Chapter 805 Asking for a high price, pay back on the spot
“Count Hermann, you are like a lion talking loudly. Even if you sell our Portuguese government, you will not be able to pay back this astronomical figure, and Angola is the only one. With the economic level of Mozambique, to be honest, we have been operating completely with debt in recent years, like a bottomless pit, and the debt problem itself is difficult to solve. Do you think we will surrender to East Africa for these two places?" The Portuguese representative's face turned red! said.
Herman said shamelessly: "Of course not, Mr. Gers, we don't care how Portugal operates Angola and Mozambique. After all, East Africa is a peace-loving country, but this does not mean We are easily bullied. The outcome of this war itself is the result of Portugal's overestimation of its capabilities. You have completely failed to accept the lessons of the last war. The Portuguese government was the active planner of both wars. This fully shows that you brought the South African war on yourself. "
"And don't deny it first. It is a reasonable request for you to compensate for the huge losses caused by the war in East Africa. If you want to reconcile the accounts, it will only add up to more calculations. After all, we I have already helped you get rid of a large amount of compensation.”
Herman’s words were a complete setback, but Gers, who was in the wrong, could not refute this at all, but he felt more aggrieved and aggrieved that Portugal was defeated. It is a fact, but how to compensate for it will not make the lion open his mouth like in East Africa.
So Gers replied: "Your land in the west of East Africa is completely a pile of rubbish, and it is not worth much at all. As for the so-called displacement of millions of people, who doesn't know that those uncivilized black people have no stable place to live?" So, and I’m afraid you don’t usually count them as yours, so the asking price in East Africa is completely blackmail to our Kingdom of Portugal.”
Herman retorted: “This is not right, let’s not talk about it for now. It is no different that we East African civilians are harmed by the war. Furthermore, are the more than 300,000 black troops in Portugal not included in the Portuguese army because of their dark skin? "
"Our Portuguese army is not at all? There are no black people..." At this time, Gers tried to separate Portugal from black people. Since the defeat, they had already belonged to the group that was bound to be abandoned by Portugal.
But if he wanted to use this to reduce war crimes, Herman certainly refused: "Mr. Gers, didn't you say earlier that the weapons in the hands of these black people were picked up from the jungles of Africa? Thirty The tens of thousands of armed forces are all produced by your authentic Portuguese people. These cannot be denied. Moreover, as an area previously ruled by Portugal, these black people themselves are your Portuguese. Since they have taken the weapons provided by you, they have raised their hands against the Kingdom of Hechingen. Muzzle, this debt should not be placed on your head!"
After a pause, Herman then asked in a sinister tone: "Could it be that these black people are not wearing your Portuguese military uniforms, or are they? Do they have the ability to mobilize hundreds of millions of people themselves and learn to produce Portuguese army-standard weapons? ”
"You...I...you..." Gers originally wanted to say that Herman was making false accusations, but when he thought about East Africa, he would definitely be able to provide sufficient evidence. After all, East Africa held hundreds of thousands of Portuguese prisoners.
Gers was in a passive position from the beginning. After all, Portugal was unreasonable, the war was ugly, and its national strength was weak. It really had no ability to compete with East Africa.
“Well, Count Hermann, I think Portugal’s problem should be put aside for now. After all, Portugal’s economy cannot satisfy your greedy appetite. I still advise you to have a bottom line as a person, and the same is true for the country. , East Africa may not have such good teeth.”
Salisbury helped Gers out at this time, and other countries around him were watching the show, so Britain had to help Portugal. As an ally of Britain on this occasion, helping Portugal at this time is helping itself.
After all, East Africa really wants more than 80 million pounds. The British expenditure in the entire South African War is almost the same amount. If it is admitted, the British losses will be directly close to 200 million pounds. It is simply the same as France, which lost the Franco-Prussian War, was no different.
Of course, Salisbury also understood that the true purpose of the East African government represented by Count Hermann was definitely not like this. The so-called asking for high prices and paying back on the spot is a trick that the British have played a lot. However, Britain's former enemies knew that they were suffering a big loss, so they could only knock out their teeth and swallow it in their stomachs.
Unexpectedly, the situation has changed, and now the United Kingdom is also encountering this problem. However, the United Kingdom is the world's hegemon and will be afraid of East Africa's "blackmail"!
Salisbury said: "Count Herman, you did gain a temporary advantage in East Africa in the war, but this is not the capital you asked for at an unreasonable price. The British Empire is not serious at all. As for the so-called sixty thousand Prisoner, this is just what your family said. It is well known that there are many white people in India. Maybe it is difficult to distinguish. You cannot put the blame on us just because you said it casually."
First time, Salisbury. We still have to deny the fact that the number of British soldiers captured in East Africa was too high. After all, the South African War was fought too many times and it was too negative for Britain's international image, especially as it would set a bad example for other colonies.
He continued: "As for the so-called economic losses and other series of requirements, they are also questionable. As we all know, the African continent is a barren land, and the history of East Africa in East Africa is only a mere twenty or thirty years. Especially the development of southern East Africa is pitifully low. , so the war reparations of 80 million pounds It’s definitely unreasonable.”
Earl Hermann said: “Haha, our calculations are reasonable, and the bulk of the calculation of war reparations is actually mainly focused on prisoners and military expenditures. As for the British army, In terms of number of people, I think we can still distinguish between Indians and British people. It’s clear.”
“Well, do you want to challenge the bottom line of the British Empire? Our country is indeed slightly worse in terms of army. After all, our military expenditure is not large, but the majesty of the Royal Navy cannot be challenged. East Africa continues to be stubborn. I think East Africa will definitely regret what happened today. Aggressive!"
As Salisbury finished speaking, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became tense. Salisbury was not afraid of Herman's blackmail at all. As for the captured British soldiers, The safety of life is nothing compared to the interests of the British Empire.
At this time, Earl Ellenthal, as the host, had to come out to make peace and said: "Your Excellency Salisbury, don't be excited. There is nothing we can't talk about. It's better not to be impulsive at this time. Everyone should retreat. Only one step can solve the problem. ”
"Hmph!" Salisbury snorted coldly: "Although we in the UK are rich, we will not go to London to get a penny to compensate the pigs in East Africa if we have the ability. I'm afraid you don't have the guts."
Hearing this, von der Leyen Unable to sit still, he said with a strong attitude: "In this case, our Kingdom of Hechingen will not compromise, and the war will continue until our losses are reasonably compensated. At that time, British Somaliland, Egypt, etc. Hope for the region bordering East Africa You can be so tough."
Seeing that the situation was getting a little out of control, Ellenthal hurriedly said: "Both of you, calm down. We are not trying to escalate the situation. Both sides are affected by personal emotions today. Obviously not. It is appropriate to continue the debate, so we will adjourn the meeting temporarily and wait for both parties to calm down before we reconvene."
With that said, Count Ellenthal gestured to von der Leyen and Hermann to let them see each other. Just accept it, East Africa already has a slight advantage today, don't add to the trouble.
(End of this chapter)