only five or six cavalry. They didn't even have uniforms, and they were equipped with a variety of weapons. They didn't have the courage to face Ryan and the others. They found that Ryan and his group of more than 30 cavalry were in Southwest Africa.
The cavalry immediately ran away, making Ryan cursed in anger.
"Let's see, this is the crux of the problem. The cavalry from Southwest Africa will appear at any time, but we can't be stationed here for a long time." When Ryan returned to the camp, Jackson was drinking coffee comfortably.
The wilderness of southern Africa is indeed full of dangers. In addition to wild animals, the greatest threat to mankind also comes from humans.
If those few Southwest African cavalrymen didn't run away, then Ryan wouldn't mind playing the role of a bandit. This business is indeed very addictive, and the money comes in really fast.
"Let me tell you, you white people and Africans are a cancer on this land. These lands have no value in your hands. In the hands of us Chinese, they will become pastures, farms, grow giant trees, and turn into factories.
And the railroad—" Ryan and Jackson have been together for a long time, and they talk very wildly.
"If you have the ability, say it in front of the Lord -" Jackson was half-lying on the chair comfortably. Twelve was roasting a leg of lamb next to him. After roasting a piece, he put it on a plate with a small blade and brought it to Jackson.
Ryan pulled up a chair and sat next to Jackson, and Twelve immediately sent the coffee to Ryan.
Such an environment really makes it impossible for people not to fall into depravity.
"We have to find a way to drive away the Germans on the other side of the river." Ryan had a strong sense of territoriality and would not allow others to snore next to his bed.
"You are just the captain of the colonial pioneer team. It is not your turn to consider this kind of problem." Jackson laughed. This problem involved too much. In Jackson's view, Ryan just overestimated his capabilities.
"Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the country!" Ryan was not discouraged. He was in a humble position and did not dare to forget about the country. He had no sense of ownership. He was no different from a salted fish.
The man who is supposed to solve this problem is accompanying Ade to review the troops.
As the farthest Cape Third Division arrived in the Okavango Swamp, the exercise finally officially began.
Ade also came to Bechuanaland at the end of September, along with the Speaker of the Southern African Parliament Philippe.
"The 1st Cavalry Division, the Northern Rhodesian Division, the 3rd Cape Division, and the 4th Natal Division. These four divisions are our main force in southern Africa, with a total strength of 68,000 troops, which can be used overseas at any time.
Next, our Ministry of National Defense is preparing to form air force and armored forces. The First Cavalry Division may become the first mechanized force in southern Africa and even the world." Roque was responsible for introducing to Ad and Philip, the official Ministry of National Defense.
Minister Hopkins also listened with great interest, as if these matters had nothing to do with him.
"Locke, please slow down. For us in southern Africa, the current number of troops is too large. We simply cannot support such a large army at the moment." Ade was very worried, with a force of 68,000 people.
It is already too much for southern Africa. Although Roque did not say how many more people are needed to form the air force and armored forces, the current scale has overwhelmed the federal government.
"Lord, the Ministry of National Defense is also trying every means to reduce the burden on the federal government. Therefore, the Ministry of National Defense has established an engineering force composed of six conscripts to undertake external operations and reduce the burden on the federal government as much as possible." Roque is also thinking of ways to reduce the burden on the federal government.
All hopes are pinned on the federal government and the Rand Bank, and whatever they can earn is whatever they can.
The Corps of Engineers was actually not Rock's first creation. Before the establishment of the federal government, the colonial troops of each state were actually similar to the private soldiers of the colonial government. At that time, the colonial troops in southern Africa would also undertake some profitable businesses, but most of the profits generated were
The army generals divided it up and did not use it for the development of the army.
Southern Africa currently implements a system of coexistence of professional soldiers and conscripts. Professional soldiers are mainly used for foreign operations, while compulsory soldiers are used for domestic construction. In Rhodesia, the construction of strategic warehouses led by the Ministry of Defense was undertaken by the Engineering Corps, which saves money.
The remaining funds amounted to R600,000.
Before the establishment of the federal government, most of these savings would have been divided among senior officials of the Department of Defense.
This kind of thing will not happen now. Roque sets an example and will never embezzle funds. He is also very strict in the management of his subordinates. The ministers lead by example. The officers below do not dare to go too far. Therefore, the Southern African Federal Government
Of all departments, the Department of Defense has the highest level of integrity.
"I don't care what you do, anyway, in recent years, it is impossible for the federal government to increase funding for the Department of Defense." Ade explained to Roque in advance to prevent Roque from complaining that the federal government does not support the work of the Department of Defense.
"We raise our own funds -" Roque is confident that even if the federal government does not provide funding, the Department of National Defense can be self-reliant.
It is too easy for the army to make money. Of course, Rock will not let the army do business. That would put the cart before the horse and seriously affect the combat effectiveness of the army.
